Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Villa Lew on February 02, 2020, 08:56:26 PM
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Djokovic beats Thiem in 5 sets to win his 8th Australian Open. Novak,32, now has 17 Grand Slams and Federer, 38, has 20, looks like the Serbian will eventually end up overtaking Roger.
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Djokovic beats Thiem in 5 sets to win his 8th Australian Open. Novak,32, now has 17 Grand Slams and Federer, 38, has 20, looks like the Serbian will eventually end up overtaking Roger.
Pah. He might overtake him in number of slams, he'll never overtake him as the greatest of all time.
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I wonder about that. Federer is clearly the most stylish hyper-successful player of all time, but I think Djokovic would have to be considered the greatest if he surpasses him - considering that he played in the same era as Nadal and Federer, it would be a hell of a feat. Still don't much care for watching him mind...
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Disappointed in the way that McEnroe and Martina were treated after protesting against that homophobe and apartheid apologist Margaret Court
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I wonder about that. Federer is clearly the most stylish hyper-successful player of all time, but I think Djokovic would have to be considered the greatest if he surpasses him - considering that he played in the same era as Nadal and Federer, it would be a hell of a feat. Still don't much care for watching him mind...
Your last sentence says it all. Can the greatest of all time be someone who a lot of people don't actually enjoy watching play? I think you have to take more than just trophies into account personally.
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I think if he wins the most Slams, with Fed and Nadal in his era, it is churlish to deny that he is the greatest tennis player of all time because he's not particularly interesting to watch.
FWIW, in another sport with majors, I think Tiger Woods probably hit a peak of golf that has never been equalled (and might never be equalled) between 1997 and 2009. But until he gets to 18, or better, Jack Nicklaus remains the greatest golfer ever.
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None of them are interesting to watch as they win too often. I like unpredictability. This is the shittest era in men's tennis history. You know the champion is always going to be one of three players before the tournament starts (one of one if it's the French Open).
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Apparently The All England Club are considering cancelling Wimbledon this year rather than staging the Championship behind closed doors. A decision is not imminent, as it starts in late June, but what about the millions of tennis fans in the country, surely they would want to at least see it on the telly, rather than not all.
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Tennis isn't essential. Get it cancelled.
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Sky are saying Wimbledon will be cancelled, it will be confirmed on Wednesday, it will not be played later in the year, as they can't fit it into the schedule, as it's a grass court tournament.
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I was more surprised at the French arbitrarily deciding their event was still going on, without bothering to consult anyone first. They're full of merde, there won't be a Grand Slam until Aussie Open 2021 at the earliest.
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Roger Federer out for the rest of the season, following knee operation. Don't reckon he'll need to be furloughed :)
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Probably as good a time as any to be injured
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Great win for Cameron Norrie in the first round of the US Open. Came back from 2 sets down, saving a match point along the way. Has to be said though that his opponent could hardly move for the last two or three games.
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Amazing stuff from Murray. Another 2-0 down comeback. The way he kept dragging himself back into the match was great to watch. He looks absolutely fucked, as well he might.
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Not surprisingly Andy Murray loses to 20 year old Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime, who is presently ranked 21 in the world, in straight sets. With the state of his body at the moment, Murray clearly need more than 48 hours to fully recover from his first round 5 setter. At the age of 33, the chances of him winning another major look very doubtful.
Jo Konta also out, the Canadian next plays the winner of the Dan Evans match, presently 1 set all, with Dan 6 - 5 down in the 3rd, going to serve.
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I was watching the Evans match last night. It was the kind of match when you wished there was fake crowd noise to drown out the seemingly endless stream of moaning, whinging and whining. I know they're trying to gee themselves up in the absence of a crowd but it was so far beyond all the other matches I've watched that it spoiled it a bit.
Andy never had a chance last night, precisely as Lew says. It's like me and drinking: on my day I can still pack it away, but these days it fucks me for a week afterwards.
Jo Konta was a set and a break up against a pretty erratic player and fucked it up. Yet again. Like Shane Warne used to say about Monty Panesar, it feels like Konta just plays the same match over and over and over again, like she has one Plan A and sticks to it whatever way the match is going.
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Can't see Murray getting into the second week of a grand slam again, let alone winning one. He's earned the right to keep having a bash and is still one of our greatest ever sportsmen with what he's achieved.
Konta seems very flaky, really not consistent enough. Same with Edmund/Evans etc. Might have a decent run every now and again but generally mediocre.
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Evans and Norrie both lose, ending the British hopes in the singles.
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Fuck. Djokovic defaulted from the tournament. Hit a ball away in frustration which hit a line judge in the throat.
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He should stop acting like a bell end. Fully deserved.
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Quite exciting now that Djokovic and Nadal aren't in it
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Accidents happen, but that was a stupid thing to do. Reminded me of Roddick hitting the ball in anger and letting go of his racquet which hit a photographer - that only happened because he was trying so hard to make sure he didn't hit the ball at someone.
I'm not a fan of Nadal or Murray as players (I'm a Federer man) but they are gentlemen. Novak always come across as a bit of a twat.
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New grand slam winner incoming but what a bizarre way to win it. You take what you can I guess.
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New grand slam winner incoming but what a bizarre way to win it. You take what you can I guess.
About time too. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are without doubt in the top five of all time (along with Borg and Laver) but with the age they are, it is getting a little embarrassing for the sport how few male players are coming through thatcan challenge them over 5 sets.
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Many years ago Tim Henman was disqualified in a doubles match at Wimbledon, when he hit a ball in anger, which ended up hitting a ball girl.
Anyway will be nice to see a new grand slam winner.
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Many years ago Tim Henman was disqualified in a doubles match at Wimbledon, when he hit a ball in anger, which ended up hitting a ball girl.
Anyway will be nice to see a new grand slam winner.
