I Would Like To Recommence Posting With A Bang

So to speak.

Here be the draw for Montreal, if you haven't seen it.

It's not the easiest draw for Rafa, but I'd say that for everyone else in the tournament since 19 of the top 20 is participating.  I'd like to say it's 20/20 because Marat is playing, but that's me talking, and none of you are here to read my ramblings are you? Rafa pics are enough. Nalby is the only withdrawal because of the hip surgery he had in May. Ooops, are we looking at the second Lleyton Hewitt? Blonde, wonky hip, looks like he can do you terrible violence... No?

There have been reports of Rafa's knees still in the dregs, as seen in his practice. I am determined to hold back my frazzle until I see him on court.  Tio Tony is playing down his chances, but well, when does he not do that anyways?

“I don’t think Rafa will be in very good form,” Toni said. “He’s been training well but without forcing things. The goal is to gradually pick up form for the US Open.”

My expectations is simply set to non-existent. Because at this point, we don't know shite about how well he can play. Oh and, not to be the bearer of bad news or anything, but if Rafa loses in the early rounds and Andy Murray reaches the semis, our lovely Spaniard may very well lose the number 2 ranking. Breathe people, breathe.

Apologies if my posts will be boring for a few days - I fear I may need to find my posting legs again.

Au Revoir, Mathieu.

Mathieu Montcourt died today.

He was found dead at the stairwell to his Paris apartment by his girlfriend. Cause of death is not yet known but autopsy will be performed. There is a rumor spreading that he suffered a pulmonary embolism.

He was 24.

Rafa issued a statement regarding Mathieu's death earlier today:

MON AMI MATHIEU MONTCOURT

Manacor, Spain - July 7th 2009

This morning I woke up with one of the worst news anyone can receive. I heard about the death of our friend Mathieu Montcourt. I am still under shock for this. I can't believe it.

I knew Mathieu since we were kids. We competed together at all the events at an international level there is since you are a kid: Les Petit As, Copa Borotta, etc. and of course afterwards once becoming professionals,.

When someone like this disappears, when something like this happens, you really know where we are and the relativeness of winning or losing a tennis match, of not competing at an event or anything else. This is the loss of a guy who was only 24 and that was sports person. He won't be playing with us again.

I would like to send my most deep and sincere condolences to his family, to his friends and to the French fans.

Mathieu, Rest in peace.

Rafa Nadal

We will remember you. Rest in peace.

A Gaggle Of Wimbledon Talks

Here are a few articles about whose chances are what in Wimbledon, and what others are saying about The Holy Knees.

The Ginge Hotness (a.k.a Andy Murray) thinks Rafa will play at Wimby while he himself is shouldering quite a bit of pressure.

Nadal is struggling with knee tendonitis which could still force him to miss Wimbledon, but Murray believes the Spaniard will play and be a major contender.

"I'd be surprised if he didn't. I mean, I'm sure his knees are not good but he likes to play a lot," Murray said.

"I think he'll come into Wimbledon with not as much match practice but with the same belief that he can win the tournament."

Murray will shoulder the burden of being the only Briton with a chance of ending the 73-year wait for a home winner at Wimbledon but he is keen to play down expectations.

On the other hand, The Ginge has support in the form of a fellow Brit.

TIM Henman believes it will take "one hell of a performance" for anyone to deny Andy Murray the Wimbledon title this year.

The former British No 1 still rates Roger Federer as favourite for the title and he is confident that injured Spaniard Rafael Nadal will be fit to defend his crown. But Murray, who won his first grass-court match 6-1, 6-4 against Andreas Seppi at Queen's yesterday, boasts a 6-2 career record over Federer and he has beaten Nadal twice in the last year, including the US Open semi-final.

Andy Roddick has been doing everything right lately, from donning pink glitter hats to saying really nice things.

"I'm certainly not going to underestimate Rafa. I think he's going to be there. I think he's going to be fine, and I think he's going to put forth all the effort he has. He's certainly proven that in the past", said Roddick.

The 26-year-old American said he's played with the problem "for years and years and years and years".

"Rafa has had knee tendinitis for a long time and he's won Grand Slams while he's had it", said the Roddick, chasing a fifth career title at Queen's club.

Roddick speaks with experience on the tendinitis which he and Nadal must both deal with. "There is a positive side for Rafa: it's uncomfortable and it's painful, but it's not something that's going to be a career threatening injury if you play on it. It's kind of a fancy term for overuse".

The great Federer agrees with everyone, that Rafa will play and all this knee talk is just pish-posh.

Federer said Monday he didn’t think Nadal’s knee injury will keep him out of Wimbledon, no matter what doom-and-gloom coach Toni Nadal says, and even though Nadal was in Barcelona Monday for two days of tests on his knee.

He pointed out Nadal’s knees weren’t wrapped in Paris — but they haven’t been wrapped all season.

