Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Villa Lew on January 02, 2024, 08:10:45 PM
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Starting Tennis 2024 on a good note, Emma wins her first match, winning 7-5 in the 3rd set, her opponent is ranked 134rd in the world, but that doesn't matter a wins a win.
Not such good news for Murray losing in 3 sets to Dimitrov.
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Starting Tennis 2024 on a good note, Emma wins her first match, winning 7-5 in the 3rd set, her opponent is ranked 134rd in the world, but that doesn't matter a wins a win.
I know she's only coming back from a long lay off, but Radacanu is only ranked 301 at the moment. She hasn't really done a lot, results wise, since winning the US Open, so it's hard to know what her actual ranking should be. Presumably a bit higher than 134th, but winning is what matters at the moment, as you say.
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Starting Tennis 2024 on a good note, Emma wins her first match, winning 7-5 in the 3rd set, her opponent is ranked 134rd in the world, but that doesn't matter a wins a win.
I know she's only coming back from a long lay off, but Radacanu is only ranked 301 at the moment. She hasn't really done a lot, results wise, since winning the US Open, so it's hard to know what her actual ranking should be. Presumably a bit higher than 134th, but winning is what matters at the moment, as you say.
She's top 50 and if she finds form can easily be top 20. Once she's there - and as the women's game has proven since Serena stopped dominating - anyone can win.
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As a new thread has been started I will paste in my last post in the 2023 thread. Bit out of date now.
"Not worth starting a new thread. Can it be changed to 2023/2024?
Tennis season proper kicks off. Already a good performance earlier by Boulter. Came back from a set and double break down to beat Pegula (World 5) in United Cup. Although GB lost to USA.
Serious stuff starts tomorrow (very early hours UK) in Auckland. Gauff, Wozniacki, Svitolina, and Raducanu all on the same Court in the same day, if it does not p*** down with rain. Raducanu's first game since April.
Good test for Raducanu. Should win (against Ruse) if fit. And if she stays fit this year predict she will win, or go deep into, a few tournaments, and go deep into some Slams. Same for Draper on the Men's side.
Hopefully this year Boulter will establish herself as a top 50, of even 30, player. She should do. I think Murray will call it a day after Wimbledon. Norrie and Evans will continue to be decent players without doing anything special. The rest of the Brits will flatter to deceive as per usual.
One to watch, 15 year old Hannah Klugman. Hopefully will get a few wild cards into big tournaments, and could cause a few shocks."
Tomorrow against Svitolina is the test for Raducanu. She looked a bit tight against Ruse, who's a much better player than her 130. But tomorrow is a free hit for Raducanu at the moment. I reckon she will sneak a win.
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Sadly Murray, by all accounts, was well beaten in 3 sets, after the match Murray said there was a definite possibility he has played his last Aussie Open, but like you mv, I reckon Murray will probably retire after Wimbledon.
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Straight sets win for Emma, looked good in the highlights.
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Straight sets win for Emma, looked good in the highlights.
I watched the whole game. Looked very comfortable, but she was not pushed too hard. Rogers was coming back from injury as well. But a very promising start. Has an opportunity to play her way into the tournament next round, and then it gets more difficult.
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Still one Brit left standing, Cameron Norrie, who had a good win, beating 11th seed Casper Ruud in 4 sets.
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Zverev beats Alcaraz to set up a semi with Medvedev, Djokovic plays Sinner, looking now more and more like it's gonna be Novak's 11th Aussie Open title.
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Zverev beats Alcaraz to set up a semi with Medvedev, Djokovic plays Sinner, looking now more and more like it's gonna be Novak's 11th Aussie Open title.
I pleased to say thay I was wrong, fantastic performance from Sinner.
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Zverev beats Alcaraz to set up a semi with Medvedev, Djokovic plays Sinner, looking now more and more like it's gonna be Novak's 11th Aussie Open title.
I pleased to say thay I was wrong, fantastic performance from Sinner.
Wasn't it just. It's quite refreshing, the younger players starting to come through.
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Excited for Sinner, knocking on the door for a while now and he's finally earned a shot at a big 'un.
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And a huge win!
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Yeah delighted for him, great comeback.
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Had a look at Sky's tennis channel yesterday, as they have now got the rights, was ok, until Marion Bartoli came out, after listening her about 2 mins, I'd had enough, just had to change channels.
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Andy Murray wins his first match of the year, I just caught the end of it, was playing a qualifier, but a win's a win, the relief he showed at the end was massive.
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Well done Katie Boulter winning her first WTA title in San Diego, now moves into the top 30.
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Well done Katie Boulter winning her first WTA title in San Diego, now moves into the top 30.
