Nadal News

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Today’s recommended reading:
Nadal: ‘Family is important. I don’t like to be alone, I like to be with people’ - by Paul Newman/The Independent (Thanks, Atch2)

Articles:

• Wimbledon SFs Preview: Tale Of The Tape - Matt Fitzgerald/ATP
• Andy Murray must get under Rafael Nadal’s skin in semi-final, insists John McEnroe - by Mark Hodgkinson/The Telegraph
• Wimbledon 2011: Andy Murray column - by Andy Murray. Andy talks a lot about playing Rafa
• Nadal gets in light workout ahead of Wimbledon semis - EFE/Latino Fox News
• Murray most deserving of Slam victory, says Nadal - by Paul Newman/The Independent
• Nick Bollettieri: Murray must attack to stand chance in what will be a thriller - Nick Bollettieri/The Independent
• Tennis experts predict Murray v Nadal - BBC Sport
• Wimbledon 2011: rampaging Rafael Nadal is tennis’s Greatest of All Time, not Roger Federer - by Matthew Norman/The Telegraph
• Beat Rafael Nadal and you will win Wimbledon, Spainiard’s coach tells Andy Murray - Henry Swarbrick/London Evening Standards
• Nadal’s Late-Game Weakness - by Carl Bialik/The Wall Street Journal

Videos:

• Rafel Nadal vs Andy Murray: Qui és millor… jugant a la Playstation? - iB3
• rtve quarterfinal report and one more
• Video mash-up of Rafa and Andy’s practices - via Wimbledon Facebook
• Semifinal preview and PlayStation smack-talking - ESPN

Random:

• A picture of Rafa is featured in Nike’s 1948 iTunes app

Rafa on Facebook:
Rafa posted some photos from his quarterfinal match as well as a message in Spanish and English. Later, he finally posted the McIlroy photo he’d mentioned the other day. Clearly they spent their time talking about controling problem hair. Rafa’s really happy and fired up because he’s been nominated for two ESPYS.

Original Article

Photos from today’s practice.

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Photos by Oli Scarff/Getty Images, GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images, AP Photo/Mark Baker, and REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Original Article

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Interview with Rafa: I was so close to pulling out - Rafael Nadal. (Thanks, CC and JK) Is a good fun, Rafa. A good fun.

Also, Andy talks Rafa on TV and on radio. (Thanks, CC)

Original Article

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On Friday last, I was lucky enough to have tickets to go to Wimbledon with my pal, Rafandready, and here’s our little story. It’s a bit of a long one, so I hope you’re sitting comfortably (hehe), and now I’ll begin …

Prologue …

I can barely believe it, but it has been 29 years since I last went to the All England Club to watch the matches at Wimbledon … (I was, of course, only a child then ), and I’d gone to watch John McEnroe who I was a massive fan of. So waking up on Friday morning with butterflies of excitement in my tummy was great, as all these years later I was going to watch only the second player that I’ve been a massive fan of … Rafa. The similarity of events is strange … I saw JMac on Number 1 court and that’s where Rafa was scheduled to play; the weather played its part back in 1982 as it did on Friday, in that rain meant that I was not able to see either match to completion. But just going to Wimbledon is a fantastic experience in itself, and with only having Court 1 tickets we were so lucky anyway to even be able to see Rafa play a competitive match on grass, regardless of whether it turned out to just be a set …

Chapter 1 – Stranger on the Train …

We headed off to Wimbledon station via the underground to Vauxhall and then caught the train down there. Not sure if you’re aware of The Metro, but its a free London newspaper that’s available at all Underground, Train and Bus stations, and knowing Rafan as we do … she hastily gobbled up a copy just in case there were (a) any pictures of Rafa in it (there weren’t) or (b) any articles of Rafa in it (there weren’t). But it was only when I was on the train to Wimbers where I took the only carriage seat available (I played the age card ;) ) and Rafan chose to stand, that I noticed a couple of people reading The Metro, but their copy … WAS ENCASED IN FULL BLACK AND WHITE EMPORIO ARMANI RAFA PUBLICITY PICTURES. So I tipped Rafan the wink, and immediately that look came across her that she just had to have it. So when we could finally sit together she said, “I’m going to ask that man for his copy and to swop it with mine”. So horrified, I said … “If you dare, I am leaving you …” To which she replied … “I am”. So when the train stopped at Wimbledon Station, I got ready to alight and had that “I’m not with her” look about me as Rafan asked this complete stranger to swop his copy with hers. I think he took a bit of convincing that the papers inside were exactly the same, and I didn’t hang around long enough to hear whether or not she confessed to wanting that poster within an inch of her life … but she went scurrying off the train with the paper in its Armani cover in her hot little hand. For us then to find the news-stands at Wimbledon Station being totally FULL of copies with their Armani cover … so undeterred, Rafan picked up a further 173 copies … ;)

Chapter 2 – Deliciano Feliciano …

Thankfully I didn’t have to beg and plead with Rafan to think of my Old Lady tender calves and corns and insist upon taking the buses that are laid on to ferry spectators to the Club rather than walk up and down those interminable Wimbledon hills, as she suggested it herself. Perhaps she was getting wise and wished to avoid my incessant … Anyhow, whilst the bus driver didn’t know the way there (huh?), plenty on it did … so she took their direction and eventually there we were … heading through The All England Club’s pearly gates. “Yahoo”. We both looked at each other and decided that the first stop was … yep, the toilet … however, a quick (eyes left) gave us a breathtaking sight … (OK, looking on to the Centre Court all painted in its Wimbledon green and encased in the infamous ivy with the eight grass courts resplendent before it was lovely to behold), but it wasn’t that sight that got us excited. Because there on Court 10 was none other than the gorgeous Feli practising before his 3rd round match with Andy Roddick. FELI !! so we walked as fast as our legs would take us to get a fantastic courtside view when we realised that even better … he was practising with Marc!

What a treat and what a great start to the day. And it really is so wonderful that you can get so close with such an unobstructed view when the players are on these courts to practise. Feli seemed in good spirits, and we even had one or two smiles, and there was lots of Spanish chatter and jolly interaction with the effervescent Marc! (don’t you just love him?) We got to see about 30 minutes of action, then Feli went to his chair, pulled out his ponytail, shook his hair, and then put his bobble back around it. … There was then a bit of banter with Marc! and he then gathered his things and left the court to walk along the walkway right by us!! He posed quite pleasantly for a couple of photographs and did some signing, and when he passed me I just said, “Good luck, Feli!” and he looked and said, “Thank you”. By this time, Rafan had had the tip off text that Rafa was due to practice on Court 3 so we began to make our way there, following Feli in our wake.

Feli’s long, lithe legs took him faster up the path than the pathetic speed I could travel at, but he stopped again along the way for a photograph and I thought … I’m going to do it, I’m going to ask him. However, I don’t move that quickly and dash, in an instant he was at a side door and gone. Sighs.

Chapter 3 – Hola! … everybody!!

So we then made our way past Centre Court, and then past Heman Hill … which looked pretty steep to me I have to say. I would need clamp ons to stop myself from rolling down it … then past Number 1 Court and on our way to Aorangi Park which is where the bulk of the practice courts are, and Rafan deftly took us to Court 3. Although there is meshing to these practice courts and you don’t get the un-obscured view that we were lucky enough to have with Feli, its still just a sight to behold as there is a myriad of players there. So we took our positions courtside and it was just brilliant as because I’d missed Queens this year, I was still able to make the re-acquaintance with some lovely Rafa fans that we’d made friends with in Monte Carlo along with other fans and friends that Rafan knows, and so we had a good chatter about Rafa, tickets, their camping out experiences and the like. What a jolly lot of people we are. ;) Eventually though, little Rafa Maymo makes his way down the walkway that is above us, and as at Monte Carlo, he smiles and laughs as we all shout up and wave “Hola!” to him.

Then here he comes … Rafa! All eyes forward and game face on as he marches off to the practice court. His practice partner on Friday was Rendy Lu, and when Rafa arrived on the court, Lu presented him with a caricature doll of himself which brought Rafa out in wide smiles and he shared the laughter with Uncle Toni who had followed behind him on to the court. And then the serious stuff started.

Lu came to our end of the court first, and boy did he know he’d been in a work out. Rafa was hitting HARD, and poor old Lu was being moved from side to side across the court, blowing and huffing in his wake. Rafa then asked to swop sides and so hurrah! he came down to the end of the court where we were all congregating. There was quite a bit of chat going on between him and Toni – its great to hear Rafa’s voice first hand – and Rafa continued with the hard work out and some practice with his serve and work with his overheads, until Rafa said “two more” … and then that was it.

During practice we had some good old fun with Tommy Robredo and David Ferrer. We were all there to support Rafa – obviously - and I’d dressed in red and Rafan was wearing her red “Vamos Rafa” t-shirt, and other girls had dressed in the red and gold of Spain and there were a few flags around. But when members of the Armada appeared – first Tommy – there was a chorus of “Hola! Tommy!” and he just looked down on us and laughed his head off and waved. When he came back from practice … there he was again, waiting for our attention – which he duly got - so he rewarded the Holas! with more big smiles and waves. Then little Daveed came on by, so the cries were, “Daveed! Daveed!” and he looked down on us, smiled, seem to shake his head at us lot of nutters, waved and then went on.

But when Rafa left the court and came by the walkway above us, we were all standing there in reverent silence until one of us (me) started to clap, and then Rafa got the chorus of “Good Luck, Rafa”, “Buena Suerte” and he smiled and acknowledged us with a raise of his arm … and then he was gone. Have just remembered that Rafa’s little cousins came up to him when he left the court, and he gave them a playful pat on the head and ruffle of the hair. Cue masses of “aaaaaaahhs” from us dipsy middle-aged women. Then two little kids in school uniforms were brought to Rafa (for whatever reason), and he posed for a photograph with them, and gave them a pat and a ruffle too. We were all aaaaaaaaaaahed out by then. :child envy:

Chapter 4 – “Look! there’s so-and-so … and there’s so-and-so … ”

Just going into Wimbledon and going to the practice courts is almost worth the money in itself because I just could not believe the number of players we saw. It started on our trek to Court 3 because making his way down was my new Andy Roddick … this time sweaty from his practice, but he was signing as he went on his way, so good for him, and on the same walkway, I recognised Zimonic. Next to Rafa’s practice court was Francesca Schiavone, grunting away, and she was then replaced by another lady player (who I’ve forgotten, sorry, but it might have been Azarenka). Richard Gasquet walked right on by past me, as did Olivier Mahut and Sam Stosur. On the walkway above we saw Tommy and Daveed, as I’ve mentioned, along with another of my Mikhail Youzhny. Venus Williams diva’d her way past without a look or a glance, unlike Mr Williams who joined in with the fun of us and smiled and waved away. We also saw the fragrant Ana Ivanovic, and lovely, shy Juan Martin Del Potro went quietly past with no entourage, just himself, as he was to practice on the far court to Rafa’s. Rafa acknowledged him with a few words as he passed, and JMDP went quietly to his court and is in the background of a number of my Rafa pictures. We also saw Ivan Ljubicic, Gael Monfils, Tomas Berdych and Andy Murray came past and seemed rather bemused as a gaggle of women all dressed in Spain’s colours shouted out “Good Luck Andy!!”. Hehe, but that boy needs a shave. Not a bad haul, I think you will agree.

Chapter 5 – Wimmin’s tennis … gah!!

So after practice, we made our way to Court 1 for an afternoon of actual tennis. First up was Maria Sharapova against the British girl, Laura Watson. Laura had already made a cracking start when we arrived, but Maria (screeching her head off, urgh!!) made the break back and took it to a tie-break. Unashamedly, Rafan was NOT cheering for our British girl, as she wanted blummin’ wimmin’s tennis OFF and Rafa ON. Tut. ;) So Sharapova took the first set and was racing away with the second (to the joy of Rafan), but then plucky little Laura had a break back and lost the match in the second by a respectable 6-3 scoreline.

Next up was Venus Williams against Maria Jose Martinez Sanches. Luckily for Venus, she’d read the script and to the delight of Rafan, she raced through the first set 6-0 and took the second and the match as easily. So this was it … he was coming!!!!

Chapter 6 – Rafatime!!

By the time Rafa came on court, it is safe to say we were half frozen to death. We were towards the back of Number 1 court, which has some open vortex so that the wind that had got up was swirling round us at some pace. Rafan was sitting there in her hoodie with the hood firmly up and knotted into place under her chin … she looked like ET. Below us, one woman had detached the hood from her coat and had that firmly placed on her head, also knotted under her chin, whilst her and her companion huddled under her coat. My pathetic rain coat was used to try and keep both Rafan and I warm, but the cold mustn’t affect the Bold and the Beautiful as this Hooray Henry sitting below us with his equally high maintenance girlfriend, stopped to beckon to her as he left his seat to obviously get something … yep … he’d forgotten to take his sunglasses. Jerk!!

But it was with a rousing cheer that we clapped Rafa on court, looking fabulous in his Wimbledon Whites as he started his usual pre-match routine. OK, we only got to see a set of tennis, but the match was very poised as Rafa couldn’t get a read on Gilles Muller’s serve and never even got to deuce. Thankfully for him, his own serve was working OK, until at 5-6 down, it became a bit yikesy as he was 0-30 down, but he managed to win the game and take it to a breaker. I can’t remember now when Rafa had had his fall, but he’d asked the umpire for the trainer at the end of the set.

So the tie-break took on pretty much the pattern of the whole match as it was really rather even, only Muller then delivered a double fault to give Rafa the set point which he took on his own serve. The trainer then came on court, which is always bad to see, but worse sometimes when you have no commentary to surmise what is going on. Rafa had already treated us by taking his top off, but when speaking to the trainer, its obvious he needed treatment on an area that might have called for shorts removal , as a bare-chested Rafa then jogged off court. (Bless you for that, Rafa.)

However, it turned out that that blessed sight was the last we were to have of Rafa, as the rains came heavily down and the cover placed across the court, and at 7 pm, the announcement came that rain had been suspended for the day. Boo!

So we left the court and of course, went in completely the wrong direction to catch the bus back into Wimbledon Village, which meant more aimless trekking and cue more from me, until we finally reached our designated bus stop. It was funny when we reached the Village, as we saw Lovely Mo, Lars Graf and the little umpire who had been doing Rafa’s match all walking along still dressed in their 1930’s Wimbledon outfits and looking quintessentially dapper.

So that was it … our Wimbledon adventure.

