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!

I've decided that it would be good if Tsonga won. Paris could do with some good news.

That's a lovely idea, Raah. Who do we need to speak with to make that happen?!

Just had to pop out. DH said Nick Mullins spoke and said before Rafa's press conference it looked like it was all he could do to choke back the tears.

Don't think we'll see him at Queens, Wimby or the Olympics, to be honest.

Just hope its not such an awful tear it ends up contributing to him not being able to play.

Have they said if it is right or left wrist ?

Doesn't quite compute, does it ?

I said I don't know what's worse too, Raahh, him being knocked out or retiring.

I think this is worse. His scorelines were 'Rafa of old', he couldn't have asked for better with an undamaged wrist !

No - Gasquet to win. Or Ferrer.

I really did Believe this year too. Just had a feeling.

Poor, poor Rafa.

and for you Rafa fans. What a shame when he was playing so well.

Glad that Gasquet dealt with Kyrgios so quickly. Chardy v Wawrinka seems like it will be a good match.

Oh Ferrer, of course ! Don't think he's quite got it but its a lovely, lovely idea !

Oh yes, Ferrer! That would be great too.

I'd like to see Stan get stronger like he did last year.

We never saw that coming, did we, really ?

He sort of snuck up on us and Novak. Would be good to see a repeat.

Rafa fans : DON'T read the bbc news of Rafa retiring if you're feeling a bit wobbly.

Its just made me cry.

Just seen the news. I'm devastated for Rafa. Such a shame.

Why don't I like Stan, I can't remember? Was there some scandal last season?
Chardy is awfully good looking & much more appropriately dressed

To be fair to Stan, the big scandal was about him rather than created by him: it was the Kyrgios sledging incident at the Australian last year, where Kyrgios told him during a match that "Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend". It caused much uproar about unsportsmanlike behaviour. To give Stan credit, he responded pretty calmly.

No, it was Montreal, not the Australian Open: sorry.

Ah thanks theonly . I'm still fancying the handsome Frenchman

Wasn't there something about Stan and his wife splitting up prior to that ? I think that's why Krygios took such delight in passing on his news ?

Clearly, I was so shocked my brain didn't engage with my eyes.

It is Rafa's left wrist.

Read a couple of reports, in which he sounds devastated at having to retire, obviously, but hopeful for the future.

He's a sensible man, so lets be positive !

VAMOS RAFA !

Nadals injured....not dead. calm down dears! hopefully he'll get better by Wimby. and Juan DP?

Well done Bedene . talk of davis cup next for him?

Anyone else really annoyed at the john Mac pathetic feature on Game set and Mats?

Im liking Alex Correja- gets better with age. .

I do like Wawrinka's tattoo though.

A Samuel Beckett quote

Stan wins !

Don't know what went on with Petra today ? She's gone.

Nooooo

I've just had a thought, after losing on his birthday last year, he won't be at RG this year.

I hope he still gets a cake. 😔

Well done to Stan. I had to take the dog out. He was more than happy to listen to my morning.
😁

He'll have a lovely cake with his family & Xisca. I expect that maybe will mean more.

I've just sat watching Stan and now Troicki muttering to myself.

I think I'm going to need a name change.