Get your strings tightened and your balls polished - gearing up for Aussie Open

[JuanPotatoTwo]

Happy New Year tennis folks (and others of course, if there are any) :)

Getting very very excited to see Pot back in action, feel like a hyperactive child rather than a middle aged woman. He didn't make it to Brisbane so wasn't counting on Sydney but he's there. Look:

www.facebook.com/245291448857687/photos/a.519072434812919.1073741828.245291448857687/784944874892339/?type=1&theater

He wasn't slagging off Rafa. Just pointing out that he has been called a drama queen for cramping in a match and then going on to win it, but Rafa wasn't. he was pointing out the double standards.
And "gifted" Wimbledon and the olympics? Oh please.

We'll have to agree to disagree re the giftings and Rafa.

If you follow tennis Andy has 'form' for cramping/aches and pains during a match, then winning by a miracle. Same as Rafas 'tics' annoy others I suppose.

We all know the media are arseholes.

Of course I also know that Rafa and Andy are great friends. The media love to shit stir, but Andy didn't have to take to twitter to muse, did he ? Some things are best left unsaid.

As I have said, in my small insignificant opinion if he produced consistent results everyone, including me would shut up !

Some things are better left unsaid.

Well that I definitely agree with! Just because social media exists there's no need to pour out your every last thought onto it.

Been lurking on here because I'm a Murray fan and this is an anti-Murray thread, but "gifted" two slams and an Olympic gold??? Gifted?? There are no gifts at the top of any sport. And "no credentials". What on earth does that even mean?

All of these players are amazing, hard-working and talented. Sometimes you need a bit of luck and that's very much part of the mix in professional sport. Gamesmanship is important, call it ringcraft if you will - nobody does that better than Rafa (and yes he's my second favourite). Only the very very best can deliver consistently at the highest level, there are so many variables in play. We are lucky to have so many great players around, I think it's a little unfair to benchmark people who are by any definition world class against the Rafas and Rogers.

We all have our favourites in sport - for whatever reason, someone just appeals to you. I like Andy because he reminds me of my own sons who are a similar age. I like his dry as dust demeanour and I like it when we see his soppy side such as when he's talking about his dogs.

I like Rafa because he's so good, so different. I admire Roger because he's the GOAT, but can't warm to him. I'm completely indifferent to Djok, even though he comes across as a nice guy. All of them have their fans and detractors in the media and you can read what you want into social media outputs.

I'm looking forward to a great match between Andy and Berdych, and a great final, whoever is in it.

Are you having a dig, Hester ?

I'm not pouring out every last thought.

I didn't say he had NO credentials. I said he didn't have many.

This isn't an anti Murray thread either. I am the only person who has said I find him a bit 'meh'.

I am allowed an opinion and am happy to debate. Just because yours isn't the same it doesn't make either opinion right.

I shouldn't bite, but I will. Seeing as we can't just agree to disagree.

Every time Murray is mentioned these threads go like this.

The Olympic Gold. Won and beat Federer. Who stood on court as winner of Wimby only a couple of weeks previously and watched as Andy sobbed because he lost and everyone thought it was 'his time'. Roger is older and probably a bit more knackered than most on tour ? So yes, imo 'gifted'.

Don't forget Novak got knocked out when we expected a Novak Andy Olympic Final.

Wimbledon. Novak had a crap season. Beaten by Rafa AGAIN at RG. Wedding & baby on way. Lots going on to worry about outside tennis. Also media was MAD here in supporting Andy, even more so as top players got knocked out. Andys time, if he doesn't win this year he never will etc etc. Again, yes, in a way, given that his opponent was under tremendous professional and personal pressure, 'gifted'.

I actually meant it in a tongue in cheek way but clearly no-one took it like that.

I'm sorry my opinions and feelings on Murray differ from others, I can't help that.

I maintain my main love first is tennis.

I feel like the answer may be to bow out if the tennis threads though. Sometimes it feels too personal, which is silly.

bow out of*...

See I knew had started something. Won't make that mistake again. see how I've managed to stay out of it though.....

purple

Nothing to do with you, we're all big girls now.

here's a distraction guess it won't work for everyone.

Can we have a sulk emoticon? It's nice to chat abut tennis with some like minded people but not sure now....

Course I wasn't having dig MrsV! It's not normally my style to waltz into a thread and insult the regulars. Have some . I was just talking about the Twatter generation and the inane bollocks they spout. Sorry if it seemed otherwise. I'm quite embarrassed actually.

Here's hoping your man is back to his best soon. Rafa on form is electrifying.

ahem

That's a lovely distraction, purple. waited an hour for a bus and now moved 100yds in 10 mins. Just the distraction I needed.

Oh blimey.

That Berdych picture is , erm...

The Tsonga one is nice too.

Where is Tsonga anyway?

Who's Olivia??

Bless you, Hester. for you too.

Sorry. Bit sensitive. Too many 'lurkers' appear once in a Wimbledon, slag off Rafa and make nasty, libellous comments about drugs and the like, also insult us Rafa fans then bugger off and moan us 'regulars' are bullies. Bit bizarre really.

I'm embarrassed too, I thought you meant I was pouring my heart out. Shit, I feel suitably crappy now. Sorry.

Right. Rant over. Draw a line

---------

And move on.

OliviaMN

She be the one with . And twins.

And Looks.

She only has to appear once on a thread for pps to mainly behave and play nicely.

That was a very nice pic of Berdych. I need faceless Rafa ones due to the capybara resemblance, poor bloke.

Hope you get home soon, Rafa.

Hello all is it safe to come on the thread now?

Glad everyone's all friends again

FWIW, I luffs Rafa, I luffs Andy, I luffs this thread & I luffs all you lovely lot.

I also love purple's little distractions.

Do you have any pics of my favourite player, purple, the gorgeous Marat Safin, now sadly retired?

Oh, Marat was gorgeous.

I'm quite fickle, in the looks department

I mean- I'm partial to Mediterranean swarthiness and cool Scandinavians.

So long as they can wield a tennis racquet with style.

mmmmm

And naked French men are ok too.

Made it home. Hopefully my boss isn't still standing at the bus stop and will get home eventually.

I'll join you watching on the BBC on Thursday MrsV. We can put up with Castle together.

At least we are all as one in our loathing of AC.

Thank you, Raahh, for saving me from having to go and look for the picture of naked Tsonga. We haven't posted it for a while.

I might have it bookmarked

So might I, on my laptop

Rafa

Luffs you !

Naked Tsonga. Yum.