Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Wimbledon 2023 - News, Views and Comments 🎾

(472 Posts)
ixion Mon 03-Jul-23 10:16:57

Just thought it might be an idea to have a thread for sharing thoughts and comments this Wimbledon fortnight for those who follow.

Thinking too of Lucca, tennis' no.1 fan.

lixy Wed 05-Jul-23 14:54:19

Djokavitch? Never have liked him. I know he works hard, plays amazing shots, is fantastically fit etc etc but he has always felt rather arrogant to me.
I haven't looked at the schedule but I hope he'll meet Alcarez somewhere along the way, and then I shall be cheering for the Spaniard, just as I supported Rafa Nadal. (and, yes, Wimbledon does seem to have something missing without him.)
Dare I say that I find Andy Murray very difficult to watch too?

MayBee70 Wed 05-Jul-23 14:55:06

I realised the other day that there are no familiar names playing apart from Djokovic and, good as his tennis is I loathe the man. I get no pleasure from watching his victories. It goes back to when he did a bit of gamesmanship years ago when playing Andy and nothing he’s done since has changed my opinion of him. I did watch Andy sunshine yesterday.

Smileless2012 Wed 05-Jul-23 15:03:11

My first memory of Djokovic at Wimbledon was when he beat Greg Rusedski and when he was interviewed said 'that wiped the smile of his face'. Disliked him then and have disliked him ever since.

I find Andy difficult to watch too lixy but that's because I hate to see him lose. I remember when he one his first Olympic gold, I think I stayed up until about 2.00 am to watch that roller coaster 5 set match.

MayBee70 Wed 05-Jul-23 15:04:41

I’ll always remember arriving at Cornwall for our annual holiday and watching the Borg/McEnroe game! Apart from that I always seem to be decorating the house when Wimbledon is on. It’s a nice thing to have on in the background. Then again the decorating is as never ending as the diet is. Yes, I’ve been thinking of dear Lucca recently, too….

Whitewavemark2 Wed 05-Jul-23 15:14:58

I’m still looking for another Roger Federer. 😍😍

Smileless2012 Wed 05-Jul-23 15:19:16

Oh me too Whitewavemark but could we ever be that lucky again?

Grammaretto Wed 05-Jul-23 15:20:30

How about Carlos Alcaraz? WWM

Grammaretto Wed 05-Jul-23 15:25:27

Was it Maria Bueno who shocked Wimbledon when she wore frilly knickers in the 1960s? Or perhaps it was Tracy Austin later.

Anniebach Wed 05-Jul-23 15:35:41

Maria Bueno

Norah Wed 05-Jul-23 15:46:26

Anniebach

Maria Bueno

A graceful tennis player as there ever was.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 05-Jul-23 15:51:53

Grammaretto

How about Carlos Alcaraz? WWM

Yes I have my eye on him and that Italian player (Belatino?) who is off sick I think at the moment.

ixion Wed 05-Jul-23 15:52:02

My mother use to enthuse about Gorgeous Gussie who rocked the professional tennis world with her short skirt and lace trimmed knickers in 1949.

www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/gussie-moran-tennis-player-who-shocked-wimbledon-with-her-controversial-clothing-8459119.html

Whitewavemark2 Wed 05-Jul-23 15:52:35

DH thinks he is playing??

Letitbleed Wed 05-Jul-23 17:51:52

Smileless2012

After standing for the rapturous and well deserved applause, he kissed her just before they sat down.

Ever the gentleman!
What a fabulous ambassador for the sport he is too

Smileless2012 Wed 05-Jul-23 18:45:08

So any thoughts on Heather Watson's opponent? No sign of any ankle problems until Heather's going to serve to stay in the match.

That spray the physio used must have had magic properties because she looked absolutely fine when play resumed.

Heather's rhythm disrupted? I didn't expect her to win but to me this was not a good example of gamesmanship, or am I just cynical?

Yes Letitbleed he was a gentlemen on and off the court and always a joy to watch.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 05-Jul-23 19:10:51

My knitting is ridiculous - I’ve lost count how many times I’ve had to unpick it because I’m not concentrating. I must put it aside.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 05-Jul-23 19:11:40

Who did he kiss? It must be his wife? I missed that

OurKid1 Wed 05-Jul-23 19:22:26

ixion

I wonder sometimes whether BBC commentators are paid by the word. Incessant wittering in what appears to be an attempt to fill every second of airtime. Sometimes interesting, sometimes just talk for the sake of it. Queens and Eastbourne were classic examples.
The mute button chez Ixion is well used.

Absolutely agree with you Whitewavemark2. At one point yesterday, Andrew Castle and Tim Henman started talking about what they were planning for Christmas! I would press the mute button, but I'd miss the sound of the ball on racket and the crowd. Imagine if you were actually there and that pair were sitting behind you!!!

Also the crowd - why do people insist on shouting out "Come on ..." whoever. They must just like to think that their voice is going to be heard on telly.

Having said all that, it's the one fortnight in the year when I plant myself in front of the television, with meals etc planned around whoever is playing. 💕

PS Bring back Sue Barker!

Grammaretto Wed 05-Jul-23 19:39:19

Where is Sue Barker? She has dropped off the planet. Is there something I've missed?

Sparklefizz Wed 05-Jul-23 19:59:23

Sue Barker has retired.

I wish McEnroe would pronounce Djokovic properly instead of insisting on calling him Joker-vich. I think from now on McEnroe should be called McEeeeenroe and see how he likes it!

bridie54 Wed 05-Jul-23 20:05:16

No one else been watching Theim v Tsitsipas? What a match. You couldn’t have picked a winner.
I won’t say who won in case anyone will watch on catch up. So worth watching.

Louella12 Wed 05-Jul-23 20:05:43

bridie54

No one else been watching Theim v Tsitsipas? What a match. You couldn’t have picked a winner.
I won’t say who won in case anyone will watch on catch up. So worth watching.

Very exciting!

lixy Wed 05-Jul-23 20:27:19

Super match and I wanted them both to win! Tsitsipas spoke well afterwards too.
Looking forward to his match against Andy Murray tomorrow evening.

ixion Wed 05-Jul-23 20:29:36

That was a cliff hanger!

I am intrigued by the 'jackets' worn by the linespeople this year.
Can't think of a better way to describe them - they are like a cross between a cardi and a waistcoat. To me, they seem far too short, for the men at least. A smart blazer would look much more 'finished' and go some way to concealing a lot of er, generous tums.

Callistemon21 Wed 05-Jul-23 20:32:50

Yes, I glimpsed a bit at 1 set each, then I saw the final set. It really couldn't have been a closer match!