The Big Apple Picker 2025 (UI)*

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Hi Ump, Thanks for running such an entertaining event once again. We had fun though missing out on any silverware by a mere 234 places. Hope to see you in Oz next time.
Mopsy & Popsy 9 Sep

Congrats to all winners and huge thanks to the Ump for allowing us all to have this fun 🎾🙏
virgcat 9 Sep

Battle for bragging rights at auz
Azatasi 10 Sep

Thanks Ump - always good fun ! How about we aim for 1,000 entrants next time (Aus Open) ? All it would take is for each entrant to get one friend to enter. Thanks again and enjoy the break.
swanny1 9 Sep

Thanks ump for another great competition! Looking forward to January - and maybe I’ll keep making a good choice all the way through till the end??🤣🤣
arky13 9 Sep

Thanks Ump for the game- so much fun win or lose
Billy 8 Sep

Congrats winners. One of my best too, so close to a perfect one. NEXT TIME! Thanks Ump. Appreciate this game :)
SmashemNat 8 Sep

Thank you it honestly was so tough to get it all right I had a big nerve racking session during the semis picking
Azatasi 8 Sep

Hey Brandon,never forget you play as well as the oppositiion lets you, and Carlos didn't let him play his own game! fair comment?
Nancy Jenkins 8 Sep

Prizewinners...

Big Apple Picker - stand tall Azatasi. How is the air up there? 102 points equals the all time record.
Men's Draw - FRC! with 49 pts and consolation for being runner up overall.
Women's Draw - Vic with a huge 53 pts on a countback from Betterer luck next time 🙄
Lucky Draw - xtensmum - drawn from those who picked every round regardless of wins or losses.
Top Group - Court Session narrowly from Whitby. What club are you shouting the box of balls?
Caption Contest - Ump waited for Trump but he came too late 🤣

Winners email Ump a postal address.
Thanks for playing in the 34th picking game.
And thanks to Carlos for his sheer joy of the game.
The Ump 8 Sep

Thanks Ump did I win mens draw too? 102 wow whose record did I equal? LEVIN TENNIS CLUB REPRESENT!!!!
Azatasi 8 Sep

Well Azatasi you topped the men's but you didn't win the prize. Ump likes to spread the love and if you read the fine print you will see "one prize per picker" 😎
The Ump 8 Sep

I saw ump was just after the bragging rights not often i get to stay in the sky
Azatasi 8 Sep

I saw i just wanted bragging rights to show the crew at levin tennis club
Azatasi 8 Sep

Court session is Parnell Lawn Tennis Club!! Thanks
ishan2610 8 Sep

Ump wasn't he indeed a joy to watch! what a lovely personality, take a lesson Medvedev! Ump thanks to you and Mrs Ump - it's definitely my best slam but not for a while now!! See you in Jan.
Nancy Jenkins 8 Sep

Oh xtensmum - no prize for 128th but you got the lucky draw prize picked from everyone who didn't need a lucky dip. Email a postal address - just reply to any of Umps emails
The Ump 8 Sep

Thanks Ump. I tried my hard😏. Do I get a prize for coming 128th? I thought I'd forgotten to pick the Mens semi but maybe not🙂
xtensmum 8 Sep

Bugger! Never seen Sinner play so bad :( Well picked Anatazi.
Brandon C 8 Sep

Great battle mate was a close one pushed me all the way to the last week
Azatasi 8 Sep

Also a big shout out to James P we fought hard all tournament for that mens section you made some great early picks we will do battle again at aussie open
Azatasi 8 Sep

Well done Azatasi, I thought it would be 4 sets but knew you would pick that so had to go 5! Well deserved win, I’ll go back to the drawing board…
FRC! 8 Sep

Hahaha I knew you would go 3 or 5 cause 4 was too safe great minds mate
Azatasi 8 Sep

Looks like You'll get a prize for getting the 2nd best men's picks.
Stoic 8 Sep

Congratulations vic looks like your the top of the women's section after tiebreakers
Azatasi 7 Sep

Ump, what a great comp, so close, no time to FLAG on the run home. Which reminds me ..... .. ..? Cryptic message for you to solve (*!*)
Ad Alta 7 Sep

Well Ad Alta there were plenty NZ flags at the house of pain Eden Park. Perhaps a happy place for yours too 🇳🇿
The Ump 7 Sep

