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

Oh he looks so sad. I really don't think he's enjoying this much any more.

Yes he will go down to no 7 Drama

Juan- I don't think so either.

He could do with skipping Rome and going fishing. But rankings wise, that would be a disaster.

Queen Sophia is there. Manola whatsisname seems like a lovely man.

The live rankings site hasn't updated yet, but it has Rafa at 7.

Looking at that Djok, Fed, Murray 1,2,3 it's like the last 5 years never happened.

What do you think is wrong with him?

Great win for Andy, he's got the mo - should get married more often . Poor Rafa. He feels it in his soul. He needs to give himself a bit more time, like Andy was, he's coming back off a serious injury. Appendectomy isn't funny and a GA can do funny things to your health for up to a year.

He's admitted himself in interviews he's going through a crisis of confidence. Whatever it is, I hope he manages to work through it soon.

I think he's just not enjoying it like he was. His body has taken an awful hammering over the years and it doesn't get any easier as you get older. He's given it his all for so long now that I think he's just had enough. Not saying he'll give up but I think that that fight and determination might be waning a bit. And the trouble is, when you're one of the top players, just a bit of waning can make a big difference. Also must be very dispiriting to have the young up and coming players snapping at your heels.

Great win for Andy though. FO will be interesting. Would live for Pot to come back, but after all his false starts this year, I'll only believe it when I see it.

I'm clinging to the hope that Rafa can win in Rome- and in the absence of Raonic, he will move up the rankings a bit.

But it's a big ask. He looks a bit lost

He has to be in RG for his birthday, though.

I also think, mentally, he never really recovered from the Aussie open final last year.He followed it with a poor few months (by his standards), and then ended up missing the second half of the year. It has affected his game, his mental attitude and his ranking. Lesser players are allowed to do this, and get back into the swing slowly. Players like Rafa and Fed are not given the same leeway.

I would love to see Pot come back too.

Playing conditions in Rome are more like they are at RG, so a good showing in Rome will help Rafa. Let's hope so, anyway.

Well done Andy!!

Amazing win.

Could it have anything to do with Jonas Bjorkman (sp?) now being his coach?

Hope Murray goes on to win the French Open.

magi I wouldn't be surprised at all if Bjorkman had a lot of influence in that win, and Amelie as well of course. Bjorkman was a fine doubles all-court doubles player wasn't he, and not bad at singles either.

Poor Rafa he's playing today so let's hope its onwards and upwards. Think he gave a very sweet interview admitting he isn't as good but he's still having fun so will keep working at it. I hate to say it but I don't think winning RG is gonna be happening this year for him. Am team Novak if Rafa can't win it.
I missed all the tennis in the end but don't mind as I don't want to see Andy win

Juan, I'm going the middle weekend. I lived in Paris what feels like a hundred years ago pre children in the 14 th arrondissement. I am a historian and used to work there and used it as a base for travelling. I love the city, early morning breakfast in the jardin de Luxembourg is one of the best things ever, lying in the sun sipping coffee, with nothing to do but people watch and nowhere to go..........I to have a small flat there and try to go as often as possible but never seem to manage it as often as I want.

Glad to hear from you MrsV hope all is well.

veery of the Paris trips- hope it's great.

Mama- Rafa's interview was very Rafa- totally self deprecating, bless him. Interestingly, Murray still considers Rafa a favourite for RG. Ithink there are a lot of mind games at stake- whilst the pressure is on Rafa to perform, it takes it from the others. With Rafa not performing well, then Djok/Murray can only blame there own performances if they can't capitalise on his slump in form. It ought to be Djok's best chance to date.

Close start between Murray and Chardy so far in Rome.

Rafa up next.

Vamos.

That's a good point Raahh, no one is giving odds for Rafa as favourite now which will I think pile the pressure on Djokovic and Murray who will be trying to downplay their chances. They both tend to feel the pressure a bit which could help Rafa if he can get back on track...... Or maybe I'm clutching at straws
Nishikori is a break down.
Murray looking good now I think.
Vamos Rafa! And please try to get on court before I have to go out

Andy still going well in Rome, but Rafa seems to have his mojo working. Perhaps he's using the defeat in Madrid to stoke the flame. I'm not betting against him for RG. I think he'll beat Nole in the final.

Problem is, carabos- he may end up meeting Djok before the final- depending on where he ends up in the draw. But he has to be happy with a confident win today- I'm still hoping Nish and Berdy loe next round, so Rafa at least gets a number 4 seeding in RG.

I'm not sure Rafa has much chance now of not getting a awful drawn at RG, which is a shame not just for him but for everyone who wants to see a potentially huge semi or final against probably Novak.
Much tougher match for Rafa today, isner has been playing great. Fingers crossed.

Mama- true- he is reliant on Nish and Berdy losing next round, and getting past Isner himself, to possibly be seeded 4. Oh, and Raonic not recovering so quickly from his foot surgery, and skipping the French.

Or there is the real possibility of going in 7th...

Good start against isner

Incredible play from nadal, uncle tony is grinning crazily and jumping up and down like a yo yo

I've been madly refreshing scores on my phone during the nursery run. I am glad he's playing well.

Vamos

Hurray! A very solid win- has to boost his confidence a little.