All new TENNIS thread- are we ready for clay? The road to Roland Garros starts here...

[Raahh]

well, it has already started so, get the vanish out, the orange stuff gets everywhere.

Highlights to include- can Rafa win a tournament this April?
Is Djok starting a losing streak wishful thinking ?
Will Murray get enough sleep to retain his title in Madrid? (Doesn't appear to be scheduled to play Munich)
Will Stan's shorts be a patch on last year's?
And never discount the Rog Bot!

So, Vamos! Allez! Let's go!

Ooh ! Gasquet 4-1 up 1st set ! Woohoo !

I need to pop out later so I'd appreciate a 3 setter.

Richard has an early break. Allez!

They've got 15 minutes until I need to leave.

Watched last set and a half of Osaka/Halep. Osaka is obvs good but I hope she isn't hyped to the point it damages her, as it seems to have done with Eugenie Bouchard (not a hope that it won't happen, unfortunately). Fast forward through most of Murray match. Thank God for a simple 3 setter.

Oh. Trainer on for Kyrios already

Ffs really? Injured?

1st set Gasquet !

Nick really doesn't live up to the hype, does he ?

Remember when we saw him play Rafa ?

Deeply disappointing. He had real promise.

Why the boos ?

I do like Richard in his tri-colour top !

I think Kyrgios is actually liked by the commentators for his obnoxious behaviour, sorry, entertainment value. But beyond his serve, he often doesn't seem to have much. Apart from a large vocabulary of expletives.

I think so, but everyone else thinks he's a royal pain in the ass, so something will have to give eventually.

Richard is a very classy player, isn't he ? Such elegant moves with the racket.

Very nice to watch.

Nick looks like he'd rather be anywhere but on court.

Daft. If he's injured why not retire rather than prolong the agony ?

Ooh language Nick !

Have just got home: traffic terrible. Don't they know the tennis is on?!

Really not a fan of Kyrgios: he's such a spoilt brat who just thinks he's God's gift to the world in general. I think he stands out (in a bad way) because the big players at the moment are real spokesmen for the sport and have a respect for the game and the other players which Kyrgios just doesn't have.

I love Gasquet, but especially when seeing him in such close comparison to Kyrgios!

Completely concur, TheOnly.

Errr, no, 'Petch'. Twat.

Allez Richard !

So- the shoulder was really bad then.

Allez Richard!

They are so desperate to get the "yoof vote", they think an obnoxious kid like Kyrios will get them hooked.

Go Richard! Really hope he gets through this. Could be long...

ALLEZ!!!!!

Yes ! 2 sets up ! Allez !

I'm so pleased we're all so pleased.

Oh no. Fuck.

RAFA HAS PULLED OUT OF RG.

WRIST INJURY.

NO! Rafa out!

I agree Bagel. It gives 20-somethings a bad name, if the tennis powers that be think that his behaviour is acceptable (and normal). And he's not a child- yet they talk about him like he's sooo young.

FUCK!!!!!! Rafa has pulled out of the tournament

I want to cry.

Gutted.