TENNIS Thread! The French Open is coming- will it be #RG10 for Rafa?

[Raahh]

or number 1 for Djokovic?

given recent form, things look less than great for Nadal-but he likes the big stage and slams are a different beast to other tournaments.

So- new thread to talk ( mostly) about tennis- though it's not compulsory., and we all have different favourites and respect that others might not love our favourites as much as we do.

so...a week to go. May Murray be less tired, Rafa more confident , and a happy tournament be had by all.

Vamos

Go Jarkko !

Ooh thanks for the tea :) I've never heard anyone whose voice makes me more sleepy than Jim's. He should branch out into making hypnosis tapes, he'd clean up!

Wow, don't envy those military students their uniform - a tad dated, no?

Didn't see that, no. Not good.

There must be more Novak fans, just not here.

Its difficult. We've seen in years gone by, we all rub along really well, then come now or especially Wimby you get a few 'fans' who appear but slag Rafa off endlessly but who cannot tolerate responses back from us 'genuine' fans.

I know from a few of us 'regulars' that it really grates, cos its actually pretty rude to appear on a thread, spout libellous nonsense and argue with 'us' then bleat that we are all cliquey and nasty.

If you can have a conversation/discussion I'll chat all day long, but don't slag off any of the GOATS and expect no comeback from people who are clearly fans.

Think Mama may be working ? Doesn't she usually appear early morning/late night ?

I promise I wont be nasty about Novak. Might even clap if he wins well.

Looks like he's going to be fine, anyway !

Yy, think the uniforms are very old school.

Well done Richard Gasket ! Very safely through !

John Inser through in straight sets too.

Bouchard playing.

Jelena Jankovic could be going home.

Cor blimey Dogs !

4th set tie break he needs to win to go to a 5th.

No I totally agree with you. It's normal and natural for us all to have different favourites but why on earth that should induce friction (apart from good - humoured ribbing) I don't know. I quite like it when we tease each other (apart from when muddled tries to claim that Pot is hers - any fule knows full well he's mine), it makes things interesting. But I don't like it when that tips over into nastiness and accusations of cliques. We're all entitled to our opinions, indeed I welcome them, but there are ways and means to express those opinions.

I must say I haven't seen too much of that on these threads though - have you? There was a bit of dissention on the Oz Open thread if I remember but nothing too drastic.

Good grief - that was a bit of a venture into seriousness on my part. Anyone would think I was a sensible person! And we know that's not true :)

This one of those matches where the score doesn't reflect the level of play I think.

You know how commentators seem to have fashionable-for-that-year words and phrases? For eg, couple of years ago they were all talking about the "business end" of a set. Well this year the buzz word seems to be "pronating", if I've heard it once I've heard it a dozen times. Not entirely sure what it means

Oh well done Jarko, a break.

Wimby fortnight the past couple of years has on occasion got nasty.

Its horrible, and unnecessary. There seems to be a special hatred of Rafa from some though.

I loved the Olympics. So much sport, and so many threads. Brilliant.

Wow. Jarkko's broken Novak. Didn't expect that.

They all (the men) seem to be hitting much harder this year, or is it just me ?

Fantastic rally.

Play is fantastic. Would like to see Jarkko take this set. He's playing well, they both are.

Novak having a bit of a dip, maybe ? They mentioned at the start he's not been on his usual form this year.

Novak struggling ? Not words I'm used to hearing together. Hope he's well. I hate seeing a player not do as well ad expected because they feel awful.

You'd think I'd be used to it with Rafa !

I hope its because I have a sense of fair play for all.

I think certain match ups bring out certain aspects of each player's game. These two certainly seem to be slugging it out. And Halys seemed like a powerful hitter too.

I always feel so sorry for those who aren't well and feel bleurgh.

Wipes me out, goodness knows how they must feel.

Yup. Halys looked very promising. Mind you, so did Kryios and he's not stood up to be counted yet.

Such big hitters. Phew.

Wouldn't surprise me if Novak dug in and took this set back.

Think Djok's having one of his concentration lapses.

Yy, think he is !

Not quite hitting the mark is he ?

Although he does this then steps up a gear.

And you wonder why you were worried.

I don't like Kyrgios much, don't know why. I have to go out at 6.15ish, hope match is over - hate getting invested in a match and then having to leave it.

Don't want to raise painful issues MrsV but have you made any phone calls yet?

Wow they're really going at it. This is a good match.

I don't either. Can't put my finger on it.

He was kicking off on court yesterday being a diva wasn't he ? Something about not having enough powerade made up and ordering ball boys to get it for him and arguing with the umpire.

You might be alright if this is only a 4 setter. Hour per set. Any more, and you will be watching highlights !

Must be muggy out there, they're both grunting with exertion.