Rafa and Cristiano ... both mercurial

And the day started out so well ...

The Nike video that Rafa made with Cristiano Ronaldo in Mallorca was published today. (I recognise the mountains ... ;) ) Its a hoot, with both of them displaying their respective skills ... and Rafa treating us to his volleying technique ... this time with his feet.

Shame they both didn't have an "ab-off" ... but you can't have everything. Not sure which one of them loves the pink boots the most *whistle* but loving Rafa interviewing Cristiano ... He's so cute how he gets awestruck about other sportsmen.

Rafa chats about his withdrawal ...

He's wonderful.

See you in Monte Carlo, Rafa. VAMOS!!

I cannot, I cannot. That's it ...

Some very sad news for us fans today, but Rafa's withdrawal from Miami is absolutely the right decision I believe. Its only the second time in his whole career (the last time was 2004) that Rafa has withdrawn from a tournament without going out on court. His knee issue is currently such, that he's found it impossible to play his semi against Andy Murray.

Anyhow, let's let Rafa tell us about. Here is the full presser transcript. Rest up Rafa and come back, fit, better and fighting. VAMOS!!

Q. Perhaps you could just take us through the situation you're faced with. We assume it's your knee. Could you tell us the story of the last couple of days?

RAFAEL NADAL: Oh, I started the since the beginning of the tournament I have problems, but the real thing is growing worse every day.

So after the last match, I saw that the situation were going to be complicated to play today. But, as always, I always believe that the things can improve.

So I waited until today in the morning. I did a lot of treatment yesterday, waiting, that we can recover a little bit for today.

But I am not ready to compete today. I am very sorry for the fans. I'm very sorry for the tournament. I'm very sorry for everybody who were ready to watch the match on the television, for television, for everybody. But I don't have pleasure. I cannot do it another thing.

I am not ready to compete, and I cannot go on court and lie to everybody. That's the thing today.

Q. Can you describe the problem exactly for us? Do you know what it is precisely?

RAFAEL NADAL: I have problems on the left knee. I cannot I have to go to doctor, but looks like is nothing really, really different that happen a few times in the past.

Just go to the doctor hopefully tomorrow, and hopefully in a few days, with a few days off and with the right treatment, I will be in the right conditions to start to practice on the clay.

Q. Because obviously you want to protect as best you can for the clay court season coming up? You say just going out there and running around on the hard court is not going to do you any good in the long run?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, but not. Yes, I want to arrive to the clay court with the right conditions, but I want to arrive here with the right conditions. That's why I rest all February.

So I am not thinking I am not going on court today not because I have the clay court season. I am not going on court today because I cannot go on court today.

No, no. Nothing about clay court season. Clay court season is there in two weeks, but this tournament is very important for me, and I feel very sad to have to go out before a beautiful match for me, semifinals against Andy.

Q. What is your clay court schedule? What are the chances that that may change now?

RAFAEL NADAL: Nothing change. Even if it's sad to finish these two tournaments like this, playing two semifinals is a good result for me.

First three tournaments of the year I played final and two semifinals in very difficult tournaments, so that's the positive thing that stays on my mind, playing good tennis. It's true the last day I did not play good tennis, but my knee is not ready to play good tennis.

So in general, I am very happy almost about everything. My schedule gonna be the same. Monte Carlo, Barcelona, first two tournaments.

Q. How worrying is it to have the same thing happen again with your knee when you thought it was fixed?

RAFAEL NADAL: Less than if I have a new thing, because something that happened in the past, I know what to do to get better quick, and that's what we're gonna try.

Q. So where are you going now? Where are you going from here? Are you going back to Mallorca?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know yet. I gonna I have to check a few things. I want to go to visit the doctor, and I don't know if I will be able to do it I will try to do it as fast as possible, to try to come back on court as quick as possible, too.

Q. Did you have any problems coming out of your training in February? When you went to Indian Wells, everything was good?

RAFAEL NADAL: I start to feel a little bit in Mallorca. But, no, everybody has almost everybody has pain when you are playing in this high level of competition, no?

The true is in Indian Wells I had I start to have problems on the knee before Indian Wells, and Indian Wells I have my problems on the knee. But that problem, no, are not limiting me to play at 100%.

So I played in Indian Wells with the normal conditions, playing in good shape physically and everything. Here is different.

Q. Is it described as tendinitis or something else?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. But seriously the tendons are much better today than three years ago. The treatments worked fantastic.

Even if today a really bad knee and last couple of days were tough for me, but positive thing the tendon improve a lot the last couple of years.

