Frisky Friday: Say It Isn't "O"

P.S: I'm sorry about the lazy amount of posts this week. Rafaservice will resume normally by Monday. Pinky promise.

Lanvin Rafa Is Everywhere

On Perez Hilton:

On Just Jared:

To name but a few.

Wow. Just wow. I seriously had no idea just how much of a celebrity he has become. Okay, so a blog like mine probably doesn't help, but still.

Maybe if tennis is popular enough, we'll finally get decent broadcasts from various tv channels across the globes. I'll say amen to that.

Two Fake Pirates Walks Into A Bar...

Who turns out to be tennis' world number 1! (and a friend)

Wanna Smell Like Rafa?

Rafael Nadal, the new face of Lanvin L'homme Sport.

*speechless*

No, really, I am. I FLOVE perfume ads. I love how a single picture can give you the essence of a perfume without actually smelling it. But that's my comm major side talking. French Vogue has a blurb about it.

We can thank the Goddes Miri from Nadal News for the article and the super sized picture (right click and enlarge it). Big enough to be a desktop wallpaper, y'all. Such is the power of a goddess.

Now, Rafanatics, what do this ad tells you about the smell? Who's running to the stores in April when this launches just to get a whiff of it? If it doesn't smell like Rafasweat, I'm returning it. Just sayin'.

P.S: Am I the only one who's staring at his HUGE hands?

Remembrance Of Things Past

And more yet to come.

A tribute article from his very own site.

Born To Make History

It’s hard to believe it’s already been 8 years since a talented young kid from Mallorca first burst into the tennis scene.

It was the 24th of September of 2001 the first time the name of Rafael Nadal first appeared in the ATP entry rankings list, opening as the world No. 1002 tennis player in the world and finishing the same year as world No. 811.

When you look back then and examine his ‘rookie’ years it wouldn’t be so hard to believe that Rafa was capable of going far - VERY far. However, no-body, NO one in the world expected what was to come from the then 15 year old tennis ‘prodigy’.

He’s broken records like no other, and at only 22 years old, the world number one has done more than most legends of the sport did at his same age.

For Your Frisky Friday Pleasure

The answer to that is yes. I posted this picture because of the pit hair. Hey, you want him, you get ALL of him.

You know me well enough now to know that I don't run from these things. Someone out there thinks this picture is the (sex)bomb.

Happy weekend.

ANOUNCEMENT: New Layout, Comment Section & Header Question

NEW LAYOUT:

So as you may have noticed, I am using a new theme/layout for the blog.

I made the decision because the one before has fixed width column, and it burns me to have such small pictures. I love it, but I love big pictures of Rafa more.

Also, on this layout I can have my links on the side of the page --------------------->                                         so it is much easier to find things rather than straining your fingers to scroll down.. down... aaaand dooooown. I really, really, REALLY like this theme so you better do so I hope you like it too, and get used to it soon.

NEW COMMENT SETTINGS:

The comment section also has a new layout. It's called "threaded comments". Basically, you can reply directly to a certain comment, so it is easier to keep track of who is saying what to whom. I personally think this new feature is awesome. Try it soon!

HEADER QUESTIONS:

Again, you may have noticed I have itchy fingers and not a very high tolerance of boredom, hence the header changing pictures all the time. I need your help in this one. 

So far I like that I can change the header pic on my whim. But then again, I'm not the one who visit and read this blog. So what do you say? 

Do you prefer:
A. Header sticks with one picture unless something really big happens, like when Rafa wins a slam. Which will always happen sometime around May for about the next ten years, so I have a get-out clause in that.
B. Header changes whenever I find a Rafa picture that embodies the spirit of this blog. Case in point, the Rafarection (TM Sonja) header I had a few days ago.

But! There's:
C. I should put out a header of the week thing, with readers sending me pictures already photoshopped/mspainted/gimshopped with the words El Toro de Rafa on it, and I choose which one goes up for the week(s) until I receive a new one. I am allergic to photoshop as you may witness from the current terrible header, so this might work out well for the blog's look. Winner of the week gets international Rafanatics' recognition and a peck on the lippy lips from yours sincerely. Alright, and a box of Fererro Rocher. That's the best I can do. Both presents sent via email, so it may or may not reach you.

