Rafa posted his congratulations to both Andy and the PoD on his Facebook today, but I was sure he would have contacted Andy directly also.
And so he did ...
This is a quote from today's Guardian where Andy announced it ...
"He revealed that Rafael Nadal, resting his injured knees in Mallorca, had been in touch. "He messaged me after the match and said, 'Just enjoy it, I'm very happy for you. You deserved it.' That means a lot to me. I got a lot of congratulations from a lot of people but, when you get it from someone you competing against and he's one of the best players ever, it means a little bit more."
*sniff* I love Andy's last sentence, and I love the empathy between the two of them.
Its a funny thing, but its kind of only now that its really, really hitting home how much I'm missing Rafa on the Tour. Its amazing how these tournaments just come and go and now that the last Slam of the season is over and its into the part of the Tour that I like the least, it somehow doesn't matter that Rafa isn't there ... and yet it does.
Its perhaps because I'm recounting the memories of two years ago, and that almost mind numbing amazing feeling that Rafa had actually won the US Open. And it was heart-breaking in the final for him last year, but because it was such a better performance than at Wimbledon, it did at least leave you with a few positives.
And the thing I can't stop thinking about today is that one year ago, I met Rafan in Spain, as we headed off to Cordoba to go and watch the Armada in the Davis Cup semi-final in the bullring. I cannot begin to tell you how good an experience that was. I am absolutely convinced it will be right up there in my favourite lifetime tennis experiences and it was truly magnificent. Falling in love with Cordoba itself, the heat, the culture, the passion, the bullring, the crowd all wearing red and yellow ... and the cries of RAAAAA-FA. RAAAAA-FA. RAAAAA-FA. Never, ever have I experienced love, passion and admiration for our boy like me and the rest of the girls did who made that amazing trip.
And I miss those moments.
But ... its all to look forward to, huh? Keep Colm and Keep Believing!! VAMOS!!!
ok, you've just convinced me (not that I needed too big a push) to spend the big bucks on airline tickets, hotel room, & tickets to the exhibition match in March in NY. I've never seen Rafa except on tv & I love him from afar. I can't even imagine seeing him in person AND playing tennis. This wish is WAY UP on my ye ole bucket list!
ReplyDeleteDo it!! :D I know these things are always a risk considering Rafa's health, but there is nothing like seeing him live. Nothing. Even if it was just that one opportunity you took ... give it a try!!
DeleteThank you for posting that quotation from Andy. This is what makes me love Rafa -- and Andy, and David -- so much. This unforced, deep camaraderie that is impervious to competition, to rivalry, to envy. Real respect, loyalty, and mutual admiration among real champions, in life as well as in tennis -- that's what they model, day after day, challenge after challenge, win or lose. They make each other better, and they make tennis worthwhile, by their friendship as well as by their excellence in preparation and competition.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of talented, accomplished players in men's tennis, but there's not that many exemplars like these guys. Vamos, Rafa, Andy, David!
Totally agree. And I love the naturalness of these particular guys. Nothing forced, or staged ... and its certainly not all about them.
DeleteAwww, this is the first I've seen of this quote from The Guardian. I too wondered if Rafa would privately message Andy. He's such a sweetheart.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this, and for everything else you post plus the daily doses. All very much appreciated.