TENNIS thread - It's still Clay-time, and we're off on a European tour- next stop Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.- before landing in Paris.

[Raahh]

amongst other places it would have taken too long to put in the title.

I haven't got around to watvhing the Alcaraz documentary yet- it sounds really interesting. I hope he gets time to be 'young' - we've seen too many sportsmen go off the rails over the years. Carlos is too nice to that. can't imagine him getting rebellious though (he might surprise everyone).

As with most things , money talks. And money can make people do ugly things.

I suppose it's why Rafa stuck with Uncle Toni for as long as he did- it wasn't necessarily the best for his career towards the end, (it did need a shake up)but maybe in financial/team terms it kept 'enemies' close.

Working with family is not for everyone though (eh, Stef? ).

I am surprised things haven't started early- even on a normal day, matches have started by 10. The organisers must be confident they can catch up.

Iga is doing her bit to help them play catch up, bagel in the first set.
Unfortunately, Karen is 2-5 down to TP ,which is not so good.
Come on Karen!

ADM has taken the first set against Shapo in the battle of the dodgy moustaches. Maybe they all have plug in electric razors?

Maybe Gillette ended their sponsorship

Diana has upped her game in the second set. And so has Karen.

so that's good.

I dislike watching ADM and Tommy Paul for opposite reasons. ADM is a lovely guy but his style of tennis bores me. TP I find quite good to watch tenniswise but he irritates me on a personal level. Clearly I am difficult to please

I can't warm to AdM either, though I'msure he's nice enough.

I just do not get on with TP at all. He's just a 'short Isner'.

(He's not even that short).

Well anyone is short compared to Isner.

Oh well, well done ADM.

Good win for Joe and Neal. Joe Salisbury hasn't had the best of times since splitting from Rajeev Ram- things are starting to come together, slowly.

Oh Karen.

Come on- late come back would be nice.

Norris has just lost to a lucky loser, Gabriel Diallo

Matteo is managing to hang on to this set just about.

Matteo needs to take this to a tie break though to level it , and is wobbling a bit on serve.

That’s weird - Matteo has just retired after losing the first set - he didn’t seem obviously injured?

I went out of the room for a minute, and Matteo retired

I was watching and I still don’t know what happened Raahh

I just turned over- not sure about Lorenzo's very baggy kit. The top is an odd shape.

Well done Lore- looked like he was going to lose that first set easily. did well to turn it around.

No hope for us then .

Unless he had a slight twinge, and doesn't want to risk not being able to play in Rome- I don't think he's made it there for the last couple of years.

Hmm I’m not sure about Lorenzo’s white sleeveless outfit - it’s a bit too baggy and flapping in the wind - it’s also giving me dentist vibes

X posts Raahh - Lorenzo can usually get away with most things but not sure about this kit - hopefully Matteo’s retirement is a tactical one

Some of the women have been wearing similar dresses over shorts- the white ones look like tabards/short togas. It's look marginally better in black. I think Benic was one who wore one, and Jasmine (her's was black, which didn't look quite so odd). Not sure if it's the same sponsor for the men, but it's defnitely an odd shaped top Lore is wearing.

No, this is a fashion faux pas from Lore.

Hopefully it's not sticking around for Wimbledon.

I had it on in the background. I don’t know what happened.