MONTE CARLO: Rafa's 2nd Round Presser

For those of you who didn't watch the match, notice anything different from Rafa? Ignore the totally delish pose and look down. No, lower.

No? Answer:

Q. You don't play anymore with the straps on the knees?
RAFAEL NADAL: You never know. Maybe tomorrow I gonna put another time. We think about to take out for a while. We gonna see what's happen. So for the moment it's okay. So I happy for that.

Q. Do you remember when it was when you played without them the last time?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I think last year here I played without against Ferrer. And before I don't know. One year.

Q. Does it make a difference?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I have to try more matches than one, no?

Here's the presser.

MONTE CARLO: 2nd Round Post Match Interviews; Rafa & Uncle Tony

All thanks to GOTOTENNIS!

Lord knows I'm so not trilingual, so here's the translation FreakyFrites managed to glean from the video.

On Rafa’s 6-2, 6-3 victory over Chela today: “Rafa didn’t play that great but for the first day, it’s okay. . .It wasn’t easy. Chela is always a tough player. But still, Rafa didn’t play that well.”

If he had a preference for Rafa’s next opponent, either Lapentti or Safin:  “I never prepare him for one player because you never know.”

Interviewer: “So far this season, Rafael has been more offensive - playing more in the court.  Is this something you want him to do also on the clay?”

Toni Nadal:  “We try each year to be a little more like this. Last year was a good year for us because he played well in Wimbledon and Queens and this year, as well, in Australia. But the change onto the clay is hard. . .but it’s always good for him to play more aggressive.”

Then they show Rafa playing in Monte Carlo in 2003. Don’t really say much about it except it’s “Baby Rafa.”

In closing, the interviewer asks Uncle Toni if Rafa will win his 5th title in Monte Carlo this week.

Uncle Toni: “It’s always easier to lose than to win. . . I think he has a small chance to win it!”

Firstly, I'm shocked that Rafa can understand English questions put forward with such thick French accent, when he always looks terribly lost with clean, no fuss American accents during pressers. Secondly, Uncle Tony speaks French?! He just got about 10 degrees hotter. That is celcius degrees btw.

MONTE CARLO: Rafa Through To 3rd

Rafa won 2 and 3 against Chela. Tell me, why does his headband never stays put anymore?



Have to say I'm not terribly impressed with his play, or any play in Monte Carlo so far. Ginge got through but not looking terribly unbeatable. Roger won but Seppi was keeping up with him two for two most of the time. And wtf was up with the Frenchies going down like flies in first round?

Eventhough Rafa didn't look very convincing today,  the headlines are irritating me to no end. Yahoo says "Rafa wins, but his performance belied a bit of rust". Yeah whatever guys.

I really.

Don't.

Care.

Do you?

Oh, to you Rafiscanatics, yes, Xisca is in Monte Carlo. Along with Maribel and Rafa's mom. Will try look for pictures, but no promises.

Les Mousquetaires: Too Charming To Pass Up

WARNING: NOT a Rafa post. Repeat, NOT a Rafa post.

But I just can't not post this.

So here it is,  Les Mousquetaires: Simon, Monfils, Tsonga and Reeshard.

I have to thank Lils for this one.

What About The French That Brings Smiles To Rafa?

So LaMonf is out by Tipsy (????), Simon followed along, Chardy is probably back in France right now and Mathieu? Meh.

The frenchies are not winning matches, but they sure can interview.

I didn't understand a word of this but I liked his smile.

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Question: Do you remember when you broke a racquet yourself last time? Have you by any chance also gotten married the last weekend?

Rafa: I never broke a racquet. That's the first thing. You never know in the future. Hopefully not. And, yes, I am thinking about that, be married and be father right now for the next years.

Best Nike Commercial. Like, Ever. (UPDATED)

Just watch.

There are no words.

Well, maybe three.

Nike fucking rocks.

Thanks to Stella who posted this somewhere cool!

UPDATE: The making of video.

MONTE CARLO: Launch Party (UPDATED: Video)

3 days outta the loop and Monte Carlo started without me. Life's so not fair.

So here it is, guys, the mess that is the Monte Carlo launch party.

Oh my Lord, Rafa. I'm quite speechless here. Is that your father's jacket? Your Uncle Tony's? Tio Miguel? Costa's?

WHOSE IS IT?? YOU'RE KILLING ME. Get thee to a tailor, stat. Do not torture me so, I beg of you.

See Ginge? He's not trying too hard. Fitting jacket, brushed curls, scary snaggleteeth, but nice smile.

Dare I say Nando looks quite.. hittable here? Oh, Nando. If only you keep it in your pants more often.

Nole, I think I have a jacket almost exactly like that. I don't know if it doesn't bode well for me, you, or both of us. Your gf's very cute though.

Beautiful man. Terrible dress sense. That's all. I'd totally hit it though.

UPDATE: Video