[Not so] Phantom of the Opera ...

Awww ... bless. It seems that Rafa's grandpa has had the honour of conducting a children's opera in Mallorca and lovely Rafa and the family were all out in force to support him.


Here's Rafa having a chat before he takes his seat ...




And these pictures make my heart melt ... Lovely Rafa with what I assume are his little cousins just falling all over him. Wonderful to see. He is such great, sweet guy ...

Barcelona videos ...

Highlights ...



Trophy presentation ...

Barcelona catch up ...

Well, whilst I've been trying to get over my French Riviera experience and doing all my musings and cooing over working my way through my photos and the reports I did ... Rafa carried on with the Tour and played at Barcelona. :D

He skipped the tournie last year in order to have a rest inbetween tournaments and to carry on with the treatment on his knees. So as Rafa said, this is the only time this year that he will not be defending points. Anyhow, this is a brief round-up of what happened.

His results and victories were as follows ...

Daniel Gimino-Traver - 6-1, 6-1
Santiago Giraldo - 6-3, 6-1
Gael Monfils - 6-2, 6-2 where his play was imperious
Ivan Dodig - 6-3, 6-2

And so he faced David Ferrer in the final for the second week running. I have to say that I found the final difficult to watch, as Rafa's play was largely not good, there were a few losses of serve, and basically David just can't get over the mental thing that Rafael Nadal is facing him over the net and he just doesn't believe.

I'm a bit worried about some of Rafa's play. He's nowhere near as good as he was last year - but can we keep expecting that? He already looks a bit weary, and I cannot erase that deep rooted fear that someone is going to bring a shock result against him.

But let's be positive. Rafa achieved another magnificent milestone at this tournament in which he achieved his 500th ATP match victory and entered the list at No. 2 behind Bjorn Borg as the second youngest to do it.

So now its a week off for Rafa ... and back to work for me ... and it all starts again in a week at Madrid.

Bedroomgate ...

I just feel compelled to share with you, the views of the bedrooms in the Nice apartment ... just so you could see what I LOST in the draw for Bedroomgate!!

Hehe ... ;-)

Here is Rafan's Fairy Princess bedroom. What you can't see is that it also came complete with her OWN walk-in wardrobe and Tesco's bag ...

And here is Denzy's ... note the spectacular views she had through the window ...


And here's my shoebox. :wah: :cry: :moan:


Hehe ...

It was the best of times ...

Well ... I've finally finished copying over my reports from our Rafateers thread and I hope you've enjoyed them as much as I did experiencing it.

Monte Carlo was a truly wonderful experience ... simply because of the part of the world you are in, but with Rafa thrown in to boot, it just all adds to it.

I've also up-loaded my pictures to Flickr and you can find there here, along with Rafan's, but I've also linked them to this blog in the Links area ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooffie/sets/72157626553619424/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooffie/sets/72157626434174679/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40305791@N08/


My next task (if I have the patience) is to try and upload some of my videos to YouTube. It seems to take forever, but I'll try and give it a go so I can share those too.

We're already planning next year's overseas trip, and Rafa has moved on to the final of Barcelona. I've still been in a drim for this past week, but now its looking forward to June when Rafa returns to the UK shores ... and all of us in one guise or another will be waiting to see him.

VAMOS!!

Day 8 - Finals day ...

Well, for this very last time from "Rafateers on Tour in Monte Carlo" ...

Here's the final "final" report. Sadly, we had to say "au revoir" to our lovely friend Denzy this morning as home commitments meant she had to leave. We missed her today, but we know now she is home safe and sound and its been brilliant sharing this with her and having her company.

So "larky lark" Rafan and I were off to the Country Club early, bearing in mind its Sunday and my horrendous bus experience of yesterday, and were able to quietly enjoy the fabulous scenic coastal route all the way from Nice to Monte Carlo.

I'd got us a couple of big, fat pain au chocolat, so we stuffed our faces when we arrived, but Rafan had noticed some "camera action" up on the terrace which leads to the practice court and VIP area, so we went up to ... well, just in case.


