Tuesday 31 May 2011
When in Paris ... visit an Italian designer store ...
Here's Rafa at his recent appearance at the Armani store in Paris.
Rafa disposes of Looby ...
A totally flat and uninspiring Rafa defeated 32-year-old Ivan Ljubicic by a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 scoreline. I'm struggling hard at the moment in knowing what to say about these matches. Rafa broke early and was racing ahead in the first set, only to be broken back and the set go to the wire before Rafa takes it. Towards the end of the second set, he started playing like the Rafa of old, but it then dropped in the third. He's still got enough to beat these guys, but there is a blankness behind the eyes, Rafa barely even celebrated his own win, and its obvious that he's finding it really, really hard work out there.
Mats Wilander in commentary said that when he won his last French Open, he only started playing well in the semi-final and final. As Rafa next faces Robin Soderling ... will we even have the luxury of seeing if he can achieve this?? This flat, passionless Rafa is paining me to see. He's exciting to watch because he finds it exciting to play ... but not at the moment. His flesh isn't weak, but his spirit isn't willing. We will support him through it, come what may ... but seeing Rafa a shadow of the player we know he is ... well, its killing me.
Mats Wilander in commentary said that when he won his last French Open, he only started playing well in the semi-final and final. As Rafa next faces Robin Soderling ... will we even have the luxury of seeing if he can achieve this?? This flat, passionless Rafa is paining me to see. He's exciting to watch because he finds it exciting to play ... but not at the moment. His flesh isn't weak, but his spirit isn't willing. We will support him through it, come what may ... but seeing Rafa a shadow of the player we know he is ... well, its killing me.
Rafa still not happy, but still there ...
Rafa saw off qualifier Antonio Veic by a 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 scoreline which was emphatic
as his play was much better ... but then again it should be against someone ranked in the 200s.
as his play was much better ... but then again it should be against someone ranked in the 200s.
Rafa again gave a candid post-match interview where he tells us that he feels like he's been on the tour for 100 years and he repeats again for a lengthier break to the tennis season. He's losing his passion for the game right now, and its making difficult watching and reading.
Friday 27 May 2011
So I am not happy ... but I am here ...
Oh Rafa, Rafa, Rafa ... honey ... where is your mojo my love??
He won the match, he won it in 3 sets ... he's not happy. I didn't watch it folks, stuck at work and could only gasp at the LiveScores when he was 1-5 down and you think ... oh no! a 4th set. But Rafa is Rafa ... he found something, his opponent didn't and he totally swung it around to create a tie-breaker and thus win the match.
But something is not right.
I actually fear for Rafa here at this Major and I'm struggling to keep hope that from somewhere he can find his form - because he hasn't throughout the whole of this clay season. I've linked his presser here in this post because Rafa is totally frank about his current form and I can't possibly say it any better than he.
But ... he IS still here. As are we ... and we will cheer him on and hope for the best tomorrow. He is ... NADAL !!!
He won the match, he won it in 3 sets ... he's not happy. I didn't watch it folks, stuck at work and could only gasp at the LiveScores when he was 1-5 down and you think ... oh no! a 4th set. But Rafa is Rafa ... he found something, his opponent didn't and he totally swung it around to create a tie-breaker and thus win the match.
But something is not right.
I actually fear for Rafa here at this Major and I'm struggling to keep hope that from somewhere he can find his form - because he hasn't throughout the whole of this clay season. I've linked his presser here in this post because Rafa is totally frank about his current form and I can't possibly say it any better than he.
But ... he IS still here. As are we ... and we will cheer him on and hope for the best tomorrow. He is ... NADAL !!!
Here's a vid clip of the highlights of the third set ...
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Rafa's interview from the Isner match ...
And anything Rose can do ... Bailey can too ...
Hehe ... Rafan's Bailey also joins in with Going Blue!
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Rafa taken to 5 in the opening round against Isner ...
