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

[JaneJeffer]

It's started already kazza but not sure if it’s being shown on telly

It’s in Malaga but I don’t know much else about it (except Rafa won’t be there playing for Spain) - I’m guessing that Norway didn’t qualify? (Unless it was going to be Casper and his Dad!)

I saw the line up for the new 'United Cup' mixed tournament in Australia, (taking over from the ATP cup, I'm guessing). The teams are based on rankings and there is a huge mismatch of players involved. Serbia haven't qualified
But- Norway have- despite basically being a one man team.

Rafa is down to play (no Alcaraz/ RBA/ADF) . Some teams obviously have more strength on the men's side and some , on the women's. And there are doubles specialists. So it should be interesting. GB seem to have a junior player making up their numbers (though I think the players involved may change in some of the teams).

I haven't really kept up with the Davis Cup- the format keeps changing, and the website is rubbish

Yes Raahh I've* *just looked at the website and gave up in the end. Also, I'd completely forgotten about the change in format and got very confused when I saw Australian were playing the Netherlands. I thought it was just Spain vs Croatia

The whole thing confused me, kazza i gave up. I saw something about De Minaur winning his match- but really couldn't work out much else

This old dinosaur hankers for the old days, when the Davis Cup final was the last two teams. Not 8 teams playing quarters, then semis, then the final. And 3 rubbers, not 5.

Is it gin o'clock yet

I love Casper being a whole team

kazza that was what confused me! It used to be a number of qualifying rounds through the year (usually just after a slam) .Then the finals. I saw that Australia won the qfs, and was .

jane in his unterview after Turin he described himself as an 'overachiever' so, being the whole team sounds right. I think he was referring to the fact his goal for this year was a quarter final in a slam- and he definitely did better than that.

Congratuations to Canada for winning the Davis Cup even though I have haven't really been able to keep up with it.
It caps a good year for Felix.

All the football confusing /annoying me- although dd1 keeps sitting and watching it with me, which has actually been quite nice (though I don't have a clue about football ). She bought me a tennis themed Christmas tree ornament (with the first wages she got when she started her recent Saturday job ) -it's a bear with a tennis racquet/ball/ and looks nothing like she was expecting it to But it's actually quite cute- and I've called it Rafa- although I ought to have called it Stan, really (but my family would not have got the reference!).

at the tree ornament!

It looks like this- and cost her quite a bit for a Christmas ornament

Not sure why the picture was so big- but you get the idea

I'm sorry, he's Stan, not Rafa.
You'll just have to educate your family as to why Raahh

He really is more a Stan, kazza

Love Rafa (nn Stan)

Aww loving the Stan/Rafa tree ornament

I still want one of those tennis ball tree ornaments from Liberty! Maybe if I hint enough someone will buy me one (probably not!)

The Davis Cup sort of passed me by which is weird as it used to be such a big thing

I’ve seen a few pictures of Rafa and Gaby playing doubles - annoyingly she still looks stunning at 52 and wow her arms - her biceps are bigger than Rafa’s!

I tried reading about the Davis Cup but I couldn't understand the format. Ireland were 93rd

Emma's got an MBE. Don't know what the craic is with the gaucho hat though!

That is an interesting hat.

Not sure about any of it
She's got lovely hair but maybe she forgot to wash it and stuck it up in a ponytail.

She must be bloody freezing aswell!
Am I showing my age?

Yes it is a bit of a strange outfit but I’m old as well

I thought it was an odd outfit for the end of November. Bit more of a Summer honours in Spain thing.

Or Paso Doble week on Strictly.

She can keep the frock, I suppose, for if she ends up as a contestant on that

Ole!!

I suppose we’re not really used to seeing someone so young getting an MBE so maybe she didn’t really know what to wear (apart from a Spanish cowgirl outfit!)

Rafa mention on Corrie