Tennis: Road to Turin, anyone seen Rafa?

[IceandIndigo]

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Disappeared for a bit, Grigor on the comeback trail?

They keep talking about Djokovic. Just concentrate on this match

Tournaments are so much better when Djok isn't in them, Jane.

Have they put him on and abandoned the match we were watching?

I see Wimbledon has scrapped line judges from next year. The two singles finals will also be held at 4pm, with the doubles finals starting at 1pm.

Why change the time of the finals? TV ratings I suppose. A 4pm start runs the risk of it going later into the night which is a pain for people there in person to get home afterwards (especially on the Sunday). I do wish they wouldn’t mess around with things that work perfectly well.

Yep, the switching of finals times is apparently to appeal more to broadcasters And to give doubles players more certainty over their scheduling, apparently (again)

Oh dear, terrible start by Horgel.

Well done Jakub. Missed the end.

What the heck is happening Holger? Come on lad!

Do they give him Daddy Carlos to make sure he behaves?

I just saw a clip of Stef having a massive tantrum in his match, I think over the serve clock again? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tournament with so much umpire controversy and player bad behaviour as this!

They could solve it all by binning the shot clock

I think it’s ok to have a shot clock, but the umpire should have some discretion over when it starts.

Lots of support for Horgel

Aww

Well done Taylor

Well done Taylor. Not sure what’s up with Holger, he was dreadful.

I keep missing things, because I have had stuff booked at annoying times, so missed the end of the Grigor match (but think it got bumped for Djok anyway).

Technology is all very well- when it works. Trouble is, when it doesn't, it's harder to argue with. I hate the shot clock.

Ooh David has won the first set

I can't stand commentary that sounds like coaching. They can't fucking hear you!

I think the shot clock is a good idea because some people do take forever, for no good reason, leading me to shout "Just fucking serve!!!" at the tv
But it should be used consistently, although I appreciate that, between umpires, this is easier said than done! There should also be a bit of common sense applied. If you're into the 3rd or 4th hour of a match, being played in 80 degrees heat, and you've just had a 20 shot rally, clearly a bit more recovery time is sensible. But again, consistency is required and the difference between Aurelie and Mo, for example, can be vast

If Mo gives you a time violation you know you've been taking the piss

I would replace the shot clock with a bounce clock. Bounce the ball more than three times and you lose the point.

Make it cumulative Jane and* *players like Djok and Marin, who now seem to bounce the ball about 15 times, could lose a whole game before they've even served

Yes, I am here for bounce clock