Tennis

[Lat-Literal]

A good article on the historical achievement here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40621182

And congratulations to Jamie Murray and Martina Hingis for winning the mixed doubles 6-4, 6-4, one of whom is British and the other of whom is even older than Roger Federer!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread during the last fortnight. I enjoyed it a lot.

[teamsaint]

I was at a book trade event today, and pleasantly surprised by a really interesting talk by Judy Murray. I didn't know anything about her, other than the obvious, but she has a fascinating story to tell. She does seem to have walked the walk for Scottish tennis, admittedly with her boys' interests firmly to the fore.


I would think her autobiog would make a good Xmas pressie for tennis lovers.

[Dave2002]

While very recently we read that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played tennis - together! Almost inevitably they won!

[Sir Velo]

What is the rule about challenged balls in/out? Sometimes the point is replayed, and sometimes the point is awarded. Why the difference?

Just now Federer challenged a point which would have put him in a better position, and won the challenge. Why should he have had to play it again?

I've been wondering about this for quite a while - as whatever rule is in place seems random to me.

Really quite simple. If the ball is called out but subsequent replays show the call to be incorrect, the point is replayed. If, OTOH, a ball which was originally called in was out the point is awarded to the challenger.

[Dave2002]

Really quite simple. If the ball is called out but subsequent replays show the call to be incorrect, the point is replayed. If, OTOH, a ball which was originally called in was out the point is awarded to the challenger.

Is it that simple? Does it make any difference whether it was the first shot, or not?

If as you say though, isn't it still at least slightly unfair? Perhaps it's because the call is always considered distracting to the player trying to continue to play the shot, though in the case of clear aces which are called out that still seems unreasonable.

[gurnemanz]

There is sometimes contention when a ball is wrongly called out, as to whether the the returning player would have been able to play the ball or not, ie whether to replay the point or not.

[Dave2002]

There is sometimes contention when a ball is wrongly called out, as to whether the the returning player would have been able to play the ball or not, ie whether to replay the point or not.

So is there a formulaic (as suggested), and sometimes arbitrary and slightly unfair decision, or is there any discretion allowed?

[Lat-Literal]

And in this gloomy month:

Jana Novotna: Duchess of Kent says Wimbledon "will not be the same":

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/42063422

RIP Jana Novotna

[Lat-Literal]

Federer wins 20th Gram Slam title.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/jan/28/australian-open-2018-mens-singles-final-marin-cilic-v-roger-federer-live

[Padraig]

... and while Wozniaki wins her first Grand Slam title in the Australian Open, her old flame Rory McIlroy is runner-up in Dubai.

( a twofer)

[gurnemanz]

Well done Wozniaki - great match, as was semi Halep v Kerber - but surely only a onefer, if Rory came second.

[Padraig]

Well done Wozniaki - great match, as was semi Halep v Kerber - but surely only a onefer, if Rory came second.

I was economising - 2 sports in 1 thread?

[Bryn]

What a fine ambassador Ashleigh Barty is. I wonder where her political role will take her.

[kernelbogey]

What a fine ambassador Ashleigh Barty is. I wonder where her political role will take her.

Do you mean as an indigenous Australian woman?

[Bryn]

Do you mean as an indigenous Australian woman?

As a sportswoman, in both tennis and golf, and as an indigenous Australian.