TENNIS THREAD - The clay season is in full swing, and it's onwards to Roland Garros!

[Raahh]

Shiny new thread.

Hopefully we will see some players return from injury in the next few weeks.

Munich/Istanbul in play this week amongst other tournaments.

Madrid week beginning the 7th (hopefully with Delpo playing)

I feel sorry for Donaldson. He's clearly in a lot of pain. He' come this far.

So 3 seeds, who were all pushed in 5 set matches. They will need to better next round.

And he's broken back! Go Jared!I'm getting quite excited by this match

baseline.tennis.com/article/73980/benoit-paire-dyes-his-hair-blonde-french-open
John Inverdale was saying wait till you see Benoit Paire's new look this morning but I didn't get to see him so had to google.

And was broken straight back- shame.

jane it really contrasts with his beard (I like his beard).

Dimitrov is through. I think his easy first round match made him complacent

Not totally convincing though, but Donaldson played well.

Ooh yes I love the beard.

Donaldson must be gutted.

I did not understand the knee kissing thing

Knee kissing??

At the end of his match ,Grigor's 'celebration' appeared to involve bringing up his knees and kissing them .

Well that's different. In the interests of science I have just tried to do that and I can report it's not easy (thankfully everyone else is out or they'd think I've completely lost it)

Maybe he's delighted they lasted the match!

Tsitsipas - Thiem coming up

ferrier maybe that's it. Or he just loves his knees.

Jane thank you for doing that for me. I think I would probably topple over if I tried .

As the mother of a daughter who is the goalie for her football team (and enjoys getting muddy), I spend a lot of time watching these matches wondering 'who will wash the clay stains off his white shorts'.

But he probably doesn't have them washed, these days. I bet he just has a stash of pristine new ones.

Been at work today so only just getting round to watching some tennis - sounds like there have been some good matches.

I also worry about the clay stains on white shorts and socks (2 footy playing sons).

I noticed that Rafa was getting his clean shirts straight out of the wrapper yesterday so don’t think we should worry too much about their laundry

Wish I’d seen the dimitrov knee kissing thing - don’t think I’ll be trying that one out.

Just because it had to be done, I'm delighted to report that knee kissing was successfully accomplished. Now I need to know when is appropriate to use it 😅

And on the white shorts can I just say that my only issue with them is why men choose to match their underwear with their top and not their shorts ☺

ferrier I can't think of a single time it would be appropriate. Even after winning a tennis match

I think a couple of players got in bother at Wimbledon last year(?) for wearing dark underwear under their shorts. They had to change. Very strict about that at Wimbledon.

I can't watch at the moment, but have just checked the scores for Tsitsipas and Thiem- 1 set all. The seeds are really being pushed today.

ferrier it can be the equivalent secret handshake of the Mumsnet tennis forum

jane can you imagine doing that in public?

Grigor clearly has no problems looking like a twit he can afford to

I really do like what I am now being able to see of Tsitsipas. I'm not sure he will win this, but he's going for it.

He looks a bit knackered though.

2-1 to Thiem now. Not been easy.

Not surprised they are going in, must be getting dark.

Oh dear foggy’s got an early start tomorrow

Some good matches coming up.

Norrie managed to win the third set against Pouille and the Thiem/Tsitsipas match is looking interesting at 2-1 to Thiem.

And of course there’s Rafa and Delpo. Hopefully Rafa will have put his first round nerves behind him.

Will Rafa get a cake on his birthday? It’s on Sunday - I’ve seen him get one before but not sure if it’s every year?

Rafa's had a cake most years- I can't remember if they still gave him a cake the year Djok beat him on his birthday. Which was mean.

Someone needs to get Foggy an extra big alarm clock

Can I volunteer to wake him up? 😊 It's a game he really ought to win and I'm happy to assist in any way!

Was happy to see Chardy beating Berdych.