Never understand it, myself. I am shite, but play tennis quite a bit and never hit a ball in anger. I have been known to smash a racquet, and even to tear a shirt, but never hit a ball.
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Never understand it, myself. I am shite, but play tennis quite a bit and never hit a ball in anger. I have been known to smash a racquet, and even to tear a shirt, but never hit a ball.
I realise it's a no-no in tennis and I'm not a Djokovic fan at all but it seemed a bit harsh in that he knocked it away without looking. The line judge doing a Neymar impression probably didn't help.
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Never understand it, myself. I am shite, but play tennis quite a bit and never hit a ball in anger. I have been known to smash a racquet, and even to tear a shirt, but never hit a ball.
I realise it's a no-no in tennis and I'm not a Djokovic fan at all but it seemed a bit harsh in that he knocked it away without looking. The line judge doing a Neymar impression probably didn't help.
I think it was the right decision, so not harsh, but the impression given is that following the rules there was no choice or discretion but to default him. As I understand it the rules certainly allow for him to be defaulted, but he didn't have to be.
Still, he's a massive whiner so who cares. Federer would've had a (Nike branded) bouquet and signed 10"x 8" ready for her before she'd got to her feet.
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I'd love to have heard the justification, had they decided to exercise their discretion and keep him in. I'm struggling to think of an instance such as this where a default hasn't happened.
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Probably regrets burning whatever leeway he might have had by running an event which ended up with loads of players testing positive for Covid, and suggesting a breakaway players union. Can't imagine enyone willing to bend the rules for such a selfish berk.
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Not a great day for the Brits at the first day of the French Open, Dan Evans loses in 5 sets, Jo Konta loses in 2 sets to 16 year old Coco Gauff and Andy Murray is thrashed in 3 sets by 35 year old Stan Wawrinka. No need to panic, because the mighty Brits Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady are playing tomorrow.
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Norrie has actually been playing pretty well of late.
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Norrie and Broady both lose, which puts an end to the British effort in the tournament, not great.
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Only the French Open though; the most boring grand slam
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Always wide open and difficult to know who will win at the French Open.
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Nadal could be 70+ and in a wheelchair and still no one will give him a match at Roland Garros. FFS thanks to this crappy surface, he's going to get the all time most number of Grand Slams and I personally would much rather Fed or even Djokovic had it.
Also, Nadal's OCD tics seem to be even worse this year. Walking forwards and backwards along thr baseline, or past the baseline and back into court are new ones to me.
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Ban grunting, ban taking forever to get ready for the next point when your opponent is on a roll, ban picking your arse and ban being a glory-hunting Real-loving twat and the shampoo-dodging prick will never win another point, let alone a Grand Slam.
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Even better: ban two-handed shots. When I learned tennis, the two-handed backhand was only an option if the single-handed was too hard for you. How can someone claim to be the greatest ever if they can't play a backhand properly?
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Nadal is the clay court version of Pete Sampras on Grass. Boring as fuck.
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Oh, Nadal has won the French Open. How exciting.
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I'm happy to go the other way and be absolutely astonished by his domination, and admirative of the efforts he has made to improve his game on other surfaces to the point that he is a GS winner everywhere (although I have said on a previous tennis thread that I don't think he'd have got anywhere near Wimbledon if they'd not slowed down their courts dramatically, which I think has probably cost Federer an extra 2-3 titles there, but that's by-the-by).
For one player to win a tournament 13 times, having only ever lost two games at RG, is just incredible. Teenage prodigies can win the odd one, and an old warhorse can have a last hurrah, but to get in there at 19 and just not lose, even at 34 is crazy. He didn't even lose a set this year (again, think I heard that's the 4th or 5th time he has won RG without dropping a set). Think how surprising and amazing it was that Swiatek won the women's one at 19 without dropping a set - now imagine her doing it every year until 2033... what odds would you get on that ?
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Ban grunting, ban taking forever to get ready for the next point when your opponent is on a roll, ban picking your arse and ban being a glory-hunting Real-loving twat and the shampoo-dodging prick will never win another point, let alone a Grand Slam.
I've heard he's a big Bully Wee fan.
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It's an amazing achievement whichever way you slice it. However, even if he wins another 3 French opens and surpasses Federer's 20 grand slams, I will still maintain Federer is the better palyer.
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Australian Open delayed by 3 weeks, now starting on 8 February.
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Novak fucking Djokovic. What a cock.
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Australia should stick to their guns and throw the utter dick out. I'm no Nadal fan, but I would much sooner he had the slam record than Djokovic.
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I always was a Fed-man, just for all the usual reasons. Used to dislike Nadal for his gamesmanship (slow points, medical breaks etc). But fuck me, if it stops that illimitable shitstain getting the record then Rafa all the way, tattoo it on my face.
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They should chuck him in the slammer for a few weeks for taking the piss.
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Don't they have an island they send all unwanteds to? Farage Atoll or something.
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Concerned on Raducanu. Since the US Open, I believe I'm right in saying she's only one won competitive game.
I understand there is enormous pressure on her now, but that's quite a drop off!
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Give her age, the fact her world completely changed almost overnight & she is trying to get the right coach onboard I think she can be forgiven a drop off….such obvious ability tho so hopefully she is back on it by the time the 2 weeks of tennis that matter in the summer come round.
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How unbelievably arrogant is Djokovic? He has the gall to appeal the latest Visa ban, despite all the breaches of Australia's strict Covid rules and regulations. Kick him out!
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Yeah he's gone. Knowingly having covid and still going to do things should be enough for any country to be able to ban him.
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Yeah he's gone. Knowingly having covid and still going to do things should be enough for any country to be able to ban him.
Agree, arrogant cockwomble. As for that press conference from brother and mummy and daddy, sad, spoilt prick.