Epilogue …

I was introduced to watching tennis because of Wimbledon, because back in the day, it was the only tennis that ever got televised. So I’ve grown up with it, and love it … and it has changed beyond all recognition from when I first went all those 29 years ago, but its still one of the best day’s out you could ever have. Sure, because of the ballot its hard even to get tickets, and you have no control over what day or what court you are eventually offered. So I just count myself very lucky to have been offered the first week, because there are still so many players there, and luckier even for it to be Friday, because chances were that as Champion, Rafa would be playing that day. But for him to then be scheduled off Centre Court and to Number 1 for which we had tickets was just a dream come true. It truly doesn’t matter that we were only able to see one set, because I’ve seen Rafa play at Wimbledon now, and being able to watch a full practice along with that of Feli’s plus all the other players we saw was more than enough to be grateful for. I know I am biased, but its the best tournament in the world, and again I’ve been lucky in that I have managed to get Olympic tickets for next year, but I do so hope that I can go to the tournament proper again with its old fashioned look and its old fashioned ways because is really is THE BEST!!

The End.

Here’s my rather samey pictures of Rafa, but you get the gist …

And here’s my Deliciano pictures for your delectation …

Original Article

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Articles:

• Raquet Reaction - by Richard Pagliaro/Tennis.com
• Unhallowed Ground - by Steve Tignor/Tennis.com
• Nadal Sets Up Murray Semi-Final Again - by James Buddell/ATP
• Nadal ready to fight pain for Wimbledon bid - by Kate Battersby/Wimbledon.com
• With foot numbed, Nadal reaches Wimbledon semis - by Mattias Karen/AP
• Despite injury, Nadal seems light on his feet - Bruce Jenkins/SF Chronicle
• Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray compete off the tennis court - by Diane Pucin/LA Times
• Ruthless Nadal sinks Fish, foot concerns lurk - Neil Maidment/Reuters
• Welsh teen Evan Hoyt helps Rafael Nadal get fit - by Staff Reporter/Western Mail
• Success in tiebreakers proves to be a tricky barometer - by Douglas Robson/USA TODAY

Videos:

• Practicing before the match
• Rafa’s reaction to the Fed/Tsonga score
• Practice video from yesterday
• From Monday, Rafa talks about not playing Davis Cup

Rafa on Facebook:
Rafa posted a photo of his pre-match practice. Welsh junior player Hoyt got the nod again. After the match, he posted some videos to let us know how he was doing and to say thanks for the support: English; Spanish.

Original Article

Rafa looking pretty in blue in this Tennis Channel Interview direct from TTC. They also posted a picture from the interview.

Presser excerpt via the ATP site:

Intro video to today’s coverage:

Cute Rafa bit:

Original Article

Highlights from the official site.

Highlights:

And Hotshots - both from Jorge.

Rafa breaks Fish in the 4th set:

Posted by BBCWimbledon2011.

Match point and right after:

Post match interview:

Original Article

Photos from today’s quarterfinal against Fish.

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Photos by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images, Clive Brunskill/Getty Images, REUTERS/Eddie Keogh, BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images, and REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Also, check out the day’s galleries at the tournament site and theier Facebook.

Original Article

We’ve done these before and all the rain delay captioning on twitter yesterday reminded me that it’s fun…and then this photo appeared in today’s match photos. So, have at it!

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Original Article

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Rafa’s presser is up on Ubi Tennis. They also have an audio file.

Q. It looked like your foot was fine. Can you talk about how that felt today.

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, very happy to be in semifinals, first thing. My foot is not fine. But, you know, we are in quarterfinals of Wimbledon. Is an emergency, so I had to play. So we decided to sleep a little bit the zone of the foot to play the rest of the tournament, and that’s what I gonna do.

For me is the last tournament in one month, or in one month and a half, so I have to try my best. Is always for me a dream play here in Wimbledon. I’m in quarterfinals and I had to do, and I gonna do for semifinals, too.

I know I’ll never understand the mind of a competitive athlete (and certainly not one at as elite of a level of Rafa), but I don’t get the “playing no matter what.” Surely he’s only playing because he’s been assured by medical professionals that he can’t make things worse by playing? Can anyone really say that definitively?

Q. It’s hurting you?

RAFAEL NADAL: When you sleep the foot you don’t feel nothing.

Q. During the match.

RAFAEL NADAL: I told you. When you sleep the foot before the match, the anesthetic is for five hours, so you don’t feel nothing.

Is it wise to run around on slippery grass when you can’t feel your foot?

Q. You said after Del Potro that you were worried. Is that still the case now, that you are worried about your foot holding up for the rest of the tournament?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I’m not worried about my foot. I went to the hospital. I did the MRI. I did the echo here, the ultrasound here. We didn’t see nothing real important. If you have something real important you have to go out of the tournament.

I don’t have nothing really important. I have pain on the foot. I cannot run in perfect conditions without sleep the foot. But with the I don’t know how exactly to say in English. Is strange for me. The anesthetic there I don’t feel nothing, I don’t feel the pain.

Okay. Wait. I need to channel Uncle Toni, remember there’s no drama in tennis and stop worrying. Nothing I can do about it any way. *deep breath*

It does help that him saying “sleep the foot” is pretty darn cute.

Q. So today you feel like you played pretty well overall, very good at times?

RAFAEL NADAL: I play really well the first two sets. Probably I lost a little bit of intensity in the third. Playing in this kind of surface, especially here on grass, if you lost a little bit the intensity, you play less aggressive, is always very difficult, no?

And he did well. He started to play little bit more aggressive, and I was in trouble on the third, the beginning of the fourth, too, a little bit.

Also, from the bits I’ve seen, Fish started playing better.

Q. What were your reactions to the Federer loss today?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I am sorry for him. He was playing really good tennis in Roland Garros three weeks ago, four weeks ago, and during this tournament I saw him play really, really well.

Today he was winning against a difficult opponent two sets to love, and my opinion playing very good tennis. I left. I didn’t see the match. But you know how difficult is this surface, how difficult is everything. Because when you play against one player like Tsonga that he has this fantastic serve, you are under pressure all the time even if you are winning two sets to love, because you have a break, you have few mistakes with your serve, he has a break, probably he has the set. And that’s every time.

So you play under pressure all the match. I cannot talk a lot more about the match because I didn’t see the rest. I only saw the first two sets. So for him I think he deserved to be there.

I totally had written Tsonga off after that second set - even though it was tighter than the first. He cranked things up big time.

Q. Your recent matches with Andy have been semifinals and you have won them. What mental edge does that give you going into this one?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, every match is completely different. Every year is a different situation. Last year I beat him here in the semifinals, but was very close match, even if was in straight sets. Second set he had a set point with his serve.
So, you know, the match will be very difficult for me. I think he’s playing at very, very high level. We’ll see what’s going on. For me the last few months of Andy was very, very good. We will see what’s going on in that semifinals. Will be a big challenge for me, and I gonna try my best.

For sure I always enjoy playing these kind of matches. For me be in semifinals is a very positive result, so very happy for that. Right now everything is to win. I have to enjoy the moment, play aggressive. Only like this I going to have any chance to be in the final.

Rafa/Andy matches are often very, very tight affairs. They both have such good tennis heads. It’s like a chess match played at warp speed.

Q. Is Andy a better player this year than he was at this time last year?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know.

People, he doesn’t even like to compare himself to previous years. Think he’s going to do that with an upcoming opponent?

Q. You mentioned the two of you have been able to become good friends off the court. I wonder how often you saw him off the court and what kind of things you did together?

RAFAEL NADAL: Normally we play PlayStation outside the court when we are in the same hotels in the tournament. Now he really don’t want to play more. He lost the last few times (smiling). Well, no, seriously. Well, seriously, that’s true. He lost almost every time. He played with his friend Danny against Monaco and me, and we won.

In Andy’s presser, he said that Rafa wasn’t good at PlayStation and Pico was. I totally would pay for an online stream of a Rafa/Andy PlayStation throw down for charity.

Q. Mardy Fish did not have a fantastic serving day today. Could you speak about what he did that was a challenge for you. Talk about how you thought Mardy played.

RAFAEL NADAL: I think Mardy improved his level, especially the last few years. And last year I think he had a fantastic season.

I have a question, sorry. In Cincinnati he played the final last year or he played the semifinal?

Q. The final.

RAFAEL NADAL: Final against Roger, no?

Q. Yes.

RAFAEL NADAL: So he’s doing well. I think he’s more solid player than few years ago, for sure. He’s playing much better with the forehand than before. Because always he had a very good backhand and very good serve and good volley, but the forehand, in my opinion, he’s hitting much better the forehand than before. And probably his movements are better than before.

So I think the mental part is important. Seriously, in the past he probably was little bit more irregular player. Now he’s able to play more focus most of the time. In my opinion, his level in general improved a lot for that reason. I am always in trouble playing against him. I think everybody is in trouble playing against Mardy. He’s a very good player.

Yes, he’s more dependable these days. I still think he has a fairly weak return of serve, though. (Trying to sound like I know something about tennis. I’m probably wrong.)

Q. 2004 Estoril, before you became a big, big player, could you talk about what the foot injury was there.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I had to stop for three months and a half.

Q. What was the foot injury?

RAFAEL NADAL: I had a stress fracture.

Q. So that’s what it felt like two days ago?

RAFAEL NADAL: It’s not the same place. I told you. Is a completely different place. I felt something similar, but I am lucky that is nothing like this.

So, he felt a similar thing but in a different place. If he thought it felt like an injury that kept him off the tour for 3.5 months, I totally understand the panicked look on his face.

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_27173” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/ AFP/ Getty Images”]

Rafa took on #10 Mardy Fish in the Wimbledon quarterfinals today. I couldn’t watch the match, but by all accounts on twitter and what I could hear from streams, Rafa was moving well and showed no sign of injury. The score seemed to back that up as Rafa took the first two sets in 73 minutes (not each mind you, that’s total time for 2 sets). Things got tighter in the 4th set, and Fish broke Rafa when he was serving to stay in it. Order was restored in the 4th set as Rafa broke early and then held for the rest of the set. Rafa wins 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. He will face Murray in the semifinal.

(Title from a Google mangle…just because I loved it so.)

Stats:

Original Article

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A few more details about Rafa’s problem during the Del Potro match and the treatment he has received: No hay dolor via marca.com. (mangle) It also mentions that the knees are acting up again and, I think, says he will get treatment similar to what he got last year some time after Wimbledon. (If any Spanish speakers can help with the translation, that would be greatly appreciated.)

Original Article

nidssserz:

nidssserz:

Thanks again to @nadalnews for sharing the video.

[caption id=”attachment_27164” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/ AFP/ Getty Images”]

Articles:

• Rafa shunted to Court One, Fed and Murray on Centre - Tom Pilcher/Reuters (Toni not happy with court assignment)
• World should sleep easy on Nadal, says coach - Tom Pilcher/Reuters (*heart* Toni)
• Debating Nadal’s injuries, Murray’s mindset, American tennis, more - Jon Wertheim/SI
• Nadal: “Mañana jugaré” - J. J. Mateo/El Pais (mangle) - injury update
• Rafael Nadal expecting to play - AP via ESPN (includes video preview of quarters)
• Nadal padece una inflamación en torno a los tendones peroneos, pero puede jugar - mundodeportivo (mangle)
• Rafael Nadal’s foot not seriously injured - by Liz Clarke/Washington Post
• Nadal Says He’ll Play; Fish Says He’ll Be Ready - Karen Crouse/NY Times
• Panic over as fit Rafael Nadal prepares for Mardy Fish - Simon Cambers/guardian.co.uk

My absolute favorite article of the day: Rafael Nadal will quit Wimbledon - by Chris Rembrant/News in a Box. Yeah. Rafa won’t play for Spain in Wimbledon. Darn it.

Videos:

• iB3 quarterfinal preview
• Quarterfinal promo 1
• Quarterfinal promo 2

ESPN Injury report with practice footage:

Rafa on Facebook:
Rafa posted a photo of himself with Evan Hoyt and other unidentified dude.

Original Article

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New Times entries are up! I love it when that happens before bed time. First, the blog:

Lot of things to say tonight but on a personal level the most important thing is what I posted on my facebook today announcing that the MRI went well, negative result on an injury.

I resumed practiced at 4.30 but in the end it turned out to be one hour later than announced since I got changed courts a couple of times.

Most importantly to me, on a personal level was the visit from Rory McIlroy today who came to the locker room and we had the chance to talk long about his win, golf, tennis and some other things.

What a great guy he is and I am very happy for him to have won his first major tournament. Big thanks to him for coming!

That counts as lots of things? :) I love how he’s pointing out it wasn’t his fault he was late for practice. Glad he got to meet and talk with Rory.

And now, the Q&A:

When you hurt your foot against Del Potro, did it enter your mind that you might have to retire? Colin

I didn’t know what was going on since it was a new pain and in a new spot so I was really afraid that would be the case. Fortunately things got better after and I managed to finish the match, got an MRI and check I was OK.

*whew* Rafa? Can you sit down and have a talk with your body? Please tell it to stop scaring every one so much, okay? If it doesn’t listen, I’m sure there are plenty of volunteers to help you give it a talking to.

How did your meeting with Rory McIlroy go? Jenny

GREAT! I love the guy. He came to the locker room and we talked. I have posted a picture on my facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Nadal). Wanted to thank the Championships for allowing me to post it.

Ah-ha! Maybe it was the tournament that made him take down that other locker room photo…

And, Rafa? I don’t see that photo on your Facebook. You sure you pressed “send”?

Do you look at the serve speed clock after the point is over during your service games? How about when your opponent is serving? Maya

Sometimes I do but I normally know the speed, especially mine!

Wonder if he can hit to pretty much the exact MPH like Agassi can?

How much will your injury and the four sets against Del Potro impact on you in terms of fatigue against Mardy Fish (above)? Judith

We’ll see tomorrow. Hard to know today. Hopefully I will be fine. Besides, Mardy is a great server and I am sure the points will not be that long.

And Mardy’s got a pretty good volley too.

You said you were struggling on your forehand against Del Potro because of your heel injury. Have you not just given Mardy Fish a strategy?

I don’t think so since his game is very different.

And since, you know, Mardy could watch a video of the match and see that for himself.

You were serving very well in your match against Del Potro. In what ways is your grip different and how does it help you to serve better, as in US Open last year? Sharon

I did as a matter of fact and I was very happy too with that part of my game. Not a grip thing this time though.

Then…then…what is it? Confidence? Pixie dust? Or, just groovin’?

Why did you look so hurt last night? Are you really totally healthy? We’re so worried about it. Yichin, Taiwan.

Thanks for this. It was really painful when I had to stop to get treatment. Got better with time.

Hope it’s getting even better.

Yesterday, a Dutch newspaper had an article on the lessons your uncle Toni taught you regarding being a professional tennis player. Which of Toni’s lessons do you consider the most valuable for you? Myra

I think it is not only one lesson that makes you one way or the other. It is the whole thing and that has been a good thing.

It’s a big picture kind of thing.

Do you play or have you tried other racket sports like squash or badminton? Atch

Not much to be honest with you.