Indeed.
I can't help thinking that Raducanu is being badly advised. Those are the sorts of tournaments she should be playing - and would probably do well in. Boulter now into the top 30 with that win, meanwhile, Emma is playing Indian Wells later this week where she might go 1 or 2 rounds at best.
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Well done Katie Boulter winning her first WTA title in San Diego, now moves into the top 30.
Indeed.
I can't help thinking that Raducanu is being badly advised. Those are the sorts of tournaments she should be playing - and would probably do well in. Boulter now into the top 30 with that win, meanwhile, Emma is playing Indian Wells later this week where she might go 1 or 2 rounds at best.
It was a WTA500 event. That is the same or higher level of event as Raducanu has been playing recently. Boulter played well and had a good run, but from what I saw wasn't playing noticeably better tennis than Raducanu has played in the few matches since returning.
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Well done Katie Boulter winning her first WTA title in San Diego, now moves into the top 30.
Indeed.
I can't help thinking that Raducanu is being badly advised. Those are the sorts of tournaments she should be playing - and would probably do well in. Boulter now into the top 30 with that win, meanwhile, Emma is playing Indian Wells later this week where she might go 1 or 2 rounds at best.
It was a WTA500 event. That is the same or higher level of event as Raducanu has been playing recently. Boulter played well and had a good run, but from what I saw wasn't playing noticeably better tennis than Raducanu has played in the few matches since returning.
Yeah, but the difference is none of the big names were there - Jessica Pegula was the highest ranked player. My point is play some of those tournaments and have a decent run and get your ranking up. Playing Indina Wells and getting knocked out in the second round like her previous tournaments this year isn't going to help.
I take your point on not playing noticeably better tennis. When Emma is on she is on, when she is off she's really bad - there is no in-between.
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Won her first match at Indian Wells, despite not playing great. 52% first serve.
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Won her first match at Indian Wells, despite not playing great. 52% first serve.
Was a bit inconsistent. But pulled out the shots when needed. Tomorrow is the test.
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Djokovic loses in 3 sets to 20 year old Luca Nardi ranked 123rd in the world, turns 37 in May, doubtful, but maybe age is starting to catch up with him.
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Great win for the GB ladies in the BJK cup. Emma simply brilliant. Hope this is the start of something for her.
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I decided to watch the tennis instead. Raducanu now 4 wins on the bounce on clay in 6days. Against good opposition as well. Swiatek tomorrow.
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Andy Murray loses his first round match at the Geneva Open 7-5, 6-2, which means he misses the chance to play Djokovic in the next round, maybe a good thing!
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Really enjoy watching Alcaraz play. He and the Sinnerman have breathed a bit of new life into the men's tour.
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37 year old Murrays' French Open didn't last long, beaten in 3 sets by 39 year old Stan Wawrinka.
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37 year old Murrays' French Open didn't last long, beaten in 3 sets by 39 year old Stan Wawrinka.
Good, get him off that daft surface and a chance to see out his career at on the grass or at US Open which he might want to go out on as he won the Junior version all those years ago.
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37 year old Murrays' French Open didn't last long, beaten in 3 sets by 39 year old Stan Wawrinka.
Good, get him off that daft surface and a chance to see out his career at on the grass or at US Open which he might want to go out on as he won the Junior version all those years ago.
Agreed
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Both Evans and Boulter knocked out, no Brits left standing, which ain't great, hopefully we'll see a better effort at Wimbledon, well it can't be any worse!
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Both Evans and Boulter knocked out, no Brits left standing, which ain't great, hopefully we'll see a better effort at Wimbledon, well it can't be any worse!
Bah, we've never been good on that French mud anyway.
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Alcaraz through in four. Good news for those of us who just want anyone but Djokovic to win the thing.
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Alcaraz through in four. Good news for those of us who just want anyone but Djokovic to win the thing.
I'm trying to figure out if I can launch a water bottle from here. May need to get the trebuchet out.
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Both Evans and Boulter knocked out, no Brits left standing, which ain't great, hopefully we'll see a better effort at Wimbledon, well it can't be any worse!
Again that’s great….get off that garbage surface & get back to proper courts for the rest of the summer
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Was a great match between Swiatek and Osaka.
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Medvedev knocked out, Djokovic through, but it's another 5 set match, he's gonna be cream crackered, especially playing until 3 am on Saturday.
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Medvedev knocked out, Djokovic through, but it's another 5 set match, he's gonna be cream crackered, especially playing until 3 am on Saturday.
Yeah let's look on the bright side!
I mean, all sarcasm aside, he definitely looks mortal, and Sinner, Alcaraz and [spits] Zverev all look formidable.