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I'm pleased with the decision because it appeared to me Djokovic was taking the piss. Personally I think the positive test in December was conveniently timed. I'm still not quite sure how he was given a visa before that date. Also, the rhetoric from the Australian government is unpalatable. Clearly they are using this to push their immigration agenda.
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Yeah the right decision, no sympathy for him at all. As for the actual tournament, 5 years ago if Djokovic was missing from the Australian Open, it would improve Andy Murray's chances of winning greatly, sadly those days have long gone, now if he makes the 3rd round of a major it's an achievement. I wouldn't be surprised if Murray decided to hang his racket up at the end of the year.
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My in depth analysis of the Djokovic situation is......diddums :)
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My in depth analysis of the Djokovic situation is......diddums :)
Now that, I understand!!
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Hopefully them UK, France & USA ban him for 3 years as well….save the arrogant droid getting the grand slam record
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Cameron Norrie beaten in 3 sets by Sebastian Korda.
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The men's tournament might be more interesting now that the egotistical barstool is not there.
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Andy Murray wins in 5 sets, nice to wake up to a good sports story from Australia!
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Evans and Watson won too. Raducanu on later.
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Raducanu drops 4 points in a quarter-hour first set Murder, 6-0. Keep it up!
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Bit of a dip in the 2nd set but Emma through
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Raducanu, Murray and Watson all out. Evans through on a walkover.
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Some performance from the Japanese qualifier, first appearance in the 3rd round of a major. Tough on Emma having a blister on her racket hand.
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Shapovalov will be kicking himself. Nadal was beaten, but Shapovalov ending up beating himself. And this time Nadal may actually have not been 100%. We are used to Nadal not doing well then calling the physio to disrupt the opponent, but today he could hardly move. And Shapovalov still found a way to lose.
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At the same time as watching Ash Barty win her semi final, I was doing the Daily Mail crossword, one of the clues was cigarette deposit 3 letters!
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Barty comes from 5-1 down in the 2nd set to win the title, first female Aussie to win this Open in 44 years.
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Well Barty wins it finally. I was wanting Collins to win, but it was maybe too much for someone that inexperienced to be in front of such a hostile crowd (putting it politely).
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Sadly will only be able to watch the beginning of the match today, as I reckon it could be a cracker, going for Medvedev in 5 sets.
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Hoping for Nadal in 4.
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Fucking Nadal. How has Medvedev let this slip?
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If Nadal wins this now, I think the BBC Overseas SPOTY will have been sorted by January.
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I just cannot stand Nadal the tennis player. The gurning, the fidgeting, the vamos, the uncle toni, all of it.
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Nadal's won.
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Medvedev has Villa'd it up completely
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I just cannot stand Nadal the tennis player. The gurning, the fidgeting, the vamos, the uncle toni, all of it.
CDBWF will be pleased too. ;)
Well done to Nadal, some win. Federer's still the greatest though.
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Wow! What a comeback! Fair play to Nadal on his 21st.
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I just cannot stand Nadal the tennis player. The gurning, the fidgeting, the vamos, the uncle toni, all of it.
CDBWF will be pleased too. ;)
Well done to Nadal, some win. Federer's still the greatest though.
He is. To be the greatest you shouldn't need to have to use two hands to hit a backhand.
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I'm a big Fed Man, but if the all-time Biggest Winner is Nadal not Djokovic that'd be a form of justice.
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I don't tend to watch much tennis but caught the last 5 minutes of the final to see history being made, Federer is my favourite player of al time but that is an incredible win.
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I'm a big Fed Man, but if the all-time Biggest Winner is Nadal not Djokovic that'd be a form of justice.
I much prefer Nadal the person to Djokovic the person, but Nadal the tennis player just triggers me for some reason.
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I just cannot stand Nadal the tennis player. The gurning, the fidgeting, the vamos, the uncle toni, all of it.
CDBWF will be pleased too. ;)
Well done to Nadal, some win. Federer's still the greatest though.
Agreed. Nadal and Djokovic are truly great players, but Federer has done more for the game than either of them.
Nadal is like a bull, and Djokovic is like some weird stretchy alien, but neither of them are good to watch. Nadal is a nice guy but an ugly player who relies on strength, spin, and making things awkward for the opponent. He's won 8 slams off clay. Djokovic is a machine but a bit of a twat who wins through attrition, an incredible return game, superior fitness and the ability to draw errors.
Regardless of what they all end up on, Federer changed the sport and has always been like poetry in motion. He's a bit of a dork, but he looks like a ballet dancer on court, the grace, intelligence and spectacle are sublime.
The way I see it, if I had to pick a player to play for my life on a random surface, it would be Djokovic; if I had to pick any player to play for my life on a specified surface, it would be Nadal on clay; if I had to pick one player to watch for enjoyment one last time before I died, it would be Federer.
Purely my own speculation, but I also think that a sportsperson's legacy is most apparent in the 10-20 years after their peak. They don't inspire babies, they inspire kids who watch them from ages 10-18. The next generation.
Federer inspired Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Wawrinka. 47 slams between them. Young players who came along, were good enough to challenge the top dog and take on the mantle. The current generation of male players 20-32 are absolute dog shit. Thiem, Zverev, Medvedev and Tsitsipas? They can win all the Masters 500 events they like, but 2 slams between them. Shite.
Edit: I also have little doubt that this record will last a year at most. If fit, Nadal will win the French (the most boring, predictable event in the sporting calendar) but if Djokovic is fit, he'll win Wimbledon, the US and this time next year will break the record by winning the Australian.
Federer/Nadal/Djokovic are amazing, but 20 years is long enough. The men's game is stagnant and I cannot wait for some new blood.
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If I was gonna pick 4 players to dominate the scene once the top 3 have gone, I'd probably go Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime, one to watch out for I reckon is 18 year old Carlos Alcaraz.
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Andy Murray to miss the French Open and the whole of the clay court season, saying 'the clay surface has made his issues worse'.