He’s no racket two-timer! How dare you accuse him of that, Atch!

Original Article

I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many practice photos from one session before. Well, one that I didn’t photograph. :)

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Photos by Oli Scarff/Getty Images, ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP/Getty Images, and BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

Original Article

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New entries up on The Times. First, the blog:

Hello everyone and please find here a few words before the answers. Those of you who have seen the match, I am sure you have enjoyed it. It was a great level of match and to be honest I wasn’t sure I could finish it.

At some point I felt a lot of pain, like if something had broken… I almost cried of pain and of thinking I could have really gotten injured. I went after the match to get an MRI of my ankle/foot. Will give the results to the press in the morning.

Tomorrow Rory McIlroy is coming to Wimbledon and I am really looking forward to meeting him again!. Had the chance to meet him in NY last year and now I will see him again after he’s won a major! I am normally hitting in the afternoon, at around 4 but will come to the tournament site just to see him.

One of the commentors here summed up my feeling on Rafa and pain: he probably plays in so much pain every day that he’s used to, new ones freak him out. It’s like he gets used to a certain level, decides he can live with it and move forward….but one more niggle and…!!! And no, I’m not doubting he was in pain, but I think pain means more to him and he reacts more to it (especially new pain) than he did in the past. I also think that’s all part of growing up.

Now the Q&A:

Since you are such a good mover on the court, are you also a good dancer? Loreta

No, not at all! I am a bad dancer!

Yes, we’ve seen your salsa.

During the 2008 Olympics, I had an opportunity to see the Spanish national basketball team play and was impressed with Ricky Rubio. Now I see he is going to play in the NBA. Do you have any thoughts? Do you follow basketball? Jane

I think he is a great player and will do very well, really looking forward to playing against the best. He is really, really good!

Really?

Have you ever watched Bollywood movies? Kaushik

Not for the moment.

He likes musicals (at least in the theater) and he seems to be a bit of a sentimental guy, I think he might like Bollywood movies.

Are there some places in the world (besides Manacor) where you can still walk around without attracting too much attention? Cynthia Tanner

Not that I am aware of but it is nice to see people like you.

Heh. In such a diplomatic mood.

Is it true, that the taller the player, the bigger and better his serve is? Tathagata

That is normally the case.

Normally.

Was it too much to play in the Davis Cup on hard court just one week after Wimbledon? Goran

I have said it loud and clear to the media on Sunday and again today. Things must change in the Davis Cup. I love to play for my country and the way it is scheduled is simply impossible.

Yes. You spoke strongly on the subject and your frustration came through loud and clear. I do hope they can sort something out.

I love the traditions at Wimbledon but the one where both players walk off the court together seems to have been overlooked this year. What do you think? Natalie W

I haven’t realized that since I always walked on court and out with my rival.

You walk out with your rival? As in leave the court with them? Since when? You are usually far behind! (Unless you lost - like most players.) I think in the past the tradition at Wimbly was because players were to pause on the way out and, in unison, bow to the royal box. They removed the bowing clause a few years ago, I think.

Or “out” as in walking out into the court. Because that’s another thing and usually dictated by an official at the edge of the court.

What did you think of Andy Murray’s performance today. Are you worried about possibly meeting him in the semi-final? Julian

Andy is a great player and I have always said it. Right now my main concern is Mardy Fish, my next rival. Have to be frank with you.

Who’s Frank? (*ba-dump bump* Try the veal, I’ll be here all week.)

You’ve said before that you like Wimbledon as a place but have you had an opportunity to visit anywhere else in the UK? If so where? Kirstie

Not much, apart from London I have not had the chance. One day I suppose. Benito, my PR guy, tells me there are many beautiful places down south too.

London’s already pretty far south. Not on the coast, though. I think our boy needs a coast.

Original Article

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There are many articles floating around about Rafa’s injury status. I’ll go for the one from him via Facebook.

In Spanish:

Buenos dias a todos. Ayer despues del partido fui a hacerme una resonancia magnetica en un hospital de Londres. Durante el mismo pense que era algo grave, pero a medida que fui jugando el dolor fue disminuyendo y afortunadamente las pruebas han descartado lesion grave. Esta tarde entreno a las 4.30 y mañana jugare. Gracias a todos por el apoyo.

In English:

Good morning everybody. Yesterday after the match I went to take an MRI at a London hospital. During the match I thought I had something serious but as the match went through the pain got better and thankfully the tests don’t show an injury. Today I will practice at 4.30 pm and I’ll play tomorrow. Thanks all for the support.

Original Article

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Match articles:

• Nadal avanza a cuartos tras superar la prueba más exigente - by Oscar Lopez/rtve (mangle) - seems to indicate that Rafa’s had injections in his knees lately and that his problem today was with his achilles tendon
• Nadal, Who’s Limping and Laboring, Now Encounters Fish, Who’s Peaking - by Christopher Clarey/NY Times
• Nadal survives scare to edge Del Potro; Djokovic and Federer cruise - CNN
• Mad Monday - by Steve Tignor/Tennis.com
• Racquet Reaction - by Hannah Wilks/Tennis.com
• More anxious moments for Nadal - by Ravi Ubha/ESPN
• Nadal Passes Del Potro Test, Fish Next - by ATP Staff
• Worried Nadal to get MRI on injured left foot - by Howard Fendrich/AP
• Injury threatens Rafael Nadal title bid - BBC
• Nadal and Del Potro get the benefit of the doubt…from me - by Cheryl Murray/Tennistalk

A good read:
This interview appears to be what the Mateo piece from yesterday was based on…only it mangles better: Rafael Nadal: «No voy a la Davis, no puedo estar en todos los frentes» - by Jaume Pujol-Galceran/elperiodico (mangle)

Rafa on Facebook:
Only one update today from Rafa. I’m sure he had more important things to do and worry about.

Esta tarde he jugado un partido difícil y antes de irme a descansar quería compartir estas imágenes para despedirme de vosotros.

Buenas noches y ¡gracias por vuestro apoyo!

This afternoon I played a hard match and I need to rest, I’ll continue the training tomorrow.

Thanks for your support to all, this gift for you. Goodnight!

And here’s the photo album he posted.

Original Article

Highlights from the Wimbledon site.

For those who can see it, here’s a post-match interview (via the BBC) or a YouTube version for everyone. Also, another YouTube excerpt without sound issues.

ESPN match report.

Teaser aired before the match started:

Cute Rafa vid aired mid-match:

Last few points of 6-5 game in 1st set, injury time-out and part of 1st set tie break:

Last game of the match:

Posted by TheMatthew983able.

rtve report:

Posted by Inés.

Original Article

Photos from today’s dramatic match against Del Potro:

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Photos by REUTERS/Eddie Keogh, Michael Regan/Getty Images, GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images, Clive Brunskill/Getty Images, REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett, and CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images

Also, check out the gallery of the day on the official site and the Wimbledon Facebook account

Original Article

Updated to add a video excerpt:

[caption id=”attachment_27070” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett”]

Rafa’s presser is up at Ubi Tennis:

Q. How is your injury?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know yet. I have to check. I have to go to do an MRI. I don’t know right now.

I felt really bad during I felt that the half of the first set. With the 6 5, I felt terrible, no? I felt that I broked my foot at that moment.

The point with the deuce, that point give me the set point, in that point I felt terrible, no?

I asked for the trainer at that moment when the game was done. I seriously didn’t know at that moment the match, I didn’t know that if I will have the chance to continue playing.

:(

Q. Can you tell us how it happened or what happened?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know before because I started to feel little bit pain there during the first set. I said before, half of the set. But with the 6 5, I pushed hard with the forehand defending shot and crossed. I felt something that like crushed there in the back of the foot outside.

So I didn’t know what was going on then.

Crushed? I don’t like that word unless it’s being used like, “crushed my opponent.” (Which, of course, Rafa wouldn’t ever say.)

Q. Did the pain stay with you for the rest of the match?

RAFAEL NADAL: The pain stay with me for the next points, for sure, and for all the match stays with me. But with the tape, I think we changed a little bit the direction of the support, and probably didn’t hurt me much.

But to run to my forehand was very, very tough for me. I felt pain because I cannot push with the foot to defend my forehand. To go against my backhand wasn’t a problem. I can run fast there. I can run fast in front of me. The biggest problem is when I had to defend my forehand.

So, it hurts running to the left. I guess that makes sense with a pain on the outside of the left ankle.

Q. Is it the same injury you had in the last match?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no.

Q. Different?

RAFAEL NADAL: Completely different.

He was pointing to his groin him area last time; foot this. It shouldn’t take major brain cells to realize those aren’t the same things.

Q. How worried are you about Wednesday?

RAFAEL NADAL: I am happy today I am through. I thought that I never gonna win this match when it happened with the 6-5. I am very happy to be through, winning against one of the best players of the world. I think was a fantastic match. Was a very good level of tennis tonight.

And I’m worried, for sure. I’m going to do the MRI. We’ll see what’s going on. Tomorrow we will see. I cannot predict the future.

Q. Will you have the scan tonight or tomorrow?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know yet. I gonna check. I am checking with the doctors, with the physios. They are trying. We are trying our best to do it as fast as possible.

I hope he had it tonight.

Q. Was part of the problem that you couldn’t take any more tablets because you were full of tablets for the previous injury?

RAFAEL NADAL: Sorry?

Q. Had you taken medication?

RAFAEL NADAL: I didn’t.

Q. Before the match for your other injury?

RAFAEL NADAL: I did, yeah.

Q. And you couldn’t take any more during the match?

RAFAEL NADAL: I can, but with that pain I thought that’s not gonna be the solution, so I didn’t.

Some question about the match?

Heh, way to change the subject.

Q. Did you think the time violation warning was stupid?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think is always the same umpire to do this. So I don’t know if is stupid or not. But the match today was quick. Wasn’t this kind of matches that you have slow between points, you have very, very long points, and you are tired and you rest a lot between points. Wasn’t my feeling.

I came here 100 times, and I said when the umpire give me time violation, I say, Well, if I was slow is my fault; it’s not the fault of the umpire. I am the first one to recognize my faults when I do.

Happened in Roland Garros I think few weeks ago. Somebody give me a time violation. I say, Okay, yes, that’s true, I was slow.

Was not my feeling today.

Rafa, hon. You were too slow. Of course, so was Del Potro (from the BBC coverage, both were averaging the same time between points). So, sorry, but you did deserve a time violation. Then again, so did Del Potro. Off-setting penalties…so is there a point in calling them?

Q. Right after Wimbledon there’s the huge Davis Cup competition. Do you think it is a problem having Davis Cup right after a Grand Slam? And why won’t you be playing?

RAFAEL NADAL: The problem is the ITF, my opinion. They don’t want to change nothing. They are never able to change nothing on the calendar, nothing in the format of the Davis Cup competition. And some thing they are doing bad, because the best player of the world, a lot of times we are not able to play.

So that’s happen, they have to think what’s going on, no? But they don’t think nothing. They keep winning his money and that’s it.

For me is hard not go to United States and play for my country. For somebody can think, Well, he only is think about himself. He is playing his own things. Doesn’t matter about the Davis Cup. It’s not my case.

I always try to play Davis Cup. For me is a really bad new not to be in USA defending my country. I love defend my country. But, seriously, ITF is not helping us nothing on that, and for me is an obligation to not go there.

I cannot be in every place. I cannot be competitive every week of the year. My body needs to rest. You know, I am here. Day before I had little bit pain here. Today I had pain on the foot. Few days ago the knee. So, you know, I played a lot of matches the last six months, especially last five months, four months. Is too much.

Seriously, is not possible be No. 1 or No. 2 playing Davis Cup every tie, be in all the places, be competitive in all the tournaments. Is not possible. I am not 18 anymore. I am 25. I am playing a lot of matches. I am lucky because I won a lot of matches, so for that reason I am playing that match, not because I am playing more tournaments than usual.
So for that reason I cannot be there. For me is tough. But for the ITF, doesn’t matter.

Someone is grumpy. I can understand why the Davis Cup format is impossible for players who win a lot and thus play a lot. But the frustrating thing is, all the proposals I’ve seen for change would, in my opinion, kill the spirit of it. It’s a really sad catch-22.

Q. Juan Martin for the first time this year he was in the second week in Wimbledon. Some people said his grass court game wasn’t very good. You really understood what a threat he was. Can you describe his game?

RAFAEL NADAL: Always is the same history. The same was with me two years ago when I lost in 2005 in second round against Muller. My game is not ready for grass. After four years I played two finals, two champions. Here I am in quarterfinals.

He is young. He has an unbelievable potential. With this serve, he is always very competitive in these courts. And for sure the No. 4, 5 of the world winning Grand Slam titles, he’s one of the favorites to win here. Why not? He has very good serve, very good shots from the baseline, and his volley looks good.

I don’t see no one reason to think he not gonna play really well here.

I was surprised by his volleying today. Not stellar, but better than I recall it being before. I do think Rafa still has superior movement on grass, but that brings him to a close tie with Del Potro’s speed of shot…thus, a tight match up.

Original Article

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It was Rafa vs Juan Martin del Potro in the a much anticipated match in the round of 16 at Wimbledon today. The last time they met in a slam, an injured Rafa was no match for Del Potro. This time, Rafa hurt his ankle, Del Potro hurt his hip and, despite all this, they managed to put on a tremendous show. The match went 4 sets and there were only 2 breaks of serve - one for each player. The difference? Rafa’s awesomeness in the tiebreakers. He’s through to the quarters: 7-6(8), 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. Let’s hope is ankle is better by then.

Stats:

What happened:

At 5-5, Del Potro earns a break point. Rafa saves it with a touch drop shot winner. He follows that up by pulling Del Potro into the net and then passing him. A clutch hold at a crucial time. In the 6-5 game, Rafa had a set point, but he pulled up oddly after losing it. He went on to get an injury time out before the tiebreak (much to Del Potro’s annoyance). The trainer came out and the ensuing discussion was very scary for Rafa fans. Something about a pain at the back of the ankle bone. A lot of pain. Not quite sure what to do, they put some pain killer on and taped him up. A hobbling Rafa went out to attempt a tiebreak.

After going down 0-3 and hobbling to the ball, Rafa somehow started to get things together and started moving better bit by bit. At 5-5, Rafa sent a forehand out and gave Del Po a set point. He won the next point and, despite a line challenge from Del Po, the next as well. So, it was set point Rafa on Del Po’s serve. And…Del Po double faulted. First set Rafa: 7-6(6). How that happened, I have no idea.

There were more challenges to serve in the second set, but both held until the 7th game. Del Potro broke to take a 5-3 lead and then consolidated to take the set.

