Tennis Thread: the grass court season is here! Who will rule Birmingham? Be the King of Queen's? All your Wimbledon build-up chat this way!...

[PrivateIsles]

Best few weeks of the year starts here!

Well it is nice on its own but it's much better with gin in it, of course

That Cromwell gin from Aldi is really nice. Bloody Fever Tree nearly costs more than the gin!

Hello chaps. I love grass season.

Have just looked up that Felix AA person. He is so young!

You're just getting old Grouchy

Private I bought a bottle of Seedlip non alcoholic gin the other week, trying to be virtuous
It was like soapy dish water, a very odd aftertaste.
Won't be making that mistake again

I like Gin Mare (Spanish) and Plymouth and Bombay Sapphire, which is fairly local to me. I've also had gins with pink grapefruit notes and also coconut, both of which I love anyway, can't remember what they were though.

I'm certainly no expert.
I just drink it

Aahh, bye bye Stefanos.

And they're still banging on about you know who.
Let's ask Philippousis and Fleming for their views.

Oh, and what about the lady in seat 4b, the bloke emptying the bins, Uncle Tom Cobbly and all......

For those not watching BBC, they've just shown a trailer for the Mac programme - Sunday 30th June.

Oh thanks kazza I thought they said July yesterday

the lady in seat 4b, the bloke emptying the bins

kazza eventually they'll have to stop talking about him - won't they?!

Hi Grouchy - I prefer not to think of the players' ages these days - I'm in denial

Ooh yes I like the sound of your gin menu kazza. I like a bit of Hendricks as well...

Just seen a good tweet saying in the last 24 hrs, Felix has beaten three "next big things": Dimitrov, Kyrgios and Tsitsipas.

Apologies to Stef for predicting he'd win the match and the tournament - the jinx lives on

Dimitrov is not a "next big thing" 😂 He's 28, has been a pro for twelve years, and he's currently 46 in the rankings having been no. 3.

I realise that TheOnly. It was saying he was once a next big thing, as was Kyrgios, and Tsitsipas is now.

Hah, true Jane. I decided I was old when the first All Black was younger than me.

I do like it when the youngsters beat the old hands.

Well, I have escaped.

Cost me a small fortune, I won the sum total of a dodgy looking bottle of gin liquor and a box of celebrations.

I'm about Stefanos.

I think it brought home how young Felix was, when they said there is 19 years difference between him and Federer.

AC is dancing in the commentary box.

Come on Raonic!!

Sounds like a good haul Raahh

Well this is likely to be a match of big serves, but I like both players. Am interested to see Raonic, having seen hide nor hair of him all week

Just back from the first (free entry) day @ Eastbourne.

Watched a good qualfiying match between Bouchard & Fiona Ferro. Ferro won in 2 sets.

Spent the rest of the time watching the practice courts you are so close it is amazing. When Caroline Wozniacki sat down half way htrough her session I could have stuck a hand through the netting & pulled her pigtail (obv I didn't).

Saw Wozniacki, Sevastova, Kasatkina, Stosur & Mattek Sands practice. Mattek Sands is lovely - always smiling and SO pretty.

ALso saw Cecchinato, Lajovic, Kushkin, Millman & Popsil.

Lovely day but have a red nose & am full of fish 'n' chips which we had on the way home.

Off catch up on Queens.

Sounds great magi. I thought Caroline would be off on honeymoon. Now you have a red nose just like Stan

Grouchy I got depressed when Cameron became the first Prime Minister who is younger than me

Likewise, when some of DS's teachers were young enough to be my children.

Bugger, now I'm getting depressed again.

Where's the gin......?

Magi sounds like a great day.

Private yes, they have been very quiet about Raonic, even though he is a former world number 3 and finalist at Queen's really should have won that match.

I know he's a bit marmite on her, but I like Milos. Glad to see he has ditched the slicked back hair look.

'The tournament really took off yesterday'

FFS, AC. Why did any other player bother turning up?

Ooh, does that nice young man in the hat need any help with his jug of Pimms

I'd love a Pimms, just now.

I can't really warm to Raonic private he's a bit of an automaton but I'm also glad he's ditched that hairstyle!

Did I spot the twinkly Fabrice courtside?

Am I right that Fabrice has been coaching Milos? I think he mentioned it at RG.

Yes I think that's right about Fabrice - I know Raonic split with Goran at/around Indian Wells.

I like Milos, I think he's quite good to watch when he's being attacking and coming to the net.