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Djokovic pulls out of the next 2 tournaments in America, which he had planned to take part in, due to US Covid regulations, only one person to blame Novak.
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Djokovic pulls out of the next 2 tournaments in America, which he had planned to take part in, due to US Covid regulations, only one person to blame Novak.
Defo!
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Djokovic pulls out of the next 2 tournaments in America, which he had planned to take part in, due to US Covid regulations, only one person to blame Novak.
Defo!
It's germane to the discussion.
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At Indian Wells Emma Raducanu lost yesterday to Petra Martic, a player who is presently ranked 86 in the world. Emma is presently a million miles away, from the player, who sensationally won the US Open, hopefully she can at least find some of her old form by the time Wimbledon comes around. It would be sad if she went out in the early rounds there, after last years efforts.
At the same tournament Andy Murray was knocked out in the 2nd round, which sadly is not a surprise these days.
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At Indian Wells Emma Raducanu lost yesterday to Petra Martic, a player who is presently ranked 86 in the world. Emma is presently a million miles away, from the player, who sensationally won the US Open, hopefully she can at least find some of her old form by the time Wimbledon comes around. It would be sad if she went out in the early rounds there, after last years efforts.
Too much, too soon.
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I see Ashleigh Barty has retired from tennis at only 25. Fair play to her but you're a long time retired. Bjorn Borg regretted his decision to pack in at only 26.
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Depends what else she has lined up, I suppose.
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Depends what else she has lined up, I suppose.
She's a pretty decent cricketer and golfer by all accounts. So maybe she wants to pursue another sport.
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Boris Becker facing a possible prison sentence, after being found guilty on 4 charges in a bankruptcy trial.
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Boris Becker facing a possible prison sentence, after being found guilty on 4 charges in a bankruptcy trial.
Sad state of affairs.
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Won't be seeing Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon this year, AELTC have banned all Russian and Belarusian players.
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Don't recall them banning all the British and USA players after the illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Perhaps I missed it.
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Won't be seeing Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon this year, AELTC have banned all Russian and Belarusian players.
Ridiculous decision.
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Djokovic sticks his oar in now, I mean, who cares what that halfwit thinks.
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Emma Raducanu splits from another coach. Bit strange.
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Surprised at that. They seemed a good fit.
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PS. Should the thread title be renamed. Particularly as we have an usurped Tennis 2021 thread languishing in the doldrums.
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Won't be seeing Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon this year, AELTC have banned all Russian and Belarusian players.
Ridiculous decision.
Nope, entirely correct. No Russian participation in the West until they at least pretend to be a civilised nation. I wouldn't let a single Russian tourist visa be issued for the EU/UK until they are fully retreated from Ukrainian territory, much less allow them to come and claim any kind of glory at our events.
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PS. Should the thread title be renamed. Particularly as we have an usurped Tennis 2021 thread languishing in the doldrums.
Done
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As it appears Boris Becker will not now be able to give his expert commentaries, does it mean Wimbledon will have to be cancelled this year!
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Andy Murray has pulled out of his match against Djokovic today at the Madrid Open, the good news is, as long as it's only minor, it's due to illness not another injury. He had decided to not compete in the clay court season, but had a change of mind, so not sure now if, assuming obviously he's ok physically, he intends to compete in the French Open.
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19 year old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has won the Madrid Open, in the last 3 days he has beaten Nadal, Djokovic and in the final Zverev, could this at last be the beginning of the changing of the guard in men's tennis. We'll have a better idea, when the French Open starts on 22 May.
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Impressive performance, but I'm not entirely sure I'll be delighted at a "changing of the guard" simply being the exchange of one unbeatable Spaniard for another at RG.
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Andy Murray has now decided to skip the French Open, a wise decision I reckon, he can now concentrate all his efforts on having a reasonable Wimbledon, which obviously depends on the draw being kind to him.
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After losing the 1st set Emma Raducanu goes through to the 2nd round beating 17 year old Linda Noskova.
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Tsonga just lost his match and now retiring, Roland Garros giving him a great send off.
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I always liked Tsonga.
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Raducanu knocked out in 3 sets, losing the last 2 sets 6-1, 6-1, admittedly clay not her favourite surface, but even so not looking good for Wimbledon.
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Norrie through
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Dan Evans beaten in 4 sets, think that just leaves Norrie only Brit left standing, in both men's and women's singles.
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Norrie beaten in 4 sets by Russian Karen Khachanov.
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No Brits left standing
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Just watched Carlos Alcaraz beat Khachanov in 3 sets, at just turned 19, he really does look like a future superstar.
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Tsitsipas and Medvedev both knocked out, tomorrow it's Djokovic v Nadal, due to start 7.30pm BST.
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I want Nadal to win. 😨
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Must be the first ever match at RG where Nadal doesn't set off as the obvious favourite. I can't stand Djokovic, but think he'll have too much for Nadal tomorrow.
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Come on Nadal!
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Men's draw seems very lopsided, in the top half you've got the quality of Djokovic, Nadal, Zverev and Alcaraz against what seems a very average lower half Rublev, Cilic, Ruud and Rune.
By the way Luke, Djokovic Nadal match is this evening 7.45 ko BST
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Wow what a match what a win.
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Nadal through to final after Zverev injury in walkover.
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Can't see Nadal losing, whoever he plays in the final.
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Easy win for Nadal!
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Will Nadal play at Wimbledon, that is the question?
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Raducanu expected to be fit enough to get injured again at Wimbledon. https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/61739133
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Andy Murray beats Tsitsipas in 2 sets, his first win over a top 5 player, since 2016.
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Murray loses in the final in 3 sets to Berrettini, but nevertheless it has been a good week for him, possibly now playing his best tennis, since his comeback, Queen's next for him starting tomorrow.
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Dan Evans won at Nottingham.
