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[deb]

People banged on about the blue clay in Madrid, but it strikes me this is as bad, if not worse.  Players train how to slide properly on clay because it's normal for that surface.  They're not trained to slide on grass.

Exactly, it's going to get worse with all this rain and dampness, I am really glad Andy didn't go all out with so much at stake.

[drchef]

C'mon people. Don't start blaming the grass. Sure, there's a little less traction because it was the first couple of days but that is always the case. That crazy slide mark was a result of poor movement on Andy's part. I couldn't believe the way he was trying to play. He was literally moving like he was still on clay. Very strange!

[Little Laroo]

C'mon people. Don't start blaming the grass. Sure, there's a little less traction because it was the first couple of days but that is always the case. That crazy slide mark was a result of poor movement on Andy's part. I couldn't believe the way he was trying to play. He was literally moving like he was still on clay. Very strange!

Yes but you can't say the poor state of the surface wasn't a contributing factor because it was. That grass is a menace, other players have been muttering about it too and others have also struggled to play on it and had bad movement. It does seem to be retaining a lot more water than usual (which is strange because we usually get a few days of terrible weather at the beginning of the grass court season and players can usually manage). I, personally, don't think that the new groundskeeper at Queens is helping matters much (even if he is the son of the previous one). His courts seem to be a bit waterlogged and there were a few puddles that regularly gathered at the back and sides of the court throughout the first few days after it rained as I don't think it was draining properly.

[Elena]

Fiverings -"Incidentally, I was somewhat surprised to learn that the old boy network in tennis extended to the grounds staff"

I found this article about Halle

Once the roof became a reality, they tackled another enhancement: to offer a perfect lawn. “By introducing a transportable lawn on pallets, we succeeded in having an innovation unique throughout the world, which is unparalleled up to today,” said Ralf Weber.

The same rye grass used in The Championships lawns is rooted in Halle, and the individual responsible for court care and playability is Phil Thorn, whose father Jim was the well-respected lawn keeper at Church Road, SW19 for years. One thing Jim didn’t have to worry about was raising grass that could withstand the rigours of indoor play. Phil has creatively accomplished the task by developing a palate system to grow the grass behind the Tennis Club Blau-Weib, the tournament’s home. Then, just before the tournament begins, the massive slabs are fork-lifted into the 12,400 seat Gerry Weber Stadium.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DEUCE-Tennis/DEUCE-Roland-Garros-Wimbledon-2012/Halle-20th-Anniversary.aspx

[Tasmanian Devil]

And Tsonga is a doubt for Wimbledon having suffered a suspected broken finger after slipping on the grass ...

Now if that had happened to Muzza, we really would have something to whinge about.  I am slightly disappointed by the result at Queens, but at the same time, I can see that it isn't the end of the world.  It's just a continuation of the weird, weird world of Andy Murray.

[Ruthie]

I've not had a chance to read all the thread yet but thanks Hazel for what seems like a very fair match report.
I was there but had a ticket for 1 not centre court so couldn't watch the match.  I did watch part of it on the big screen but it was too depressing especially surrounded by people drinking champagne who couldn't give a toss [of which more in a moment].  Then tried to follow what was happening from the umpire which you can hear on court 1, which is offputting to say the least.  Disappointing that Andy lost.  But there was a story in yesterday's Standard that Jamie had said Andy had been advised not to play dubs at queens [as originally planned] because he's had cortisone injections and intensive physiotherapy and his doctors have advised rest.  So this could explain why he might not have appeared totally committed to the match and why his serve has gone backwards.  I hope the fact he's playing 2 exhibition matches at Boodles means he does feel it will be ok.  Btw does anyone know if boodles is televised at all?  Andy plays thursday and friday.

Two conversations I overheard at Queens epitomised the problems Andy has with the great English public.  First a couple of posh young women who were drinking in the cafe area during andy's match though they had seats for centre court.  They were supporting Mahut insofar as they were paying attention to the tennis.  One then said to the other 'well I suppose you have to give it to Murray that he has some decent shots but he's so [long pause] unappealing'.
Second conversation later: a guy on his mobile phone.  It had made his day that Andy had lost.  Then went on to say he's watched virtually no tennis as the free Rjoka was so good and after all tennis is just a ball going back and forth over the net and which would you prefer - free Rjoka or tennis; it's a not brainer.
I don't expect people to be fans of Andy just because he's British but   the glee with which the guy said it had made his day that Andy had lost was quite upsetting.  I glared at him but I don't suppose he noticed and I wasn't going to get into arguments!
Final report from Queens.  On thursday I bumped into John Inverdale coming off 1 Court so thanked him for the excellent ITV coverage of RG and said how many agree and so much better than Eurosport.  I have to say he's rather dishy in real life!

[Ruthie]

Sounds as though you had an interesting, if not happy day Ruthie! Just as well I wasn't with you, as I'd have been sorely tempted to kick Mr. Rioja on the shin......hard! What about John......did you get his number? 

Yes I wish I had done now Caz - kick his shin that is or smash his mobile. And as for John's number not quite that forward. 

[jillypops]

I haven't missed the Queens Club tournament in over 30 years, but my friend and I said yesterday it's lost it's magic and I think that is due to it being such a corporate event, like Ruthie said wrong type of person there, I remember in the old days when there was a bomb alert walking over to the side of the Club with Goran and Pat Rafter.
Unfortunately Boodles is also a mainly corporate event not many tennis fan there.