In the 5th game of the 3rd set, Del Potro had a nasty looking fall while Rafa was serving. It appeared that he hurt his hip and he left the court for treatment. He returned and won the next point, but Rafa aced to hold for 3-2. In fact, both guys held until we ended up in a tie-break where they traded 3 mini-breaks with Rafa coming out on top. Third set to Rafa: 7-6(4).

In the 5th game of the forth set, Rafa broke for the first time in the match. That was the one break he needed.

Original Article

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The presser transcript is finally up:

Q. You’ve normally played on Centre Court. How did you find Court No. 1? A little slippery today?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. I played in both courts all tournaments here. Nothing strange to play in No. 1 Court for me.

Q. How did it feel different from Centre Court?

RAFAEL NADAL: The Centre Court is always probably more special, but both courts are really, really nice.

No, the game don’t change.

As in, “You are not drawing me into the scheduling drama. Seriously.”

Q. Did you hurt your leg last night just before the rain came?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, little bit. I felt the leg little bit more tired than usual. I called the trainer for that. Today I still feeling little bit.

But this is not limiting my game. I can play with that without problems.

Q. It’s the muscle rather than the knee?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, yeah, no. It’s not the knee. Nothing of the knee. Just little bit the muscle, yeah.

Hope Maymo and the day off helped work the kinks out.

Q. Are there any ways in which being a lefty is an advantage on grass? Today you played a fellow lefty, but…

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I answer this question one thousand times. The advantage is because there is not a lot of leftys on the tour. Maybe that’s the advantage.

The thing that everybody say, Well, you have your forehand against the backhand of the righty. But the righty have the forehand against the backhand of the lefty.

The outside slice, outside serve against the backhand, the righty have the same on the deuce.

Seriously, the only thing is probably you play less times against leftys than righties. That’s the only advantage.

Rafa has a good record against lefties, so it’s rather silly trying to turn this into a lefty/righty thing.

Q. What was the challenge today playing against a fellow lefty?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, the challenge is playing against a player who served fantastic during all the match, in my opinion. But I was little bit lucky the first set yesterday because I think I only won three points before the tiebreak on the return, and I had two set points against.

In the second set today, it was very similar match, no? The set points again. But you decide the set in two balls.

I think I played solid mentally, and in the tiebreak I serve all my points with the first serve. I didn’t play no one point with the second. When I had the chance to return, I won the point. I think I played a good point. For that reason, I am in the third round.

The third set, two sets to love, I am able to play with less pressure. I started to return unbelievable and to play at very high level, I think.

Yep, in both the first two sets, they could have just played the tiebreaks from 5-5. Muller’s double fault in set one and his netting the ball in set 2 gave Rafa the advantage. Rafa was calm enough to take it.

Q. What is the challenge of facing Juan Martin Del Potro?

RAFAEL NADAL: Always is a big challenge play against him, no? He’s a very, very tough opponent. One of the best players of the world. He had an important injury last year.

His ranking for sure is much better than what the ranking says today. His level is much better than what the ranking says today.

In my opinion, he’s top five of level normally, if we talk about level. When he’s healthy, he must be in the top five of the ranking normally, no? So will be a very tough opponent for me. I know that. I’m not lucky to play against Del Potro in the Round of 16. But that’s what it is, and I have to be playing my best tennis to try to win.

Q. What specifically about his game is so difficult?

RAFAEL NADAL: Everything. I think he has a good serve, very good shots from the baseline. He’s complete. I think he’s a complete player.

I don’t think Del Potro volleys or moves as well as Rafa. So, I’m not sure I’ll agree with him on that “complete” thing.

Q. Today’s top players have it all: size, power, defence to offence, great on all surfaces. You might not want to answer this. But fans love to imagine how the top players of this era would match up against the great players of the past, like Pete with his serve or Andre with his baseline.

RAFAEL NADAL: Andre wasn’t that far. I played against Andre. And Federer played against Andre Agassi. So you can prove that. Nothing new.

I don’t know. The champions are champions in his era, in his part of his history. I don’t know. Is difficult to compare the moments of tennis 15 years ago between now because the game changes. Not for that reason says the players of today are better than the players of 15 years ago, or the players of 15 years ago are better than today.

The only thing that I can say is before, in my opinion, the top four players didn’t play as solid as today is doing. I think all the tournaments, even if there isn’t a Grand Slam, is 1000, 500 points tournaments, top players are always there in the finals, semifinals, playing in the final rounds. Probably in the past, didn’t happen that a lot.

That’s probably because can be two things: is the courts are a little bit slower than before, so the best have a little bit more chances to play the points, and finally if you have more time to play, the best player have better chances to win.

Second thing is because the players of today have big rivalry, and they know if they don’t play at his best in every tournament, going to be very difficult to be in the top positions at the end of the season. For that reason we have to be very focused mentally every week.

Also, they are required to be at the tournaments. Don’t think that was always the case (although, I’m not sure when that happened - I didn’t use to follow the rules side of things).

Q. And the players do really well on all surfaces today?

RAFAEL NADAL: That’s easy to explain. That’s very easy to explain. Before, the ranking was completely different. You played in tournaments, and the best 18 results counts for the ranking.

Today is not like this. Today you have to play four Grand Slams, nine Masters 1000, four 500, and two 250s. You have to play well on all surfaces, because if not, it’s zero points. Before, a lot of Spanish players didn’t come here because they know if they came here didn’t make a big difference on the points.

Today all the players have to come here and play well here. If not, you have zero points on your ranking.

So the way that the ranking goes today affects on the players are more complete and are able to play well on all surfaces because they have to do. Before, all the players played a lot more tournaments on clay. A lot of Spanish players played all the season on clay.

Today, even if everybody talks I am a clay court specialist, I play four or five tournaments for a year.

Oh, so agrees that the mandatory thing makes a difference too.

Q. A couple of champions John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors said recently the rivalries today are too nice, too friendly, like between you and Roger or Djokovic. What do you think of that?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think is better. I think is better like this than another way. For the example for the kids especially, the education is special, something very, very important, I think.

And if the kids who are watching the matches here, who are following us, will see each other fight every week, discuss every week between each other, probably in the future they are going to have the same. In my opinion, is not a good way the world have to work.

This is the game. What happen outside of the court doesn’t affect what’s going to happen inside the court. So we can be talking in the locker room before the match. That’s not going to have effect what gonna happen in 10 minutes when we are on the court. That’s my opinion. Probably the opinion of the past champions, they have more troubles between each other. Is different. But for me the rivalry is only inside the court. Doesn’t affect the rest.

I agree…although, I admit, I also loved the tense rivalries in the past.

Q. Is this the strongest Wimbledon field you’ve faced, the strength of the top four? Can you remember a stronger Wimbledon field than this at the top?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think you never know what’s going on. The tournaments start with one field of everybody and finish with a different result. So seems like the best players are playing well. I don’t know if I gonna win next round. So probably the rest of the players thinks the same.

Every day is different. Every day anything can happen. Novak, Roger, Andy are playing well. But the matches are not easy to win. I had two set points yesterday against. Andy yesterday had a tough match. He won in the tiebreak, 7 5, tiebreak of the fourth.

So the matches are close all the time. Is difficult to predict something. We will see what’s going on.

Especially difficult to predict when, say, just 2 points make such a huge difference in a match…like this one.

Q. The Spanish Under 21 start playing in the final tonight of the Euro Championships. Are you going to watch and do you have a message for them?

RAFAEL NADAL: I talk with the coach, with the second coach, two days ago. I send them the best of luck for the final.

What time is the final?

Q. I’m not sure. I think 8:00 our time.

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, for sure I going to be at home watching the match. I didn’t have the chance to watch two days ago or three days ago because I was playing. But I watch the previous days. Today going to be an interesting match. We have fantastic team, I think.

For sure you are going to be out having dinner, Rafa.

Q. Do you remember watching when Roger beat Sampras here, and what do you remember about it?

RAFAEL NADAL: I didn’t remember that. Sorry. I didn’t see that match.

Maybe he was boycotting boring big-serve tennis at the time like I was…

Q. What players excite you in Under 21s?

RAFAEL NADAL: It’s hard to say one. We have a very nice team. It’s difficult to say just one.

As always, he’s not going to hurt feelings or put extra pressure on anyone.

Original Article

Inés send me a link to this article in El Pais. When I whined that the mangling gave me a headache, she kindly cleaned up the mangling a bit.

BTW, I also tried bing and Babelfish. Babelfish gave me my current favorite mangle:

That way no longer it pursues the champion like sometimes in the old woman times (“the one that goes is Rafael; it does not excite”, it says to me by Maymo, its physiotherapist).

I, in my old woman times, do continue to pursue the champion and it does excite. (Well, figuratively.) (Well, figuratively to the pursue part.)

The Home-Loving Nadal - by Juan José Mateo
The Spanish, who next plays Del Potro, enjoys his apartment, cooking and seeing series and sports

“Rules are made to be broken”. Rafael Nadal puts his arm over the shoulder of a beardless security guard who melts in the presence of the frank and the open smile of the number one world tennis. The Spanish tries to help a reporter who is not allowed to circulate freely through Wimbledon because the organization has underlined the day in red: a fifteen member citizen’s movement 15-M on Saturday tried to enter the club, strictly against policy proclamations. Consequently, the police delayed opening the doors by 45 minutes while Nadal was arranged to meet today, in the fourth round, with the Argentine Juan Martin del Potro [this part confuses me because the delay was Saturday and he doesn’t play Del Potro until Monday - miri] and then going to see Spain win the Euro Under-21. That’s life in London. Thus the champion handles himself daily while looking for his third Wimbledon title.

“The last time that I didn’t rent a house near the club and I stayed in a hotel was in 2005,” says the Spaniard in conversation with four Spanish journalists. “Since then, I stay near by. It’s a big step forward to escape the routine of every tournament. If you have a home, you can get a normal life and make common life, and that helps. It is a comfortable residential area,” he continues, “the days I finish soon I’m going to dinner to the center of London, a restaurant, but I stay at home if I play. I try to be entertaining. The first week there are always more people, more players, like Marc Lopez. The second is already only the team. I do normal life. I see a movie. Now, a series, the Unit. A strange thing, entertaining. I put it on every night to go to sleep. “

Nadal’s life in London takes place between the strong man of impossible missions marines The Unit, a successful American series, purchases of supplies at the supermarket, the plates of pasta dishes with vegetables or tuna he cooks for all members of the team (“Toni less,” he says), some looks at the Internet and a dinner in downtown Cambio de Tercio, the red couch in a room lying for sports massage and his beloved sports. From promotion to Segunda B of Manacor, on his hometown team, to golf tournaments, Nadal follows them around.

The apartment of Wimbledon is surrounded by steep roads, brick walls, and forests. There is no longer the champion running as sometimes did in the old days (“he who runs is Rafael, I don’t like (to run) very much ,” said by Maymo, physical therapist). These are days of tennis, workout at the court and contact with other athletes. The mobile phone will be connected this week with the coaching staff of the U 21, which encouraged from a distance. Also, during the days before the tournament, Rory McIlroy, winner of U.S. Open golf, who lost not a match. For Nadal, the Northern Irishman has the sweetest swing on the circuit. For him, Sergio Garcia, engaged in the tour of Munich, yesterday was the highlight of the day. What does it mean golf for the best tennis player?

“When I’m home, first thing I do is look at the TV guide and see what sports are on,” he says, golf is different than tennis because at the end is you. In tennis, you hit a good shot and the other can hit better. It’s a face to face confrontation more than golf, a sport mentally difficult. Failures penalize you very much. To win you have to be all the time one hundred percent, without making mental errors. I like to practice. “

Thus Nadal lives outside of tennis. Before the conversation, he goes into the locker room to watch the race of the Formula 1. Thus he lives Nadal in tennis. After the talk goes to be treated the right leg that bothers him, although a scan has found, in principle, nothing to worry about. “The first week has been positive,” he muses, “but here is not like other surfaces, which control most everything. You play two or three points badly and you can lose. Now comes the tough part. Whit Del Potro. But I’m happy. The year gives me tranquility to play with a little more joy , with less stress, knowing that, if I lost, there is already much more advanced. That gives me the added bonus that, in moments of pressure, I can play more courageous “.

It is the middle Sunday at Wimbledon, the Sunday in the middle, and as tradition dictates, in London is like the commandments carved in stone, there is no play. What happens on that day, describes very much about the world of Nadal in the temple of the grass. There is a intense training with Feliciano Lopez, who today confronts the Polish Kubot. Then there is time to see two kids of the group playing asking to borrow the rackets of number one. There is also a short walk to the locker room of the champion with his father, the rest of his family, Maymo and Carlos Costa, his agent. And there are definitely a festive air in the morning, quiet, before they start Wimbledon and the terrible second week.

It is a united group. Some come to the chat to joke and take pictures and videos of the champion with the journalists that will end posted on their Facebook. Others wait to eat with the PlayStation in mind. And everyone, including children, come together to close the morning playing a huge football rondo on the exclusive turf of the terrace of players, empty of visitors. Hits the sun. Green ivy hanging from the walls of Wimbledon and the purple petunias shine. It’s spring in London. Runs the ball on the grass and play Rafael Nadal Parera, the number one world tennis.

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_27045” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by GLYN KIRK/ AFP/ Getty Images”]

New entries up on The Times. First, the blog:

Hello everyone,

Kind of late today writing this blog after I had a quiet dinner at my house with my team and family. More or less like a typical Sunday although with Spanish times!

It was a really beautiful day today, very sunny and warm and I have to say that with days like this it is difficult to find a nicer place than the UK. So green and nice it is just amazing!

Thanks for all your support

Rafa

So sunshine? Things getting nice and energized, then?

And now the Q&A:

Q&A: Get your questions into Rafa by e-mailing rafa@timesonline.co.uk and follow his progress in his own words.

Did you see Spain U21s win in the European Championship Final. Has it inspired you? Alexei

I did have the chance today to watch the whole match. Last night I went for dinner and could not watch it live. I did follow it after when I came back and saw the result.

So, dinner with family and his gal comes before U21s football. Sounds like a reasonable list of priorities.

During the US Open 2010, you were consistently serving at 125-130 mph. It played a big part in your winning the tournament. But currently you are serving at around 115-120 mph. Is it intentional, or is it because you haven’t found the same rhythm? I remember uncle Toni saying after the French Open this year, that if you serve faster then the returns come back quicker which makes it difficult for you to control the rally. So can you explain the variation in the speed of your serve? Jonas

There is not much difference but it is true that I have to try to get my serve a bit better as I did at the US Open last year. Not that I don’t want to, simply that I have to find it.

See? I said I thought he totally sucked at hide and seek as a child.

Will you be more circumspect in your scheduling in the future? We love you and want to see you have a long career with no more injuries! Also, is it true you will retire from tennis at 28-29? Sandy, Los Angeles

I have never said at what time I will retire so not really sure. There is not much chance on deciding what to play since with the Grand Slams and the Masters 1000 of the ATP plus the mandatory 500 there is not much room NOT to play.