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Murray loses in the final in 3 sets to Berrettini, but nevertheless it has been a good week for him, possibly now playing his best tennis, since his comeback, Queen's next for him starting tomorrow.
Queen's not next for him he's pulled out with an abdominal strain he picked up on Sunday, may even be doubtful for Wimbledon.
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Wimbledon going for a great British double, Andy to win mens, Emma ladies, in the real world going for Berrettini and Swiatek.
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Hopefully Djokovic gets booed.
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Djokovic, Murray and Raducanu all on centre court today.
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Well done Emma, come on Andy.
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Brilliant match Struff v Alcaraz, the Spaniard through in 5 sets.
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Well done Raducanu and Murray. Feel a bit sorry for Norrie who is number 12 seed and doesn't seem to be getting much attention.
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Hopefully Djokovic gets booed.
Don't know if he did but he got a very easy draw against the winner of South Korea's 'The Masked Singer'.
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Well done Raducanu and Murray. Feel a bit sorry for Norrie who is number 12 seed and doesn't seem to be getting much attention.
Yes, agree. They shoved him to an outside court. Why was he not put on at least number one court? Dumb decision by Wimbledon officials.
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No Brits on the main courses, Rafa and Serena on centre, on no 1 Berrettini and Tsitsipas, the Villa man on no 2.
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2 Brits, Katie Swan and Katie Boulter, are playing on Court 18, not even sure if that court is in the Wimbledon grounds!
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No Brits on the main courses, Rafa and Serena on centre, on no 1 Berrettini and Tsitsipas, the Villa man on no 2.
I tell a lie, there is a Brit on no1, it's the conclusion of Helen Watson's match, presently 1 set all.
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No Brits on the main courses, Rafa and Serena on centre, on no 1 Berrettini and Tsitsipas, the Villa man on no 2.
Berrettini wil not be playing, he's tested positive with covid.
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Shame for Berrettini. I thought he might do well this year.
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Swiatek or Kvitova for me in the ladies, though I'd like to see Raducanu do well.
Anybody but jokeovic for me in the men's.
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Kyrgios is compulsive viewing.
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Couple of British men I have never heard of through. Evans on his way out by the looks of it. Watching Serena getting a tough workout here.
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Yeah Evans knocked out in 3 straight sets
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Katie Boulter just won
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Great win by Tan!
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Great win by Tan!
I half watched the final set - cracking match. I loved the reaction of the young girl supporting Tan in the player’s box
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Great win by Tan!
I half watched the final set - cracking match. I loved the reaction of the young girl supporting Tan in the player’s box
Same here, it was adorable how excited she was getting. Glad Tan won.
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Don't we have a Tennis Wankers thread for those that only show interest around Wimbledon or would that dismiss a nation?
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Williams looked her 40 years in that match against Tan.
I doubt she'll win another Grand slam.
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Don't we have a Tennis Wankers thread for those that only show interest around Wimbledon or would that dismiss a nation?
There are other tournaments? When did this come in?
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Harriet Dart first Brit through
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Raducanu out. Garcia stronger.
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Raducanu out. Garcia stronger.
Yeah too good :(
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Norrie 5 sets
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Don't we have a Tennis Wankers thread for those that only show interest around Wimbledon or would that dismiss a nation?
There are other tournaments? When did this come in?
Are you telling me tennis players aren't just people with normal jobs for 50 weeks a year?
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No lack of effort from Murray!
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Yeah great effort, but that could be the last time we see him at Wimbledon, well at least in the singles, he might have a go in the doubles with his brother.
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Don't we have a Tennis Wankers thread for those that only show interest around Wimbledon or would that dismiss a nation?
There are other tournaments? When did this come in?
Are you telling me tennis players aren't just people with normal jobs for 50 weeks a year?
Presumably the players that make the latter stages can afford to feed themselves the rest of the year, but if you lose in Round One it's straight back down the racquet mines the following Monday.
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Harriet Dart first Brit through
No she isn't. She was a round behind the others.
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Seemed impossible to break Isner's serve, he was always fighting an uphill battle.
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Katie Boulter just won
She sounds like a Sky News presenter.
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Are you telling me tennis players aren't just people with normal jobs for 50 weeks a year?
No, that's Gaelic footballers and hurlers.
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Katie Boulter just won
She sounds like a Sky News presenter.
That's what she does for the other 50 weeks of the year.
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Raducanu out.
At this rate she'll soon be back to being Romanian.
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Great win for Katie Boulter beats the no 6th seed and last years finalist.
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Great win for Katie Boulter beats the no 6th seed and last years finalist.
I didn't see it, but just caught the post-match interview. Dedicated to her Nan who passed away two days ago. Tremendous stuff.
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her Nan who passed away two days ago. Tremendous stuff.
Bit harsh. ☹️
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Heather through come on Cameron
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A nervy end to Watson's match, but into the 4th round for the first time.
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Alcaraz looks a special player.
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Alcaraz looks a special player.
Yeah superb, only dropped 6 games today
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Impressive by Norrie.
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A good day all round. Hopefully the Brits are on at a sensible time tomorrow (ie after the cricket has finished).
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Why is Katie Boulter on no 2 court instead of centre court, where there are 2 Americans playing each other and a Spaniard against a Czech, unbelievable Wimbledon.
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Bizarre.
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Kyrgios is compulsive viewing.
Good as ever by Barney Ronay in the Graun (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2022/jul/02/nick-kyrgios-plays-the-villain-perfectly-but-deep-down-he-just-wants-to-be-loved)
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Not a good start for Boulter.
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Looks as good as over. The other girl can't miss.
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Absolute thrashing. No reason why Tan can't win the tournament playing like that.
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Too easy for the clever Tan!
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Kyrgios is compulsive viewing.
