75 years of Marca ...

Rafa flew in from Buenos Aires and straight to an awards ceremony to celebrate 75 years of the publication and to receive an award as the best Spanish sporting personality in the history.

But look at this. Obviously spurred on by his Vanity Fair pictures, Rafa has turned up with a snazzy side parting. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better Rafa. I approve!!

He's some brief video footage ...

South American exho round up ...

Woo hoo!!  *wave*

Have you been enjoying all the pictures and videos from Rafa in South America??  I have, and whilst I'd only posted up to Chile, I've had a few days away from here, but will just finish off by adding a few things from when he returned to continue the exho in Argentina.

After helping to say goodbye to Nicolas Massu in Chile, Rafa returned with the PoD to Argentina, and the pair of them went to this amazing glazier for some publicity shoots.  Ice blue Rafa blended in nicely with the background, but away from the official cameras, that Artic coat he wore at the WTF came in handy.  LoL. Here's a bit of video footage ...

Rafa attended a kids' clinic with David Nalbandian, and no Rafa ... Numbers DO NOT lie. (Take note commies and journos - you know who you are).

But then it was on to the tennis, and time to say goodbye to David Nalbandian.  And good old Rafa did his part in the match, and lost in two straight sets.

Time for some hugs ...

And a little whisper of "adios" in the ear ...

Here's some of the best moments of the match ...

And then it was onto the doubles, and enter ... PICO!! Yey!! Sadly Pico didn't team up with Rafa - the PoD did - but some fun was to be had including Rafa jumping the net to the join the two Argentinians as the 3 of them fired shots at the PoD. Haha!!

Rafa won the doubles, and here they all are ...

A cuddle at the net with Pico ...

Then it was on to a Gala Dinner ...

And a bit of table tennis ...

Then it was the match between Rafa and the Prince of Darkness. And Rafa won!! Yey!!

One of the highlights of the match was when someone shouted out that Rafa had the best ass on tour. Hehe. Cue an ass-off with the PoD and here's some footage of it ...

And let's hope Rafa continues to kick his ass in 2014 ...

Here's some highlights of what went on during the match ...

Then next on the agenda was a visit to Boca Juniors where both players took part in a penalty shoot out ...

And Rafa won !!!

And got to wear a silly hat ...

And here's some video footage ...

And some more of the penalty shoot out ... cue rapturous boos for the PoD. Oh dear ... :-/ And who knew he was left-footed??

And then that was it. Rafa heads home ...

Epilogue ...

Now ordinarily, I roll my eyes at the thought of exhibitions.  I feel sometimes that I wish Rafa would just stop, rest up and take the time out he needs ... but then, am I coming at it from the realms of rainbows and unicorns?  If Rafa had gone home to Mallorca after the WTF, would he just have hidden away in his Porto Cristo villa and done absolutely nothing??  I doubt it.  Isn't there always someone wanting a piece of Rafa? Isn't there always some sort of event he has to show up to or sponsor publicity he needs to do?  And would he have not gone anywhere near a racquet?  I'm not so sure.  And as someone who's witnessed him practice ... doesn't he actually work a damn lot harder in practice than in the sort of matches we've seen him in South America?  I think so.

I actually think this tour has been a fabulous success.  Not just for giving a good send off for two retiring players, but I think Rafa has had a tremendous time.  The smiles don't lie, the laughter shows everything, and I think he's thoroughly enjoyed himself.

I'm sure now that real down time will happen for a couple of weeks before they start to work and prepare again for the new season.

So now that really is it for 2013.  It's been amazing, Rafa has been amazing and thank you Rafa for all you have achieved.  You're worth everything that the return of the World Number One title brought to you. Thank you again for the memories, and VAMOSSSSSS!!! 

Rafa's daily dose ...

"Hoy tuve la oportunidad de visitar #Unquillo, la ciudad natal de mi amigo @nalbandiandavid"

Translations on a postcard, please.  :D

OK, I think it's "Today we have the opportunity of visiting #Unquillo, the birth place of my friend, @nalbandiandavid".

I knew that O level in Spanish would come in useful sometime.  :))))) 

Oooff ... first Sumo, now thees ...

OK, OK!!  I is wurried about hees intenshuns, but I weel control heem with my racquet like I control effery rally with Rogelio ...

First day Chilean Exho ...

Haha.  That's about as much as I'm going to post on it.

Rafa played the PoD today and lost in two sets, I think the first was a tie-breaker.  No-one has any interest in this and I don't want to foul this blog with pictures of him, but looking at some of the pictures and translating the end of match body language, well ... he doesn't fool Rafa.

Rafa and the President video footage ...

Rafa meets the President ...

Chile dinner ...

Best bib and tucker for Rafa in Chile last night ...

Rafa's daily dose ...

"We are now in Chile, with David and Nole to pay tribute to #NicolasMassu ! You are huge Nico!"

I can't cope with all this cuteness!!

Right Rusedski. Djokovic has now joined Rafa on the Exhibition Trail, so does this now become acceptable?? Haha. And to the millionaire Dr Ivo ... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I can't stop myself. *giggles*

Nor can I stop myself from going weak.at.the.knees with all the cuteness Rafa is extolling on this South American trip. Not only is he looking fab-u-lous ... but check out this press conference where he's doing some translating for the PoD, and obviously getting it all wrong.  And swearing by mistake, I believe!!  LOL Who knows what's going on ... but Rafa's laughter and gestures are just priceless. I love it!!