Oh Dear God Almighty Rafa ... why do you do this to us?? I knew it wouldn't be easy for Rafa because Isner is not a great match up for him. Massive serve, great height, so Rafa's high bouncing top spin isn't as much a danger ... and the key for him playing Isner is to try and serve well himself and make the most of any break points that came his way.
And for a set and half, that was what Rafa was exactly doing. He broke in the first to take it 6-4 and had a break in the second. But a sloppy service game gave it right back with Isner taking the one break point he had, and then it carried on serve to a tie-breaker. And here we had Rafa playing pretty nervous and poorly within it and in the blink of an eye ... it was set all.
This obviously rocked Rafa, and his play was at times short and at others, lacking rhythm, but it kept on serve until Isner was at 5-6 down with Rafa having break points and thus set points, but he lost them all. So there we were again, firmly :clunk: :clicked: into another rollercoaster ride ... and the shoot out of the tie-break saw Rafa play nervy again and other one was lost.
If Rafa was to win this ... then it was the hard way, and to go to a 5th.
But he came firing out of the blocks and got an early break, and then another ... and he played almost the perfect set as he made ZERO unforced errors and he took it 6-2. Bravo Rafa!!! He once again took an early break in the 5th which was good, as he was serving second and it took some of that pressure away. Isner never had a sniff on Rafa's serve and although the final game was tight ... our boy prevailed at 6-4.
Cue much leaping around and vamossing, even from Toni. It was tight, it was nervy ... it was a first round match that was typical of Rafa and with him facing a more worthy opponent than most do.
Of course there are those out there already writing his obituary. This is Rafa's SEVENTH season at the top on clay courts people. We know its not going to last forever, we know that at some point its going to drop off a shade ... it happens. I don't think he's quite done here and credit to him for coming out of it. And before people dance on his grave or read too much into it, Isner took the only one break point he had ... Rafa squandered several ... Rafa's nerves got to him in the breakers which happens to the best of them in the first round matches ... but he was imperious in the fourth and found a way and did not squander his opportunities in the fifth.
That's why he's Rafa ... and that is why he is STILL THE NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD!! Vamos!!
And for a set and half, that was what Rafa was exactly doing. He broke in the first to take it 6-4 and had a break in the second. But a sloppy service game gave it right back with Isner taking the one break point he had, and then it carried on serve to a tie-breaker. And here we had Rafa playing pretty nervous and poorly within it and in the blink of an eye ... it was set all.
This obviously rocked Rafa, and his play was at times short and at others, lacking rhythm, but it kept on serve until Isner was at 5-6 down with Rafa having break points and thus set points, but he lost them all. So there we were again, firmly :clunk: :clicked: into another rollercoaster ride ... and the shoot out of the tie-break saw Rafa play nervy again and other one was lost.
If Rafa was to win this ... then it was the hard way, and to go to a 5th.
But he came firing out of the blocks and got an early break, and then another ... and he played almost the perfect set as he made ZERO unforced errors and he took it 6-2. Bravo Rafa!!! He once again took an early break in the 5th which was good, as he was serving second and it took some of that pressure away. Isner never had a sniff on Rafa's serve and although the final game was tight ... our boy prevailed at 6-4.
Cue much leaping around and vamossing, even from Toni. It was tight, it was nervy ... it was a first round match that was typical of Rafa and with him facing a more worthy opponent than most do.
Of course there are those out there already writing his obituary. This is Rafa's SEVENTH season at the top on clay courts people. We know its not going to last forever, we know that at some point its going to drop off a shade ... it happens. I don't think he's quite done here and credit to him for coming out of it. And before people dance on his grave or read too much into it, Isner took the only one break point he had ... Rafa squandered several ... Rafa's nerves got to him in the breakers which happens to the best of them in the first round matches ... but he was imperious in the fourth and found a way and did not squander his opportunities in the fifth.
That's why he's Rafa ... and that is why he is STILL THE NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD!! Vamos!!
The Rafa Blog ...
