À la prochaine ...

I didn't watch the match as I was at work, and I obviously won't watch it now. Because of this, I feel strangely detached from the result - probably because not watching meant that I didn't immerse myself in it like I usually do - but more so because whilst I hoped against hope, I didn't think he'd win.

I don't see anything wrong in stating that either. I am a committed fangirl, and I like to speak more of rainbows and unicorns than not, but sometimes there's got to be a bit of acceptance. Djokovic is the best player in the world right now. I don't like him and I don't like his tennis, but he is the best player. That comment was something that wasn't often afforded to Rafa during those times that he clearly was, but I can't do anything about that. Rafa's been perfectly honest about himself and his game, especially since Miami. Today he has said that he was happy with his recovered level since last month, but it wasn't enough to beat Djokovic. He's perfectly correct. He also said that he wants to come back year, when he is better prepared and playing with more confidence and best of all, he said he wants to work hard and come back stronger.

And if there's one player that can do that ... it's Rafael Nadal.

It's never going to be quite the same as it was, but it can be good again. He has had an unbelievable run at the French Open and a feat such as 11 times played, 9 victories and only 2 defeats still remains amazing. I'm proud of him, and I'm sure everyone else associated with him is too. Speaking from the heart, there's actually been other defeats worse to swallow than this one - believe it or not. This hasn't consumed me like some of the others have, and I think it's because the lead up to this one has kind of prepared me for it. That and the laws of probability that say he can't go on winning at Roland Garros forever.

There are positives. Rafa looks fit and he looks well. He isn't hampered by injury. He may have talked long and hard about his lack of confidence on the court, but off it, I don't recall seeing him as happy at Roland Garros for a long time. He's had to adapt many times in his career to be successful. He's had to change his game from being the "clay specialist" he was duly tagged in his earlier days to become the aggressor that tasted victory on grass and the hardcourts of North and South America. Maybe this year's clay season experience will teach him that change on his beloved favourite surface will also have to come. 

The French Open has been a wonderful adventure for Rafa and for us. He's taught me to love a Slam that was so discarded in the past and to appreciate how great it is to see points crafted by the likes of a player we will never see again. Aah, it's been brilliant. From the total annihilation of Federer to his tearful, painful victory in 2012. To the drama of a 9-7 5th set in 2013 and the suffocating, heat driven victory of last year. Back in 2006 after withdrawing in the semi-final at Roland Garros, an arrogant Novak Djokovic boasted that Nadal is beatable on clay. It then took him 5 years to actually achieve it, and 9 years to do it on the court of Philippe Chatrier. And he's still only won a quarter-final. La Decima may not have happened for Rafa this year, but it will. I feel it. And it will be his crowning moment ...

Rafa now has 12 months of stress free tennis to look forward to. He can work hard, use that new racquet, recover from his absence last year and get back to somewhere near to the level where he can compete as he would like. 

So it's "au revoir" once again to the red clay of Europe and the green grass of England now awaits. First up is Queens ... where I shall be waiting.  ;)

You tried your best Rafa ... thank you for that. Always with you, always love you. You are the greatest exponent on this surfrace that the tennis world has ever seen. Thank you for the joy that your victories have brought us ... thank you for the dignified way you behave in defeat. The best tennis player I have ever had the joy and luck to witness. Thank you Rafa. Thank you.