TENNIS THREAD- Grass season is in full swing, stock up on strawberries and Pimms!

[Raahh]

at magi's request here is the first grass thread ( we will probably need more than one!).

Can't believe it time for Queen's again. Hope the weather holds out- bit gloomy in the north west.

( can't link to other thread as on my phone).

See you all later- the only thing I'm not looking forward to is the likelihood it will be Mr Castle in the commentary box.

Private we've been waiting for a 'changing of the guard' for years , haven 't we? And the changers keep changing . We've had Dimitrov/Nishikori who were definitely going to win slams. And haven't . Though Grigor did win the tour finals- but no really in a classic year (with Djok/Murray/Wawrinka all absent etc).
I had high hopes for Raonic- but I think injuries have been his undoing, but could still happen.
Now we've got Thiem. Zverev- the Next Gen bunch. Coric/Chung/Shappy.

But the threats keep coming from the older players- Cilic is improving, Delpo is maybe getting back to his best.

And yet Roger and Rafa cling on.

And Djok hasn't quite done away.

*gone

Murray's pulled out of Wimbledon. Have to say, I'm not surprised.

Oh dear that is sad news about Andy Murray but I’m not surprised - I’m glad that he’s done it now though. Hopefully he can try and get fit for the hard court season.

I also like Roger but Rafa is my favourite . I like watching Roger and I also like listening to him in interviews. I remember him being interviewed last year and saying that he still gets excited about playing and visiting different countries and experiencing new things.

It can get a bit annoying when he’s the only player that any of the commentators mention in relation to winning Wimbledon but I guess that’s not his fault.

Sad that Murray has pulled out as I am a fan of his - like his attitude to women but am quite pleased that he has had the sense not to push it.

Would love to see Delpo go a long way & Shapavalov.

Can't wait for tomorrow - I said to DH it's like Christmas Eve was as a child for me

No surprise whatsoever that Murray has pulled out- I think we were counting the minutes on this thread! But I'm annoyed he, again, waited until after the draw. His fitness will have been no different now to Friday morning- the only difference is he probably saw he was drawn against a more difficult player than maybe his camp was hoping for imo. But I'm a cynic. And not a Murray fan.

At least this time he's not messed up the seeding.

It does mean now that the focus will be on Roger even more, as the BBC won't have Andy to talk about .

Rafa is obviously my favourite current player, I will be happy to see him get through to the second round. Winning it would be amazing- but I'm far too realistic for that. He makes me so nervous though!

I really hope Delpo does well, I want to see a good run for Raonic, and I wouldn't be upset if Cilic went all the way.

Fizzy being the only player the media talk about is probably a real double edged sword. I have noticed this year a lot less emphasis for example, on the 'Sir' Andy Murray thing- and wonder if that request has come from Andy himself? It always seemed so cringey- and I was never convinced Murray liked it much himself. It was always so sycophantic

Yes Raahh although I think Roger is one player who can probably cope with the hype and being talked about

I’d not really noticed the sir thing with Andy Murray but you’re probably right that it’s come from him. He certainly doesn’t seem like the sort of person who would insist on being called sir.

Another one here hoping that Delpo has a good run at Wimbledon - just want it to start now

FIzzy Roger thrives on it, I think

I know Andy hasn't been around much for it to be an issue , but last year, he was always Sir, when mentioned by some. This year at Queen's it did not happen at all. Even AC didn't do it. I really noticed it.

Well, Spain won't be winning the World cup.

Which means Rafa can get to the final, without worrying he will be missing anything.

Oh dear is Spain going out of the World Cup a good or bad omen for Rafa? I’m hoping good.

Fizzy I think it's a good thing- no distractions!

He might be a bit sad for a bit.

Yes Raahh but at least he’s not playing until Tuesday.

I think Switzerland are still in the World Cup?

FIzzy yes, I think they play Sweden on Tuesday.

I've just been told by dd1 that her football training is cancelled on Tuesday night , due to the England game, which suits me as dh is away and I would have had to take her !

That’s good - you might get to see Rafa if he’s on later (not really bothered about the football!)

Me neither! Dh has got all excited ,because Spain were a big threat or something. I rolled my eyes.

There will be divorce trouble, if the World cup affects my Wimbledon in any way - especially the final. Whoever is in it. Unless it's Kyrgios. I am willing to miss the final if it's Kyrgios - but that would be the only exception.

I’m outnumbered here 3-1 Raahh with the World Cup and then there’s the Tour de France as well.

I’m slightly worried about the World Cup final being on at the same time as the Wimbledon final especially as we’ll be on holiday. Although I do have fond memories of watching Rafa in the olympics in a bar in Mallorca with a rather large g&t

Please don’t let kyrgios get to the final!

Oh my - he's done it again. Didn't he learn from the last time?

I don't think Roger thrives on the attention at all. He often looks quite embarrassed by it. But he has has to deal with it for many years now so I guess he's used to it.

You can bet the Beeb will still devote half of its coverage to Andy!

ferrier I imagine they will have already filmed several segments about Murray, so will still show them whilst discussing his injuries/ prospects for the future.

I'd be annoyed if I was Kyle Edmund. unless he's happy to stay under the radar- but he might start to resent it as Murray fades further.

I'm not sure where he stands with his protected ranked/what he's still covered for etc. He will now have 0 points in the rankings.

Actually I forgot his win in Eastbourne- he will have 20 points.

Can't wait for tomorrow. So exciting.

Only one more sleep till Wimbledon!!!

I'm excited

I will neatly time my dash home for my lunch break to coincide with play starting on Centre

When I saw someone had posted this late I knew it would be you Drama

Hello to my fellow night owl Jane