After a little while, Prince Albert (complete with body guards) went past us, so it was obvious he was off to hit a few a balls. And with the paunch he's carrying so close to his wedding, he needs it ... Anyway, he remembered his manners and said "Good morning Dame Wooffs" as he went past, and I did a little curtsey.

OK ... I made that last bit up ... :D

So we then went to our lovely lady-in-the-know, who every day had got on the phone for us to find out where Rafa was practising, and she did so again and told us he was on the Centre Court at 11 am. So we ambled over there and took up our positions, when we heard from the stewards that Prince Albert had actually got Rafa as a hitting partner!!! Albert is an out and out *fanboy* and we love it


So as we were waiting for Rafa, Rafan had a brainwave and said that why didn't we wait for him to come down the stairs before he came onto court on the off-chance we could get some autographs. So we ran down there and were the only two there, and then before you knew it ... there was Rafa. However, he had his 'game face' on and went straight to the court. But Uncle Toni was following him, and I have this lovely picture of Toni hugging Rafa when he won the 2006 French Open which I'd brought, so Rafan shouted "Toni! Toni" and he came over and signed it for me ... That means loads to me.

So then we back to the centre court and watched Rafa hit. He was wearing green and looking mean and lovely, but as he had Daveed as his hitting partner yesterday, he'd kind of run out of Spaniards to play with, so we think he had a club player. All seemed to be looking well.


But before he finished practice, Rafan and I took up our position again under the stands and by a crash barrier where the steps lay beyond for the players. There was a very small gathering, and then .... here came Daveed down the steps!! He came over to sign and I've got a couple of good photos of him. Then when he left the court, Rafa came and signed, so I've got my FO 2010 picture signed to add to the Wimbers 2010 one, and Rafa signed one of Rafan's own pictures which is one of him and Toni having a laugh at the O2 which Toni also signed, but yesterday. Sadly, Toni signed over Rafa, so Rafa signed over Toni. DOH, the pair of them!!


Then it was time for lunch, so we went back up to the practice courts to eat and watch my Prince Albert finish up his session. We also stuffed our faces with Haribo and marvelled at the magnificent different varieties you can get here in France.

After that, it was time to make our way down to the court, so we ended up on a terrace and there again we found ourselves amongst the Nadal ladies ... and this time, Xisca was with them. We didn't speak today, but seriously, they are all so lovely. Xisca is absolutely gorgeous, with a lovely face and beautiful skin, and Rafa's sister is also lovely too. A couple of girls asked if they could have their photo taken with them, and Rafa's mum said yes ... but shy, little Xisca started to wander off, but Rafa's Mum made her come into the shot. She seems such a shy little thing. But Then as we were going down the steps, Rafa's Dad came up and Rafan said to him "Good Luck for Rafa", which he acknowledged.


And so to the match. Well, the atmosphere was a bit more favourable to Rafa than yesterday. Daveed had some French support, but Rafa's fans were out in force. I think overall that Rafa played much better than yesterday. The first set was a little odd with topsy turvy losses of serve and not too much of a rhythm to the match. I think that Daveed was playing particularly well, and is this a good thing or a bad thing? but Rafa still wins these sets regardless.


So into the second we go, and I really felt in the first few games that we had got the Rafa we know and love of old on a clay court. He was playing some fantastic clay court tennis in his typical old style. As the set progressed though, I think it kind of got a bit nervy and there was this loss of serve thing again. I felt in IW and Miami that he'd got a bit obsessed with that shot, and now he's back on the clay, I think he's caught in two minds over what to do with it. But we shall see ... he's got some tournaments to work it out.

It was a shame for Daveed to lose his serve in the manner he did to give Rafa 6-5 and I did say to Rafan that he at least deserved a TB for his play in the set ... although I'm glad it didn't go to that. When Rafa won he leapt into the air and oh yes ... he was very, very happy.


The trophy ceremony was very nice as always and before the match began there was a little ceremony of music to walk the players on the court with their national flags and they played the Monagasque national anthem. All in all, this does feel very much like a club tournament, with tradition, and a way of doing things properly, which is so nice to enjoy as a spectator.