I am more health with both tendons than now. So the treatments are working well. In 2009 I really compete but compete in very bad conditions a lot of times. For the last couple of years, 2010, 2011, I was able to compete with perfect conditions for almost all the year.

So that's always fantastic when that's happening. This year I started well with no problems. Today is bad news, but that's the sport. We cannot expect playing as much as we play, be perfect every day of our life.

Today is my turn. Everybody have problems, and I will be working hard to be back quick on court and to play my best in Monte Carlo.

Q. You always play with a lot of injuries. Are you more cautious now? Because you always play with I remember US Open when you have the other thing. Are you more cautious now?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, I always try my best. But today I feel that I am not ready to compete, no? I always start hard. I tried in the US Open like the example in 2009, but I have big broke of the abdominal at the end of the US Open.

Then after US Open I had to stop for one month and a half with no competition. So I cannot repeat mistakes from the past, but that doesn't mean that I am more afraid about playing with pains or not.

I try my best in every moment with pain, without pain, but when I see the situation is done and I cannot, I cannot. That's it.

FerWatch ...

Fer did a Q&A in Miami ...

If you could switch places with anyone and live their life for one day, who would it be?

It’s tough to say. Michael Jordan.

What is your favorite piece of clothing?

Jeans.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with 3 people, alive or dead, who would they be?

One is Jordan for sure. I would say Andre Agassi but now I have conversations with him so it’s not anymore because I speak with him. But, if I didn’t have the friendship with him that I have then he would be another one. There are many people I would like to know, um, a great actor for example.

Who is your favorite actor?

That’s tough. Well I met Mel Gibson a few weeks ago in Malibu, so it was unbelievable for me because one of my favorite movie by far is Braveheart, so it was great to meet him. But, maybe Brad Pitt, or like Anthony Hopkins, and Will Smith. Yes, I will say Will Smith. [Laughter]

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Happy, I just try to be happy and enjoy, and friendship.

What is the first thing you would buy if you won a 250 million dollar lottery?

I would not just buy just one thing. [Laughter] A big boat. Not a huge boat but a big boat, I don’t need like millions, millions of dollars in a boat, but maybe a half a million boat you know that’s 12 meters. That is not huge but but it’s enough big, because I love boats, and then I would buy a nice house here in Miami. I have an apartment but I would buy a big house. Maybe a an apartment in New York, and another one in LA! [Laughter.]

That’s a lot of houses!

Yeah, I would spend time in my houses and just a big boat.

If you were stranded on an island and you could only have one thing what would it be?

Food and drinks! I don’t care anything else. If I can eat, I am happy

Rafa vs. Tsonga ... match highlights

Rafa's interview ...

You might also be interested in the website Rafapedia which you'll have to register to join, but its showing the highlights, matches and interviews of Rafa. I've just been looking tonight, but it could prove to be good and gives you a chance to catch up on all Rafa's tennis action.

A tight one against Tsonga ...

In more ways that one.

But *gaah* !! I'm busy with things at the moment, and haven't watched my recorded highlights, but have just seen the final two games. So from reading various reports, Tsonga was all over the place in the first set and the 6-2 scoreline is reflective of that.

Now perhaps it should have been more of the same in the second, but Rafa was obviously suffering on serve. Sure, he got the break against Tsonga and served for the match, but Rafa had break points against him in his previous two service games so the warning signs were already there. Still, when he's clearly not on his own game, you just want him to finish it off. So call it the yips, nerves ... who knows? But one thing's for sure. In Rafa's presser he talked about starting to play more defensively in the second set. And when does he do that? When he's not on his game, when he's not feeling 100% and when he's not confident in what he's doing. He retreats back into his old shell. So Rafa lost that advantage when serving the match and worst still, got broken to give Tsonga the set.

Rafa had the trainer on a couple of times to massage his thigh, so the knee is still clearly troubling him. Notwithstanding that, it turned into more of a match in the third set, and some super shot-making by Rafa gave him the break in the 9th game.

Cue some pretty unseemly and petty behaviour from Tsonga, who accused the umpire for not jumping in for over-rules, favouring Rafa if and when he did it, favouring Rafa in general to ensure he got the semi and final matches and basically, just some dreadful sour grape nonsense trying to lay the blame at someone else's door rather than take responsibility for his own failings. Thanks for reminding me why I didn't like you in the first place, JWT. Even then, Rafa still faced break points when serving out for the match again, but somehow, he squeaked home.

All is not great. He faces Andy Murray in the semi-final and that was never going to be an easy one completely fit or not. Part of me now just wants this tournament out of the way, and for him to rest up for a couple of weeks before the clay tournaments begin.

It already feels like a long season ...