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Medvedev knocked out, Djokovic through, but it's another 5 set match, he's gonna be cream crackered, especially playing until 3 am on Saturday.
Yeah let's look on the bright side!
I mean, all sarcasm aside, he definitely looks mortal, and Sinner, Alcaraz and [spits] Zverev all look formidable.
Oh no! He's out. Such a shame.
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There seems to be quite a lot of empty seats in Paris this year. Anyone know why?
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There seems to be quite a lot of empty seats in Paris this year. Anyone know why?
Mainly the rain I'd say.
Medvedev knocked out, Djokovic through, but it's another 5 set match, he's gonna be cream crackered, especially playing until 3 am on Saturday.
Yeah let's look on the bright side!
I mean, all sarcasm aside, he definitely looks mortal, and Sinner, Alcaraz and [spits] Zverev all look formidable.
Oh no! He's out. Such a shame.
Djokovic yeah. Though sad it's not Zverev. And sad that nobody actually beat him - you much prefer the 'no caveats' thing.
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Yeah, I know what you mean, I would have rather that had happened but I'll take it. Maybe he should have just talked positively to some water and splashed it on his knee to heal himself.
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It's a slam he's not winning. That's enough for me.
I feel sorry for Djokovic in some ways. He's an unpopular champion and that must be difficult after all the love shown to Federer and Nadal. Having bottles thrown at him etc just isn't on.
But he's clearly a bit of a dickhead and I don't find his brand of tennis entertaining, so the last five or six years of men's tennis has consequently been a total bore.
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I'm going today. Got outside court tickets which, I think, at this stage gives us access to all courts apart from Chartrier. Never watched live tennis before so interested to see what it's like.
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Watching the Paolini-Rybakina match really brings home how the difference between forced and unforced errors is often quite dubious and arbitrary. These ladies hit heavy and deep into the court, and each knows their shot has to be good, off these industrial strength groundstrokes, or they're just going to be put away easily. It's not 'forced' like stretching for one and it just pinging the racket frame, but it's a bit harsh calling it 'unforced'.
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Great day, managed to get on Chatrier first thing due to a doubles match being played because of Djokovic cancellation. Then spent rest of the day pootling between Lenglen and Matthieu. Saw Coco Gauff in womens' doubles, absolute cut above, perhaps unsurprisingly. They won 6-0, 6-2. Saw a couple of legends' matches, which pleased my French better half.
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Seeing it live is always good as you really notice the speed, power and athleticism.
I went to RG a few years ago and we had a good day. Getting tickets is easier than Wimbledon, and getting on the courts was easier especailly if there were no French players involved. The overall space and facilities weren't great for a Grand Slam, but I know it's had improvements since, so hopefully I'll get to visit again.
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Shame Alcaraz and Sinner are meeting in the semi. would make a great final, hopefully they will meet in the Wimbledon final.
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Seeing it live is always good as you really notice the speed, power and athleticism.
I went to RG a few years ago and we had a good day. Getting tickets is easier than Wimbledon, and getting on the courts was easier especailly if there were no French players involved. The overall space and facilities weren't great for a Grand Slam, but I know it's had improvements since, so hopefully I'll get to visit again.
I thought the facilities were very good myself. Toilets certainly a lot more pleasant than anywhere else in France. Food and drink overpriced but you expect that and you can bring your own, which we realised too late. Probably less people knocking around yesterday than in the first week so maybe not a like for like comparison
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Cracking tennis this.
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No-one wants a 6-2, 6-1 final. How boring.
Edit: Actually, I'll take a triple bagel against the Hamburg Strangler tomorrow.
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Even if we give Zverev the benefit of the doubt over those, he's really hard to warm to. He's a whiny bitch and looks like a giant rat, though my opinion may be coloured by the fact that German Eurosport is Zvereb FanTV in all but name. I have to watch with the sound down.
Anyway, seems Alacaraz is going to bottle it sadly.
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Yeah Zverev's really been
battering, er, slapping around...uhm, doing better at tennis for a while here.
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Well done Carlos, 3 majors by the age of 21, is brilliant.
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He's a little monster and I'm a big fan.
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It's impressive, though I don't see anything in his game that strikes me as wow, what weapon that <insert shot> is. I guess, as the big banner at RG implies, it's his tenaciousness as much as anything.
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It's impressive, though I don't see anything in his game that strikes me as wow, what weapon that <insert shot> is. I guess, as the big banner at RG implies, it's his tenaciousness as much as anything.
Well I do love his dropshots, great disguise. But yeah, it's more a personality thing that makes him popular I think.
