Tennis anyone?

[Elgarian Redux]

Pleased to see that Emma Raducanu has, I think, settled on one coach for some time.  In any event, it's good to see her playing so well...particularly after three surgeries (two wrists and one ankle).

PD

I'm not a tennis buff, and know nothing of the technicalities of the game, but I watched her three matches so far and very much enjoyed them. She's tremendously entertaining to watch, and her tennis strikes me as being remarkably ... what would the word be? Graceful? Beautiful? Neither word is quite right. It's as if she were born to play the game. John Ruskin would call it 'felicitous fulfilment of purpose'.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'm not a tennis buff, and know nothing of the technicalities of the game, but I watched her three matches so far and very much enjoyed them. She's tremendously entertaining to watch, and her tennis strikes me as being remarkably ... what would the word be? Graceful? Beautiful? Neither word is quite right. It's as if she were born to play the game. John Ruskin would call it 'felicitous fulfilment of purpose'.

I just checked the order of play and the draw for the mixed doubles.  Alas, I no longer saw Andy and Emma's names in the draw and figured that Andy had decided to pull out due to not feeling physically up to it.  I then checked the news area on Wimbledon's website.  It turns out that it was Emma who decided to withdraw; she's feeling some discomfort in her right wrist and wants to rest it before her singles match on Sunday.

PD

p.s.  There's currently a good battle going on in the third set between Zverev and Norrie.

[Elgarian Redux]

I just checked the order of play and the draw for the mixed doubles.  Alas, I no longer saw Andy and Emma's names in the draw and figured that Andy had decided to pull out due to not feeling physically up to it.  I then checked the news area on Wimbledon's website.  It turns out that it was Emma who decided to withdraw; she's feeling some discomfort in her right wrist and wants to rest it before her singles match on Sunday.

Just minutes ago I too discovered this information. Great shame, but I presume it's sensible: I'd hate her to have to pull out of the singles competition because she'd bashed it around in the doubles.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Just minutes ago I too discovered this information. Great shame, but I presume it's sensible: I'd hate her to have to pull out of the singles competition because she'd bashed it around in the doubles.

She apparently was still out practicing today; wonder how she felt afterwards?

I caught the tiebreak between Norrie and Zverev (third set and Zverev had won the first two sets).  Very exciting! 

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I didn't catch this live but in replay.  From the commentators' perspective, they (the players) believed that due to the cheers from the crowd, England had beaten Switzerland in the Euros [happened in penalty kicks] and  Novak ended up kicking a tennis ball over the net to his opponent (like as in a penalty kick) with his opponent, Popyrin imitating a goalie.  https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/tennis/watch-novak-djokovic-hilariously-mimes-penalty-kick-as-his-wimbledon-3r-clash-interrupted-by-englands-euro-2024-qf-win-making-centre-court-erupt/ar-BB1pxslf

PD

[Elgarian Redux]

I have to confess that I'm a seriously rubbish tennis fan. No, worse than that - I'm not really a tennis fan at all, though I have often enjoyed watching occasional matches. But there's something about Raducanu that makes me want to watch her play (and win, preferably). So I hope to watch this afternoon, probably while pedalling my exercise bike.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I have to confess that I'm a seriously rubbish tennis fan. No, worse than that - I'm not really a tennis fan at all, though I have often enjoyed watching occasional matches. But there's something about Raducanu that makes me want to watch her play (and win, preferably). So I hope to watch this afternoon, probably while pedalling my exercise bike.

It sounds like you watch as much tennis as I do football!    I think that I might be able to watch the Raducanu match (which should be starting soon...She just walked onto the court).

PD

p.s.  I should get an exercise bike!

[Elgarian Redux]

It sounds like you watch as much tennis as I do football!    I think that I might be able to watch the Raducanu match (which should be starting soon...She just walked onto the court).

PD

p.s.  I should get an exercise bike!

1. I never watch any football. 50 years ago I was once given a ticket to watch a football match for free, and I went with not an open mind exactly, but a mind at least slightly ajar. But I just didn't get what the fuss was all about, and left before half time.

2. I know nothing of course, but it seemed to me that Emma Raducanu was comprehensivly outplayed by Lulu Sun, who clearly deserved to win. So that's Wimbledon over, for me, for another year.

3. Yes, I heartily recommend getting an exercise bike (as long as you don't hope actually to get anywhere of course).

[Irons]

It sounds like you watch as much tennis as I do football!    I think that I might be able to watch the Raducanu match (which should be starting soon...She just walked onto the court).

PD

p.s.  I should get an exercise bike!

Mixed emotions watching the match. Felt sorry for Raducanu as the New Zealand girl was so obviously the better player on the day. On the other hand many sportsman play through pain and do not make a fuss like she does. I'm aware she has had surgery on both wrists and an ankle but now her back seems problematic. The fall did look jarring but seeing her flat on her back receiving physio on court for both knee and back and then carry on playing was a bit bizarre.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

1. I never watch any football. 50 years ago I was once given a ticket to watch a football match for free, and I went with not an open mind exactly, but a mind at least slightly ajar. But I just didn't get what the fuss was all about, and left before half time.

