Earlier this season, they did not see each other for more than a month, and Murray is now of the opinion that it was a mistake not to have always had Vallverdu in his corner. “I think it’s important to have a constant figure who is there all the time,” he said.

The hope is that having his old friend with him on an almost-permanent basis will get Murray’s season going again, starting on the purple Florida cement on Friday when he will open his Sony Ericsson Open tournament, after a bye through the first round, against Alex Bogomolov Jr, an American qualifier ranked outside the world’s top 100.

I read it and wept. Well, I would have wept if I thought Andy cared these days.

Whoo bloody hoo, he's not getting baggled this set. Thank gawd it's not being televised.

Is 8.30 am too early to start drinking?

Nah Bev, Just pretend you're back in Blighty. Make it a very large one.

I'm not watching it, just looking at the scores. Is it as bad as it sounds?


And only just read it -but Dani Vallverdu as his full time coach??? WTF!! Is he trying to get out of the elite rankings?

I'm voting Andy to lose in 2 as well. That way I wont be disappointed.

  At first I thought he was playing Alex Bogdanovich. I'd still have made the same prediction.

  Total and utter crap.

That is all

That's why I love my Sky+.  Being able to fast forward through the ads is great.

Absolutely. I Sky + everything except tennis.That way I can watch a load of programmes. I AM a telly addict, but haven't a clue about ads unless they're on Sky during Masters Cup.

Have a great birthday, Hazel

Wishing you all the best!

I feel incredibly old. I feel like I'm gatecrashing some teenage party.

LOl, how do you think Jan and I feel. Actually this board keeps me young....... I think.

Happy birthday to all those who've recently celebrated.

The older I get the quicker they come round, which, as I'm at the happiest point in my life, is not what I want.

Bev, I hate you. Since I gave up alcoholly I've developed a passion for cakes. That looks out of this world *sigh*

[Time doesn't heal a thing, it's what you DO with that time that defines whether you heal or not.]

Time doesn't heal a thing, it's what you DO with that time that defines whether you heal or not.

I love that quote and think it's so true.

"Nothing To Envy" about people in North Korea.

It's shocking,harrowing, heartbreaking and unbelievable that such a regime can brainwash an entire nation during the 21st century. I cant put it down.

LOL I hadn't realised fuzz had started a new thread AGAIN! I iknow it's a bit late for me to add to this topic but it made me laugh.

To all the relatively new posters, please dont worry, you'll get used to him. Absolutely nobody respects or takes him seriously. If you went back 2 -4 years ago, he would be playing Challengers if fuzz's predictions at that time had come true.

He's become a sort of institution/laughing stock on here, and, as Panda says, only posts when Andy has lost, he's NEVER around when he's winning Masters titles or owt.

I have no idea why he feels the need to that, but if it amuses me and does me no harm, then I can giggle away in the knowledge that if Andy wins a Slam, I have an armful of fuzzy posts to throw back at him.

I know that's childish, but, as I said, it keeps me amused. But he isn't worth getting het up about.

 Honest

Awwww. I have a soft spot for Piers. I wouldn't say "No" to a night out with him, I think it'd be a hoot, while one with Fed would probably have me falling asleep with boredom.

Good posting Mark and Iris

Is it the summer? We seem to be in "silly season" mode in a few posts in threads that I've read this morning.

FWIW, I think Kim is the best thing that has hapened to him. He does NOT need a tennis player as your other half, unless they've retired. They may understand the pressure, but they'd never see one another.That is the daftest remark I've read.

I find this whole subject of advertising and sponsorship so bizarre. Surely any rational person bases their choices on whether or not a product is value for money, tastes good or provides an efficient service. The idea that you wouldn't buy something because it is associated with a person who occasionally behaves badly on a tennis court is laughable. Do people honestly believe that if they use something advertised by a celebrity of whatever kind, then they will somehow magically inherit the success or other qualities of that celebrity?? Sponsors and advertisers should credit us with a little more intelligence

ITA. Unfortunately loads of impressionable people dont, which is why they'll pay silly money for some piece of tat that they could get at a fraction of the price, or thnk it's cool to drink or eat something which a Zleb has endorsed.

I've never understood it, but I have a nephew who wouldn't be seen dead in anything without a label He's up to his neck in debt, I'm not, so I'd rather buy something functional than cool.

Incidentally, Andy doesn't need sponsorship, he's a multi millionaire. But it's a short career so obviously he needs to rake in the dosh while he can to keep 19 and the rest of his entourage happy.

Kafaelnikov played the whole of his career with little or no sponsorship. ( OK he was a huge gambler who seemed to do rather well in the casinos, but that's risky).

I think Playstation would be great. as someone said, it's the product I most associate him with!

Pleased about this. I do NOT want to see a repeat of his Rotterdam performance. That was tragic.