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Andy Murray may have already played his last Wimbledon, doubtful for SW19, following having to retire in his match at the Queen's Club after just 5 games, with back pain.
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That was a great win by Jack Draper beating Alcaraz in 2 sets, obviously too early to say yet, but we may have at least a future top 10 player or even better.
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Andy Murray may have already played his last Wimbledon, doubtful for SW19, following having to retire in his match at the Queen's Club after just 5 games, with back pain.
I hope he doesn't carry on playing too long but would be a shame if he doesn't get one last hurrah. Maybe the Olympics or the US Open if he's not fit for Wimbledon?
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Andy Murray may have already played his last Wimbledon, doubtful for SW19, following having to retire in his match at the Queen's Club after just 5 games, with back pain.
I hope he doesn't carry on playing too long but would be a shame if he doesn't get one last hurrah. Maybe the Olympics or the US Open if he's not fit for Wimbledon?
He definitely wants the Olympics. Hopefully he'll make something.
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Emma Raducanu beats a top 10 player for the first time.
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Emma Raducanu beats a top 10 player for the first time.
And wasn't even at 100% doing it. Whisper it quietly, but it looks like she may well be back to Proper Player levels.
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I don't really follow tennis during the fifty weeks a year pre-season, but Boulter seems to be doing well, too.
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I don't really follow tennis during the fifty weeks a year pre-season, but Boulter seems to be doing well, too.
She's happiest on grass and is showing it. Wouldn't surprise me to see her make second week at the Big Wimby.
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One to watch, 15 year old Hannah Klugman. Hopefully will get a few wild cards into big tournaments, and could cause a few shocks."
1 match away from main draw after getting Wild Card for qualifiers. Plays today.
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Paolini just too heavy-hitting so far.
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And Raducanu looks a bit loose-limbed, a bit like the racquet's too big for her.
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Raducanu's opponent has been changed due to illness. I assume that's good?
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Watson gone. Got herself in a position to win a topsy-turvy first set but never looked convincing on her own serve.
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Lajal breaks Alcaraz early in the second set, just makes him angry, two games later he hasn't won another point yet.
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Sabalenka withdraws with injury.
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Raducanu wins first set. Wobbled a bit from 4-2 up but recovered to batter her 7-0 in tiebreak.
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Yeah an iffy first set, but ate her alive in the tie break.
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Through she goes. Easy enough in the end. The other lady wasn't bad for a "Lucky Loser", though.
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Easy win for Miyazaki, too.
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Through she goes. Easy enough in the end. The other lady wasn't bad for a "Lucky Loser", though.
Yeah good strokemaking and touch around the net. It's always consistency that counts in the end.
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Kartal wins, too. Can't say I've heard of her before but she could easily crush my skull with her arms.
Mostly a good day for British women. British men... not so much.
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Andy Murray withdraws from singles but will still play in the doubles with his brother.
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Yeah, so Wimbledon have moved Jack Draper's match to Centre Court.
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Women's champion Marketa Vondrousova out. Not a bad first ever Grand Slam or grass win for Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
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The first defending Wimbledon ladies champion to lose in the first round for 30 years.
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Jacob Fearnley first British male to make it into Round Two (I think).
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Boulter through in straight sets but it was a struggle at times.
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Norrie through.
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...as is Draper.
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Jacob Fearnley first British male to make it into Round Two (I think).
Plays Djokovic next, no problem.
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5 British women in the 2nd round for the first time since 1987.
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My other half was at Wimbledon this week. Last time he sent me away up the hill so he could meet Patrick Stewart and this time he got a wave from someone called David Beckham?
He had a spare ticket, but I wasn't allowed to go for some reason...
(https://i.ibb.co/Kmstftg/sub-buzz-5620-1504528486-8.webp)
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My other half was at Wimbledon this week. Last time he sent me away up the hill so he could meet Patrick Stewart and this time he got a wave from someone called David Beckham?
He had a spare ticket, but I wasn't allowed to go for some reason...
(https://i.ibb.co/Kmstftg/sub-buzz-5620-1504528486-8.webp)
New balls please?
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Andy Murray will be playing with Raducanu this weekend.
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Can think of worse things to do.
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Kartal blitzing her way through this so far. She looks hard as nails as well.
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And just as I say that she's broken back. She must be delighted to have me on her side.
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She's won, plays Coco Gauff next so probably won't go much further but still a great effort. Three Brits now guaranteed through to Round Three (as there are two all-British ties in Round Two).
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Emma committing a minor war-crime so far, hitting the ball so cleanly.
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That was pretty bloody good.
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That's the 2021 Emma back....long may it continue.
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That was an act of violence. Loved it.
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Great stuff well done Emma.