And so its all over ... in some ways, I think I'd like to get back home and think of a summing up, because sometimes you need to be away from it to look back and appreciate all that you've experienced. But once again, we've been so, so lucky with the closeness to Rafa, for the way Toni and the family have been kind to us, and all that we have seen tennis wise with this marvellous tournament. I would heartily recommend anyone to come. It has to be one of the most beautiful courts in the world, and everything is so nice there. Plus you get the added bonus of staying in the beautiful Cote d'Azur and all the fun you can have experiencing that too.

We've all had a marvellous time and loved every single minute of it and I would not have missed it for the world. Fantastic!!


Just to end (finally, you're all saying ...) it was also so very nice to come on here tonight and read all the match reports and also all the lovely comments you've all put. Not just from the Rafateers, but for the visitors to pay us a call too. That's what I am finding so nice about this forum. We all have our favourite players, but for rival fans to pop over and say nice things is very endearing and long may it continue.

So ... I shall say "au revoir", still looking out of the window onto the harbour with all the twinkling lights as our little adventure draws to end. Thanks Rafa for winning and making all our drims come true.


On to Barcelona where Womble takes up the mantle.

Bonsoir from Rafan and me xxxx and as always ... VAMOS RAFA!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx .

Day 7 - Beyond tired ...

I had all sorts of titles in my head for today's report because so much has gone on, but I cannot impart upon you just how tired we are and how nerve wracking today's match was. Its not helped by me being the resident alckie in the corner and insisting upon G&T and a pichet to myself to curb my upset at the football result, but that's another story ...

So I'll try my best to give an brief account of the day ...

Larky "up with the larks" Rafan, was off to MC before Denz and I and we took a leisurely morning thinking we had bags of time to get to the country club for practice and the matches.

Wrong.

You know how you wait forever for a bus and then 7 go past you with the "Complet" sign, ie. FULL ... well, that was us. We were panicking like mad towards the end and blessing the fact that Rafa was only on at 3pm cos we thought we'd at least make it for that. Anyhow, eventually we got lucky, but we missed practice, only Rafan didn't. However, he was on the Court des Princes and they let the fans in at one end, but Rafa practiced at the other and Rafan was a bit disappointed with her pictures today, but hey ho. She did, however, manage to get Uncle Toni's autograph.


Denz and I made it in time for the first match, so nothing lost really. And we were all absolutely delighted for little Daveed as although Melzer had managed to beat Feds, he didn't beat him. And he was so pleased to get to the final. Loved it.

Then Rafa time.

Rafateers, what to say? Rafa won that first set by virtue of Andy's mistakes and not his own play. And his performance in the second set was woeful. To never even try and attack a second serve, to stand as far back as humanly possible, to never take the play to Andy ... what was that Rafa?? It was torture to watch, and the set went to its inevitable conclusion.


However, from the word go in the 3rd, he seemed more his old self. I don't really want to go on about what Murray's injury was or what he was feeling, but Rafa at last seemed to have some life in him and finally make some play. Rafan was hoarse from shouting for Rafa, we did our best to cheer him on, but sitting there as a fan in the stands was a nightmare, Rafateers. He kept going though ... by whatever means he made it, and thank the Lord we see him in the final tomorrow.

We did have a lovely end to the day though, as we all had a few words with Rafa's Mum.


We obviously had to go to the loo after that lot which isn't so far from the VIP area. When we were out, Rafa's Dad went passed us, but we didn't stop him. But Rafan said something first to his Mum (and she's gone to bed now so I can't quite check), but it was something like pass on congratulations for his win. Denz and I went to say a few words and I just said something similar which was, "Congratulations to Rafa. We love your son", and she just said "Thank you, it was very close today". Then Denzy said to her, "I just wanted to say what a lovely boy your son is, and how proud you must be of him, we think he is just wonderful", and she again said "Thank you, I am." and Denz said, "That's lovely". And it was an ambition realised for Denz, as she's always wanted to say that. Rafateers, she is just sooooo lovely. There were so many people just wanting to pass on their best to her and have pictures and stuff. They're a lovely family.