Tennis Channel's Top 100 - Rafa at No. 6

The story is still being written ...

source : via @nic_knack

Rafa warms the bench ...

Cos football is for grass, and that's why he always packs his boots. ;)

I'm getting so excited. This little teaser from Nike goes back to when Rafa met Cristiano in Mallorca to film some Nike video. My two favourite players on one pitch ... VAMOS!!

via @Nikefootball and @RafaelNadalFC

Rafa KOs Kei ...

But its hardly convincing.

As I write, I'm watching the match and Rafa has just won the first set. He's been entirely out of sorts, rhythm all off, was broken early, managed to break back, stretching the left leg. And then something I think we'd rather not see ...

Twitter was awash with quotes from La Marca today that he wasn't playing the up-coming Davis Cup round because of tendinitis. Now, I know after the DC final in December he said he was withdrawing this year, but there have been so many comments this year (including some from Toni) that he would possibly play, that I can't say it would have been a tremendous shock if his name was on the team list. Anyhow, it isn't, but as we're always being told to treat reports in La Marca with a bit of caution, I ignored it. But then with Rafa's really out of sorts play, constant looks to his box, and then his MTO at 5-4 with the return of the old strapping under the knee ... I hope all is going to be well.

The worry is part of being a Rafa-fan, isn't it??

But regardless, Rafa did what Champions do which is to eke out a win when you're not playing well or feeling well, and 6-4, 6-4 it was. Brutal and grinding was how the commies called it ... but then if he was playing like a God they would say the same thing.

Keep going Rafa. And work your magic, Maymo.

Caption of the day ...

Papa!! If you don't stop distracting me, I'll ask an umpire to get the referee to remove you!

Rafa picture blog in Miami ...

Nida - @nidssserz - has now left the tournament at Miami, but the pictures she brought us of Rafa are stunning.

Enjoy ...

Rafa resigns from the Players' Council ...

News circulated today that Rafa has resigned from his position as Vice-Chairman of the Players' Council, a position he's held since June 2010. Its no surprise really as the divisions between himself and Federer, in particular, have been evident for some time, culminating in the heated outburst that Rafa erupted into just before the Australian Open.

Some of his views may have seemed too radical, and of course his major call for the season to be shortened is the one that most people like to use as a stick to beat him with. The tennis season is too long for the top players, and the number of mandatory tournaments could be reduced. Not the tournaments themselves, the number that the top guys have to play, thereby they still exist as a tournament for those "little players" that Federer champions to play in, so that they can earn an honest wage. Have any of you ever looked to see just how much those players in the top 70-80-90's earn? I have ... and you'll be shocked to see just how many $ Dollar millionaires are there amongst them. They must be scraping a living ...

Federer likes things just the way they are, not that a self serving thought would ever enter his head. Rafa has often stated that he wouldn't be around to see any of the changes he would like to introduce because things take that long to happen. So he was getting burnt for the future players, not necessarily for himself. Well no more.

A wise move, Rafa. Just you concentrate on yourself.

Rafa in wax ...

Over in Amsterdam, Rafa has been immortalised as a waxwork and I think they've done a really good job on him.

Which leads me on to the monstrosity below. I know its the kind of stuff to give you nightmares, but seriously, this Djokovic waxwork has me in utter hysterics. Have you ever seen such a hideous thing?? Can you imagine what he must have thought when he came to see it? *wipestear*

Anyhow, if any of you have small children who are being naughty, stick them in front of this. It would be sure to work ...

Rafa hooks the turbot ...

I still haven't seen Rafa play in Miami yet. :( This time the wimmins matches went on forever, and it got too late to stay up to watch. But whilst Rafa ran out the winner by a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline which might have suggested more of the "Ruthless Rafa", it seems that it was anything but.

Rafa was pedestrian in his play and rather workman-like. But he's been beating Radek Stepanek for years now, so its probably fair to say that it would have been a huge shock for any other result. He meets Kei Nishikori in the next round.

Rafa has also got Shot of the Day for one of his signature bendy forehands down-the-line. A stunning, specular piece of skill.

Rafa channels Roggie ...

ITS THE HAIR!! What is going on with the humidity in Miami? Dear God Almighty there is no chance that I'm ever going there ... not if going outside makes your hair turn into what happened to Monica in that episode of Friends when they went to the Bahamas or something or am I talking complete tripe cos its Saturday night and the Shiraz is tasting verrry nice??

He's got that purple pully out again too. And a severe case of headband tan line.

Rafa leaving Zuma. A Miami sushi joint. Just hope he didn't touch any hot plates and Rafa's expression is because someone caught him on a bad hair day.

credit : via @RafaelNadalFC

Little Rafa Red Breast ...

