Tennis thread: looking forward to the new season

[PrivateSpidey]

While we dream up our Australian Open advent calendar, the chat continues!

It does seem a bit daft that 2 players who have both played today (one of whom lost and looks knackered, even if he did get better towards the end) should be playing the doubles. They have a lot of doubles specialists in the Spanish team.

Exactly - I agree with you both!! The whole set up is madness. And pointless IMHO, when we have just had the Davis Cup.

Speaking of the Aussies being at an advantage, are there plans to play this somewhere else next year or is it always going to be in Aus??

Just realised it is Carreno Busta playing with Rafa not Busta Gut.

Too confusing for me .

I mean, Rafa isn't exactly carrying Spain in doubles is he? They have other brilliant players. Is this the best way to get ready for a Slam?

I suppose Djok is in the same boat.

The Bustas get everywhere

When Busta hits a good shot, a good commentator saying would be: "PCB: TCB. Taking care of business"

Dh rang me . Which was rude.

And then I couldn't get Prime to switch back on.

mine keeps cutting out as well.

The Belgian team look pretty handy at doubles so far...

They were very good the other day against Grogor and his mate.

They are doubles specialists, apparently.

Rafa looks a bit better in this match.

Yes, he definitely does.

Right, annoyingly, I have to go out. Pesky tasks getting in the way of watching tennis!

Why isn't Carrena Busta wearing a red top?

I've not got long before I have to go out too, so they need to get a move on with this match- VAMOS !

Vamos!
How on Earth they are going to beat Australia though later today I don't know.
For once the commentators have it right when they say the schedule is messed up.

Exactly. It seems a bit... unfair, shall we say, to Spain?

Raahh I also noticed PCB's white kit. I was thinking "why does PCB look so weird?!" Then I realised!

PCB: TCB

Was Rafa playing Griffin and did he win? My autocorrect hasn't caught up and I'm too lazy to change it.

Hope you coped ok today kazza

We've got horrible rain and it's so cold. Ugh

Rafa lost to Goffin but did win in the doubles. He looked like the heat was going to do him in, during the singles though.

Really unfair scheduling. Even Serbia have slightly longer to prepare.

Oh well done Goffin. It all seems a bit topsy-turvy!

Looks as if RBA is taking one for the team and playing Kyrgios tomorrow. Didn’t see any of the tennis today but it does seem a bit barmy playing in another timezone and then having to play again tomorrow.

I agree it can’t be good preparation for playing a gruelling Grand Slam in a few weeks time either. The fires seem to be getting worse in Australia as well

Yes, Rafa has to play Alex, because he is actually the Aussie number 1. It probably won't stop Kyrgios being a goady Dick from the sidelines during Rafa's match though.

I have faith in RBA- he is very level headed, and plays well under pressure and difficult circumstances (like playing Murray when he is possibly on his death bed last match ever).

The fires are really worrying. They have been going on for so long now.

It's not even that long until Melbourne- it starts on the 20th. I think this whole ATP cup thing was a bit of a daft idea.

And, as Spidey pointed out - where else can it be held in the future? They can't hold it on the other side of the world, because all the players want to be on that side preparing for the Aussie Open. So players from 'down under' will always have an advantage.

Or maybe not, since they travel all year, and don't spend that much time at home!

The fires are terrible. We've got friends near Sydney who were evacuated just after new year - they are home now but still a scary situation.

Tennis-wise, that's a good point about the Aussie players being so far away from home most of the time... but they do have a home Slam at least, so I guess they can't complain too much. But yes they could only really play at this time of year in Aus, or not too far away anyway.

I see Stan lost to Moutet in Doha.

about Stan , he was doing well.

Maybe they will move the ATP cup to a different time, and place , but that would take a bit of planning. I don't really get it. I suppose it's no different to the Tour finals being where/when they are.

It just seems to be a long event , very close to a Slam. Whereas the old style Davis Cup was over 4(?) weekends over the year - even though they were also close to the Slams. I couldn't really get my head around the new Davis Cup, either. And that was too close to the tour finals. .