Going to go late tonight in paris. Rafa and Sinner nearing end of 2nd set at close to 1 am. Going to be a 2am or maybe much later finish. Rafa is heading towards two sets to nil currently.
Wow. Carreño Busta sticking it to Djokovic after their match yesterday.
Cada vez que se le complica el partido pide la asistencia médica. Lleva mucho tiempo haciendo esto. Yo ya lo sabía. Sabía que pasaría en el US Open, que pasaría aquí y que seguirá pasando.
Translated to:
"Every time the match gets difficult, he calls an MTO. He's been doing this for a long time. I already knew it. I knew it would happen at the UK Open, that it would happen here and that it will keep happening".
He isnt wrong, Djoko has done it all his career and it is quite possibly one of the main reasons many people dont like him - there are actually lots of reasons! - Djoko's supporters vehemently jump to his defence (not that Feds or Rafa's dont with their favourite) but Djoko seems to continuously cause friction and dislike with a lot more people.
Being regarded as the GOAT or one of the all time greats is clearly in part about achievements but a large part of the perception of players that will go down the years is how "liked" they were and I think, whatever slams record Djoko ends up with, he will struggle to have that feeling in the public mind of being the best ever, just because of the person he is.
Looking at the players left in the draw, I dont usually support Rafa but this year I find myself wanting him to win, but realistically it is anyone but Djoko for me, which is sad!
I thought the injury was one he started with so not allowed an MTO or am I wrong. Anyway much as I despise Novak, if PCB knows heis going to call an MTO then he should be able to deal with it better. Loved Laura Siegmunds response, she just got her lunch out, straight away that takes away any perceived mental advantage. Maybe some of these players should take a book or make a quick phonecall for a chat (probably not allowed)
I am never sure where to put comments on the wheelchair events, so this seemed most general place. Mainly to say, Andy Lapthorne won his semifinal and is into the final of the Quad Wheelchair event. It is a 4 person draw.
I am not sure of how quad differs from the main wheelchair category. My naivety will show here - I presume Quad is for Quadraplegic and always presumed that meant not having ability in all 4 limbs? That may be wrong - the naive bit is understanding how someone who is limited (or paralysed?) on all 4 limbs can actually play the game, but perhaps that is simpler than I think - maybe it means that they can use their arms but there is some limitation on it that is defined that I dont understand? I think I have seen photos where the player straps the racket to the arm rather than holding it fully and presumably can move their shoulder in some way?
Anyone who knows more than my clumsy attempt to navigate it, let me know as I am genuinely interested. And well done to Andy for reaching the final in Paris. Alfie Hewett is also playing his semi in the main wheelchair category, that was in an 8 person field - he is 4-4 in the first set against the 2nd seeded Argentine.
And Alfie has got the win, into the final and beating the 2nd seed; I dont much about wheelchair tennis or it's ins and outs, but that feels like an excellent result and PoM nomination worth, perhaps??!
We now have singles finalists in both the mens categories, ALfie and Gordon Reid in the doubles semis as well (albeit they are in a field of 4) and Jordane Whiley in the ladies doubles semis as well (also a field of 4)
We now have singles finalists in both the mens categories, ALfie and Gordon Reid in the doubles semis as well (albeit they are in a field of 4) and Jordane Whiley in the ladies doubles semis as well (also a field of 4)
And Alfie and Gordon won their doubles semi, so that is 3 finals we have British representatives in
Its doubles but as weve raised wheelchair tennis here , tomorrow we have the doubles finals, with Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid favourites to win the mens doubles wheelchair and Andy Lapthorne (and partner Dylan Alcott) in the quad doubles wheelchair final.
Alfie, as mentioned , is also in the wheelchair singles final, so could do a double.