Thread: The Offical Bona Fiide Teakdoor Tennis Grand Slam Thread

Hard fought tie-break but the Joko prevails in set 2

6-3 7-6

It's over. Not saying anything, but a Belarussian won the womens singles and a Serb (with a father) the mens singles.....

Joko dispatches the Greek freak in straight sets, although it was much closer than his previous 2 straight set matches

To be honest El Greco deserved a reaming turning out in those florid shorts

French Open 2023 results: Novak Djokovic beats Casper Ruud to win Roland Garros title and claim 23rd major

Novak Djokovic showed his greatness once again by overcoming a sticky start to win a men's record 23rd Grand Slam title with victory over Norway's Casper Ruud in the French Open final.

Djokovic, 36, was far from his best in the initial stages but his quality in a first-set tie-break laid the platform for a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-5 victory.

The Serb moves into the outright lead of men's majors ahead of Rafael Nadal.

He also becomes the first man to win all four majors at least three times.

Victory on the Paris clay moves Djokovic alongside Serena Williams in terms of major titles, with only Margaret Court now standing in front of him on 24 Grand Slams.

He will have the opportunity to tie Court's record at Wimbledon next month - a place where he has already won seven times and be the favourite to equal Roger Federer's record tally of men's titles.

Reaction to Djokovic winning a record 23rd men's major

Djokovic, who also regains the world number one ranking with his third triumph at Roland Garros, instantly fell flat on his back in celebration as Ruud pulled a forehand wide on the second championship point.

After a commiserating hug with his opponent, Djokovic ran up to his support box where he celebrated with coach Goran Ivanisevic, wife Jelena, his two children, parents Dijana and Srdjan and NFL superstar Tom Brady.

Fourth seed Ruud, who has lost all three of his major finals, congratulated Djokovic on "another day, another record".

Addressing his opponent, he added: "It is another day where you rewrite tennis history. It is tough to explain how great you are and what an inspiration you are."
Djokovic delivers on his date with destiny

Having made no secret of his ambition to win more major titles than long-time rivals Nadal and Federer, this was Djokovic's date with destiny.

He pulled level with the pair on 20 triumphs at Wimbledon in 2021, but fell behind Nadal after missing the 2022 Australian Open following a row over his Covid-19 vaccination status that led to him being deported.

Nadal extended the advantage when he won last year's French Open but Djokovic has surged ahead after winning three of the past four Grand Slams.

Even before 14-time French Open champion Nadal pulled out of this year's tournament with injury, Djokovic was considered by many as the favourite, even though his own build-up had been hampered by physical problems.

Spanish top seed Carlos Alcaraz was the other main contender, but Djokovic beat him in the semi-finals after the 20-year-old suffered body cramps caused by the tension of facing one of the all-time greats.

In the early part of Sunday's final against 24-year-old Ruud, who was aiming for his first major after twice losing finals last year, it was Djokovic who looked more nervous.

Tight and tense, the third seed made a number of unforced errors as Ruud pushed him deep in the court and trailed 4-2 in the first set.

But Djokovic grew in stature as the opener wore on.

With a star-studded crowd including French footballer Kylian Mbappe and British actor Hugh Grant watching on, Djokovic used all of his vast experience to dominate the tie-break as fourth seed Ruud wilted - and from that point on there was only ever going to be one outcome.

French Open 2023 results: Novak Djokovic beats Casper Ruud to win Roland Garros title and claim 23rd major - BBC Sport

Wimbledon 2023: Draw Friday at 10am BST

Wimbledon is just around the corner, with the best players in the world already beginning their grass-court preparations.

The draw takes place on Friday at 10:00 BST, with the tournament getting under way three days later.

BBC Sport rounds up all you need to know about this year's Wimbledon.
When is Wimbledon?

Wimbledon takes place from 3 to 16 July at the All England Club in London.

This year's tournament will be the 136th edition of the Championships. The women's singles final takes place on Saturday, 15 July, with the men's final on the Sunday.
Who is playing?

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will be seeking an eighth men's singles Wimbledon title to equal Roger Federer's record.

The Serb is also on course for a calendar Grand Slam - where a player wins all four of the majors in the same year - having already won the Australian Open and French Open.

Challengers for the title could include last year's runner-up Nick Kyrgios, US Open champion and world number one Carlos Alcaraz and rising star Holger Rune.

In the women's draw, Elena Rybakina will be aiming to defend her title from last year, but she is still struggling with a viral illness and will face tough competition from Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

World number one and French Open winner Iga Swiatek will also be in contention, along with 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur and American Coco Gauff.
Which British players are competing?

Cameron Norrie is the highest-ranked British player in either singles draw and made the semi-finals at the All England Club last year.

He is joined by two-time champion Andy Murray, who is enjoying some good grass-court form with back-to-back titles in Challenger events on the surface, and British number two Dan Evans.

