TENNIS - high on a mountain in Torino the season comes to a close

[JaneJeffer]

Yes- Agassi- either with or without hair

Kazza Teddy wouldn't have had anyone walking out with a kingsize bedsheet hanging out of their pants, that's for sure.

Just seen that Naomi Osaka has announced her pregnancy

Fizzy well, that goes someway to explain all the mystery surrounding her the last few weeks/months. Last week it was being reported that no-one knew if she was playing at AO and where she was. Then she withdrew from AO- and I read speculation that she might quit altogether because she hasn't had the best year on the tour (despite being the highest paid female player). Congratulations to her.

Yep, just seen the news aswell! Congrats to her. I hope this puts her in a better place than she seems to have been in.

Love the Serena bedsheet description Raahh

AO draw is out, Rafa will play Jack Draper in the first round!

I know, can't believe it! And Murray vs Berrettini, plus Thiem vs Rublev.

I saw the draw earlier- it's like they've already engraved Djok's name on the trophy, looking at his route to the final. .

I think Rafa has a really tough draw- and it's a massive chance for Jack. It's a shame for both of them- if Rafa loses, the media will be all over it with 'he's a has-been and should retire' - or Jack only won because Rafa is having a rough patch. The reality is- Jack is very firmly an up and coming talent-and a win would be very much on merit. I think an upset is not only a possibility but really quite likely (even though I don't want Rafa to lose- and certainly not in the first round- Djok/Dick fans would have a field day ).

I think Stef stands a good chance, as his draw is not too bad- Ruud needs to find his Aussie legs.

But all things considered, it's basically Djok's tournament for the taking, sadly.(although Kyrgios is in his quarter- but his ego might get the better of him, and he could beat himself, to be honest).

I've just seen an interesting fact on fb re the last 5 winners of the women's title at AO - 3 of the previous winners are currently pregnant (Kerber, Barty, Osaka) 1 won whilst pregnant- (Williams) 1 has just had a baby (Wozniaki)

Whoever wins this year had better watch out...

Ons is married and number 2 in the rankings and playing well ...

Just saying

Stop it!!

Although Raahh I've* *just read the story on the BBC website about the Netflix series Break Point. Ons is saying she wants children but it's obviously difficult for a female tennis player.

Is anyone going to watch the series? It's not clear if each week focuses on a different player. If that is the format, there's definitely some I'd be interested in watching. But I definitely do not want to watch Dick!!

I’m going to watch it kazza although I might give episode 1 a miss as it features Mr Box Office himself (yawn)

It’s supposed to be about the up and coming players ready to take over from the old guard. Episode 2 looks more promising as it features Matteo and I think Felix, Taylor Fritz also feature - should be interesting

I’m trying to work out when Rafa’s match will be on - I’ve seen an order of play which seems to suggest that he’s playing at 2.30pm on Monday (Melbourne time) so think that’s 4.30am here?

I thought the match might be on at a more UK friendly time because of Jack Draper but doesn’t look like it

Yep, don't know how Dick can be described as "up and coming" anymore
I thought I read in the article that he occasionally loses it on and off court. Occasionally???!!!!

Do they have the same tradition in Oz as they do at Wimbledon, with the defending champion opening play on the Centre Court? If so, that would dictate the scheduling, but I don't know.

I feel like they will still be talking about Dick like he's a teenage prodigy, out to save the sport, when he's 45. Cos he's so entertaining, dontcha know.

I always get confused by the scheduling, outside of Wimbledon- although even there, they have started to go a bit wayward, since having the roof. So, I'm not sure if they do have the whole 'defending champion' match. They prpbably do- but the time differnce means it doesn't feel like one.

And they are that keen to have Djok back, they have probably forgotten Rafa even is the defending champion anyway, and will schedule him on an outside court and give Djok the big fanfare. With fireworks.

I'd rather he was up and going.

On an escalator, Jane

I'm not looking forward to checking my phone in the morning to see how Rafa got on. It's nerve wracking!

I know! Although I suspect he will(should) get the first night match, on Laver, so it will start about 8am UK time. But stranger things have happened- and he will probably be scheduled so his match is at 2am UK time.
I have started waking up around then- so i could torment myself by watching

I've deliberately avoided anything to do with Djok but I did see a headline saying he was "emotional" about his return to Melbourne.

Yeah, I'm emotional about it too. Just not in the same way

kazza

I'm looking forward to seeing a bit of Aussie sunshine. The weather is so miserable here. It's zapping my energy.

kazza

The weather here is awful. I am turning into a duck. And it's so cold.