Tennis [tennis]. Covid, Kygrios, coupling.......

[magimedi]

Here ya go!

Bon soir, mes amis

It's nonstop football here today!

What a shame, GB lost in the champions tiebreak.

So, the WTFs start today- and first up (in singles)is Ruud against Felix- and Rafa plays Fritz tonight.
I can't shake the feeling that Rafa might withdraw after his first match (not for the first time ) and it's a tough opener against Fritz anyway.

Will give me plenty to watch whilst I tackle the mountain of ironing that has appeared from nowhere. I have no idea where it's come from, since I did a load the other day- and no-one has been anywhere . Even dd's school uniformis already done!

My dirty washing basket is like that Raahh - as soon as I turn my back it’s full again

I’m hoping to watch Rafa later on but there is also a lot of other sport on!

Greg was confidently predicting last week that Rafa would withdraw after his first match - hope that he’s proven wrong but I’m not feeling too optimistic about Rafa’s chances

I’ve seen a few paparazzi shots of Rafa and Mery with baby Rafa but they’re a bit blurry and can’t see his face properly - hope they do a proper photo shoot for Hola! but not sure if they will

Fizzy when players were getting ill all over the place and Carlos withdrew , I read in a few places that Rafa wouldn't go at ( and all the various unlikely people who could then take his place).

Greg is not a Rafa fan, (he would give the trophy to Djok straight away if he could)so it doesn't surprise me that he thinks that way- but I have felt the same. It's not the best period of the year for him- and unlike Roger- who was able to skip the whole clay season for a few years, and it didn't really affect anything, or matter much- skipping the season finale is a bit of a different thing. He's qualified for it (many years really early)- but always goes into it way down the list in terms of odds. And there are only 8 players

I've seen the blurry Rafa pap shots- Rafa didn't look too happy

All very damamtic in Turin.

Big contrast to 2020, the last year in the 02, AC pretty much talking to himself - Tim splitting his duties between the BBC and Prime (still never worked out how that worked under the Covid bubble rules ).

*dramatic even

Greg already wittering about altitude

Which will be a big deal in the Rafa match- they always mention altitude in Madrid.

that they call Uncle Toni 'Toni Nadal' now- because he's not Felix's uncle.

Tight first set, won by Ruud on a tie break. There's not much in it- I do get the feeling Robbie and Mark are willing Felix on more than Casper.
Not been many 'Robbie-isms'- but 'bouncebackability' has made an appearance.

He was still Uncle Toni in Paris. What happened?

I don't know He can be everyone's uncle, can't he? Not Djok though.

Good win for Casper- I did see Felix blowing his nose. Maybe he's still not too well, he didn't seem 100% by the end of last week. But good win for Casper, all the same.

I've just tuned in. No doubt there will be more footy any minute now.

And Bingo, DS2 wants the telly at half past!

The Italian court looks much more stylish than Paris

Jane Paris was very ugly. Disappointingly so

I have yet to spot any fruit.

I thought Kevin Spacey was cancelled!

When Fritz beat Rafa at IW, Rafa had an abdominal injury. And then didn't play for weeks- the start of the clay season. So, yes, it was a great win for Fritz- but it wasn't against a fit Rafa.

I do like Fritz though- and it has been a great year for him- he had made a lot of fans this year, and his match at Wimbledon against Rafa was something else.

Yes, Greg, it's because of the nerve damage on his foot that he was on crutches last year.

Pay attention.

Greg's a bit useless really.

Fuck me now Petch has landed

Bingo! First mention of altitude

Right- so, we've etablished the conditions are quicker then...

I don't like the way mark and Greg both say 'Rafa fans' in a way that suggests they are anything but.

I mean, I know that they aren't -but no need to be so obvious.

The ball boys shorts are like something the Waltons would have worn.