There will be no Emma Raducanu in the women's draw, with the Briton continuing her recovery from hand and ankle surgery.

Katie Boulter is the British women's number one but, as she was outside the top 100 when the entry list was drawn up, has had to rely on a wildcard to compete at Wimbledon. Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, Jodie Burrage and Katie Swan have also received wildcards into the main draw.

There were also wildcards for Britons Liam Broady, Jan Choinski, Arthur Fery, George Loffhagen and Ryan Peniston in the men's singles main draw.

A wildcard gives players direct entry to either the main draw or qualifying. To qualify, lower-ranked players need to win three matches to reach the main draw.

There will also be a strong British contingent in the doubles, with Neal Skupski, Joe Salisbury and Lloyd Glasspool ranked among the world's top 10 men's doubles players and Jamie Murray a seven-time Grand Slam doubles champion.

In the wheelchair events, Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid will be seeking to reach a 16th successive Grand Slam final.
What are Andy Murray's chances?

You never know...

Murray last won Wimbledon in 2016 but struggled with injury afterwards, and had career-saving hip surgery in 2019.

He lost in the second round last year but has enjoyed a good grass-court season so far, having won the Surbiton and Nottingham titles this month.

As a result of his good form, Murray has risen to 38 in the world rankings, but a first-round exit from Queen's this week ended his chances of being one of the 32 seeded players at Wimbledon.
What are seedings in tennis?

Seedings are used to separate the top players and ensure they do not meet in the early rounds at a Grand Slam.

They are based on a player's world ranking, which is determined by the points players pick up at tournaments.

As world number one, Alcaraz and Swiatek will be the top seeds

when the men's and women's draws are made on Friday. Norrie is seeded 12th, with Evans the 28th seed.

Only two unseeded players have won the men's title before - Boris Becker in 1985 and Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 - while no unseeded player has won the women's title before.
What is the prize money?

The total prize money for this year's Wimbledon is a record £44.7m.

The men's and women's singles champions will receive £2.35m each.
How can I watch Wimbledon?

Every match from Wimbledon will be available on the BBC iPlayer, with fans able to choose which court they want to watch.

Clare Balding will lead TV coverage from the All England Club, with coverage on BBC One and iPlayer across the tournament.

BBC Radio 5 Live and Sounds will have daily coverage as well as the 6-Love-6 phone-in with John McEnroe and Tim Henman.

There will be a daily live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app, as well as clips, live scores, reports, features and all the best content from Wimbledon.

If you miss any of the action, you can catch up with Today at Wimbledon every day from 21:00 BST on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Wimbledon 2023: When does it start? Schedule, seedings and draw - BBC Sport

Murrary is due on centre court for an all British clash at around 20:45 Thailand.

This dusky African Gauff lady has a pair of bullet nipples that will not be contained by any sports bra yet known to man

Kenin serving for the match after a double break...

Joko faces awesome Aussie Jordan Thompson in round 2

Princess of Wales gives Roger Federer the clap when he enters her Royal Box...

https://www.abc. net.au/news/2023-07-05/roger-federer-receives-a-lengthy-standing-ovation-at-wimbledon/102561744

Heather Watson is on Centre Court, scheduled at 21:00 Thai time.

Did you know her mother was from Papa New Guinea?

I didn't.

Gotta love the Guardian:

“At the end Murray told the on-court interviewer that he felt “fit and ready for a good run”, doing so, as ever, in the voice of a community policeman telling you that your dog has just been run over.”

Lanky Medvedev up on centre court against miniature Arthur Fery...

I like Medvedev with his big pasty bulbous skull and gangly gait despite him being an evil Russki

Aussie Popyrin from Sydney goes 4-1 up in 5th set on court 7

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Did you know her mother was from Papa New Guinea?

Surely you mean her father ?

And Popyrin manages to lose to Stricker from 4-1 up in set 5

One less Aussie battler in the garden of England!

Another Aussie Jordan Thompson on the ropes on centre court as Joko takes the first set

Originally Posted by helge

Surely you mean her father ?

I realise all these genders can be confusing for some people.

Her mother is from Papua New Guinea and her father is British

OK, so it wasn't exactly a thigh-slapper, but...

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Did you know her mother was from Papa New Guinea?

Looper would...

Originally Posted by cyrille

OK, so it wasn't exactly a thigh-slapper, but...

How on earth did I miss that.

Oh, I know.

3rd session finished at Headingley in time to watch graceful gazelle defending champion Rybakina 1 set up on centre court

Originally Posted by Looper

Katie Boulter

is nearly rekindling my interest in tennis

Originally Posted by malmomike77

is nearly rekindling my interest in tennis

She's no

Originally Posted by hallelujah

She's no

correct, she is

Murray trailing Tsitsipas by a break in the 5th on centre court