TENNIS - When in Rome - the clay court season continues!

[Fizzywinegum]

New thread!

well done Sascha.

And Nico has surprised everyone by getting this far (even though he is pretty good).

Lovely that both of Jarry's dc are there.

Well done Sascha and well done on your linesman work

No Gigi they will keep asking him about the injury for eternity

I missed the speeches, just got back to see this montage.

Well, there goes Rome for another year then.

I have been checking the schedules for today, and I'm not sure what Sky will do (do we ever know what Sky will do?).

Whilst looking, I spotted Domi is in qualifying over at RG- playing the fabulously named Franco Agamenone, playing for Italy. He was actually born in Argentina- but with the name of an Ancient Greek King .
His not so fabulous back story is he was suspended in 2019-20 for doping (good time to be suspended, nowt was happening).
That might be why he now plays for Italy, the Argentinians don't want him....

Bittersweet 🥺

The cheek of them not to give Domi a wildcard hope he gets through

I also think it’s really bad that they haven’t given Domi a wildcard - hope he gets through to the main draw

Apparently they only usually give wildcards to French players (who then shrug and lose in the first round - ok maybe not all of them - just the ones with big beards!)

Although I see that Benoit is in the qualifiers

I’ve just been reading about the Olympics - Rafa could possibly still get a place as could Andy Murray because of their Grand Slam and Olympic records

I’m still not sure if Rafa is playing at the French Open? - it’s all been a bit quiet (apart from his snowy escapades with Roger!)

Sky have managed to find some tennis with a Brit! Dan Evans is playing in Lyon

Just had a to take dd2 to the dentist. Had a gut ful of medical emergencies this week. .

The Rafa situation for the Olympics was murky- at one point both he and Carlos were supposedly having to write to some committee, since Carlos didn't qualify either as he had not played Davis Cup(or other national team competition) in the right time frame. I think he has been sorted- but then read that Rafa could qualify as a former champion. Now, I know there are not going to be dozens of currently active former Olympic gold medalists, but do they do that for all events ? track and field athletes go through all sorts of qualifying stuff- regardless of previous form.

it's not that I don't want Rafa there, obviously. But it did confuse me at the time.

RG is probably the most partisan of the tournaments in prioritising French players and scheduling them over and above other players. I mean Wimbledon does it with Brits- but there are so many of them for it to look like a takeover

Poor Dan

The water in Strasbourg looks like a wine box!

`Hanfman reminds me a bit of Jamie Dornan. From certain angles. I always forget he is hearing impaired- doesn't wear his hearing aids on court though.

He is playing very well.

Another Brit may soon be biting the clay dust.

Pollen storm on the court- looks like snow.

Suppose it's better than bees.

Though they might be following ...

Andy is getting stroppy

Is it a Murray match if he doesn't? he'd have found a reason eventually.

Well, he has got his way ,and the match is suspended.

I never understand who is in charge of making the decision at these things. Half the time, they seem to make it up as they go along, and there is always a player is suits better to stop.

But very different attitude to the rain and weather than Rome, where the slightest amount of moisture made the lines dangerous and Mo would be out with his mini squeegee (not a euphemism).

And Alize Cornet's last match, before she retires after RG. Few words after and a plant that looked like it came from a outside Sainsbury's.

One of the commentators said the mini squeegee would be great for doing along kitchen baseboards

It really would Jane- nice long handle, no bending down.

I want a mini squeegee