Albeit, amidst all the chirps, this one says it best:

Wimbledon starts in less than two weeks. Forget history; bring on the next Federer-Nadal affaires d'honneur.

Vamos!

ROME: Rafa Rolls On To Final, Contributed To Global Warming.

Rafa won 63, 63 over Gonzo and is in the final of Rome. The King of Smurfs is waiting for him there.

I just have a few things to get off my bosom before I talk about the semifinal match.

Honey, you can hide behind a building and we're pretty sure we'll know it's you. A mere towel? Pffft.

He must've had a lot. Of sweat. I'm sure the Rafanatics are willing to help wipe it, no?

Not sure if he should feeling so victorious after contributing to global warming, but - what am I talking about?! Good job, Rafa!

See, even Gonzo can't resist. If that's not gooey eyes he was giving Rafa, I don't know what is.

Okay, really, about the match. I missed it so I can't help with post-match thoughts, but looking at the scoreline made me wish that Pico was there instead of Gonzo. I think he'd give a better fight, but that's just me.

Now, WIN THE DARN THING, RAFA. All the titles on clay this year is yours. Maybe I'm biased, but hell, this is my blog, where else do I go to lose my mind in Rafabsession? Djoko is definitely in form, so I'm sure it'll be a fight, but they don't call him El Toro for nothing, no? Vamos!

VIDEO: Let's Talk Cars, ATP Boys.

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.818330&w=425&h=350&fv=]

So this was a very important video for me, as I've got a thing for cars. I know right? I like pink, what the hell am I doing with cars? I don't know. It just is.

Rafa's answer was a little disappointing, but what a smile! The giggling was infectious. And how did I know Nando was gonna say Audi R8?? It's so flashy! So him. And is it just me or does Nalby has an american accent? Ginge is so British with his choice. Frick. I have to stop watching Top Gear.

Enjoy!

video via GoToTennis

ROME: Semis, Here Comes Rafa.

Rafa won 63, 63 over Nando in Rome. To his credit, The Hawk gave it his all and then some, even causing his knee to go bad again and calling the physio, and made me wish that physio was yours truly. Ah, the wonderful world of ATP trainers. There's nothing else like it, is there?

Not sure what Rafa is so surprised about in this picture. Really, all I can think of is, Eyebrows! and, Chocolate Eyes!

Despite some negative body language from Nando, for most of the match he looked quietly confident, and he made Rafa werq! today. I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I like him as a person and for him to ascend in play and rankings makes me feel good. On the other, there is that something about him that is just difficult for Rafa to shake off. I know, the scoreline doesn't say much, but most of the games in the second set went to deuce many times. One game in particular was more than 8 minutes long. That game probably caused Nando to call the trainer and go "ooh aah ouch" on tv and made me fan myself, and that kinda worried me a bit. This happened at AO - although that one was very understandable, I mean 5 hours? Peel me off the court already - and then the match with Ginge in IW/Miami (can't remember which) he called the trainer too, and I'm not sure if he played badly because of the bad knee or he called the trainer because he was playing badly. Oh boy, I think I just confused myself. My point is, he probably needs to lose a few pounds as whatever the problem is, all those muscles are not helping. I suggest he get himself a Yorkshire Terrier, as it really worked for me in losing weight. Just sayin'.

Other matches of the day results in no upsets. Well, for most people at least. Me, I'm quite upset of my Freaky Tall (tm Miri) losing to the King of Smurfs, but that's just me. Roger needed to scramble up a tiebreak to  put away Mischa Zverev, but after that it went pretty smooth. Shame, as Mischa is preeeeetteeeeh. He also had a beaut of a one handed backhand, and he was rocking that BH volley most of the first set. Shame.

I just don't understand the gangsta necklace. Is it coming back in style? And what is it about Argentines that makes them so hairy:

I'm not sure if it's a turn on or a turn off, but since I'd still hit it, I'm guessing it's more the former than latter.

So tomorrow, Roger vs Djoko starting at 1.30 PM, and Rafa vs Gonzo or Monaco at 4.

ROME: Shirtless Rafa Video. Because.

DON'T say I don't deliver.

Thanks Stella!

ROME: Rafa Proves That His Is Bigger Than The Sod's

Rafa won (duh) against Dear Sod, 61 60. Wha..? His name is not the Sod? Well, this is a Rafa Nadal blog, so too bad so sad, pass the gravy.

And just to satisfy the drama queen in all of us, Rob had a little exchange with the umpire about a linecall. The match was quite satisfying because, well... Rafa did squash him like a bug. Wha..? What do you mean I'm laughing my arse off? I feel bad for him, really I do. *snicker*

I really like this picture because it looks like he is about to bitchslap someone. No, I don't know who.

Okay, can you totally tell I LOVED the match? It was fantastic. Rafa's got his game face on from the second he stepped on court, and Dear Sod justified my dislike for him by giving Rafa a really nasty handshake - Rafa had to lean quite far into the other side of the net. Yes, what a gentleman. I can't find a really unflattering picture of him, so I won't post a pic of Dear Sod. Yes, I know,we're so missing some things in life by not looking at his face anymore than we have to. Sucks, eh? 