Well ... we thought that Rafa had given up on his UK Blog in The Times as although he's doing one in El Mundo, El Marca ... or whatever, :doh: ... nothing had been announced about The Times until yesterday I read that Neil Harman had confirmed that Rafa wouldn't be doing one with them. :(
But hurrah!!! It soon came out today that Rafa has moved to The Telegraph, so the link is attached here.
... so enjoy what Rafa has to say and get sending in those questions!!
Cos you all know I will ... :D :D :D
But hurrah!!! It soon came out today that Rafa has moved to The Telegraph, so the link is attached here.
... so enjoy what Rafa has to say and get sending in those questions!!
Cos you all know I will ... :D :D :D
Anything Rafan can do, Rose can do better ...
Hehe. This my lovely Rose getting into the act of Go Blue! for Rafa. This is the best shot I could take, and I used hundreds of treats in the process. :rofl:
Monday 23 May 2011
Go Blue!!!
I'm sure you're all advocates of NadalNews, and Miri is running a campaign for a bit of a laugh in support of our lovely Rafa ... Go Blue!!
So the idea is to paint your nails, dress up and basically show your appreciation of Rafa in blue. And our Rafan, never one to shun a bit of shameless self-promotion :rofl: has gone the whole hog, even with a fetching picture of Rafa in the background ... you've guessed it ... all in blue.
So the idea is to paint your nails, dress up and basically show your appreciation of Rafa in blue. And our Rafan, never one to shun a bit of shameless self-promotion :rofl: has gone the whole hog, even with a fetching picture of Rafa in the background ... you've guessed it ... all in blue.
He is just ...
... lovely.
Good luck my darling as you start your French Open Campaign tomorrow. VAMOS RAFA!!!
Rafa at practice ...
Yesterday Rafa practices with young Milos Raonic ... he who we thought was a bit of cutie whilst in Monte Carlo.
That wasn't a bad shout from Rafa as Milos is known for his serve (ask Fer :whistle:) and Rafa is about to serve that Serve Monszzzzzter, John Iszzzzzner, tomorrow. However practice with Rafa didn't do much good for young Milos today. He was beaten in straights. Oh dear ...
That wasn't a bad shout from Rafa as Milos is known for his serve (ask Fer :whistle:) and Rafa is about to serve that Serve Monszzzzzter, John Iszzzzzner, tomorrow. However practice with Rafa didn't do much good for young Milos today. He was beaten in straights. Oh dear ...
VAMOS RAFA!! VAMOS RAFA!! VAMOS RAFA!!
It seems that Nike are keen to create the longest ever Rafachant and are encouraging us to send in our Vamos Rafa! chants to their Facebook page here ...
So get chanting Rafa fans!! Come on ... VAMOS RAFA! VAMOS RAFA! VAMOS RAFA!
Rafa interview on Dutch TV ...
I hope the interviewer wasn't serious about getting Rafa on his bike!!
Sunday 22 May 2011
Nike crazy ...
Rafa has been on the promotional trail whilst in Paris with his Armani pants duties and he also paid a visit to Nike. I just amazed at the number of Parisians that turned out to see him. Or maybe they were all just Brits on a day trip on the Eurostar ...
"... its the all-timers who win Slam finals"
Whilst all the hullabaloo is around Novak Djokovic right now, Tennis.com's Steve Tignor picked his favourite for the tournament ... Rafa. And I really like the quote he used for his reasoning in doing so ...
"I'll go back to their final at the U.S. Open last fall. It was Djokovic who had the winning record over Nadal on hard courts, but the Spaniard was the favorite because, while Djokovic was a great player for his era, Nadal was for all-time, and it's the all-timers who win Slam finals."
Djokovic is a great player for his era ... yeah, that's about right. OK, he's won 2 Australian Opens, but that's his total sum to date and frankly, good form or not, let's see if he heads towards double figures in his Slam victories. I doubt it. Whereas Rafa's successes with wins at all the Slams across all the surfaces, already puts him up there as one of the all-time GREATS of the game. Lets hope the double figure can be achieved this time. Vamos Rafa!!
