The Big Apple Picker 2024

You're in the Commentary Box

Pakuranga Tennis Club, supporting The UMP from the Bottom of the Table!
AliJax 10 Sep

That's the spirit AliJax. Hope those who got snookered have shouted doughnuts for the rest of the group.
The Ump 10 Sep

Great race, especially with so many top players going out early. Really had to think hard each round. Looking forward to Aussie Open. You done good, Ump.
kiki 9 Sep

Just wanted to add our thanks to the well-deserved tidal wave of gratitude swamping Ump and Mrs Ump. Each competition seems to get better even if our final scores don't! Cheers til next year in Melbourne.
Mopsy & Popsy 9 Sep

Thanks Ump just love these comps Great organizing skills from you
greatshot 9 Sep

Thanks ump. Once again. See you in Melbourne 😉
Vixen 9 Sep

Thanks UMP for another smashing time. Really appreciate your effort to bring us the picker games - cheers!
Yellow Babolat Dude 9 Sep

Cheers yellow babolat dude. You been playing with that racquet for years. Hope you’ve at least had a restring
The Ump 9 Sep

Great organising again! Thanks. So close yet so far undone by Muchova vs Pegula when majority were on Pegula 6-1 , 2-0 and cruising..Nek minute…till next time
FRC! 9 Sep

Ump feels your pain FRCI. If only if only if only 🤔
The Ump 9 Sep

Prizewinners...
Big Apple Picker - congrats to Directorhsc for a cracking 100 points from 14 winners and a doubles bonus. Runner up Whakamama on 99 then Mrs Bob on 98.
Men's Draw - Skywalker out of sight on 52 pts.
Women's Draw - Whakamama with 51 pts on a countback from Mrs Bob.
Lucky Draw - Tommo drawn from those who picked every round. Long long time player Tommo finally gets lucky - legend!
Top Group - Joke squad win a super close race and get the box of balls for their club. You aced it guys.

Winners email Ump a postal address.

Thanks all for being Big Apple Picker celebrities.
See you :)
The Ump 9 Sep

Thanks so much... always such fun, even when your high hopes are dashed!
virgcat 9 Sep

And your hopes must have been very high after leading early virgcat. At least you don’t need to shout a doughnut for being snookered;)
The Ump 9 Sep

One of my favourite sayings is "Don't peak too early"
virgcat 9 Sep

First time player and had a blast despite results :P Cheers Ump!
georgiaa 9 Sep

Tip for next time Georgiaa when you see a snooker looming. You can lock in your finals pick early to avoid the shame. In the meantime go shout anyone a doughnut 🍩. Just say it’s from the Ump.
The Ump 9 Sep

Ah of course, live and learn! Doughnuts on me for sure :D
georgiaa 9 Sep

Awesome ump! Knew I had to get lucky one day as am probably destined to never finish in top spot, although I did get close in the French Open this year. What is your email adddress to send my postal address to, or do I just pop it on here? Thanks for another well run comp, it's always a lot of fun. Tommo
Tommo 9 Sep

Never say never Tommo. Same goes for Fritz and Pegula neither got a set but put up great fights. Just reply to any of the Ump’s emails. Cheers
The Ump 9 Sep

Congratulations all~ I am getting closer!!
Phil10isAce 9 Sep

Thanks again ump & mrs ump. Will be in the know for Aussie open, have tickets already cant wait. Time for a wine or 2 . Thanks again
beaver 9 Sep

Thanks UMP for all your hard work, great fun :)
Julesski 9 Sep

Directorhsc scores a century and wins the Big Apple Picker.
More prizewinners coming soonish :)
The Ump 9 Sep

Thanks Ump and Mrs Ump for another good fun time! At least I didn't ask for the wooden spoon this time but got excited when I was no 4 but hey there's only one way from there and Its down!!!
Nancy Jenkins 9 Sep

Interesting final round. Looks like directorhsc takes the win if Sinner in 3 or 5, Mrs Bob if sinner in 4, and Meat Suit if Fritz in any number of sets.
Stoic 8 Sep