If you're still with me by now, please know that I appreciate any suggestions regarding the header, so leave a comment! After all, without you, who am I gonna share my Rafabsession with?

((xx))

Enabler of Rafalust

El Capitán Rafa

Rafa was picked to lead the Spain Davis Cup team against Serbia next month.

 

World number one Rafael Nadal will lead defending champions Spain in their Davis Cup tie against Serbia next month, but the team will be without Fernando Verdasco who is injured.

Captain Albert Costa Friday announced a team of Nadal, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez for the tie in the Mediterranean resort of Benidorm on March 6-8. Nicolas Almagro is first reserve.

Okay seriously. As if they're gonna pick anyone else. *eye roll*

Can I have an amen instead to white shorts?

*Source

Behind The Scene: Video Of Rafa Supposedly Live Chatting With Fans

Remember the live chat that no one could get to? Babolat puts out a video of Rafa supposedly chatting live with the fans.



Still not convinced. Vid could've been taken anytime. Not one single shot proved Rafa was actually there. Oh well.

UPDATED: Rafisca Sighting!

Rafa shoots Kia commercial with Xisca in tow.

The pics are at Bauer Griffin. Go!

UPDATE: found the vid of the commercial via Nadal News. Sadly no Xisca there, but Rafa as always is cute as hell. He totally hates the hair primping.

Billy Jean Kings Asks Top Players To Support Gays

From Outsports:

Out tennis legend Billie Jean King talked about her outing and today’s gays in tennis with Tennis.com. In addition to saying she knows a couple closeted gay men in tennis, King places the responsibility for opening the door to openly gay tennis players squarely on the shoulders of the best male players in the world, which today means Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Her quote:

 

We need straight people, particularly in the male arena, to support the gay guys. They have to. And if they stand up for us, that’s how we gain acceptance. We need our friends, or brothers and sisters, especially if they have influence. Federer and Nadal and those guys have to say we don’t care. Once the influence starts to talk like that, it makes a huge difference. It’s got to be the top players. [They] influence where the tour goes. That’s part of the responsibility of being in the Top 10, the Top 5 in the world. That goes hand in hand with making the big bucks, getting the most exposure, getting the most endorsements.

That’s part of the deal, I think, if you’re going to be in that position. And our job in that position is to stick up for whoever is getting a bad deal. I wish we could get a guy at the top of his game just saying I’m gay, let’s move on, next. But it’s got to be while he’s playing. While he’s at the top of his game. But they’re going to take a lot of heat, man.

I will not presume to know how hard it is to come out, and I'm not sure if I can articulate myself well enough to get my points across in just a few paragraphs, so I will just say, I agree wholeheartedly with what BJK is saying here. 

I am curious though. Do you think the gay players more afraid of losing popularity, or their mothers knowing? Cos if it's the first, boy shitcakes, have they got it wrong.

*pic from DtL

Just the implication itself is already hot - but maybe that's just me. And just try to tell me that Jailbait didn't suddenly get 300% hotter.

I love what Rich from DtL have to say about this.

The idea of a gay man in the locker room seems to have deeper implications and causes the most discomfort with the public - so that's where we need to go. 

Honey, you're being suggestive without even trying. Oh, to be in the shower with all those lean hipped, hard muscled leggy ballers. Who would not be tempted?



*lines pillows doubly thick today*

Naggy Girlfriend (WADA) Is Hurt By The Complaints

Bitch, please.

WADA boss "disappointed" by criticism from Nadal, Murray

Madrid - John Fahey, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), admitted he was 'surprised' and 'disappointed' by the criticism he got recently from top tennis players Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray concerning new rules to locate sportsmen for testing.

Wow. Like, really? You're surprised that players are retaliating to the complete lack of privacy WADA is demanding from them? And the unreasonable 3 strikes and you're out rule, blown tires notwithstanding?

"So it's a little disappointing to see this sort of comment, after the knowledge of this change has been around now since the decision was taken in Madrid in November 2007. And I can only presume, as I said, that the players who are saying these things do not have all the information,' the Australian said.