"I'll go back to their final at the U.S. Open last fall. It was Djokovic who had the winning record over Nadal on hard courts, but the Spaniard was the favorite because, while Djokovic was a great player for his era, Nadal was for all-time, and it's the all-timers who win Slam finals."
Djokovic is a great player for his era ... yeah, that's about right. OK, he's won 2 Australian Opens, but that's his total sum to date and frankly, good form or not, let's see if he heads towards double figures in his Slam victories. I doubt it. Whereas Rafa's successes with wins at all the Slams across all the surfaces, already puts him up there as one of the all-time GREATS of the game. Lets hope the double figure can be achieved this time. Vamos Rafa!!
Rafa happy in practice ...
Our boy has seemed in good spirits as he's been practising before the start of the tournament. Various practice partners have been Gilles Simon, Gael Monfils, and potential quarter and semi-final opponents in Dimples and Andy Murray.
Judging by the size of the freckles already on Rafa's face (and seen quite close up by yours truly *faint*), I think the dramatic sun screen is a bit late in the day for our Rafa. Maybe he was just encouraging fellow blue boy - the blue skinned Murray - to do his bit in damage limitation as far as his skin was concerned. Hehe.
All the excitement of the draw ...
Look interested Rafa!! Or was he just fed up of the fragrant Ana persistently looking all cow-eyed and flirty at him throughout the whole thing that got on his pip. Needless to say, it did with mine and so there's no pictures of her appearing here.
As defending Champion, Rafa once again took part in the draw for the French Open, so now we have an idea of what his potential route to the final *fingers and everything crossed* might be.
His opening match is against serve zzzz'er John Isner, but Rafa, once he gets a read on it, tends to manage OK. The guy's too much of a galoop around the court to threaten Rafa tennis-wise, so he just needs to take his break points when they come. I'm still not sure who he might get in the second round, but after that it could be 3rd round, Nicolay Davydenko - 4th round, Fer Verdasco - quarter-final, Robin Soderling - semi-final, Andy Murray.
Its not easy, but that's why Slams are what they are and there's always surprises along the way. Good luck Rafa! We soooo want this for you.
Little Boy Blue ...
Allez le Bleu!!!
Our lovely Rafa is all in blue for this French Championships ... and Rafan is going the full blue hog with painting her nails and spending an inordinate amount of money in the Nike Store on a bandana ... which is turquoise, I think. But as Denzy kindly pointed out ... my blue rinse fits in nicely with the theme so we're all ready to cheer on our Boy Blue.
Our lovely Rafa is all in blue for this French Championships ... and Rafan is going the full blue hog with painting her nails and spending an inordinate amount of money in the Nike Store on a bandana ... which is turquoise, I think. But as Denzy kindly pointed out ... my blue rinse fits in nicely with the theme so we're all ready to cheer on our Boy Blue.
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Rafa shows off his pants in Paris ...
Rafa has now landed in Paris ... and straight to work. Not on the court, sadly, but he turned up at Les Galleries Lafayette to stand in front of very large pictures of himself in his undercrakers.
The life of a modern tennis player. Hehe.
The life of a modern tennis player. Hehe.
Twitpics from VB
Monday 16 May 2011
Rafa gets rumbled in Rome ...
Well ... for the second week running we are left despondent as our lovely Rafa once again fails to make inroads into Djokovic's winning streak. Another of his clay Masters has gone to the Serb and Rafa is still finding a way of working it out.
The scoreline was 6-4, 6-4, but I have to say that Rafa played an awful lot better than he did last week. He used his backhand more, he tried to attack Djokovic's forehand more, but the conundrum of what to do still hasn't finally been pieced together. Rafa had a low percentage win on his second serve points which shows that he was immediately on the back foot whenever that first serve didn't go in. He did stay too far back at times, the lucky Serb once again had net cords go for him and amidst much chest thumping and totally unnecessary open mouthed yelling ... Rafa lost the match. And don't even get me started on the souvenir shop bought scarves and caps that that family were wearing. Were Serbia playing Italy down the road at the Stadio Olympico?? Thought not.
