Tennis Anyone?

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Since he can't get the same kind of love that fedal did, the only thing that is left for him is to be the victim, and he loves it.

He's always made the mistake of thinking that fedal were both loved because they won...

I have great respect for his tennis, great respect for his level of fitness, and for the most part, great respect for the way he goes about achieving that fitness; but I'm really not keen on him, and never have been.
 
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Payback for Oz Open this year - bit of a mirror image. I know it's a little immature of me, but I am finding it increasingly hard to see the Russian competitors as just sports people though, let alone rooting for them. Wrong on so many levels, I know, I know...
Anyway, can anyone bet against young Carlito this year? I have never, ever, seen such a marriage of power and touch; he is starting to answer the question, how can RF be replaced in the pantheon. Something different but special, to be sure.

I think it's right that he should be allowed to play as an independent, and is doing the right thing by continuing to play as an independent.

Coincidentally I was having a conversation with my Russian neighbour in the studio last night, it's incredibly dangerous for any public figure to critique Russia openly or even privately. An old Soviet saying the walls have ears is still as relevant today, both in Russia and for Russian dissidents living here in London.

Four of her high-profile Associates (one of whom I met) have been murdered (one staged suicide) in recent years for being vocal about the dictatorship.
 
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On tennis commentators - definitely agree with Archer about the "less is more" school - my top pick for knowledge, insight, easy listening, etc is actually Britain's own Sam Smith. But I do love a rousing "You have got to be kidding me!" from Robbie Koenig. Also - anyone hear Kyrios in the booth at Wimbledon? Who is this guy? Measured, insightful, articulate, respectful. I think he's Australian. Great to hear!
 
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I think it's right that he should be allowed to play as an independent, and is doing the right thing by continuing to play as an independent.

Coincidentally I was having a conversation with my Russian neighbour in the studio last night, it's incredibly dangerous for any public figure to critique Russia openly or even privately. An old Soviet saying the walls have ears is still as relevant today, both in Russia and for Russian dissidents living here in London.
Sure, understood. (Didn't want to just "like", obvs.)
 
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... BTW Italian tennis at the moment.. WoW!! just WoW!!! ..but how is this happening?

Re: commentary I think BBC do a good job overall, hardly ever talking during points, allowing plenty of space for the all-important tennis .. alongside Tim Henman for the Musetti vs Fritz game that's just finished was Nick Kyrgios, and I have to say he did an absolutely fantastic job as commentator, the insights into the players and their games that he's had first hand playing them the highest levels is just brilliant, so complimentary and so understanding.. Really wonderful job by Kyrgios 👍👍👍
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Vekić v Paolini was a great match yesterday, and Medvedev v Alkarez today looks like it could be an absolute cracker!
 
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Vekić v Paolini was a great match yesterday, and Medvedev v Alkarez today looks like it could be an absolute cracker!

Both ladies semis were great. Medvedev swearing at the umpire, after she makes the entirely correct call. ::facepalm1::

He's lucky it was just a warning.

IMO the sport really needs to crack down on this sort of behaviour. They have let his (and others) go on like this for too long. Start defaulting them for it appears to be the only thing that will stop it...
 
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I didn't actually hear it, I've been watching and I don't think he's done it again so whatever she said and did (code violation warning) worked; but yes if he did swear at the umpire, that's deeply inappropriate and should be punished at first with a points deduction, and if that fails then absolutely default.
 
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Medvedev v Alkarez wasn't as close as I was hoping, Alkarez hasn't really been in great form and I thought it was a good chance for Medvedev, but Alkarez adapted brilliantly (certainly not perfectly) and Medvedev didn't have many answers although he did significantly better than last year.. Here's hoping for another Italian victory, although I don't think Mussetti stands much of a chance.. How Djokovic is playing so well so quickly at his age after the knee trouble and operation, is testament to his incredible levels of fitness and recovery.
 
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Far closer than I expected. Too bad he missed that break point in the last game - that could have made things interesting...

Go Carlos!!!
 
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Musetti did well. Never expected him to win but for a 23 seed in his first semi, he played well
 
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Medvedev v Alkarez wasn't as close as I was hoping, Alkarez hasn't really been in great form and I thought it was a good chance for Medvedev, but Alkarez adapted brilliantly (certainly not perfectly) and Medvedev didn't have many answers although he did significantly better than last year.. Here's hoping for another Italian victory, although I don't think Mussetti stands much of a chance.. How Djokovic is playing so well so quickly at his age after the knee trouble and operation, is testament to his incredible levels of fitness and recovery.