I think the fact that WADA officials insists to watch players pee in the cup is quite a lot of information. What's that you say? The players are outraged by something they don't have the full information of? Why of course. Because they're athletes, they don't even bother to find complete and comprehensive info about something as invasive and important as this. So when they do read the pamphletes/memo/vellum, they're most certainly, 100% will agree to this rule? Ugh. *clutches head*

Fahey advised Nadal and Murray to listen to their colleague Roger Federer, who supports the new rule 'wholeheartedly and has said so publicly.'

Patronizing much?

'It's interesting that it's those people who are at the elite level sometimes who complaint about it being a bit difficult. It's not the athletes in sports that don't pay much money, where they can't afford to have managers and secretaries and other people to make arrangements for them, including to notify their whereabouts,' Fahey said.

Oh god. Just read the article. It's hell to my blood pressure.

Roger Follows Rafa, Misses Dubai (and Davis Cup)

From Roger's official site:

Dear Fans,

Today I am disappointed to announce that I am withdrawing from both Dubai and the Davis Cup tie in the United States. This was a hard decision to make as I am missing not only one of my favorite events on tour in Dubai but I am also missing out on an opportunity to help my country try and move on to the next round of Davis Cup. After injuring my back last fall, I did not have enough time to strengthen it completely. As a precautionary measure, I will use the next few weeks to make sure the back injury is fully rehabilitated and I am ready for the rest of the 2009 season.

As always, thanks for your continued support.
Roger

I'm thinking it's a legit injury. If he does not want to meet Rafa, the point is moot because Rafa's missing Dubai anyways right?

I'm also thinking karma's a bitch. Dubai just lost the two top ATP stars. That's gonna hurt. I hope the tournament will be very, very boring because the not-granting-visa thing?  Is petty and outrageous and so damned backward. What a steaming load of $#*%.

Oh, and they also just lost Wall Street Journal as sponsors. Toldja she's a bitch.

So We Have Reached That Point...

We're excited about the knee. The naked knee. 



I'm thinking it's like the dance of seven veils, only with tape.

From Your Mouth To Rafa's Ear

A few days ago Nadal News posted an article about which tournaments Rafa should skip to preserve his body. The article even worked out which tournaments are better to skip because they will give him longer holidays (!). Thank the tennis gods for serious tennis fans because I would've needed a week to work it out. It's a really good read.

Where To Go From Here?

And lo and behold, just yesterday:

Spanish star Rafael Nadal could skip Dubai tournament, not Davis Cup

Not bad, babe. Not bad at all.

He's Not Worried, So I Guess We Shouldn't Be

From his official site:

Rafa was in Madrid yesterday to attend a Sponsorship commitment. There he spoke about his knee, which prevented him from competing at his best level at the final of the tournament in Rotterdam.

It "will not be a problem to play the Davis Cup in Benidorm", He's "very excited".

"I'm not worried about my knee. It's not an injury like last year, it's simply been a matter of overload and fatigue. After the tournament in Australia I could not get enough rest before reaching the final, which was very long and demanding", said Rafa. 

"It's an overload in a tendon which, prevented me [to] get well, but we are almost certain that there will be no problems", added the world No.1. 

The video is for those of you who understand Spanish:

The pictures are for those of us who do not:

I don't like the shoes, but dem jeans are fiiiiine.

"Look out! There's a Rafanatic behind you!"

Caption This: After Match Lightness

Andy: Why is yours so small? Seriously, it is embarrassingly small.

Rafa: No sé. You think it's because I injured myself and didn't give them the match they wanted?

Andy: Wha? Bollocks.

Too Bad, So Sad

Rafa lost in the Rotterdam final, 36, 64, 06.

Rafa and Murray played a remarkable, competitive first set with great rallies and remarkable shots, but in the beginning of the second set Rafa injured his right knee while hitting a backhand. He gave a barely perceptible wince and moved his right leg awkwardly before putting both his hands on his waist and looking down on the court. It was almost as if he expected this to happen. 2-1 up on the second set Rafa called the trainer to come during the changeover. He took a medical time out and in the end decided to play without the requisite tape on his right knee. Then they kept breaking each other for the remainder of games on the set and somehow Rafa emerged the winner of it. Andy just couldn't seem to focus.