The Susana's Puppies Show ...

Rafa appeared with David Nalbandian on something called the Susana Gimenez show.  Oh boy ... he's looking SO GOOD!!

But what the hell do you call that woman??  She looks like some over-blonde, over-made up Auntie that embarrasses herself wearing her top cut waaaaay too low at your parents 25th Anniversary party.

Yikes!!

Mind you ... I wouldn't take her on.

And what Spanish language chat show wouldn't be complete without some mock up "tennis match" ... *rolls eyes*.

Have to say that I was half scared for those boys that that woman might come on court and fall out of herself whilst leaning over that net!!  Did you see that chest!  It's got a life of it's own, and I think Sumo the Dog that Rafa met in Necker wouldn't have been more frightening that those two puppies of Susana's!!

Ar-gen-tina! Ar-gen-tina! Ar-gen-tina!

Rafa has arrived in Argentina ... looking absolutely FANTASTIC!! Oh what a difference a bit of sun and the outdoors make to him, and apparently he's been cracking jokes that the only difference since he was there in 2005 is the amount of hair he's got left.

Oh Rafa ... funny, gorgeous, lufferly and just ... Rafa. <3 <3 <3

source - BATennisWorld

Peruvian delight ...

Peru. Rafa won. Next!!

Rafa's daily dose ...

"Thanks a lot to my friends from Peru for all your kindness!"

Remember Toronto this year when the Daily Mail said that Rafa was just a sideshow to Andy Murray.

Haha ...  And maybe Rafa will phone Roggie to tell him how the Peruvians burst into tears because they were just so happy to see him. But somehow, I don't think he will ... ;)

How do you do in Peru ...

So Greg Rusedski ... next stop on Rafa's exhibition tour is Peru. And Dr Ivo, Rafa's teamed up with David Ferrer as the top players continue to earn money in the off season and the millionaires (like yourself) obviously don't.

Here's some pictures from the press conference in Lima.

Rafa's daily dose ...

"Yesterday at @NeckerCup I was lucky to play a doubles with a big champion #StefanEdberg !"

Necker Island ...

So how's it all going down on Necker Island?

To be honest, I haven't really spent any time trying to work out or understand the format of this "exhibition" tournament.  It's like its a bunch of players both past and present, plus lucky others and Branson family members, have got together in a little bit of private paradise to knock a few balls about.

Lucky them.

But back in London, a bit of kvetching is going on ...

Top tennis players complaining about no off season. Surprise, surprise longer off season,Exhibitions galore coming up next few weeks
— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) November 13, 2013

Boo hoo, Greg. It probably cheesed you off having to sit in the Sky Sports studio with Boris last week whilst he was going blah, blah, blah about his little trip to the Caribbean which - of course - due to Rusedski's lack of presence in the game or anyone really caring a jot about him ... he would never be invited to as a past pro in the first place. Haha. Rusedski - the PoD fanboy - is now firmly on my Twonk List as he declared before the start of the WTF final when lovely Mo mentioned the 25 second rule to the players, that no umpire at the start of any of the WTF matches had warned the players about this rule, and that Djokovic's team must have been to speak to the ATP to make sure that it be enforced. Tosser. EVERY umpire had drawn the players' attention to this rule before the start of EVERY match, and it would be bloody rich of the Djokovic team to go complaining to the ATP about anything, considering their player took as long between points as Rafa did and they BOTH committed the heinous crime of going 2-3 seconds over. I'm so over that discussion, I really am. Move on!!

Anyhow, Dr Ivo felt compelled to respond to the Grinning Goon ...

@GregRusedski1 longer off season = top players making more money = not top players have no opportunity to make money..
— ivo karlovic (@ivokarlovic) November 13, 2013

Boo hoo. Now I know Karlovic has been a bit ill of late, but so what? I don't think I'm being obtuse by thinking that he's one of those "not top players", but the guy has earnt almost $5 million dollars for serving for a living. I'd probably have to work 70+ years on my current salary to earn that kind of dosh. And if the "not top players" perhaps worked a bit harder and showed more of the kind of dedication that top players have to exhibit, then they might do better too. Notwithstanding that, I wouldn't have minded spending the best years of my young life, travelling the world doing something I loved to do whilst eking out some form of income. Do I sound sympathetic?  Hehe.  I should be so damned lucky!!

But on the subject of exhibitions. Would I prefer Rafa being at home doing nothing and then after a good rest, start preparing for the next season? Probably. But do I think he's flogging himself on the holiday island of Necker? No I don't. I think he's probably having a laugh and a good time. And having a couple of knock-abouts with David Nalbandian in Argentina I don't see as too exerting either. There's been a few occasions when Rafa has had to endure 2 x Bo5 set matches to try and win the Davis Cup with Spain at the end of the season. So Davis Cup vs a couple of exhibitions? Precisely.

But back to Rafa ...

Yes ... looking good.  And I don't mean the bruiser on the left.  :D :D

But oh ... the funniest thing in Rafa's match today.  He shared the court with Sumo. No, not the wrestler ... THE DOG!!!!

Now we all know that Rafa doubts the intentions of our beloved 4 legged friends, and I'm not sure if he's demonstrating here to Sumo how to play a right-handed forehand swing, or if he's gesturing to the island dog catcher to just back off for a moment whilst the dog makes his own way off court.  Lol.

I wonder if Sumo took longer than 25 seconds ... ???