TENNIS: Hard court season continues. Scream if you want to go faster.

[JaneJeffer]

I wonder if they'll have a new trophy for the new venue? I like this one

Jane I hope they don't change the trophy, it is different (not 'ugly vase' different either).

I got a bit fed up with being reminded every 5 minutes they were moving .

Talking of ugly trophies- I'm watching Guaff/Pegula, and one of the times Jess beat Coco this year as when winning the odd Bear trophy in Berlin .

Looks like Ugo has withdrawn from Metz, even though he was the defending champion there. Not surprprised , i suppose. Last week probably took a lot out of him.
Holger has as well- I imagine, without the incentive of qualifying for the WTFs, it was time for a break.

Not a good WTF tournament for Rybakina- she's now down 0-2.

They are trying to explain who can go through and how (round robins make my head hurt).

I saw something Tim said yesterday, that only 400 people were watching one of yesterday's matches. That's not great.
I was also surprised earlier to learn of Judy Murray's involvement in developing tennis in Riyadh. Clearly it's where the money is - but I'm not convinced it 's the place for women in sport.

Apparently Iga liked having a smaller crowd.

www.ubitennis.net/2024/11/day-two-at-the-wta-finals-saw-a-sparse-crowd-but-iga-swiatek-didnt-mind/
Didn't realise Rafa was an ambassador

Iga probably liked the the quiet, maybe. I suppose when you play as well as she usually does, you don't need that push that the crowd give you.

I did know Rafa was an ambassador, and I have to say, I found that a strange move too. A disappointing one, if I'm honest. Especially given he was obviously coming to the end of his career, has his own foundation- and if I was him, I'd be wanting to do things closer to home and that stick with his charities. It's not really as though he needs the money.

All those involved are saying they think it will build interest in the sport in the country, and it all has to start somewhere- but I'm not sure.

Jasmine had a bit of fight back in the second set against Sabalenka, but it looks like Aryna will take this now. Still, not as bad a scoreline as it looked like it was going to be.

Jasmine not giving up yet though.

Hard match up for Paolini

It was- I think Jasmine was just starting to get to grips with Aryna by the end.
She's also in the doubles, and probably has a very good chance in that.

What with the weird horror circus music?

I was wondering what that music was Jane , Bit odd.

I've not really been watching the tennis in Riyadh - it's a bit like Covid tennis with the lack of crowds - I think it's a bit rubbish that the women players have had to play there

I was also disappointed about Rafa being a Saudi ambassador (and Judy Murray as well) - I think Judy thinks that it's an opportunity to expand the sport but I'm not sure what Rafa's excuse is

Even Billie Jean King thinks that tennis (especially women's) should go where the money is which I find very surprising - I think I maybe need to read more about it to try to understand her view but I don't think I agree with it

Fizzy, no, maybe I need to read more, and I'm missing something because I really don't get why women like BJK would ever contemplate stepping foot in Saudi Arabia - I get wanting to improve things for womens sport, but I'm not sure it will happen in Riyadh. I don't know.

I'd like someone to ask Mansour Bahrami what he thinks because he's not afraid to speak out about the treatment of women Iran so he might have something to say.

Well done Hsieh/Mertens. Jelena in a hurry to get home

Not a fan of the DJ Gigi?

Yes, Jane. That would be interesting.

It does all feel like a massive step backwards.

I don't think I'll bother watching Norris. The excitement would be too much.

Haven't seen any of Metz today. Shame Holger isn't there.

I saw the last game or so of PHH and Pedro earlier. I always group PHH with Mahut, so I sometimes forget about him

I feel sorry for the Metz organisers, half the draw has pulled out.

This is one of the problems with them cramming so many tournaments into the year though - the players don’t get chance to recover so their only option is to pull out.

Got my Wimbledon tickets, went for Centre Court on first Friday and have really good seats. I was a bit surprised when I logged in that every day was showing as available up to and including men's finals, but I couldn't justify spending over £500 for the later rounds.

The tickets are really expensive, definitely not a cheap day out. Worth it though, sure you’ll have a great time!

Apparently Djok has pulled out of ATP Finals, due to ‘injury’. I think that means Casper, Andrey and AdM all qualify.

Oh dear that's a shame about Djok - never mind!

Hope you get to see some good matches at Wimbledon Ice - I think going in the first week gives you a better choice of matches/players

I'm still waiting for my email ...