Talk About Tennis 2.0

I stayed up thinking that with the time difference they should be starting the draw ceremony around 5a my time and got to watch the live draw. There was a man literally pulling names out of a sack so this was not done by computer. It was actually fun to watch in a campy sort of way.

ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:48 am I stayed up thinking that with the time difference they should be starting the draw ceremony around 5a my time and got to watch the live draw. There was a man literally pulling names out of a sack so this was not done by computer. It was actually fun to watch in a campy sort of way.

Ye olde Englande!

Draper is not the 4th seed - he is the #4 seed.. pedantic, I know, but sometimes it is important. They are all seeded together!

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 5:45 am

Jeff from TX wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 4:44 am So you give Paolina 25%, but Swiatek, a 5 time GS singles champion (granted, not a fantastic grass court pedigree/record) gets lumped in with the 1% rest of the field? I guess we will hav a better chance for assessment in the SF tomorrow.

true, I do think Swiatek will not be a force - she wasnt even at the French, so why would she be, here? Her extreme grip will be as much a handicap as it has been all these years, we shall see, as you say. Paolini looks a much more natural grasscourt player to me. Last year, I had predicted she would do well at Wimbledon, based entirely on her footwork and movement, and she did do well. This year, there is more of a grass track record to go by.

Ha! So much for that..Swiatek thrashed Paolini 1 and 3.. of course, such results are not always replicated at W but it is a sign Swiatek is learning to play on grass.

ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:48 am I stayed up thinking that with the time difference they should be starting the draw ceremony around 5a my time and got to watch the live draw. There was a man literally pulling names out of a sack so this was not done by computer. It was actually fun to watch in a campy sort of way.

All live draws should be done this way - they were fast too - just puled the #'s, read the name, and on to the next - really fun to watch live.

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 12:45 pm Draper is not the 4th seed - he is the #4 seed.. pedantic, I know, but sometimes it is important. They are all seeded together!

Even usually pedantic me doesn't see what difference you are making

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 1:43 pm

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 5:45 am

Jeff from TX wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 4:44 am So you give Paolina 25%, but Swiatek, a 5 time GS singles champion (granted, not a fantastic grass court pedigree/record) gets lumped in with the 1% rest of the field? I guess we will hav a better chance for assessment in the SF tomorrow.

true, I do think Swiatek will not be a force - she wasnt even at the French, so why would she be, here? Her extreme grip will be as much a handicap as it has been all these years, we shall see, as you say. Paolini looks a much more natural grasscourt player to me. Last year, I had predicted she would do well at Wimbledon, based entirely on her footwork and movement, and she did do well. This year, there is more of a grass track record to go by.

Ha! So much for that..Swiatek thrashed Paolini 1 and 3.. of course, such results are not always replicated at W but it is a sign Swiatek is learning to play on grass.

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 7:09 am I have to agree about Swiatek. I'd be very surprised if she goes past QF's here this year.

Granted, I don't think that she is a natural grass court player or even a steep favorite, but she has to be one of at least one of the possibilities, particularly if she gets a break or two. She is currently in 3rd in the WTA points race for the finals. For someone that is having a "poor" year, that's still pretty good (and consistent). All I'm saying is people that discount her do so at their own peril.

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 1:43 pm

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 5:45 am

Jeff from TX wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 4:44 am So you give Paolina 25%, but Swiatek, a 5 time GS singles champion (granted, not a fantastic grass court pedigree/record) gets lumped in with the 1% rest of the field? I guess we will hav a better chance for assessment in the SF tomorrow.

true, I do think Swiatek will not be a force - she wasnt even at the French, so why would she be, here? Her extreme grip will be as much a handicap as it has been all these years, we shall see, as you say. Paolini looks a much more natural grasscourt player to me. Last year, I had predicted she would do well at Wimbledon, based entirely on her footwork and movement, and she did do well. This year, there is more of a grass track record to go by.

