Bye bye clay. Hello grass.

[JuanPotatoTwo]

New thread for next part of the season .

I agree, magi.

Not sure a lot of pundits agree. They kept harping on about the Sampras era when RG was on.I think 'our guys' play harder and better.

Always preferred Agassi too.

Bit miffed to see McEnroe thinks Novak is the man to beat at Wimby.
When you have lost 5 out of your last 6 Slam finals, I don't think that makes you favourite, and he didn't have a great grass season last year or this year.

I think we could see a new champ, for both men and women. Would adore to see Rafa do well. Or at least get to week 2 this year !

I am dreading the day we lose Roger and Rafa from the game though. End of a huge era.

Oh God don't remind me of that again. I said that last year when Nadal was obviously struggling in his match and they both went out very early. It genuinely did feel like the end of an era. They both picked up form a bit after that. I don't think I can go through grieving the end of that era twice. So they're not going to quit. Ever.

Ahh, I wish I had your faith, Rafa.

I fear it will come sooner than we think.

I do hope that Rafa goes for a 10th RG next year. That would just be magical.

I just hope we see lots of promise from some of the young pups coming up. I have been impressed by a few, I really need to learn their names.

It's like watching England last night, I think I spent half my time asking who was who !

At least most tennis players have a bit of a personality, or at least a bit of fire for the game they play !

I currently like Grigor, he's grown on me. Seems a lovely bloke.

See ? And now my minds gone blank.

Ah well. Plently of time for discussion and ogling talent spotting next week !

Who was that lovely looking French one who played a mammoth match at RG? Lokoli? He had heaps of potential

I really don't want Rafa to retire soon- but the way he plays, he can't carry on too much longer. I think one of the young 'uns needs to break through soon. Now that players are getting older, and there are so many getting results as they head to 30, less is bring made of Federer's age.

Of course, 'young' is relative - I doubt there will be 17 year old winners like Becker or Chang again.

Gawd, I don't know !

I saw lots of good early matches at RG. I think I may need to get a spreadshit for new players.

I don't want Rafa to retire either, but I completely agree with you. I don't think he can go on much longer. But I wouldn't mind betting Andy and Novak go before he does.

I also agree I don't think we will see 17 year old winners again, not for a while. They just don't have the game or the physical or mental strength at that age, these days.

Well done Madison!!

Great final set. I don't often enjoy womens' tennis as much as that. It was really nail biting.

Madison is likely to go far.

and Deliciano retained his title at Eastbourne and made up for losing to Dimitrov.

Not long to go!

Madison is a great young player. I was very impressed with her today.

I was most put out that I couldn't watch the Deliciano match. I thought it would at least be on the BBC red button, but no. It was shown on a satellite channel which I don't have a subscription for. Grrrr.

Grrr, indeed.

But yay! for the BBC and wall to wall Wimbledon coverage

Only a day and a half to go.

I'm currently trying to ignore the Fantasy Wimbledon player thing that has popped up on my FB news feed.

Although the prize appears to be tickets to next years finals so maybe...

Order of play for Monday!

Order of play

Officially VERY excited now.

No Nadal tomorrow- so at least he lasts more than the first day of the tournament this year.

Should we we have a sparkly new thread for tomorrow? Will there be fights with the official 'Wimbledon' topic? ooh, it's all hotting up...

Yes to a sparkly new thread - then I won't have to see Pesky's name highlighted every time I come on here

Seriously, as the really devoted tennis lot we deserve our own new thread - go for it Raahh

Will do!!

Yes to a new thread. Getting excited now.

I think it's about time to post this again.

Here's a link to the new thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts/2113792-WIMBLEDON-2014-The-sun-is-shining-the-Pimms-is-chilling-First-service?msgid=47838649

thanks, magi- since i pointlessly linked to the new thread...on the new thread