Rafan's Sunday report ...

Following on from yesterday, we are lucky that we have a first-hand reporter-at-large bringing us all her first-hand experiences of this year's WTF.

Here's Rafan's second report ...


Buenos noches a todos!

So another day at the O2! Another early alarm call , got to the O2 at about 10.45. Bought a programme (£10) - this year it's a total rip off - you can get the souvenir programme for £10 but then (if you want it) you also have to buy another daily programme for £5 each! No free OOP or anything like that. Rip off!

Anyway, I met up with my friend, and we asked the security people where and when Rafa was playing. This time they weren't playing ball and said players just turned up where and when they felt like it. Ha! Did they really think we'd fall for that?! So we headed down to the fanzone and spotted a photographer...hmmm, wonder who he was there for? We asked him, and sure enough Rafa was expected. Then another very kind security man came up and showed us the practice schedule - Rafa was going to be in the Fanzone for half an hour, and then onto Sponsor Village. Then we saw Rafa Maymo and said hello! He confirmed Rafa was due - and sure enough along he came. Security around him, and swift entrance onto the court. Hitting with Marc Lopez again, and as Wooffs predicted yesterday - the match face was on today. No more of the larking around.

I have to say - the Fanzone isn't that great for watching and rubbish for photos! Lighting is really weird, and the seats are set back a bit too far from the court. But not to worry, it was Rafa! As soon as he left that court we ran to the Sponsor Village and Rafa was there already - secret tunnels behind the scenes!

He practised until 1 pm, so another 2 hour session. No footie today, just full on serious Rafa. Him and Marc played a set, couldn't tell you who won as there are plants and goodness knows what in the way. There was a bit of a strop at Uncle Toni at one point, but I think it's just that Rafa was being perfectionist and getting cheesed off with a double fault, ball into the net etc. He took it as competitively as a match.

After Rafa had finished I had a bit of a wander back to the Fanzone and saw the paintings. I'm glad I went to the gallery previously as they are all displayed behind glass in a row - I definitely got to see them at their best.

Then, via Starbucks for a warming coffee, I had a walk down to the Clipper pier. Saw Novak coming off the Clipper - all wrapped up and surrounded by his entourage, and he completely ignored my feeble "Novak, Novak" and ineffectual flapping of my programme and . Carlos Moya next but he was clasping a pink blanket, which I assume contained his baby daughter, so no chance of an autograph there.

So then I had a decision to make...wait around for 4 hours and go and watch tennisssss (I had a ticket in the gods to see Feds against Ferrer) or go home. So I chose the route and went home. What a waste of money, but I had had enough, my feet were killing me and it was .

Unfortunately that meant I didn't get to see the lovely Mrs L and Pearl, but I am actually going to watch some tennis tomorrow so hope to meet up with them then.

And yes - I spoke to Carlos Costa this morning who said Rafa would be getting his World No 1 Trophy on Tuesday night. It's getting so easy to just speak to these people .

Vamos Rafa!!