But it made us laugh that Rafa's sister was there and just going as if to say ... "Mum ... come on!!!!"


So that's it for tonight guys. Too tired for even me to go on anymore. We're looking forward to the final tomorrow. We're also looking forward to some Rafa support. The French fans don't deserve him.

Night night all ... off to bed ...

Day 6 - Wind, and the Oldest Rafateer in Town ...

For those of you who were wondering ... no, I'm not talking about Denz above.

Well ... another fabulous day has been had on the sunny Cote d'Azur. We arrived around 9.30 am today, and quickly found out that Rafa was practising at 10.30 am and as an added tip off, that Novak would be at the club practising at about 3 pm. So we headed off to the practise court and were stopped for a chat by Viv ... who looked a bit like Yoda, was from Newcastle, and was probably about 84. She proudly told us that she had more pictures of Rafa on show at home than her grandchildren, but unlike us, she didn't want to miss the first match so off she trotted. Which reminds me before I go on. Whilst watching little Daveed yesterday, Rafan pointed his coach out to me and said, "There's Javier Pil-es ... or Javier Piles" then *chortled* at her school-girl joke. "I c'have Piles", I said to her in a mock Spanish voice, joining in with the joke. "Do you??" Rafan than asked me ... DOH, DOH and DOH!!!


Anyway, we were the first to arrive at the court and got prime positions right behind the chairs. Sadly, this practice court has wire meshing up, so although you can watch everything, its limiting when taking pictures and there's no access to Rafa for autographs and things. But never mind. Whilst we were waiting, someone came over and in an American voice said, "Are you Wooffie??" How has my cover been blown??? Turns out it was Miri from NadalNews and as Rafan pointed out, I did send our Rafameet pictures to her, so that's how she recognised us.

He was roughly on time, but Rafa Maymo entered first to shouts of "Good Morning" and "hello" ... and he grinned away and laughed. Then cue Rafa ...

*sigh* <3 <3 <3 *sigh*


So he comes over to the chair which is right in front us with only the wire meshing between us. I told Denz to put those wire cutters away as we wanted to watch the match, and Rafa started his usual warm up with the pully thingies with Maymo. He was wearing a neon yellow top which showed off his tan to perfection. I have to say its brilliant hearing him speaking right in front of you, and somehow a bit odd ... if you know what I mean.


But his business face was on and it was straight to work, doing drills with Toni watching on by. He then came back to the seat for a rest and a drink and I could have kissed the back of his neck, and at one stage, he took his cap off and ran his hand through his hair which was all lovely and long and fluffy at the back. *THUD* He then swopped ends and worked on his volleys and then the serve but probably within the hour ... he was gone. But it was brilliant. Again, I took some photos and Rafan has some lovely ones, but it probably won't be till next week that we have the time to sort it all out. We all waved and shouted 'bye, bye' to Rafa Maymo as he left and he chuckled as he went. He is lovely ...


So we had lunch and then went off to watch the Feds match. He never really showed up, if you asked me, and was very flat. However, a very good match was played by Melzer ... and I was delighted for him. Especially so when cheering him on in a French crowd.

I'm sure you saw how windy it was, and how Feds was distracted by a couple of carrier bags. Fear not, Rafateers, as even though Rafan took her trusty Tesco's carrier bag with her, she kept hold of it tight as it will be the only thing over her head come June 19th .


And then it was Rafatime We noticed that Papa Nadal and Carlos Costa have now joined Rafa's team and were there in his box watching. But up in the stands, we saw that the Nadal ladies have also arrived for a lovely weekend as Xisca, Mum and his sister were there. All looking lovely, I hasten to add. Unlike a lot of the "heaps" that we have seen so far in Monte Carlo.

I have to say that Rafa is still playing within himself if you ask me and still hasn't found blistering form. Maybe he doesn't have to yet, but Looby made it pretty easy for him by not holding on to his own serve until the second set and whilst he pushed towards the end, it was because he had the freedom to hit, and just go for it. Rafa ran out the easy winner.