How many more matches/years until he can skip one Masters a year without a penalty?

A couple of years ago you were having problems with your wisdom teeth. Did you ever get them removed? Kate

Yes, it was in Miami when I had trouble. Had them finally removed.

Wonder when he managed to squeeze that in? (Or out, as it were.)

Can you make Crema Catalana? Jorge

I can only eat it!!!! :-)

Crema Catalana sounds tasty!

If you had to rank the tennis players in terms of their football ability, who would be your top 5 (excluding of course, you and your wicked lefty leg)? Eno

Wow, tough question that will get me in trouble for sure! I would say Murray, Francis Roig, Fernando Vicente, Djokovic.

Ah, another reason for the Rafa/Murray bromance?

Did playing against a big server on Friday/Saturday help your preparation for your game against Juan Martin Del Potro? Sharon

No, not at all. Different matches, different player.

With very different serves.

Has the possibility of a semi-final with Andy Murray crossed your mind yet? Jules

No, not at all. I am only thinking about del Potro since yesterday. Before that each player I played. It could be that on Friday I am already at home!

Hope not!

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_27038” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by GLYN KIRK/ AFP/ Getty Images”]

XL Semanal:
Inés sends in a link to this lengthy article on Rafa (mangle). From the mangle, it seems to indicate it’s a new interview, and yet I feel like I’ve heard all the quotes before. The article’s sidebar includes links to an interview with Benito (mangle) and a short blurb about Rafa’s family (mangle).

Wimbly:

• Surprises Crash Wimbledon’s Second Week - by Tom Perrotta/WSJ
• Wimbledon midterm grades - by Wimbledon midterm grades/SI
• iB3 round of 16 preview (mangle)
• Brilliant Roger and Rafa hit twin peaks - by Paul Newman/The Independent
• Contenders face uneven playing field - by Richard Evans/Fox Sports
• Oops, been forgetting to check CANAL+: Report on Rafa training with Rendy Lu; Muller match report; Muller match part 2; Interview after Muller match.

Misc:

• Intro to replay of Rafa’s 3rd round match on The Tennis Channel
• Maria sends in this video: Role of Ritual & OCD in Sport - Featuring Rafael Nadal
• At Wimbledon, Left-Handers Have Benefit of Slice and Singularity - By Karen Crouse/NY TIMES
• Rafa says he plans to stay in the Olympic Village next year: Rafa Nadal Joins the Village People - via Sunday Express
• Leslie wants to pass along this article: Nadal boasts of friendship with Federer and looks to claim Wimbledon crown - by Dave Kidd/The People
• At Wimbledon, double faults are down, and theories abound - by Douglas Robson/USA Today
• As a lot of people pointed out to me, Marca is saying that Rafa won’t play DC in Austin (mangle). Hardly surprising news which, contrary to what a lot of people seem to think, doesn’t make me suicidal. I figured chances of him playing were pretty low when I bought my tickets, and I still get to see DC being played in my home town! The atmosphere and the tennis will still be so much fun.

Rafa on Facebook:
First, he posted a photo of his sunshine filled practice with Feli. Then a photo of him talking to the Spanish press.

Original Article

When Rafa pulled out of Wimbledon in 2009, I, like most of his fans was extremely disappointed not just that he wouldn’t be able to defend his Title but also that he wouldn’t get the chance to walk out onto Centre Court to open up play on the first Monday. I didn’t watch the start of the first match that year as I kept thinking how Rafa must have been feeling. Daft I know, but still.

So when he duly treated us to a fabulous but heart-stopping Wimbledon 2010 Title I thought to myself, “wouldn’t it be great to be there next year to welcome him back to Centre Court?” After reading other fans experiences of Wimbledon I decided to give it a try. Getting tickets was going to be the hardest thing so I did my homework and found out as much as possible from the Wimbledon website about queuing and camping. If others had been successful then so could I. Rafa’s attitude kicks in here!

My husband said if I was really serious about the Wimbledon queue and camping whole thing he’d give it a go. He booked flights, bought a new tent and self-inflating roll mats, and booked a Bed & Breakfast a short walk from Wimbledon. I got the self-inflating pillows, spent ages reading about this queuing/camping business and kept being positive about being in the first 500 people in the queue for Centre Court tickets. At the end of the day that was the only outcome I wanted. I also spent the next few months hoping that Rafa would be fit when the time came. His injury in Australia and later possible fitness worries in Indian Wells and Miami had me concerned to say the least. Once Roland Garros/Queens was over I breathed a sigh of relief!

We were leaving on Saturday 18th, flying to London Gatwick at 7.10am.

And so it began at 5.15am when our alarm went off. The flight was on time and we then got a train into Wimbledon with one diversion on the Tube due to maintenance. Our B/B was a short walk away and once there after a quick cup of tea we headed off to Wimbledon. We got caught in a very heavy spell of rain and thunder so sheltered under our brolly under a tree. Maybe not the best idea but we survived.

We soon found ourselves at the Players Entrance and saw quite a few players going in and out for their allotted practice session. No sign of Rafa, I think he was practicing at the time but as it was Saturday the grounds were closed to the public. After a short time we made our way to Wimbledon Park to check up on any queue activity and were surprised to see 12 tents already. We got talking to 2 very nice ladies from another Rafa Fan Site who had done the whole camping/queuing thing before so we got some valuable info from them. They kindly said they’d be happy to text us later if a lot more joined the queue before the Park gates locked at 10.00pm. We went back to our room and later after having been out for a meal couldn’t resist going back to the Park for one last check. I was desperately hoping the queue hadn’t grown too much as I didn’t want to suggest that we should give up our comfy bed for our tent a night early. I was prepared to if it was going to be necessary but thankfully there were now about 22 tents at 8.00pm so we were fairly confident that we’d be ok in the morning.

We set our alarm for 5.15am but I woke about 4.30am. What is it about Rafa and tennis that keeps us awake? After a quick breakfast we legged it back to Wimbledon Park, arriving at 6.40am to find about 8 others waiting at the locked gate. We knew the gates didn’t open until 8.00am when queuing officially began so were very lucky when a groundsman arrived, opened the gates and drove in allowing us to follow him inside. He just let us carry on so off we merrily went to find the end of the queue which by now had grown to 65 tents. I was well pleased and had never felt happier at 6.50am!! After putting our tent up and settling in we had a chat with some people around us and found most were Rafa Fans. That boy is well loved. At about 2.00pm stewards came round with the Queue Cards. We were numbers 110 and 111. I was now even happier than I had been at 6.50am if that was possible. My ultimate tennis dream was soon to be realised. We would definitely see Rafa play his first match at Wimbledon.

To speed the next bit up I’ll fast forward to Monday morning.

We were ‘up with the Lark’ as they say at 5.15am. Tent down and packed then over to left luggage with everything we weren’t taking in with us. Then after a bite to eat and drink we waited in the queue until we started to make our way towards the entrance. Some stewards gave out info regarding ‘The Championships’ and those near the front got strawberries. At last we were moving again into the bag search area and then onwards and over the footbridge down to Gate 3 where we bought our tickets at about 9.30am. We got great seats, 9 rows from the front behind one of the players seats. I felt very lucky, and knew the 3 early mornings & queuing had now paid off.

Once inside we had to be patient until 10.30 when the whole grounds were officially opened to great cheers from the crowd. We made our way to the practice courts but having popped to the loo on the way we couldn’t get near the front so we turned back towards the outside courts some of which were already filling up with people who had Ground Tickets. One court in particular was extremely busy so we thought we better have a peep. There were 2 men practicing and after a few seconds I realised the man at the other end of the court was FELI. I couldn’t see the 2nd player’s face but on seeing he was left handed,wore his cap back to front and by the way he was spanking the ball I knew it could be nobody else but our very own RAFA. Boy was he a sight for sore eyes! We went round to the other side of the court so we could see him better. I hadn’t seen Rafa live since the WTF in 2009, but to me it seemed like it had been just yesterday. That’s due to miri and this wonderful website where we can follow Rafa’s progress daily. We stood and watched and watched, took photos and videos, or my husband did, I was too busy watching Rafa in all his glory. I felt so happy to see him on the grass of Wimbledon. He looked happy which made it even more satisfying. After about 20 minutes or so of forehands, net shots, serves and smash returns Feli took his leave and made his way through the crowd which was like a can of sardines. I felt a bit sorry for him as nobody seemed to acknowledge him and he just walked through the crowd and back down towards the main building. It was obvious Rafa would soon leave the court too (he was untying his laces) and many fans wanted an autograph. A few minutes later Rafa made his way off, and closely surrounded by security guards started to walk in the direction Feli had gone. As he came past us the security made sure he had a clear path and continually asked people to let them through. As he walked, Rafa signed whatever was put in front of him which, at the speed they were going, wasn’t much. I didn’t feel the need to get another autograph. After all, I already had 2 from the WTF 2009 and was quite content to watch Rafa walk past me no more than 2 feet away. He had his head down with his cap facing forwards so probably wanted to get back to the locker room asap. With that commotion over we decided to have a wander around. Play hadn’t yet started on the outside courts, so we went up to Murray Mount (just so we could say we’d been there) then visited the shop and bought Wimbledon souvenir flannels for our children whom we’d left at home with Grandparents for the duration. At about 11.30am we made our way to Centre Court to see if we could go in to have a look while it was quiet. We were allowed in so found our seats and just sat there for about 20 minutes enjoying the quietness. It was an amazing feeling to be so close to a court where so many dreams have come true. By now I was getting very excited and couldn’t wait for the next hour or so to pass. We duly went back out and watched parts of various matches on the outside courts for a while.

Eventually we returned to our seats and the suspense began. Centre Court seats weren’t full by 1.00pm and I thought what a shame it was, as I’m sure there must have been lots of people queuing who would have loved to have been in one of them. One thing I did notice, was Rafa’s parents sitting in the Royal Box together and in the front row. That was a truly lovely surprise. They really deserved to be there to see their son walk out as Defending Champion. About 12.50pm the crowd suddenly started cheering so I looked up from my programme to see that the umpire was going to be no other than MO. Wow, my day couldn’t get any better, apart from a Rafa win of course. Just after 1.00pm the crowd nearest the players entrance became restless and it was obvious they were on their way at long last. No announcement had been made and it felt like we’d been thrown in at the deep end. Rafa’s opponent entered the court first closely followed by Rafa himself. He looked totally amazing and they got a wonderful reception, loud cheers, clapping, cameras flashing away etc. Michael Russell took the seat nearest to us which left Rafa sitting more to our right. I knew we’d be in good view of any shirt changes which is “always a very good new, no?” Sorry, couldn’t resist that. It seemed very strange to me that the time taken by Rafa to do what he does before he takes to the court seemed less than it does when watching on TV. Perhaps I was in a trance.

Anyway, onto the match. They had their knock-up and then it was time to begin. Rafa seemed a little nervous to start and when he lost his serve so easily I began to hope we weren’t going to be a jinx, (he’d lost at the O2 in 2009 when we were there). At 4-2 down I remembered that this was Rafa Nadal we were watching and it seems he remembered too because he then reeled off the next 4 games to take the first set. That was more like it. Then we had the long awaited shirt change. There’s something rather calming about watching Rafa removing his t-shirt, toweling his torso down and then taking another brand new t-shirt from it’s packaging which he’s then careful to dispose of properly. He must have the most gorgeous back in tennis!! I’m thinking out loud now, back to the tennis.

Rafa started the 2nd set as he meant to go on and broke straight away. The match had that ominous feeling now. Rafa may well run away with this. Russell had put up a good fight in the 1st set but he just didn’t have the weapons to take it to Rafa. Although I wanted Rafa to win comfortably, I wanted a longer match so we could see more of him. I was torn between hoping to see some amazing gets, saving breakpoints etc, and an easy win so he’d be fresh for whatever may lay in wait later in the week. I guess Rafa read my mind, as after leading by a double break he then proceeded to give a break back to Russell and followed that with another break and a hold to take the 2nd set.

Set 3 followed much the same pattern with Rafa breaking twice, but this time he made no mistake and held his serve really well. During the 3rd set Russell decided he may as well have some fun and started to throw himself about a bit in an extra effort to reach some of Rafa’s shots. The crowd really enjoyed this and gave him some well deserved applause. The end of the match came very quickly. As usual Rafa removed his shirt and to the crowd’s delight Russell, not to be outdone, also took his off, and we then got a lovely smile from Rafa in response. It had been a low stress,very enjoyable match to watch live. Rafa signed some autographs before leaving the court and after a few minutes we saw his quick post match interview up on the screen.

Feeling extremely lucky and very happy we left Centre Court for some refreshments and a quick look around the outside courts again. We returned to see the last set between Schiavone and Dokic and then after another food break we watched Murray and Gimeno -Traver .We actually left before they finished as we wanted to avoid the rush of 15000 people leaving Wimbledon all at once. We had booked a Travelodge for the night near Gatwick and finally arrived after 12pm feeling very tired but happy as can be.

We’d endured 3 mornings of being up before 5.30am, a thunderstorm and various other downpours while camping, hours of queuing, slightly disrupted travel plans on a few occasions, aching feet from walking miles checking the queue etc and all just to see Rafa walk out and play the first match on Centre Court of Wimbledon 2011.

My final thoughts. It was all more than worth it, and it’s something I’ll never forget. But I tell you what, I seriously wouldn’t do it for anybody else other than RAFA. Now, go get that trophy!!

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrWg-mvmYnk

Photos:

[gallery link=”file”]

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_27021” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images”]

New entries up on the Times site! First, the blog:

Hello everyone,

I am writing this blog before going for dinner. Normally I always write it after I go for dinner either here at the house in Wimbledon or at a restaurant, but today since I am going out for dinner to London, to the city I thought I could write it now.

I will go to one of my favorite places in London and it is not this time El Cambio de Tercio which you all know. I am going to a Japanese restaurant that I really enjoy much here. I love also Japanese food. I had never been to Japan before till this year and I have to say that I also enjoyed very much my time there and the food. Since my girlfriend came today I will go out with her and enjoy a quite dinner (as quite as possible) and come back soon to rest.

Tomorrow there is no play as every mid Sunday here at Wimbledon son an easy practice, and back home to get ready to play on Monday, We are again on the second week of a tournament and that’s alway important! We’ll see how it goes. Not easy!

Thanks all for your support.

Rafa

Rafa? There’s a sushi place very near what I think will be your Davis Cup hotel. If you want directions or someone to show you the way, just let me know.

Now the Q&A:

Q&A: Get your questions into Rafa by e-mailing rafa@timesonline.co.uk and follow his progress in his own words.

