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?

Private I saw the revised schedule- I just don't see how a 'WTF' can happen , when players have been forced, through no fault of their own, to miss tournaments. I get that the O2 will want to make the most of their last year- but I can't get past the total unfairness of it.

The final 8 is probably not going to be very different to a 'normal' year- but there are always years where players (big 3 aside) do better in the latter half and are on the brink of qualifying. Delpo has been in that position.

I still think it's wrong (hoicks bosom)

It's not fair but I don't know how they can sort it out!

I know! It's daft. I can see why they want it to go ahead - I guess it must not have been an option to postpone London's last one to next year, and start in Turin the year after. That would seem like the way forward to me but what do I know

See- delaying the WTF 'handover' makes sense.

But there might be other things wanting the space, that are already in place.

Ah yes I never thought of that. Good point.

So they are using last year's points to qualify for this year's WTFs - or combining the two years? In any case, Rafa, Djok and Thiem have already qualified.

I'm still a bit about it all.

Hope everyone is ok on this rainy Sunday. I managed to sleep until after 9am which is unheard of for me recently - the afternoon seems to have come round quickly!

I’m not sure about the WTFs going ahead - it seems a bit weird because no one has really played this year - I suppose they wanted the last tournament in London to go ahead and I guess they still need to make money from tv etc.

Serena has lost in her tournament (can’t remember where it is) - it’s a bit weird that the tournament is being sponsored by an Orthopaedic company . I think Stan might be playing in the Prague tournament tomorrow - it’s on Amazon Prime.

Spidey I’ve been listening to the Yannick Noah interview on the Tennis Podcast - it was quite entertaining if a little politically incorrect. He talked about getting girls for other players and kept going on about how fat Henri Leconte became (must be all that cognac and French cheese!). He thinks the current players are a bit boring compared to his era! He also complained about players towelling off between each point (I agree with him on that one!)

Hi all

How is everyone? Hope all ok.

It was raining here this morning Fizzy - and quite cold, so I was wearing jeans and a long sleeved tshirt, then we went out to town and the sun came out and it was boiling! Just really muggy and ugh.

Anyway. I haven't heard the Noah interview yet, sounds err interesting!! Agree about the towelling down though.

Yes Serena lost, I didn't see her match though. It is weird about the orthopaedics tournament sponsorship!

Thanks for the tip about Prague, I wasn't sure if it was on Prime or not. Gulbis is also playing in it - go Ernie!!

Oops just had a look at Amazon and the women’s tournament from Prague is on but not sure about the men’s - it’s only a challenger tournament so not sure if it will be on telly? Sorry to get your hopes up - I was hoping to watch a bit of Stan

no worries - me too! Hopefully they will show it, surely they need all the tennis they can get!

Afternoon- it's dd1's 14th birthday. We have been to my mum's - which we think is allowed, as although she is less than 3 miles away, she is not in Greater Manchester. I think it might be the first time dd1 has seen her since about February.

I would have like to see Stan .

Hope your DD had a good birthday Raah - I’m not sure if anyone knows what the rules are these days

Just seen that Keith (Nishikori) has tested positive for Covid but says he is feeling ok - he can’t play at Cinncy tournament (which will now be at Flushing Meadow) but may be able to play in US Open - it’s all very worrying (and confusing )

Poor Keith. He posted a photo a couple of days ago and looked absolutely fine. It's such a strange disease. Numbers are going back up here again and I don't know what will happen when they go back to school. Still haven't got a return date from the school

Hope your DD enjoyed her birthday Raahh

Poor Keith. I had been thinking we hadn't heard much from him lately, then saw his photo on IG. I hope he's ok.

I see Halep won in Prague and then jumped in the River Vltava to celebrate! She said she is going to make an announcement about whether she'll play the US Open soon.

Hope your DD enjoyed her birthday Raahh.

Sorry to hear about the schools Jane. Hopefully you'll hear something soon. This whole thing is so depressing now.

Thanks everyone. It wasn't the most exciting day- but to be honest, I think she would have been happier staying at home in bed. The problem with the last few months, is there has been so little interaction with her friends and things, and is just getting less and less motivated- I'm really worried about the return to school.

Jane both dds go back on Friday 4th September (a Friday! batshit). DD1s secondary will absolutely be packing them back into full classrooms, I can see it now. Not that they have many choices. I'm really starting to worry- not about the virus, but about how little dd1 has done. There's only so much I can nag try to help. I think she has got it in her head she isn't going back.

Poor Keith. . It's really rubbish. I can't quite believe it is nearly time for the US tournaments- when they were announced as going ahead, it felt ages away. And also, I was never convinced they would happen.

Jumping in the river seems a bit of an extreme reaction Spidey - was it really hot in Prague?

The whole school/exam result fiasco is such a mess - I really feel for any students/parents caught up in it all - it just seems very unfair and random - hope you hear about the schools soon Jane

I’m off to a real life yoga class in a bit - I keep getting glimpses of normal life but worry that it could all be taken away again if we go back into lockdown

Hope that Keith is OK

Waves to all.

The whole schools/exams fiasco is a disgrace. Typical of the shambles we have for a government.

We are OK - bit lethargic since al lthat heat & have to make an effort to do things. I find it hard not having anything to look forward to but realise what a first world grumble that is.

Bet Halep doesn't go to US!

Enjoy your yoga, Fizzy & also hope schools let you know soon, Jane. Belated Happy Birthday to Raahh's DD.

You were right about Halep magi - mystic magi strikes again

The us open field seems to be getting smaller and smaller

Taps nose - I am an old witch!!

With age comes wisdom - as I say to DS & it really irritates him

There are only 3 players in the current WTA top ten playing in New York next week - and 4 in the US Open (the 4th one is Osaka). Sofia Kenin, Karolina Pliskova, and Serena Williams are the other 3. There seems to be more women staying away from the US in total, than men, from the top 130.

Yes there are a fair few players not travelling on the women's side aren't there? Mind you, on the men's side they are missing four former champs (well, some through injury admittedly). Is Cilic playing? I haven't seen him mentioned recently.

Dan Evans was on the Podcast today talking about being in the "bubble" over there. It was really interesting, he was also saying what it was like flying there etc. He seemed quite positive about it all tbh, I am looking forward to watching it now - although it will be weird without fans/key players.

Marin is on the list for both tounrnaments, from what I see, Spidey. He has been quiet of late. I am glad he has had this time to spend with his new baby though- which is true for a few players.

I think RBA's baby is due when the US Open is on.

I'm looking forward to it- though my routine is up the creek, and it is ironic that after all this time with nothing to stay up for, the US open will coincide with the dds going back to school, and me having to get up in the morning!

Oh god you're right- hadn't thought of the school drop off! Sod's law indeed.

It is lovely for the new parent players

And- after all this time, RG will be on at a time when I will be disrupted by school as well. When ordinarily, at least a week of it is during a holiday! .

That's if RG goes ahead.

Hopefully it's on ITV and I can be smug about the school bus