TENNIS THREAD - The clay season is in full swing, and it's onwards to Roland Garros!

[Raahh]

Shiny new thread.

Hopefully we will see some players return from injury in the next few weeks.

Munich/Istanbul in play this week amongst other tournaments.

Madrid week beginning the 7th (hopefully with Delpo playing)

[DramaAlpaca]

Hello Raahh, just went searching for the last thread & saw this new one, so I'm marking my place so I can find you all. Will pop in & out as I usually do.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

Hello. Marking place on a new thread. Might try and keep up this year.

[Raahh]

morning!

I have been keeping an eye in events this week but not been 'watching as much.

Went to the women's F.A cup at Wembley yesterday, as dd1 was invited through her football club. It was fun( even if we weren't really supporting anyone) but a really long day. the sun was shining right at us for the entire time too!

I am looking forward to Madrid.Everything crossed for Rafa- but Delpo is playing too, so be interesting to see how he does.

[Raahh]

Still can't 'watch' but am checking the scores and the days schedule- very tricky early draw for Djok , given his recent form, against Nishikori (assuming Kei is fit now withdrawing from Barcelona). So, it's really all to play for for both of them.

Delpo up later playing doubles with Thiem. Clay isn't really Juan's best surface- he prefers hard courts- so it's a good match up.

[Raahh]

Well, Djok got through . But it didn't look totally straightforward. After the year he's had , he'll take the win no doubt.

Raonic is through too. Which is good.

[ladymelbourne1926]

Hi all, haven't managed to see any of the tennis really.
Nishikori seemed to be suffering with injury again yesterday according to the match report but as you say Djokovic will just be grateful for the win this year.

[Raahh]

Just checked in with the scores (I noticed the earlier matches were suspended due to rain). Del Po has started well, all square at the moment with Roanic and Dimitrov.

[Raahh]

Very happy with scores- Raonic and Del po through. Grigor won't be happy.

[ladymelbourne1926]

Think Edmund has a chance against Novak today.....fingers crossed.
Rafa v Monfils should be a interesting match as well, Monfils can sometimes cause him problems even on clay but depends which version of Gael turns up.
It's so annoying not being able to watch this.....roll on the French open.

[Raahh]

Kyle won a doubles tournament at the weekend , so will be on a high from that.

Would ordinarily agree that Gael is a tricky one, but he apparently injured his achilles during his last match in the the third set. Now, he might have been over -egging how bad the injury was...

And you're tight it depends which Monfils turns up- the 'entertainer' or the one who actually wants to win. .

It is frustrating not being able to watch. I can't wait for RG. But still got this and Rome to go.

[Raahh]

I've just seen an article this morning that says that it is looking unlikely that Murray will return in time for the grass season. He had been pencilled in for a tournament in the Netherlands, the week before Queen's.

I did smile at the dramatic headline, though- that he may miss the ENTIRE grass season, like it lasts for weeks- at most , the top players will play about 2/3 tournaments on grass really, Murray usually just plays Queen's and Wimbledon. .

It is a shame. I'm not a fan, but I like players to retire/end their careers on their own terms, and at their best (I'm not saying he will never come back)- but it's more difficult as they get older.

And it's his birthday next week too. Turning 30 wasn't very lucky for Sir Andy, maybe 31 will be better!

[ladymelbourne1926]

I'm not a fan of Murray's either but do feel sorry for him and hope he can get back to competing. I wonder if he'd do better just writing this year off again and aiming for the Australian maybe less risk of a 'falsestart' to his comeback....?
I love Gael but do get frustrated with his histrionics sometimes, but I've seen him play and he's just wonderful to watch.
Definitely team Rafa today though as always

[Raahh]

Lady it might be an idea. I mean , Del po had basically 2 years lost to injury, and has managed to come back. I know he's a bit younger, but Murray has always been one of the fittest on tour. I suppose he has to want to come back. He has his family now, and different priorities.

It depends on the nature of the injury though- hips are a bit notorious for being difficult to come back from. I think Hewitt is one who was never really the same once he developed hip problems, and had a lot of surgeries. And Kuerten. It ended his career. I used to love watching Kuerten.

[DramaAlpaca]

Having nothing better to do at the weekend, I was watching highlights of an old match on Eurosport, Kuerten v Safin in the Hamburg Masters final back in 2000. Back in the days when Masters finals were best of five sets. It was a real thriller, and great to see Kuerten play again. And the gorgeous Safin of course

[Raahh]

Oh, Safin was lovely. A bit of a hot head at times. But not in an annoying, Kyrgios type way .

[Raahh]

I set all in the Kyle/Novak match.

[Raahh]

Go Kyle! Excellent scalp.

Novak must be really wondering what he has to do now.

He was a finalist in Rome last year. Be very interesting to see I'd he even bothers going, or goes home, and has a good de-brief before E.G..

[Raahh]

R.G

[Raahh]

He'll be in the top 20 after this as well, so he will be very pleased with way his year is going.

[JaneJeffer]

I saw an interview with Novak yesterday. He looks so dead behind the eyes. I really don't know what's up with him.

[Raahh]

janeit's odd, isn't it?

the last time I remember seeing him in an on court interview was way back when he had just won his first round match in Australia 2017. He spoke about his little boy and seemed really wistful. Maybe he should do something else totally for a bit. Like Rafa goes off fishing.
I wonder if his heart is in it. part of the reason Becker left was Novak's lack of practice, and I think there were issues with Agassi too.

[JaneJeffer]

Yes if his heart isn't in it he should take a break but it's hard when you've put your whole life into it I suppose.

Gael is using the between-set break to chat to random spectators courtside

[Raahh]

Jane going off Gael's interview yesterday, when he mentioned his injury, he didn't give himself much chance today. So, clearly, entertainer Monfils decided to turn up instead.

So-Vamos Rafa! Is that 50 sets now?

[Raahh]

It might be 48. I've lost count

[ladymelbourne1926]

Eurosport is saying 48 but damn impressive either way.
So pleased for Edmund that he is getting the wins to back up his performance earlier in the year. Top 20 is amazing and Apparently he will rank higher than Djokovic if he wins next round.