2. I know nothing of course, but it seemed to me that Emma Raducanu was comprehensivly outplayed by Lulu Sun, who clearly deserved to win. So that's Wimbledon over, for me, for another year.

3. Yes, I heartily recommend getting an exercise bike (as long as you don't hope actually to get anywhere of course).

Mixed emotions watching the match. Felt sorry for Raducanu as the New Zealand girl was so obviously the better player on the day. On the other hand many sportsman play through pain and do not make a fuss like she does. I'm aware she has had surgery on both wrists and an ankle but now her back seems problematic. The fall did look jarring but seeing her flat on her back receiving physio on court for both knee and back and then carry on playing was a bit bizarre.

It's not uncommon for tennis players to get *on-court treatment.  Grass courts are also notoriously slippery particularly in the early days of a tournament and also in the evening when temps have dropped...a bit of rain too.  The baseline area gets worn down quickly but areas like near the net less so, so more likely to slip/fall/over-extend.  I imagine that it would also be jarring/unsettling to have ones legs suddenly slip out from under you.  Remember too that tennis is an **individual sport (o.k. not doubles).  Iga Swiatek (the No. 1 ranked women's tennis player) has won five grand slams:  four of those were Roland Garros (clay court) plus other events.  She hasn't made it past the quarter finals at Wimbledon.  She was beaten in the third round this year.  Everyone has their favorite surfaces.  The best of them figure out how to adapt.  Easier said than done.

**Yes, they do have their teams (which I believe they do cherish and realize that it's a team effort); in the end though, they are on the courts by themselves (coaching, with certain rules) is allowed now officially.

*If it's in certain areas, in the interests of privacy, the players will get off-court treatments.

And, yes, I was very impressed by the playing of Lulu Sun.  She was able to dictate play.  She has a lot to be proud of.

PD

[Iota]

That Alcaraz is a phenomenon! Strolling around the court like a jaguar, and striking with ferocity of one when needed. Poor Tommy Paul was playing brilliantly but seeming to get nowhere up against such extraordinary opposition. Breathtaking last few games which I watched.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

That Alcaraz is a phenomenon! Strolling around the court like a jaguar, and striking with ferocity of one when needed. Poor Tommy Paul was playing brilliantly but seeming to get nowhere up against such extraordinary opposition. Breathtaking last few games which I watched.

Yes, I love watching Carlitos!  Extremely talented, but also a great attitude and work ethic and comes across as a very likeable young man.   

Oh, no!  I just read that Alex de Minaur withdrew from his match against Novak Djokovic.  From the ATP website:  "I'm devastated, but I had to pull out due to a hip injury, a little tear of the fiber cartilage that is at the end to the adductor," De Minaur said. "I felt a loud crack during the last three points of my match against Fils and got a scan yesterday and it confirms that this was the injury. [There is] a high risk of making it worse if I was to step on court."  I was looking forward to watching that match.

Taylor Fritz:  the last American male left standing....

PD

[LKB]

Alcaraz vs. Djokovic?

Yes, please, as long as the kid wins... preferably hugely. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

@LKB Alcaraz vs. Medvedev starting at 8:30 (East coast time) a.m. (like now)!

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

And Alcaraz is on through to the Wimbledon final! 

Djokovic and Musetti will be up next....

PD

[Le Buisson Ardent]

I can only watch women's tennis. I used to love watching the two A's: Anna Kournikova and Ana Ivanović. The sport itself became irrelevant when I watched these two beauties play.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

@Iota

Excited to see that it will be a Djokovic vs. Alcaraz final.  Wondering how it will go?  Novak had maybe 3-4 days off (not certain when he had last played, but I suspect that it was on Monday).  He was next scheduled to play on Wednesday, but then got a walkover by de Mineur.  So, he's relatively well-rested.  As far as I can tell (and have heard re what I caught from the commentators), his knee doesn't appear to be a problem (amazed that he recuperated so well and quickly).

I was quite impressed by Musetti's playing; he has quite an arsenal of shots and didn't seem to be phased by playing on Centre court for the first time...well-done to him!

I'll have to catch the women's finals most likely in replay as I have a lot of other things to do tomorrow.  Just checked the times...alas, yep!  Krejcikova vs. Paolini.

Will you be watching any of the finals yourself Iota?  Wondering what the start times will be for the men's finals vs. the Euros.  Might be hard to watch both live.

PD

[Brian]

I'm also hoping to be able to watch both the men's final and the Euros. Alcaraz v Djokovic at the last Wimbledon was one of the most amazing things I saw all last year and am hoping the rematch lives up to that example.

... But am also hoping Carlos wins! In fact, Spain in both parts of the day!

[Brian]

That 13-minute first game was like an epic overture to the opera that will be the rest of the day.

Alcaraz' reaction speed is astonishing.

[Brian]

Wow, Novak now looks completely lost.