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

Sorry to report Delpo has had to withdraw from the Oz Open. His wrist is just not recovered sufficiently. Good for him for trying it out though.
I see St Rafa of the Wounded is doing his usual " it will be very hard for me, no? " spiel for the millionth grand slam in a row...

Poor Potato.

Oh just read the news poor potato :( he must be so frustrated.
Djokovic saying he's fully recovered from his flu.

Oneinamillion LOL! totally agree with your ''St Rafa'' observation.

Cant stand him and his bum crack antics. And probably getting away with the serving time and all else-coaching from Uncle etc etc.

I know theres a lot of Rafa fans but anyone who uses silly tactics to win is not okay in my book-

Love Novak but he's another one that gets away with too much.

And Remember Boris Becker and his cough when receiving serve to put off opponent.

But anyway, looking forward to the tournament otherwise .

Shame about DelPOtro. . Hope he wont end his career too soon.

Trenzalore, you are my kindred spirit here. Nadal is a cheat, pure and simple, and I love tennis too much to see any merit in him beyond that. Don't get me started on Uncle Toni, oily loudmouth!

Anyway, here's to two weeks of insomnia and hopefully a great tournament.

Dimitrov through and Murray looking good.

yay to Rafa!! And to the shorts!

I have not had chance to see much, but Rafa looked great. Nice new shorts. Team Rafa all the way.

Murray- (who knows a thing or two about cheating )I'm fed up of hearing about his 'tough draw'. If he's good enough it shouldn't be, should it?

Glad to Klingon do well- he's seeded this year, and on my 'ones to watch' list.
Kyrios is playing at the moment- but not having it his own way.
At least this year I have remembered I have Eurosport and won't miss the first week (numpty)

ahh, it's nice to have some tennis back.

x-post about the shorts

Lol I just came in to mention rafas outfit
Gulbis is out, Australian crowd going crazy for their guy whose name I can't remember.

Kyrios- although he is wearing lemon- which as we know is dangerous

I'm about Gulbis. last year was a good year.

ooh- Delbonis has got the 4th.

VAMOS RAFA !

I'm LOVING the pinky shirt.

Easy win, lets hope he's getting back to his best.

I saw a poll the other day, that was 85% of people thought Rafa was favourite to win the Aussie O. I think they must have mis-read and were voting for their favourite player, cos surely Rafa isn't up there with the bookies - not yet, anyway !

Rafa a cheat ?

bullshit

MrsV!!

I liked the pink shirt too. But especially the shorts

He needed an easy win- and I'm hoping that Rosol will be worn out from his 5 setter (which I was praying he would lose), to be a threat. Although I'm not convinced he ever was a threat.

I wouldn't have thought that stat was right either, nice if it's true. I think the money is on Djok, and even Federer. Stan has improved his chances by winning the other week, but I'm still not convinced by him. I like him a lot, but he doesn't scream 'champion'. i wonder if he'll iron his shirt tomorrow?

Hello, my lovely.

I don't think for a minute Rafa will win, unfortunately. Happy to be wrong !

Don't think Stan will either.

As usual I agree with you, Djok or Fed will have this one, unless Rafa blows everyone away.

What's up with the Rafa haterz up there ^ ?

Didn't think we did rude on our tennis threads, just mildly insulting ?!

Rosol a threat ?

Are you on glue ?

I know - it's usually just little digs.

Well, you just know the commentators will go on about his Wimbledon loss to Rosol, and that therefore Rosol is bound to have Rafa quaking in his trainers

I think, Dimitrov and Raonic stand a good chance of getting to the latter stages. I am basing this on nothing more than the fact I quite like them both.

My sentimental side would love Ferrer to do well.

And there's always Berdych and Nishikori- who I don't like particularly, and always forget about

Completely concur with all you have said.

I'm hoping Grigor has some substance. I have faith.

Kyrios not so much. Reserving judgement at the moment. Looked hugely promising, we shall see.

Think Murray will go out quarters if not before. He's fading now, I reckon.

Can the haterz start their own thread then ? I'm all for friendly banter but if its going to be like that ^ I'm afraid to say I'll be off.

Lifes too short.

I really liked what i saw of Kyrios last year- i'll forgive beating Rafa - but i'm not convinced yet that he doesn't rely on his serve. From what I saw today, a lot of the points he won, not on serve, were quite lucky shots. The commentary team love him though.
But he has time on his side, I suppose.

Again, concur.

Missed you, gorgeous !

Hello :( I'm gutted. I really think there's no coming back from this for Pot. I'm sad Ernie's out too - it was Kokkinakis he lost to, 18 yr old Aussie. Looks like Grigor despatched Dustin pretty easily. I really hope Dom wins his first round match - he's up against BustaGut.