FRC its me vs you great picking ive loved your picks so far good game
Azatasi 7 Sep

Thanks Azatasi, always knew you were the one to beat.! Good luck, well picked let’s hope Alcaraz is the victor!! Nice work
FRC! 7 Sep

It couldn’t be any closer Ump; still half a dozen of us in the mix for that last blue sky moment! Good luck all 🍀
Brandon C 7 Sep

BrandonC maxed with Sabalenka and keeps a 1 point lead. Getting the sets right will be crucial in the men's final. Whose going to be the gambler!
Marshland TC have skipped clear in the Groups race but if Sinner loses there'll be tears in the swamps.
The Ump 7 Sep

Congratulations vic and betterer I tried so hard to catch you both but the women's section belongs to you both
Azatasi 7 Sep

Wow exciting finish ump this scoreboard pressure has been changing and chopping my players
Azatasi 6 Sep

Amazing win Erin and Gabby. Well deserved Now for the women’s and men’s final
cull16 6 Sep

2022 Big Apple Picker winner BrandonC has squeaked into the lead. But just 1 point in it so sets are going to be crucial in the finals.
The Ump 6 Sep

Hey Ump - I tried to pick Aryna Sabalenka for the final but the system wouldn't accept it telling me Id already picked her - well I hadn't! Help please!!
Nancy Jenkins 6 Sep

You have already picked Aryna for the final so no worries Nancy. You're going well - no more talk about wooden spoons please ;)
The Ump 6 Sep

Great dubs win for the kiwis. Did anyone get 21 ?????? Not me
beaver 6 Sep

No one guessed 21. 2 guessed 22, 3 each for 23 and 20, and 1 for 19.
Stoic 6 Sep

Routliffe and partner won!!!! Great!!!!! So two more sets added to the total - its now 21 sets. That'll be the final result for doubles total sets for Kiwis. Well done and congrats.
Real & fine athlete 6 Sep

Hey ump. I picked Pegula for the quarterfinals and got the correct sets. I don’t have that result added to my total. It’s a zero. I had to have no female for the semifinal though and that’s fine for which I get zero but need the 6 points from the quarters please. 🤞
AaJakalie 5 Sep

What have you been up to AaJakalie? Friday night frolics? Check again as you def got 6 pts for Pegula :)
The Ump 5 Sep

Wow ump the sky itssssss so blue
Azatasi 5 Sep

Don't forget your 🪂😀
The Ump 5 Sep

Hahhahah I know right hopefully ill use my us open towel as a parachute
Azatasi 5 Sep

3 way tie on 71 pts after two tough women's semi finals. JamesP tripped on Pegula but is just 2 pts back and remember there are double points for the finals.

Mens semis picks tonight - Friday.
The Ump 5 Sep

I think we all need extra points for the nail-biter of a men's doubles semi-finals. Venus and partner added one more set to the score for Kiwi doubles (so it's now a total of 19 sets) but sadly their run has come to a nail-biting end. First two sets went to a tie-break with each team winning one set each. Then the Brits won the 3rd set 6 - 4 , after taking a fairly early lead.
Real & fine athlete 5 Sep

Is anyone watching the men's doubles semi-finals? I'm watching the score on an app. It's tight. First set went to tie break - and the second set is a tie-break as well.
Real & fine athlete 5 Sep

Can I leave a blank for the women semi Finals as I only have one women left and I would like to leave that bet for the Finals ???
Mike W 4 Sep

You can leave a blank in the semi but you need to lock in the final pick too. Should work but helps if you shout the Ump a brew 😎
The Ump 4 Sep

Thanks Ump, You deserve a Brew. Good Job, Well done and looking to yet another exciting finish
Mike W 4 Sep

Wow! The Doubles total keeps going. 4 more sets added within a few hours. The total is now 18 sets! Routliffe is into the Women's Doubles (having won 10 sets) and Venus is into the Men's Semis (having won 8 sets). We haven't seen this for a while. Go Kiwis!
Real & fine athlete 4 Sep

Incredible effort! I wonder if anyone guessed so high?
SmashemNat 4 Sep

Very few (I did start to count & from memory I only needed one hand). A couple are over 30 (maybe they doubled the doubles score). I guessed that high and a bit higher a few years ago and fell over - so haven't gone that high for a while. But I'd rather they both won than I got points (I think?)
Real & fine athlete 4 Sep

