A very Happy New Year to you and yours ... and whilst its unimaginable that Rafa could top what he achieved this year, lets just hope for his continued health and that he meets 2 significant milestones ...
the RafaSlam, and a record equalling 6 French Opens.
Here's hoping Rafa, and thanks for being so gracious when I met you which is a memory I shall forever treasure, and thank you for so many absolutely fantastic tennis memories.
Rafa took to the court today in Abu Dhabi with the sun on his face and wearing his new "Fuego" kit ... we approve Rafa.
Whilst it was a solid performance, his concentrate went a bit off in the second set at he let a double break and a 4-1 lead slip by a woeful loss of one of his serves. It kicked him into action though, and he eventually defeated Tomas Berdych in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
In the final he faces Feds, who won in 3 against The Sod after dropping the first in a tie break that Sod ran away with.
Hhhmmm ... now its seems that the only smile Rafa can summon is for the check-in person and with his girlfriend sporting stupendous hair, you would have thought otherwise. However, what possibly could have been the cause of the glum faces might have been this little comment ...
"Bloody hell Rafa!! Not that sodding jumper, AGAIN!! Maymo, look! He's wearing it, again!"
I know its silly season for awards, and there can't be many left for Rafa to pick up, but he has been awarded the title of Champion of Champions for 2010 by French Sports paper, l'Equipe.
He picked up the stylish award during his brief visit to Paris in November after pulling out of the Bercy tournament ... and calling on his old pal, Goofy - of course ...
Well ... this photo and the resulting conversation certainly upset one of the *lurkers* on the thread today - idiot fool - but it seems the lovely, fragrant, golf partnering pal of Rafa - Ana Ivanovic - has been spending some time in Mallorca over the holidays, erm ... practising.
The schedule for the Abu Dhabi exho has now been released and it sees our lovely Rafa having his opening match against either Jo-Wilfrid Tsonga or The Sod on New Years Eve, 31st December, 2010 at 11 am UK time.
The final will take place on New Years Day at about 1pm ...
The hype hasn't quite started yet, however, what Rafa is about to embark is probably starting to sink home with him now as this quote is testament to. Good luck our lovely boy ...
“It’s a bit scary to think that if I win in Australia I would close the circle of four Grand Slams in a row.
It might be the only opportunity to win four straight because I am not Rod Laver, who did it twice. The truth is that it is a unique opportunity and as always I will get prepared and try to play well everyday.”
OK Rafa ... when you first wore it on the way to Madrid and throughout the ensuing press conferences prior to your charity match, I loved it. And you just oozed cuteness, and hotness, and square jawed manliness in it.
I once had a top that a former *squeeze* of mine said he liked me in. And whether it was consciously or sub-consciously, he said one time in a pub "Look. I know I said I liked you in that top, but that doesn't mean you have to wear it ALL the time ...". So perhaps Xisca had commented on it, or maybe Rafa just likes it, or maybe I just went out with a *rotter* (which is what he proved to be, by the way) ... but the natural coloured turtleneck is in fast danger of replacing the now infamous grey cardie for being the item of clothing that Rafa never has off his back!!
He was interviewed with Toni recently wearing it ... and now here he is in the airport on his way to Abu Dhabi wearing it ... AGAIN!!
It seems that he's also had his hair cut, as its all fluffy and sticky-uppy ... whilst Xisca (who I am pleased he's travelling with), seems to have had her glossy mane straightened.
Anyhow ... he's due to play in a couple of days and we cannot wait!!
According to Rafa's website, Rafa has won yet more awards, this time in Spain. One for Spanish Sportsman of the Decade, the other for Spanish Sportsman of the Year.
If truth be known, its just another excuse to post more dreamy pictures of him from last week. Hehe. Here's how it was all reported on Rafa's website ...
"Rafa Nadal has been chosen as the ‘Spanish Sportsman of the Decade’ by Marca.com readers and as ‘Best Spanish Athlete of the year’ by elpais.es.
According to both polls, Rafa Nadal won by an overwhelming majority of users, beating other Spanish sporting icons such as Pau Gasol, and Fernando Alonso.
In the In MARCA.com survey, which involved more than 50,000 Internet users, Rafa was 20.000 votes ahead of Pau Gasol (with 7.000 votes), while Fernando Alonso, in third position, accumulated 6.000. Soccer stars, Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez were also in the list, ranked fourth and fifth respectively."
