Hello and welcome to the tennis podcast on one of the weirdest grand slam days that any of us can remember.

Remember men's semi-final day at the Australian Open? Yeah, this wasn't that.

We're coming to you early tonight because the second of the two men's single semifinal

scheduled to start at 7pm, half an hour ago, has been cancelled because Mateo Arnaudi

has had to withdraw with a virus.

We are currently surrounded by disappointed Chaturier ticket holders,

milling about the place, looking pretty bummed out.

Frankly, they will all be receiving refunds,

but it is nonetheless a huge blow for them, for the tournament,

obviously for Arnaldi and maybe even Flavio Caboli too,

who despite now being into a maiden grand slam final, frankly, seems mostly just distraught for his friend.

And we know this because we've just been in a press conference with Flavio Caboli and Mateo Arnaldi.

The two of them together, socially distanced at the desk,

Arnaldi departing halfway through,

leaving just as gutted a-looking Koboli

to field questions about the weird circumstances of reaching this final.

That press conference, David, was one of the weirdest things that I have ever experienced

while covering a Grand Slam.

Yeah, well, it reminded us of the pandemic, really.

And we've had a few things that have slightly reminded us the pandemic, not least the fact that Alexander's

very was in the final. You know, it's just one of those. But when we actually went out for a little

wonder, we watched the men's wheelchair doubles final with Alfie Hewitts and Gordon Reed

...