Someone get me a bag of Quelys !! ...

Haha - the real fuel behind Rafa's success ...

Rafa Rally Cry!!

Rafa - Gangnam style ...

Rotterdam videos ...

Some videos of today's events ... with quite a few questions asked of Rafa about his injury and recuperation.

Rafa in Rotterdam ...

Rafa was in Rotterdam today to lend some support to Richard Krajicek, who was opening his 100th tennis playground in support of his Foundation.  

Richard's project is to offer a place to play tennis for under-privileged children in run-down suburbs of the city.

Rafa, of course, was a huge hit with the kids ...

And young ladies ... one of whom couldn't take her eyes off Rafa's old favourite which is making a timely re-appearance.  Why, its the cashmere grey cardie, folks!!

source : @RafaelNadalFC

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike ...

Remember Rafa's daily dose Facebook entry last week of him and his mates on bikes before they went frolicking in the sea?  Pity about the lycra being obscured by the handlebar, but there you go.  Ahem ...

Anyhow ... here are some nicer pictures. Obviously not taken by Maymo. Hehe ...

And here's the article that goes with the pictures, complete with a Google mangle ...

"Following the recommendation of your physiotherapist and coach, Rafa Nadal has started cycling to complete the recovery of his injured knee. 

For two great days, the seven-time Roland Garros champion enjoyed a few miles from Mountain Bike along the coast of Mallorca, backed by a group of friends and members of the "staff" of Specialized, among whom were the Director of Specialized Miguel Red, the distributor of the brand in Manacor (Mallorca) Joan Caldentey and his manager Carlos Costa. 

The Spaniard got on his new Specialized Stumpjumper FSR and began pedaling as a happy smile lit up her face: "I'm having a very good, this is going to help me train and out of the gym routine. 

Nadal quickly caught the cyclist character and made clear his winning spirit, attacking at every ledge and leading the grupete. The experience of being able to train outdoors without straining the knee, but also strengthening it was a discovery. 

Almost reaching the end point of the route itself Tomeu Rafa and his friend, who accompanies him in training, encouraged the rest to jump in the water, ending this first cycling experience with a dip in Majorcan waters and repeated the promise of very soon."

picture source : RafaelNadalFC

Rafa's daily dose ...

Rafa's Facebook entry today showed a very smiley, sunny Rafa ...

"Continuing with the practice. Very happy with the evolution."

And we'll be happy with your up-coming Rafalution!! VAMOS!!!

Rio Rafa ...

OK ... I'm struggling a little bit to understand what Rafa's up to here, but it seems that last night in Madrid, Spanish jewelers, Chocrón, held a charity event where they presented their 2013 "catalogue" ... something about "Ten People, 10 - Self portraits".

I think the firm supports charities, and the 10 celebrities nominate the ones they wish the firm to patronise - in Rafa's case, of course it's his own Foundation - and hence, they take part in the self portrait shoots.

Anyhow, an article on the event is here, and Rafa's obviously decided to once again re-enact his Duran Duran "Rio" photo-shoot. Except this time he's kept his shirt buttoned up ... *Boooooooo*

The picture is still beautiful though, and Rafa continues to show off Mallorca to it's finest. Also enjoy a video of the shoot ...

"His name is Rafa and he dances on the dirt .... 

Just like a whirlwind his opponents he does hurt ...

And when he shines he really shows you all he can ... 

Oh Rafa, Rafa dance across the court of sand ... "

Time Out ...

*snorty smile*  Yes.  I am aware there iz a bat behind me ...

Urgh ... now 'ee is scratching my head ...

Phoooghhhh ... eet is getting 'ot ...

I just check my shoulder for ze bat sheeet ...

I know.  My mama, she by thees jacket in the boys department ...

Hehe ... A smile for the ladeez ...

A coy smile for ze lurrkers ...

A profile shot.  Wooffs, she like theese ...

Whoops ... I remember ze sponsor.  I best throw ze shapes.  Here iz my 'T' ...

I copy theese moof from Roger.  I may not hef the hair ... but he not hef the looks ...

A weekend of behaving responsibly ...

Rafa's been doing some more sponsor work at Casa Bacardi in Sitges near Barcelona. Barcardi is the Devil's drink - have I ever mentioned that before? Rafa would be better off over a jug of Sangria at La Oveja Negra (the Black Sheep) which is on Las Ramblas. Delicious, but potent stuff. When I was in Barcelona many moons ago, we had a jug of this nectar and amazingly, I was then able to speak fluent Catalan and had a very interesting "debate" with the locals as to whether Manchester United would whoop Barcelona in their up-coming Champions League match. :-/

Rafa looks absolutely bored to tears as he does a tour of the barcardi kegs, but politely says thank you in the guest book ...  before downing a couple of Tequilas back in the hotel, no doubt.  Hehe ...