On the third, however, Rafa could barely move. It was as if he had played his best and grabbed a set off Murray, and he didn't wanna do more damage than what's already done, eventhough you can see it burns him to be reduced to that, literally limping around the court.  5-0 down on the last set, he sat on the bench and put his chin on both his fists. He looked so disappointed. It was an empty victory for Andy.

In his after match speech Rafa did not mention his leg whatsoever. Andy did. He said it shows how great Rafa is, beating him on the set with one leg. Aww. He thanked everyone, from the event organizers, the ball boys, to the catering people. Lub.

Anyhoo. Disappointed I am, as the match could've been a great one. Shame it had to go like that, and ended with me wondering like mad if the injury is a serious one. I guess we'll have to wait for some kind of announcement. Or not. Rafa and his team is very closemouthed about his physique. I understand the need to be, but sometimes as a fan you really want answers. Oh well.

Congrats to The Ginge. You go, boy. Your tenth ATP title.

And Rafa? Get well soon.

Happy Freakin' Valentine

I don't believe in Val's day, downright hate it in fact, but I just want the Rafanatics to know that I love you all.





Perfect for the occasion, no?

May all of you have your own Rafa in your bed today. If not, just dream about him. Trust me, it's enough.

(UPDATED) Rafa Vs The Hulk

Rafa will be playing tonight (for me) at 19.30 CET. 



It's gonna be a nail biter for us Rafanatics as, frankly, Rafa hasn't been showing his best form in Rotterdam so far.

UPDATE: Tennistalk's take on tonight's match. I'm sweating bullets here.

RESULT: Rafa WINS 64, 67(5), 64.

Take that, Hulk. 

So many things I wanna say about the match but I really, really, really need sleep. I'm looking haggard and that will not do. And I'm dead on my fingers. So tomorrow then. Ta.

 

Serena's Not Happy With Naggy Girlfriend (WADA) Too

Boy, I don't know what happened, but a week or two ago I posted an article from ESPN about Fed and the Williamses saying that they're not against the the crazy rule WADA has enforced to athletes. I looked at it again, and I didn't misread, although there were no quotes from any of the Williamses.

Well turns out, Serena's the one confused.

Serena backs Nadal over drug-testing criticism

"We won't have problems in tennis that we have in other sports, so it's definitely a pure sport and that's the only upside to it."

 

"It's too much," she said. "If I want to go on vacation to Barbados for one day, I shouldn't have to say I'm going to Barbados.

"I'm always complaining to my agents. I never tell people where I am, because I like to do my own thing."

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rule operates on a 'three strikes and out' basis over a period of 18 months, and Williams revealed that she had already fallen foul of the legislation.

"One time, I was out at dinner and someone turned up at my house to test me. I think I might even have got a strike.

"It's bizarre. I can't run home from dinner and get tested. It's very invasive."

Despite her reservations, though, Williams accepts that WADA's stance helps safeguard the sport's reputation.

"I think tennis is the purest sport out there," she said.

So she accepts it, but she's complaining? Huh? So is she backing Rafa or is she not? Am I the only one confused? Help.

I totally lub the bikini though.

Rafa Defeats Dimitrov

Rafa rolls on, 75, 36, 62.

The leg hair is awesome. 

Grigor Dimitrov is 17, ranked 478th in the world, just turned pro last year, and he gave a good fight. Brought Rafa to the net a lot, maybe he thought he can take Rafa there but no go. Though his dropshots are reminiscent of The Ginge Hotness' last year's USO dropshots, many times he was a little impatient to finish. I do like him though, he was fast on his feet, fast in his mind, and he was polite. Give him a few years, he has the chops to go up the ladder.

The trainer came on in the 1st set to re-tape Rafa's left ankle. Lord, I'm so worried about him sometimes. What is happening to his body? Looking at the tapes, it's quite gruesome but if it's really serious could he have won AO with back to back grueling matched like he did? I don't have an answer and it's driving me bonkers.

Anyways. It was an interesting match even though I was falling asleep. Boy, between watching football (it's not soccer) and tennis, a girl's hard up on her beauty sleep.

One thing on Grigor - please shave that fuzz. You're so cute but the fuzz! Bad.

