Tennis: Adios Madrid, Ciao Roma

[JaneJeffer]

Hmm yes that explanation doesn’t quite wash does it?

The general feeling on the Podcast was that the women’s doubles players weren’t allowed to do a speech because there were worries that they would continue to talk about poor scheduling and disproportionate cake sizes (and what that meant about how the tournament treated women’s players!)

They seemed to think that the general sexism at the tournament is a hangover from when Ion Tiriac ran the tournament and that Feli needs to sort it out - it’s not a good look for him. I think it was Ice who said earlier that Spain is well known for everyday sexism so maybe they don’t really understand what the problem is?

Catherine also said that if putting the model ball girls in baggy shorts for the final was an attempt improve matters it didn’t work!

Poor Feli! He'll be wishing he was back playing! You'd think that (some) ex-players might be good as tournament directors because they've experienced it all as a player but then again, most of the top players probably don't know their arse from their elbow as, certainly these days, they've got a team to deal with everything for them. All they've got to do is turn up on court or media duties on time
I mean, look how Guy Forget tied himself up in knots at the French Open

Fizzy yes, the 'model' ball girls are not a new thing, and a throw back to Tiriac.
I'm glad Catherine pointed out that the shorts were a daft idea- because they were just impractical- and the tops were still cropped (though they looked more 'sports bra' like than the long sleeved ones).

And instead of silencing the players over very valid issues such as scheduling, they should something about it. The late nights didn't work/ go down well at RG. They didn't work in Madrid.

Looking forward to watching Foggy v Murray tomorrow at about 6pm

I’m just watching Finland’s entry for Eurovision - I can’t work out if it’s rubbish or is likely to win?

I’ve agreed to go out with my DSis on Saturday to watch the final - I’m slightly worried - she’s a massive Eurovision fan (she also likes the wig programme!)

I’m quite shocked that the female doubles winners were prevented from speaking in Madrid, particularly if the reason was they were worried about criticism. Didn’t they realise that might backfire??

I’m not sure I like these extended Masters events, they seem to take ages to get going.

Will you be wearing a wig for the night out Fizzy?

It's unbelievable Ice!

I’m not sure Jane - hopefully not!

I’m not keen on these extended Masters either Ice - they just seem to stretch a weeks play out over 2 weeks

I see Zhang got knocked out in qualifying

I'm getting confused by the extended format as well- and I don't think it works all that well- ironically, most of all for those that go on later rounds. It seems to take ages for the first couple of rounds to get going- and the latter stages feel squashed at the end. It might just have been bad planning in Madrid though- and the late nights. (Sorry Feli)

Stan is playing Karen's BiL today. I hope he has a good run this week, he seems to have been playing quite well lately.

Fizzy enjoy Eurovision. It really is one of my favourite nights of the year (I have no life).
This year though, I am not drinking. The bonus to this, is that I have a better chance of lasting til the end without falling asleep. But it is a show best watched when a little bit tipsy

Thanks Raahh - i think being a bit tipsy will definitely help with Eurovision - although it does go on until quite late …

On the news yesterday there were loads of people travelling to Liverpool on a train, with lots of singing and whooping - it looked like my idea of hell

Eurovision has definitely taken over the local news. Not sure what they will talk about when it's over!

I don't think it's great for the players who exit in the early rounds either Raahh, they end up with a lot of extra downtime. I'm also not sure who benefits from the expanded draw, it does provide opportunities for some players to break through (Struff!) but it also leads to a lot of uncompetitive matches in the early rounds.

That's a shame about Zhang, he played so well in Madrid! Hope Andy can come through against Fog, didn't they have some drama last time they played?

Ice true about the early exits. I suppose It does mean more players who would otherwise have had to go through qualifying, get into a main draw as of right (and more chance to make money for lower ranked players).

At the moment I ought to be grateful I can still watch on Prime - probably won't be able to see any of it next year, however they do it!

I know, I am so disappointed Prime won't have it next year!

I also wish it was staying with Prime! It’s definitely improved from when it first started on there

I think Andy told Foggy to shut up the last time they played Ice - could be interesting

I think Andy and Foggy regularly have tetchy matches! Yes, there was the match (a couple of years ago??) where Andy told him at the change of ends to shut up, saying something like....you're like this all the time, everyone knows it. I also remember them playing late into the evening on Centre Court. We had No1 Court tickets and the final match there had finished, so we wandered out to Henman Hill to watch Murray on the big screen. Foggy was acting up then aswell. That's why I think a partisan Italian crowd, early evening, could really stir the pot!

Could be spicy kazza

Just watching a bit of the Stan match - the weather in Rome looks worse than it is here!

Stan’s Mum and Dad are there

I’m not sure about Ivashka’s leopardskin top!

Well done Stan!

Good win for Stan.

I nearly missed all of it, since it started late so I went off and did something else.

Still a rainy looking there.

It was really nice here- til it rained. This weather is annoying me. Make you mind up!

It’s been really sunny here this morning
so I did a load of laundry and now that I’ve hung it out suddenly it’s threatening rain

Apparently the weather forecast in Rome is really bad in the coming days, they’re worried the tournament will be disrupted.

After I typed my message, the heaven opened again.

I watching Etcheverry/Van Assche. I think Luca has had more than one warning for audible obscenities- and I've only been watching 15 minutes!