Tennis thread: it's almost the off-season, but the tennis chat continues!

[PrivateSpidey]

It's not quite time to don your woolly jumpers or stoke up your log fires for the winter - still some tennis to be played this season!

An exciting, mathematically challenging WTFs continues, new Davis Cup soon, etc...

I was reading that Rafa could have been a top doubles player, had his singles not taken priority. He has reslly shown that this week.

Rafa looks seriously up for this. And no-one has more stamina.

E Viva Espana .

I really wish I was watching this - sounds as if Rafa is on fire! I was reading the bbc updates and it said they were playing E viva Espana

Well, first set to Spain, although my nerves are shot, so to eleviate the stress, I'm catching up on Strictly .

Rafa ought to be knackered , but really, he is a player (as many Spanish players have been over the years) who thrives on playing more - which is why he is so good over 5 sets, and sometimes less so over 3. I think sometimes 3 sets can take him by surprise .

Well, I didn't want to get sucked into that- but it was all very close.

Great result for Spain- and well deserved for Rafa, since he's played so much this week.

He might be shattered tomorrow for the final. Or, knowing Rafa, will just keep playing on fumes ..

Great stuff from RBA in the first set for Spain. I do like Felix, well, all of the Canadian etam really- but I really do want RBA to win. Must have been a hell of a week for him.

I heard on the radio that RBA was going to play - apparently he also played not long after his Mum died . He will have lots of support - the wedding still hasn’t happened yet - it should be soon!

I think Rafa will be running on fumes although I had a vision of him playing doubles with just him and a racquet in each hand - he looks in that sort of mood

Just put it on. It's so noisy!

Yes, he did play after his mum died- it was just before RG last year.

I've just read that be hasn't had his wedding yet, that is scheduled for next weekend -November 30th. So very sad indeed that his father won't be there for him. I can't imagine a funeral and wedding in the same week or so. Very hard for his family.

Fizzy If Rafa deosn't beat Shaggy (and he's only ever lost 1 Davis Cup match- 15 years ago)- I can imagine his shadow fighting to the bitter end and taking up a doubles spot.

Jane it is noisy. It's one of the things I'm not keen on about Davis Cup- it's always noisy .

I've not heard any howling yet though .

(Though Shakira might be there, lurking perhaps, what with this new format being her husband's 'baby')

I still don't understand how a footballer got involved in a tennis tournament!

Oh well done , Roberto. Vamos.

Jane no, unless it was to do with money? Who knows.

I'm not entirely sold on the format. It feels rushed, and relies on players who make the latter stages, potenitally playing a lot. They will always field their strongest players when they can. I just hope with all this effort, Rafa hasn't caused any further problems that will hang over into the new year.

They were building a stage for Shakira earlier Raahh

Jane I was wondering that about - allowing a footballer to organise a tennis tournament - I guess that’s why it’s a bit confusing . Maybe they’ll let Rafa organise the next footy World Cup

It's unusual to hear commentators gushing over Rafa- they rarely do that, even at RG. He is on fire this week though- his serve is even working. He's been great in the doubles too- but then I think he has always been a good doubles player. I suppose it's just harder for the top singles players to do both, frequently, the way players like Mac did. The game is so much more physical.

And Rafa knows a fair bit about football, doesn't he? - he's another tennis player who could have been a top footy player- so, they could do worse than get him on board. .

Gosh- and they have even admitted that when GB won , they didn't play the best teams.

It's like a new tennis world of commentary all of a sudden.

First set Rafa.

Again, it makes me wonder what might have been, if he had got to the semis/final of the WTF. The way he came back against Daniil, and the way he's played this week have been brilliant.

I'm on board for Rafa taking over the World Cup

Shaggy playing some good tennis here.

He has been playing well for Canada this week. Seems to have got over his mid-season blip.

So, Lopez is 38 and at the tail end of his career, and there might not achieve much else. According to the commentators.

Would they talk about Federer like that? .

*they