TENNIS THREAD- we're nearly done with the red dirt, and looking forward to the green grass!

[Raahh]

yesterday's excitement I didn't realise how near the end of the thread we were!

This thread has made the French Open even more enjoyable only 8 days until Queen's!
I love this time of year!

I don't know if we need a new thread ? might confuse people. Maybe after Queens- and start a new one for Wimbledon.

It has been fun. I've enjoyed this tournament- even from my hospital bed. Chickenato was a revelation, and I am so thrilled that Halep finally got her GS. Maybe she can carry that on to grass.

Stuttgart, amongst other things , starts tomorrow. Roger , clearly has his eye on the number 1 spot. But he did lose in the first round there last year...

I hope Rafa makes it to London- but to be honest, after the last ouple of months, I wouldn't blame him if he saved himself for Wimbledon.

Will also be interesting to see if Djok follows through on his threat not to go to Wimbledon, or if that was just dented pride- and if Murray will make an appearance.

See you all for Queens - it’s been a great tournament - made even more enjoyable by being able to ramble on to you lot

Today's papers were saying Murray's supposed to be doing well and likely to make it to Wimbledon... don't know how accurate that is though.

I can't wait for Queens. The line-up looks great this year. Last year was fab with Lopez winning. I'd like to see a new champ there again - and at Wimbledon tbh, men's and women's. I know Rafa, Roger, Serena etc are legends and all that... but it'd be nice for someone else to have a go!! We'll see...

Also... We might fill this thread before Wimbledon anyway!! I'm sure there'll be plenty of talking points between now and then!

Well I didn't manage to see and single shot of the tennis today but I was frantically refreshing the scores whilst out and about.
So happy Rafa won though surprised it was as easy as it was though, I thought Thiem would at least take a set. I loved the speeches so sweet and gracious, amazing sportsmanship from both men. I hope Thiem can continue to build on his performance here, I really enjoy watching him.
All in all fabulous conclusion to the clay....looking forward to the grass now.

We deffo need a new thread for grass - it's a tad different to clay!!

So hope Andy makes it to Wimbledon & goes all the way! He is my fave player of all.

Waah - no tennis. WTF shall I do?

I know! I had to take the dog to the vet. So that at least took my mind off the lack of tennis..

I am in limbo this week, because I don't think I can 'watch' anything.

I will probably find out half way through the week that there is a random channel , I never knew I had .

Have cheered up as have just booked a holiday for September!!

Djokovic has taken a wild-card into Queen's. So much for not playing on grass...

Grrr. Well that ruins that for me. Why couldn't he go to Halle?

I know! Surely if he wants match practice on grass, he's more likely to get it in Halle. I mean, the field at Queen's is so good, he could run into a top player in his first match... seems a bit risky to me. Can't remember the last time he played a competitive grass event before Wimbledon.

But Raahh - don't let it ruin Queens. There are loads of other great players in the draw

Private yy- here's hoping he's out first round. So long as he doesn't draw Rafa straight away (if he decides to still go).

private he played Eastbourne last year and won it- but he's obviously decided not to do that this year/left it too late.

Oh yes I forgot about Eastbourne!! I wonder why he didn't go there instead? It would be so annoying if he drew one of our favourites in the first round of Queens!

He's ranked about 20, so won't get a first round bye, so I will be very cross if he gets someone we like in round two (if he gets that far ).

Well I got lots of cleaning done today!

magi that's nice to have something to look forward to.

There seems to be some women's tennis from The Netherlands on BT Sports this week if anyone has it.

So pleased Djok is not coming to Eastbourne!

The first day of Eastbourne (Friday June 22) is FREE!! Just have to get my arse down there early in the morning!

That's ace magi - hope you can make it! Queen's is ridiculously expensive. I went once, ages ago (Mark Philippoussis was playing, which shows how long ago it was!) just on the outside courts, but even that was so pricey IIRC.

I was thinking I might try and go to the Birmingham women's tournament - Kvitova is due to play there I think, and it's pretty cheap to go.

No way, Magi! First day is free, that's amazing. I really should make the effort, I live in the SE so it's not a million miles away from me.

My DD18 plays the HQ game on her phone and I got (Richard Krajicek) as a correct answer to a question last night

Bagel It is the day of quali & general practice so you will only see the top players practice, not in matches. But - I remember one year when I went & I saw Martina Navratilova, Amelie Mauresmo & Justine Henin practice & you are standing courtside to watch them - couldn't get closer.

Gates open at 10am & it's first come, first serve so I will aim to get there for 9.30am. Once you have a ticket you are able to exit the grounds & come back in so you can always go off for something to eat (food in there usual expensive event crap).

Hi. I don't see much tennis as I don't have Sky etc, so I only dip in and out of this thread for the big events shown on terrestrial tv. Apologies if this has already been debated, but does anyone have any views on whether or not Dan Evans should get a wildcard for Wimbledon? Yes, he was a prize prat for doing what he did but he's doing well and is racing back up the rankings. He's a Brit and the LTA did say they would support him if he sorted himself out and knuckled down. And cocaine (altho illegal and a stupid drug to take) isn't a performance enhancing drug, unlike a lot of others, where the users have been welcomed back - yes, I'm thinking of you, Maria Sharapova!

Well I think he's done his time so he deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt. It would be a shame for his career to end over it. Although there may be other players who don't agree. And he was honest about it unlike somebody you may have mentioned!

Well exactly, Magi. When we got tickets to the Olympics tennis, it was just as exciting to see some of the top players on the practice courts.

Can always go to the promenade and have an ice cream.