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!!!
I think this is my most favourite post evah! So much Smiley Rafa. And the added bonus of Nalby. Even PoD was bearable #shock.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wooffie xx
Yes, touring exhibition was extremely beautiful . It was seen that Rafa having fun and enjoying every moment that he can play and he is not under pressure. He played for pleasure himself and all of us - again .
ReplyDeleteWell, POD , I do not know if it was bearable . Maybe a little less unbearable . It was seen as a (by us Czechs call ) reheated his soup to Rafas fame and popularity . Well just to steal a little glory and love that
was given to Rafa . At least I had that feeling.(It would really he should try it in the theater.)
But Rafa was happy and as always respect all.
And Rafa was amazing throughout the year. Even in those few failures behaved like a gentleman as usual , but also in the many victories was just great and glorius. We were just sad 7x and rejoiced 75x . Rafa 10x picked up and biting the trophy . As a bonus gained two trophies, Comback 2013 and Number 1 at the end of 2013.
(I know that it is not necessary to remind, but it's so amazing and so incredible..)
All this is of course a great pleasure for him but also for all of us who love him and we're happy, when he is happy and our face lights up when we just catch a glimpse of his smile .
And smiles were now so much, and one more beautiful than the other. I never get tired of that face and I will never get tired of looking at those beautiful smiles in the photos or videos.
Rafa, you're the coolest person in the world, certainly not just for me.
Thank you, and thank you Woofie too for the full year 2013.
Hopefully, we will continue seeing the smiles and we'll share your happiness, dear Rafael.
¡Vamos Rafa! siempre y para siempre