ATP 1000: Monte Carlo (Daily Order Of Play)!

First topic message reminder :

Monte Carlo.... tennis is finally coming home!

After weeks of sleepless nights caused by travelless jetlag, tennis caravan is back to where it belongs and looks best: Europe!

Ahead are a few potentially historically huge months:

Novak Djokovic could be the first man after Rod Laver to hold all 4 slam titles.

He could also be the first man to achieve the Golden slam, if he wins the gold at the Olympics.

All grand dreams, very difficult to achieve, yet, for this grand dreamer, nothing is impossible

Back to Monte Carlo, and the first 1000 Masters even on clay:

Bar Federer's last minute wild-card change of mind, all the best players are in town:

*Legendary Rafael Nadal with his mind-boggling 7 straight tournament wins.
*Novak Djokovic with his mind-boggling 7 straight finals wins over Nadal
*Andy Murray , pressure free and hungry. Could surprise many.
*David Ferrer, the eternal bridesmaid...will give someone a great workout in the semi-final!
*Delpo? No Federer in the draw, may release the "old" smooth powerhouse.

and.....

everybody else except the Biggest clay question mark called Isner, who withdrew from the tournament needing rest and preparation for the remainder of the season.

Official website:

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/


The Draw:

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?Year=2012&Draw=ms

Easier to follow, PDF version of the draw:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2012/410/mds.pdf

Order of play for Wednesday, 17th of April (no PDF version yet):

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/schedule.aspx?EventId=410&Year=2012&Seq=5

Set in the glorious scenery of glittering, breath-taking sparkling Medditeranean vista, I will be there daily in spirit sighing and dreaming....

For Monte Carlo with its vintage charm, class and timeless air of dolce vita is my favourite tournament (let's leave that heart-breaker called Wimbledon out of this conversation just this once!)

I have bought a large vintage poster of Monte Carlo recently, and it hangs framed behind my desk reminding me of those days when the world took its time....and nobody moaned that much ....and ladies wore dresses when they played....and looked and behaved like ladies ....

http://img2.photographersdirect.com/img/16398/wm/pd1802170.jpg

Now, let's get into the mood, shall we?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFabjc6mFk4


AND, last but not the least...

GO NOLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!1

Just to confirm, im able to post what I like where I like. I am not bound to only post here.

summerblues, we need to draw a under this. People can post where they want - its all public domain - the other site isnt under the ownership of 1-2 new posters although you might think so reading their posts. Maybe you can appreciate Gav has had a hard time these past few days when all he was doing was implementing site rules - at the end of the day Gav & Hero have made it clear posters were banned for breaching those site rules, and not for the first time given their previous bans.
I've read posts on the other site and there is alot of misinformation and bitter vitriol flying around in my opinion. I can understand people dont like being banned and feel bitter about it but their ban is not the fault of everyone else except them. You probably never saw some of the diatribe posted on here at times...I wont, for example, forget some particularly horrible and nasty posts aimed at laverfan by some of those now banned that had to be removed very promptly. Those that saw the posts wont forget them easily and alot of respect was lost that day. So what I'm saying is dont believe everything you read, talk can be cheap on forums - particularly when driven by bitterness.

Very good comment lydian.

I can't say I personally saw much of the material to which you refer. But I am totally satisfied in my mind that you would not describe it in the way you have done without good cause.

I'm a firm believer in the things-come-full-circle brand of philosophy. By which I mean that if some of the posters who have been banned from here fail to reflect calmly on the error of their ways, they could well end up causing similar disruption within the new environment to which they have so quickly migrated in a mood of complacency and apparent triumph.

" I'm a firm believer in the things-come-full-circle brand of philosophy. By which I mean that if some of the posters who have been banned from here fail to reflect calmly on the error of their ways, they could well end up causing similar disruption within the new environment to which they have so quickly migrated in a mood of complacency and apparent triumph "

The original poster who was banned has a track record of having been banned from various sites in the past. His continued attacks on Nadal have been nothing more than obsessive and a lot of posters, not only fans of Nadal must have been getting fed up with it. Hence most of the Nadal fans have left and its unlikely new ones would wish to join after reading some of what had been posted.

He has his followers, some of which seem to think he can do no wrong, so they know where to go if they wish to maintain contact with him, and some have already done so.

