Tennis [tennis]. Covid, Kygrios, coupling.......

[magimedi]

Here ya go!

Bon soir, mes amis

It didn't do the tennis emoji - sulks.................

Evening Magi !

Glad to hear it's still going well across La Manche.

It is indeed, Raahh. In the last couple of weeks I have just started to feel settled. I've now been here 10 months and am finally starting to think I'm getting a handle on it all. Long may it last. My French is improving hugely, I no longer go into melt down when my phone rings! I'm doing some voluntary English classes & have joined a walking group. All I need is to find a house to buy but the market here is very slow with little coming on. It will happen, I am sure.

Good to hear from you magi and* *thanks for the new thread!

Not so good to hear it may take 6-8 weeks to get over bloody covid

Apparently, our Boris is teaching yoga, meditation, fitness, nutrition and crisis management to his fellow inmates
Given his history and where he is currently residing, I'm not sure he's particularly qualified in any of this

As long as he's not teaching bookkeeping kazza

Thanks for the new thread magi glad you're getting on well

Simona's in a spot of bother about a banned substance which she denies any knowledge of taking.

Just seen that Jane. Rather a surprise.

I’ve just finished reading Sue Barker’s autobiography. Really interesting reading about how different life was on tour in those days - not even a coach travelling with them whereas now players have a whole entourage. Sue was definitely treated very badly by the BBC when she was sacked from Question of Sport. My only complaint about the book is that I wish there had been a bit more gossip about the players but she’s so nice that was never going to happen!

Thanks for the new thread magi and good to hear that things are going well for you

I was surprised about Simona as well - not quite sure what to think - apparently it was some sort of medication for anaemia to boost red blood cell production?

I want to read the Sue Barker biography Chessie - she was definitely treated badly by the BBC re QOS. I would like to read some juicy gossip about the players but yes sadly I think Sue is too professional for that

I’m still hoping to see Baby Rafa - not sure if they’ll do a Hola spread or just try to keep him under wraps - just one little picture would be nice!

I’m sure that I read something about Rafa playing doubles with Gabriela Sabatini when he plays in South America but maybe I just dreamt it!

Hope everyone is recovering from the lurgy - I’m off pumpkin picking later 🎃

I’m still having slight Boris confusion but the thought of either Boris teaching Crisis Management is slightly mind boggling (although they’ve both got quite a bit of experience!)

at the Boris confusion. I can't really see him doing yoga , somehow.

I am currently recovering from a migraine on top of covid, and feel really sick, so haven't been keeping up to date with any results.
Very surprised about Simona- she's having a horrible year with one thing and another.

I don't know if we will see baby Rafa - they are very private, but a picture would be nice.

Hope you feel better soon Raahh

just had an email to say that the Wimbledon ballot is open - maybe 2023 will be the year that I finally get to see Rafa -

The deadline for applications is 15/11 and there’s no benefit from applying early - going to give it a go

Applied

Think I still preferred it when I had to send an SAE!

I have also applied. I doubt I will be successful, but I have been debating which day to buy tickets for if I am successful (and assuming you get a choice and there are tickets left!).

Obviously watching the finals would be great, but then you only get two matches. If I chose centre court on day 1/2 then you get three or four matches and guaranteed seeing a couple of well known names. But then getting the ground pass would also be good as you then get a much wider choice of matches (but less guarantee of seeing one of the big names). Decisions, decisions.

I hope those applying are successful- I would love to go again, but it's not ever likely to happen.

I expect a secret signal from the stands

Basel and Vienna start today, and I have a pile of ironing to do- so that is my day sorted (I'm assuming they are on Prime).

I did read that next year is the last year of Prime doing the LTA/WTA matches- and it could go back to Sky - which is rubbish, as I don't have Sky 9and I can't justify it when i've never let dh have it for the football)- and although Prime was a bit rubbish to start with, I have liked the fact I could watch so many matches. I think they have already lost the rights to the US Open (hopefully Eurosport will be showing that).

That's not good about Prime Raahh I* *only got it to watch the US Open and I don't have Sky or Eurosport. I did a one month subscription for Discovery + to watch the Laver Cup but have now paused that. I'm hoping I can watch the Australian Open via that, so will reactivate then

It's really annoying, kazza- I have Prime anyway, so it wasn't an 'extra' cost to have it. will see what happens over the next year, I suppose.

I might cancel Prime once the tennis goes. I don’t really watch much else on it, or use the music, and while the free next day delivery is nice I’ll need to think about whether that’s worth £95 as that’s really all I would be keeping it for. I do have sky luckily so will still be able to watch the tennis.

I watched the last 30mins or so of Draper vs Alcaraz last night. Very close in the end. Jack was unlucky to meet Carlos in the first round.

Thanks for the new thread!

That’s so disappointing about Prime losing the tennis, I don’t have Sky or Eurosport.

I saw some of the Draper-Alacaraz match too kazza, tuned in at the end of the first set when it was looking like Jack had the upper hand! Definitely an unlucky draw although I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of him, he gave Hubie a run for his money in Antwerp too.

Quite shocked by the news about Simona Halep.

I’ve just realised that I’ve not watched any tennis (apart from a bit of the Laver cup) since the us open so I’ve just switched on to watch Andy Murray hopefully about to win his match in Basel

It is a shame about Prime - their coverage was rubbish at first but it’s really improved since then - I like to be able to choose the matches that I want to watch. We have got sky but their coverage isn’t as good and rubbish for people who haven’t got sky!

Didn't see it but Murray won the last 5 games to win in 3. Saw Dan win earlier.
Good win for over Ruud!

It's weird. I had to keep reminding myself that Draper is older than Alcaraz! He's qualified for the next gen finals but Carlos is world no1 and in the WTF!! (Still need a new name )

kazza it is really strange thinking how young Alcaraz- I think I've got used to the fact the big 3 were all getting on a bit (in tennis terms ) and it's a while since Rafa was 18. Carlos has officially withdrawn from the Next Gen finals- because obviously he qualified for that too.

It was a good win for Stan.

I have had bg plans to watch the tenns this week- and then every time I try, something gets in the way.

Rafa has confirmed he does intend to play Paris and the WTFs- I would love to see him win, and it would have been great for him to end as number 1 (and he was so close) but this is always the weakest part of his year, so it's a very shot.
It's frustrating that he often seems to end the year on a bit of a low point, when he starts off so well. Will be interesting to see what he does next year- he has a lot to defend at the start of the year. I can't see the heroics of Australia being replicated- and I don't think I've fully recovered from that final, even now!