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Centre Court
Fearnley v Djokovic
The Murray brothers playing at Wimbledon for the first time.
No 1 Court
Boulter v Dart
Draper v Norrie
On the main courts, there cannot have been a better day ever for British tennis fans.
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And what a day to do it on!
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Andy Murray will be playing with Raducanu this weekend.
"The A & E Team"
Pinched from BBC Comments
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Quite a showdown!
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Not bad. Harriet Dart adopting the Cristiano Ronaldo bursting into tears during the match tactic. She didn't murder any orphans though, so the similarity ends there.
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He's been poor for most of the year, but that was superb today from Norrie.
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Don't want to jinx her, but it's nice to see Radacanu finding a bit of form. Some people took a little too much enjoyment out of her not backing up her US Open win. Hopefully she can get the ranking up a bit and find some consistency.
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Well she's just won the first set, and handsomely. She's such a great player to watch too, I love those weird loopy shots she does, must be a nightmare to play against.
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Through in straight sets against the world number 9, breaking twice in each.
Yeah, she's legit good.
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I’ve always been a believer, glad others are catching on!
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It's mad that she won the US Open but had never beaten a top 10 player until this week. Maybe hadn't even played one?
Wonder if she'll still play doubles with Murray now she's into the second week
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I was wondering that as well, she won’t want to risk anything….but probably won’t want to let Murray down either.
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I think there's no way she was assuming she'd be out in week one.
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She's winning the whole fucking thing and will probably win the Tour de France too during the celebratory piss-up. Great performance.
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Through in straight sets against the world number 9, breaking twice in each.
Yeah, she's legit good.
She’s always had the talent.
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I think there's no way she was assuming she'd be out in week one.
She's won about 5 matches since she won the US Open. She's only at Wimbledon because they gave her a wildcard. I'm sure she didn't go into the tournament planning to go out early, but there was always way more liklihood that she would.
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I think there's no way she was assuming she'd be out in week one.
She's won about 5 matches since she won the US Open. She's only at Wimbledon because they gave her a wildcard. I'm sure she didn't go into the tournament planning to go out early, but there was always way more liklihood that she would.
While that's true, there's a difference between any of that and her assuming she'd be out and factoring it into a decision on the doubles. One thing you notice even five seconds into any interview is that this is a person with quite ferocious self-belief.
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Murray didn't look great in his men's doubles match, so quite possible it'll only be the one match they play anyway.
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Murray didn't look great in his men's doubles match, so quite possible it'll only be the one match they play anyway.
The same thought did cross my mind...
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Have they always started at half one? Sure it used to be one. Why not open Centre Court at 11am when it's been pissing down and they need to make up time?
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Raducanu pulls out of doubles so that's Murray's career over. Shame but can't blame her if she's not 100%, trying to win Wimbledon singles has to take priority over a glorified legends match.
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Not surprised at Raducanu pulling out (as was mulled over on here). Murray will completely understand and he had a nice send off anyway. It would have been like when you say goodbye to someone but then you both go in the same direction.
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Obviously being Captain Hindsight here, but could he not have waited a bit longer to choose a partner and gone with someone like Watson who is already out?
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Sounds sensible. I don't know the rules, though. Do they have to declare by a certain point?
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I dunno, mate. Seems like the sort of thing Monty would know so thought I would ask here. I asked eighteen minutes ago, though, and he hasn't answered yet.
Selfish bastard obviously has something better to do. FFS. 🙄
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Ha! I actually don't know - I'd assumed she'd factored it all in and was ready to play in both. Perhaps she's had advice from the medics - conceivably, Murray himself told her to focus on the singles. But the correspondents are saying it's over, so I assume if there is a deadline that it's not been made.
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You have to declare who you're playing with before the draw is made. I don't think it's as early as the main draws, given that mixed doubles is more of a fun thing than the other more serious doubles.
I thought it was odd they did the big send off on Thursday too, but maybe that was planned before he decided to play mixed too, I dunno.
Radacanu apparently has some stiffness in her wrist and understandably isn't going to risk her singles run. She's had surgery on both wrists last year.
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Norrie out and Dart seems to have fucked it up.
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I was a little disappointed Norrie beat Draper as he has been in terrible form.
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I was a little disappointed Norrie beat Draper as he has been in terrible form.
Likewise, might have been better if Boulter had beaten Dart.
Just Raducanu left in the singles now.
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Yeah and Swiatek going out today, will have helped her chances quite a bit.
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If she's fully fit who knows how far she can go. Always a big "if" based on last few years, though. Fingers crossed. I'm no expert but I think Świątek isn't great on grass? Gauff the player to beat, IMO.
