Tennis thread: looking forward to the new season

[PrivateSpidey]

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

Mmm sounds lovely

Jane no, we were wondering if the ATP cup might have affected him.

Doesn't look like.

And sounds like some of his fans have stuck around too .

Mac is Back!

Well, Djok was at least stretched to 4 sets. So that's something.

Yay!

Serena is wearing a dress that isn't spotty, more lines and geometric shapes. . But from a distance it looks spotty.

I hope she hasn't got a matching track suit.

I was confused , as I thought her match was live- but realised it can't be, as she has already won

And also, Patrick can't be watching her, and talking live to Mats on Eurosport 1

John singing Beds are Burning

John

He's not wrong about the travel thing though- but I'm not sure what the answer is.

I love Barbara Shett's blazer.

Hello you lovely lot

So much to catch up on... I've seen no tennis today as yet, but been enjoying all your comments

Shame the Struffing got derailed. I might have known Djok would be unaffected by the ATP Cup!

Good win for Dan Evans, I heard he patted his stomach in celebration after Tim Henman said he could do with missing a few meals - it obviously hasn't done him any harm anyway.

And what about that player (I'd never even heard of him) who asked a ball kid to peel a banana for him?!! The entitlement!! Luckily the ump told him to peel his own banana - the only sensible action.

A mere 96 matches to look forward to tomorrow then - I am mostly interested in Medvedev v Tiafoe... and Rafa's highlighter-esque kit!

Seriously private !
A player couldn't peel his own banana?
Who was it?
I hope they lost
I'd tell them where they could stick their banana

Peel bananas
Oh dear. Now that is a whole new level of tennis player entitlement.

I thought Tsitsipas seemed quite riled by his own fans at the end of his match. He said as much in his press conference.

"I think also, from their side, they should be a little bit more respectful to the opponents. Attitude doesn’t really belong in tennis. It should stay in football, not in the tennis court.”

I agree with him, I don't like all the shouting, noise and booing opponents mistakes. He couldn't get a word out in his on court interview, it was so noisy- and unlike Djok, who I'm sure would relish that, he looked quite cross!

The non-peeler was Elliot Benchetrit kazza. Apparently he couldn't do the peeling himself because he had plasters on his fingers

He should have brought some easier snacks - like dates! Djok would approve.

Anyway, he won so obviously the plasters didn't hamper him there.

That's interesting re Tsitsipas Raahh - I remember him getting loads of support in Aus last year as well. Hope his request doesn't backfire on him!

Private well quite, or it might end up like Medvedev at the US Open, and he will have to turn things around sharpish (which Daniil did manage to do, in the end).

Yes, he made a great job of that, did Medvedev they ended up loving him!! Haha.

It will be interesting to see how he does in Aus. I hope he does well, but I like Tiafoe too - tough first round for both.

Very tricky first round- but I think Sascha is the one who is going to be the one to watch, upset-wise. That's if Chicken is up to it.

Yes very true. I am not sure re Chickenato. Has he really done anything since that French Open (no offence Chicken if you have). But Sascha can definitely be vulnerable to the upset.

Also, I see that Pliskova, who's the no2 seed plays Mladenovic tomorrow (well, tonight in GMT) - that's another potential upset I reckon. I might try and watch that later.

Oh blimey, I've just seen Ernie plays FAA tomorrow

Ah well, hard luck Felix

Go Go Gulbis!

Osaka's match went by in a flash Spidey. The Dan Evans match was really good.

Rain disappointing! Quite odd to see the watching crowd in puffa coats etc. when you know they often have to have breaks for the heat! Melbourne weather lives up to its reputation!

Hooray sunshine! This is what we expect!

Ah rafa has already been and gone!

But more importantly Ernie won!! Am I reading that right?! He best FAA?!

Spidey it appears so! Go Ernie- although I do like Felix, but what a great result for Gulbis (though he does have experience on his side). Never count him out.

Pity not to see Rafa- but very happy with that result and I am sure will be too.

Just switched on to see Tsonga playing Popyrin which could be a tricky one for Jo- Willy, already in a tie break. Popyrin was one of the break out players last year i remember in Australia.