The Sky Sports' commentator said that he got an email from a fan asking if Grigor was better than Rafa when they're at the same age (17). He gave a decisive "no". ;)

*images from Zimbio, match stats from atpworldtour.com

Who Knew The Dutch Are So Charming?

Rafa's post match interview from yesterday, from Nadal News.

The look on his face when a child was mentioned, precious! You could tell he didn't understand what was going on.

El Toro has an official domain!

I have great friends. So great, in fact, one of them just bought a domain name for El Toro.

www.tennislust.com

I cannot say thank you enough. Add one lapdance to the tab, Great Friend. I know, I'm cheap. Shut up.

One thing though, he would not have done it if I have no readers, so thanks to you too, Rafanatics.

So readers, Rafanatics, you can find me either at this address from now on, or at the old address on Wordpress. Both will work, but tennislust.com sure is easier to type! Update your bookmarks!

*yes I suck at photoshop and ms paint is about the only thing I can manage. 

Wertheim's Rafa Love

From The Mailbag:

 

Does Nadal have the best PR person, or does this all come naturally to him? The guy seems to handle himself in a way that I don't think we've seen from some of these younger players. The respect he continues to show to Federer seems genuine. How does he do it?
-- Erin, Sudbury, Mass.

• A good first question on the day Jelena Jankovic (?) bashes Roger Federer but claims to admire Nadal for his modesty. For the record, Nadal does have a PR rep on the payroll, who does right by him. But clearly this "comes naturally" to him as well. As we discussed last week: anyone can spew a few slick talking points into a microphone. Yet when your rival unexpectedly breaks down in tears and you have the wherewithal to step up and console him, you're revealing much more about your nature.

Word.

What's the source of this authentic good-guy-ness? Nadal was clearly "raised right" by a mom and dad who don't exactly cut the figure of stage parents. While Nadal's island of Majorca has a reputation as a trendy Euro-destination, Nadal's hometown of Manacors is an unassuming, close-knit place where class distinctions are fuzzy and folks go to great lengths to conceal their wealth. Nadal's uncle, Miguel Angel, the former pro soccer player, was the proverbial "role model," who offered an example of how a pro athlete ought to conduct himself. Give some credit to Federer, too, for demonstrating the top player can win everything in sight and still show grace and humility.

But I think the biggest influence is Uncle Nadal, or "Uncle Hard Ass," as Pete Bodo and I have taken to calling him. I think the Republic of Tennis has grown skeptical of the relative-cum-coach. But in this case, the player's uncle not only possesses a first rate tennis cortex, but also is one of the coaches who shapes lives. At an early age, he impressed upon Nadal that "just because you can hit a tennis ball well doesn't mean you're better than anyone else."

As Nadal ascended the org chart, there was uncle to make sure the kid stayed humble. A promoter offers to fly Nadal and his camp to a tournament. No thanks, says Toni, we already bought train tickets. Nadal goes to the practice courts at the 2008 U.S. Open and realizes he's forgotten his water bottles in the locker room. Never mind the eager volunteer happy to assist the tournament's top seed; Uncle T. (Raffa = Christopher Moltisanti?) makes his nephew run back and get it. A doctor offers to see Nadal immediately; no, says uncle, he'll take a seat in the waiting room like every one else.

You could write an entire chapter about Nadal's pleasant off-court personality and how jarringly at odds it is with on-court ferocity. But give the kid his due. He not only challenges Federer's skill but also gives him a run in the mensch department.

Uncle Hard Ass??? LUB.

This Little Piggy Went Wee Wee Wee

Check out the last piggy.

Dainty Rafa? Who'd have thought?

Were You Scared?

Rafa is through to second round Rotterdam 46, 62, 75.

Nadal admitted he had struggled with the pace of Bolelli's shots, saying: "In tennis, every match is very tough and I'm very happy to win the first match. He's a very good player, he played big shots from the baseline. He improves every year, I want to congratulate him."

I always thought he was a slow starter, but apparently he did play badly last night. He sounded defensive about this win though I have no idea why.