I am sure this or any other tennis forum can do without the likes of people who in the main suffer from some form of OCD, sad as it may be.

sportslover wrote:" I'm a firm believer in the things-come-full-circle brand of philosophy. By which I mean that if some of the posters who have been banned from here fail to reflect calmly on the error of their ways, they could well end up causing similar disruption within the new environment to which they have so quickly migrated in a mood of complacency and apparent triumph "

The original poster who was banned has a track record of having been banned from various sites in the past. His continued attacks on Nadal have been nothing more than obsessive and a lot of posters, not only fans of Nadal must have been getting fed up with it. Hence most of the Nadal fans have left and its unlikely new ones would wish to join after reading some of what had been posted.

He has his followers, some of which seem to think he can do no wrong, so they know where to go if they wish to maintain contact with him, and some have already done so.

I am sure this or any other tennis forum can do without the likes of people who in the main suffer from some form of OCD, sad as it may be.

Labelling people with medical conditions is pretty classy. What a shining wit you are!

Sorry if you also have a similar condition, perhaps then you could tell us what his problem was?

I wouldn't presume to do so. Nor would I label people. Nor would I seek to keep stirring the pot to continue the bad feeling on either side.

Can't you just let it pass? Perhaps write an article?

sportslover - I suspected that might well be the case, ie that he had 'form' in having been already banned from various sites in the past. He might run out of forums eventually ; in which case perhaps an opportunity to establish one all of his own, and with his very own rules (or even lack of ....??!)

reckoner wrote:

sportslover wrote:" I'm a firm believer in the things-come-full-circle brand of philosophy. By which I mean that if some of the posters who have been banned from here fail to reflect calmly on the error of their ways, they could well end up causing similar disruption within the new environment to which they have so quickly migrated in a mood of complacency and apparent triumph "

The original poster who was banned has a track record of having been banned from various sites in the past. His continued attacks on Nadal have been nothing more than obsessive and a lot of posters, not only fans of Nadal must have been getting fed up with it. Hence most of the Nadal fans have left and its unlikely new ones would wish to join after reading some of what had been posted.

He has his followers, some of which seem to think he can do no wrong, so they know where to go if they wish to maintain contact with him, and some have already done so.

I am sure this or any other tennis forum can do without the likes of people who in the main suffer from some form of OCD, sad as it may be.

Labelling people with medical conditions is pretty classy. What a shining wit you are!

Hi SL.. having read your post I thought it may be the right time for me to come back to the forum...as you said many of us Nadal followers left the forum (and it was not the first forum for me) but I hope that I will now find that I am once more amid friends.. albeit our opinions will obviously differ.. that goes without saying.. but like him or hate him Nadal is here for a while yet. and whilst he is... so am I.. But good luck to you all and all your favourites... but most of all be glad that we have them all each and every one of them because we are living in the most wonderful of tennis eras and some of the greatest players who have ever lived..

What about you, lags? How about something constructive, an entertaining or informative article perhaps?

Please can you refrain from discussing posters who have no method of defending themselves or providing a response? Users have been banned, but that doesn't make it open season on them!
Let's leave the past where it belongs.

And welcome back Haddie-nuff!

Enforcer wrote:Please can you refrain from discussing posters who have no method of defending themselves or providing a response? Users have been banned, but that doesn't make it open season on them!
Let's leave the past where it belongs.

Hear hear.

Thank you Enforcer it is good to be back...and long may it last :D

Hello there Haddie-nuff. I don't know you, but would like to say welcome back too.

reckoner wrote:Hello there Haddie-nuff. I don't know you, but would like to say welcome back too.

Thank you reckoner...nice of you Im sure we will exchange our opinions in the not too distant future...
We have an exciting season approaching and there will be much to discuss Im sure

Haddie-nuff wrote:
Thank you reckoner...nice of you Im sure we will exchange our opinions in the not too distant future...
We have an exciting season approaching and there will be much to discuss Im sure

Indeed, look forward to it!

Yep agree with that Enforcer. Lets move on - perhaps even delete this thread so we wipe the slate clean? (if others agree...)

In general good balanced debate is what we all want here..whether its Nadal's tics/towelling or whatever, Murray's outbursts, Djoko's ball-bouncing or Federer's burgeoning bank balance...or whatever...but lets remember we're all fans of the game itself too. I might start a thread on that perhaps, i.e. what got us individually into the game, what we like about it, etc...?

