Tennis: Heading into the clay swing - Monte Carlo, Rome, Paris, don’t forget the altitude in Madrid

[Fizzywinegum]

New thread!

Jane it all very sedate after the drama of some of the matches the last couple of days.

Ahh, Gilles.
Many people underestimated Rafa.

I know Andrey often looks lethargic but he really looks lacking in energy today!

Of course it was Muller who beat Rafa in the 4th round in 2017, very tight last set.

Andrey is one of those players who seems to have a 'ceiling' when it comes to 'energy'- and I think he's reached it. I also think he probably wants the win so much, he will be beating himself up.

Unlike Nadal, who always finds an extra gear, or someone like Ferrer with the stamina of a duracell bunny.

I always think of Ferrer as a terrier

Jane he was a terrier.

I miss David on tour, always fun to watch and lovely with it.

Early days, but Andrey has started this set, meaning business.

No negative face, Andrey.

Can you complain about the speed someone plays at?

Andrey doesn't want to be getting into rallies

Nice manners Holger

Rune is learning quickly how to get into the heads of his opponents, it seems.

All the beer, no idea

Just filling in for Robbie

I don't understand the need for a white towel though around all that orange clay!

Jane yes, this commentary (much as I moan about Robbie) is a tad dry. It needs some Robbie-isms.

Yes somewhere in front of a screen Robbie is getting overexcited

Maybe Robbie’s on holiday?

I can't tell sometimes if Holger is limping, or just lumbering about in 'Kevin the teenager, just got out of bed' fashion.

Down on the empty beach Ice?

Maybe they reserved it specially Jane? At least the sun is shining today!

I think sometimes there is a different 'shift' at the weekends, to during the week. Maybe Robbie is preparing to delight us with tales of Goody the dragon at Barcelona

Was Goody there last year? I can't actually remember. It was a creepy fucker, that's for sure.

DS2 is waiting for his friend to collect him to go swimming and keeps coming in to look out the window with a speaker blaring out in his hand

Oh God i had forgotten about Goody the freaky fish-dragon

kids!

The Lovely Goody (who definitely looks more fish like than a dragon)

Having googled, I can only see him mentioned in 2021. Maybe they decided it was a very odd idea and didn't bring him back?

I think he was there last year doing some dancing?