58 snookered for the women's final. That's 58 people going to get shouted a doughnut. That's right - get snookered and you've got to shout someone, anyone, a doughnut. What! You didn't know that was a rule? Neither did the Ump till a couple of days ago but hey this is the US Open and anything goes baby :)
The Ump 8 Sep

Did any player look as uncomfortable in their playing kit as Jack Draper? Do the players wear what they are told to wear by their sponsors or do they have a say? It was obviously steamy and then look at Frances who never looked other than cool and comfortable even though he changed his shirt very frequently.
Nancy Jenkins 8 Sep

I think they have to wear sponsor gear but have a choice within the gear that is available for the season.
Phil10isAce 8 Sep

Thanks Phil, in that case why not go for cooler colours instead of black and purple and way too large. No wonder he was vomiting!
Nancy Jenkins 8 Sep

Easy to judge from the side perhaps. Everyone is different, who knows why he chose the colors that way. Material probably plays a big factor too. I think he was also vomiting because just the sheer exertion of playing at that intensity for so long.
Phil10isAce 8 Sep

Sabalenka powers to the title although plucky Pegula put her under extreme pressure. No pressure for Mrs Bob and Directorhsc but who will get the sets right for the men's final - that could be the decider in the Big Apple Picker.
The Ump 8 Sep

What is Taylor Fritz wins? That would muck it all up!
Phil10isAce 8 Sep

This game is going down to the wire. Directorhsc leads after the semis but Mrs Bob is just 1 back and will get more points for the Kiwis dubs sets. So all tied up with the double point finals to go. Now if Sinner or Sabalenka lose the Big Apple Picker may well be climbing a very big ladder.
The Ump 7 Sep

What a showdown!
Phil10isAce 7 Sep

Anybody know what time NZ men’s semis are being played
Vixen 6 Sep

I normally ask Google~
Phil10isAce 7 Sep

Woops I had myself so convinced Muchova was gonna take out the whole thing
georgiaa 6 Sep

Tis is an American dominance year
SET123 5 Sep

Up the Wahs, this is my year!!!
clevedoncleverclubby 5 Sep

Ump loves an optimist but did you spoke too soon CCC?
The Ump 6 Sep

*Looks at results and hastily changes women's pick*
virgcat 5 Sep

Groups race sees Joke squad back in the lead thanks to being massive fans of Jack Draper. Very close behind are Whitby TC.
The Ump 5 Sep

Whakamama jumps to a 3 pt lead after the qtrs thanks to an 8 ptr from Muchova. But Whakamama has a big S problem in the men's draw. How many others will be falling into that trap?
The Ump 5 Sep

Come on UMP, can we have a point or two if our player withdraws due to injury? :)
Julesski 4 Sep

Sorry Julesski - no points for a retirement but you get the thrill of an extra steep dive on the roller coaster. If that's not enough then head for the black stuff at TC ;)
The Ump 4 Sep

Is 14 the end total sets for kiwi doubles?
Stoic 4 Sep

That’s what ve counted 👍🏻
Vixen 5 Sep

14 sets is the total. Pickers sets guesses will be on the scoreboard tomorrow
The Ump 5 Sep

That's what I've counted too. Round 1: 5 sets (2 Venus, 2 Routliffe and 1 Daniell). Round 2: 4 sets (2 to each of Routliffe and Venus). From Round 3, another 4 (Two from Venus and 2 from Routliffe). Then the run ended - but not before Routliffe got 1 set before being defeated. So the total is 14.
Real & fine athlete 5 Sep

Those losers Alcaraz and Djokovic have given me snooker problems. They were both supposed to get to the semis! Now some of my previous picks are crowding the few remaining spots in the men's draw.
Max 200G 4 Sep

Yes, Taylor could feel free to ease back a little now!!
virgcat 4 Sep

Sascha was too tentative against him today I feel, but good luck to the Americans who have played well at their home Slam!
Max 200G 4 Sep

How many sets are the NZers up to ? I know I could look. Picks not going so well now !
Netty 3 Sep