Ha! So much for that..Swiatek thrashed Paolini 1 and 3.. of course, such results are not always replicated at W but it is a sign Swiatek is learning to play on grass.

To me, it's more of a sign that Paolini will have a lot of trouble defending finalist points here.

I agree that Swiatek will not do well this year.
Then I remember she was a juniors' champ. So you cannot say she totally dislikes grass. And just a tiny change on that grip could do wonders (I agree with Ashkor, her FH grip is a total handicap on anything with a low bounce).

ptmcmahon wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 5:04 pm

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 12:45 pm Draper is not the 4th seed - he is the #4 seed.. pedantic, I know, but sometimes it is important. They are all seeded together!

Even usually pedantic me doesn't see what difference you are making

maybe you are not pedantic enough!

One of the TV channels here was showing the Wimbledon official films of 23 and 24..the sight of players in white, on the green grass.. is so beautiful..I had forgotten...really looking forward to it again.

It didn't feel that way so much when I watched it live last year..perhaps because the TV camera shows only the court and the players, the spectators are wearing all kinds of colors but you see them more in person than on TV

The first two days of Wimbledon will be very hot. Forecasted highs of 33 and 34 C.

Total benefit for those playing in CC and court 1, which at least will get some shade.
Wonder how will the grass stand the pounding.

With those types of temperatures it will be interesting to see whether they have rain later in the day, or if the high temperatures dry out the grass making it safer for footwork.

Wimbledon fans abandon tennis queue in heatwave
Guests forgo Centre Court tickets as organisers brace for hottest-ever opening day

Telegraph Reporters
29 June 2025 6:59pm BST

Wimbledon fans have abandoned the queue for Centre Court seats because of the heat.

Stewards at Wimbledon Park told The Telegraph people had been leaving and saying they would come back when the weather is cooler.

Tennis fans often arrive hours or even days in advance to buy ground passes, or the small number of tickets still available.

It comes as Wimbledon braces for its hottest-ever opening day as a heatwave is forecast to peak at 36C on Monday. The previous record temperature for the start of the Grand Slam event was set in 2001 at 29.3C.

Monday could also bring the hottest temperature ever recorded during the tournament at SW19. The previous highest was 35.7C in 2015.

Three stewards, who all asked to remain anonymous, said some guests braved the queue for a few hours on Sunday before eventually deciding to come back another day.

One said: “People have arrived and then left, saying they’ll come back when the weather is cooler. We’re giving regular advice to people turning up about the hot weather and to stay hydrated with water.”

British health officials have issued an amber heat health warning until 6pm on Tuesday July 1 for much of the country, including London. This warns of a rise in deaths, particularly amongst people aged 65 and over, or those with health conditions.

Heat rule in force
Wimbledon’s heat rule will probably come into force, which allows for a 10-minute break in play during extreme heat.

The rule will apply after the second set for all best-of-three set matches, and after the third set for all best-of-five set matches, with players allowed to leave the court during the break, but not to receive coaching or medical treatment.

Wimbledon organisers are taking precautions to protect the general public and staff, including ball boys and girls (BBGs), as well as players.

A statement from the club said: “Adverse weather is a key consideration in our planning for The Championships, and we are prepared for the predicted hot weather, with comprehensive plans in place for guests, players, staff and the BBGs.”

More free water refill stations will be provided around the grounds, and real-time weather alerts will be announced on big screens and via the tournament website.

Despite the warm weather, some guests who stayed in the queue on Sunday said there was a brilliant atmosphere ahead of the opening day.

Alison Belton, from Bicester, said she would have “preferred to come later next week when it is cooler”, but had already made plans and added: “We don’t regret coming today, but it is a bit warm.”

Nicola Woodrow, 45, Letchworth Garden City, added: “This is our fifth year of camping in the queue. We love the atmosphere.

“The weather is flipping hot, really hot, but it makes a change. We’ve been here when it has been pouring with rain.”

Wimbledon has been approached for comment by The Telegraph.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/0 ... -heatwave/