Hola Rafa! In a few years time, do you think that you will enter the doubles in Grand Slam tournaments as well? I would love to see you and Marc winning Wimbledon together! Kim Mackenzie

Hi, I don’t think that I will do this. It is already a lot with singles and to also play doubles at Grand Slams would be very difficult. Not easy either to win! But thanks!

Shame - it would be great to see him win a slam doubles title. I totally understand why he can’t, though.

When you play doubles, what part of your game does it help improve? What do you learn from Marc when you play doubles with him? Atch

It’s all about doubles today, huhh? It helps a lot movements, serve and volley. I like to play doubles! Marc is actually a very talented player and his “globo” (overhead?) is very, very good!

Marc! has a lovely lob. And, well, he’s just lovely.

Hi Rafa! I will be visiting Mallorca this summer. Is there any place in particular that you can recommend to visit? (apart from the beautiful Porto Cristo and Manacor of course!) Kim Mackenzie

I think there are a lot of places that are nice! Not only in Mallorca but also in the Balearic islands. Formentera and obviously Ibiza are very nice. It also depends how you go, with family? Young age? etc. Give me more info and I give you a better tip! :-)

Rafa needs all the facts so that he properly formulate his response. Anything else would be reckless.

Hi Rafa, I found out that you trained with Rendy Lu again today. I’m wondering the main reasons you consider for choosing the partner to warm up with before your match, his game, his records in this tournament or just a random choice? Rachel, Taiwan

Yes I did. Rafa knows his coach and we have practiced a few times. As simple as that!

Talking about yourself in the third person? Or a slip up from the person doing the writing/typing?

When was the last time you played a match at Wimbledon other than Centre Court or Court one? Do you think there is a point in Serena Williams’ moan recently about “some players” always get to play at the show courts and others (like her) get moved around? Sharon Lam

I think it was against Youhzny 4/5 years ago? I would haver to check that but I am pretty sure. I see Serena’s point and also the Championships so I prefer not to go into this!

Possibly controversial topic? No way to come out on top with all parties when giving an opinion? Run way!

I’m trying to run a business, and I’m in between you and Rory McIlroy in terms of age, and seem to have the world on my shoulders. I would love to know how a man in his mid twenties can handle this kind of pressure. But if you were to give one tip about temperament, and how you manage to pick yourself up after a fall, what would it be? Tom Nicholson

Wow, this is a really difficult one! I am actually playing tennis, in the end it is only a game. True that we have a lot of pressure but I suppose your thing is more complicated. I can imagine you also get trained to what you do and I am sure you know what to do.

Just a game…with the whole world watching and judging. No pressure.

It was interesting to see you on the bike in your interview with Dutch T.V. Do you view biking as a training too only or do you enjoy it? Christie

Yes I do some biking when I am at home in Manacor. But I don’t remember that interview well. Dutch TV?

Heee! Maybe he hadn’t been drinking responsibly before that one…or he was sleep walking…or he didn’t know the interview he was giving was for Dutch TV…or he did so many they all blur together. Okay, yea. Probably one of those last two.

After Feliciano Lopez’s brilliant win against Roddick, how good a chance do you think he has of winning the tournament? Good luck in the next round! Katharine.

He is playing well and that was a great win. He is again on the second week of the tournament and that’s great for him. Still lot’s of matches so we’ll see how it goes for him and for all of us!

We will see what’s gonna happen.

Since a lot of professional and popular tennis players chose to buy a house and stay there for good in countries like US, Australia, and London, what made you choose to still stay and never leave Mallorca? Alison.

Because for me it is the best place to live. It has got everything I need, weather, food, sea, and most important it is my home where my family and friends are.

And his giant stuffed giraffe is there too.

I know retiring from the tennis scene is not in your mind right now, but do you have a specific target age for your retirement? What would be your plans or how do you see yourself after leaving the tennis scene professionally? Chay

No not really. Lately I have been thinking about football and how much I enjoy that world. Maybe I’ll get more involved on it since I am already involved with RCD Mallorca, the football team!

Since he had to make a difficult choice between tennis and football at such a young age, it would be nice if he could use some of what he earned from tennis (either money, fame, whatever) to help him find a roll in football.

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_27011” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by GLYN KIRK/ AFP/ Getty Images”]

• Rafael Nadal beats Gilles Muller in third round - by Mike Henson/BBC
• Rafael Nadal hurtles past Gilles Müller to advance at Wimbledon - by Jamie Jackson/guardian.co.uk
• Nadal rising to toughest Wimbledon challenge - by Rob Woollard/AFP
• Nadal works hard in straight-sets win - by Kate Battersby/wimbledon.com
• Serena, Nadal, Federer and Sharapova roll at Wimbledon - by AP via USAToday
• Rafael Nadal overcomes dogged Gilles Muller to secure his place in second week at SW19 - by Simon Hart/The Telegraph
• Planned demo thwarted by staff - BBC
• iB3 report - includes some footage from the Spanish presser (mangle)

Misc:

• More DC tickets go on sale Monday.
• Rory McIlroy learns from Rafael Nadal’s focus and determination - by Oliver Brown/The Telegraph
• Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal debate greatness of tennis generations - by Diane Pucin/LA Times

Videos:

• ESPN raids Rafa’s Facebook photos
• Warm up
• Rendy Lu, Rafa and the bobblehead.
• Fan video from the Sweeting match (excellent seats!)
• Arriving to his Friday practice
• Shirt change during Russell match

Rafa the FacebookFiend makes a comeback:
Another busy day on Facebook for Rafa. First, he let us know he was in the locker room and getting ready for his match. The he posted a photo of himself, Pat Rafter and Feli (with shirt courtesty of the Wimbly shop). Then he posted videos of himself with his beloved biskwits: English; Spanish. Finally (perhaps…will there be more?), he posted some congratulations to CD Manacor for reaching the Second B League.

Original Article

Photos from the conclusion of the Muller match.

[gallery link=”file”]

Photos by GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images, and Michael Regan/Getty Images

Also check out the photo gallery of the day on the Wimbly site and their Facebook gallery.

Original Article

From the tournament site: match summary and presser excerpt.

Highlights:

Hotshots.

Post-match interview:

Previous 3 vids via Jorge.

Bits from the 3rd set:

Posted by BBCWimbledon2011.

Original Article

Rafa and Muller resumed their rain delayed match today. The second set went pretty much the same as the first – right down to the tiebreaker and Muller getting just a touch mental at just the wrong time for him. This time, he netted a ball at 5-5 and Rafa took the set on the next point. The third set was no contest as Muller lost hope and Rafa stepped on the gas. Rafa’s through: 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 6-0.



Stats:

As it happened blatherings:

Hey, it’s Saturday and I’m getting to watch the match! (Instead of Friday when I was in meetings at work. Woot!)

To recap Friday: serve fest ending in a tiebreak. Muller double faulted to give Rafa match point. Rafa aced. Rafa ran off court for treatment, but rain came and ended things.

Rafa’s forehand is out: 15-15. Nice serve out wide and then forehand winner from mid court: 30-15. Muller sends a ball out: 40-15. Well executed point from Muller finds him at the net hitting a winning volley: 40-30. Rafa holds.

Ace. Rafa nets a second serve return: 30-0. Excellent second serve way out wide and bouncing high – Rafa can’t do anything with it: 40-0. Service winner: hold, Muller.

Rafa hits a low slice and Muller’s reply is well wide: 15-0. Forehand cross-court winner from Rafa: 30-0. On TV? Sharapova and Fish in a split screen….having to stream to see Rafa. Beautiful return winner from Muller: 30-15. Muller’s ball barely skims the net and drops short, Rafa barely gets to it and sends a loopy down-the-line backhand and then hits a lovely volley winner off the reply: 40-15. Rafa holds for 2-1.

Nice play from Mullder: 15-0. Muller handcuffs Rafa with a serve: 30-0. Service winner: 40-0. Double fault: 40-15. Nice return by Rafa as he steps in early and Muller can’t quite get to the ball in time to do anything with it. Service winner and Muller holds.

Muller in to the net to deal with a miss-hit shot from Rafa and he finishes the point off with a nice volley: 0-15. Muller nets a forehand: 15-15. Beautifully angled cross-court forehand winner from Rafa: 30-15. (Muller even kind of smirked at that one.) Rafa’s shot is out: 30-30. Muller miss-hits a backhand that looked like it could have been dangerous if struck well: 40-30. Muller nets a backhand and Rafa holds for 3-2.

Ooh! That was a fun point, but Rafa’s backhand goes wide: 15-0. Ace: 30-0. Ace: 40-0. Ace and hold for 3-3.

Muller miss-hits a second serve return: 15-0. Serve out wide and Muller’s forehand reply is wide: 30-0. This time, the serve return is long: 40-0. Muller goes for a return winner and it’s wide. Rafa holds for 4-3.

Rafa’s return is out: 15-0. Muller tees off on a forehand and sends it into the net: 15-15. Muller sends Rafa wide and his forehand down the line is well wide (followed by a hop and a pout of frustration): 30-15. Return is out: 40-15. Rafa runs around a backhand, but his forehand, while good, is not a winner and then he’s behind and defensive as he’s out of position for the next shot. Muller holds: 4-4.

Muller sends a ball out: 15-0. Let. Second serve. Aggressive play from Muller as he steps into the court and takes time away from Rafa: 15-15. This time, running around the backhand produces a forehand down the line winner: 30-15. Rafa’s forehand is out: 30-30. Muller’s serve return is out: 40-30. Rafa holds for 5-4.

Miss-hit winner from Muller: 30-0. Rafa’s return is out: 40-0. Another love hold for Muller.

Nice serve from Rafa: 15-0. Muller pushes Rafa back, follows it into the net, hits a deep volley and Rafa’s reply is into the net: 30-15. Rafa into the net and smacks a high ball for a winner: 40-15. With an ace, Rafa holds for 6-5.

Muller steps in and fires off a forehand winner: 30-15. Ace: 40-15. Rafa gets a return back into play and smacks a forehand. Muller nets the reply: 40-30. Rafa sends a forehand wide and we are going to a tiebreak.

Muller nets a forehand: 1-0. Service winner from Muller: 1-1. Muller’s coach is wearing a RF jacket. Rafa nets another serve return: 2-1.Muller’s reply is long (Rafa lets out a quiet vamos): 2-2. Rafa sends a forehand into the corner and comes into the net, Muller had an opening down the line, but his shot is wide: 3-2. Ace: 3-3.Second serve from Muller. Rafa’s passing shot is just long: 3-4. Rafa to serve 2. Service winner: 4-4. Muller’s return goes long: 5-4. Deep shot from Muller, Rafa slips and Muller finishes it off at the net by hitting behind Rafa: 5-5. Muller nets a backhand! Mini-break to Rafa: 6-5. Second set to Rafa: 7-6(5)

The only point Muller seems to have trouble with against Rafa? 5-5 in a tiebreak.

Oh, it was the 6-6 point yesterday. Oops. Similar situation, though.

60 minute set; 68% 1st serves in; 92% won on 1st; 50% won on 2nd; 9 winners; 0 UFEs; 4/4 at net

Double fault from Muller to start set 3. Muller nets a ball: 15-30. Rafa’s ball is out: 30-30.

Gah! Lost my internet connection and stream for a bit. Annoying router likes to disconnect me for no reason.

While I’m down, Rafa breaks. Hell, nothing’s loading for me now. Not the scoreboard not the streams.

I finally get going on break point for Rafa (forth one per the announcer in the illegal stream since ESPN3 seems to have died). Muller double faults and Rafa breaks for 3-0.

Ace. Rafa holds for 4-0 as I’m still struggling with my computer.

Bagel!

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_26972” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/ AFP/ Getty Images”]

• marcela posted a link to this article: La lluvia aplaza hasta el sábado el desenlace del Nadal-Muller and said, “According to Marca Rafa left the court to treat his biceps femoral (rear thigh). I did not find anything related to the extent of the injury.” (Here’s the mangle.)
• Look who’s helping Rafael Nadal - by Ravi Ubha/ESPN (Sounds like Toni is confirming something…)
• Quite a few Rafa/Rendy Lu practice videos here.
• You can vote for Rafa in the ESPYS if you care to.
• Playing Nice Before the Match - by Karen Crouse/NY Times

Rafa on Facebook:
Only one entry on Facebook today: a photo of Rafa & Rendy Lu with a Rendy Lu bobblehead.

Original Article

Today’s intro video:

(Again, sorry I lose the edges when I transfer to my computer.)

The end of the tiebreak:

Posted by BBCWimbledon2011.

Highlights by NadalCuriosities.

Original Article

Some photos from today’s interrupted match against Muller.

[gallery link=”file”]

Photos by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images, Clive Mason/Getty Images, and REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

A few more in the tournament’s Facebook gallery.

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_26938” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by Oli Scarff/ Getty Images”]

Rafa latest entries are up on The Times site. First, the blog:

Well it had to happen I suppose. First time I don’t play on center court this year and rain!

Couldn’t finish my match and tomorrow I will resume play during the morning. Not a big deal. if you compare it with other players that had to play two or even three days in a row other years.

We are lucky to play on center court where you have the roof and in my case this time I played on court #1.

Some people are asking if there was a problem with me since I asked for the trainer before the end of the set. It was at the same time as the beginning of the rain and therefore the delay.

I had some issues before even I felt but nothing serious. I should be Ok for tomorrow.

Thanks.

Rafa

*fingers crossed* Here’s my theory: Famooos ass strain from getting to more low balls than he’s had to in a while. Just needs a rub. ;)

And now, the Q&A:

Q&A: Get your questions into Rafa by e-mailing rafa@timesonline.co.uk and follow his progress in his own words.

Do you think there is a point in Serena Williams’s moan recently about some players always get to play at the show courts and others (like her) get moved around? Sharon Lam

I don’t think I should go into this discussion. I don’t know really the problem and didn’t ask her or the scheduling people. Should hear both before any comments

Man has a future in diplomacy.

If you were to give one tip about temperament, and how you manage to pick yourself up after a fall, what would it be? Tom

Don’t really know what you mean. I think I have a good temperament though….

Yep, you do. Which is why Tom wanted some advice.

Every time you lift the Conde De Godo trophy after winning the Barcelona Open I’m scared you’ll injure yourself. Is that the heaviest and largest trophy that you have ever won? Atch

ME TOO! It is really heavy but the feeling to win it is too good to realize!

I really wanted to do some sort of “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” thing here, but I couldn’t get it to work.

Routines and rituals are commonplace in many sports but you seem to use them a lot. In what way do you think they help you perform better (if at all)? Do you think you pay more attention to them in high pressure situations such as the changeover before a key game? Robin

I think they help my concentration and to know what I have to do but it doesn’t change anything if for example the bottles I carefully put on the floor fall. In a few words, it is more a habit but not really a change if I don’t do it.