Welcome back HN...you watching Barcelona this week?

reckoner wrote:I wouldn't presume to do so. Nor would I label people. Nor would I seek to keep stirring the pot to continue the bad feeling on either side.

Can't you just let it pass? Perhaps write an article?

As for writing an article how big does it have to be and does the subject matter not have to be relevant to tennis?

I read you last article "Try and guess who is making breakfast" but couldn't get any pointers!

Maybe lags should have a go first!

Hey haddie bet you were jumping up and down after Rafa managed to get the "monkey of his back" yesterday.

Are you still living in Spain?

reckoner wrote:What about you, lags? How about something constructive, an entertaining or informative article perhaps?

I'm not here to get into petty personal squabbles with you reckoner. If you think that, well you've got the wrong man I'm afraid.

If however you're particularly anxious to read an article from me (and to save you waiting longer than you might wish) ..... here's one I made earlier.

Any comments you might to care to make on it, critical or otherwise, feel free. https://www.606v2.com/t26248-the-big-four-and-2012

sportslover wrote:

reckoner wrote:I wouldn't presume to do so. Nor would I label people. Nor would I seek to keep stirring the pot to continue the bad feeling on either side.

Can't you just let it pass? Perhaps write an article?

As for writing an article how big does it have to be and does the subject matter not have to be relevant to tennis?

I read you last article "Try and guess who is making breakfast" but couldn't get any pointers!

1 - Please feel free to use your own initiative.

2 - My breakfast article was meant as whimsy rather than anything instructive - perhaps reading it in that spirit might help?

Hi Lydian...how r u ??
Sure its on tv whilst Im pounding my keboard.... like to see him get another under his belt before the FO.... Im watching Spanish sports tv... and no matter who is playing every third sentence is..... Rafa Nadal !!!!!.. tv has been full of it.. can you wonder.. Like the sound of your thread... JC how much time have you got for my answer LOL

sportslover wrote:

reckoner wrote:I wouldn't presume to do so. Nor would I label people. Nor would I seek to keep stirring the pot to continue the bad feeling on either side.

Can't you just let it pass? Perhaps write an article?

As for writing an article how big does it have to be and does the subject matter not have to be relevant to tennis?

I read you last article "Try and guess who is making breakfast" but couldn't get any pointers!

Maybe lags should have a go first!

Hey haddie bet you were jumping up and down after Rafa managed to get the "monkey of his back" yesterday.

Are you still living in Spain?

Hey SL... lovely to see you... jumping up and down... (I never slept the night before seriously !!) The vodka bottle took a bashing lol and Ive chewed my nails to the elbows.... was I chuffed or was I chuffed :yahoo:

Yep still in Spain been trying to sell the house... but hey.. Euros are like Monopoly money Lets hope his Mojo is well and truly back.

lags72 wrote:

reckoner wrote:What about you, lags? How about something constructive, an entertaining or informative article perhaps?

I'm not here to get into petty personal squabbles with you reckoner. If you think that, well you've got the wrong man I'm afraid.

If however you're particularly anxious to read an article from me (and to save you waiting longer than you might wish) ..... here's one I made earlier.

Any comments you might to care to make on it, critical or otherwise, feel free. https://www.606v2.com/t26248-the-big-four-and-2012

Dear lags

Is that a chip on your shoulder or are you just pleased to see me?

Please indicate where I have suggested getting into a personal squabble in my posts.

I was being light hearted on the other thread - you got all po-faced for some reason.

You seem to be taking yourself a little too seriously in my very humble opinion!

I shall check out the thread you wrote, I was just trying to move the conversation on from bashing posters now that they are no longer part of this forum. I've done the same when people were bashing Gav on here - it's unseemly and unpleasant.

Lydian - I think deleting the thread is overkill personally.

I'm back from holiday.
I can live with missing Monte Carlo, but missing all the bannings...damn, I could have cleared the place out! Just left me and Harpo!

We'll see how the thread goes - I may lock it (not delete it) if things get personal, just so we can move on. I doubt anyone has anything to add about the Monte Carlo Order of Play

haddie - It would be nice if this forum could attract you and some of the other Rafa fans back as well as some of Andy's.
We cant' be a fan of all the players but each and every one of them is trying his best and giving most of us a lot enjoyment while watching them do it.

