Thanks Cheryl, this is great ... our very own 'insider'. Will you be at every match?

yes, smr. I will be at every match. Also, somehow the part with Rafa's hair got cut out of my original posting. I've edited the post to add it back in.

Thanks Cheryl,enjoy the tournament:)

Cheryl, thanks a lot for this.

The thing is Rafa does not try to impress, that's cool, because he does impress without trying. He looks good in the group photo though - wet hair suits him, no? He was probably in the middle of shower No 3, when they reminded him he had an appointment with you cheryl, so he made a dash, without bothering with the hair drier, and he knew his smile would be all you needed to go weak at the knees. lol.

ARGH! Cheryl, you haven't slept in 36 hours?! It's a wonder you didn't just fall on your face after catching sight of the players because you were suffering from a mixture of extreme tiredness (due to lack of sleep) and light-headedness (brought on by the players in their suits and Rafa's smile)! You are a SOULJAH sister!

Hehehe @ you clarifying that it was a van, not a limo. To be honest, van's are cooler. You can find all kinds of cool things stuck on the roof and under the seats. You can vomit INSIDE of the ride and not get into much trouble (if any). Plus, cool people travel by vans (hippies, third-rate rock bands, fugitives, and now you!)

"Only later did I realize that I had not, technically speaking, been invited to said reception. Oops."

LOL! That is so hysterical! I can totally picture you munching away at a sandwich and happily gathering food only to have a security guard give you a disapproving look and a shake of the finger as if to say "no-no"! It was lucky for them that you didn't just attack them with a fork and tell them to back-off after the long day you were having. You're patience is admirable. :D

Awww @ Roger and Rafa snickering like schoolboys.

Hehehe, Federer and a suit go together like Oreos and milk! He looks like the big brother of the group. He must look around himself and reflect on how much he's grown and how his life has changed now being a Daddy of two baby girls. Not too long ago he was one of those puppies looking awkward a suit (has he ever?) and not having a long enough attention span to stand still for a pictures. :)

*giggles* I love your description of Rafa! That is SO like him to arrive with hair that looks like he just fought through a torrential downpour! So cute! He probably showered, put on his suit and was heading out the door. That's when he's stopped and asked about his hair, Rafa's like "Pfffft! I already combed it!" He's then asked, "with an actual brush?" Then Rafa raises his eyebrow. I love his frizzy/wet mane! <3

Verdasco's confidence borders on delusion, but I can see how that sort of thing would look great in a suit. I can totally picture him looking in the mirror to admire himself before stepping out the door. "Nando - the REAL McDreamy - Verdasco. You are one sexy beast! Go get 'em!" Then he does that dreaded "Meow!" claw-thing at his reflection. XD

I like the way Andy Murray wears his suit because he wears it like a prep-school kid. He's VERY casual and has a stylish sloppiness about it. You can totally picture him yanking off the tie and throwing the dreaded thing on the floor the first chance he gets. *thumbs up*

Djokovic is such the actor. He looks good in a suit. I wouldn't put it past him to be reciting the lines from some gangster movie in his head. He definitely enjoys dressing up. :)

Davy D looks good in a suit. I think his size (and baldness) adds an extra flair to the whole attire. It's too bad Tsonga wasn't there for media day! :(

Eeek! You're pics are good! We can totally get the feel for how close you were. I can't wait to read your other entries. So far, so good Cheryl! :)

Cheryl: I must be getting short-sighted. Who is that in the foreground of the last picture?

Cheryl, could you tell Rafa to play aggressive this time around pls?

ed, isnt it andy murray? he's looking very handsome in that picture.

My god, you're right. Well I never! Just shows what a good haircut can do. Now if somebody would just give him one of those $200 turbo shavers......................

Mini, you make me laugh - I love your style!

Oi Ed! Stop being so cheeky! He looks drop dead gorgeous and you know it!
cheryl: that aricles gr8! Enjoy your London stay. Can't wait to get there!

I have to say even for the years I have on him, seeing the RF in any type of couture is great fun! Every time the watch commercial played during the US OPEN I almost took out a loan and bought one!!! I don't know who choregraphed that commercial, but I watched the whole thing all 900 times. He just has that certain charisma... wow! in suits in shorts what ever... and I don't usually read fashion reports.. but I read this one!!!

I have to say even for the years I have on him, seeing the RF in any type of couture is great fun! Every time the watch commercial played during the US OPEN I almost took out a loan and bought one!!! I don't know who choregraphed that commercial, but I watched the whole thing all 900 times. He just has that certain charisma... wow! in suits in shorts what ever... and I don't usually read fashion reports.. but I read this one!!!

Deuce: As a bona fide full paid up member of the Murray fan club, I'm sure you have already read and inwardly digested Hugh McIlvanney's** S.Times piece, but just in case not here is the link:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6926820. ece

** one of my all time favourite sports writers

PS: I'll be cheering Andy tonight - are you going to O2 again?

ed: thanks for that. I'll have a look. I rarely read anything except the Guardian, though I know the Telegraph is v. good for sport and gives a lot more space to tennis.
Yes, I'm going all day Thursday, so I'm very excited, I'll see Andy and Fed., I guess.
Might see if there are any returns for the weekend too.
Here's hoping Andy is on top form and does not go walkabout!

Carrie, :P

Hey, did you guys see the official pictures of our Hogwarts boys? Cheryl, looking at the pictures I decided that Rafa can really carry a suit! In fact, I think the only reason he looks so awkward in some of those is because the pictures are so...contrived. But when they allow him to just be himself and let a little loose, boy is he every photographer's dream.

These are my ultimate favorites:

- http://cowbell.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83423e30253ef012875c1f5b5970c-pi


- http://cowbell.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83423e30253ef012875c388fc970c-pi


- http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt191/gandaine/92D7D44F00874462A25F B764F303A3C0.jpg

- http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/07G399g2wK8qS/910x.jpg

- http://cowbell.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83423e30253ef0120a6bcf282970b-pi


- http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt191/gandaine/LondresWTF/WTF3.jpg


GREAT photos and concept! An A+ for the photographer! :D

Oh, this wasn't part of the Hogwarts photo shoot, but I decided to include it for the sheer sweetness and utter adorableness of it all!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00648/NADAL_58 5x350_648446a.jpg

AWWWW! Too cute! >_<

Along with the crowd i want rafa to take this to a third set. Come on.

Sorry posted in the wrong place

Cheryl, it seems that you are having a lot of fun in London. My daughter and I were there Monday and Tuesday and saw some good matches. I thought the venue was great and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Back next year, I think.

suit or no suit Rafa is drop dead gorgeous