TENNIS thread-Au-revoir Paris- it's all about the Race for Turin. Who will be the last man and woman standing in 2025?

[Raahh]

So much going on at once!

I do hope he's ok. I've always liked Joe, and think he's very underrated , and never gets the recognition other Brits seems to get (often for achieving much less-<Jo Konta>).

I hope he doesn't hold himself responsible for the failures to win titles. But I can imagine it would be hard for him not to at times. He was so successful previously, but hasn't managed to get over the finish line with Neal.

Poor Joe - he looked awful during the doubles trophy ceremony - I couldn’t work out if he was still feeling the effects of his food poisoning or if he was really upset - hope he’s OK - and yes I agree he’s done really well in the past and never seems to get much recognition (which is unusual with Sky bigging up anyone who’s got the slightest Brit link )

Fizzy that's what I've never understood . He's won multiple slams, the tour finals twice. Barely a mention- (and I know it's not the biggest of achievements)- but even after winning ther US Open for the 3rd year running- where was his SPOTY nomination?!

Fizzy I know he often looks fairly pasty but I don't think he was well during the final. He had the doctor out in the first set and I think he was telling him he felt sick. Midweek, before one of his matches, he'd been up all night with sickness.

The doubles players in general never get much recognition. Jamie Murray has won 7 grand slams and yet all the attention goes to Andy, who has ‘only’ won three.

And doubles players play often play on small courts at the arse end of a tennis complex, in front of one man and his dog. Look at the vast swathes of empty seats this past week and that's for the top doubles teams in the world! They always say in their speeches how grateful they are to play on the 'bigger' courts and in front of big crowds (when the stadium is still only at 25% capacity! Call themselves tennis fans!!)
And don't get me started on the disgracefully massive disparity in prize money. Did Sinner win 5m yesterday compared to about 650,000 for Heliovaara and Patten? To be shared between them

Andrew Cotter just won the salt and pepper shakers on HofG

Oh-I have recorded that.

I love Andrew (he's the AC it's ok to like)- but the salt and pepper shakers are a bit dull
Not as dull as when they pick the coasters, or the playing cards

Oops sorry for the spoiler Raahh. I missed most of it today.

I looked up Joe's career prize money - it's just under $7 million .

Which considering what he 's won over the years, doesn't seem much.

And at one stage, the male doubles players were playing 5 sets too, in slams. That only changed quite recently.

Doubles is being messed with so much- what with the US Open Mixed doubles fiasco (only saved by the fact the right pair won). But for the majority of fans watching, if they also play, they are more likely to play doubles.

That's ok- I am so used to watching repeats , and not realising I've seen them before until half way through- that it wouldn't mattter anyway!

So it looks like Carlos has been forced to pull out of the Davis Cup, with his hamstring. Probably wise, doesn't want to wake it worse and risk the start of next season.

But it makes Davis become a bit redundant when the best players are too tired/injured to play - it's meant to be the tennis equivalent of a world cup.

It’s a shame for Carlos (and Spain) but I’m sure it’s the right decision if there’s a risk of making the injury worse. I wonder if he’ll stick around and support the team?

There have been a few suggestions that Davis Cup should change to only take place every second or third year, which honestly seems reasonable. I think the top players might make more effort to prioritise it if that were the case.

The Davis Cup situation has just got ridiculous. I think Zverev is the only top 10 player there. This is what happens when more and more tournaments are crammed into the calendar.

Joe has given an interview to BBC Sport, explaining the situation. He's aiming to be back in April and would like to partner Neal again but understands that might not happen. It sounds like he hasn't had a great time, so I really hope he has a positive break and can come back better than ever (hopefully with Neal!). See the BBC Sport website for more. Linking it is beyond me!

Poor Joe. Whether he feels his tenn
is was affected or not (and sometimes 'working' helps when going through bad period of anxiety, but not always), being under such pressure to perform well - and maybe , even subconsciously, feeling like you've let a partner down, can't have helped. It's all so public, too.

I hope he has a peaceful, break from it all, and if/when he comes back, he finds enjoyment in the sport.

It's a worrying thing that so many players are taking time out because of mh reasons- but it's probably not really a new thing, just now more are willing to talk about it. The tennis calendar has always been longer than most sports- and now there seems to be a push to fill every week of the 'off season' with new tournaments and exhibitions.

Players may feel under pressure to by management ot play those-earn a quick buck, please the sponsors- to the detriment of performance on the main tour.

Just picked up some great tickets for the AO. They had a one hour sale and DD and I synchronised our purchases.

Well done on the AO tickets Startup - I’m still waiting to hear about Wimbledon tickets but not holding my breath (the system is so archaic)

Poor Joe that does sound awful - I’m sure his anxiety must have affected his game in some way - hope that his time off helps him

From watching the Breakpoint and Carlos documentaries I think there is a lot of pressure from coaches, agents, sponsors, tournaments etc on players to just keep playing through injuries/mental health issues so it must be tough for them - a lot more seem to be speaking out about it now though as you say Raahh

Well done @StartupRepair something to look forward to
*stupid phone

That’s great @StartupRepair. What day/court did you get?

I haven’t had any luck in the Wimbledon ballot yet either Fizzy but not giving up hope yet as I’m also in the LTA one and I have been lucky in that the past 3 years. If not I guess I need to think about whether I’m willing to brave The Queue (which I’ve never done before).

I haven’t heard anything about Wimbledon tickets either. I was really lucky last year and got to go twice, so I’m resigned to getting nothing this year.

Spain vs Czechia has gone to a doubles decider.

I got excited then - an email from Wimbledon with the subject ‘join us in 2026’ but it’s just flogging the ridiculously expensive hospitality packages. Bah.

I also get annoyed when I get an email from Wimbledon Chessie - they’re usually trying to sell me towels rather than tickets

I’m also in the LTA draw - I don’t think I got tickets through them until quite late in the day last year so hopefully I’m still in with a chance

Looks as if Spain have gone through in the Davis Cup

Flavio vs Zizou was a wild match, both players having to save multiple match points. Well done Italy on making the final.