In October, I brought you pictures of Rafan's wonderful cake fares ... and it now seems that someone has "feefed" her invention and is now serving up Rafacakes of their very own!!
Remember how November was the month that Rafa introduced us to "that" grey cardie ... and he's never had it off his back since! Well, we now have the video clip of the Stade 2 French programme that we'd previously had the pics for.
Awwww ... seems those Frenchies do like him after all ...
There's lot of lovely stuff about to remind us of just what a magnificent year 2010 was for Rafa, and here's a little ditty put together by Eurosport ...
I've talked earlier about the Spanish Royal family who always come out in force to support their boy, usually lead by Chief Royal Rafateer, Queen Sofia. *curtseys* Last night was no exception, and the royal party - including the little princesses, one of whom would NOT give a ball back - were out in force to help Rafa.
This is what we want to see ... Rafa in his posh 'bib and tucker' as he remembers NOT to put too much product in his hair and finds himself with Feds at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid city centre to celebrate at a gala dinner.
Julio Iglesias was the star turn as the entertainment for the evening, and the event was attended by a lot of Spanish celebrities ... none of whom we know here. I would love to see some photos of the family with Rafa, but lets what see what comes out later ...
And so to the second match in this charity series, in the Caja Magica in Madrid, this time for Rafa's foundation.
The Royal Spanish *fangirls* turned up en masse, along with the little Princesses, to support their Spanish hero. The actual match was a bit more lively than the encounter in Zurich, and a tight first set lead to a breaker which Rafa won.
In order to ensure full value of money for the spectators, Feds took the second set 6-3, but then Rafa really came out of the traps and raced away to give Feds a breadstick as he won out, 6-1.
After the speeches and the presentations, an ecstatic Goofy ran out to greet his old pal Dorky, and the two hugged whilst an envious Donald Duck finally got in on the act to give old Dorks a hug. Feds looked a bit bemused by our Disney friends, but as we all know now, our lovely Rafa is right at home with his cartoon chums.
A lot of money has been raised by these two boys, so whatever mine or anyone else's views on these exho's are, a lot of disadvantaged children are going to benefit because of their time and efforts. In Roger's speech he said to Rafa, "Whenever he needs me, I'll be there for him." A kind sentiment, and a fitting end to a special couple of days ... Well done, boys. xxx
OK ... boredom aside, Rafa and Rog got the second part of the show on the road today in Madrid. They met children today for a few tennis hits and its rumoured that various Disney characters were also around for the spectacle ... including Rafa's old mate Goofy!!
The boys are certainly doing their bit to promote what they are doing, and another packed house awaits them this evening. But how lovely is the above picture of Rafa. See Rafa ... NO PRODUCT ON THE HAIR, and how gorgeous do you look. *swoon*
I can't say I've ever much watched exhibition matches. The ones played in Doha at the start of each year are supposed to be ... but they turn out anything but when it means getting in some vital practice before the Australian Open. Or playing The Sod ...
Failing a competitive match, I suppose I would like to see some fun, some personality and humour. Sadly, last night's "match" failed to deliver on all fronts.
Look ... I know the sole purpose is to raise loads of cash for the charities and that's exactly what the boys are doing ... but couldn't some ooomph be injected into it?? The crowd last night were dire. The silence upon which Rafa breaking in the first set was deafening, as was the reaction when he actually won it. Was Rafa not playing to the script?? Federer went on to take the second, followed by the third, which did spark a jaunty Mexican Wave from the stiff, staid, Swiss crowd half way through - with even lovely Rafa joining in, to help spark some reaction.
So its on to Madrid we now go ... and lets hope for a bit of passionate, latino flava for this evening's encounter ...
Rafa flew into Zurich today by private plane, to be met on the tarmac by Roger Federer for the first of their two days of PR and tennis in support of their respective charities. Note to self ... I am NOT going to even mention anything about grey cardies ... *rofl*
Rog then drove the pair of them off into the city centre in his bright red, gull wing Mercedes where they promptly had lunch, then he gave Rafa a guided tour of his country's capital city. We've been laughing today that dorky Rafa will probably take Rog around Madrid in red Sight-seeing Bus!!
