This should be interesting. See, if you've been around the past few days I have admitted as much as I love Wimbledon I am not very good with remembering how tennis works. Because of this, I am going to apologise in advance if today's Wimbledon thread seems extremely bizarre. Nevertheless, Day 4 have arrived and what a day tennis fans were treated too yesterday as well as some of the tricks up their very short sleeves today! Well in their pockets really because that's where they seem to store their spare tennis balls they quite blatently stole from the Pringles-esque tubes in JJB Sports. But yes, tennis tennis tennis!
Coming down with a case of rackets
Tennis is pretty confusing. I'm sure there are the proper fans out there who watch every Grand Slam tournament and are like 'You're crazy, stop being crazy" but it's true. Yesterday I got home from Wimbledon and sat down, and first of all, I was amazed that the match on TV was on Court 18. 18!!!! That's 16 more than I thought Wimbledon even had! Sure, it had the Centre Court with the new Roof and the other Centre Court that I assume is called Just Off The Centre Court, but it has lots of little mini courts! Obviously these are normal size and not miniature things like Crazy Golf, although Crazy Tennis would be spectacularly profound.
Also, I don't understand how the Crouching People (I got told yesterday they were called Line Judges) manage to stand there for 20 hours with their backs positioned like that. They're bend down staring at a line for so long, and then sometimes the tennis man hits a serve and it smashes them in the stomach unless they dive out the way like a goalkeeper. But they don't! They just stand there and, quite simply, take it like a boxer. That is dedication, folks. You don't get that in football, you'll get linesmen jumping out the way and hiding behind a flag but Crouching People proper take it full on. Kudos to you, posh suited crouching people. I also couldn't help but wonder if the Umpires do lifeguard work outside of the Wimbledon Cup because they're up on their perches that you'd think they'd make excellent lifeguards at the local leisure centre watching over the swimming pool. That's all tennis is really - swimming with more grass, and a racket and a net... fair enough, they're not similar whatsoever. Do swimming competitions have lifeguards or umpires? Other quick tennis tidbits I can't help but wonder:
- How come people only seem to eat strawberries at Wimbledon? Were they originally grown in Wimbledon's Centre Court?
- Does Sue Barker come out of hiberntion for Wimbledon? Part of me is convinced that a year's sport is scheduled and scripted so she can do a year's worth of Question of Sport whilst presenting Wimbledon, then she hibernates and recharges for a year.
- Why did Greg Rusedski and Tin Henman have to retire? They were my favourite British players, especially considering Greg wasn't even British. That must've have been an odd decision, choosing a country notorious for Wimbledon failure.
- Is it legal to allow Brian Blessed to referee a tennis game considering his epic screaming voice? DEEUUUCCEE!!!
- Are people banned from using wooden tennis bats? They look so retro and awesome! It's all about shiny and aerodynamic these days, it's just a bat!! Ping pong bats are still wooden, so...
Anyways, I digress, we are here to womble about Wimbledon!!
I'm gonna be tennis-ing you tonight, big tie break!
You guys all surely know about yesterdays events, or should I say, event. I am of course talking about when I found out Andy Murray has a brother called Jamie Murray. Surely someone just cloned Andy Murray and called him Jamie? Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. In all seriousness, the big news yesterday in Womble-Wimbledon was the, quite simple, epic encounter between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut that, as I type this up, had been suspended play for the evening (or, far simpler, stopped) after a quite staggering 10 hours of play including the final set being a 7 hour set that is currently at 59-59. They have played about a squajillion serving superhits (aces?) and some awesome awful shots because they played for so long yesterday and were just totally exhausted, poor guys. I know how they feel, on Virtua Tennis it once took me half an hour to beat Pete Sampras on easy mode. SAMPRAS!! *shakes fist*
But there was much more going on yesterday apart from the Court 18 (Upon further inspection there are N-N-N-N-N-NINETEEN COURTS!!! Who owns 19 courts?!!) epicosity. For example, a fine fellow from Switzerland known as Roger Federer qualified for the next round of Wimbledon beating someone called Ilija Bozoljac (And we thought Fantasy Racers was bad) as well as other qualifiers for the next round including Justine Henin, Andy Roddick and Venus Williams. Have Venus and Serena ever played each other? I think they would have a good match with Sir Frank Williams as the referee/umpire for the match at the Williams Conference centre with Robbie Williams performing at half time in the tennis. It could be a big Williams launch event! There were, of course, lots of other games going on but everyone basically forgot about them and went to watch the epic match of epicness that we all hope will finish sometime this year. If you want more info I suggest the BBC's Wimbledon section and the ultra posh Wimbledon website as it's 100x more useful that my attempt to be that tennis guy off GMTV.
Here's todays contestants in the Wimbledon show
On a quick side note, I keep typing Wimbledone. It's quite annoying, especially when it's not done yet at all.
