HERE WE GO...WIMBLEDON 2012 !

[MrsVamos]

I take it we are all sitting comfortably, and have the strawberries, cream and champagne at the ready ?

Here's to a fantastic 2 weeks of tennis !

VAMOS RAFA

Everyone can have an off-day I suppose. For all we know he could have been ill all day, received bad news, I dunno. I've never known him makes excuses though, which is why I don't understand the notion people have that he moans and whines ?

I don't even think it's fair to Rafa to say on his behalf that Rosol was putting him off with all his jumping about. He's World No2, and should be more than able to rise above that sort of nonsense. I must admit, I did yell at the tv a couple of times, "stand still" !

It annoys me when people have a go at Rafa, when Rosol lost his rag a few times, and complained at one point about the balls being too soft. They get new balls at regular intervals, there's no fixing goes on !

And at least even when he loses, Rafa has the grace to stand and sign a few autographs, rather than just march off court, like some players.

I think I'd like Roger to win too. As MrsVamos says, he's not getting any younger, so perhaps let him win this year (and then doesn't he equal Pete Sampras's record or beat it or something?) and then he can move over for the young uns. Although, I guess it would be good if Andy could pull it off in Jubilee/Olympic year.

If Roger wins he will have won 7 times, so yes, equal Pete's Wimby record.

Andy won't win. If he does, as I said before, it's fixed. Sorry, but I think his time came and went before he knew it.

Oh, I wasn't having a go at you, Maryz. Honest ! I just meant generally...

I agree, there was something not right, I dunno if he would have won ? I think the momentum was certainly with him, how annoyed would both players have been though had they not closed the roof and then stopped at 3-3 or whatever. Then because they have to finish the following day they don't get a proper rest etc.....

There's no interview with either player on Wimby site yet. But odd.

Seems there are some rumours afoot about Rosol....

Bit odd.

Thanks. Will go watch.

What rumours? He was best won the day by some way I don,t think rafa is as good on grass as he was, he is king of clay

Hmmm.

As I said, no excuses.

But the bit where he can't comment "but the umpire said things weren't right" ?

This is a bit strange.

I have seen and heard the same thing Maryz. Basically, it's all in the eyes. And the jumping about waiting for serve.

I do hope there won't be a drugs scandal.

Why would anyone want to shame themselves like that ?

I want to know the umpire's take on things.

Not drugs probably the jumping but as you say lots of players have off putting rituals. I just think he is not used to being so comprehensively beaten and is trying to insinuate there is a reason beyond is control. Really hope it isn,t a dru thing as it will make the eventual winner feel cheated

That's what I think too, Maryz. I don't know that much about drugs but is there even one that would give you that much 'pep', for however long the match went on ?!

I think Rafa's 'routine' is probably one of the most off-putting for opponents, and if the stats are right, and they have 20 secs for next serve, then the Umpires are doing their job badly by not awarding Rafa time faults for taking over that. I understand that during a hard match they allow 'time to recover' but let's not let any player think they are bigger than the game/rules !

It's not Rafa insinuating anything, he said at this time it wouldn't be right for him to comment, "but the umpire"... I don't go along with Rafa and sour grapes, he's not that kind of bloke, and I certainly don't think he is a shit-stirrer. He has too much respect for fellow players to do that.

Bit naughty of the umpire to 'imply' foul play....after all, surely it's only his opinion...

Must say when I read an interview with Rafa this morning he came across as a very bad loser which is completely out of character. I can only assume he has reasonable grounds to suspect something - though of course he may be (and hopefully is) wrong.

I woke up this morning, and suddenly the shine has gone off Wimbledon for me a bit. Like 2009 when he didn't play, through injury.

I don't think Tsonga is fully fit, Fed isn't the force he was, and Murray has missed the boat on Wimbledo I think. So the real contender will be Djokovic- but I'd rather see someone like Roddick come up with a shock. Another one.

I hope we don't find out there is foul play, but Nadal was seriously off his game, and Rosol appeared to have all the answers. I'm not convinced Rosol will progress, though.

Looking forward to Heather Watson playing- I don't usually bother much with the women's game, but I am genuinely excited for her- she seems really enthusiatic, and enjoys her game. Think she's up second on Centre- playing Radwanska- so i hope she has ear plugs!

And Karlovic has been moaning about his foot faults- basically questioning the line judge, as the player can't argue a foot fault,since his focus is on the ball. It's all good stuff!

Maryz- it is hard to care about the women, I agree, but occasionally it throws up a good match. Unfortunately, once we are down to a bunch of indenti-kit Eastern Europeans, it gets a bit samey. At least the likes of Venus brought a bit of personality to the court.

Anyway, onwards and upwards. Nadal can defend his Olympic medal next month

OMG Rafa

Re. the speculation below - I know it's not good form, and I had never heard of Rosol before this match, never mind any rumours about him. But as I was watching him and afterwards, I was thinking about drugs in sport and how I'd never really heard of any scandals connected to drugs in tennis. And I wondered why the two things - that match and me thinking about that - coincided.

I was right up close to Karlovic on court 5 on Wed and he was foot-faulting all the time - I saw it with me own eyes. However he was winning then, so he didn't complain.

The way Karlovic serves, foot faults are always going to be a danger. Edberg was always getting foot faulted (and was too nice to moan about it).

I forgot about Ferrer- i like him. And Baghdatis could beat Murray, which would be brilliant- I'm hoping that's a good match, and not one sided.