I thought Alcaraz played brilliantly.
 
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Far closer than I expected. Too bad he missed that break point in the last game - that could have made things interesting...

Go Carlos!!!

.. The only Spanish win I'm rooting for this comming Sunday ....Come on England👍👍👍
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I didn't actually hear it, I've been watching and I don't think he's done it again so whatever she said and did (code violation warning) worked; but yes if he did swear at the umpire, that's deeply inappropriate and should be punished at first with a points deduction, and if that fails then absolutely default.

Not sure it was just swearing - they wouldn't normally get the referee out just for that, so whatever he said it must have been pretty bad. In terms of it working, well, you would have to be pretty dumb to keep at it once you have a warning or even two (Serena anyone?). My point is this shouldn't be allowed at all. You can get fired up (+ve or -ve) without abusing the officials.

To me beating the umpires chair with your racquet and almost hitting the umpire (Medvedev), threatening to stuff a ball down a linesperson's throat (Serena), making repeated sexist remarks to female umpires (Fognini), and all this stuff should be grounds for immediate disqualification, giving up all prize money and points. The token fines they give all these multi millionaires for their poor behaviour is just not enough.
 
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Not sure it was just swearing - they wouldn't normally get the referee out just for that, so whatever he said it must have been pretty bad. In terms of it working, well, you would have to be pretty dumb to keep at it once you have a warning or even two (Serena anyone?). My point is this shouldn't be allowed at all. You can get fired up (+ve or -ve) without abusing the officials.

To me beating the umpires chair with your racquet and almost hitting the umpire (Medvedev), threatening to stuff a ball down a linesperson's throat (Serena), making repeated sexist remarks to female umpires (Fognini), and all this stuff should be grounds for immediate disqualification, giving up all prize money and points. The token fines they give all these multi millionaires for their poor behaviour is just not enough.

All fair points, but I'm all for giving someone a chance at first (unless it's overtly threatening or violent) I've never been the centre of attention on that kind of worldwide audience stage, so don't know what it's like; but when I have had a spotlight on me in a public setting, it can be incredibly intimidating and unnerving, even when you know it's coming and you think you're prepared for it; I have definitely regretted some things that I've said.
 
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Meanwhile, back at the dizzyingly glamorous sharp end of world tennis, it looks like painting the lines has a whole different meaning...


(Btw seriously beautiful backhands Musetti! Good luck Sunday Alcaraz.)
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Meanwhile, back at the dizzyingly glamorous sharp end if world tennis

Those look like nice courts. Red clay is quite different from the green stuff we play on here. Are the lines tape that is mailed in place, or painted under the dirt? I've seen both systems used and not having the tape is nice.

I have my first match of a tournament in 90 minutes (hard courts), so I'm off soon to be out at the sharp end as well...
 
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I thought Alcaraz played brilliantly.
From what I've seen, it's the best he's played all tournament, but he's not quite in the same form he was this time last year.
Maybe that's a good thing in some way, not peeking too soon etc, but I've got a feeling that Djokovic might win on Sunday, he's incredibly good at channelling that negative and perceived negative energy that's been following him around, although I'm rooting for Alcaraz all the way.
 
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Those look like nice courts. Red clay is quite different from the green stuff we play on here. Are the lines tape that is mailed in place, or painted under the dirt? I've seen both systems used and not having the tape is nice.

I have my first match of a tournament in 90 minutes (hard courts), so I'm off soon to be out at the sharp end as well...
Yes, green is somehow slicker. The lines here are painted thank goodness: we had ourselves a bit of a sandstorm overnight!
Good luck with your tourno!
 
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Yes, green is somehow slicker. The lines here are painted thank goodness: we had ourselves a bit of a sandstorm overnight!
Good luck with your tourno!

Thanks. Sort of an odd exchange with my opponent after the first set. We switched ends and it was his serve, and after that game I went to the bench to get a quick drink (28C very humid outside) and started walking to the other side - he says that he doesn’t think we should be changing ends.

I said we switch after the first game, then every two games. He agrees, but says this is only from the start of the match. 😕

He’s getting pretty agitated, so I said hey whatever if you want me to serve from the other side it’s fine with me, but that’s not what the rules say. He finally agreed but it was really strange and awkward...::facepalm1::

Anyway another match tomorrow evening, and the the last Sunday morning.