Tennis Thread: Australian Open 2019 & onwards..........

[magimedi]

Hope it's OK for me to start a new thread - could not believe we'd burned out on the last one.

Am looking forward to seeing highlights of the Fed/Tits match later.

magi stop!! I think he can still win the French this year all being well with injuries. Btw what was that tape on his abs that Raahh just so happened to notice I haven't heard anyone mention it.

I have plenty of distraction today but not of a good kind fecking buyers pulled out but that's a subject for another thread

Oh that's crap Private

There's WTA Tennis from St. Petersburg on BT Sports 3 for anyone with the shakes.

Thanks Jane

From sunny Melbourne to snowy St Petersburg eh - crazy tennis tour! I don't have BT sadly, so can't even watch that!

Private he seemed to have a strip of orange coloured tape on his stomach. Each time he changed, he pulled it off. He was asked about it in by an interviewer the other day-

Q. You had a bit of tape on your abdomen area. Is that the same problem you were suffering with last year?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am in semifinals. Is not the day to talk about this. Thank you very much for your worry. Things that happen during the tournament, that’s all.

So there you go

Thank you very much for your worry.

I love Rafa.

I see Andy has had the hip operation

PrivateI literally just got in, and saw that mentioned on the news.

So, who knows, the obituary style retirement speeches may have been premature. Did you see Annabel after the match the other day (could have been before it, everything is a blur today )- she was not happy with all that . Her and Pat both said it was funeral like, and he hadn't actually retired - he had mooted the possibility.

(I'm not saying he won't still aim to go to Wimbledon, and call it a day though).

That said, I'm not sure what the recovery period is for resurfacing and how long he would be unable to play for.

How long was Bob Bryan out for?

Bob was out for 5 months, which isn't long at all is it? But as we've said, obviously doubles is a whole different kettle of fish, in terms of movement, physicalism etc.

But I suppose it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he could make it in time for a testimonial type match at Wimbledon this year?

"physicalism" wtf - that was supposed to say physicality!

I saw an interview with Jamie during the Aus Open, where he said that one of his main targets in his career is to win the men's doubles at Wimbledon. So it's a bit rude of all these journos etc to assume oh he'll just play doubles with Andy this year and ditch Bruno Soares, when presumably they'd have a genuine chance of the title? I mean he might do I suppose, for Andy's last Wimbledon, as he he said it was an ambition for them to play together as well! But it can't be taken for granted can it?

I wonder what will happen...

I think it would be cutting it fine to go Wimbledon, with no match fitness at all. And yes, with doubles, I think you can get away with leaning on your partner a bit for a while. Nowhere to hide in singles.

But -for his own well being , he needed it doing.

I think his best bet, is an exhibition match, maybe after Queen's, for charity. No pressure.
Becoming Jamie's partner wouldn't really help either- especially as Jamie wants to win . I'm sure they would love to play together- but I don't think that should be at 'proper' tournament level. Not unless Murray is fit enough.

Yes I think so. E said himself at that press conference that you couldn't come back to top level singles after the op. Maybe he could do a sort of invitational thing at Wimbledon incl Fed, Rafa, etc. Kyrgios would be there obviously Tim Henman. AC could be the MC

Jamie is on a bit of a mission, anyway- especially after Dan Evans' stupid comments claiming that basically doubles was really not important, and they were just failed singles players.

Maybe you should try it then, Dan (I've never been an Evans fan, drugs aside, he has always been Kyrgios-like in his attitude and work ethic).

interview with Jamie. He thinks the same of Evans as me

Private I do think that would be the best thing- unless this does end up being a miracle, and has turned him into the bionic man

The main problemis that he won't put pressure on himself at big events - the media will.

I hope Andy makes a good recovery. I'd love him to return but if he's not able to then at least his quality of life will be better. It can't be easy for Kim and his children seeing him in pain all the time either.

oh! I've just read that Rafa is engaged! Apparently they got engaged in Rome, but have kept it secret up to now. They are getting married in the autumn apparently. About time- they've been together 14 years

So that's lovely.

I hope they have some gorgeous babies.

He has always said he wants lots of children.

Maria is stunning.

And Rafa has said that he does not want kids while still on the tennis circuit!

Old MuzzaMagi is a witch!!

I tell you, he'll win RG & announce his retirement.

Magi I will be banning you from this thread soon

And he might have changed his mind.

We have sooooooo much snow here today (considering it's Manchester). I hate snow, so this tennis related news has cheered me up.

Plus the dc are at home. It is disrupting my plans .

Thankfully the snow is keeping to the mountains here. The sun is shining but it's very cold.

You can't ban me from this thread - 'cos I started it. Nernernerner

We had an icing sugar dusting of snow which has nearly all gone. I also hate snow.

Still got this bastard flu - have not been out the house for a week & feel a bit better but v tired & a bit low. I want Wimbledon!

I had to force the dog out.

Just watch me, magi

Sorry you're still feeling ill- I can't get rid of a cough I've had for ages- and it's one of those annoying ones that isn't that productive, it's just constant and my pelvic floor can't cope.