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!!