TENNIS thread- The Asian swing limps to a humid close- let's chuck away the ice towels and head to Europe.

[Raahh]

Via a couple of Exhibitions in Saudi Arabia.

Thread was coming to an end (if I can work out how to link it!).

Yes, I've just read that report about Djok Why does he want to keep hanging around like a bad smell when he keeps getting beaten by Sinner, Alcaraz and others? Does he really have nothing outside tennis??
Look at Andy. He's living his best life (usually on a golf course) since retiring

kazza Exactly.

I don't think Djok wants to retire because- how will anyone top the cermony Rafa got at RG? (even if we barely saw it- thanks, TNT ) That plaque on the court was inspired. Subtle, perfect- much more of a tribute to the man than the ugly statue.

Djok probably secretly wants a massive ugly ass statue over looking the whole of Melbourne to show how he dominated AO.
(Be funny if some made a big abstract ear with a finger pointing to it. Freaky. But funny).

Raahh
Or a statue playing the violin

Yes, a teeny tiny 🎻

I'm score watching Jasmine. They arev5-5 in the second set and have been for so long I thought the match had been suspended.

Finally! Jasmine has won the game.

This set is taking forever. Doesn't make ot easy for herself, Paolini. And she lost the first set.

Well she broke serve to win the set and lot quicker than she did to hold her own.

Maybe Belinda is running out of steam.

I need to walk the dog.

This is turning into a mammoth match. Over 3 hours. Whoever wins it, will be worn out for the semi final.

Serving for the match- come on Jasimine!

I think Belinda is injured though.

Well done Jasmine.

Not an easy match. .

No way is Melbourne giving Djok a statue. Despite his winning record, he is not particularly well liked there.

I'm watching Daniil's match in Almaty. He's somehow won the first set, despite being the worse player, and having to save multiple set points at 4-5.

Oh, I know, and and after the whole Covid fiasco they would be idiots - but he will probably expect something. Even Roger didn't get anything, really, only a ceremony at his own tournament.

He might get the Serbian Open re-named in his honour. Or maybe not, now he's moved to Greece .

Daniil is Houdini.

Well done Daniil.

It's a shame that Daniil might not make Turin, because we will miss out on his daughter Alisa spotting his poster in the corridor- which has been a highlight of the last 2 years. She's extremely cute.
And this year she would be joined by her sister

There's still an outside chance though, and a couple of weeks left...

I see Naomi Osaka has withdrawn due to injury.

The injury roll call seems particularly bad this year - or is it just that I haven't noticed it so much before?

Loving the statue suggestions

It does seem to be particularly bad this year.

Not Naomi Osaka getting injured in Osaka!

Well, if she's going to get injured anywhere!

I'd be very, very surprised if we went for a Djok statue in Melbourne. We still struggle with Margaret Court Court and her being such a homophobe.

I'm surprised the MC Arena hasn't been re-named , to be honest.

Maybe give it a few years .

I can't believe how much money Djok got for losing his match at the 6 Kings thing.
and they let him do a speech.
It's wrong, on many levels. (and I did feel the same when Rafa played there, it's not just a Djok thing ).

It’s probably tricky to propose renaming it while she’s still alive. I suspect it will be changed after she has died.

Chessie I think that might be a definite possibility.

It's a lesson in why naming stadiums after living people is sometimes risky (you never know what might happen)- and why Wimbledon is wise not to do it.

Holger is playing like it’s a boxing match!

Wispa is now Holger’s #1 fan