SW19 ...

Through Wimbledon's seeding formula and Rafa's early exits in the past two years, he was given the No. 2 berth as the draw was made.

OK, so in the early rounds he's got the big hitters and big servers, and a potential to play Ashol again in the second round ... but seriously folks, I don't think it's too bad. I know nearly everywhere I've read has said that Rafa has a tough draw, but with perhaps the exception of Murray ... who doesn't?

We've had to have a rude awakening of late, of just how difficult Rafa finds the transition from clay to grass and the impact on his body.  And I guess with the exception of 2009, we were spoiled by him in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 where the clay court grinder reached the final of Wimbledon - said with my tongue firmly in my cheek. Didn't he always seem to struggle in the first week? Didn't Borg? So I can't really get caught up in the draw angst.

Anyhow, his potential route starts with Klizan, and then it could be Ashol/Paire, Karlovic, Monfils/Gasquet; Raonic/Nishikori as a potential quarter-finalist and either Smugly or The Hobbit as a semi-finalist, leaving either the Prince of Darkness or Andrew of The Murrays in the final.

It will always be what it will be, Slams always produce their shocks (tell us about that one!), and where you might think a draw is tough, one or two results potentially opens it right up. I may be tempting fate here, but Rafa always seems to hold his own against the serving trees and seems to work it out. And if anything ... I am totally delighted that he wouldn't be facing Murray in the semi's this time because I hate the matches they play against each other. Sure Rafa totally crushed him in Paris and the H2H is totally in his favour, but grass gives Murray such a better chance and I wouldn't want a 5 set slug fest before any potential final. No, give me Smugly any time ... if he even gets there.

All I hope for this Wimbledon, is that Rafa comes away from it feeling like he played his best tennis and that his body allows him to compete. I wish you the very best of luck, Rafa, and I feel confident that you really want to give this year a good shot. Laughing for 10 minutes aside, let's hope all our dreams and wishes for him come true ...