2014 Australian Open

KylieR · **January 12, 2014, 00:38:08**

The thread for all things tennis - at least for the next two weeks.

This years Open kicks off tomorrow, and its going to be a scorching week, so will be interesting to see how the international players cope on the court.
My favorite player Rafa Nadal is going to play Bernie Tomic in the first round, and despite Bernie being an Aussie, I'm going with Rafa for the win.

Not sure about the females, not many decent players around - apart from Li Na and Sam Stosur.

Will be spending the next two weeks glued to the TV.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #1: January 12, 2014, 00:44:11**

Have a good look at Tomic, he's only going to be in the contest for an hour or so.

Dazzler · **Reply #2: January 12, 2014, 07:32:35**

Good Idea for a thread Kylie

Just Rick · **Reply #3: January 12, 2014, 09:39:53**

Not A Tennis Fan Myself,Like test Cricket,I'd rather drill another hole in my head than watch these two sports,bye

The Gonz · **Reply #4: January 12, 2014, 09:43:10**

We're all different. Although I prefer to play than watch, I could watch top-ranking tennis for most of the day. Cricket I can't stomach in any way despite having played it.

Doggie 1 · **Reply #5: January 12, 2014, 09:44:59**

Quote from: The Gonz on January 12, 2014, 09:43:10

We're all different. Although I prefer to play than watch

Me too, Gonz.
Me too.

The Gonz · **Reply #6: January 12, 2014, 09:46:38**

I could see that coming.

Eureka · **Reply #7: January 12, 2014, 10:02:57**

I can't see myself watching too much of the Open, although I might watch a bit of Sharapova.

But I did watch tonight's Australian Story on Rod Laver. I think I have seen it before.

I have a memory of watching some tennis on TV, in the mid to late 60s I guess, with the commentator saying "volley by Stolle".

Phil №❶ · **Reply #8: January 12, 2014, 10:06:05**

Sharapova = Mute button on.

Eureka · **Reply #9: January 12, 2014, 10:07:27**

True, the grunting is a put-off.

FatBoy · **Reply #10: January 12, 2014, 10:17:02**

Now a cat amongst the pigeons.

Why do the ladies get paid the same as the men? I'm all for equal pay for equal work, but best of five vs best of three, the ladies should only be paid two thirds of what the men get (men must win three sets to the ladies two).

FatBoy, standing by for incoming fire.

Doggie 1 · **Reply #11: January 12, 2014, 10:28:28**

I agree, Jamie.

Dazzler · **Reply #12: January 12, 2014, 10:29:38**

Because they look better (mostly) LOL

beerman · **Reply #13: January 12, 2014, 12:19:05**

Quote from: Phil №❶ on January 12, 2014, 00:44:11

Have a good look at Tomic, he's only going to be in the contest for an hour or so.

Tomic is a tool of the highest order.

when he wins its ok because he is Australian....
When he loses its ok because he is a *insert preferred profanity here*

KylieR · **Reply #14: January 12, 2014, 23:49:01**

Quote from: Phil №❶ on January 12, 2014, 10:06:05

Sharapova = Mute button on.

Can you imagine what she sounds like in bed? The neighbors would think someone was being murdered.

Novak plays at 7pm, and he plays Lukas Lacko. Serena Williams also plays.

Have to wait until tomorrow for Nadal to play!

Phil №❶ · **Reply #15: January 13, 2014, 00:23:33**

It's good for the man's ego though.

Dazzler · **Reply #16: January 13, 2014, 00:23:57**

I'll try and imagine... No I couldn't hear any noise!

Eureka · **Reply #17: January 13, 2014, 03:13:34**

I'd love (no pun intended) to find out what she sounds like in bed.

KylieR · **Reply #18: January 13, 2014, 04:34:37**

Casey Dellaqua (or however you spell it) won her match, which I am happy about as she's a great Aussie player. Li Na also won her match, and poor old Venus Williams is out in the first round! Oh gee, poor Venus...not.

Watching Ebden and Mahut play right now, Ebden is our Aussie player and currently has won the first two sets, and the score is 1 to 3 in the third set.

KylieR · **Reply #19: January 14, 2014, 09:39:28**

Hewitt out in the first round. Five set match, lasted over four hours. He played well, but was beaten by Seppi.

Nadal and Tomic about to play.

Dazzler · **Reply #20: January 14, 2014, 10:44:52**

Quote from: KylieR on January 14, 2014, 09:39:28

Hewitt out in the first round. Five set match, lasted over four hours. He played well, but was beaten by Seppi.

Nadal and Tomic about to play.

So an early night then!

The Gonz · **Reply #21: January 14, 2014, 10:52:13**

Yes, but not the way we expected.

Dazzler · **Reply #22: January 14, 2014, 10:54:17**

Oh, OK I better google .. I have just turned the tennis on, on my 2nd monitor and Maria Sharapova was taking some clothes off

Dazzler · **Reply #23: January 14, 2014, 10:56:24**

Oh I see, he pulled his groin .. That doesn't surprise me!

Phil №❶ · **Reply #24: January 14, 2014, 20:23:08**

Quote from: KylieR on January 14, 2014, 09:39:28

Nadal and Tomic about to play.

I said it would be short, retirement 'eh.

The Gonz · **Reply #25: January 15, 2014, 09:41:06**

Quote from: Dazzler on January 14, 2014, 10:54:17

... Maria Sharapova was taking some clothes off

Are you OK, Dazz? You didn't pull anything did you?

Dazzler · **Reply #26: January 15, 2014, 10:16:41**

Quote from: The Gonz on January 15, 2014, 09:41:06

Quote from: Dazzler on January 14, 2014, 10:54:17
... Maria Sharapova was taking some clothes off
Are you OK, Dazz? You didn't pull anything did you?

She is attractive though! Has something like 36 million likes on Facebook I think they said!

Edit: just had a look (Only 11.4 Million likes)

KylieR · **Reply #27: January 15, 2014, 10:48:26**

As much as I can't stand Tomic, he didn't tank, as he is being accused of doing. I watched the entire first set, and it was obvious that he was in a fair amount of pain. To continue would have caused him even more pain, and possibly worsened his injury.
The idiots who booed him last night would do good to remember that he IS a professional tennis player, and no tennis pro would purposefully forfeit a match, especially when it comes to such a major Grand Slam.

He played as well as he could, and I am disappointed that the match ended early, and I hope Tomic recovers from his injury.

In other tennis news, both Sam Stoser and Casey Dellaqua are through to the third round.

Dazzler · **Reply #28: January 15, 2014, 10:50:11**

Good posting Kylie (I admire your even handed assessment!)

KylieR · **Reply #29: January 15, 2014, 11:00:37**

Quote from: Dazzler on January 15, 2014, 10:50:11

Good posting Kylie (I admire your even handed assessment!)

Thank you.

I have to be fair on the guy. I've never defended him before, but I will this time. Many people who criticise him this morning didn't even watch the set - they just watched a few minutes on YouTube, which gives no indication at all of the pain Tomic was in.

I've suffered with a torn hamstring, and a groin injury - and while both are painful, the groin, if a muscle is pulled, or torn, can be extremely painful when the legs are extended - which is many a players stance - watch when they await the serve, and note how far apart the legs are - plus running around the court would be agony. A groin injury can heal itself in a few days, you just need to rest it and let the muscle recover. The pain Bernie would have felt is akin to that of being stabbed in the groin with a red hot poker. It certainly doesn't tickle, and I strongly believe he made the right choice last night.