Tennis Thread: it may be nearing the end of the season but no negative face! Still plenty to look forward to...

[PrivateSpidey]

Couldn't resist!

Happy wedding day Rafa and Maria/Xisca!

That turnip sounds scary already

I decided to watch Fed/Stef.

I'm already irritated.

It's as though Sted isn't there.

I'm giving it another couple of games and giving up.

Raahh I didn't see the actual match but I saw the scoreline - take it you gave up?

Can't see the Demon getting the win tomorrow but you never know.

Looks like Opelka did Sascha a favour beating Goffin and RBA, but Berrettini is playing well wherever he is (Vienna??). So he could be hot on Sascha's heels for the final WTFs place...

I had it on in the background, but Stef didn't seem to have much fight in him.

It felt like a foregone conclusion from the off.

I hope De Minaur can do better, but I'm not hopeful.

Me neither.

Meanwhile Rafa and Novak have been practising together in Paris. Sadly though, no dancing

I see that Roger won in Basel - not much interest here - I think I’m more interested in Privates turnip

Why is Rafa spending so much time with Djok when he could be having a lovely time with his new wife?

Fizzy I watched 5 minutes of the match. I felt sorry for Felix, who was dismissed as a bit part payer from the off.

I am way more interested in the turnip, having done a pumpkin with dd2(is it really a year since I had to do this last year??).

No interest in Fed's win at all. And it's not because Rafa wasn't involved- I watch a lot of tennis he isn't involved in (he is injured a lot after all). I just can't abide the fawning when it comes to Fed.

And anyway, 10 wins still isn't 12. Or even 11

Good question about him spending time with his wife- I think they are just used to spending time apart. The wedding- after nearly 15 years together - was probably a foramality in a lovely setting. I'm sure they will make up for it in the 'off season'. Maybe a baby some time in August (if they time it right, he won't miss the Olympics )

I haven't watched any tennis today either. We're away at the moment so the turnip is languishing at home! Will have to get to grips with him on my return.

Ugh these dark evenings are no fun. I'm already sick of them!

Looking forward to watching Paris though. I wonder if there'll be an unlikely winner again this year??..

I a way, Rafa would be an unlikely Paris winner- It's not his surface, and he always struggles/pulls out.

But, I would rather he had a few good rounds and wond the WTFs really.

I REALLY want him to win that.

I think fatigue set in a bit for Medvedev , will be interesting to see how he does this week.

Raahh I think I agree about Rafa and Xisca - she must have known what she was letting herself in for and I’m sure they had a nice time at the wedding and before (I think it’s because he seems to be spending so much time with Djok that it seems a bit strange) - I’m excited about the possibility of them having children though

I also watch and enjoy tennis when Rafa’s not involved - I just find some players more interesting than others. I like to watch Stefanos, Stan and Dominic but don’t really enjoy watching a foregone conclusion which I suspect today’s final was.

Still excited about the turnip though (bet you wish you’d never mentioned it Spidey) they also have quite a distinctive smell when you burn a candle in them

Sadly my kids are too old for Halloween . Someone asked me what I was doing for Halloween and I pointed out that my kids were 17 and 20 - I do still like a pumpkin though

My kids are too old for Halloween & my GCs are to young.

Am back from La Belle France & am just about recovered from spending days looking after the dear GCs.

The only tennis I caught up with was Andy's win.

Welcome back magi - I enjoyed Andy’s win - I’ve not heard any baby news from the Murrays yet.

I feel like I have been making pumpkins for the last 16 years straight. DD1's was the best last year- very minimalist.

that is brilliant! Will she mind if I nick the idea for the turnip?!

Fizzy I remember that scorched turnip smell!! Will monitor and report back on Thursday

Hi magi glad you had a good time with the family!

Is Andy playing Paris? I couldn't see his name in the draw but I'd thought he was playing?

I was wondering about Medvedev too Raahh. He would be entitled to call it a season now in some ways.

I noticed the women's tour finals is on - it sounds like there have been some good matches, but I'm so not invested as I can never watch any of it!

Private I'm sure she would be delighted. At least it's easy!

everyone thought it was great.

Fed has withdrawn from Paris. Hands up who didn't see that coming?
Forget didn't even put him on the promotional materaial last year, he was so fed yup with being let down.

What was Muster saying about Djok and Rafa being the ones who pick and chose when they play??

Blimey- Khachanov- the defending champion has been Struffed!!

He certainly knows when to bring his A game, Jan Lennard!

I’m surprised that Struff isn’t more highly ranked as he seems to do a lot of Struffing of his opponents. I always worry about whoever he is playing

Love the minimal pumpkin Raahh - I almost caved and bought a mini pumpkin in Tesco today - I resisted as I would only be doing it for myself and I don’t really want to encourage any trick or treaters

Some good matches coming up tomorrow in Paris - shaggy v foggy, Stan v Cilic and Rafa . Hopefully Rafa will be on a bit later so I’ll get to see him. I suspect Rog will be off Guy Forget’s Christmas card list!

Fizzy We have done a small pumpkin for DD2- but she doesn't want to trick or treat this year (has a party at school, and one at my sister's on Saturday, so costumes won't go to waste). We live in an odd corner, and can get awy with no visitors, as most of the neighbours directly near us don't bother with decorations.

The rest of the estate go all all out- some of the houses are great, and they are really good with the kids. I have bought some stuff in , just in case we do get any visitors- I'm sure it will get eaten .

DD1 is going to replicate her pumpkin for dd1 to take to school for the school carving competition on Friday. Looking at someof the entries already appearing on FB, I think competitive parenting is in full force . So, a bit of older sibling help is allowed .

That all sounds like fun Raahh - I do like Halloween but now that my kids are older it’s not much fun having the doorbell ring every 2 seconds by trick or treaters (grumpy!)

We do get a lot where we live so last year I closed the curtains and didn’t answer the door (meanie!) - I didn’t want to open the floodgates! I might leave some sweets outside though

Pre dc, I either used to either go out, or sit in with all the lights off killjoy.

The good thing about joining in around here, most of the local dc are out at the same time- so chances of anyone knocking on my door once we get home (and no-one seems to come later than 8) are slim.

I look like a scary short witch all year round anyway- if you've ever seen the Dark Crystal, Aughra, that's me.

If there is any tennis on worth watching on Thursday night, the lights will be off, and I won't be answering the door.

The dog will grass me up by barking though.

Yes I definitely don’t want any trick or treating interrupting my tennis watching (unless Djok is playing!)

Oh my goodness, I was so busy watching Bake Off, I forgot about the tennis.

Medvedev lost to Chardy!

This is slightly annoying, he was in Djok's half. As was Fed, I think.

I do like Chardy though, so well done to him. I suspect recent weeks are catching up with Daniil- but I do hope he does ok in London (not win it though. That's for Rafa, obviously).

Not sure who can stop Djok's progress now though- maybe Thiem could, even though hard indoor court aren't his natural stomping ground, he is getting better.