Good as ever by Barney Ronay in the Graun (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2022/jul/02/nick-kyrgios-plays-the-villain-perfectly-but-deep-down-he-just-wants-to-be-loved)
It should be a good match vs Tsitsipas today, unfortunately I'll be travelling when it's on.
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Broady was competitive. De Minaur's class told in the end.
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Big upset Cornet beats the number 1 seed Swiatek in 2 sets.
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That was quite a match Kyrgios v Tsitsipas, not sure whether it should go in the Boxing thread.
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That was quite a match Kyrgios v Tsitsipas, not sure whether it should go in the Boxing thread.
Managed to see the end of the 1st set only and that seemed tasty.
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I was critical of Wimbledon yesterday but give them praise today more than 1,500 refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria have been invited to Wimbledon today.
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Looks like the disastrous weekend for the Brits is continuing.
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Norrie has at least started well
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Great stuff Norrie, Goffin next and he's past his best, so things are looking good.
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Norrie saves the weekend.
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Agree. Impressive again by Norrie. Goffin came through a gruelling match vs Tiafoe.
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Last 2 sets were superb from Djokovic, on that form can't see anybody beating him.
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Ladies seeds have been largely decimated. Doubt many would bet against a Halep - Jabeur final.
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Djokovic 2 sets down
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Dickovic in trouble. Mon Sinner!
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What a great match between Maria and Niemeier!
A well deserved victory for Maria.
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Why the fuck isn't Norrie on Centre Court?
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Dickovic in trouble. Mon Sinner!
Jinxed it
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At least Dickovic's odds went out to evens so I've made a few quid if and when the prick-dodging prick wins.
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Superb comeback Djokovic
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Superb comeback Djokovic
Have been critical of him before, but happy to give credit where it's due. He was lucky and the other bloke bottled it.
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Yas, well done Norrie.
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Brilliant from Norrie. He'll need the couple of days rest he's going to get now before facing Djoker.
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Fantastic game between Nadal and Fritz earlier on. Went virtually to the wire: 5th 10 point tie-break!
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Cracking mens semis today. Nadal excellent!
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Have to say I've warmed to Nadal.
Mainly because he isn't Djokovic.
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Nadal's injuries are puzzling though. You hear him talk about them afterwards and it's like he was at death's door, but it's coincidental that his physio breaks often come when he's doing badly and his opponent has momentum. Then he comes out and looks absolutely fine.
He and Djokovic are still miles above anyone else though. Yesterday Nadal just needed to keep getting the ball back and just wait for Fritz to make the inevitable mistake. Nadal and Djokovic just do not make those mistakes.
Kyrgios vs Nadal will be fun. Isn't Kyrgios the kne that likes to disrupt Nadal's OCD rituals? Who was the player that kicked over Nadal's drinks bottles that time?
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Just shown Rafa practising, not looking great.
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Ons Jabeur the first African woman to reach a Wimbledon final, in the Open era.
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I was hoping for Maria to make the final, but well done to Jabeur.
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......and will play the
Russian Khzahk in the final.
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......and will play the Russian Khzahk in the final.
To be fair, she abandoned Russia before it became fashionable to do so :-)
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Sky saying they think Nadal is going to pull out - Wimbledon final with Kyrigos will be hilarious, they’ll be spilling Pimms all over the place when he is moaning everytime he sits down :-)
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Confirmed Nadal out.
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So that's Djokovic won it then
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So that's Djokovic won it then
Not necessarily. Kyrgios will be much fresher, and has the talent to surprise him. But it would be a proper “lesser of two evils” final if Djokovic wins. I don’t like Djokovic, but everything I have seen and read about Kyrgios lead inexorably to the conclusion that he is quite an awful arsehole.
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Good luck & best of British to Cam Norrie!
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Come on Norrie, I was going to post a pun but thought better of it.
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Thank you. What time is he likely to be on?
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That was one of the worst sets I've seen Djokovic play but well done Cameron great stuff.
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Never watched wheelchair doubles before, this is great entertainment
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All over for another year, then. Still, only 11 1/2 months till the tennis season starts again.
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Standing ovation for the wheelchair tennis players is just rubbing it in.
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Come on Kyrgios on Sunday!
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Well played Elena Rybakina fully deserved
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Rybakina deserved that! Interviewed well.
Jabeur obviously disappointed.
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Anybody going for Krygios today? I'm going Djokovic in 4.
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Hope they both lose.
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Anybody going for Krygios today? I'm going Djokovic in 4.
I'm hoping the Commonwealth commoner wins, he was good in 'Big Brother'.
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Come on cuddly Kyrgios
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I don’t know why anyone would want Kyrgios to win? I can’t support such a bad sportsman.
Djokovic breaks him for the first time.
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I don’t know why anyone would want Kyrgios to win?
It's all Greek to you, I suppose.
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I don’t know why anyone would want Kyrgios to win? I can’t support such a bad sportsman.
Because Djokovic is an absolute wanker who uses his platform to preach bullshit that makes more people die and means more disabled and sick people have to stay trapped in their houses for fear of meeting twats like him.
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I want Kyrgios to win it ever since I seen him kicking off in his first match. He’s a character and the sport needs them more than the robots that have being dominating the game.
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The allegations of domestic abuse are not good, though, from a Kyrgios perspective. Obviously, innocent until proven guilty, and all that. He's also mates with Djokovic which puts me off him. Anyway bollocks to them both, I'm watching the cricket 😁
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So it’s basically…”battle of the massive twats” and we just have to pick a side…or watch the cricket 😂
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It's been a decent match. Kyrgios is playing well but Djokovic is relentless. Never watched a full Kyrgios match before, does he always rabbit on to his box so much?
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Wish there was an option to mute the Tarquin's in the crowd.
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I put £10 on Kyrgios because I saw a rumour that Djokovic was going to throw the game for his Serbian mafia friends.
