Tennis: waltzing into winter

[JaneJeffer]

me too Jane.

I think overall that's a slightly better group for Rafa than for Djok? But still tricky though. Expecting Rublev to do well - hope I haven't jinxed him.

Jane I always manage to confuse myself.

I just hope Rafa gets off to a better start- losing to Sascha first- and then playing catch up and realy relying on other people's results to get through (or not) is never good.

Private I suppose, if Daniil is playing at his best, then Djok has the toughest group, with Sascha having had a good run lately too.

But i'm not letting anyone make excuses for him. Not after I read that he was using the death of a religious leader in Serbia as the reason he probably lost to Sonego. He was very upset, and really didn't want to play, apparently. .

Oh for fuck's sake, what will he think of next?

Jane yep, that was pretty much my reaction .

Djok is a cock (hope you’re ok magi)

I am also relying on Raahh to explain all - hope there aren’t too many complicated mathematical permutations!

Stef hasn’t been playing too well recently and Thiem had a foot injury a few weeks ago but yes I’m also in the anyone but Djok camp!

Hey I just thought - as it's being shown on the BBC, does that mean AC will be commentating??!!?

Ah I've missed him (but not so much that I need any photos magi!).

Spidey you sounded worryingly excited about the prospect of seeing AC next week

And no we don’t want any of those pictures!

He’ll probably natter on even more than usual - he’s got a year of gossip to catch up on!

can't wait

Fizzy on reflection, I think I am sort of looking forward to it

Yes a whole year's worth of chat There'll be no celebs in the crowd or anything like that this year though will there... no new seats or roof to discuss... still, I'm sure he'll find something to chat about!!

It will be very odd with no crowds- I know we should be getting used to it now, but it is still strange.

I often think that AC witters on , paying no attention to what is going on around him (certainly not tennis)- so he might not even notice the lack of crowds.

I'm sure we will learn all about the history of the 02 arena. That's the sort of thing he will have been revising frantically. And reminding us - regularly- that it is the last year it will be held in London.

I am actually quite intrigued to see what the last few months has done to his hair .

the history of the 02 arena

Can't wait!!

Even I’m excited now - the history of the O2 arena and AC’s post lockdown hair

I know Fizzy - what more could we want?!

Don't get me started.....

Only the afternoon matches are on the BBC. 👎🏻

This is a throwback to when Sky Sports had the contract for the whole event, which is now owned by Amazon Prime, so they have an exclusive on the evening matches, although you can hear them on Radio5 live.

I always find listening to tennis commentary on the radio to be excruciating. I have my default setting of wanting them to shut up, but then have no idea what is happening on the court. 😀

Anyway, come on Rafa, and if not him, then anyone whose name is not Djokovic.
What a fruit loop he is. I bet he made up that story about being grief stricken when playing Sonego, to belatedly make up for the truth, which is that he tanked the match after acquiring enough points to be y/e No 1.
Twonk.

Science yes, it's been like that for a while, the BBC/Amazon/whoever showing certain matches. And it's always annoyed me, because before I had Amzaon (and no Sky),the match I wanted to watch would always be on Sky.

I used to listen to a lot of radio commentary- but they tend to have the likes of Frew involved- and if there is one thing guaranteed to irritate me when listening to tennis (or send me to sleep) it's Frew.

There was one year during Wimbledon they Goran on 5 Live- and he was great. They were trying to get him go on Strictly .

Djok is indeed a twonk - when I first read the article, I was amazed anyone would actually have so little self awareness that they would even use this as an excuse.
I take nothing from Sonego, I think he played really well, and Djok was actually caught out by him a few times- but the team had done the maths- and Rafa had said he wasn't going to Sofia. So, why put himself out if he didn't need to.

Hard to believe it's the middle of November already. In a lot of ways, it feels like yesterday we were wondering if Melbourne would be affected by the bushfires.

At the same time- it's been a really long year.

It so has, Raahh

The Aus Open seems about a decade ago! I know they are working hard Down Under to try and ensure that 2021 goes ahead. I do hope so.

I hope so too Science. Fingers crossed. It does seem like hardly any time since the last one.

I wish the WTFs was starting today, it's grey and miserable here and I just feel like lying around watching tennis. (To be fair, I always feel like lying around watching tennis )

I’m the same Spidey - the new series of The Crown starts tomorrow as well - can’t wait but could do with some tennis or royalty today to dispel the gloom

No it doesn’t seem like nearly a year since all we had to worry about were bush fires in Australia (which I know where very serious but I don’t think we realised what else 2020 was going to bring )

When I spoke to my friend in Brisbane a few weeks ago they no longer had any restrictions and didn’t have to wear masks but I think it’s different in some other Australian states.

I think when they did lockdown they were very strict so I think there will also be strict rules around any tennis tournaments and hopefully they’ll be able to go ahead.

I think Rafa is playing tomorrow evening - it is rubbish that the BBC are only showing the afternoon matches.

I thought that the finals were starting today, but that's because I am a day ahead of myself..

Raahh I got confused because Bake Off Extra Slice was on a day early! I still watched it last night though - didn’t want to get into weekend mode too early!

Fizzy I know! . I don't need to be anymore confused than I already am. Why was it on early anyway? I thought it was because of Children in Need, but that's on BBC.

And talking of confused, Dd2 is still off school recovering from the surgery, (she's been in for an hour here and there just to say hello, really)- and I am being made to feel stupid due to trying to help with with her maths . She's in year 5 (primary)- not like it's GCSE< ffs .. I have had this problem before- but they seem to have learnt how to do even the simplest of things, in totally different ways to the way I was. And it's frustrating .

I really hope the Australian open goes ahead, but it will be difficult for players- it is so far from home for most of them, and I imagine the quarantine criteria will be strict. I know players who went to the US were there at least a month in a bubble.

I have just seen the 'Easter Parade' is on the tv in a bit. And it looks like it is going to rain heavily, so that is my afternoon sorted .

Another one watching Easter Parade while the rain pours down outside.. seems a little incongruous but it is precisely what I need.

Looking forward to immersing myself in the ATP Finals for next week. This is the first year since 2009 that I haven’t attended the O2 in person. Great memories but what a route march, everything at that venue seems three miles from anything else?
Want a drink AND to go to the loo? Better be prepared to miss five games! 😀

Science I think that was the year I went! Was it Davydenko’s year? I think I watched Davydenko beat Federer - I was cheering Roger on but was sat next to some rabid Davydenko fans who kept giving me the evils!

The O2 arena is a bit out of the way - it also has very steep seats that were not good for my vertigo and the lights on the court didn’t help!

I think the fact that Rafa has never done well here also colours my opinion of this tournament - maybe this will be his year?