I hope that Rafas joy is not short lived and he doesn't gets a beating by Andy in Barca this week (assuming Andy makes it to the final!) - although I will not be holding my breath on that happening!!

reckoner - I'll take your thoughts on board, I'm not above taking a step back if things have been misinterpreted in any way. I've never been accused of having a chip on my shoulder, whether here or indeed at any time in 'real life', but I guess there's a first time for everything. And I do like to think I can be light-hearted when the context is right.

Meanwhile if you do get chance to read the article I linked to, you might (hopefully) be convinced that I can be 'constructive', 'informative' and maybe even 'entertaining' too, to use all your suggested qualities !

sportslover wrote:I hope that Rafas joy is not short lived and he doesn't gets a beating by Andy in Barca this week (assuming Andy makes it to the final!) - although I will not be holding my breath on that happening!!

seriously, you do not have anything to worry about on that score.

SL

What I will do is send a pm to Wooffie .. but give me some time she has only just come back from MC and is still on cloud 9 :laughing: I know she has her blog to write up... keeping her finger on the pulse on the Rafateers site... Ill see how the land lies.. it may take them time.. a lot of us are still bearing the battle scars so leave it with me

Andy is still trying out his clay feet I think.. albeit he did his training here with Rafa..but with Rafa being on his natural surface and with his arras in gear...hmmmmm I think not.

lags72 wrote:reckoner - I'll take your thoughts on board, I'm not above taking a step back if things have been misinterpreted in any way. I've never been accused of having a chip on my shoulder, whether here or indeed at any time in 'real life', but I guess there's a first time for everything. And I do like to think I can be light-hearted when the context is right.

Meanwhile if you do get chance to read the article I linked to, you might (hopefully) be convinced that I can be 'constructive', 'informative' and maybe even 'entertaining' too, to use all your suggested qualities !

Lags - I was seriously only joking. Esp about Nole & Nads sniping at each other when they patently gave straightforward interviews.

I did seriously want to change the subject on this thread though, it was getting old.

I sincerely apologise if I hurt your feelings in any way - I was just bantering really. And I read your article, it was pretty cool.



PEACE!

Jeremy_Kyle wrote:@ BOO: please do us all a favour: go back to where you once belonged. Didn't you know that Muzza is still yet to win a slam? So why bothering......

Keep the cheeky quips for your third rate chat show sunshine - He may not or never will win a slam but at least he has made three finals , as for the other Brits they can't get past the qualifying stage (even for a 250)

reckoner

JuliusHMarx wrote:I'm back from holiday.
I can live with missing Monte Carlo, but missing all the bannings...damn, I could have cleared the place out! Just left me and Harpo!

We'll see how the thread goes - I may lock it (not delete it) if things get personal, just so we can move on. I doubt anyone has anything to add about the Monte Carlo Order of Play

JHM consider yourself lucky that you weren't banned in absentia!

I do love seeing you boys having a good old wrestling match albeit a verbal one... have a beer

sportslover wrote:

Jeremy_Kyle wrote:@ BOO: please do us all a favour: go back to where you once belonged. Didn't you know that Muzza is still yet to win a slam? So why bothering......

Keep the cheeky quips for your third rate chat show sunshine - He may not or never will win a slam but at least he has made three finals , as for the other Brits they can't get past the qualifying stage (even for a 250)

who IS this BOO people keep referring to??

Sshhhhh, dont tell emancipator!

Haddie-nuff wrote:SL

What I will do is send a pm to Wooffie .. but give me some time she has only just come back from MC and is still on cloud 9 I know she has her blog to write up... keeping her finger on the pulse on the Rafateers site... Ill see how the land lies.. it may take them time.. a lot of us are still bearing the battle scars so leave it with me

Andy is still trying out his clay feet I think.. albeit he did his training here with Rafa..but with Rafa being on his natural surface and with his arras in gear...hmmmmm I think not.

Is Wooffie that scary older woman who pervs on "caramel-skinned" tennis players?

reckoner wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:I'm back from holiday.
I can live with missing Monte Carlo, but missing all the bannings...damn, I could have cleared the place out! Just left me and Harpo!

We'll see how the thread goes - I may lock it (not delete it) if things get personal, just so we can move on. I doubt anyone has anything to add about the Monte Carlo Order of Play

JHM consider yourself lucky that you weren't banned in absentia!

I've never even been to Absentia, let alone been banned there!

JuliusHMarx wrote:

reckoner wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:I'm back from holiday.
I can live with missing Monte Carlo, but missing all the bannings...damn, I could have cleared the place out! Just left me and Harpo!