Woops didnt see the post - 13 - go the NZers !
Netty 3 Sep

And they're both playing tonight. If I've read the schedule properly.
Real & fine athlete 3 Sep

And the Doubles total has risen: After Round 2 the total number of sets was 9. From Round 3, another 4 to the total (Two from Venus and 2 from Routliffe). So the total is now 13. Go the Kiwis!
Real & fine athlete 3 Sep

Hey Ump the gremlins have got me today. Am trying to pick Alex de Minaur for tonights round (5) but THE system has told me I cAN'T BECAUSE i already picked him for round 5 !!! help please! Cheers Nancy
Nancy Jenkins 3 Sep

Oh Nancy. Looks like you have definitely picked de Minaur but haven't put in the sets. You can still enter the sets on the My Picks page.
You better hope the Demon stops double faulting or else...
The Ump 3 Sep

Greendale TC won Wimby and now lead the Groups after R4 just a couple of points from the Joke squad. Lots of permutations to consider yet and a couple of upsets will blow the race apart.
The Ump 3 Sep

New leader after R4 is Virgcat - the 2022 Legend of OZ. Pun goes here but Ump's had second thoughts.
Qtr Finals next so time to look ahead with your picks - before its too late and the snooker monster gets you.
The Ump 3 Sep

I've heard 'em all, don't worry :-D
virgcat 3 Sep

Hey Ump, Medvedev has been put in the wrong place on the draw -please can you sort it before I have to pick? Thanks
Nancy Jenkins 3 Sep

It's fine now Nancy J. The Sinner/Paul match was still ongoing so the draw had a hole in it. But sounds like you're backing Medvedev over Sinner!! Is that bravery or desperation?
The Ump 3 Sep

Not touching that one!!!! brave is one thing, stupid is another!!!! But hey in this slam anything can happen as we've seen!
Nancy Jenkins 3 Sep

I somehow forgot to pick last night after I told myself not to forget...remembered this morning when I woke up :( Somehow got 2 lucky dip winners~ Thanks ump! haha
Phil10isAce 2 Sep

Thanks for the thanks Phil. Now get your pick alarm sorted for tomorrow :)
The Ump 2 Sep

Got the pip leads alone after R3. Still a long way to go so could there be another name change coming?? Whatever happens don't spit the dummy.
The Ump 1 Sep

Where are we at with Doubles? So far: 5 sets won by Kiwis in Round 1 (Routliffe and Venus each winning 2. Daniell won 1 set before being defeated. 4 sets in Round 2: Two each by Routliffe and Venus. That brings the current total to 9.
Real & fine athlete 1 Sep

Good counting RAFA. Ump's relying on you for real and fine addition of the dubs sets :)
The Ump 1 Sep

Anybody know what time Erin and Babby are playing I thought it was 3am our time but they have not played yet
Vixen 31 Aug

Past winner Virgcat sank an 8 ptr and joins Got the pip and daPrez in the lead after R3.
The Joke squad are not joking and lead the Groups but there could still be another joker in the pack.
Early days yet pickers but big points still possible for the risk takers
The Ump 30 Aug

Drat that only lasted a second before scores updated. Never mind!!
Mazza 30 Aug

Wow I can't believe it after all these years of playing I don't think at any point of any of the slams I'm actually first equal.
Mazza 30 Aug

Ump’s otherwise occupied so results are going to be late today. Hopefully by 5pm. 😕
The Ump 30 Aug

Spoke too soon! Sent smoke signals and results now updated
The Ump 30 Aug

Halfway thru R2 and a 3 way tie at the top. 8 pointers rare today with just 2 pickers landing one.
The Ump 29 Aug

Groups leader after R1 is joke squad.
Ump likes a change so the points formula for groups has been tweaked to help bigger groups. Groups with more than 5 members now get a bonus of .5% for each member over 5. (e.g. a 10 member group will get 2.5% bonus). Will it make any difference to who wins? Yeah nah don't know wait and see okay
The Ump 28 Aug

