Hola Rafa!!

So how's our boy doing?

Well, a blog that he ... ummm ... "writes" appeared here yesterday, which is more or less a travel blog for Mallorca, but if you're thinking of booking a late holiday, you might be interested.

On the tennis front, his Facebook left this message, which is just a smidgens of encouraging news ...

"Step by step, recovering sensations at the court today."

Whatever it takes Rafa.

David Nadal also released some tweets yesterday stating that Rafa was starting his training "as normal" and looked towards being on top form for the US Open. He also stated that if Rafa doesn't make Cincinnati, then they may look for some smaller tournament for him to participate in before the last Slam of the season.

Its all tentative news, and there's nothing for it but for us to wait. I think, though, that they are at least being sensible and if there's any doubt ... he's not playing. Its tough when he's out. Tough for those who have tickets for tournaments and are hoping to see him, tough for us because tennis loses its sparkle when he's not in it ... but there was nothing more sad to see than Rafa in 2009 being crushed in the US Open semi-final, and beat over again there on in to becoming the sick, sad looking man that I encountered at the WTF in November. I don't ever want to see Rafa looking like that again ... and if it means more time out, then so be it.

Let's wish him well.