Rafa is a Champion again!!!

... at golf, anyway. Hehe ...

Marca carried the following report of Rafa's success over the weekend ...

"Rafa Nadal is raring to be firing on all cylinders next season as he continues rehabilitation work on his knee. However, in between sessions, the world no. 4 has found the time to prove, yet again, that when he retires from tennis he will have no trouble trading in his rackets for a golf club.

Indeed, Nadal has run out victorious in a scratch golf trophy in a league held at the world-class Pula course, in Palma de Mallorca.

The Pula league is contested over 11 weekends (it got underway on 17th November and concludes on 27th January) and the winner in each variation is determined by averaging each player's nine best results. Nadal won the scratch trophy with a score of 29.

In his autobiography, 'Rafa', Nadal previously revealed that he once considered giving up tennis for golf, after being diagnosed with a congenital problem with a small bone in his left foot in 2005, aged 19.

"That possibility, which is somewhat remote, has to wait for now, and I hope forever", the 11-time Grand Slam champion continued in the book.

After a 5-month break following his defeat at Wimbledon, Nadal has only just resumed training on court, specifically on hard court."

And here's little video clip of his swing ...

Are you still awake? Wasn't it Mark Twain who said that golf ruined a good walk? I agree. Funny thing is that I've seen Rafa in 3 different sets of golf gear from various sources reporting this story, so make your own mind up.

I still find him unbelieveably attractice in his golf gear though. I need to get help ... [something the hatahs have been saying for some time *chortle*]

FeliWatch ...

I don't know about you, but I quite often take pictures of myself reclining on the settee in a casual, beautiful pose whilst I watch the telly ...

*cough*

Couldn't you just sneak into him and be enveloped in those lovely, toned arms of his? *faint*

XL Semanal interview ...

XL Semanal came with an interview with Rafa. I've put it through a Google mangle, so I hope you can get the gist of it ...

Rafael Nadal: "I am grateful to readers for choosing XLSemanal among so many good athletes"

XLSemanal. What has been your best, the happiest, the past 25 years?

Rafa Nadal. lot. I can not say one in particular, because I was almost always happy. I've been surrounded by very good people, and that's the most important.

XL. Even sports have a better time, a special victory ...

RN No one could tell. I can not say if I was happier winning Roland Garros or Wimbledon. I've been happy many times.

XL. The readers choose among sports wide margin. Neither the players will make shade. Why do you have so much support?

RN do not know. I am grateful to the readers who have chosen me. There are many prominent Spanish athletes. I imagine that, when choosing one, you do a little more personal, the way you drop one or the other.

XL. He believes that is so valued by his personality, his right image ...

RN . I think I'm naturally within what fits. I try to say what I think, almost always.

XL. But taking care not to injure any sensitivity ...

RN not think. When I had to discuss, I have not. But sometimes it's complicated. I have my opinion on many issues, but I do not always have to say it ... or want.

XL. An obvious question: when will he return?

RN do not know. I will return when fully recovered. That's the priority.

25 years is nothing

Where were you in 1987?

In the crib, I imagine. Was one.

What event would highlight the last quarter century?

The 9-11 is what struck me most. He caught me with a game in Madrid. The image of the plane and the towers falling ... A few months earlier he had been up there with my family.

Privately

Born in Manacor (Mallorca) in 1986.Con seven, his uncle Toni told his father: "Rafael will be champion of Spain." He has 11 Grand Slam titles, 21 Masters 1000 and is Spanish with most weeks at n. # 1. An asteroid, 128 036, is named: Rafaelnadal

XL Semanal 25th birthday ...

The Spanish publication - XL Semanal - is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

A competition was held to select 10 Spanish personalities of the past 25 years, and Rafa was chosen as the greatest sportsman.

Good choice.

And here he is looking resplendent in a very sharp suit. ;)

Another Rafa daily dose ...

"Yesterday we finished with a great bath ! I had a good morning!"

Rather than you than me, Rafa. Brrrr ...

Rafa's daily dose ...

On yer bike, Rafa!!

Hehe ... I'm sure there's one or two around that might like to say that. Shame. Anyhow, here's Rafa's Facebook entry today ...

"Yesterday enjoyed a bike day with my friends of Specialized ! Who enrol with the Rafael Nadal's Cycling Team? ;)"

Isn't the scenery stunning? And the views behind the cycling shorts aren't bad either ...

and more FeliWatch ...

Don't blame me!! Feli's been spamming and ummm ... Rafa hasn't. Hehe.

