ABU DHABI, Tennis World Championship 28-30 Dec 2017

[Linda]

I see that both Stan and Milos have withdrawn from Abu Dhabi.

[themass15]

Replaced by Rublev and Carreno Busta I believe.

[Linda]

I read it was Rublev and Anderson!

[themass15]

I read it was Rublev and Anderson!

You're probably right. Perhaps they didn't fancy the flight from Doha to Australia

[cazza99]

Mubdala World Tennis Champtionship

http://www.mubadalawtc.com/

Coverage on Eurosport

[Linda]

It's rumoured that Rafa has also withdrawn as knee not better, but nothing official yet.

[themass15]

It says in the Spanish paper Marca RBA has replaced him

[Bardot]

Welp! Djokovic has withdrawn from his SF against RBA today after experiencing pain in his elbow during the last few days.

After examinations doctors suggested not to take any risks and to continue with treatment. All of this can impact the start of the season and my schedule of tournaments. I will make a decision in the next few days.

On the (very) bright side, he's been replaced by Andy who will play RBA later today. :thumbup:

The SF is at 3pm UK.

Correction: The match is an exhibition and not a SF. RBA will play the final tomorrow regardless the result.

[WimbledonWestie]

Just came on here to post that. Wee festive bonus, Andy on my telly!

[Bardot]

It will be a one set exhibition match.

[jackie55]

Just came on here to post that. Wee festive bonus, Andy on my telly!

What TV is showing the match, is it Eurosport ?

[Linda]

It would appear that he's in better shape than Novak, anyway, even if it's just an exhibition!

[Stell]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/42512255

[Julie80]

Hi everyone and Merry Christmas.

Get to see Murray back sooner than planned! Djokovic has withdrawn so Murray down to Play Roberto Bautista Agut at 1pm today. Should be live on Eurosport!

[Julie80]

Oops sorry just sen this posted under tour tennis!

[themass15]

Yippee! Hope it is on Spanish TV.

[Guerkins2]

Yes Eurosport 2

[Josephine]

Yip - that will be nice - a one set exho.

[Julie80]

Was having a snow day so definitely a nice surprise

[lovetennis]

Woop woop Andy to be on my telly. It's been soooo long

[Caro]

I'm at work!! :crying: ... I only have eurosport player so can't record ... just hoping they repeat it or put it on demand

[lovetennis]

I'm at work!! :crying: ... I only have eurosport player so can't record ... just hoping they repeat it or put it on demand

They have it listed for 7pm and 10pm tonight on Eurosport Caro so looks like you might catch a repeat showing even if they don't put it on demand

[lynne]

Brillint news on this snowy day! Good Luck Andy!!!!!!

[Teresa]

Now scheduled for 15:00. Will those of you with snow stop boasting about it....!!! They keep promising me snow in Norfolk, and so far we have had rain, ice and wind. Not a snowflake to be seen. I forsee a stiffly worded letter of complaint to the BBC weather people.

[Jane]

Been snowing here all morning, but has stopped now :sled:. As far as the tennis goes - Anderson leads 3-2 in the first set against Thiem.

Andy due on court about 3.00pm. Good luck, Andy :thumbup:

[lovetennis]

Anderson going well against Thiem. Let's hope that's a good omen for players with troublesome hips

[WimbledonWestie]

What TV is showing the match, is it Eurosport ?

Sorry, I was so excited I forgot to post any info, I see others now have. Used my excited energy to clean the cooker. Lovely snow day here- which is a rarity and even better that I'm not trying to get to work in it.

[lovetennis]

Andy knocking up now :santa dance:

[Jane]

0 - 2

[lynne]

Just lovely to see Andy playing no matter the result!! Good work out!!:thumbup:




PS:- Like the outfit!!:thumbup:

[Teresa]

Double break. He is obviously as rusty as heck.

[lovetennis]

Yep, I'm not bothered about the score or even the shot-making...just watching how he is moving

[RosieBear]

Agree. Can't really glean anything from one exho set following prolonged break. Always nice to watch Andy in action, but Brisbane will be much more telling.

[Rosalind]

I feel he is STILL hobbling. :(

[lovetennis]

Wouldn't go so far as to call it a hobble but still a sight limp in his walk

[Teresa]

Hasn’t he always limped a little?

[Hawkeye]

No doubt the hirple is still there, and he's very rusty, but fingers crossed! A game on the board.

[lovetennis]

Hasn’t he always limped a little?

