Tennis: Adios Madrid, Ciao Roma

[JaneJeffer]

I didn't realise it was Elena's first clay tournament.

I have been reading about Iga and it's worrying so close to RG. I hope it's nothing serious or at the moment the prospect of neither of the defending champions being there, or fit to play properly, is looking increasingly likely.

That’s really unfortunate for Iga. I watched the first half of the match and thought she was on track to win it in straights. Hopefully the retirement was just a precaution and she’ll be fit for RG.

Oh no hope that Iga is OK

I’m a bit nervous about Rafa’s press conference - do you think we’ll be able to watch it live?

It’s at 3pm UK time

I will probably miss the press conference (school run and opticians appointment).

I think it's pretty obvious what he's going to say. I doubt they would be doing this just to announce he intends to go (though there have been so many rumours, they might just want to quash them).

I am really torn- I want him to play, but only if I know in 3 weeks or so he will win. Anything less will bring out the 'we said he was washed up' crowd.

Ice i hope you're right, I like Iga and it would be a real shame if she wasn't at RG.

It's all so different to the first half of last year!

I feel a bit torn as well Raahh - while I would love to see Rafa play I don’t want to see him possibly losing in the early rounds. Even if he has fully recovered from his injury (which he probably hasn’t) it would be a hard ask for him to play 5 set tennis over 2 weeks with no match practice since January

The only bright side is that Djok is seeming quite vulnerable and not as dominant as expected - I wouldn’t mind Rafa not being at RG if Rune, Alcaraz or anyone else but Djok were to win it

'Anyone But Djok' is the definite mantra for the next couple of weeks.

I'd be happy with pretty much anyone else. (I don't think Kyrgios is playing ).

Stef probably thinks it's 'his time' to win it now- and Alcaraz winning another slam before him would not go down well. I'm not sure Sascha is 100% still. Medvedev is doing better on clay, bt a slam is a different kettle of fish, though he certainly has the stamina for it.

If Rafa can't be there, then it would be brilliant if Rune won it , or Ruud(since I am Casper's biggest fan ).

Talking of which, not sure what I'm going to do in the Rune/Ruud semi- I want them both to win (I think Holger has the edge, Casper hasn't been too consistent lately, but is improving).

Oh yes anyone but Djok and Dick! He’s been fairly quiet recently (thank goodness) - maybe even he realises that he’s becoming even more irrelevant these days

So Rafa has withdrawn from RG, and won't play for the next few months probably.

Is he preparing us for his retirement? I’m feeling quite

He’s hoping to be able to say goodbye at all his tournaments next year

Daft as it sounds, I was feeling really nervous before the announcement. I feel very sad about it. It really feels like the end. It feels very unfair- last year was going well- and then one thing after another really.

I feel like he's not going to get the chance to 'retire' properly

Pfft.

Well, I need to go out soon. So I have to walk the dog. Who will have to listen to me moaning now

That’s how I feel as well Raahh

I’m watching it and Rafa does seem quite relaxed and smiling so it might be a relief for him - I hope he does manage to get the retirement he wants but he wants to go out being competitive and feeling good which I’m not sure will happen

He’s speaking in Spanish now so got no idea what he’s saying! Oh back to English now

I was really nervous when it said that his family were there!

He said that he would like to compete at the Olympics next year at RG but he’s not making any commitment to anything (which is understandable) - that would be a nice send off for him with maybe not as much pressure on him to win a GS - I don’t know - I’m just rambling now!

He speaks very quickly in Spanish!

It must be so difficult to know when to stop when you've had a career like Rafa. If he had quit last year after winning RG lots of people would have said he was bonkers, why retire when you can still win slams? But if it turns out he can't come back from this latest injury, people will be disappointed by that too. I really hope he gets the final year in 2024 he's aiming for.

Yes so do I Ice

Catherine seems quite emotional talking about Rafa - Dani and Tim look as if they’re in mourning already in their dark clothes

I will probably never get to see Rafa now - unless I manage to get tickets for his farewell tour!

I’ve just had to download my Wimbledon tickets onto an app - that was a bit of an ordeal! It’s a far cry from sending a SAE to Wimbledon! I liked having a paper ticket <grumpy old lady>

It must be really hard. Look at Stan who is compelled to keep going.

I hope Rafa is fit to come back next year and end his career on his own terms but above all I want him to be healthy. He's given so much

Sad news about Rafa. It's one of the reasons Andy and Stan keep on playing. They want to finish on their terms and they just love tennis and competing aswell.

I've got to do whatever for my Wimbledon tickets aswell fizzy. Bloody* *technology

I see GB are playing in the Davis Cup in Manchester in September vs Switzerland, Australia and France.

Just seen Dick is also out of the French, with a foot injury. Shame.

It is a bit rubbish that downloading tickets to the Wimbledon app seems to be the only option kazza - I did manage it in the end although they did seem to disappear at one point! Now I’m worrying about possible train strikes!

I think Rafa will only be happy to continue playing if he can be competitive - I can’t really imagine him playing a challenger tournament but good for Stan and Andy for still carrying on

Lovely to hear Martina

Tony Hadley we love you madly

They have to play some spandau ballet now surely?