With a cursory handshake at the net and then standing as far apart from each other as they could on the presentation stand, this is one bromance that is now definitely over. How quickly things have changed since the US Spring tournaments. My personal view is that Rafa as a very proud Spaniard, would not have appreciated the antics that occurred in Madrid last week and that has seriously shifted the dynamic.
So next up is Paris, where Rafa might benefit from not being the hot favourite but it is a title that is very, very precious to him and with all my heart, I hope he finds a way there. VAMOS!!!
The scoreline was 6-4, 6-4, but I have to say that Rafa played an awful lot better than he did last week. He used his backhand more, he tried to attack Djokovic's forehand more, but the conundrum of what to do still hasn't finally been pieced together. Rafa had a low percentage win on his second serve points which shows that he was immediately on the back foot whenever that first serve didn't go in. He did stay too far back at times, the lucky Serb once again had net cords go for him and amidst much chest thumping and totally unnecessary open mouthed yelling ... Rafa lost the match. And don't even get me started on the souvenir shop bought scarves and caps that that family were wearing. Were Serbia playing Italy down the road at the Stadio Olympico?? Thought not.
With a cursory handshake at the net and then standing as far apart from each other as they could on the presentation stand, this is one bromance that is now definitely over. How quickly things have changed since the US Spring tournaments. My personal view is that Rafa as a very proud Spaniard, would not have appreciated the antics that occurred in Madrid last week and that has seriously shifted the dynamic.
So next up is Paris, where Rafa might benefit from not being the hot favourite but it is a title that is very, very precious to him and with all my heart, I hope he finds a way there. VAMOS!!!
Sunday 15 May 2011
Rain, rain go away ...
Tsk ... whilst the rain decides to away and stop holding up today's Rome Masters final, I've been engaging in one of my guilty pleasures ... Felipawn.
And I've decided to add these cutsey, bromance pictures ... awww ...
And I've decided to add these cutsey, bromance pictures ... awww ...
... although this one is out-and-out Felipawn ... WOW!!!
Rafa's Roman adventure ...
You will recall that I was at the Rome Masters last year and loved it. It was an entirely different experience than the one we've just had in Monte Carlo ... this tournament is more what I would call a "People's Tournament" ... one for the fans. The reason being, you get such access to the players.
I do remember scenes of waiting lines round the entrance and exit area, and the crash barriers and the hoards of black suited, sunglasses wearing security guys (this is Italy, after all!!), but some of my friends saw him enter and a lot of the time in relative quiet, but we weren't ever part of these exit scenes.
Manic, aren't they??
It is definitely down to the Rome set-up, in there there is no VIP exit route for the players. Exit from the arena means them having to cross through expansive walk ways and perhaps unlike other tournaments, the excitement of being able to get so close to a world tennis superstar is too much.
I'm still grateful that Rafa still signs things for people and have to say that even when he's one-on-one as he was with us at Wimbledon last year, he's still in robotic mode.
Anyhow ... the video certainly made me sit up to realise just what all of this is like for Rafa.
I do remember scenes of waiting lines round the entrance and exit area, and the crash barriers and the hoards of black suited, sunglasses wearing security guys (this is Italy, after all!!), but some of my friends saw him enter and a lot of the time in relative quiet, but we weren't ever part of these exit scenes.
Manic, aren't they??
It is definitely down to the Rome set-up, in there there is no VIP exit route for the players. Exit from the arena means them having to cross through expansive walk ways and perhaps unlike other tournaments, the excitement of being able to get so close to a world tennis superstar is too much.
I'm still grateful that Rafa still signs things for people and have to say that even when he's one-on-one as he was with us at Wimbledon last year, he's still in robotic mode.
Anyhow ... the video certainly made me sit up to realise just what all of this is like for Rafa.
Another Roman final for Rafa ...
In the first of yesterday's semi-finals, Rafa found himself pitched against one of his old junior buddies in Frenchman Richard Gasquet. He'd had a good week, as he'd beaten Feds and Berdych along the way, and whilst I didn't necessarily have those tummy wobbles yesterday, Reeshard pushed Rafa all the way with some lovely play.