I've been taking a considering gander at today's scheduled play at Wimbledon and my goodness, there is quite a lot going on isn't there? It's like a human bus timetable! There are some key names I noticed when going through. Andy Murray (the proper Andy, not his clone Jamie) will be playing a Finnish guy called Jarrko Neimeienme, so good luck Andy! Come on Tim!!! Rafael Nadal will be in action too maybe, so there's a big plus for all the Nadal fans. I forgot his name was Rafa but now I remember because of Rafael Benitez, theLiverpool Inter Milan football team manager. It's because they're both called Rafa. Alas, one of them definitely knows what to do and has a taste for winning but at times seems incapable of overcoming the bigger dogs in his sport. The other one is a tennis player. Ahem.
There is someone called Jo-Wilfried Tsonga there and I wanted to mention him because that is an awesome name. Also, he has a [10] next to his name and Lou mentioned a few players yesterday with these numbers. I think they mean a) their world ranking b) how awesome they are out of 100 or c) their number for... something. Google has told me that it means their seeding. That is excellent. So Jo is seeding 10... something tomorrow, go Jo!! My simple mind is very amused by the fact that Fake Murray (Jamie) will be teaming up with a guy called Jonathon Marray in a tag team tennis match! Marray and Murray! Awesome!
But there are lots and lots of matches occuring today, including that certain 10 hour battle I may have mentioned continuing today... so watch them and enjoy those lush green pitches, the king-like chairs for the umpires and John McEnroe's intriguingly receding hairline throughout today's coverage my friends!
Although Wimbledon definitely #needsmoregredrusedski.
I can't believe you didn't link to the Grauniad's AWESOME live blog from yesterday: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/23/wimbledon-2010-tennis-live
Fantastic stuff!
I take my hat off to you, as a fellow non-fan confused by tennis I love this post :)
It is pretty epic isn't it :)
I'm just confused by who Gred is? Is he Tin's friend?
Woot woot go Murray! Show the Queen you can play tennis :)
Ooh it's Andrew castle.. He's the awesome dude who commentates with John McEnroe. Ahh good times :) revision and tennis. In assuming my tennis pals are busy. Or Amy has fallen asleep at last :)
Afternoon Lou! Football has quite overwhelmed me (GERMANY!) but I am not going to neglect Wimbledon just yet. Things looking good for M-Andy, Maria and Jo-Wil so far.
btw, this article is quite old, but uncovers plenty of interesting tennis-football crossovers.
Have Venus and Serena ever played each other? I think they would have a good match with Sir Frank Williams as the referee/umpire for the match at the Williams Conference centre with Robbie Williams performing at half time in the tennis. It could be a big Williams launch event! {Original entry}
Venus and Serena Williams have played each other several times in finals - though from what I hear, having another one as part of a Williams F1 launch would be no worse for its having been seen before.
Maria Sharapova is through! :D
woohooo!! Murray wins!! :D
M-Andy through in straight sets.
hehehehe (hearts) McEnroe and his awesome royal commentry :D
Ismer and Mahut have returned to Court 18 :D
Epic about to resume...
For the first time since this time yesterday, the Ismer/Mahut match scoreboard has the correct score on it.
hooray - the match is about to start
:D
I may have found some wifi just in time!!
Capacity of court 18: 800
Estimated attendance today: Rather more than that
hee Epic-ness to come on court 18!
So...odds on this finishing in 2 games/sets/legs whatever they call it?
awww Roddick went round to Isner's house last night and brought him dinner. how cute! :)
They both look a bit more healthy today.
Is that due to all the spectators they ate in a zombie feast earlier?
Less like robot zombies?
60-60...
62-61 now
Long 5th sets are the trend now. Not nearly as epic, but Jo-Wil is on 8-7
Finally Jo-Wil clinches it. :D
Caroline is through it straight sets! :D
Yay for Woz!!!
phew, I thought I'd forgotten to wake up and I'd missed the end. BUT IT'S STILL NOT OVER
No way, I bet it'll last till tomorrow.... ;)
this will never end... :)
tempting to go back to sleep then, it's almost 2am :D
have you been sleeping all this time?
match point!
match-point
ISNEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
They hugged!!
♥
....and that's it!!
JOHN ISNER WINS THE EPIC! WOW!
Aww no, I liked that Mahut fella.
woohoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
well, I woke up at the perfect time to see the end of the football AND the tennis. Go subconscious!
i feel really bad for mahut
Awww!
heehee. :D
wow that guy is nervous. shaking shaking.
They're getting awards just for playing!
Mo gets a prize! Yay Mo!
YAY good for them.
Guiness world records?
Poor Mahut.
whats in the boxes?
good timing - i'm off home
what an epic, epic, epic match!!
:D
He is very sweet.
I want to watch Isner's doubles later :( stupid sleep :(
interrupting all the sentimentalities to say: AHEM RAFA IS ON! :D
Awkward!
nothing amuses me more than Isner standing next to normal people.
If he was normal sized, he looks like he should be in a boyband.
haha!
he's just talking about "the guys he looks up to"
yeah, that can't be anyone.
