So much to be positive for ...

And I truly believe that.

His tennis today was light years away from what won him the title last year. He just started slowly and nervously, and his errors were what gave it away, not Murray's play. And a forehand-down-the-line that was just a whisker away from making it could have got him that break back in the first set - that's what tennis is about, fine margins.

Rafa is final-rusty, and I think he fell to the pressure he put on himself early in the start of the second set. But do you know what? I would rather see him go down like that a thousand times over seeing him stuck to the backboards playing slice after slice after slice. Rafa really went for it. He was aggressive, he was determined, he mixed up his play. Missing the lines and going long is much more preferable that tamely putting it into the net. Through probably making a mistake of changing his racquet at the wrong time in the season and then going back to his old one means he's still got to find the feel and timing again. But he played some beautiful stuff today and I just hope that unlike after Monte Carlo, this time he does kick on from it. Viva Rome, eh? I'm not a fan of natural surfaces being played on going into the evening and at night. This is the first time Rafa had to face those conditions and it more likely made a difference, but again, a short feel of it might make him slightly more accustomed when in Rome.

But in conclusion, Rafa is now 10 years on from that long haired youth that lifted his first Grand Slam. Good old Smugly was 33 - so put that into context. And the clay court season always was going to change for us at some point in Rafa's career, so we learn to roll with it ... like he is. And this time after a long injury lay off has proved more problematic to return from considering at times his shots have lacked something due to his core strength looking less than it has been. That's what invasive surgery does for you maybe. The truth is, Rafa has just spoilt us. I don't know what Rome will bring, I don't know what Paris will bring. At the start of each tournament, I visualise him holding the trophy as a will to make it happen. And this season - if it doesn't - is just how it is and maybe how it's always going be from this point forward. But I just know that there will be that last hurrah. There just has to be, and it will happen. Maybe not in 2015, maybe not now, but it will. Or maybe Rafa will prove his naysayers wrong just one more time.

I wish you the very best of luck in Rome, Rafa. See you all again for the next turn on the rollercoaster. And Rafa ... be proud!!!!!!!!!!!