Tennis- As we leave Rome (and the ombrelli) it's off to Paris- pack the parapluie!

[Raahh]

I am not paying attention to thread lengths these days .

Now I'm seeing Holger's kit up close, I'm wondering if it's grey/black, rather than blue,

Either way, it's not clay coloured

Good win for Holger.

And it's all happening today- turned over to see Andreeva get a code violation for smashing a racquet (and nearly aiming a ball at the crowd).
But she took the first set.

I’m just wondering what sort of reception Taylor Fritz will get after running around the court shushing the crowd after his last match - that didn’t go down well

He might have to brush up on his French and get them all on side, Fizzy .

I fear it might be a lost cause Raahh

Oh, probably

Aah they’ve just shown a montage of Rafa’s birthday cakes throughout the years - not quite sure why he kept trying to blow the big sparklers out

Hopefully he’ll be back next year

It's like watching toddlers with those candles that re-light themselves.

Coco is very much in charge in her match now. Andreeva looks a bit deflated. It's odd to think they are both teenagers - Coco seems so much older than 19.

Dh has taken over the tv.

eek. And City have scored already.

This is going to be a bad afternoon. I might got out

Yes you’d think he’d have learnt after all these years!

Well done Coco - it must be weird being the veteran player at the age of 19!

I am score watching- Iga is being Iga- and a double bagel could be on the cards if Wang doesn't get this game.

I have logged into to Discovery.

I am very glad to see that Taylor has ditched the scrambled egg kit.

Just put it on now. Telly got nicked for the Manchester derby. Your DH must be disappointed Raahh. I was disappointed by having to listen to Jack Grealish talking afterwards. Good thing he's good at football that's all I'll say.

DS1 loves Carlos' top again and has been looking it up - it costs €80!

Seems Francisco has the upper hand here.

To be honest Jane, after that very speedy first goal, Dh was just glad they didn't lose by a much bigger margin

Cerundolo is having a very good year. And Etcheverry won earlier too.

There's a 'next Gen' happening in Argentina

Ooh Francisco plays Holger next

Yes there does seem to be an Argentinian renaissance - well done Cerundolo!

Yay Fabrice!

It looks as if Rafa will be out for about 5 months after his surgery - he’s had various joints cleaned out and sewn up <yuk>

Good win for Tsurenko- disappointing for Bianca, she was just starting to pick up her game again.

Poor Rafa

Showing his top 5 RG moments now.

Not sure how you could pick just 5, really.

He looks like he's trying to put a brave face on in his photo

I'm not entirely convinced he will be back. It will be a lot like Roger. One surgery lead to another. Covid happened, and before we knew it, he had barely played at all.

I've said it before (hindsight being a wonderful thing) but I almost wish it had been a joint retirement at the Laver Cup. Rafa had had a good year, til he got injured. And then became a dad. A good time to call it quits.

It's not really right to think that that match in Australia might be the last time he plays competitively.

watching his best bits made me sad

Even DH said he was sad - I asked if he was pretending and he said that he wasn’t - just hope he can recover ok