The Tennis Thread

[Tineash]

There is zero - just zero - opposition on grass.

[Denster]

When Novak plays like that there certainly isn't. Kygios played very well. His serve percentage was right up there. But once Djokovic started picking it up. It was only going one way. But for his own stupidity and ignorance over the vaccine (you could even say massive irresponsibity) that cost him his aussie open title and will almost certainly cost him a shot at the US hed be on 22 now and rafa would be on 21.
Other than Rafa on clay. The other 3 are there for the taking for him. The most complete tennis player to ever play the game and its greatest too. Only a matter of time before the numbers confirm that.

[Denster]

Be interesting to see if Rafa plays Flushing meadows or just decides to rest up. With his myriad injury issues.

[Drumstick]

Novak Djokovic is unlikely to play at the US Open after organisers said they would "respect" American government rules over travel for unvaccinated players.

The US requires non-citizens to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter.

A statement from the tournament, which does not have its own vaccination rules, read: "The US Open does not have a vaccination mandate in place for players, but it will respect the US government's position regarding travel into the country for unvaccinated non-US citizens."

[Denster]

Thats clear indication he isn't going then. Good. Don't need another fiasco like the Aussie one.
Hes made his choice and stuck with it. Idiotic as most of us think it is. Its cost him two cracks at slams he would be favourite to win. He's also unlikely to be at at least the Aussie open next year, too.
If it costs him the final slam total then thats sufficient punishment for me.
Can't see the US authorities allowing him in.

[RetroCora]

Completely disregarding health advice and rules, costing himself chance after chance at becoming the most decorated male tennis player of all time. The worst part of it*, in terms of actually watching tennis, is that he's especially good on the hard courts of Melbourne and New York and he denies the fans a chance to see a truly exceptional player take the stage on them.

*There are many worse parts in terms of his actions, but speaking strictly as a tennis fan he is one of the best if not the best I've ever seen.

[Denster]

Hes my favourite player of all time but hes also the most frustrating and infuriating and downright strawberry floating contrary.

[Tineash]

I said at the time a lot of blame should also fall on Tennis Australia, who badly misled the Djokovic camp on the current visa laws.

[Denster]

I said at the time a lot of blame should also fall on Tennis Australia, who badly misled the Djokovic camp on the current visa laws.

Thats decent of you to say that. It's true they handled it badly and left him to face the music. It was just poor all round.

[RetroCora]

I don't think either side came out of that debacle looking good - Tennis Australia had a nightmare, and Djokovic's own views came under the microscope and were found wanting.

Can't disagree too hard with Denster - it's unarguable fact that he's among the two or three best male players who've ever played tennis, he's incredible to watch when in form, but he is also a legitimately dangerous(and entirely classless, by many accounts) individual.

[Preezy]

twitter.com/WSJ/status/1570403779975184384

Farewell, sweet prince

[Drumstick]

RIP

[KK]

Total lack of respect for The Queen, trying to take the shine off her big week. Probably friends with Begone Markle.

[Drumstick]

Emma Raducanu's promising partnership with coach Dmitry Tursunov will go no further as the Russian has decided to pursue other opportunities.

Tursunov is the fourth coach to leave the team in the past 15 months - following the departures of Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson and Torben Beltz.

Raducanu has won eight of her 15 matches, including reaching a semi-final in Seoul last month, since starting work with Tursunov after Wimbledon.

My understanding is the 19-year-old wished to continue working with him, but Tursunov may have factored in the short-term nature of Raducanu's recent coaching relationships.

The British number one is currently recovering from a wrist injury, but still hoping to represent Great Britain in November's Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Glasgow.

The focus of the next couple of months will be the training which should make her less prone to injuries next year.

And with that very much in mind Raducanu will be working with the physical trainer Jez Green, who played such an important part in Andy Murray's physical development.

Murray won the US Open, Wimbledon and an Olympic gold medal during their time together, before Green went on to work with Tomas Berdych, Alex Zverev and Karolina Pliskova.

He is currently working with Dominic Thiem, but will be able to spend part of his time advising Raducanu in the weeks ahead.

[Drumstick]

Novak Djokovic visa ban overturned ahead of Australian Open

The path has been cleared for Novak Djokovic to play in the Australian Open, after the Australian government overturned a visa ban. The Serbian tennis star was detained in January over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid. But Immigration Minister Andrew Giles - whose government came to power in May - has overturned the ban and is set to grant Mr Djokovic a visa, the BBC has confirmed. Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said he was confident that Djokovic would play in next year's Open.

"I know Novak wants to come and play and to get back to competing," he told the Australian Associated Press.

"He loves Australia and it's where he's had the best success."

[Memento Mori]

One rule for the rich.

[Drumstick]

Novak Djokovic will play in January's Adelaide International, a year after being deported from Australia because of his Covid-19 vaccination status.

The Serb, who has won a record nine Australian Open titles, is also set to compete at the first Grand Slam of the year after his visa ban was overturned.

Britain's Andy Murray, Kyle Edmund and Jack Draper will also play in Adelaide, with the event beginning on 1 January.

The Australian Open starts 15 days later in Melbourne.

[Imrahil]

It's hardly a surprise. Even at the time the ban came into effect, they were saying it would likely be lifted when the situation changes.

The most important thing is he was banned for the tournament in question, which seems fair enough? It would be a tad excessive to me to ban him for another 2 on top of that.

[sawyerpip]

High quality tiebreak in the second set of the Murray match. All tied up now.

[Rocsteady]

Superhuman effort from Murray. Wish he'd managed it but pushed himself to the limit.