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!

Fed really does have it easy. Luck of the draw or not, after the seeding swap around, it is even more of a kick in the teeth that Rafa's quarter is so harsh- and Fed's has pretty much no-one in it.

But of course, none of this will matter- because Fed will have to put up with not being the big story , since Murray is playing in the doubles .

since Murray is playing in the doubles

But not on a show court Raahh
Apparently

true!

The other weird bit of the draw is Sascha's quarter - I fear for him in that first round but the other seeds in that bit are Paire/Khachanov

So if Sascha doesn't get through, someone a bit unlikely is going to get through by the looks of it.

Still, Ernests has a decent draw though so in Delpo's absence I'll be cheering him to the title

Surely Andy will be on CC every match?!

Sorry, but I just can't warm to Edmund. After his win over Evans yesterday, he was saying he is backing himself to win Wimbledon

I know you have to have belief in yourself but if you lose to Taylor Fritz no offence Taylor. None taken Kazza at Eastbourne, and you don't have a pedigree on grass, it's highly unlikely you're going to win Wimbledon the following week (or so). Sorry for not being as optimistic as you, Kyle

kazza I would not have been at all surprised if they had somehow managed to put him a show court anyway. Public demand and all that shizzle. They will probably move Rafa...

Private if Gulbis won the title, I would be more than happy . Can you imagine? He had some good matches last years, didn't he?

Can't wait to see Paire at Wimbledon- he had a proper strop in a match last year. Doesn't he always ?

I hope he has plenty of racquets at the ready, and his Beardy Bunch are in attendance.

Apparently, Wimbledon have said they won't put him on a show court for his first match.

Apparently, it's to do with scheduling of singles matches, wear and tear on the courts etc.

Apparently, he could be on No 2 Court, as this is ticketed and, therefore, the crowds can be controlled.

Note I'm hedging my bets by the excessive use of apparently

I like the use of 'apparently'

I'm pretty sure I don't remember doubles being on the show courts early on. I'm not sure they would get through all the singles matches if they tried to schedule doubles on centre and court 1 at the beginning.

Good point about crowd control- and they aren't going to do anything sneaky like Rome are they, and put the prices up ??

Of course not Raahh
We don't do that sort of thing.
We're British!

kazza yes if you say "apparently", you can just say anything you want - apparently

he is backing himself to win Wimbledon yes I think he's being a bit over ambitious there. Just a tad.

Raahh you know my love of Gulbis He did have some great matches last year - he beat Sascha didn't he - that was a brilliant match, one of my favourites of the year, although obviously the QF between Rafa and Delpo will always be my No1. Sigh.

I would love Rafa to just absolutely smash it and prove everyone wrong about this tough draw etc. You never know!

Ah that's interesting about Andy - yes Court 2 seems likely then doesn't it? Has someone agreed to be his partner for mixed yet?! Or is it still giving the commentators something to talk about??

Private last I read, apparently he might not play mixed doubles after all. Something to do with the possibility of matches getting backed up at the latter end of the tournament, which can result in playing twice in one day.

Now that's optimistic- thinking he will get that far in both- given he lost first round this week. .

I still can't believe it's nearly a year since that Delpo/Rafa match.

It really was great.

I've just realised that Dimitrov has avoided being drawn against Stan.

That must be a relief

Yes, I looked for that Raahh
Stan has also avoided Dan.

yes! He must be chuffed with that - finally! They are in totally opposite halves of the draw I think? Grigor plays Moutet though doesn't he - he's a decent player and he came through qualifying. So that's quite tough. And then he could have FAA after that - although FAA isn't v experienced on grass. Grigor is due a decent run though - come on Grigor!!

I can't remember who Stan drew but I remember thinking whoever it was probably wouldn't cause him too many problems - even though he claims to be no good on grass

Glad to see you're on Evans watch kazza

Stan is kidding us.

If Rafa is going to end up shafted by the draw, than I would love to see Stan get the Stan Slam. He might even iron a shirt for the final. He might be the dark in the tournament.

I just want Rafa to make it to the second week. I wish I had a crystal ball. I cannot stand the thought of Sue, Voice of Doom adding to the bloody List.

It is time Grigor caught a break- I would ordinarily say the same about Cilic, but seeing as he is in Rafa's bit... well, you know, I like you Marin, but...

Stan plays Bemelmans- who played a 5 set match against Isner last year, and very nearly beat him. It was really close. And a shame he couldn't finish the job. It would have spared everyone the Anderson match .

Ooh the dark I love that!

The thing is, how can someone so completely talented and with such proven Slam "pedigree" (couldn't think of a better word) be no good on grass? I agree, I think he's downplaying his chances and in fairness he doesn't have a good record on grass... but now's the time to change it Stan!!! The Stan Slam would be bloody brilliant - would absolutely love that.

Yes I saw Rafa could meet Cilic if they both progress. That would be a tough one to call. I mean on paper, that big serving type is dangerous for Rafa in grasa... but - that was such a bad loss for Marin at Queen's. It depends whether he's sort of "moved on" from that I think. I hope he hasn't lost more confidence as a result.

Bemelmans yes I remember that match now - didn't Isner throw his toys out of the pram over something or other?!

Well as long as Bemelmans doesn't make things worse by beating this year!!

Isner is just an over grown toddler , with his stupid backwards cap.

At least he can't wear stripes at Wimbledon. He looks particularly toddler-like in stripes. Even though he is 9 feet tall. .

He's also 34.

There is something about Isner that always makes me think he is about 6.

34?! Is he now - older than Rafa eh. I didn't realise that.