Feli's on his holidays ... at home. And here he is getting ready for a quick round.

Here he is with his family. Mum, Dad, brother Vincent and I assume the lady is Vincent's girlfriend. Where's your special lady, Feli??  Taking the photograph?  Come on chico ... get your act together!!  But on a second look, I've obviously cocked up here because this is Feli with his family ... in Prague!!  So umm ... perhaps this picture belongs with my previous post.  Soweeee !!

And this is Feli's home.  Aaah ... back to Madrid.  The librarian with his books and scented candles ...

FeliWatch ...

Feli has shared some pictures from Prague. This one is particularly nice with M! and M at what I presume is the official dinner.

And here's Feli on Charles Bridge ... which is absolutely beautiful and one of those places where I had a *gasp* moment and some choked tears cos I was so overwhelmed at being on this iconic landmark.  Prague is so beautiful ... but sadly I didn't find something as equally lovely as this when I was there.  ;)

BabyFeliWatch ...

How gorgeous was he??

[still is ...]

Daily Dose ...

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all who celebrate it from a happy, smiley Rafa!!

Rafa's daily dose ...

Poor old Tomeu. The boy looks shell-shocked. :D

"We're continuing practice on the court Today with Tomeu Salva Vidal. Step by step I'm adapting."

Step by step is good enough for us, Rafa ...

Daily Dose ...

Now that Rafa's back, we still shouldn't let these go to waste, should we??

Thought not ... ;)

Rafaclip ...

Featuring some thigh porn, smiles, fist pumps, a vamos and a shirt change.

Ahhhh Rafa ... it's good to have you back. :)))

Rafa's daily dose ...

Uh-oh ... someone's at the fish counter. :D

"Tonight TV watching football and fantastic dinner at home. At the supermarket!"

Not gambas and pasta again, surely Rafa?? Although I think I'd trust him a bit more with that than a piece of cod. Hehe ...

He won't be the only one watching the footie tonight. Hala Madrid and Vamos Cristianoooooooooooo!!!

You're welcome, Rafa ...

Thanks to all for your congratulations and support in my first practice. Good feeling on the court.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 21, 2012

Rafa thanks us for our support - obviously - but then the best news. He's feeling good on the court.

Still day-by-day, Rafa ... but its great to hear of his progress.

Pollyrafa ...

Hehe ... excuse my little play on words.

But you know what I mean ... Pollyanna. Or maybe you don't. But I'm talking about the children's book where it's central character always has a positive outlook on life, even though she's had a lot of adversities to overcome.

Sound familiar?

But in more recent times,"Pollyanna" has become a disparaging word ... something to describe someone who is too idealistic and outside the realms of reality; someone who is too overtly positive. I'm normally cautious about many things, and usually it's me who is the "glass half empty" kind of person. But not today, and not regarding Rafa's re-appearance on the court. Because for once I'm going to find my inner Pollyanna. I'm going to don those ringlets and put ribbons in them.  I'm going to put on my bonnet and wear it at a jaunty angle.  The reason being is that I always thought that Rafa would surely have to return to the court in private and test his knees away from the full glare of media attention. And only when he felt confident and pain-free would he then wish to announce to the world that he was back. Of course he must have been mindful of the Australian Open and how the countdown is beginning, but I sincerely trust Rafa this time. This man had given up on the Olympic Games, the US Open, the World Tour Finals and the Davis Cup. And if he didn't feel right and ready to play again, I have no doubts whatsoever that he would have given up on the Australian Open too.

So I was immensely pleased to read via David Nadal from IB3 that Rafa had been secretly practising because I do believe that if he'd had any issues whatsoever, if he'd had a bad reaction, or if he still felt the pain ... then he would have continued with his rehabilitation. But the best quote today was this ...

"Every day is better otherwise I wouldn't be on the court."

Ab-so-lutely.

Pollyanna played a game to maintain her famous optimism and to see good in every situation ... the "Glad Game". And do you know what? I want to play one of my own ...

I'm glad to see Rafa on the court again.

I'm glad to see that smile once more.

I'm glad to hear the Rafagrunt.

I'm glad that however bad it was at the time, that his Wimbledon defeat provoked a time out for diagnosis, prognosis, assessment and recovery.

I'm just so glad to have him back. *wipes tear*

But most of all ...

I'm glad to have so many friends in the real and cyber world to share this joyous news with.

I'm glad we all stuck together through this difficult time.

I'm glad you kept coming by to share this blog.

I'm glad we were still able to raise a smile about superarses and Dianne having five squirrels in her bush (you sooooooo have to get on Twitter, people ;) )

And most of all ...

I'm glad to be a Rafa fan.

VAMOSSSSSSS!!!

picture via @RafaelNadalFC

Daily Dose ...

