Editor's blog...

23 January, 2008 | 13:01

So Andy’s back in London, and back down at the LTA, training. Everyone’s looking a bit healthier after spending time in the sun. Even physio Andy Ireland, who I didn’t think could tan under a grill…

Carlos is back too, although like me he’s a bit unfit….

Anyway, day started with the now customary keepy-uppy warm-up. Andy and Carlos on one side, Miles and Matty Little (aka Treacle) on the other….

 

 

So you know, ‘Treacle’ ( as in Treacle Tart) is Cockney Rhyming Slang for ’sweetheart.’ Matty said ‘ello Treacle’ to someone in Miami or Doha and it’s just kind of stuck.

Play delayed so Andy could do a bit of stretching….

 

 

….and might as well get the gratuitous shirtless picture out of the way early on….

 

 

Carlos - feeling a bit left out - took some time to identify the picture that he thought did him justice. Final decision was this one; apparently it shows off his huge upper body….

 

 

….I just take the pictures.

Anyway, to the game. As far as I can make out, you’re allowed two bounces on your side of the net, but one of them has to come off your body. I might have that completely wrong, but here’s Carlos demonstrating some fine touches…

 

 

Sadly the fine touches went AWOL in the five-a-side later in the afternoon, me included.

Carlos plays this thing differently to tennis. Never see him rush the net normally, but in this warm-up he’s always getting his leg over.

 

 

Good to know that old habits die hard, particularly when you’re losing at this one. Andy and Carlos had a bit of banter over who was supposed to be covering which part of the court….

 

 

Just like old times.

Miles and Treacle clearly loving being in front. Didn’t ask what this was all about (might be personal) but they were winning at the time….

 

 

They’ve obviously been away from their families too long.

Might all have been different If I’d have been out there, but hey. Instead, I took pictures from the sidelines, knowing, deep down, that my day will come….

 

 

Anyway, left them to practice for a few hours, before everyone (eventually) headed outside to the Astroturf pitch for a bit of five-a-side. Me, Andy, Carlos, Miles and Treacle versus some of the younger players staying at the NTC.

In a nutshell, we started strongly, but faded badly. Went down 8-5 or something. Me and Carlos pulled the side down. I was in pieces after about 15 minutes. Never mind.

More Thursday….