Killer Instinct*

“Have set off,” Seb’s message comes through at 11.13am, “but will be after lunch arrival.  A while after.  Sorry xxx.” “That’s OK my love,” I reply, on my return from a bike ride with Dad.  “The doubles starts at 2pm.  I go back to flat to prepare for it.” Andy and Jamie Murray must win […]

Levels Of The Game*

“This is a deep hole he’s in right now,” the commentator says.  Andy Murray is struggling against Gilles Simon.  He’s a set and a break down. Am suffering with Andy.  Come on Andy! MadFatRunner has been here with me this weekend and we had a lovely time but now she has gone home and am […]

A Long Walk To Wimbledon*

“So critically important for Gasquet to hang in here and get a good start,” John McEnroe says.  A few seconds later Richard Gasquet drops his first service game of the match.  After seven minutes, Novak is 2 – 0 up.  Come on Richard! “It would be huge if Gasquet could sneak out this break here,” […]

The Love Game*

“Aren’t you going to have a wash for our first meeting with your parents as an actual couple?” Seb says, a towel round his waist, hair slicked back.  Ah he smells great: fresh and clean. “No,” I say, from the sofa where I am snuggled up watching Wimbledon. “Had a wash yesterday.  They won’t expect […]

The Venus Throw*

Watching Venus.  Seb is on his way apparently.   Could wash but it seems more important to watch this match.  Venus is almost my age – she’s 35 now.  Maybe won’t have the chance to watch her too many more times.  Feeling very sad that Kauto Star has just died.  A great, great sportsman.  If […]

Devil In A Blue Dress*

Some nice things: 1.  Just had a lovely long cuddle with the fluffy monster.  My blue dress is now covered in orange fluff. 2.  Achieved scan. 3.  A floor-length rainbow-striped dress arrived in post.  It’s gorgeous. 4.  There is an artichoke waiting for me at the flat. 5.  Saw Lily today for the first time […]

Deadly Doubles*

And now from the clay courts of Roland Garros to the real action: the Friday Morning Veteran Ladies’ Doubles match at Mum’s grass court tennis club.  Well: it’s AstroTurf rather than real grass, but here we are, with the ladies Dressed Properly in white dresses and white trainers and…hang on a minute…one of them is […]

Cat Of Many Tails*

Happy First Birthday to this blog. Wow.  When I started it a year ago, I could never have imagined that it would take off in such a spectacular way.  It’s been discussed on the radio, on film and in print.  It has readers all over the world. So, thank you, all of you.  Thank you […]

Death Serves An Ace*

“What a sport: tennis,” Fabrice Santoro says, sighing.  Whilst I was meditating and sleeping, Tsonga won the first two sets and was just about to win the match when Berdych somehow wrestled the tie-break off him, took the third set and is now in the ascendant: 3 – 1 up in the third set.  Tsonga […]

The Malice Of Fortune*

“You need all the fortune you can get playing Nadal,” the commentator says.  Another bright, sunny day in Paris.  Rafa resplendent in turquoise all over – down to his socks and shoes.  Am enjoying his new style of shorts: short and tight.  They’re a long way away from those grey baggy monstrosities of his youth. […]