Yes but I think it's a bit more pronounced

[lovetennis]

Think he is loosening up a bit now, as he did in the Andy Live event. As RB said, one set after a 6 month lay off isn't much for us to judge how he is, but presumably will give Andy some insight into how he feels

[RosieBear]

Limp is still there but apparently can't tell anything from it - it can mean that a physical issue is still present but it can also mean that he is learning to trust it again or it can be a habit from favouring one side while in pain which is now gone. Don't read too much into the limp, folks.

[lynne]

Think he is loosening up a bit now, as he did in the Andy Live event. As RB said, one set after a 6 month lay off isn't much for us to judge how he is, but presumably will give Andy some insight into how he feels



:thumbup: Exactly!!!

[lynne]

Nice shot Andy!!

[Teresa]

I think the wider issue that the ITF have got to address is why so many top players are so injury ridden. Djokovic, Nadal, Wawrinka, Raonic etc. Only the man with the portrait in the attic seems exempt.

[lovetennis]

Woooo great point, felt like the old Andy

[RosieBear]

It's good that Andy has looked better in the second half of the set.

[lovetennis]

Definitely getting better. Shame there's not another set as to be fair, limp or no limp it takes more than a set to blow the cobwebs off after a long lay-off

[Rosalind]

I think the wider issue that the ITF have got to address is why so many top players are so injury ridden. Djokovic, Nadal, Wawrinka, Raonic etc. Only the man with the portrait in the attic seems exempt.
I have been thinking exactly that Teresa. Particularly the oldies can't seem to avoid health problems. Their requirements are too much.

[RosieBear]

Even if Andy doesn't break here, good to see he's making a move - wants to prolong the set :thumbup:

[RosieBear]

Nice to see Andy play and hopefully helps him gauge a few things. I'm gonna reserve judgement til Brisbane.

[lynne]

Well Done Andy!! ... Good interview!!

[RosieBear]

Andy says he felt better as set went on but still needs to improve.

[RosieBear]

Andy seemed pretty chilled in the interview, so get the impression he wasn't disappointed or surprised by anything today.

[lovetennis]

If I were a gambler I'd put money on Andy going to Brisbane. He certainly improved as the set went on. His forward movement looked ok on the few chances he had to come into the net.

[Bardot]

Despite what Simon Briggs is claiming, :rolleyes: Andy didn't know he was playing until this morning so yet again he steps into the breach to help out a tournament knowing all eyes would be upon him adding pressure even though it was an exhibition. A great effort from Andy as ever and I particularly enjoyed the DF followed by big winning first serve combination. ;)

[themass15]

Seems to be moving OK but serve is worrying

[lovetennis]

Seems to be moving OK but serve is worrying

I think the serve was just a bit rusty. He served too many DFs of course but also came out with some great serves on the MPs.

[Josephine]

Nice to see Andy on court. Improved as it went along, but looked a bit rusty and his movement is still hampered.

[exislander]

Regarding all the injured players compared to RF - he has had a few years of freedom to be selective about which tournaments he plays. The younger ones are only just getting there now. Although Andy still limping it did not seem like a painful limp - or am I just being optimistic?

[WimbledonWestie]

Think what Andy needs now is matches, movement improved as set went on ( and I'm sure there were times when he was cautious, beating in mind it was an exho), bit rusty on serve and accuracy in shots- but also some nice reminders of the Andy we know and love. Especially his fighting spirit in the last 2 games. I think he'll give Brisbane a go.

[lovetennis]

Well Andy must be happy with how it went, tennis journos tweeting that he's gone to the airport to fly to Brisbane :highfive:

[JAMES4578]

Unfortunately missed it , only an exhibition in any case but would've hoped Andy got a better start-will obviously take bit of time to get back into the swing of things though and full competitive match will give us a better idea. Hopefully will be included in the evening programme or catch up even if not finest hour.

[patlowe]

I couldn't manage to watch Andy's exho match live this afternoon (too short notice to cancel my arrangements) but I've just finished watching it on demand on Eurosport Player. All I saw was a rusty Andy (unsurprisingly) who seemed to be very happy just to be out there giving himself an indication of where he is and having a nice wee work out. RBA gave very little away so Andy had to work hard. I hardly noticed the score at all as I was concentrating so hard on Andy's every move. Am I correct in thinking that he used the single-handed backhand slice a lot more than he usually does? Didn't see much evidence of his great double-handed backhand, but I'm so happy to see him out there ready, willing and able to go. And as for those journos who choose to use the headline 'Murray loses', I will simply ignore them. Who cares! It's just so good Andy is out there and back where he belongs, and I'm sure Andy feels the same way. Welcome back Andy! :cheer::cheer:

[supergran]

So as feared Andy will not be playing at the Australian Open. Lots of messages on Twitter for him including one from the Murraynators. As his first supporters group I do think AMFF should post. Apologies if this has done and I haven't seen it.