TENNIS THREAD- WIMBLEDON 25- It's the FINALS countdown....

[Raahh]

Thanks for the new thread! I’m sorry I missed Agassi’s commentary, hopefully he’ll do the final as well. AC needs to get in the sea.

I had a great day today but my take home is that Jannik is an absolute physical monster. He looks skinny on TV but is actually really large and muscular and he hits the ball unbelievably hard. I don’t know how anyone ever beats him. Looking forward to the final on Sunday.

I wasn’t talking specifically about wild cards, no - I was talking generally about the sentiment that great players should recognise their peak and should stop immediately once they are past it. I don’t see why they should if they still want to play - that goes for Kvitova, Murray, Djok et al.

Very few players in the scheme of things will ever reach a Slam final. If everyone who wasn’t likely to do that stopped playing, it would be a pretty thin draw!

Glad you had a good time Ice - that’s interesting about Jannik - he does look skinny on the TV - I think Darren Cahill has done a lot of work in his physicality - really hoping for a good final

I think that deciding when to retire must be the hardest thing for sportspeople - if you go out on top you must always wonder if you could have done more (that’s probably why find players come back eg Wozniacki)

I find it hard to watch players in decline and think that Rafa should have retired earlier and definitely Murray should have. Elite sportspeople are obviously very competitive people and playing the sport is usually something that they’ve done for most of their lives so it must be difficult to make the decision to stop

Djokovic getting to the Wimbledon semis at the age of 37 is an amazing achievement but he was a shadow of his former self playing Sinner - I’m not sure how much longer he’ll want to continue like that?

Anyway, these are my early morning ramblings

Re Andrew Castle - I did once email the BBC about AC - he was getting his information wrong and bring his usual dickish self - maybe if we all complain about him the BBC might realise what an idiot he is?

Also thank you magi for deleting THAT photo - maybe Andre shamed AC into realising what an idiot he is but I doubt it - he’ll still be rambling on with his inane gossip instead of focussing on the tennis

Morning FIzzy - Happy Finals Saturday.

After the carnage of the first few days, it's amazing the draw ended up as it should do for the men .

I will be cheering on Alfie and Gordon in the wheelchair doubles- and then good luck to Julian and Lloyd in the men's doubles- before the final.
I don't really mind who wins today- I like Iga a lot, and she's improved a huge amount on grass- but I quite like Amanda, she has worked hard to get back in the game. So - I would just like a good final, and not a one sided one . I have hope

All I want today is a good final that's not one sided
Beyond that I have no preference

Happy Finals Saturday Raahh and everyone else

I’m looking forward to today but not sure how much of the women’s final I will see (in peace anyway)

I don’t really mind who wins but I think I would quite like Iga to get her first Wimbledon title - she’s had a bit of a rubbish year

I feel the same about the men’s final as well - don’t really mind who wins - just hoping for some good, close matches

Are you at Wimbledon today Chessie?

I don't really like either of the women's finalists so probably won't even watch.

Once I’ve had a shower I need to get some snacks in. 4pm seems a long wait!

4pm does seem a long time to wait - especially tomorrow when I’ve not really got anything else on

I was thinking about getting some snacks in for the men’s final tomorrow but not sure what to go for - I’ve already got Pimms and strawberries (of course) but could also do with some savoury options

Cheese scones, @Fizzywinegum ?

You could go for something Spanish or Italian themed- Fizzy .
Some tapas and antipasti.

Or just some crisps( if you're lazy like me)

What I will NOT be doing today is recreating Iga's favourite strawberry/yoghurt/ pasta dish.

Iga's dish sounded revolting. Maybe it's a thing in Poland.

Strawberries should preferably be eaten at room temperature with no embellishments although if I have leftover cream I can make an exception

My Tesco currently have some lovely Scottish ones which have been "falling" into my trolley on a regular basis 😀

It's definitely a Polish thing. Quite popular, apparently.

But not for me

Thanks for the suggestions - I
quite like the idea of anti pasti/tapas - strawberries and pasta will definitely not be on the menu! <bleurgh>

Hi, yes I am here today! Currently on court 12 watching the invitational doubles - Bahrami is up next if I can stick the heat that long! No idea how people are managing to play tennis in it, I’m melting just sitting here. Not sure how much of the final I’ll actually get to see - might be too hot to sit on the hill as planned. Will see how it goes!

Yay! Have a great day Chessie Keep hydrated!!

Alfie and Gordon have started well, it's on serve, but they seem very focused. There's a good crowd on No.1 for this.

Enjoy yourself Chessie I’m well jell, came very close to going this year but had to rule it out due to adding up the overall expense!

It’s roasting here so I can only imagine how sweltering Wimbledon is. Take care Chessie and if you do pass out then make sure you get a water bottle from one of the players.

Something to read..

https://www.thetimes.com/article/eae68ed0-57b4-4d92-919d-99b613b53a89?shareToken=76cfe64041337c72cbab904400709ce1

..

I miss Rafa so much 🥺

Have a great day Chessie. I really recommend the frozen Lavazza, it was a lifesaver yesterday in the heat.

This was a great read, thanks for sharing. I love Rafa, although I do disagree with his stance on equal pay for male and female players.

That's a really good article impossible. He's very Rafa -like and diplomatic in his answers

I think he is doing the right thing in his retirement, and getting to spend time with his family.