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I put £10 on Kyrgios because I saw a rumour that Djokovic was going to throw the game for his Serbian mafia friends.
And the moral of that story is don't believe conspiracy theories
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The better and more composed player won. Good game.
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I put £10 on Kyrgios because I saw a rumour that Djokovic was going to throw the game for his Serbian mafia friends.
And the moral of that story is don't believe conspiracy theories
It was a Villa fan!!!
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The last player to win the men's title other than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray was Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.
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Not really the result I was hoping for but first trophy of the year in the hands of a Villan already. :)
Lovely tribute to Sue Barker at the end of the coverage there, the BBC always do such things with a touch of class.
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The last player to win the men's title other than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray was Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.
Genuinely thought Hewitt would go on to win it loads of times. Mind you, I thought the same about Richard Krajicek.
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Not really the result I was hoping for but first trophy of the year in the hands of a Villan already. :)
Lovely tribute to Sue Barker at the end of the coverage there, the BBC always do such things with a touch of class.
Agree about Sue, gonna be a hard act to follow, as is proving in QofS.
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What a fantastic presenter Sue Barker has been over the years!
She'll be missed!
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Raducanu beats Serena Williams 6-4 6-0, which is hardly surprising.
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Raducanu beats Serena Williams 6-4 6-0, which is hardly surprising.
Well it kind of is as her form has been poor, but I take your point. I hope it's a springboard for her to have a decent run in Cincinnati and of course the US Open.
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She just crushed Azarenka as well......
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She just crushed Azarenka as well......
I can only imagine the racket Azarenka must have made, being crushed
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Radacanu lost out to an American (Pegula) in 2 sets.
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US Open starts tomorrow, sadly the question is not whether Emma can defend her title, but will she get past the first couple of rounds. If you want to watch it, it's on Amazon Prime from 4pm.
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Serena Williams through in straight sets.
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A comfortable win for Norrie beating Paire in 3 sets, after the Frenchman lost the 2nd set tie break 7-1, his performance in the last set, which he lost 6-0, was one of the most unprofessional one, I've seen from a player for a long time. He virtually stopped trying and at the turnaround at 5 nil down, he was packing his towels away, ready for a quick exit.
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Radacanu out in 2 sets. Not a great defence of her title.
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Yeah not entirely a surprise, Cornet was always going to be a tough opponent. Emma's ranking will tumble to round the 80 mark, gonna be interesting to see, where she is in another 12 months time.
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I agree that Cornet was always going to be a tough opponent. Raducanu's changing of coaches/support team and injuries have obviously not helped her form. As an already wealthy young lady it will be interesting to see how she manages to get back to progressing and ensuring it stays a consistent hgh standard.
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4 British men through to the last 32 of the US Open for the first time, Norrie, Murray, Evans and Draper.
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Murray vs Berrettini later.
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Yeah, I was listening to a tennis pundit this morning and she reckoned the Italian's form has been a bit up and down, since he returned from covid, which made him miss Wimbledon.
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Murray loses in 4 sets and Draper retires injured.
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Serena Williams out and tough games for Norrie and Evans later.
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Goodbye Serena, or maybe not, when asked if she would reconsider retiring, she said "I don't think so, but you never know".
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Norrie through, Evans out. Nadal and Swiatek progress.
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Some performance from Kyrgios beating Medvedev in 4.
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Norrie beaten in 3 straight sets, that's the end of the Brits.
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Frances Tiafoe knocks out Nadal.
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Yeah Tiafoe did well. Kyrgios making good progress. Swiatek through also.
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We will now have a first time Grand Slam winner in the men's, which will make a nice change.
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Hurrah.
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Berrettini, Kyrgios and Gauff all out.
Jabeur looking good for the ladies.
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Berrettini, Kyrgios and Gauff all out.
Jabeur looking good for the ladies.
I would live to see Jabeur win it. But she looked a bit out of sorts against Tomljanovic, and struggled through. The Womens is wide open, especially with Swiatek a bit out of form also.
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Berrettini, Kyrgios and Gauff all out.
Jabeur looking good for the ladies.
I would live to see Jabeur win it. But she looked a bit out of sorts against Tomljanovic, and struggled through. The Womens is wide open, especially with Swiatek a bit out of form also.
Equally I would say the Mens is also wide open.
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Alcaraz with an impressive win over Sinner.
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Alcaraz with an impressive win over Sinner.
The match lasted for over 5 hours. Hope Alcaraz recovers ok as his match against Tiafoe could be some match.
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Alcaraz with an impressive win over Sinner.
The match lasted for over 5 hours. Hope Alcaraz recovers ok as his match against Tiafoe could be some match.
Sounds a thriller, but the match finished at 2.50am, absolutely ridiculous.
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Swiatek vs Jabeur final.
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Swiatek vs Jabeur final.
That could be a cracker
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Alcaraz vs Rudd men's final. It'll be great to see a new winner!
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Alcaraz vs Rudd men's final. It'll be great to see a new winner!
That also could be a cracker. Thankfully it's on at a more reasonable time for us, follows the Women's Doubles final, which starts at 6pm BST.
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2 sets is all it took to decide the ladies US open winner.
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Carlos Alcaraz a grand slam champion and world's number 1 at the age of 19, sensational. Andy Murray is old enough to be his father!
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Well done to Alcaraz! Ruud will no doubt get further opportunities for a slam title.
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Raducanu now World No. 83.
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Federer retiring later this month.
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One of the all-time greats!
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Federer has to be the most graceful tennis players I have ever seen, one of the greatest of all time and time has finally caught up with him.
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Not surprised to hear the news, for me the greatest grass court player of all time, with a record 8 Wimbledon titles.
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I wished the BBC App hadn’t done it as a breaking newsflash - I saw his name flash up and initially thought he’d died!
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GB knocked out of the Davis Cup after 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands.