:)
@andyroddick met the queen of england today .... she said she loved me in the american pie movies
lol.
hehehe
@andyroddick
just so we are clear.... she did not say that..... it was an attempt at humor... didnt think that was gonna get taken seriously
I also haven't commented on how amazing this post is so I will do that now. Lukeh rules.
prizes = some crystal and a champagne flute for each of the players says Tim.
also: Venus and Serena have played each other 23 times, 5 times at Wimbledon.
JOHN ISNER WINS THE EPIC! WOW! {Comment #41}
Yay! What a fantastic end to an already-epic match! :D
Glad Isner won't be playing doubles for a bit though - his partner is busy in a singles match...
my old flatmate is at Wimbledon today. It scares me that the two people I went to Hit for Haiti with are both at Wimbledon at the same time.
Rafa loses his first set
Kate's epic queuing got her some good seats!
http://twitpic.com/1zi82q
:(
wow!!
the problem we would have if I ever went to queue with her would be she would want to go on a different day to me as she'd wanna see Rafa and I'd wanna see Roger :D
hehe! or.. you should both go see andy :)
Great view!
she feels the same way about Andy as I do :D
or go to the final... chances are you'll get to see nadal and federer together ;)
I think finals tickets to Wimbledon are somewhat of an elaborate scam. I don't think they're actually possible to get :D
hehehehe!
ooh, 2.45. I think I'll go back to sleep. I'm not tired though. I just realised I had no dinner.
ooh and the J Murray match is into an epic 5th set.
i totally forgot!!!! nooo! *rushes to find a link*
Amy, I think you might be broken.
stupid sport. #didntgotosleep
Jamie's up to 9-9 in the fifth... i think...
*stupid bbc not streaming it*
in good news though, no jetlag in 58 days time as I appear to be already on European time :D
:D is it only 58 days? wow.. scary times.
Yup. He and Marray still holding on
on Thursday I'll be able to say "I leave next month!"
i have to go out now :( but goooo Jamie! two murray victories in a day please :)
silly Alevel exhibition... i have to go look at my work, and others work on display... fun times.
back later all! xx
oooo!!! by thursday do you mean next thursday?.. next thursday is a good day :)
So I watch some F1 DVDs... and Nadal's in trouble?!
5-3 down in the 3rd set, yes. :(
It's rafael benitez in disguise.
between him, fed, and THAT isner match, there SURELY is something in that wimbledon air.
Heehee, Marray and Murray mention on bbc1 :)
Does anyone know why the iPad player has streaming football but no streaming Tennis?
But they lost the match.
Oops
football > tennis
Seconded. Plus no one interesting is playing now anyway. Except for Rafa, but he isn't playing well either.
Hmmm.... I think you might have something wrong there ;)
Rafa had 2 break points... gone.
It actually just doesn't seem to be available at all... I mean weirdly there is no live tv on the device except they have got football. It's a bit strange.
3rd time's the charm, he's broken Haase.
i player on the iphone/ipad has never done live. football is the exception.
Good for him. But he needs to play much better from now onwards. Uncharacteristcally error-prone today.
3-0 up in Set 4 says he is. But I would love Haase to win. ;)
Ah I had only ever tried live radio on the iPhone so I assumed it worked.
had the issue before. you can't watch f1 live, nor soaps or anything. just catchup tv.
Annoying. I had wanted to have the tennis on the iPad while sitting in the garden and commenting on the iPhone.
you need strawberries.
the solution is eyetv. which can stream live terrestrial tv to the ipad. and it looks fab.
Mmm, strawberries.
That's a plan Stan (or in fact Mr C)
I don't have terrestrial tv which is a bit of a problem. Sky only.
It's a plan Stan (hold on this is getting ridiculous you can't all be called Stan!!!)
Plus, I would be something else like... Stannette.
Christane?
:)
I would have gone with Stanna but I didn't think you'd like me to out you in the same group as a stair lift or a Ferry (because that's like cruses and I don't want to bring back those memories except I just have haven't I sorry).
Hehehe.
:) :)
You're so smart!!!
I don't have any strawberries :(
Did Rafa just bagel Haase? I thought he was playing badly.. #shouldnothaveturnedawayfromtv
Haase ends Rafa's 7-game streak.
I think you can sense my ennui
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexandronov/4730974314/
Nadal's got this covered now, it seems. No ten hour matches today.
Totally on his stride now and can't see him slipping up. Which is good. :D
And he does it. Rafa wins!
Yay!
Is anyone writing the Wimbly post tomorrow or is it my turn again?
I can do it if you want. But I can't promise pretty pictures.
Mahut is playing doubles now! Madness.
Beeb says: I imagine Mahut will be shouting "yours" a lot.
Hehehehe.
That'd be fab. Pictures not required :)
Okay then! :D
I've just realised i've no idea if Jamie won his match or not :( i shall check..
Jamie Murray lost his match :'(
At least Real Andy won his though
but...but... :(