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I don't really follow tennis any more, but it seems whenever I do look Raddy is either injured, changing coach, or both.
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I don't really follow tennis any more, but it seems whenever I do look Raddy is either injured, changing coach, or both.
She has been injured pretty consistently, which is why she opted to have surgery on both wrists and one of her ankles around this time last year. She hasn't played much since, but it looking good at the moment.
As for the coach thing, I think she said she doesn't believe in working with the one coach on everything, so the idea was she'd work with a specialist on something for a while, then move on to a specialist on something else. A good idea, I think, for someone still learning the game, but possibly something she might reconsider if she's looking to get back to the top and stay there.
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Tbf didn't Murray change his coach quite often? He did alright.
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I don't think he did anywhere near as much in a short space of time though. It does seem odd to me.
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As I said, her thinking was apparently "I need to work on my backhand, so I'll work with someone specifically on that for a few months". Then she'd identify the next area she wanted to improve and find someone who could do that.
A few more wins and she may find herself in the position, financially, that she can just hire a whole team instead of chopping and changing.
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I think she's made for life already.
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It just feels like if that constant swapping was the most beneficial way of doing things, then surely a lot of the top young players coming through would be doing it? Saying that, they could be, and it's just not spoken about over here.
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Apparently she has a net worth of about 10mil, most of which comes from sponsorships.
Obviously that's a lot of money but tennis is a very expensive sport to play at the top level. For example, Djokovic apparently payed Ivanisovic between 400-500k a year, and that's just his salary. He'd also have to cover travel and accommodation. If you want more than one person working and travelling with you, which most of the top players have, then it gets even more expensive.
The nature of the sport means travel arrangements quite often changing last minute which makes everything more expensive too.
Point being, if she quit tennis now she'd probably have enough money to live on forever. If she wants to build a team around her to further her career, she's going to need to be winning tournaments, or at least going deep in them, pretty consistently for a while to bankroll it.
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I was a little disappointed Norrie beat Draper as he has been in terrible form.
Likewise, might have been better if Boulter had beaten Dart.
Just Raducanu left in the singles now.
I was on court number one on Thursday and saw both these matches. Boulder made a ridiculous number of errors and threw away the tie break, but I thought she’d have a better chance in the next round.
Draper seemed too emotional at times and lost the key points, but I think Norris had a point to prove against him and seemed more fired up / focused.
In the final match we saw Zverev played like a god.
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Do you have to get in a tent and queue all night or can you just pay for tickets in advance like a football match?
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Do you have to get in a tent and queue all night or can you just pay for tickets in advance like a football match?
You register for a ticket ballot and if you get picked you can buy a ticket in advance. Otherwise you join "The Queue" and hope there's enough left that you get in at some point.
You don't get to choose what day you get tickets for either. You're just offered random ones. A lot of people trade tickets once the draw comes out though, if there's specific players they want to see.
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Yeah and Swiatek going out today, will have helped her chances quite a bit.
Don't think it makes much difference. Rybakina has always been the dangerous one in that half of the draw. Swiatek doesn't like grass, and her record at Wimbledon is one QF. Gauff's record is just as bad. She's never got beyond the first week.
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Swiatek was showing ominous signs of getting it together on the surface though, before it all went wrong yesterday.
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Paolini looking good against Madison Keys, if she can keep this level up. She's a threat I think, remarkably unfussy way of just finding ways to accumulate the points.
Lol I say this and she gets immediately broken in the second set. My curse this year is very strong.
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A less than fantastic start for Raducanu.
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Sun is just making pretty much zero unforced errors.
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One set all
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YAS. She had to play out her skin to get that break.
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Sun is just making pretty much zero unforced errors.
I’ve been thinking that can’t last, but it is. Big from Emma to take that set as well as Sun is playing.
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Sun was countering her big loopy shot super well, so she had to play flatter and more attritionally. Real grit shown.
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Uh oh..
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Injury followed by loss of serve, about as badly as this third set could have gone so far.
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Surely that's that.
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That's disappointing. Radacanu is very talented and I don't doubt her mentality but she can't seem to stay injury free for more than a few weeks.
(Not saying that the only reason Sun will win is because of injury)
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Fair play, Sun played brilliantly. She could win it all.
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Believe me, the Sun always shines on TV.
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For a qualifier that was some performance.
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For a qualifier that was some performance.
She seems lovely too. Well, you know she makes me wanna shout for her.
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Disappointing for Emma, the draw has really opened up - especially with Gauff in trouble
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Raducanu just didn't seem that focussed. I think the fallout over withdrawing from the Mixed with Murray played a part.
