TENNIS: Dubai, Golden Swing, USA

[JaneJeffer]

That is hilarious Jane. . Rafa's face is like- eh?! And Roger is posing up a storm, like a bad 70s aftershave commercial.

( by the end , I think Rafa is starting to think he's being kidnapped).

yes Rafa is looking increasingly worried while Roger does his hair - hilarious!

It doesn't look like there was any play in Estoril yesterday, due to the weather. They are going to be very behind.

Polish-German-Brit Choinski is currently playing. If AC was commentating, he would have reminded us several times by now, that his parents used to be ballet dancers

And my eyesight is terrible- because Sonego is playing Nagal- but obviously that is not what I thought I read when I just looked up at the screen (they had switched matches ) .

I got first - excited- and then confused and thought it was raining again and must be a repeat (though i don't think Rafa has ever played Estoril!).

And it's not even Estoril- it's Marrakech.

Can they stick to one place!! I hate Sky.

Go and have a little lie down Raahh
Or* *a stiff sherry

It's very complicated. They keep switching matches..

The commentator even admitted it was confusing .

It sounds like I'm not missing much, not having Sky!

Can't say I'm too impressed with the new doubles format/rules announced by the ATP. Up to half the draw can be reserved for singles players Spectators can roam about during play
Ffs! Why don't they just admit they don't want doubles anymore
And I would have expected better from Ross Hutchins than the guff he has come out with. Very disappointed!

That’s a lot of rain in Charleston!

Ooh Matteo again! (In Marrakesh- I think) There is a very annoying shadow on the court and Wispa is commentating

It does sound as if they want to get rid of doubles kazza - it annoys me when they mess about with the format of tennis!

I am very unimpressed - especially reserving draws for singles players. How many times have we seen players basically used doubles for more match practice -and then withdraw before thedoubles semi/ final, because they have done better in the singes than they expected to? So unless they bring in something that says they can't do this without severe penalty, then it really is unfair to the 'career' doubles pairs. They already get much less prize money, and fewer tournaments to play in.

Yes, just admit you want rid of the format, and have done with it.

And as for the roaming.

I would love it if singles players withdrew at the back end of a tournament, resulting in no semi and/or final for the doubles
Then we'd see what a great (bollocks) idea it was
All the comments that I have seen on the ATP SM are very negative.
But they've consulted with players, fans, Uncle Tom Cobbly and all (though no one asked me!) and apparently everyone thinks it's a super idea
And breathe.....

kazza - oh, I can't wait for the likes of Djok etc to sign up (which is obviously what they want- raises the profile) and then withdraw, leaving them tournaments in the lurch with no players for a final- then they will see what a poor idea this is.

I doubt any of the doubles specialists really think it's a great idea .

Then they'll probably use it as an excuse to replace the doubles with pickleball!

I can see that happening, Jane. It will end up being little more than an exhibition thing, anyway, if does continue.

Some of the other things being brought in in Madrid include reducing the time between serves to 15 seconds, and not allowing sits downs /reducing the number of sit downs in a set. I find that bonkers especially at a clay tournament - where rallies are often much longer and more physical, and matches are longer for that reason.

This will also mean endless discussions about the bloody shot clock throughout the tournament. I suppose it will detract from the inappropriate outfits the ball girl models are probably wearing this year.

And the biggest question- who will get the best cake this year? Carlos , Holger or Aryna?

We all know the answer to that question

Poor Feli- he really had a lot to put up with last year.

And this year might not be much better!

And Dan has lost in Marrakesh, losing a lot of points and falling to about 50 in the rankings.

Casper has started well- about to go 4-0 up. Annoyingly Sky are showing Charleston, and I really find it hard to watch, the greay court is so odd-mand Jabeur looks like she is trying to camouflage with it.

Rafa’s not playing at Monte Carlo

My Spanish must be getting better as I worked that out before reading the translation

Oh damn .

Not surprised, but really sad, all the same. I'm starting to winder if we will see him play again.

hopefully he's saving himself for RG

It looks like he is unlikely to play Barcelona or Madrid either.

Pitching up at Rome, with hardly any match practice brings back memories of 2022- and that didn't end well (even though he went on to win RG, with the help of lots of injections).

it’s not sounding very positive is it? If he’s not ready to play now I’m not sure if he will be in a few weeks time

I think he might be at RG if only to wave goodbye - poor Rafa