It’s funny how quickly things change. Autumn appears from nowhere with chilly nights and frosty mornings and suddenly that long, lingering and desperately hot summer is but a fond memory.
A lot of people became very hot under the collar as the US Open provided it’s usual moments of madness. Serena’s meltdown was, of course, the main talking point. I couldn’t believe some of the nonsense written and discussed in the aftermath of an event that did nothing to enhance the reputation of the USTA, the WTA and Serena herself but the time has come to move on.
The Laver Cup provided some wonderful entertainment and was beautifully staged in a very receptive Chicago. Many question it’s longevity but there can be no doubting the instant impact it’s made. I wonder if the newly created Davis Cup will attract the same positive publicity?
And so we head towards the closing stages of a season that will mark the end of Sky’s tennis coverage. With Rafael Nadal on the side lines Novak Djokovic has a golden chance to end a year he began so uncertainly as World Number one. Some achievement that would be!
We must make the most of Andy Murray during the Asian swing before he heads into a period of hibernation ahead of 2019. There have been genuinely encouraging signs for the Scot and, as Tiger Woods has just proved, true greats can bounce back against all the odds. I for one continue to believe we have not seen the last of Britain’s greatest ever player.
The Sky team will cover events in China and Shanghai before heading for a ( possibly tearful) farewell at the 02 via the Paris Masters.
Afterwards……well, we’ll worry about that then and, in the meantime, enjoy what should be a stirring climax to a year that’s also seen the emergence of another Brit, Jack Draper, a 16 year old making giant strides in the game. As the father of two young sons with a passion for the sport I fully appreciate everything he has already achieved and sacrificed and wish him all the luck in the world.
See you soon.