Just counted right to the bottom of the scoreboard quickly and found 11 people picked 18 or over. Plus 2 people with totals over 30. There are a couple around 16 and 17 as well. So I needed two hands plus. Interestingly there are more towards the middle and end of the scoreboard than the top of it.
Real & fine athlete 4 Sep

I did last game to no avail, so scaled back my expectations for this slam 😥 Still super happy for them to keep on racking them up!
virgcat 4 Sep

This is the part of this game where you go...OOPS. I am running very low on choices!!
SmashemNat 4 Sep

Amazing to see Erin Routliffe and Michael Venus doing exceptionally well in the doubles. Looking forward to watching Venus approx 8am tomorrow. A late start for those that have been getting up in the early am to watch some great tennis matches.
cull16 4 Sep

Today was all about the Kiwis smokin it in the dubs. Tingly stuff you beauties ❤️
Oh and there was some singles played too and JamesP still leads the Big Apple Picker.
Women's Semis picks tonight
The Ump 4 Sep

Shout out to those who picked 18+ sets in the doubles you deserve your bonus points not me tho I lacked faith and i'll apologize to Mr venus and Ms routiffe now
Azatasi 4 Sep

Oh Ump I forgot to pick the doubles and now for once Im not facing the wooden spoon!!:(
Nancy Jenkins 4 Sep

Oh wow I dropped out of the top 30 just like that
Azatasi 3 Sep

Go Kiwis in the Doubles! Routliffe and Venus are still alive - Routliffe is soon to play the Semis and Venus the Quarters. So that's 8 sets won by Routliffe and 6 sets won by Venus = 14 sets in total.
Real & fine athlete 3 Sep

Another day and another new leader as JamesP touches the sky. Short stay or long stay? 🤔
The Ump 2 Sep

Do we get to see what others picked for their doubles picks
Azatasi 2 Sep

Thanks for the reminder Azatasi. The Dubs guesses are now showing.
Go the Kiwis - 10 sets in the bag so far
The Ump 2 Sep

Thanks ump looks like im just hanging by a thread in the top 10 shesh these top pickers are good
Azatasi 2 Sep

Can we remove "Peter" from the Wanaka Tennis Club group. I suspect him to be a trojan horse sent in by Queenstown to score as low as possible and reduce our group average as much as possible.
XXL 1 Sep

Yep gotta watch those Qtowners. Turn your back for a sec and they’ll likely throw you off a bridge
Ball boy 1 Sep

Just one problem with that theory XXL - Queenstown don't have a group in the game😀
But if you can get 9 thumbs up then Peter gets the push. After all Wanaka in 37th are not exactly smashing the groups race 🤣
The Ump 2 Sep

Can I have my points today ump I just want to touch the sky for a second before everyone else overtakes me
Azatasi 1 Sep

You're right about the second bit Azatasi as you're officially coming 2nd. As for touching the sky well 🤣
The Ump 1 Sep

Hahahha dont want to peak too early eh
Azatasi 1 Sep

Time for a doubles score, methinks. The score after one round of doubles is 4 sets (2 each for Routliffe and Venus). That's a good start.
Real & fine athlete 31 Aug

Whitby lead the groups race narrowly from the Hall of Fame group of past picking game winners. Legends every one of them but have never come close to putting in a big team effort :)
The Ump 31 Aug

R2 leader JF1 plunged 118 places in round 3 on the roller coaster free fall dive.

Take note new leaders Iris22 and JamesP⚠️
The Ump 31 Aug

Serves me right (pun intended!) for making risky picks 🤣
JF1 31 Aug

Had the worst start to this one. Not my tournament.
Missing Strings 30 Aug

I am going to win
Fred Lewis 29 Aug

All hail JF1 the solo leader after round 2.
And big ups the KC Battlers leading the Groups 👍
The Ump 29 Aug

Hi Ump, doing a fab job as usual, sending sunshine and warmth from Vanuatu
Billy 29 Aug

Ump, what on earth does the UI* in the title page mean, been racking my brains but.....
Julesski 29 Aug