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Sinner out to Medvedev in five. Alcaraz through pretty comfortably
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Paolini contniuing French Open form. I guess Rybakina must be favourite overall as highest seed and former champion.
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De Minaur has pulled out of his quarter final against Djokovic, with a hip injury.
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Lorenzo Musetti through to meet Djokovic.
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De Minaur has pulled out of his quarter final against Djokovic, with a hip injury.
🙄
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Haughty disdain for holding serve on show here in the Vekic-Paolini final set.
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Paolini wins, I literally don't know how.
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Just watched the end, was good fun. Women's tennis is way better than men's as doesn't seem to just be the same arsehole winning all the time.
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Who should I be supporting in this one, Monty?
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I'm just about in favour of Krejcikova as Rybakina has won it before, but they both seem very sound and talented young women, the utter bastards.
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New champion guaranteed, then. Hurrah.
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Hope Krejcikova wins, although I don't really mind. Might be a quick final at this rate.
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Hope Krejcikova wins, although I don't really mind. Might be a quick final at this rate.
It feels a bit like the Villa v Arsenal final so far
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Hope Krejcikova wins, although I don't really mind. Might be a quick final at this rate.
It feels a bit like the Villa v Arsenal final so far
Except that we didn't score three early in the second half.
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Hope Krejcikova wins, although I don't really mind. Might be a quick final at this rate.
It feels a bit like the Villa v Arsenal final so far
Except that we didn't score three early in the second half.
I don’t think we had three passes in the second half
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Boo. I wanted it to go to a super duper tie-break.
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This is the one I want Spain to win!
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Still early days but Alcatraz dominating the anti-vax crank so far.
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Djokovic has no answers so far.
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Beautiful to watch so far.
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I cursed the man and he’s now double faulted twice in this game.
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Come on Spain
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Is Djokovic injured? He's been absolutely battered here. The King is dead, long live the King. Alcarez has been absolutely superb, what a player.
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Alcatraz absolutely bottled that game.
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Can the crowd not shut the fuck up?
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I’m gonna be so mad if this crank gets a set back
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Fancy Alcaraz to win the tie-break if he gets there but not sure he will.
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That's why tennis is such a crazy sport. What the hell happened?
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That's why tennis is such a crazy sport. What the hell happened?
Alcaraz gave up 3 points on championship serve to double faults. Insane.
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Hurrah.
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There it is.
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Thank fuck for that
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How long before we all want Alcaraz to lose do you reckon?
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Will probably start the day Djokovic announces his retirement...
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I caught the very end and it made me laugh when Tim Henman said that Alcaraz 'could be in the same bracket as Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray...'
With all due respect, one of those names does not belong. He was a very good player, but Alcaraz has already won more slams than Murray and he's what, 21?
I like Alcaraz, he has an excellent all-court game and looks to have a winner's mindset and temperament. He could easily go on to win 20+ slams. But he himself said that he doesn't consider himself a 'champion' on Djokovic's level just yet.
To throw Murray's name in with Alcaraz is hasty; to do so with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic is ludicrous.
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Murray was brilliant, he just happened to be playing at the same time as the three best players of all time. He also beat Djokovic (Wimbledon) and Federer (Olympics) at their peak in major finals, and was ranked number one in the world for a while.
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Murray was brilliant, he just happened to be playing at the same time as the three best players of all time. He also beat Djokovic (Wimbledon) and Federer (Olympics) at their peak in major finals, and was ranked number one in the world for a while.
I think 2012 is stretching it as 'peak Federer'.
Those three were brilliant. Murray was a very good player, but if he was anything like the same league he wouldn't have finished on the same number of slams as Wawrinka (who also was a very good player).
He doesn't belong in that company, I'm afraid.
Very good, but not even close to those three.
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Maybe not, but would still have been regarded as an all-time great in any other era so it's hardly an insult to Alcaraz to say he's like him.
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Maybe not, but would still have been regarded as an all-time great in any other era so it's hardly an insult to Alcaraz to say he's like him.
Never an insult - Murray was a fine player - and certainly not now, no. But by the time he's done, from what we've seen so far, I think Alcaraz will be more on the Fed/Nad/Djok side of things.
But the last one or two generations have been soft as shite, beaten before they get on court, unlike the generation that were pursuing Federer (Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Wawrinka, Del Potro, Cilic). There has pretty much been nobody new for about 15 years.
So it's good to see a player with some balls (apologies for crudeness of the term) actually do what needs to be done and beat some relics. It's good for the sport, because blokes in their late 30s should not be winning slams on a regular basis.
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Murray was brilliant, he just happened to be playing at the same time as the three best players of all time. He also beat Djokovic (Wimbledon) and Federer (Olympics) at their peak in major finals, and was ranked number one in the world for a while.
