Where do I start ... ???

Well hello to all you out there. Yes you. You lovely people who have followed this blog for however long it's been in your attention, but especially so in these difficult, past months through the injury layoff and the nervousness of the return, and all I want to ask is this ...

Who's smiling now?

You've watched the match, you saw the drama, you don't need me to take you through it. So this lead-in post about the 2013 final of Indian Wells is just to discuss emotions and feelings, the highs, the lows, what it is to follow Rafa and how very, very happy I am for him that he became the victor of the first Masters 1000 series of the 2013 season.

Three weeks ago I was packing, getting ready to go to the South of France for a little break, when it was being wildly reported from some so-called reputable journalist sources that Rafa was to withdraw from Indian Wells and Miami. And I believed it. But then maybe three weeks ago before he started his run at Acapulco, that was exactly how he was feeling. But as he progressed through that tournament, and after his magnificent performance in the final against David Ferrer, he had a turnaround ... he was doing more than California dreaming ... he was going there.

I love Indian Wells. Sorry, but it's there that the season really seems to start for me. I enjoy seeing the beautiful setting, I enjoy watching the tournament, and I also enjoy how much the players seem to like it there - from shirtless practice to playing football on the grass, it all seems so relaxed and well ... happy. And not only is Rafa shamelessly openly supported by it's owner - Larry Ellison - but he is also fantastically well supported there by us, his regular fans.

And over on VamosBrigade, I just love to read the blogs posted by the fans who actually go there and follow him. It's brilliant to read their experiences, see their pictures, watch their videos and follow their tweets. And this year was no exception. BlueBird and Attitudette posted fantastic blogs as we learnt about all their shenanigans and tales from Da House ... from locks that took an age to fathom how to open, to the infamous craft table, from pom poms to banners, to burning in the bleachers and to free wifi in Starbucks that serves us all so well.

But over the weekend, 'Tude did a blog post about when Rafa said that he missed the fans more than we missed him. Another VBer (SW828) is apparently to have said that he has no clue. And 'Tude's post went on to describe that if Rafa were to see and witness all that his fans do, and think and say about him, and how we feel in those tense moments and the warmth we feel and share when he wins ... then he may actually have a hint of a clue. And the thing is ... that post really touched me. Because none of us who write this stuff have any "journalistic" or writing experience whatsoever. We do it off our emotion and off our feelings, because we want to share what we think about this very special player. And some of us - the lucky ones - who do have the opportunity to go and see him play, want to share every second of the experience with you in the hope that it makes it real for you and most of all ... that you enjoy it and share in the absolute F.U.N. that it is, at times, following Rafael Nadal. But more so, because of the wonderful people you meet either by the practice courts, courtside or via the internet.

Rafa shed tears when he won in Acapulco two weeks ago, but yesterday was about nothing other than his unadulterated joy. However, there were tears last night - mine - as my pride and joy for him in victory couldn't be expressed in any other way. I ran about my lounge in joyful celebration as much or if not more-so than some of his Slam victories. And if it wasn't for the fact that I was dressed in my pyjamas without the aid of a TenaLady, I might have screamed and hollered, jumped up and down, and cried some more.

Rafael Nadal. You are the most charismatic, exciting force that I have ever seen on a tennis court. I have never known the gamut of emotions watching you as I have with any other player. You are a total inspiration. I feel privileged and honoured that I have had the luxury of watching you play in my lifetime, and just when you think after 11 Slams and 21 Masters he can't make you feel any more proud ... he just does.

Vamos Rafa. You are a special, special player ...

[I'm going to take my time just posting a series of pictures, videos and whatever else takes my fancy as I catch up on yesterday's events. Bear with me, and let's just enjoy it. xxx]