On a difficult day for Rafa ...

... he took his place on the court following the news of the passing of his friend and the very well loved and respected golfer, Severiano Ballesteros. Seve finally lost his battle against brain cancer, and Rafa had been advised on Friday by his brother of the grave situation.

Our respectful boy values what Spanish sportsman either do or have done, and Seve - whether you like golf or not - was one of the finest. The video tears me up just watching how Rafa is affected by it all ...

And I will go on to say this. In Europe, it is quite common that a death is met with a respectful minute's silence, and equally, with a minute's applause. Applause being the way that we show our appreciation, in this case, for a life of achievement. So I'll say this to you, Mr Federer. Was it too much to join in with the applause? You know ... you could have tucked your racquet under your arm, instead of swinging it about, scuffing your shoes and then the final ignominy ... looking at your watch!! Unlike you, Seve was a sportsman - as is Rafa - so shame on you for total lack of respect.