Tennis - 2020- As Wimbledon-that-Wasn't draws to a close, we look forward to ... maybe ... tennis in August?

[Raahh]

Or just more wheelie bin challenges?

And a slight waft of the lovely l'eau d'Henri filled the studio

Glad you had a good time with the family magi - it sounds lovely. Glad it all went without a hitch.

I see Andy has been given a wildcard for the US Open - although presume he won't need it as he's first alternate anyway.

kazza he looked as if he needed a large Cognac - having to make a burger seemed to completely confuse him

It would have been a bit mean not to give Andy a wildcard for the USOpen Spidey - although as you say, not sure if he will need it.

Happy belated birthday magi - did you celebrate it in France?

It’s very hot here already

Magi

Yes, I saw that about the wild card, Private and thought it a bit odd/ waste of a wildcard- when the top 128 are guaranteed a spot- and there must be quite a number of players in that who are not playing due to injury/ not wanting to travel. We know Fed and Rafa are out, for starters.

I also read that the US open will disqualify any player, if members of their entourage test positive. A lot of players aren't happy with this. The same article also said that an online meeting involving the top 20 mens players, suggested a lot of them were not happy to travel, if rules on quarantine weren't clear. And let's face it- they are clear as mud, and different in every country at the moment.

I also read that the US open will disqualify any player, if members of their entourage test positive

I can totally understand that, but can you imagine if you reached the final or something and then that happened?!

I wonder what Novak will do. I think he said he will decide in the next few days.

Private it would be annoying, wouldn't it? Can't think of anyone I would like it to happen to .

Am very curious about Novak's appearance/not at US Open. Will it really be considered a valid slam with so many opting not to go?

Celebrated birthday in France with lots of fizz & patisserie! YUM!!

Very hot here - went & had a swim about 11am & the top couple of inches of the sea was like a warm bath.

Glad you had a good time magi

I'm sure Djok will only be delighted that he has less competition and is probably practicing his annoying celebratory arm movements as I type.

Jane that's what I think about Djok too. chop his arms off

Plus, I think he is desperate to stay at number 1- and overtake Fed's record of weeks. He is less than 30 weeks off it- and given the fact Fed won't be playing this year, and Rafa can't gain any points (the revised rankings for this year.

I'm not sure about whether people will not consider it a 'proper' slam without the big name- Sue Barker firmly believes her RG win in 76 was just as valid as anyone else's - and half the big names didn't play that year, due to being part of a different tour. And I'm sure there was a Wimbledon early in the 70s were there was a boycott of lots of male players.

But I won't consider it a proper win , if only Djok and a couple of the top 20 decide to go.

Sorry didn't finish my second paragraph- dd1 talked to me

Should be that the revised rankings mean Rafa can't add any points, since he won RG and Rome. (He could have gained a few points for doing better in Madrid).

Of course - there is still time or Rome/ RG not to happen

Warm sea swimming magi!

Many happy returns btw celebrations sound fab.

I think there could be a few asterisks against the US Open if it goes ahead. There are already a fair few names missing. I hope John Millman or someone like that wins the men's.

(As I was typing that my phone predicted "Isner" after "John" it's not beyond the realms is it? (Or is it??))

The green face was supposed to be envy btw. I can't remember if that's what it officially represents! Anyway I wish I had been sea swimming today, it's sweltering here.

I would like to think that if the US Open goes ahead, someone realy random wins it.

Millman deserves it, after losing to Fed on that tie break in Melbourne. I still imagine him, spending the past few months in a dark room, re-living it.

I know when I looked at the list for NY/Cincy- Rafa, Fed, Stan, Foggy and Monfils are no shows (in the top 20)- so presumably that will be the same for the US Open. And that is just for starters. I still think with things ramping up in Europe / quarantine conditions, there might be others who drop out.

Millman deserves it, after losing to Fed on that tie break in Melbourne. I still imagine him, spending the past few months in a dark room, re-living it.

Don't Raahh!! He would deserve to win it though. Also he beat Fed in NY didn't he - 2018 wasn't it? (My favourite Slam of recent years.) Anyway I love Milkman, would be great if he won it. I might put a bet on

Yes I think the players you mentioned are all no shows for the US Open as well Raahh. Also Kyrgios, Tsonga. And Svitolina and Bertens withdrew today as well.

There's a few no shows- I know Halep was not certain about whether she would play anywhere outside Europe.

Private not sure I loved 2018- Rafa having to retire, and Delpo really not being at his best in the final.

Plus the absolute travesty that was the women's final. I've never been a Serena fan, but boy, that cemented my view. I don't care how many titles she has won.

US Open winners:

Men - ABD (Anyone But Djock)

Women - ABS (IAnyone but Serena)

The US generally seems bonkers enough to let the open go ahead............ maybe Donald will present the trophies! !!

Yes true Raahh, but there were some really good matches as well. Tbh I'm thinking mostly of Rafa v Thiem (that was 2018 wasn't it?? It all blends into one at times.)

True about Delpo in the final but the courts/conditions didn't help iirc. Seems a million years ago now in many ways

magi I can well imagine it. He probably wouldn't wear a mask either.

I love tennis- but I've got to the point where- for fairness, as much as everything else- I want things cancelled. .

Oh my Private- Rafa v Thiem. It went on so long, it was still going on when I got up the next morning. It was a matchneither deserved to lose!

That US open also had the infamous match where Mo Lahyani took it upon himself to give Kyrgios a pep talk. When Herbert was winning. .

And wasn't it really hot?

Last year was dull by comparison.

Rafa win aside .

I have also struggled tostay awake past 10pm the past few months.

So I have no chance of watching much of the US Open.

Medvedev to win! Since I'm not sure he is great on clay, so missing RG probably wouldn't be an issue.

Not heard what his plans are though.

Medvedev has been very quiet since last year (I guess there’s not been much tennis!) He seemed like the only next generation player who got close to winning a slam (apart from Thiem maybe)

I still remember waking up to see that the Thiem/Rafa match was still going on and rushing downstairs to watch the end.

I also really like Milkman but think that any winner (if it does go ahead) will have an asterisk against their name.

I agree with Raahh - as much as I love tennis I don’t think it's fair and open to everyone due to different countries restrictions etc and should probably be cancelled

If it does go ahead maybe Donald Trump will get in the draw

And wasn't it really hot?
Yes - even Fed was sweating iirc

There were lots of controversies about being allowed to change clothing on court and which/whose items could be changed. Also: shorts-gate

Ah yes the Lahyani pep talk!!

It was a good tournament

"I have also struggled tostay awake past 10pm the past few months. "

Ditto. Which is why I am awake so early. But it is a tad cooler at this hour.