"I deserved this win", said Nadal. "I had all of the chances and he didn't, I also had two match points. I picked up my game in the third set and started serving better". "I found my rhythm, but I had a bad game in the first set before I started playing better. I'm in the second round and I expect a better result. I'm hoping to play better". "I'm very happy to win this match. I'll have to try hard in the next one", said the 10-1 player this season.

 You won. Full stop. We don't care how you did it, we don't care if you made someone cry in the end, we only care that you win. But seriously guys. To sit front row in this match? I'd need about a gallon of water just to go through the 1st set. The beauty on court must've been quite overwhelming.

Yesterday's results:
M Youzhny (RUS) d [6] D Ferrer (ESP) 62 36 62
J Benneteau (FRA) d [3] N Davydenko (RUS) 63 62 [1]
R Nadal (ESP) d S Bolelli (ITA) 46 62 75
[4] G Simon (FRA) d P Kohlschreiber (GER) 75 76(1)
[7] J Tsonga (FRA) d [WC] J Huta Galung (NED) 76(4) 76(4)
M Ancic (CRO) d R Schuettler (GER) 75 62
M Llodra (FRA) d I Karlovic (CRO) 46 63 64 [LL]
M Gicquel (FRA) d [Q] E Korolev (RUS) 36 63 62

I'm kinda bummed Jesse Huta Galung fell to The Hulk. I know nothing about him but he's got a last name that comes from my country which means somewhere in his family tree a woman did something naughty to a fellow countryman of mine, and produced this pretty, pretty boy. No one can accuse me of not being patriotic.

I mean check out those legs. Where's Natch? Girl, we need to discuss his legs in details.

He's seriously hawt! A little Clark Kent-ish methinks. Come on, who amongst us never had a twinkle for Superman? Okay, a fierce Superman, but still hawt! No?

Today's match:
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [WC] G Dimitrov (BUL)
A Seppi (ITA) vs [2] A Murray (GBR)
M Ancic (CRO) vs [4] G Simon (FRA)
M Llodra (FRA) vs [5] G Monfils (FRA)
D Tursunov (RUS) vs [7] J Tsonga (FRA)
[LL] M Gicquel (FRA) vs P Mathieu (FRA)

Get On The FeDal Train

It seems to be very popular nowadays.

That man, Roger Federer, was a cold-blooded tennis ninja, destroying all who dared to cross him across a net. Federer won his first major, Wimbledon, in 2003, less than a year after Sampras retired.

After that, his resume reads like Wilt Chamberlain at a women’s retreat: if there was a conquest to be made, he made it.

He's got five Wimbledons to his credit, five U.S. Opens, three Australian opens, and has reached three French Open Finals. He has 13 majors, one short of Sampras' record 14 titles, which for many years he seemed destined not just to break, but to shatter.

But then, a Spaniard in sleeveless shirts and capri-pants came along. Rafael Nadal's will to win is as great as Federer's, and he has earned six Grand Slam titles.

Did they really just use a ninja/pirate comparison of the Fed/Rafa rivalry? Yes they did. And I had to post an article about tennis that does that.

*Source

What A Job

So this was what I saw on my news feed.

My heart literally stopped. I thought, dare I click? I might not survive. But I'll die happy. So I clicked.

OH! I was fuuuurious. They tricksed me! 

*Source

Bamba, Bamba

Most of you have probably seen this, but what the hey. Rafa's karaoke session on 2007 Roland Garros for a game show.

I told you he was lying.



Hysterical!!

The interesting thing is that he needs little to no effort to switch off and let loose. I've played this vid so many times my laptop officially hates me.

Others also had their turn, but the winner for me was hands down, Llodra. 



Who's your favorite performance? Tell me!

*video thanks to Rafanatic LORI!

Rafa's Rotterdam Pictures (so far)

I shamelessly nabbed these arrival pics from Nadal News. 

He arrives! Let's hope he conquers too, eh?

I want to nuzzle his cold, cold cheek to warm him up.

Rafandy* moment! Bless. I so love!

And today Rafa with champion wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer from Netherlands takes a hit or two on the court today for.. some kind of exhibition, I would guess. These pics are from Zimbio.

Okay, maybe she's on a wheelchair, but I have to say she's quite, quite hot. I love that he crouches.

Hit hit!

And shake. 
 

God he's so delish.

*Rafandy = TM Sonja