More great photographs from Nida of Rafapractice ...


source : @nidssserz

Jazzy shirt practice ...

Whilst at Indian Wells, we were treated to spoils of all the hard work put in by Jen, MAC and Bluebird from VB, at Miami this week we are lucky to have Nida there who is bringing us all the flavour of the tournament with her informative tweets and fantastic pictures.

Follow her on Twitter at @nidssserz and enjoy all her hard work. Loving the Rafacurls!! Thank you Nida!!

source : @nidsserz

Heart ... melting

Awwww ... would you look at this picture!!

Two little Rafafans got to do the coin toss at Rafa's match last night and he looks delighted to see them ... as they are star struck to meet him.

I know the feeling ...

source : Nida @nidssserz

Rafa takes his pants off ...

*thud* Lets go back to Indian Wells, just for a little bit.

Remember how Jen from VB captured on video Rafa's little erm ... striptease? Look, I know you went over to her YouTube channel to watch ;) Well, here's a frame by frame account ...

Cheeky Rafa!

Ruthless Rafa ...

I didn't get to see the match for two reasons.

(1) The time difference and (2) in their wisdom, Friday's play is NOT televised. *shakes head* But the scoreline and the headlines were great to wake up to this morning, so let's see what Rafa had to say about it all ...

"He hit the ball very hard at the beginning of the match. I thought it's going to be a very difficult match," said Nadal. "[It was] 2-2, 0/30. I came back in that game with a few good serves.I think after that I didn't have mistakes... When I had the chance to hit the ball with my forehand, I did. I think I [played] a very good match."

Sounds like a great start, Rafa ...

"The Latin crowd makes this tournament very, very special. I would love to win one time in my career, but [I've done] well. I played three finals."

Indeed, three finals. Let's hope you get some luck this time round, Rafa. For the Latin fans and us! Vamos!!

FerWatch ...

And here's the moving pictures of Fer's little paddling adventure.

Check out how he pushes his shorts up to show off his quads *thud* and the shirtless interview *doublethud* ...

FerWatch ...

OnTheGoTennis announced about an hour ago from their Twitter account that they were going off to see Fer paddle board!!

By all accounts, it seems like he was a complete girl about it, which they've captured in pictures.

Above is Fer just pushing off ...

Here he is after having paddled off a bit ...

And wooooo ... he's getting cocky now as he's standing up whilst doing it. Go Fer!! (Ignore the fact that he seemed to be a bit reluctant to stand up, hehe).

And here he is being all manly and standing up displaying his paddle. *cough* However, OnThe GoTennis reported that he kept falling off before he finally achieved this, let out a flurry of swear words and warned them not to capture it on camera. :D :D Mind you, it is the money shot. ;)

A thumbs up from Fer ...

Thanks to @onthegotennis for bringing it to us.

FeliWatch ...

Loving this picture. Dreamy ... <3

source : Nida (@nidssserz)

There's a new partner in town ...

Rafa rolls on in the doubles, except this time, we're supporting Team RafaCel.

Hot on the heels of his doubles success last week, its a case of "same old, same old" except this time, its without the effervescent Marc! but bring on Marcel. Rafa and Marcel Granollers are tipped to be the No. 1 Spanish doubles pairing for the Olympics, and here at Miami, they are getting in some practice. It appears that as Marc! has only made one Davis Cup appearance, he's inelligible. :(

Anyhow, its a case of so-far-so-good for the RafaCel pairing as they won their first match against Ivo Karlovic and Marin Cilic by a 6-1, 6-3 scoreline.


credit : @nidsserz

Just in case you were wondering ...

Yes, this IS a Rafa fan blog ... :D :D :D

source : via @RafaelNadalFC

FerWatch ...

*phew* Looking kissable, Fer ...

source : @nidssserz

FeliWatch ...

Someone's getting pretty friendly with Barcelona supporting, Milos Raonic.

Looking nice in sea green, Feli. ;)

FeliFerWatch ...

FeliFer in amongst the laydees at the Players' Party. The Dynamic Duo are here with Daniela Hanchukova and Wozzy ...

Fer leaves Feli to it because ...

HE WAS THERE WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND!! *sob*


Question ... how does she fit all of her organs into that body??

Feli'sScarfWatch ...

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Feli displaying his latest in a lonnnnng line of fetching scarves! Here he is in a fetching little number at the Players' Party in Miami ...

Rafa at Miami practice ...

Rafa looking great in green and concentrating hard out on the practice court ...


Still popular ... there's a surprise!


source - via @RafaelNadalFC