TENNIS- It's CLAY -time! Where Hubi (and everyone else) goes to Monte Carlo!

[Raahh]

Looked like the thread was about to run out- and for once I noticed.

Still sad we can't start this thread with better news of Rafa- but fingers crossed for the next one!

That trophy looks super heavy.

I was just thinking that- he'll be all sticky now.

Goody has been at the e numbers

I've just seen that Struff only very narrowly lost the doubles final over in Munich- 2 very close sets. He's had a very good week.

Aww that's a shame

I’ve been out today so no tennis watching for me (I did get to watch Elena beat Iga yesterday afternoon). Pleased for Casper - the trophy presentation sounds very entertaining from your comments here!

The presentation was pretty bonkers, Chessie. There is usually singing, but it was a bit much this year and Goody bopping about in the back ground was fun.

I was very pleased for Casper, and hope he can carry that forward- it should be a good season now-even if Rafa is not at his best- because I don't think it's a case that Djok will be the favourite in Rome or RG. And he will hate that. If Carlos is fit, and Jannik playing well, then there are lots of contenders. Casper is finding his form, Stef always does well on clay. Sascha is always in the mix. Daniil is an outside bet. There are lots of 'new' names appearing as well.

Of course, in an ideal world Rafa will win RG for a 15th time .

Madrid is another confusing one that doesn't start on a Monday .

So Rafa is in the Laver Cup! Will this be his swansong, as it was for Roger?
No more negative face

I've just seen that kazza. Will Roger join him for a sob fest?

They might sell a few tickets now

I like the idea of Rafa also finishing at the Laver Cup too. It's not a 'big' tournament, theres nothing at stake other than pride really, the actual result of his matches won't matter much. It certainly didn't matter that Roger didn't win anything. That wasn't the point.
I'm sure Roger will be there, in some capacity.

Annoyingly, Sky isn't showing any of the qualifying matches in Madrid and there have been some big names playing today. RBA is through, but Martinez (who was the number 1 seed) and Goffin are out. Domi's match has just started. Schwartzmann is playing Stary Eyes Albert.

So many actual 'names' in qualifying- makes me wonder who got into the proper draw

I know. I put it on this morning but it was showing replays so I had to go and do stuff. Bah!

Just seen the Madrid draw- Rafa has a first round match against a 16 year old American, Darwin Branch- and then De Minaur again in the next round.

I'm sorry.....Darwin Branch

it's a heck of a name, isn't it?

I mean, I didn't really need to say he was American, did I?

Apparently, he did quite well in the juniors at RG last year.

Actually, I think it might be Blanch - which isn't much better, really.

He sounds like he should have been the 7th US president

Anita's mug is annoying me on Pointless. The actual mug not her face. It's so distracting.

Why does she keep dipping things in it? And surely it would be a disaster if she spilt something on her laptop?

I am fascinated by Gal and his gravity defying hair

I was wondering what Gal is short for

Emma

Liam

What’s wrong with the picture of Emma? I’d be happy if I looked that good in one photo, ever.

I saw a picture of Darwin Blanch and honestly thought it was Ben Shelton.