Which makes me want to ask, “then why do it?” But I’m sure the reply would be, “why not?” To which I’d have no good answer. (Unless we are talking cutting down on time to serve.)

What would you do if a player knocked over your water bottles at a change of end in an effort to psyche you out?

Nothing would change, really.

*nods* Uh-huh.

What do you write on the tape on your fingers? Renata

Nothing, it is only the way they are.

I’ve seen a lot of people ask this and wondered why. To me, it’s always been clear that the bandages come that way. Different people see things different ways.

I noticed that lately you’ve been hanging out and practising with Feliciano Lopez a lot. Who schedules your practice and your partner? Celeste

Normally it is Toni who arranges it. But sometimes I speak to Feli on this particular case.

Good to know he doesn’t have to go through his Uncle/Coach to speak to his bromace pal.

Have you ever doubted your ability to reach the top? When you were starting your career as a pro did you ever think ‘wow, this is tougher than I expected?’ Janice

Actually you never think about that. You only tend to think about being a professional player and you start setting up goals little by little. You really never think at a young age about being at the top. You just want to play and compete.

I think a lot of young players probably do think about being on the top…and perhaps that’s why they give up or rebel when things turn out to be harder than they thought.

If you lose your world No 1 ranking, how will you react? Will it hurt? Will it make you more determined? Or will you just shrug your shoulders and say ‘hey, my time will come again’? Jon C

I don’t really care that much. I don’t think it is as important as winning the big tournaments. If I lose that #1 position that would mean that someone else has been better and I will have to continue improving!

Very healthy aktitude.

Why do women get criticised for grunting, yet the men seem just as bad? Scott F

Good question. Do they get criticized? Do we do the same?

Don’t know about elsewhere, but they get criticized about it non-stop in the US. And yes, much more than men who grunt. I think it’s because humans tend to mind high-pitched loud noises more than low-pitched ones.

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_26934” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by REUTERS/ Eddie Keogh”]

Rafa’s 3rd round match has been suspended due to rain. He will continue play against Muller first up on Court 1 tomorrow.

Before the rain came, Rafa won a very tough first set today. Both players were serving well and holding with ease. Muller double faulted at 6-6 in the tiebreaker to give Rafa set point. Rafa served an ace to close it out and that’s the last they played.

Rafa took a tumble late in the set. We aren’t sure if he tweaked something, but a trainer came out to attend to him and then he ran off the court just before the rain - presumably for an injury time out. He had talked to the chair before his tumble, so it’s not clear if the time out was related to the fall.

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_26930” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by Michael Regan/ Getty Images”]

New entries up on The Times site. First, the blog:

Hi everyone,

This is just a quick one since I am writing this after the dinner and I realised it is quite late. I had a quiet dinner at home with Carlos, Maymo and Albert Molina. The rest of the team and some others preferred to go out to the village and to London. So I stayed and cooked - the same pasta as the other day (Benito did the shopping) - and enjoyed some quiet time at home getting ready for the match. It will not be an easy one and on court No 1, too. That is always a bit different from Centre and with the risk of rain. Hopefully it won’t be the case.

Interesting that he pointed out that Benito did the shopping. No idea why that’s interesting/odd to me, but it is.

*fingers crossed for no rain and uninterrupted play*

And now, the Q&A:

You always say that you like summer and sun, with tennis you chase summer 11 months of the year, don’t you get ever tired of it? Stella

No, not really. I love the sun and enjoy playing with nice weather. But let me remind you that we also play in the fall in Europe and that’s pretty dark! Not that I complain but just for the record.

Not complaining…just saying.

Now that you’ve played under the roof, how do you think it changes the conditions apart from getting humid? Is the court any faster indoors? Jamie

Indoors is normally a bit faster since the humidity has some influence but also since there is no wind. Conditions change.

Plus I’m sure he has less confidence given his record indoors (aka, look for his name on this list). At least it’s not indoor and fast hard court as is usually the case.

Are you fully satisfied with your volley skills now, or will you improve it more and more, and switch from a baseline game to serve-and-volley? Maria Rafael

There is always room for improvement on anything, and specially my volley! It would be nice to do just serve and volley but I think a lot of people would be doing passing shots like crazy.

Yeah, with the current state of tennis equipment and power players, it would be suicide to play mainly serve and volley. I love how it seems to be coming back a bit for change ups, though.

Rather than answer a question, please, tell us a joke? Jeanna

Is that a joke? :-)

Heh

For all the years that Nike has been sponsoring you, do you still have all the items they gave to you? How many sets of attire do they give to you per tournament? Jacklyn

Yes, I have one of each I have played with. I keep them as memory. And to answer the second part of your question, I normally get two to three shirts for each match calculating I could make it to the final.

So, if he made it to the final and played five setters all the way…he’d run out of shirts and have to play shirtless? ;)

Is there any chance that we will get to see you playing doubles at the Olympics with Marc Lopez? Sharon

That would be great but we both need to qualify!

Eeeeeeeeeeeee! That would be so awesome.

Hola Rafa! Who is your pick for the women’s title at Wimbledon this year? Kim Mackenzie

Tough one this is. I actually thought Na Li would have won.

Her game does seem more suited to grass than clay.

Do you enjoy coaching and would you ever consider coaching professionally when you retire? Gigi

I don’t think so but never say never!

I can’t see him wanting to get back into the non-stop travel groove…at least, not right away.

If you were going to a desert island and could only take three things with you, what would they be? Karen

I prefer to go to an island but not a desert! This way I can avoid answering this question.

Elevating the art of the non-answer answer.

Do you ever lose track of what the game score is? Anthea

No, never, or almost never. If I do I ask the umpire but it is not the normal thing!

It always cracks me up when a player lines up to serve in the wrong side of the court. Doesn’t happen often, though.

Original Article

Didn’t find a lot tonight (am tired, so not looking too hard), so this is a light edition…

• Nadal trabaja su servicio con Feliciano para enfrentarse a Muller - via diariodemallorca.es (mangle)
• iB3 preview of the Muller match - includes footage of him answering the “decline” question in Wednesday’s presser as well as archival footage of him practicing with Feli and from his 2005 loss to Muller.

Via Inés, Rafa talking about playing under the roof:

Her translation:

The ball was much bigger, like it was half punctured, the feeling was this, from my point of view, the feeling was this. I don’t understand why, maybe it was the humidity. Obviously there was more humidity on the court with the court being closed.

…… Twice I almost slipped and then I might some mistakes on the forehand trying to think how to grip

Rafa on Facebook:
Today Rafa posted a footwork aficionados dream: a video of him dancing on grass. Oh, okay. Not actually dancing, but practicing with Feli. Love all the quick little steps. And he ends the day with a photo of dinner. Guess Carlos is also avoiding Rafa’s cooking (or he’s on the “I’m no longer a professional athlete and can’t eat pasta by the pound” diet). Seriously, that looks like the most boring pasta ever. Reminds me of when I was little and mom would give me plates of macaroni swimming in butter…only without the butter.

Original Article

The trip

Ever since 2009, after seeing how the crowd cheered against Rafa in that match against Soderling, I have been determined to at least make it to Roland Garros once (and it must be while Rafa is still playing) because I just want to show my support for him. Took quite a bit of planning but I was really really happy when I managed to secured semi-finals and finals tickets for the men’s matches. Ever since I’ve got the tickets, I have been day-dreaming about my trip to Roland Garros; for example, what should I get Rafa to autograph on, what Nike items I should get that’s of Rafa’s collection, what should I say to Rafa when I catch him in practice sessions, and wondering about what hotel he might be staying in Paris. Well, I wasn’t going to stalk him at his hotel but I thought just hanging around by the lobby would be a nice way to pass time, no? Anyway, I don’t even know which hotel he stays in Paris, and even if I do, not sure if I’ll muster the courage to go there.

Anyway, all these daydreaming came to a big fullstop when RG started. Why? The match against Isner of course! By golly, I never expected that match to go that way it did. Was really glad Rafa won that match. But by then, I have totally adopted Rafa’s line of ‘one match at a time’. I even had nightmares of him not making it to the semis (which I had tickets for!). How Rafa played in subsequent rounds didn’t give me any assurances either. But, upon reading his pressers, I really calmed down and thought ‘Well, if I couldn’t see Rafa in the semis, I guess I could at least take photos with his posters at RG’. And Rafa was really lovely - to further calm my nerves before my flight to Paris, he actually liked (!) my comment on his posting on FB on requiring lots of luck for his match against Soderling. I was ecstatic with him actually seeing my comment and liking it, until I realised he liked every single comment above mine! So I reckoned he was really free at that time and decided to spend it by liking the comments on his post. But still, to see the FB notification that ‘Rafael Nadal likes your comment’ made me the happiest person on earth for 10 minutes =)

So my flight to Paris took place when Rafa was playing Soderling. I could only watch the first 2 sets of that match before having to shut my iphone down. First thing I did upon touching down in Paris about 13 hours later, was to wait for my sister’s text to reach me, informing me that I was to see Rafa in the semis!!!

And what a semis lineup! I had told a friend when RG just started that my dream RG2011 is to have Federer against Djokovic and Rafa against any one in the semis and to have Fed beat Djokovic and Fed to play Rafa in the finals!! Little did I know my dream was to come true!

I had ground tickets for the day prior to the men’s semis and thought I could try to catch Rafa in practice. Searched through the courts but matches in play were those of juniors. Disappointing!

The semis

The very next day, I went to the Nike store to buy a cap with the bull logo. And how lovely it was to be welcomed by Rafa at the entrance of the Nike store. Because I spent too much time deciding on what whether I should get Rafa’s jacket, we had to rush to RG. We were late! and missed seeing the players introduction and walk to the chairs. But I was totally in awe being in Rafa’s presence. At this point, I have to say, the Tv is a huge liar. Rafa looks much slimmer in person and his grunts sound just much better and sexier than how they came through the TV. And I saw that some guys in Team Nadal had on blue caps with the bull logo, and that blue is a lovely shade (Nike store only had white ones)! It is my very first time watching live pro tennis and my, what an experience! I love the silence of the crowd (10000 plus people concentrated at a location can be quiet too!), the blinding speed of the balls, the cheers of the crowd when a good ball was played and the sheer pleasure of seeing Rafa play live and hearing him slide on the clay (what a beautiful sound that is!). Rafa played a good match in my opinion and I was so happy when he was so happy that he’s through to the finals again!! So after the match, I skipped the beginning of the Fed/ Djokovic’s match because I wanted to ‘stalk’ Rafa. But, being at a tennis tournament the first time, I totally have no idea on how long Rafa would take to appear and where he would appear at (at this point, I haven’t discovered the transportation area). So I returned to the match when it was about one hour after the conclusion of Rafa’s match.

While Rafa and Murray played a good match, it was not very exciting especially in comparison with what was to come: Federer vs Djokovic. For the first time in my life, I rooted for Federer with all I can. Simply because, I was dying to watch Fedal in the finals and because, it will be so much better for my nerves if it was Federer in the finals than Djokovic. Seeing the French crowd root for Federer is quite something; they really really love that guy! While I strongly believe that the many days of rest affected Djokovic’s momentum, I also know that the support the French crowd gave to Federer, helped him win the match. Djokovic must have wilted a bit under all that support the French crowd was showing to Federer and not to him! So very happy day at RG, and looking forward to the Fedal finals!

The day between

On Saturday, we had ground tickets again. So before heading to RG, we went to the Nike shop again! To my delight, I saw that the blue caps, which were worn by Team Nadal, on the racks. And I finally bought a Vamos Rafa shirt! So happy for the blue cap because the Vamos Rafa shirt is in white, so with the cap, I could at least continue with my personal ‘Go Blue’ campaign! Again, I thought I could find Rafa in one of the practice courts, and thats why I got the ground tickets. After the conclusion of the ladies finals (which we watched in court no.1), we hung around the car transportation area and who did we see? Federer fresh from shower after his practice! Turns out Fed was practising while the ladies finals was on-going - well, I should have guessed that the guys would be practising in that period of time. So I was sure that Rafa would turn up soon….but after a while of waiting, still no Rafa. So I decided to make friends with one of the security guard, who was quite friendly, and we got along well apart from the fact that he doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak French. So eventually I figured out what the guard was telling me - Rafa didn’t turn up for practice at RG, instead he practiced outside of RG, near his hotel. Well, I wasn’t quite sure there’s a clay court in the centre of Paris, but hey, what do I know about Paris? (Well, this was my first trip to Paris too!)

So as I trudged home a wee bit disappointed at not being able to catch Rafa in practice, I thought maybe, just maybe, if I could find out which hotel he’s staying in, I would just walk past the hotel like 50 times, and say Hi as a passing stranger if I see him. But I still didn’t know which hotel he was staying at and well, I’m not sure my husband would be pleased with my efforts. So I gotta wait for the next day to catch sight of Rafa.

The final

Now, I’m getting a little more experienced and thinking a bit more. So I reckoned, I might be able to catch Rafa in practice before he gets ready for THE match. So we went to RG in the morning, at around 11 plus. Now I realised, I might have been there not early enough. Anyway, it was a really really cloudy day and as we looked through all the side courts, there’s still no Rafa :( Although I should have remembered that the practice always take place at Phillipe Chatrier court on the day of the finals. So had a few hours to waste before taking our seats for the finals. Went to take a look at the legends match and I was particularly impressed with Martina Hingis. The way she was playing, she could still play competitively! Well, at least in ladies doubles. So then I spent a couple of hours casting spells for the clouds to move away and for the sun to come shining out, as Rafa needs the sun to energise the balls! And it worked! Blue sky started peeking out behind the clouds and that was a very very good sign.