User interface?
virgcat 29 Aug

You've all heard of AI but the picking game runs on UI 🤣

That's a big clue...
The Ump 29 Aug

🤣
virgcat 29 Aug

Ump Intelligence by chance? 🧐🤷🏽‍♂️👊🏼
Aced It 29 Aug

🛎️🛎️🛎️
The Ump 30 Aug

Results coming soon soon - promise
The Ump 29 Aug

Men's doubles draw is now up https://www.usopen.org/en_US/draws/mens-doubles.html
emilyfish 28 Aug

4 tied for the lead on 15 points after R1. Good luck you 4 gamblers - you're going to need it.
The Ump 27 Aug

Hi UMP, with the Womens doubles shown on the US site as starting on FRIDAY and the Mens doubles draw yet to be posted,should it perhaps be tomorrow (Thursday @ 9pm)) before we need to post our set number?? TROY
TROY 27 Aug

Good thinking Troy. Let's hope that Trump doesn't throw in a curve ball - like US players get a 15 point advantage in every game 🙄
The Ump 27 Aug

Women's doubles draw is up but not men's. Erin listed as playing with Gabby but Lulu not listed as playing doubles. https://www.usopen.org/en_US/draws/womens-doubles.html
emilyfish 27 Aug

This is crazy ! Only coverage on Disney Channel!!!!
greatshot 26 Aug

quite Daffy really
Ball boy 26 Aug

l learned my lesson when I used ESPN2 for Wimbledon and got the worst coverage ever! This time used a grandchild to set up Disney+ and it's been superb. You can pay for a month then cancel so you won't have to use your kids inheritance for it.Strongly recommend it.
Nancy Jenkins 2 Sep

Could someone please confirm if Lulu Sun is actually in the doubles??
howicunningham 25 Aug

Still waiting on doubles draws to be published so no guarantee as yet as to who is playing and who they will playing against :(
The Ump 26 Aug

Well her name is not there. So I guess not ?😝
Vixen 27 Aug

Ump’s on the road today so results will probably be pretty late being loaded.
The Ump 25 Aug

Hi Ump, when I click on Mens Dubs Draw and Womens Dubs Draw the draws do not appear - what do I need to do to see these draws?
StPeter 24 Aug

You need to wait for them to be made! Should be Wednesday morning our time.
anotherkiwi 24 Aug

OK - thks
StPeter 24 Aug

Thanks Ump - doesn't say that in your instructions!
StPeter 24 Aug

Just have to wait StPeter until the US Open 😇 gets around to making the dubs draws
The Ump 24 Aug

Where do I enter the number of doubles sets won? There used to be a box.
CattyK 23 Aug

And now the doubles sets box is back again! Good spotting CattyK 👍
The Ump 23 Aug

I am Back!
kiwitennis 23 Aug

Hi Ump. I think HI Ump Is it true that we can only watch the US Open on the Disney channel?Are there any other options because the Wimbledon ESPN2 was a disaster. If it's Disney how do we get it in the simplist of descriptions please.
Nancy Jenkins 23 Aug

Can someone help Nancy and no doubt many others with a simple guide to watching Disney+?

The Wimby coverage on Disney+ was awesome with all courts live. But Ump can't guarantee it will improve your picking Nancy 🤣
The Ump 24 Aug

Problem solved - forgot the golden rule - when in doubt call a grandchild!!!
Nancy Jenkins 24 Aug

There are plenty of other options, especially if you have a betting account, but obviously the US Open would prefer that you use official broadcasters!
anotherkiwi 24 Aug

Qualifiers have now been placed in the draw.
anotherkiwi 23 Aug

DRAWS are loaded. Time to pick 2 beauties🍎🍏
The Ump 23 Aug

Still not able to mke our picks yet? Want to get mine done before the weekend, or I'll bloody forget!
Tommo 22 Aug

Can make those picks tomorrow from where I read
Pantone Papi 22 Aug

You’re not the only one Tommo but see reason below.
The Ump 22 Aug

Hey Ump, the draws are out already, can we start picking?
Allez Monfils 22 Aug

Draws may be out but last round of qualifying is tonight so the full draws will only be available on Saturday. But good you are keen to get picking 👍
The Ump 22 Aug

Let's do this. Good picking
The Ump 19 Aug

Carlos Alcaraz - US Open Champion
Don't ever lose the joy Carlos