No shirtless picture today could ever beat THIS!!

picture via @RafaelNadalFC

Happy, dancing, Rafa-fans ...

It was all happening on Twitter today.

Group hugs, bouncing, calls for the conga, tears, joy and DANCING !! (from @Athena1949)

Here's Rafa showing us how it's done too ...

Tweet of the Day ...

A small step for Rafa, a giant jump for joy by Rafans. #RafabackdoingwhatHeDoesBest

— Vamos Irresponsibly (@TennisSavesMe) November 20, 2012

Rafa TVE interview ...

Video and quotes provided by @RafaelNadalFC ...

RAFA: "I think I am feeling better, the knee is improving the right way & I am happy to

be on court another time after a few months out." 

"I am just enjoying the feeling to be playing tennis another time and, well, it will be another period of my recovery." 

"I start very slow and I go day by day. I will work hard in my comeback and hopefully the knee will be ready soon." 

"Every day is better otherwise I wouldn't be on the court"

YOU SAY IT, RAFA!!!!

Rafa at practice ... yey!!!!

Pictures via David Nadal of Rafa's practice ...

See it with your own eyes ... !!!

*YAHOO* Video footage of Rafa on the court ...

I know that most of you will have already seen most of what I'll be posting by now ... and that's because you are Rafa fans. But equally, spare a thought for the lurkers who crawl all over this blog in their desperate search for Rafa news ... so I wouldn't want to let them down either!! :D :D

Oh ... but isn't it a sight [and sound] for sore eyes [and ears]?? Rafa at practice. The grunts, the noise of the ball flying off the racquet, the sound of his footwork. Just perfect.

I suspected this would happen, but David Nadal from IB3 confirmed it ... Rafa has been practising in secret and behind closed doors which gives me confidence that he's ready.

VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rafa's on the pista !!!

And for once, I’m not about to discuss Rafa drinking irresponsibly … but from sources too numerous to credit or mention from Twitter but which include IB3’s David J. Nadal and other Mallorcan media …

RAFA IS BACK ON THE TRAINING COURT !!!

So after 145 days, he’s making those tentative steps to start practising again. I hope with all my heart that it’s going well for him and all that he’s had to endure these past months will turn out to be worth it.

Great to see you again, Rafa!! Good luck with it all and ……………… LET’S ALL VAMOS IRRESPONSIBLY!! *yahoo*

Daily Dose ...

Can't read my ... can't read my ... No he can't read my ... p-ooooooker face

Tweet a pic of your poker face with #MyPokerFace & you could meet @rafaelnadal. By tweeting you agree to T&Cs psta.rs/Q4Qlp0 #ad
— PokerStars (@PokerStars) November 19, 2012

Come on, readers!! Stand by your mirrors. Practice those poses and start pulling those poker faces!!

I did, and have tweeted it to the competition to win the prize of going to Mallorca to meet Rafa!! Yeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy !!!

Except my only chance of winning is if the organisers are looking for an Anne Robinson look-a-like ... you know, that bossy mare from "The Weakest Link".

But hurry ... entries have to be in by Wednesday.  GOODBYE!!  *wink*

ArmadaWatch ...

... that's what Rafa was doing this afternoon.

In a very fetching pink scarf.

He congratulated the Czech Republic today who won in the final rubber, as Stepanek triumphed over Nico in four sets.

And to be frank ... he deserved it. He held his nerve, he played the match of his life and he did it by mixing it up and applying some tennis nous out there. The occasion was all too much for Almagro and he simply wasn't good enough. His game, to me, centered around standing in the middle of baseline and just whacking the ball as hard as he could and hoping he'd win the point. The older man with a singles and doubles tie under his belt simply had much more to offer.

I feel very sorry that Daveed's valiant efforts went un-rewarded, and with a bit more experience, I think that Marc! and Marcel will turn into that doubles-winning team that Spain has been looking for for a few seasons now. But with Marc! at 30 years old ... how long will that last? I think Corretja was right to play Almagro though, because Feli's results this year and his plummet down the rankings doesn't justify it, and Fer is just out of the picture at the moment.

Frankly, I would have told Juan-Carlos to put his kit on. Hehe ...

But look, it was a fantastic showing by Spain in reaching the final, so well done to all the boys.

So that's it, readers. It now truly is the end of the 2012 tennis season. I'm wondering if it turned out to be a bigger rollercoaster than 2009, and I'm still a bit sad that it ends without us seeing Rafa on the court since he made that sad departure from the greatest one of them all ... Center Court.

But I'm glad it's over and I remain hopeful for the one that's to come. Resumés of the season will come later, but for now ... that's all folks!!