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

[JaneJeffer]

Yes I think you’ve been watching too much Midnight Mass Raahh - they are a creepy bunch though!

I don’t get how Djok can be at death’s door and still be winning

I just said to DH that the people in the crowd with their I love Djok signs were all fake fans and he likened me to Donald Trump!

Fizzy yes, I think Midnight mass got under my skin a bit.
But Djok and Jelena would fit right in!

Can they stop with the 'challenging' year stuff now? It was all brought on b y his own actions- stop it with the 'poor Djok' narrative.

The Russians who missed out, due to actions outside their control, have a legitimate gripe. Djok does not.

Djok makes a habit of being at 'death's door' and winning the match. It's pure sportsmanship- a.k.a cheating.

They're like the England fans in Qatar Fizzy

Well, it really has been a year of two halves, hasn't it?

There was a point, at Wimbledon, where I actually dared to think Rafa might win that too.

And then the rest of the year fell apart, injury wise, and off court (though he does have a baby now, and different things to focus on ).

But then Djok came back.

At least Rune got Paris. I have a feeling Djok will start next year strongly, sadly.

Jane I was reading about the fans who didn't know the words to 3 Lions.

i've always suspected Djok has a 'rent a crowd'.
Can't watch the speeches. Well done Casper for getting this far.

Boo rubbish! Yes his rocky season was totally self inflicted!

The similar threads thing is really annoying. So many older threads being reanimated.

At least Rune got Paris.
We'll always have Paris

I think now would be a good time for an on the spot drug test

Yes I think I’ll turn off now - yuk!

Yes Chessie and MN are bumping up old S&B threads with recommendations. This place is mad

Straight to the darts here

Chessie it was a very badly thought out idea!

Jane yes, we'll always have Paris. And the crap fruit bowl.

I’m sure that what we were all saying about Wimbledon was fascinating but I don’t really want to read an old thread about it

But yes, it would definitely be a good time to check what Djok has been putting in his water bottles.

Fizzy

No, it will bring back memories of Dick getting further than he should have been allowed.
Like, past the first round.

Just seen a nice picture of Rafa and Casper at Palma airport about to fly off to Argentina - why have I never see anything that exciting whenever I’ve been to Palma airport?

I’m still not really sure why Rafa is flying halfway round the world when he’s just become a Dad and must be knackered after a tough year.

I wonder if the rumours about him playing doubles with Gabriela Sabatini will be true?

It doesn’t look as if they’re in a private area (not that I’ve been looking too obsessively at the picture!)

I’m quite liking Rafa’s casual look

I need to check out these pictures

Rafa's looking great

As expected, football took over from tennis yesterday. I am not a fa of football- but I've hogged the tv for 11 months most of the year, I will let them watch a bit .

This exhibition thing seems to have been organised ages ago (as they always are)- but if I was Rafa coming off injuries in the summer, I'm not sure I would have commited to it, with 'actual' tournaments coming up bfore hand, uncertainty over his wife and her preganancy (at the time) , and not knowing how he was going to end the year.
.Plus, it's the added risk of causing an injury or flare up of his foot probelm- when next year he has a lot to prove from the off, ( the whole year will be pundits discussing his retirement, no doubt).

This is meant to be the 'rest' perod in tennis (though it never really is). Doesn't Davis Cup start tomorrow?

It's not like Rafa needs the money- but I think there are usually massive issues when players pull out of these things.

Feel a bit guilty for not congratulating Joe and Rajeev for winning their title at the tour finals. Joe is very over looked, imo. Well done to them.

Stan letting me know where I've been going wrong

Cheers for that Stan

Sorry Stan but I've always been a procrastinator (current modus operandi is googling Colbourne pics when I should be getting on with something useful ).

Andy posted a not very nice close up of blisters on the palm of his hand. Hope he's not going all Emma Raducanu on us

When does the Davis Cup start?