TENNIS: Madrid, Rome and on to Paris

[JaneJeffer]

Who's going to get the last quarter final place?

[Raahh]

at Rafa's spaghetti hair.

I I'm pretty sure Eurosport is showing RG- now that ITV are not doing. I will Fabrice on ITV.

[Raahh]

I don't want Djok equalling Rafa- I think Thiem's chances of being the heir apparent to Rafa at RG are slim at the moment, so I would love to see Carlos win it, if Rafa doesn't.

[JaneJeffer]

Unless the Brummie King of Clay can pull it out of the bag all our hopes are pinned on the boy wonder. He's ready!

[Fizzywinegum]

I’m not sure that the Brummie Borg will cut it this year Jane .Alcaraz certainly looks ready!

I will also miss Fabrice this year Raahh but I bet he’s glad to have escaped from Jim and his constant questions and need for homework

[Raahh]

I like Carlos's positivity. If he gets a decent draw, there really is not reason he can't go far. He's proved too, he can play well on surfaces other than clay. He played some tough matches in the slams he's played so far- so he has the stamina.

Fizzy I am sure Fabrice will be glad to have escaped Jim .

[JaneJeffer]

A sight for sore eyes

[Fizzywinegum]

Hola sleeveless Rafa! Fingers crossed for a good tournament - it’s the draw tomorrow

[kazzaD66]

I don't know how Berrettini's rehab is going but he's looking rather dapper at the Cannes Film Festival

[Raahh]

Ooh lovely Rafa. Fingers crossed for a fair draw.

Talking of dapper players, for the first time since 2002, Feliciano Lopez has lost in qualifying for RG, and failed to make the main draw.

[JaneJeffer]

That's sad Raahh he should have been given a free pass!

[kazzaD66]

That's what I said Jane but DS said all the wildcards went to French players!

[JaneJeffer]

Vive La France

[kazzaD66]

Just seen the headlines on the draw. Rafa due to meet Cock in the quarters, with Alcaraz waiting in the semis. Providing they all make it that far, of course

[Raahh]

kazza Yes, I saw Rafa has potentially a tricky draw- Thompson, then maybe Stan/Foggy/Felix AA- then Djok, Carlos (or Sascha) and then Stef or Daniil maybe in the final.
I can't really see anyone in Djok's bit that will threaten him- until maybe Diego in the 4th round.

[Raahh]

Saw some lovely pictures on the RG site of Rafa practicing and having a chat with Iga.

I had a better look at the draw last night- and it is really lop sided, all things considered. 3 of the big favourites (even allowing for Rafa's injury) are in the same halfRafa, Carlos, and Djok. Zverev is also in that half . In the bottom, Stef really must be rubbing his hands with glee- Daniil will not really be considered a threat, until last year he couldn't even win a match at RG, and hasn't played on clay much this year. Might surprise everyone, but it's doubtful.

The only downside for Stef- he's drawn Musetti in the first round. Though Lorenzo did retire from their match in Madrid- but can be a dangerous when playing well. He beat Felix in Monte Carlo earlier on.

[Raahh]

I've just seen that (and I must admit, that I've read the statements, and it's a bit confusing) but the ATP have made the decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points due to their position to ban Russian/Belarussian players.
Points due to drop this year (including those that have been frozen since 2019) will do.
So - it will affect players like Djok the most - I suppose- because he will lose 2000 points- and not be able to earn them back. If I have understood it correctly.
Which I probably haven't

[Raahh]

Everyone will be in the same boat with the rankings thing, I know- but actually (and somewhat ironically given it's a sanction on Russian players, I suppose) it will be Daniil (who can't play) who will benefit from Djok losing points at Wimbledon- since he has relatively few points to defend there.

[JaneJeffer]

Alexa play Ironic

[JaneJeffer]

I saw a clip of Ons press conference where they asked her how she could beat Iga. She turned to Iga and asked her and Iga held up her water bottle and said put something in here

[Raahh]

Jane I love that. I'm so glad Ons is doing well- and they genuinely seem to get on. It was the media day today, wasn't it?
Rafa (in Rafa-ese) was saying lovely things about Iga in a conference.

[Raahh]

I think Rafa and Iga should play mixed doubles.

She would probably dissolve in a fan-girl puddle though.

[JaneJeffer]

I saw a bit of Rafa getting confused about whether they meant he played 30% better at RG or 30% better than everyone else he said once maybe

[JaneJeffer]

Oh yes that would be good Raahh I think she's getting used to being around him now

Loved Rafa and Stan having a high five yesterday too.

[Raahh]

I mean - if everyone thought Andy and Serena was a good idea at Wimbledon, Iga and Rafa at RG would be epic and they would be more likely to win.

[Raahh]

Jane poor Rafa He does get confused.