Time to enter Philippe Chatrier. My husband, while not a fan of Federer, is pro-Federer. So he took his seats to the Fed fans next to him and as things turned out, a couple of ladies beside me are Rafa fans and they are from Mallorca!! Cheers were loud for both players when they entered the stadium although I detected a slightly higher decibel when Federer walked onto the court. Everyone was just so pumped up! A lot more successful for the cheering for Roger than those for Rafa. Humph! And the crowd started to get even more hyped up when Rafa lost his serve! When Rafa lost his serve in his first game, I wasn’t too concerned as I know he sometimes has a slow start. But Fed’s fans were getting all excited and I realised how annoyed I could be with my husband! At 5-2 at the first set, when Fed held set point, and the volley was ruled out, that when the real battle began. And the cheering. Like I said, my aim of going to RG is to show Rafa some love and to try my best to outshout the Parisian crowd. So when Fed didn’t win that set point, and the cheering started to go wild, I joined in and I’m very pleased that I managed to outshout the Fed fans who were on my right (and they knew it!) Major victory for me, although that was my only victory of the night since further on in the match, I didn’t see the need to add on to the misery of Fed fans :P

And as we all know, Rafa continued to win 5 games to take the first set. And into the 2nd set we went. Fed was serving and playing well, but so was Rafa. I think in set 2, there was trading of serves. But I still remained with calm because this Rafa in the finals wasn’t the Rafa I saw in all the matches prior to Soderling. And when we entered tie-break, I felt a change in Rafa. His body language and expression seemed to be even more determined. And he played that tiebreak so well, he took the second set. The stadium was less noisy than before as the Fed fans got more than a bit deflated. And I think Rafa fans were like him - just that we are less humble than Rafa. As we sensed that Rafa will win eventually, even though we were just entering the 3rd set, us Rafa fans in the crowd didn’t go wild with cheering for him. In fact, I think we felt a wee bit sorry for Fed until he got back that break in the 3rd set. It was very striking for me to see that in the 4th set, when Rafa was just rolling through, Rafa fans showed a lot of respect to Federer by not cheering Rafa wildly. Of course, we applauded and cheered for Rafa when good shots were made but the fans didn’t seem to want to hammer in the points that Rafa was winning. Maybe I was thinking too much or maybe there were just lesser Rafa fans than Federer’s fans to give me the wild cheering impression. And just one rang below us, there’s a group of pro-Federer supporters, who also showed Rafa a lot of respect. When Rafa came up with stunning winners, they applauded for him and even turned back to tell us, that was a really good shot made by Rafa. I like all these respect I see and feel around me.

As the match progressed (well, by the second set tiebreak), I could really tell that Rafa was going to win RG for the 6th time. He was getting stronger as the match progressed and didn’t frazzle at all when Fed played very well frequently but inconsistently. This brings to mind what Rafa has said: his opponents, esp Federer, will encounter periods in the match where they are playing excellent tennis, and all Rafa can do is try to put the balls back into play and wait for the opponent’s level to drop. This is really true of this match and what is even more stunning is how consistent Rafa is in his game. I mean, while waiting for his opponent’s level to drop, he maintained his high level and kept that high level while that of his opponent dropped. To me, this is just how marvelous Rafa’s game is, a consistently high level.

And in the 4th set, it was unbelievable to see how Rafa stayed strong mentally to come back from a 0-40 deficit to claim that game. From then on, there’s no doubt who would emerge the champion. And when Rafa dropped to his knees, I felt my heart cry. Such an important title and such an important win, made all the more significant by the fact that he started the tournament playing really quite badly. It is amazing how he waited patiently (or not) for his best tennis to come back and just be there for the matches and find a way to win. What an amazing player and guy!

I saw the tears in Rafa’s eyes when the anthem of Spain was played (on the screen). As I was seated way above Team Nadal, I didn’t know how they reacted at all. (Just can only say thanks to miri and her site for allowing me to catch up on all these moments when I’m back home!) The crowd cheered for Rafa when he lifted his trophy, the deserving champion. And Rafa has such a lovely voice and to hear it through the microphone live was really a wonderful thing :) We stayed in the stadium all the way until Rafa exited which must be like 45 mins from the conclusion of match point. He got Spanish flags from someone and while he was taking photos with the flags wrapped around him and the trophy, the Spanish fans who remained, starting singing ‘I’m Spanish’ - the wave of patriotism came upon me and I can totally understand how proud the Spanish must be of Rafa!

And I think I might have understood the Parisian crowd a little. Yes, they do not love Rafa as much as they love Federer. And they prefer to see points won by the player who makes a clean good shot than the player who won the point because of an error (forced or unforced) from the opponent. I’m saying this because, they don’t applaud for Rafa who wins points by forcing errors from his opponents, but they applaud him when he produced lovely winners. Although the same can’t be said for Fed. they cheer for Fed for any points won, regardless of how it’s won.

The waiting…

So we decided to just wait for Rafa to finish his press commitments and see if he’ll be nice enough to give us autographs. In fact, I was pretty confident that Rafa would be very nice to us based on his track records of always trying to make his fans happy. I can’t remember from what time we started waiting….just that we waited until the sky turned dark. Bearing in mind we left the stadium about 45mins after Championship point, i think we waited until 10.05pm before we finally saw Rafa. Meanwhile, while waiting for Rafa, I struck a deal with a very nice Rafafan from UK, who was the tallest among the fans present, who very kindly agreed to help hold my tennis ball up for Rafa to sign after Rafa has signed his while my husband will try to take pics of Rafa (Note: The car transport area is on elevated ground with a barrier from the lower ground). At around 9 plus, the security guard said Rafa was still in the press conference and he’s not sure how long more Rafa would take, and added that it could be as long as 2 more hours!! All the fans who waited till then sure hoped that the security was lying as they did earlier in the day when they said the players might come out to meet the fans at a certain entrance. By 10pm, still no sight of Rafa and most of us were getting a bit edgy because the storm was approaching and we were all openly wondering about where to get dinner by the time we leave RG on a Sunday night in Paris.

Suddenly, at around 10.15 or so, some guys who had climbed up the barrier spotted Rafa coming up the staircase to the cars area! We all started clapping for him amidst cheers. I managed to see Rafa looking surprised that us fans still waited around for him and he quickly put his bags into the car and then waved and smiled and came over to us!! That’s when we all went wild and kept shouting his name! You can imagine the shouting we all did - we shouted all kinds of things from ‘Congratulations’ to ‘I love you’ to ‘Muchas gracias’ to simply ‘Rafa’. As mentioned, the ground Rafa was on is elevated ground. So as he approached us to sign autographs, he was towering and kind of hovering above us. With some lights illuminating him from behind when the sky is almost dark, with his hair almost dry after his shower with the curly tendrils of hair and with him towering all, I thought I saw Rafa as an angel. I kid you not! Till now, I still have a very vivid image of Rafa placing his bags in the car and smiling and walking over to us, just like an angel. Alright, an angel in orange shirt! Then Rafa went about very seriously trying his best to sign autographs. After all that wait, I was very determined to land myself Rafa’s autograph and lucky for us, Rafa moved in our direction. I didn’t have to keep reminding the nice Rafafan from UK to help me get Rafa’s autograph on my ball. Once I saw that Rafa signed his ball, I quickly told him to please get mine signed. And Rafa did sign an autograph for me!! So happy for that and then remembered to whip out my camera and took some pics of Rafa. Flashes were going all round and they were essential because the sky rather dark by then. Very happy to get a nice pic of Rafa amidst all the chaos. Rafa has a very good sense of timing because once he sensed that he’s given autographs to most of us (about 30 plus people?), he smiled and waved goodbye! And when all the fans started to leave from the car transport area, big raindrops started to fall. We didn’t care much for the rain except to make sure the rain didn’t get to my autographed ball (it became THE most important item in my luggage!) Needless to say, I got giddy with happiness with my Rafa experience. My husband was very happy too, and he was particularly impressed with how nice Rafa was to come and sign as many autographs as he could (can’t say the same for a lot of other players, unfortunately)

The aftermath

By the time we made it back to our rented apartment, it was almost 11pm. It was raining cats and dogs and we were tired and hungry and cold and we went without dinner that night. But to see Rafa win Roland Garros again, on our first time to RG, to get his autograph and see him so up close, was more than sufficient to make up for the very long day at RG, for the rain and lack of dinner. To be able to experience Rafa like the way we did, I would happily go through what I had went through again (and the best part is, my husband agrees with me!). So that’s my dream Roland Garros. If I manage to get tickets for next year (or for any other tournaments), I would definitely go again!

Thank you for reading! I hope that Rafa continues to play (at his best) for many more years to come so that we can continue to support and learn from him. Vamos Rafa!

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Original Article

nidssserz:

vamosmaymo:

Qu: I saw a photo of you holding Maymo’s notebook in a Madrid practice session. Were you trying to delete notes on how much chocolate you had eaten? Atch

Rafa: Hahaha ah. No, no. Only having fun with him. He keeps everything under control and well written.

Timesonline 23 June 2011 Q&A

Photo: El Mundo

[caption id=”attachment_26897” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images”]

The transcript of Rafa’s presser after his second round win over Sweeting is up on the ASAP Sports site:

Q. You must be very pleased with how you played today.

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I think I was playing well. I was playing well the first two sets, and especially the beginning of the third. I think I was playing aggressive and with good feelings. But 2-1, 40-Love, I had a few mistakes. And, yeah, he break me back. And after the match was tougher and closer then.

I like aggressive with good feelings. Was watching the reply on The Tennis Channel and it was great to hear Martina Navratilova (who knows a little bit about playing on grass) praising Rafa, his grass game, and movement to no end.

Q. Was that because he started playing better or do you think your level dropped a little bit?

RAFAEL NADAL: I had a few mistakes. Two volleys at that game. So I felt playing very well in that situation, serving much better than the beginning.

No, after that game he started to play more aggressive. He had very good points, very good shots, was dangerous match for me. In general, I think I did good.

He certainly played better than when you guys have played before. Kudos to him for going for it and tinkering with his game plan to make things more competitive.

Q. Did you feel any difference in the conditions, playing under the roof?

RAFAEL NADAL: More humid conditions inside. And I don’t know if for this change because the atmosphere inside the court with the roof is more humid or because was raining before the match or something.

But seems like the court is a little more slippery than usual, the left part of the opponent’s place of the royal box.

Damn slippery royals!

Q. In Paris you got to renew your rivalry with Roger in a final for the first time in a while. What else is going on this year is it seems some people think there’s another rivalry emerging for you with Novak Djokovic who defeated you four times this year. Do you think this rivalry thing is something that players think about or something that just journalists think about?

RAFAEL NADAL: I cannot talk for the rest of the players. I can talk for myself.

You know, I always say the same: that you feel the rivalry at the end of the season. We will see who gonna be my rival or with which rivals I gonna compete to finish No. 5, No. 6 of the world, or No. 1 or No. 2.

Depends how I played during the season. In September I can tell you who is my rival at that moment. Today my rival is every day my opponent and myself, too, because I have to do well in every tournament in every match. To play against Novak, I only can play against him in a final.

Is true I played already four finals with him this year. But Roger was there all the time, semifinals. And finally he played a final of Roland Garros, beating Novak in semifinals.

I understand you have to write, you have to create histories. That’s part of your job. But, you know, we will see, no? With Roger, we had a big rivalry probably because we played against each other in finals of Grand Slams, in finals of important matches for both of us, for a lot of years.

With Novak is happening the same. We talked about Novak this year, but Novak for the last four years stays at the No. 3 of the world. He wasn’t No. 25. He was there inside this rivalry, no?

And when everybody talk about the rivalry of Roger and me, Novak was there. I consider Novak like a rival. Andy Murray, too.

The thing is not always between two. I think is a lot of players there, and especially the top four had great years the last few ones. Between Andy, Novak, Roger and me, we played probably the biggest matches the last couple of years.

You tell them, Rafa! I get tired of the press always focusing on the top guys only. Oh, when one guy has a great run, he becomes the hyped flavor of the month (or week or day), but ultimately, the coverage is all about the top 4 and the subset of 2 they are declaring as currently being in a rivalry.

Q. The difference with Roger, though, was that you were deemed to be in the ascendancy. If you look on the Wimbledon website today, the most popular story is you being toppled as No. 1 if you don’t win this tournament and that you may be a man in decline. Do you feel like a man in decline?

RAFAEL NADAL: Me?

Q. Yes.

RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe. But I won Roland Garros two weeks ago. I don’t forget (smiling). Maybe you or the website yes.
After winning Roland Garros, two weeks later is a little bit fast to say I am. You can say that maybe next year, but probably now is a little bit dangerous to say that.

But, no, you know, is my seventh year without be out of the top two. Is a lot of years. Probably I started to be decline, but hopefully not. Maybe they are right. I don’t know.

A little bit dangerous, indeed. (That’s the most polite thing I can say about this. Seriously. Dude has won 4 of the last 5 slams. That’s so horrible and on the decline.)

Q. Did it feel slightly odd today to be playing indoors with a roof on when everyone else was playing outdoors in sunshine?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, that’s something strange. But they told me they gonna open the roof. But after the last minute, they told me they predicts a shower. Never comes. We gonna close the roofs.

A new experience for me, a good experience. But the tournament is outdoor, is not indoor. And I prefer to play outdoor.

With the sun. Energizing things.

Q. How do you look at Michael Laudrup’s first seen in Mallorca?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, the goal was convert. We still in the first division. I think they did well. A lot of changes in the club. Last year, a lot of new players, new president, new people managing the club. So wasn’t an easy situation, and I think they did well. They did enough points to be in the first league next year.

So I think with the team that we had, we had a fantastic season, and I think the coach and the people who worked for the coach, with Michael and himself, they did a very good work for Mallorca. I am very happy with them.

Q. Did you get nervous in the end?

RAFAEL NADAL: More than nervous. Last day was terribly dangerous.

*just nods like I know what all this is about* I’m guessing Mallorca fought they way back into premier league? Or??

Q. You played Muller a few years ago in the second round and lost. You probably didn’t expect to be playing him perhaps in the third round. What is your view of Muller, your memories of that match? How have you changed in your game and your belief in yourself since then?

RAFAEL NADAL: I played six years ago, seven years ago. Was a long time. But he beat me. So that’s what happened.
He’s a very dangerous player. Very sorry for Milos today, what happened to him. That’s terrible for any player. I wish him all the best to recover fast.

You know, Gilles is a very dangerous player. He has a very good serve, good volley. He’s especially very dangerous player in this kind of surface. So will be tough match for me. I have to be very focused all the time with my serve and try to convert the small chances that I can have on the return.

Stay focused…make your arrogant-looking concentrate face…serve and return like a fiend.

Q. In your spare time when you go home, are you still cooking in the evening to relax?

RAFAEL NADAL: Here?

Q. Yes.

RAFAEL NADAL: Seriously, this year, I cooked every day, every day for me or for the team. Toni have diet, so I don’t cook for him. But for the rest of the team, I cooked almost every day.

Is Toni really on a diet or is he just avoiding Rafa’s cooking?

Q. What’s your specialty?

RAFAEL NADAL: A lot of things. No, very simple things. I do pasta.

Q. Are you as good a cook as you are a tennis player?

RAFAEL NADAL: Probably not.

I think he’s probably starting to regret posting the cooking photo… So many questions about cooking!

Original Article

[caption id=”attachment_26893” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images”]

Rafa’s first 2011 Wimbly Q&A with El Mundo is up! The mangle makes it sounds like: he was really happy to play on pristine grass; yes, the calendar needs changing; he’s not sure the “rent a house walk to work” thing is possible with any other slam; winning RG was good for confidence; Porto Cristo and the Mediterranean are good for fishing…and girls?; seeing the faces of people (especially kids) asking for autographs is nice; Fed has made him a better player; the main focus of his activity is in Spain; playing left-handed isn’t in and of itself and advantage; you have to get low for ball bounces on grass.

Original Article