It was nip and tuck during that first set, but Rafa got break points in the 10th game and broke with apparent ease. He faced a break point of his own in the next, but held firm and took the set 7-5. Whilst the first set was close, the second turned into something of breeze and Rafa romped away with it, 6-1.
So for once, the scheduling favoured Rafa, as he was off court by late afternoon and could spend a very relaxing evening in the hotel ... whilst he must have watched Murray and Djokovic slog the hell out of one another until midnight. It makes a pleasant change. After a dreadful first set, I thought it would be another walk in the park for Djokovic, but no ... Murray played a stormer. I could not have willed him on more when he stood to serve for the match, but a couple of double faults and the nerves obviously got to him. The match was decided on a tiebreaker in the third, and whilst Djokovic's unbeaten run continues, the length of time and effort it took to finish it was the second best result.
So for the fourth time, Rafa faces Djokovic in a final this year. This time, honey. Come on ................. DO it!!
It was nip and tuck during that first set, but Rafa got break points in the 10th game and broke with apparent ease. He faced a break point of his own in the next, but held firm and took the set 7-5. Whilst the first set was close, the second turned into something of breeze and Rafa romped away with it, 6-1.
So for once, the scheduling favoured Rafa, as he was off court by late afternoon and could spend a very relaxing evening in the hotel ... whilst he must have watched Murray and Djokovic slog the hell out of one another until midnight. It makes a pleasant change. After a dreadful first set, I thought it would be another walk in the park for Djokovic, but no ... Murray played a stormer. I could not have willed him on more when he stood to serve for the match, but a couple of double faults and the nerves obviously got to him. The match was decided on a tiebreaker in the third, and whilst Djokovic's unbeaten run continues, the length of time and effort it took to finish it was the second best result.
So for the fourth time, Rafa faces Djokovic in a final this year. This time, honey. Come on ................. DO it!!
Saturday 14 May 2011
Andiamo al shopping ...
Armani are making the most of their new poster boy as he's photographed here going shopping in their store in Rome and next week, he's meeting the fan's at the Paris shop.
Not that I'm complaining because since he's been with them, he's scrubbed up really well. In fact, he's looks absolutely lovely here. Young, modern and stylish. Loving the look, Rafa.
And gracie Giorgio ... ;)
Not that I'm complaining because since he's been with them, he's scrubbed up really well. In fact, he's looks absolutely lovely here. Young, modern and stylish. Loving the look, Rafa.
And gracie Giorgio ... ;)
Into the quarters ...
Well ... Rafa woke up yesterday morning and he must have been feeling a bit better because he promised it would be "bye, bye" if he didn't. And so he showed up to face Marin Cilic in his quarter-final match.
I "watched" it at work, via LiveScores and updates from the Rafateers on the thread, and I'm happy to say that there was no nervous tummy yesterday. Rafa was moving much better and he cantered through the first set 6-1. Cilic managed to get on board in the second set, but Rafa prevailed and took it and the match 6-3.
Perhaps the most significant thing that came out of the win was that whatever Djokovic does in this tournament, Rafa retains his Number 1 ranking till after the French Open which means that he will finally have held it for a year. Congratulations Rafa. I was tough on you over Feli, but you've toughed it out to keep going and securing what you've worked so very, very hard for. As ever, we are so proud of you.
I "watched" it at work, via LiveScores and updates from the Rafateers on the thread, and I'm happy to say that there was no nervous tummy yesterday. Rafa was moving much better and he cantered through the first set 6-1. Cilic managed to get on board in the second set, but Rafa prevailed and took it and the match 6-3.
Perhaps the most significant thing that came out of the win was that whatever Djokovic does in this tournament, Rafa retains his Number 1 ranking till after the French Open which means that he will finally have held it for a year. Congratulations Rafa. I was tough on you over Feli, but you've toughed it out to keep going and securing what you've worked so very, very hard for. As ever, we are so proud of you.
Gracious Rafa even helped a ball kid find the ball ...
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