Tennis Thread:- The players are all on holiday, 2018 is coming to an end, but 2019 is around the corner and there will be lots to look forward to!

[Raahh]

Although I can't think about January yet...

I'm still in denial it's nearly December- which means ds will be 16 , and I will be 47 and another year will be over.

Hi dontcallmelen Eastbourne sounds fab, I'm keen to go this year. It always looks so nice and relaxing on TV.

I'm still gutted about Andy. I see he's playing during the day (Aus time) on Monday, ie Sunday night here. Seems like pretty crappy scheduling to me. Rafa plays during the day as well, Roger plays the night session (no comment ).

I remember being quite torn over who to support in the Rio gold medal match - it was one of Delpo's first big tournaments after his comeback and it was a great story, he'd already had some great results beating Djok and (I think?) Rafa, and was clawing his way back after surgery. Overall I was probably supporting him more than Andy at the time, although I was happy enough that Andy won. I'm not at all patriotic, I just like who I like, and that final was probably my two faves up against each other. What a gruelling match though. A classic, for sure.

There's a video of Andy practising today against Dimitrov (on the AO website), and Andy looks good, his shots look great, just his movement is the problem.

I'll be fascinated to see what Andy does when he stops playing. I suspect he'll go off & do something unrelated to tennis - I just can't see him hanging round on the edges of that world.............

I was wondering if he might coach a female player? He already does lots of mentoring etc doesn't he? Probably have some time away first though maybe?

Private hello would throughly recommend Eastbourne, it is a very relaxing day & lovely atmosphere, mind you it did help last year the weather was glorious the day we went.
I can see him maybe coaching at some point, he always seems so supportive of his fellow players.

Andy is a brilliant person and player , he may not have had the extra 1% that Federer Nadal and Djokovich have but was prepared to work so damned hard to get up there with them
He has nothing left to prove and what an example to us all

So glad you like Eastbourne don'tcall - I live nearby & always go. It is getting more & more popular so it's worth getting tickets in good time, especially if you want to go later in the week.

Was reading that Andy did not enjoy his stint at commentating last year & it's not something he'd want to do. I wonder if he would coach as it would take him away from his family a lot & I would have thought that having more time with them would be one of the compensations for retirement.

Argh I got the time zones confused - no surprise there. Murray's match is "not before 6pm" Melbourne time, ie, not before 7am GMT.

Edmund v Berdych is before that - quite want to see that one too.

I think Rafa might be on about midnight, Sunday night? He's second on court after Dart v Sharapova (that's the first match on Rod Laver Arena?!)

Private I'm annoyed at the scheduling, but not surprised. It means I will probably miss Rafa's first match, and I'm not interested in watching Federer, so that takes the shine off Monday a bit (the dog will get walked earlier than he might have done ).

Your post reminded me that during the Rio Olympics someone came onto the thread and got annoyed because I was sad when Rafa lost, (and delpo) and I should have been supporting Murray. It was funny. For a start- this is the tennis thread, not a partisan Olympics one, and anyway, I'll carry on supporting who I want , thanks .

Painful to watch Andy yesterday, but I am sure it's the right thing for him to do.

Raahh how dare you not support the great British hope?! Go and sit on the naughty step immediately

As I said in my post, I just like who I like, as an individual player, and that's it. I've never really supported the Brits as such, *except when Jo Durie and Jeremy Bates won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon (86???)). I Iike Andy anyway and nothing to do with where he is from. And the Delpo story was pretty irresistible in the Olympics for people who know about tennis. Imho

Magi ooh lucky you, yes am going to get some tickets this week hopefully, that’s a shame he didn’t really enjoy commentating I thought he was very good & thankfully didn’t witter on like he who shall not be named.

Private , Delpo coming back from injury, Rafa (a bit foolishly, love him) risking a lot to play at the Olympics having missed London- it just meant such a lot to both of them.

And Delpo should have won his semi in 2012, and I'm still bitter about it

dont I thought he was a good foil for Tim when he commentated, but it is a lot of pressure I suppose, and maybe he just wanted to watch what was a really good match.

He has his management company, I think Katie Swann is one of the players who is part of that, (she had to to retire in her qualifying match, unfortunately the other day) and perhaps he will just welcome the chance to spend time with his family, without the constant speculation over when he will be back.

Well it's like that thread I mentioned about the actress earlier. Not everyone is going to like someone and that's up to them. I'm not going to take it personally when someone says they hate Rafa for instance although I will wonder what's wrong with them

Jane

Poor Nick

Is everyone excited for Grand Slam Eve?!

I'm looking forward to the early round matches... but looking at the draw I fear for a few of my favourite players in the first few rounds...

That’s funny . I’ve been reading the articles about Andy Murray in the Sunday times - no one has a bad word for him - I hope that everyone’s comments will help him a little bit when he does actually retire. Even Nick Krygios’ tweet brought a lump to my throat. Murray’s nan was also quoted in the Sunday times - she is like a proper nan - I remember seeing her in a documentary and she was very sweet.

Hoping to see a bit of Murray’s match tomorrow - it’s on at about 7am - hope it’s not too painful (for him and for us). Wish that Rafa was on at a more sensible time - hoping that his body will also hold up for him.

Yes I should be able to watch Andy but probably not Rafa (unless I stay up stupidly late which is quite possible!). I feel quite down about Andy still. And Rafa and Roger are NOT helping saying how he's "the first of the group" to retire and "we aren't 20 years old anymore" etc - cut it out you two! I can't bear to think about any of the others going as well, it's been bad enough with Ferrer and Murray!

Hopefully I'll be able to find Eurosport on my kitchen telly.

I can't bear to think about any of the others going as well,

I wouldn't weep if Djok retired!

I am looking forward to it but won't be watching until highlights come on BBC at the end of the week. Still haven't got Sky or Eurosport.

Have the BBC got highlights magi , when is that?

I’m the same no sky etc, just normal telly & freeview😢

Have a look HERE for the BBC highlights - doen't start till next Saturday though.