TENNIS: Bienvenue à Roland-Garros

[JaneJeffer]

Just realised the tennis ball emoji is missing from the app. Merde. Off to complain!

lairy - my phone doesn't understand!

Well done to Casper- and Lorenzo, for making it a match.

I'd love to see Rafa actually letting his hair down (sorry Rafa )- and yes, football is probably where he does that.

I doubt dodgy booze is involved.

Or maybe it is

Rune is another Scandinavian to watch.

Taking over, they are.

ooh- controversial- Tim has been asked if it was a as obvious when Roger was first playing how good he would be, as people are saying Alcaraz will be. Since Tim obviously played Federer.
He said no- he never saw that in Federer- but it's obvious in Carlos
(Sue wouldn't let him get away with a statement like that ).

really Tim?

I like the questions they ask on Eurosport!

Tim maybe has a point, in a way. It took longer for Roger to make an impact than Carlos has. Even with Sascha, Daniil, Stef- I don't remember a buzz around a player like this - since Rafa. Who had won about 5 slams, before he was the age Roger was, when he won his first.

But you know what- it still won't stop them inexplicably fawning all over Kyrgios, if he returns at Wimbledon. That 'saviour of the game' .

It's baffling really.

Rune is a speedy player- this match is already 2 sets up -and it is barely started.

I was just delighted that Roger was someone who could beat Sampras

When are they going to give up on the Kyrgios nonsense?

Lord only knows, Jane- but if Rafa goes to Wimbledon, and is drawn against Kyrgios, I can imagine them salivating.

I never liked Sampras. His flobby tongue made me feel ill .

Hopefully his girlfriend will decide she hates London

I keep thinking of the football, and Rafa getting excited- in a Rafa-ish/Liverpudlian accent.

Keeping me amused.

Jane she didn't go to Rome. or Paris.

London?

Nah

No score in the footie so far. It could be a long night! What time is Rafa on at tomorrow?

Jane 1.30 ( british time- i think ).

They have only just confirmed in the commentary of this match that Rafa is watching the football

I hope they wrap this match up in normal time. It's already later than scheduled and Rafa needs his rest!

I’m also a bit worried about Rafa watching the football - I’m sure after the semi final he was a bit sluggish in his match the day after - hope he and his Dad aren’t going out on the lash later

I don’t think Rafa likes the night slot - it’s a bit cold and the balls get heavier later on - it will be interesting to see what happens if he does play Djok in the quarters - Djok prefers the night slot I think?

Oooh Madrid have just scored - Rafa will be happy!

Right off to bed with you Rafa

Just seen Rafa in the crowd - he didn’t look too excited!

He looked mithered.

Apparently Carlos is there too.

I fell asleep, see that Real Madrid won, hope Rafa and Carlos were not up too late At least Carlos gets all day to recover.

Rafa doesn't like the cold much, not the best conditions for him, so probably not that fussed, no, by the night matches. Though he did ok during 'Autumn RG' .
Play doesn'r start til 12 (Paris time) on PC, and there are 2 women's matches before him- I guess it depends on how one sided- or not- they are, as to when he plays.

I expect Djok likes the whole 'idea' of the night matches because they are advertised as the premier slot- so even if they are cold, damp and a bit shit, he will put up with them, so long as they attract the crowds. Not sure if he is happy that Carlos is getting that glory, though. He's back on Lenglen today.
Diego has never beaten him- there's a first time for everything, though...

The schedule is saying that Rafa’s match should be on at about 1.30pm but I think later is probably more realistic - not sure why they are always over optimistic in their timings

Hopefully Rafa’s had time to recover from last night

Djok is probably not very happy about Alcaraz having the headline slot again - I was just reading an article about Alcaraz in the paper - Djok was fairly dismissive of him saying that Grand Slams with best of five are a different challenge - we’ll see

just hoping that Diego can win today - although it’s a pretty tall order - ha ha

tall order

Yes, it is a bit optimistic, thinking Rafa will be on at 1.30- even if both matches before hand featured Iga , it would be pushing it to be over that soon (and a bit insulting to the players to suggest that the matches could be that one sided, to be honest!).

I can definitely imagine that Djok is feeling a bit put out by Carlos- they should all be talking about him defending his title, and getting slam number 21 (like they did ad nauseum in the US Open)- instead, it's all about Alcaraz- and I'm sure he hates it.

In the interview Djok did more or less say yes let’s talk about us now