Tennis Thread - Grand Slams & The Tour

Monte repeat in Barcelona.
Ruud must start favourite, Tsitsi has had two consecutive three setters.

 

Even a stopped clock...!

 

You never,ever want to play a qualifier.
I saw about five games,the Argentinian girl didn't miss,went for her shots.
Raducanu didn't play with any margin and was missing by yards not inches.
Another Moutet meltdown, always entertaining. Mad as a cabbage!

 

Poor Emma needed a Lourdes type miracle yesterday but it never came

 

Alan Jones' funeral today at Enfield Crematorium.

A who's who of GB tennis. Jeremy Bates, Keovathongs Anne and Lena, Susie and Harriet Dart amongst others.

Poignant and painful.

Laura and Ryan,his children spoke well and understandably broke down at the end of their respective eulogies.

Jo told a great anecdote.

Not sure whether it's about,golf, tennis,both or just people and their relationships. 'Only connect' as Forster would have it.

Jo was due to play third round of Flushing Meadows v Helena Sukova.

Alan had booked a round of golf,he played all the major courses all round the world and at home." I've got an early tee time,so I'll be back in time."

Jo went on. No Alan.

Jo won,three hours later. Still no Alan.

In the middle of her press conference in walks Alan,golf bag across his shoulder,arms raised in triumph.

Jo raised hers too. Alan said " I got a birdie on the third!"

RIP Maestro.

 

Well done Rafa. Will always be the greatest.

 

Laver.
Martina.

 

I knew you’d post here to criticise my opinion. For me Rafa is the greatest. Other people are more than welcome to have theirs.

 

Perhaps you mean Rafa is your favourite. McEnroe is mine, but I wouldn’t label him “the greatest”.

 

Greatest on clay certainly.
Indisputable.
Greatest ever,an endless debate since Renshaw and Tilden and Musketeers,Budge,Hoad,Laver,Federer...
Lenglen,HWM, Connolly,Court,BJK,Martina,Steffi,Serena...
As much as I find him difficult to like,ND has the split of major titles and the most too. Hard to argue against his claim, should Manatleisure wish to do so.
Whatever, a good win against an out of sorts Demon.

 

Another hugely impressive performance from Jakub Lemsip.
Very sharp.

 

The law of the qualifier strikes again and a leftie.
Madrid doesn't suit Tsitsi, altitude and courts faster than elsewhere in Europe.
Probably the best place to lose early if there is such a thing.
Nadal's only won Madrid five times!

 

As I’ve said before, I have no interest in being shouted down for expressing my opinion that Rafa is the greatest.

You stick to your opinion and I will stick to mine.

 

Griekspoor beats the Boy Band in three.
Rune not having a good year so far.

 

Not quite up to Czech proportions but Brazilian men are on the march.

Seyboth Wild,Monteiro and João Fonseca who lost last night to Norrie,but has risen 500 places since January aged 17.

 

Good to see the Brazilian players winning their matches so well, without any close shaves.

 

Although reduced significantly on his forehand due to injury,hence the sleeve.

 

No they won't.
Rome looming and then RG.
Lehechka defeats Rafa,who says goodbye to Madrid.

 

Rafa proving he remains the GOAT by advancing as far as he did in the tournament, considering he’s now 37.

 

Yes! And amazingly Rublev wins a quarter-final match in a tournament!

 

Neither will want to be injured going into RG.
Alcaraz has had numerous problems over the last year and Sinner is now experiencing the same difficulties.

Both have probably only just stopped growing and the rigours of the tour catch up with you sooner or later.

Next up the most beautiful venue in the world,in my opinion,Foro Italico.

Not long to get the body right.