Interesting innovation Ump. Is the extra applied with each round? Or at the finish ?
got the pip 30 Aug

And i guess you will somehow be telling us the team sizes.
got the pip 30 Aug

The extra is added immediately to the Group points. The number of pickers in each group will show in the Group points table - well sooner or later :)
The Ump 30 Aug

Lovin your spirit jokers but beware the wild card ;)
The Ump 30 Aug

Nothing can stop joke squad. Change as many rules as you want
RAFA4LIFE 30 Aug

I'm with you Max200G went for a seeded player with the rational that some points are sensible and better than taking a risk and getting no points, and then Felix AUGER-ALIASSIME seeded 19th loses first round lol back to the drawing board.
Fuzzy Balls 28 Aug

Ahead of locking in dubs sets guess, any word on whether Lulu playing dubs? She seems to still be in the draw
Rafan 28 Aug

Don't know for sure. Might be a maybe. Just another x factor in the guessing game :)
The Ump 28 Aug

She's still hoping to. Three days' rest will hopefully be enough to recharge the batteries and ease the niggles.
anotherkiwi 28 Aug

5 way tie for the lead after round 1. Former 2 time champ Naomi Osaka being the big earner.
The Ump 28 Aug

Great start, Beaver. Keep it up. And, thank you for introducing me to the Ump a couple of years ago.
kiki 28 Aug

Enjoy the fun Kiki. I'm on a downward slide at the moment.maybe I'm a Phoenix, hopefully
beaver 30 Aug

Decided to try a new strategy and pick seeded players for the first round with the idea of making a solid start in the game. Picked 11th seed Danielle Collins, she wins the first set 6–1 then falls to pieces serving 11 double faults and losing in three. I see I'm not the only one who picked her either.
Max 200G 28 Aug

Ump feels your pain Max 2000G and your 13 fellow Collins pickers. What's your plan B??
The Ump 28 Aug

Early days Ump… it's not time to come out with the Hail Marys just yet so I'll just take the L and soldier on.
Max 200G 28 Aug

Right, where was I ?
alwaysakiwi 27 Aug

208th at the moment :)
The Ump 28 Aug

Sorry ump got the players mixed up, all good
macka 27 Aug

Hi Ump, has Xinyu Wang pulled out of match with Rodionova?
macka 27 Aug

Don't think so Macka. They are scheduled to play day 2.
The Ump 27 Aug

Is there an easier way to search up friends results without being in a group?
DoRonRon 26 Aug

So long as you know their game name then you can just search on the scoreboard page. But DoRonRon you have given Ump an idea for a favourites feature. Few more short blacks and it might just happen. Well maybe a lot more
The Ump 27 Aug

Hi ump. Just doing my picks and I’ve inadvertently put something in the final box of the women’s draw. Obviously it would be great if she would win but I don’t think that will happen. Can you enter three sets for my first round pick and save it for me please. Thanks arky13
arky13 26 Aug

Looks like you're all fine Arky13. And you're quite welcome to enter picks for later rounds. If that player loses earlier then any later round picks for them are just zapped.
The Ump 26 Aug

Lulu Sun went down fighting in the final of the Monterey Open but her fantastic week will see her easily crack the World top 50. Go Lulu
The Ump 25 Aug

Amazing week for Lulu.
cull16 25 Aug

Draws are loaded. Tip for the newbies - you only need to pick the 1st round so don't go crazy - just yet anyway :)
Good picking
The Ump 24 Aug

Gr8 to have so many Kiwis in action this year. Everyone a winner for being there. Give them a taste of Kiwi.
Bill G :-) 23 Aug

Good luck Erin
SET123 23 Aug

Check the rules? Change your details? I need to change the rules to do better this time out!
Ginger Tom 22 Aug

Only one thing you need to change Ginger Tom! Pick more winners ;)
The Ump 22 Aug

Cool bananas. Oops I mean Apple
Vixen 21 Aug

Welcome to the Big Apple Picker - the 32nd running of the picking game.
May your picks be record breaking :)
The Ump 21 Aug

Jannik Sinner - US Open Champ