It had got to 4 pm by this stage, and I was still keen to see if Novak was about and if we could watch him practice. So we went off to the second show court, and he was in there because we could hear him, and through access gaps, we could see Marian Vadja and Radek Stepanek as they were all joining in playing tennis football. It was obvious that no-one was in there, but I went and asked the security if we could go in, but they wouldn't let us. We were being fobbed off a bit by them saying maybe tomorrow, but who knows? We may see him.

Anyhow ... we decided on an early finish as the bus back can sometimes be torture, so we missed the Andy match. Its turned out to be a glorious early evening and the sea was its famous azure blue as we were making the journey home. So I'm sitting here overlooking the boats in the harbour with the sun still glinting on the yachts and we'll be going for dinner sometime soon. Tis a hard life, isn't it?


So its a Rafa-Andy semi-final tomorrow. Sure, Andy has had some good results here, but he's fine so long as he's leading if you ask me. It will be a huge test tomorrow, and I think Rafa will step it up too. Its all reaching its conclusion now, but for the moment, we are looking forward to a great day's tennis tomorrow.

So ta, ta for now from me and Denzy & Rafan xxx

VAMOS RAFA!!!!!

Day 5 - Solo Expeditions and Drop Shot Wars ...

First up ... I have to report that Rafan and Denzy's tans are fading by the day and are being replaced with a similar shade of *red* that I am currently sporting ...

So Day 5 sees us with an even earlier start as we made our way to the Country Club to see our boy up second. We weren't sure as to whether or not we'd see him practice today because he was due on from 11.30 am, but we asked regardless and were told that he was already practising on the Grandstand court ...


*run* that was us as we quickly made our way to our ticket entrance access point. We were on the opposite grandstand today, and it was pretty quiet inside so we had a really good view of our boy practising, even if it was for only about 30 minutes.

His hitting partner today was Tommy [Robredo], which has made me even more mad with Fer because I'm sure he would have hit with him otherwise. Anyhow, Rafa looked lovely in an orange top and white shorts as he went through his drills, although Tommy was showing him how to hit serves in though ... Anyhow, we were in the part of the stand that the players have to walk down the side of as they make their entrance and exits to the court. So little by little, we all sidled our way by the side of the stand, ready to see if we could get Rafa to do a little *sign* *sign* with a *pen* *pen*.


When he finished practice and made his way off court, Rafan got to him first with a picture she'd sneaked through at Boots, He then walked further down and I was holding out that lovely, lovely picture of him with the upturned collar and the Wimbers trophy (also sneaked through at Boots) and Denz had her Wimbledon 2010 book open. He looked up at us as he signed and as I said "thank you, Rafa" and Denz did the same, he nodded in acknowledgement. *sigh* ... he is so tanned and lovely, and we were so close that you could study the freckles on his nose. *THUD*


So we went skipping off to have a coffee (even me *cough*) and then returned to watch the Daveed vs. Raonic match. I have to say, we are starting to get a bit of a soft spot for young Milos. He was obviously struggling a bit, but the good thing about him was that he kept trying different things and didn't let his head drop. Rafan was getting so taken at that at one point, she was cheering him over Daveed ... until I reminded her that she was an Armada *fangirl* and was teetering with a ban. Milos did a very nice exchange at the net with Daveed, and walked off the court with a big grin on his face and was waving and stuff ... we like him.

But next up, of course ... was Rafatime ...


I think Rafa did what he had to do. It was nothing particularly outstanding, he even lost his serve once this match, but I don't think the result was ever in doubt. Well done Rafa. *applause*

So up comes Feds ...

... and Denzy decides she needs to go and buy a new hat.

She came back some time later sporting a rather fetching straw trilby with the Country Club moniker on it, which was so admirable that Rafan and I felt compelled to *curtsey* and we had a rather lengthy discussion on hats before she finally decided to fill us in on this little ditty. As she was making her way out from the stand, she "happened" to look to her left which was the players entrance/exit as I've said, when at the top of the stairs all she could spy was a pair of legs ... but knew instantly whose they were. So she goes up for a look/see, and there was Rafa at the top. So she justs shouts up, "OK Rafa!!" and gave him the *thumbs up* ... to which he looked at her and said "OK" and *thumbs up* back.

