Rafan has now managed to write her own report, so I'd thought I'd post it here so anyone reading can have it first hand.
Equally, there's Rafan's link to her Flickr account as I'm sure you will all love to see the super photos she's taken. As she's at the tournament tomorrow, Monday, Thursday and Friday, I'm sure she'll add to it so you can all enjoy the fabulous pictures she is sure to take. I've added her Flickr account to the Links on this blog and equally in a shameless plug, we will be discussing her experiences and having a crack (which we do daily anyhow) about Rafa on our BBC 606 thread which is also to be found in the links.
Anyhow ... this is Rafan's lovely report ...
So, as Wooffs reported earlier, I went to the O2 today, on the "off-chance" that I could get lucky and see Rafa practising. I arrived at about 11 o'clock and went down to the Fanzone, but it wasn't open yet, and will be opening tomorrow when the tournament starts. So I walked back to the original court which was there last year, and spied Tomas Berdych warming up with Lukasz Kubot, so as they are two of my many
Then a kindly man informed me that Rafa would be practising later on that very court - and not only that but he would be practising with Verdasco - yippee! So with much excitement I hung around until 1 pm when Rafa appeared (barely 5 minutes late!) with Fernando - who has a lovely new haircut .
I got the impression that they had already done their warm up elsewhere as the first thing Rafa did was a shirt change! But damn my camera - it just wanted to focus on the netting up round the court rather than the the players behind the netting . Anyway...Rafa and Nando went straight into playing a match - I think they played a set and I think Rafa won...but I couldn't be sure . It seemed all very competitive and there was much concentrate.
At one point they hit a ball out which came towards me and I caught it! Rafa and Uncle Toni asked for it back - so, with a crowd behind me, Rafa looking at me, and a quivery girlie throw , I managed to just about lob it over the netting and almost fainted with relief. Uncle Toni said "thank you". Aaah.
After they'd played a few games(about half an hour), Fernando left and Marc Lopez was the next victim. Woooh they were hitting that ball hard, but really good natured and lots of fun. Rafa shouted "Come on!" after one point and Marc! was trying to outdo him with a loud "Vamos".
After another hour time was called...and a very, very competitive game of football tennis started, which ended up with Rafa on the floor following lots of shouting, gesturing and arguments about who may or may not have won the point (I assume!).
I would say it was a very happy Rafacamp today - everyone seemed in good spirits, there was loads of laughing, Rafa looked good and fingers crossed for some wins this week. I attach some pictures for your perusal.
Vamos Rafa - Come on, you can DO it!
You can also find her report on the wonderful NadalNews ...
http://www.nadalnews.com/2010/11/20/rafandready-visits-the-o2/comment-page-1/#comment-59747
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