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.

Dh read that Manchester is on the shortlist for when taking over the hosting of the ATP finals from 2021. That would be typical- finally get them on my doorstep, and Rafa will probably have retired!

I saw that Raahh - that would be sod's law wouldn't it? Maybe they'll move it to a completely different country altogether? As long as it's not somewhere with an annoying time difference...

Billie Jean King getting a lifetime achievement award on SPOTY. Well deserved, I think on the 40th year of the WTA.

And they can't give anything to Murray this year.

8 year old dd2 is delighted- she has very similar glasses!

I missed/avoided SPOTY. Will try and catch the BJK speech though - love her.

Speaking of awards I see Rafa won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award this year - breaking Fed's 250 year streak, or whatever it was. Finally!!

Tennis Podcast also did an awards show, but it was a bit Djok-centric. I feel a lot of other good/great stuff that happened last season has been overlooked because of his pesky comeback!!

Oh that's brilliant Private I'm cheering here!!

SPOTY was on here but I dozed off

This made me laugh. The tattoo looks suspiciously like Mark Philippoussis to me - although it could just be the angle

That tattoo is very funny.

I know, it's dead sweet. Rafa looks pretty chuffed with it!

Kids these days this is the kind of thing my DS does with his friends (aged 8!) Shaggy

So long as they don't join forces as a doubles team and do that after every point.

The shot clock would explode.

Haha true!

Here's our other fave youngster, looking good! (And also, ready for a Three Musketeers remake)

Stefanos is definitely set for big things. He's the whole package really, he can play, no real dramas and looks good off court too. A sponsors dream.

Kyrgios must be livid.

Yes definitely. He may have missed the boat now, Kyrgios.

Stefanos is dreamy!

Am trying not to get to anxious atm as we leave from Gatwick for Christmas with the DGC in a couple of days time. Calm me down, please!

Oh bloody hell magi that must be stressful. Surely it'll be resolved by the time you're due to set off, I already can't believe it's been going on for so long! They're just saying on the news now that it could be open by 4pm today. Fingers crossed.

Private why does my hair never look that good? Has Stephanos been Timotei'd?
Magi hope everything is sorted at Gatwick by the time you need to fly. Heard on the news a little boy saying he was meant to be flying to Lapland to see Father Christmas but was stuck at Gatwick. He was trying to be so brave, bless him. I can't believe the b##*#ds out there controlling the drones who presumably find this funny

kazza Stefanos should reveal his beauty secrets for the benefit of us all! (Although probably something to do with being 20 years old)

The drones thing is absolutely ridiculous.

Ooh loving that picture of Stefanos - he’s got a nice smouldering seventies vibe going on there - another addition for the tennis players in jumpers calendar.

Also like the (not v good) Rafa tattoo!

My mind is still boggling at the thought of ball dogs - that could go so very wrong (but would keep AC entertained for hours )

Good luck with the travelling Magi - hopefully Gatwick will be sorted by the time you go. Can’t believe that people are doing this deliberately.

I think I'll take that picture of Stefanos into the hairdresser's with me next time for inspo

Oh yes the calendar!! I genuinely want this to be real!!

Me too Private

I would love the calendar to be real- we should get the ATP behind it for charity or something. (Rafa doesn't have to bother with a jumper, if he feels a bit hot --maybe just his wellies).

I read earlier he's donated a further million euros to the flood disaster fund in Majorca- he's a good man, is Rafa. It's a shame he wasn't able to do the charity match at the time, but I'm sure the people on the Island understood.

As for the bloody drone- I've seen all flights are off today, and it's all a bit up in the air tomorrow really (pardon the pun) - the official statement is 'fluid'.

I live less than a mile from Manchester airport - there are strict rules about things being flown near the airport- even around Bonfire night, organised firework displays have to check flight info. The chaos that has been caused by whoever sent these drones cannot be minimised. I really hope they get whoever did it.

magi I hope it's all sorted soon, hope you managing to stay calm!

I am so pleased that LGW has reopened. We don't leave until tomorrow so feel hopeful we'll make it.

Am reasonably calm but berluddy knackered.

Happy Christmas to you all if I don't get back while (hopefully) away.

(Am so thankful that I was insistent on going with hand luggage only!)

Those bloody drones should be banned from sale. They had one with a camera outside the church at a wedding I was at recently. It's bad enough being filmed without also worrying about a drone coming crashing down on top of you!

I hope it goes smoothly for you magi and you have a lovely Christmas with your grandchildren.