*jealous*

Then when the Feds match got to 5-2 in the second, Rafan decided she was off. The reason being was that there was a Rafamag in the magazine shop yesterday that she'd forgotten to buy. She needed to buy the mag (and get another 2 new posters of course) to add to the following spoils that she picked up this morning ...

A free newspaper; free match reports; a programme (paid for); leaflets, fliers; a menu for a local chinese restaurant and a very informative document telling her where best to do her dry cleaning. ;)


Then when she ambled her way back ... now what story do you think she was *bursting* to tell. Yep ... her own personal Rafa sighting!! She'd seen him running down the steps from the VIP area where he'd obviously been watching the end of Roger's match, and he was wearing (as also confirmed by Denzy), navy blue shorts and a checked shirt, with his hair all washed and fluffy and he looked tanned, lovely and dreamy. *sighs*

Its become obvious to me now, that sole expeditions are the only way to go for further Rafa-sightings ... and I'm feeling :( that I've missed out and am therefore thinking of doing my own. However ... considering my luck this week, what with the draw for Bedroom-gate and the fact that when the picks are made for Rafan's surplus Rafaposters, guess who's going to get the one they don't want? Well ... I just know that any sole expedition I make is going to end up with a full on meeting with ........... FEDS!! FACT!!

Anyhow ... we now get to the final match of the day ... Andy Murray vs. Gilles Simon. Now, I'm sure you've all watched it and seen how Simon twisted his skinny ankle or something, and Andy did what any player should do ... which was exploit his opponent's weakness as he threw in one or two dropshots. Nothing wrong with that.


But the French crowd of course went berserk, and for a while we experienced something of what Roland Garros must be like. But somehow, this churlish French behaviour awoke the jingoistic qualities in Rafan as she couldn't stand it. We had several "C'MON ANDY's" ... and when the crowd did the *clap* *clap* "Gillou" thing ... she lead the counter with *clap* *clap* ANDEEEE!! And then when she stood on her chair and began with the speech, "Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more ... Cry God for Andy, Scotland and St Michael's" I feared she may have started the second of France's revolutions!!

But we somehow managed to get away with it and are able to watch Rafa fight another day.


So lets see what tomorrow brings with the surprise opponent of Looby, as its "So long, farewell" to Rolf.

COME ON RAFA ... its getter closer. You can do it, you can DO it!!

PS. Looking at the average age of the female Rafa fans here, we've also decided that in a few short years, we'll be opening a RafaRestHome. *erm*

Day 4 - Posters and Pocket-books and Pens ... oh my!!

Have we had a good day or whot?

Well ... it all started with the larks, which was difficult for me on a bit *cough* of red wine last night , whilst Rafan looked on at my dinner with *steak envy*. But we arrived at the Club at about 9.30 am which was good and early.

Denz and I split up from Rafan, as the two of us had decided that we would try and get tickets to watch the Armadafest on the Court des Princes, whilst Rafan couldn't wait to go and find a good spot to watch Rafa practice.

As I've said, she was deffo a mountain goat in a former life, so off she skipped and hopped up one of the many flights of stairs towards the practice courts. She met a fellow fleet-footed person on the way down so said ...

"Hello Rafa, good luck". And Rafa said "Hello. Thank you". Then Rafan said, "Rafa, where are you practising today?" and he said, "I dunnoh??" ... then a security man said to him "vite, vite" ... and off he went ...


Queue a *yahoo* and Rafan came running round the Club to try and find us to tell us of her "brief encounter".

