Tennis: Road to Turin, anyone seen Rafa?

[IceandIndigo]

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I wouldn't describe Carlos as a greyhound.He might not be quite Rafa at 21, but he's still pretty muscley.

Danill is more of a gangly type.

I think Holger's knee is a bit sore after that fall. He's hitting some lovely shots though.

Although he probably has a greyhound speed- not sure if that makes Holger the rabbit.

Not sure Carlos will want to be the one to beat Rafa, really!

Yeah I thought that was weird. Even Holger looks quite big compared to Daniil or Jannik for instance!

He started off really well, then Carlos settled in a bit, and the fall really didn't help. Certainly the first set could have gone either way, tbh.

I think Holger is aware of the difference

Jannik makes me think of Bambi - maybe it's just the hair.

Or the knock knees

Well done Carlos

Nice paycheque Holger

Well done Carlos.

You lasted longer than Daniil, Holger.

'The last time' stop it.

Holger doesn't have to speak to AC, so it's win-win.

Very diplomatic Carlos

Good stuff Carlos

God, AC is a national embarrassment.

Andrew not happy with Neymar flinging the balls

Jane no, that wasn't in the script!

I'm not sure I like the idea of this being Rafa's last singles match really- it's not exactly a place that means anything to him- and it's an exhibition match that is basically all about the dosh.

I know he won't play singles at Davis Cup- but it feels more fitting for that to be his swansong, not this.

Yeah it's a weird one but Baby Rafa's savings account will appreciate it

Hmm I'm not really happy about Rafa being in this 'tournament' either - maybe it seemed like a good idea at the time - how much money does a person need?

I've got visions of Holger's Mum backstage counting the dollars while smoking a fag!

in curlers and a head scarf? yes, me too!

yes!

I think Holger and Daniil had the right idea - take the money and run! (Unless they all have to go to a grand finale dressed in their special outfits!)

I think they should just come out on hobby horses, in their daft outfits. And poke each other with big pointy sticks. Like a Monty Python sketch. Which let's face it, the whole thing looks like.

And why was Carlos in a silver space outfit on the poster, when everyone else looked like extras from Dune?

I think they probably struggled to find a suitable themed outfit for Carlos, because he’s too happy and smiley to pull off a villain. So they went with some sort of futuristic space suit which ends up just looking silly. Whereas some of the others (cough, Djokovic) were able to lean in to the villain theme. I quite like Rafa being a golem built out of clay, it feels appropriate.

I have never seen anything that suits Djokovic so well as that outfit does.

Catching up on yesterday's posts, as unfortunately I was back under the knife because my original surgery wound hasn't healed
What's with the dolphin hate? 🐬 I love them, they make cute noises and always look like they're smiling. I patted some years ago in Bermuda and they're not slimy at all
Doesn't sound as if I'm missing much, not seeing the King's tournament, especially if the butterfly fancier is front and central and being even more of a fuckwit than usual!! Your comments, as always, amuse me though and I'd like to see some of the appalling outfits/photos you mention.

Dan playing Tiafoe later in Almaty. The last time they played about, a year ago, was when Dan was riding high. He was beating Tiafoe and then got injured and had to concede the match and it's been rapidly downhill ever since. So come on Dan!!! (He won't win )