Tennis thread: looking forward to the new season

[PrivateSpidey]

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

I am quite nervous about this match. And I am still in my pyjamas so can't walk the dog (plus it's raining, so he won't go out).

Rafa is bouncing in the background I see.

I might have to do the ironing.

Thanks for all your good wishes for Friday, it went much better than I anticipated. The coffin took a few of us by surprise though. It was a bright blue cardboard coffin, with photos of things connected to him plastered on it - of him and his family, his old school badge, a racehorse for his love of horseracing, and so on. Once you get over the initial shock, I think it's a great idea and really suited his character. The coffin was sustainable/ ethical and was blue because he was a Chelsea supporter.

I see Spain are one up in the final.
Don't know if I'm up to watching Djok this early on a Sunday morning

I've never been to Ikea and I won't mind if I never do!

Aahh, the joys of the rogue lego piece

I’ve booked my spot in the settee - made a last minute decision to change out of my pjs as I would probably end up wearing them all day. It’s pouring down here so wouldn’t be going anywhere.

I agree about RBA - he’s been very solid and reliable - I just knew that he would win his last match. Not so sure how The Rafa and Djok match will go although Djok has also had some losses and close wins in this tournament.

x post re Busta Gut

I also see that Serena won her first tournament since becoming a mother.
A mother? Is she?
Why does no one tell me these things?

Kazza the coffin sounds amazing- that's the sort of thing I like at a funeral. Makes people smile.

I don't really want to watch Djok this morning, but I want to see Rafa make up for last year - and Petch is already reeling off stats I don't want to hear, thanks.

Djok seems to have quite a few fans in the stadium.

Oh hell.

I am not in the mood for an early break.

VAMOS

Serena is a mother.

Wow.
I did not know.

She definitely kept that one quiet.

(surely her daughter has left home by now)

Hmm Djok is looking pretty strong . Come on Rafa!

That sounds like a good send off kazza

Morning all, only just tuned in now - saw a bit of RNA earlier. Yes he's been very steady hasn't he? Good on him.

kazza that sounds like something that would make people smile, glad it went ok on Friday.

RNA - not sure who he is

Yikes - Rafa is rattled by the crowd - thought Djok was going to take his shorts off then

I am not enjoying this match.

I do not want to see Djok taking his shorts off.

Has Rafa gone home?

Jim is talking rubbish. Rafa always adjusts his game for other players. He is famous for doing it mid match.

Idiot.

I’m watching with DS1 Raahh and he thought that Rafa had done a runner at the end of the first set

It’s unusual for the majority of the crowd to be for Djokovic

Jim Courier does tend to talk nonsense - I don’t usually listen to him

He said one - just one mind you - good thing the other day, but I can't remember what it was now.

Private

They are very pro-Djok. I never knew there were so many Serbs in Australia. Do you think they paid them? It's very unusual for Djok to be the favourite.

I want this to at least go to 3 sets, if Rafa is goint to lose.

Oh come on, let him get the break!

And now Prime has frozen, ffs.

I think Canada were complaining after their tie with Serbia that the crowd was too much, and disrupting play etc in Serbia's favour! Well Novak should be enjoying the crowd today anyway.

Ah dammit

That's a blow, but it might have him rattled a bit.

Yes it might have. To be fair, he did hit some great shots/serves on break points. It's just frustrating when there are few opportunities like that.

If it goes, to a tie break, as I always fear with Rafa, it will be a problem.