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Federer has to be the most graceful tennis players I have ever seen, one of the greatest of all time and time has finally caught up with him.
Rat Boy and No-Vac might win more slams, but Federer won in style, rather than moaning and running around lots
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Federer plays his final match, so now it really is Roger and out.
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Federer is absolutely the best male player of all time.
Nadal & Djokovic are brilliant, all time greats, but look how many of Nadal's titles are on clay; and look how little anybody gives a shit about Djokovic.
Federer inspired both, along with Murray & Wawrinka. Who have Nadal & Djokovic inspired? A bunch of nobodies.
It's not just about numbers. Federer was graceful, complete, beautiful. Floyd Mayweather may have superior figures, but he is not better than Muhammad Ali.
Federer is Ali. What he has done for the sport is beyond mere stats.
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Federer is absolutely the best male player of all time.
Nadal & Djokovic are brilliant, all time greats, but look how many of Nadal's titles are on clay; and look how little anybody gives a shit about Djokovic.
Federer inspired both, along with Murray & Wawrinka. Who have Nadal & Djokovic inspired? A bunch of nobodies.
It's not just about numbers. Federer was graceful, complete, beautiful. Floyd Mayweather may have superior figures, but he is not better than Muhammad Ali.
Federer is Ali. What he has done for the sport is beyond mere stats.
Totally agree Rory.
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After reaching her 1st semi final, since her US Open win, sadly Emma Raducanu has to retire injured in the 3rd set of her match with Jelena Ostapenko.
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Pictures of Federer and Nadal after their Laver cup doubles defeat were emotional.
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Pictures of Federer and Nadal after their Laver cup doubles defeat were emotional.
Their bromance is so sweet.
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Pictures of Federer and Nadal after their Laver cup doubles defeat were emotional.
Their bromance is so sweet.
CD will be getting jealous!
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Federer is absolutely the best male player of all time.
Nadal & Djokovic are brilliant, all time greats, but look how many of Nadal's titles are on clay; and look how little anybody gives a shit about Djokovic.
Federer inspired both, along with Murray & Wawrinka. Who have Nadal & Djokovic inspired? A bunch of nobodies.
It's not just about numbers. Federer was graceful, complete, beautiful. Floyd Mayweather may have superior figures, but he is not better than Muhammad Ali.
Federer is Ali. What he has done for the sport is beyond mere stats.
Agree with all that except to say I think Federer is the best player of all time.
About 10 years ago a friend of mine went on the piss with Serena Williams (they had a mutual friend) and the night ended with her holding Serena's head as she vomited in the ladies toilets. Can't see anyone having a similar tale about Federer as he epitomises that very nice but slightly dull Swiss way.
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Federer is absolutely the best male player of all time.
Nadal & Djokovic are brilliant, all time greats, but look how many of Nadal's titles are on clay; and look how little anybody gives a shit about Djokovic.
Federer inspired both, along with Murray & Wawrinka. Who have Nadal & Djokovic inspired? A bunch of nobodies.
It's not just about numbers. Federer was graceful, complete, beautiful. Floyd Mayweather may have superior figures, but he is not better than Muhammad Ali.
Federer is Ali. What he has done for the sport is beyond mere stats.
Agree with all that except to say I think Federer is the best player of all time.
About 10 years ago a friend of mine went on the piss with Serena Williams (they had a mutual friend) and the night ended with her holding Serena's head as she vomited in the ladies toilets. Can't see anyone having a similar tale about Federer as he epitomises that very nice but slightly dull Swiss way.
That surprises me about Serena, to be honest. I only said 'male player' because the male and female games are so different it's impossible to really compare them - plus it tends to invite a lot of unnecessary sexism and belittling of the women's game.
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I'm sure every sport has an off season, I doubt she was ever pissed during a game.
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I'm sure every sport has an off season, I doubt she was ever pissed during a game.
Oh I'm not judging her, but I've always thought of her as being very professional on and off court.
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Former World No 1 and former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep provisionally suspended after failing a drug test at the US Open.
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It's Emma's birthday today, no longer a teenager, gonna be interesting to see how she gets on in the next 12 months, hopefully at least some improvement on the last 12.
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The Lawn Tennis Association has been fined £820,000 by the ATP for banning Russian and Belarusian male players from this summer's grass court events. They have also been warned they could lose their ATP membership if a similar decision is made next year.
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What a load of shite.
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The US Open is to return to Sky next year, they have agreed a 5 year deal, which is good news.
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I hope that the precedent set by Amazon continues, whereby if a Brit makes the final they arrange for it to be shown on council telly. They did with the Cricket World Cup Final, tbf.
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Boris Becker released from prison, after serving just 8 months of his 2 1/2 years sentence, he must have been a good boy.
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In what has been an injury ridden season, after 2 months out, with a wrist injury, Emma returns to action in an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi against Wimbledon losing finalist Ons Jabeur, still without a coach.
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In what has been an injury ridden season, after 2 months out, with a wrist injury, Emma returns to action in an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi against Wimbledon losing finalist Ons Jabeur, still without a coach.
Sebastian Sachs new coach.
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The US Open is to return to Sky next year, they have agreed a 5 year deal, which is good news.
No it's not. Preferred it on Amazon Prime.
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In what has been an injury ridden season, after 2 months out, with a wrist injury, Emma returns to action in an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi against Wimbledon losing finalist Ons Jabeur, still without a coach.
Sebastian Sachs new coach.
I didn't know that, from what I've read, seems like a good appointment
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Sadly not a great start to the season for Emma, had to retire from a match in Australia, due to an ankle injury, hopefully she'll recover in time for the Australian Open, which starts a week on Monday.
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Sadly not a great start to the season for Emma, had to retire from a match in Australia, due to an ankle injury, hopefully she'll recover in time for the Australian Open, which starts a week on Monday.
*New Zealand.
Hopefully not too serious.