And he was blighted by injuries. So unfortunate the hip became really problematic just as he hit No.1 and was at his peak. He would have picked up 3, 4, or even 5 slams in the next 2 or 3 years.
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Is Sinner a sinner?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cq5d3nl1pd9o
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Dan Evans stages miraculous fightback from 4-0 down in deciding set to beat Russian 23rd seed Khachanov in first round of US Open. Boulter, Dart and Draper won earlier, Raducanu due on in a bit.
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Yeah absolutely brilliant comeback from Dan, just over 5 1/2 hours, the longest match in US Open history.
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Signing autographs for Villa fans at the match.
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Sadly Raducanu knocked out, still hasn't won a match in New York since she won the title in 2021.
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She got a tough draw, tbf. Needs to be playing more regularly to get her ranking back up and get herself seeded for events. I think she's potentially a top twenty player and the number one Brit but not sure how often she will get close to winning more Grand Slams.
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Dan Evans stages miraculous fightback from 4-0 down in deciding set to beat Russian 23rd seed Khachanov in first round of US Open. Boulter, Dart and Draper won earlier, Raducanu due on in a bit.
Glad to say I switched it on at 4-0 0-30 in the 5th set….was a very entertaining 20-25 minutes of tennis with both players looking out for the count physically but finding extra on the points. Great win for Dan…had a poor year results wise but played in 2 or 3 of the most memorable matches of his career in last month
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Very impressive win for Ben Shelton beating Bautisa Agut in straight sets, didn't drop a point in the final set on his serve, could be a player that will go a long way in the tournament.
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Draper and Evans win, Boulter knocked out, but the big shock is Alcaraz losing to world no 74 Van de Zandschulp in straight sets.
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Very impressive win for Ben Shelton beating Bautisa Agut in straight sets, didn't drop a point in the final set on his serve, could be a player that will go a long way in the tournament.
Or maybe not, that was superb from Tiafoe.
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Another shock Djokovic knocked out, so no majors for him this year, only the second time this has happened since 2009, perhaps age, 37, is finally starting to catch up with him.
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Jack Draper through to the last 16, after beating Alcaraz's conqueror very comfortably in 3 sets.
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Another shock Djokovic knocked out, so no majors for him this year, only the second time this has happened since 2009, perhaps age, 37, is finally starting to catch up with him.
🤞, and go on Jack!
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Yeah and Jack wins in 3 sets now in the quarters.
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Yeah and Jack wins in 3 sets now in the quarters.
He didn't just win, he blew the other bloke away.
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Yeah and Jack wins in 3 sets now in the quarters.
He didn't just win, he blew the other bloke away.
Yeah he did a superb performance, plays de Minaur next on Wednesday, starts around 7pm.
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Brilliant stuff from Jack, completely outplayed a top 10 player. Sinner or Medvedev next, hopefully their match is a very long 5 setter!
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What a result.
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Indeed, tremendous stuff
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Brilliant stuff from Jack, completely outplayed a top 10 player. Sinner or Medvedev next, hopefully their match is a very long 5 setter!
Will be tough either way, but can't complain as Alcaraz was in this side of the draw.
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Jack Draper went full Tommy Johnson.
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Much better from Fritz in the 3rd set, but Sinner just too good, brilliant stuff.
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No more line judges at Wimbledon, as the all England club has decided to adopt electronic line calling from next year. How long will it be before the umpires will be robots? :)
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They promised us jetpacks, but what we get are automated tennis line judges
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Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis in Nov. https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/ckgv9n5jj8jo
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Assume he wanted one last month scratching his arse and grunting, first.
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I'm not a fan of tennis on account of it being shit, but this is a touch of class from Federer to Nadal.
Vamos,
@RafaelNadal
!
As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.
I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear... All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.
And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.
OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.
We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud.
I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.
I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.
And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.
Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.
Rafa that!
Best always, your fan,
Roger
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That's one of the most homo-erotic things I've ever read. Great stuff.
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I remember the Wimbledon final of 2008, when Rafa beat Roger, winning the 5th set 9-7 to take the title, one of the greatest matches I've ever watched. No question one of the greats, enjoy your retirement Rafa.
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Hopefully he finds time to watch his hands now he's retired, the manky bum-picker.
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Andy Murray to coach Djokovic at the Australian Open. https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/ckgzvlxyvxgo
Let's go Novak!
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Andy Murray to coach Djokovic at the Australian Open. https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/ckgzvlxyvxgo
Let's go Novak!
Wasn't expecting that, but it's not exactly a long contract Andy's got!