We'll see how the thread goes - I may lock it (not delete it) if things get personal, just so we can move on. I doubt anyone has anything to add about the Monte Carlo Order of Play

JHM consider yourself lucky that you weren't banned in absentia!

I've never even been to Absentia, let alone been banned there!

"Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me!"

lol reckoner...yep, at least a good chunk made it to the liferafts before the ship went down. Hopefully sailing into calmer waters now...

Fair points about the thread all

HN...selling up? My parents are still eeking it out down there, I'm off to see them a week on Friday...just about the only chance of sunshine I get! In Barcelona next week too on biz...tried to move it forward a week ( ) but they were not for budging!

Muzza has a good shot at the final this week surely? Wonder what he and Lendl have been working on...besides suntans, lol.

sportslover wrote:

Jeremy_Kyle wrote:@ BOO: please do us all a favour: go back to where you once belonged. Didn't you know that Muzza is still yet to win a slam? So why bothering......

Keep the cheeky quips for your third rate chat show sunshine - He may not or never will win a slam but at least he has made three finals , as for the other Brits they can't get past the qualifying stage (even for a 250)

BOO: don't misundertand here, I was just trying to being helpful in case you totally abstained from tennis during this harsh times at the forum

reckoner wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:

reckoner wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:I'm back from holiday.
I can live with missing Monte Carlo, but missing all the bannings...damn, I could have cleared the place out! Just left me and Harpo!

We'll see how the thread goes - I may lock it (not delete it) if things get personal, just so we can move on. I doubt anyone has anything to add about the Monte Carlo Order of Play

JHM consider yourself lucky that you weren't banned in absentia!

I've never even been to Absentia, let alone been banned there!

"Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me!"

No, that's Carry On - about 40 years after 'my' Bigamy joke.
"'Let's get married"
"Why, that would be bigamy"
"Well, it would be bigamy too. It'd big of all of us. Let's be big for a change"

N...selling up? My parents are still eeking it out down there, I'm off to see them a week on Friday...just about the only chance of sunshine I get! In Barcelona next week too on biz...tried to move it forward a week ( ) but they were not for budging!

Lydian I dont want to go home I want to go to Canada to be near my son

Gav wrote:Sshhhhh, dont tell emancipator!

Where is

Has he gone over to that place we are not allowed to mention or maybe his medication just run out

JuliusHMarx wrote:

reckoner wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:

reckoner wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:I'm back from holiday.
I can live with missing Monte Carlo, but missing all the bannings...damn, I could have cleared the place out! Just left me and Harpo!

We'll see how the thread goes - I may lock it (not delete it) if things get personal, just so we can move on. I doubt anyone has anything to add about the Monte Carlo Order of Play

JHM consider yourself lucky that you weren't banned in absentia!

I've never even been to Absentia, let alone been banned there!

"Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me!"

No, that's Carry On - about 40 years after 'my' Bigamy joke.
"'Let's get married"
"Why, that would be bigamy"
"Well, it would be bigamy too. It'd big of all of us. Let's be big for a change"

A fave of mine: "Go, and never darken my towels again!"

As JHM says, and Enforcer recommends, perhaps locking this thread is a better option.

Do not need the bitterness to spread beyond this article. The OP was for MC, which is done and dusted for 2012.

Posters who remain should be free to create discussions as they see fit.

Welcome back to some posters who went into a hiatus, like Haddie-nuff, Tom__, and others.

Diversity of views is the spice of discussions that progress.

lol Gav...they may finally be reconciled after all this time

SL, lol he went to the dark side and came back...in the space of minutes! His ghostly presence is likely to be with us as we speak no doubt!

HN, a bit of a change of climate there then! Hope it goes well but know how hard selling property in Spain is right now, my parents have had an apartment they want to offload on the market 2 years now....no budging. They built too many of them over there!

The old ones are the best JHM & reckoner
...they dont make 'em like Kenneth Williams any more.

reckoner wrote:
"Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me!"

Did you steal this from Yummy? This was oft-quoted by her.

Fine with me LF...locking that is...guess we've moved beyond OP now!

Y'know I think you guys lock and delete a little too much.

This is a 12 page thread which documents what happened. Killing it rather than letting it go its natural course just doesn't seem right to me.

Too much of this goes on. What is the point of posting to a thread if it is going to be deleted at the drop of a hat?

If one doesn't value the time people spend contributing to this forum, they will stop contributing.