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

12 weeks is nothing, Pesky. Carry on being kind to yourself. Honestly, you must be knackered & running on empty.

I might even be a bit nice to you too.

Would it be good to have a new thread for the French Open?

We have major hovel house rejigging & builders in in May/June - but have craftily organised it so sitting room & TV will not be affected during French Open, Queens & Wimbledon.

If anyone is thinking of visiting Eastbourne for the tennis give me a shout for a meet - I am but 10 mins away. I don't get advance tickets as I know what havoc the weather can play here. I just go & get a day ticket if it looks reasonably dry & warm.

I agree with magi, 12 weeks isn't very long at all. Take care of yourself.

Still not got myself sorted with keeping up with the tennis. Who has the rights to the French? Hoping it isn't ITV again.

I really want to watch this final- but it is probably a good thing I can't. My nerves might not stand it. Nadal has to win this, and Rome (and hope Nish/Murray/Berdy lose early there) to stand any chance at all of good seeding at RG. Of course, seeding shouldn't matter if he's good enough- but if he ended up meeting Djok in a quarter final match- it wouldn't be ideal for either of them, really.

But the hth is in Rafa's favour- and the last 2 meetings were last year on clay, comprehensively beating Murray at RG. But this year, I think it is about confidence, rather than ability.

Hope you are ok, Juan .

We will definitely need a shiny new thread for RG. Think it is on ITV- and I hope they have a commentary box away from the bloody musicians this year!!

Hope you're ok Juan 12 weeks is nothing, be gentle with and look after yourself. x
I missed all of yesterday's matches but hope children dependent to watch some of the final tonight.
I agree Rafa just has to win this, he's playing good but I don't think it's a form thing but all in his head.
Itv have the French I think and we're going this year (yay!) sadly only popping over for a day or two, I miss living in Paris.

Thank you all for kind words. Muddled, when you say you might be nice to me - do you mean you'll let me have Pot? :) You'll be to busy dealing with builders to have time left for him anyway!

My money's on Rafa for this afternoon Raahh, will watch with interest.

Ooh that's exciting Mama, when are you going? And when did you live in Paris?

You can have Pot for the last 2 weeks of June which is when decorator is going to be here.

When I opened the door to him, when he came to give a quote, I nearly swooned. He makes Pot look a bit ordinary1

Happy me, 2 weeks of eye candy!

Well that might rule out any chance of me seeing the French. They didn't put any of it on itvplayer at all.

I'm not sure magi is feeling that generous, juan, but you never know.

Just thought I'd briefly say hello.

Juan So sorry to hear you lost your beloved Dad.

Not seen any tennis for ages. Glad to see Rafa is hopefully recovering form, I can't imagine RG without him all the way to the trophy.

Not got sky so won't see match later. Will try to keep up online.

RG starts on 24 May, Itv4.

Lots going on so might not get to see much this year. Usual plans have gone awry.

Will try to pop in & say hello to you all.

Mwah

Always lovely to see you, MrsV

Do try to pop in again - a bit of light relief is good.

Hello MrsV, thank you for condolences.

Match just warming up - they're trying to force cake on the players .

Muddled we need a pic of the decorator.

The ball girls have very fetching pink and white spotty shorts.

2 love to Andy

3-1 to Murray

When is Amelie's baby due? Looks like she's taught Andy to play on clay -4-1 now.

Let's go Andy let's go! I'm following the live scores on atp website while eating a chocolate eclair .

Oh-oh. Rafa's woken up now...

Vamos !!

even my puppy looks worried that could be because I bathed him

I'm late! Just realised the match is on, I thought it started later.

Juan good to see you, hope you are OK.

carabos I'm low-carbing atm. I'm thinking of your chocolate eclair & actually salivating

First set Andy

VAMOS

Aww, you have a puppy Raahh? What type? Pic?

Hey Drama, how's things? I'm low carbing too -how are you doing?

Anything to distract me....Juan

He's a mini schnauzer, 16 weeks old, called Ike.

I think I might have shown these pics, from when he first moved in. I need to upload some new ones ...

Andy's broken in first game of second set.