After a bit of a faff, Denzy and I managed to get tickets for the Court des Princes, and sat waiting for the Prince[ss] himself to arrive. The thing about Monte Carlo is that the site is basically quite small, cut into the hills, but the courts are really intimate and we were only 4 rows up to see the hotness of Feli ... and boy is he. *thud* The tennis was complete and utter pants though. Seriously ... Daveed just had to run around a bit and put the ball back in play and wait for Feli to do his usual 3 bad shots for 1 good shot, then 1 bad shot and game over. He is so frustrating because he's really quite a classic tennis player with a lovely serve and a nice backhand ... when you drag your eyes away from the *thighporn* and *derriere* that is.


So after Feli's thrashing which kind of co-incided with the end of Rafa's practice (he was told where to go in the end, obviously), we met Rafan outside the court and decided to walk back up to the practice courts for a sit down and some lunch. Not before Gilles Simon had gone walking past us. I've seen him before, and I swear, I have shapelier calves than him. They're certainly thicker after this holiday, I can tell you!!

We had a brief look at some of the stalls and then Rafan gasped and gaped in absolute pleasure ... there was a shop selling loads of Rafamags!!! Well, they were tennis mags, but some had Rafa on the front, so she just had to buy them. As she bought two, she could get 4 free posters, so she chose 2 of the same of Rafa, and said that she would let Denz and I have the two spare, but we would have to draw lots for which we wanted. So bearing in mind the room allocation debacle, how about I decide the one I don't want, cos that's the one I'll get. Then Rafan noticed 2 Rafa pocket books that she just had to buy, and got a free pen with both. Doh! doh!and more doh!


As we were making our way up to the practice courts, we noticed that there was a bit of a broo-ha-ha as we started to ascend, and the reason soon became clear why ...

Feds was making his way down the steps ...

There were several security men who were trying to stand together in a line in order to keep the crowds at bay and make a corridor for Feds to walk through. At one point Denz said ... "You don't need to push me about love, I'm not going to bother him!!" Rafan couldn't stop herself, and got out a *pen* *pen* in case she could get him to sign.


But there was this one security guy who, when trying to push "the crowd" back, ended up by copping a good feel of my left breast. I kid you not. Laughing, I said "eh!!" ... and he began to *hoot* as did the girls (not my "girls" if you know what I mean) ... but Denz and Rafan. Cheeky minxes.

So Feds glided his way past in a sublime way, totally devoid of all sweat and Rafan commented on how nice his hair was.


After lunch, we then took to the Grandstand Court and I have to say guys, this has to be the most beautiful place to watch tennis. Again, the court is small and intimate so even at the back, you'd still have a good view. There's the cliffs to one side, the Mediterranean to the other ... it is truly an awesome sight.


We watched a bit of Gael Monfils, then Denz and I made our way back to the other court to watch the other half of the FeliFer duo, this time being Fernando. He was wearing his shocking pink top, which was almost as shocking as his tennis. Have to say ... the man is F.I.T. Phwoar ... bl**dy gorgeous. But again, he was facing Tommy Robredo who he should beat with his eyes closed. In the first set, Fer broke back and then had to serve to make it all level, but lost his serve, and Tommy served out for the set. His career is in free-fall and he seriously needs to do something drastic to stop it.

Now Denz thinks that FeliFer had a pact that they needed to exit early as there was a boat waiting for them in the harbour to take them on their latest holiday, accompanied by a pair of long legged Russian fillies ... only cos we were busy, of course.


So we just watched the one set of the Fer debacle and then hurried back because Rafa was on and making short work of Niemenennemmen ...


Rafa looks hot!! I wish he would have worn white shorts instead of grey, but the tennis was great, flowing, effortless, and just the kind of start he needs. And he is just so lovely.


The day ended with a very nice match featuring Andy Murray and Stepanek. Murray waltzed his way through the first, and I felt had a little nervous wobble a bit in the second, but managed to recover and won out in two.


I'll bring you some pics as soon as I can, because the shots of the court are fantastic, along with the Armada even those that need a right good kick up their lovely *cough*s.


So if this is the experience of our first day ... bring it ON!! Honestly, we are having just the best of times and been having the greatest of fun.


So we have Rafa and Reshaarrd tomorrow and we look forward to more of the same.

Bonsoir lovely Rafateers ... catch you all tomorrow from me and Denzy and Rafan.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx