BARCELONA OPEN: Pool Toss!!

How fun does that look??

Thanks Miri!

ROME: Day 1 OOP

STADIO PIETRANGELI

Starting At: 1:00 PM
Flavio CIPOLLA (ITA) vs Marin CILIC (CRO)
Potito STARACE (ITA) vs Albert MONTANES (ESP)
Tommy ROBREDO (ESP) vs Marat SAFIN (RUS)

Starting at 8:30 PM
Andreas SEPPI (ITA) vs Sam QUERREY (USA)

CAMPO 1

Starting At: 1:00 PM
Igor KUNITSYN (RUS) vs Stanislas WAWRINKA (SUI)
Victor CRIVOI (ROU) vs James BLAKE (USA)
Mardy FISH (USA) vs Igor ANDREEV (RUS)
Nicolas ALMAGRO (ESP) vs Ernests GULBIS (LAT)

CAMPO 5

Starting At: 1:00 PM
Victor HANESCU (ROU) vs Viktor TROICKI (SRB)
Jan HERNYCH (CZE) vs Ivo KARLOVIC (CRO)
Robin SODERLING (SWE) vs Marcel GRANOLLERS (ESP)

CAMPO 6

Starting At: 1:00 PM
Nicolas KIEFER (GER) vs Juan MONACO (ARG)
Daniel GIMENO-TRAVER (ESP) vs Mikhail YOUZHNY (RUS)

Hopefully we get better streams for Rome.

BARCELONA OPEN: Champagne War!!

That trophy sure is heavy - I hope Rafa didn't pull something while holding it aloft his head. And why did I never noticed before - sweaty David = sexy David? And all that aside, couldn't they have made a bigger plate for him? Geez, compared to the humongous winner's trophy, the runner up's was just reeking of cruelty.  It must really suck to be born a clay courter in the reign of Rafael Nadal. Anyways, the whole trophy ceremoy was just a carousel of cuteness, even if I didn't understand a thing. Enjoy.

BARCELONA OPEN: 2 for 2, 5 for 5.

Rafito wins! As if it was gonna be the other way round. He won 62, 75 against Dabid Ferrer. In the second Ferru was playing briliantly. Too bad Rafa is, well, Rafa.

Rafa so happy.

Nothing much to say about the match really. Bring on Rome.

Total adorableness.

Bye, Barcelona. See you next year. Might be 6 for 6 then.

Trolls Are Not Welcome In El Toro

Hey all!

How's everybody doing? Good I hope.

As for me, I'm not feeling too well, and it's nothing to do with the flu I'm finally shrugging off. I have a few trolls leaving unpleasant comments about Rafa and/or other commenters in my blog. It's been happening more frequently. I don't like it. I don't think this site reader's will like reading it too. I'm actually quite surprised how these people stumble here and why they bother reading or leaving comments at all when it's obvious this is the place to ogle and say good things about Rafa, and most other players (*cough* Robin Soderling *cough*).

Maybe it is unnoticable, but I've worked hard in my posts not to ostracize a player out and out just because they did something I don't approve. I have great respect for Federer, and I'll even tip my hat off for Roddick (whose antics on court just grates me in the wrong way) if only because he spoke out about the Shahar Peer visa debacle. You see, even as I work to make this blog to be a place for us hardcore Rafa fans to relax and let go, I try to make it a welcoming place for fans of other players too.

And leaving comments that say "I hope Rafa will get injured and not play for six months" or "Rafa's love for Xisca is so pitiful" or actually provoking other commenters into arguments does not make this place welcoming, or fun. There's a difference in saying "I don't know how you guys can be so crazy about this guy, he picks his butt/annoys/just rubs me the wrong way" and wishing injuries to a player. If you don't like Rafa, fair enough. But why on earth are you here if you don't?

It really annoys me to wake up or come back and see hateful comments about Rafa. You guys my faithful readers know you can say almost whatever you want here - you are welcome to curse, drool, and discuss to your hearts' contents. And we have done so in the past. But you guys know to apply the manners which your mama taught you when you were little. General meanness and trolling will not be tolerated whatsoever. This is after all, my blog and a place where *I* myself go to worship Rafael Nadal. You want to have a community of your own to bash whichever player, for fuck's sake, go make your own blog and fill it with haters.

So we'll try a new thing. Everyone now has to log in to comment. It is a one time thing, very easy to register, and it might be easier to type your password then your emails everytime you comment. If it's too annoying, we'll work out something else. I am always open for suggestions. The email where you can reach me privately is located in the sidebar - please use it, but wisely.

Never mind, I've found a way to block IP's.

I guess that's it. Sorry for ranting. Remember, when you comment, try to remember respect.

xoxo,
Babz.

BARCELONA OPEN : More Practice Pictures From Yesterday

I swear, he just finds a way to crack me up every day.

See players, always be nice to your fans. It pays off, trust me.

It's a crime that I didn't find this picture for yesterday's Frisky Friday. The treasure trail is... *drool*. Oh well.

And as always, a nice genuine smile to close things off.

ROME: Singles Draw

Ciao, Roma!

From Rafa's half:

Good news: Rafa's first match might be against Samurai Querrey.
Bad news: Then I remembered he's American and this is clay.
Bad news: Ginge is in the same half, again. Of course he is, but I was kinda hoping he's across the draw, so to speak.
Good news/bad news: Rafa second match might be Robin Soderling. Bad because I might have to see Rob's face after all, but good because Rafa will trash him.

From the other half:

Good news: Hottie Safin is in the tourney. That's always a bonus.
Bad news: I might stumble across Radek's pictures again while searching for Rafa's pictures.
Bad news: I'm not seeing anyone that might be a problem or a challenge to Rafa.
Good news: He's probably gonna win this one too unless some blisters magically reappear. Just sayin'.

BARCELONA OPEN: Rafa Might Actually Bring The Ugly VW Home

So all that expectation of Rafa vs Kolya boiled down to nothing. Rafa won easily 63, 62, and he is through to his fifth consecutive final in Barcelona.

To be honest it's getting kinda boring. Can no one give him a real challenge? Sure, Nole the Smurf King took him to 3 sets last week, but last week he was not his best, yes? This week he kinda is, and the result is mindblowingly boring matches. Although I say that with the greatest compliments to him, I really want some exciting matches soon. I mean, there's no drama whatsoever! That's like watching one of Kate Winslet's Oscar winning movies to me.

Meeting him in the final and trying to wrestle the ugly VW off Rafa's hands is David Ferrer, who won over Gonzo in 3 sets. Yep, last year's finalist right here in Barcelona. Yes, Dabid might be great on clay, and on the stuff he might triple his actual tennis abilities but no way in hell is he getting past Rafa. I mean, let's be realistic here. But who knows. Maybe we'll have a surprise on court tomorrow.

Anyhow, Rafa seems happy enough, so that's enough for me.

And because this picture is like, five kinds of awesome:

Btw, this ugly VW I'm talking about is the Volkswagen on display at the corner of the center court in Barcelona. I'm guessing it's what he winner would bring home. I'm sorry, but it's so ugly it offends me. How is that thing supposed to be an incentive?

/rant

Frisky Friday: I Wish It Was A Polkadot Boxer

Happy weekend, Rafanatics.

I know this is an old picture, but it's getting harder and harder to find current pictures of shirtless Rafa, so as they say, in this time of dire economy, we just have to make do.

*off to collapse for the night*

Profile Of A Man

Beautiful image, isn't it?

Spain should make it into a coin.

You May Not Have Noticed, But I Love European Men.

They think nothing of jumping into a tub with three other men, *and* immortalized in photograph.



If you don't think Ginge is totally hot here, I don't know how to help you. Seriously, who is the photographer? I might have to kiss him. He actually caught Ginge looking relaxed, bed-able and very muscular. That is like, some off-the-charts photography skills.

image from andymurray.com, via DownTheLine

Yahoo! Needs A New Writer

I got these images from Yahoo!, and the description was, "Rafael Nadal gestures.."

Tell me, what kind of gesture is this?

And this??

I don't know about you, but where I grew up that "gesture" is called "digging for gold". Tell me if you disagree.

Here are a few pictures from Rafa's training session today.

Okay, so his skin is not perfect, but his pores are sublime.

I always wonder how guys cross their legs. Doesn't it hurt?

Photos by JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images

BARCELONA OPEN: Nalby Withdraws, Rafa Through To Semis

Not that he wouldn't if Nalby didn't, but I'm kinda glad he's got a bit of rest before he goes against Kolya.

On day 4, Rafa beat Rochus 62, 60. 

Btw, Kolya is seriously impressing me with his comeback. Months out with injuries and he's waded in to the deepest part of the pool without missing a beat. He might be my second Ginge. I think I have to come up with a name. I'll let you guys know.

This image was taken yesterday, and it made me a little bit sad.

He's trying so hard, no?

Maybe it's just my medicine talking.

(Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Take A Note, Straight Guys.

This is how you work the color peach.

It really doesn't matter what the color is as long as you wear it like you own it, yes? Rafa here is promoting a book called "Game, Set, Match" in Barca a few days ago.

Me like peach. Peach = Babz. Peach Rafa = Babz's.

 

Los Príncipes Del Tenis Español: Are We Sure They're Humans?

Surely mere humans wouldn't be so tempting.

Spanish tennis hunks on the Spanish Elle!

Did I ever say anything bad about Nando? My bad. I'd take him in a heartbeat.

*sigh*

When did Tommy get so dreamy looking?

Ferru looks better off than on court, yes? 'Specially with the shirt off.

Unfortunately we don't really have a good picture of shirtless Almagro.
I know, it's a crime.

Does anyone ever wonder why Feli chose tennis instead of modelling?

Om nom nom nom.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love tiny, polcadot boxers? 

I don't know who that is lying on the sand, but Ferru's (huge and white) thighs are blinding me in a totally good way.

Is this the guys' version of pillow fight? A pillow case fight? 
Inquiring mind wants to know, because my appreciation is all woman.

(Not that a man's appreciation wouldn't be as strong, but that line sounds funnier in my head.) 

Tommy fought a bloody battle with the coconut tree to be on camera, and he lost.

So did Nico.

Feli is taking this photoshoot very seriously.

I swear, the first thing that popped into my head with this picture was "Baywatch".

We start with Nando and we close with Nando.
Hubba hubba and all that.

But, okay, so you got all of these men... but no Rafa. Epic fail.

Thanks to GreatTennisPhotos for the links!