Tomorrow Rafa is going against Nando. Juan Monaco going against Gonzo, Potro against the King of Smurfs, and Roger vs Mischa Zverev, who dispatched Gilles Simon in straight sets. I may have jinxed Gilly in my earlier post. Sorry, babe. Rafa vs Nando has its potential.. if it's on the hardcourts. Alas, this is clay, yes? I can't stop saying that. 

For those of you who has no clue of the reason of this hoo haa against Dear Sod, here's a little video to remind/inform you. Thanks Diane for the link.

And an article that called everything pretty much fairly:

Nadal, Soderling get under each other's skin.

Don't say I don't deliver.

 

ROME: It's Been A Weird, Weird Week.

Richard Gasquet won over his compatriot Tsonga, *and* Curly Gulbis. Like, huh? Gilles Simon finally got a few matches under his belt following his double defeats during the Davis Cup, and Ginge is out on his first match. Although it was against Juan Monaco, so I can't exactly whine about this. But it still has some weirdness about the whole thing.

Thank God Rafa is still King, and Marat still losing. Marat blew his 62, 54 lead to lose to (my current crush) Tommy. I'm thinking hey should make it illegal for Marat to play already. All those broken hearts of tennis fans amongst the globe is just not healthy.

Oh, some weirdness still coming today: Rafa is going against Robin Soderling. I feel dirty just writing this guy's full name, like I've tainted my pristine white, innocently naive blog or something. Anyways, I'm SO up for some Sod trashing. Pass the popcorn.

Yes, I'm totally trying to seek forgiveness for my absence by posting Rafa and his envy-inducing facial skin. Is it working?

Rafa Brings Home ATP Player Of The Year Award

Is there any award in sports that he hasn't received yet?

ATP board member Zeljko Franulovic presentedRafael Nadal with the 2008 ATP Player of the Year Award during La Grande Nuit du Tennis of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Friday night.

The prestigious award was bestowed on the 22-year-old Nadal after an exceptional 2008 season. The Mallorca native was the first Spaniard to be crowned ATP World Tour champion after becoming the first left-hander to finish No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings since John McEnroe in 1984.

The Manacor resident became the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles in the same year and led the ATP World Tour season with eight tour-level titles in total and 82 match wins. He also helped Spain to the Davis Cup title by winning all three of his matches during the year.

Source

Pic by CorinneDubreuil.com

MONTE CARLO: Ljubi Might Be Top 5 Once, But Rafa Is Top Gun Nowadays

Rafa wins comfortably (and looking it, too) 63, 63.

71% first serve, 9 winners, 13 errors to Ljubi's 13/31. The double fault surprised me, as it does everytime he does.



Ljubi played well, but as you can see from the stats, the UE's are his downfall. Too many nets, too many screwed forehands/backhands. Mind you, he does have a great one handed backhand, but today it nets or just full-on missed.

Rafa went for good groundstrokes and great movements. The rest is history. It *is* clay. I'd like to say that Rafa can win most matches on clay with one hand and one leg tied behind his back, but I know I'm terribly biased.

Wait - maybe I'm not  after all:

See? He even finds time to pose:

So much win, you guys.

Other scores of the day so far:

[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [7] F Verdasco (ESP) 62 46 63
13] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [Q] A Beck (GER) 62 64

Up next is Ginge vs Kolya. I'm so hoping Ginge will win, but with Kolya, I'm not so sure, Ginge is lacking some hotness in his matches. But I'm still taking off my panties and twirling it in the air for him.

Rafa will face whoever wins the Ginge/Kolya match. But baby, baby, is he en fuego or what.

How Many Accents Can You Say "Gladiator" In?

ATP rocks. Just sayin'.

The players were asked about their favorite movies, and the answers.. well they're great.

Aside from Rafa's. Honey, how much does it take for you to just name one favorite?

I like the word "gladiator" in French ala Tsonga. But Potro's is not bad too.

His soft voice do me in everytime.

via Down The Line!

WADA Is A Naggy Girlfriend

Rafa is severely unhappy, to say the least, with the new anti-doping policy from the World Anti-Doping Agency that went into force on January the 1st.

The Spaniard is outraged about a rule that forces high-performance sportsmen to say where they are going to be for an hour each day, 365 days a year.

Damn right he should be. Anyone would.

If a sportsperson cannot be found where they said they would be three times in an 18-month period, he or she is considered to have violated anti-doping regulations and is liable for sanctions.

<snip>

He has already had a visit from anti-doping agents at his home on the Spanish island of Mallorca, at 8am on a Saturday. He had just had a night out with his friends.

I remember the first time I heard/read of this. I rolled my eyes so hard I could see the back of my skull. And they seem to think it's an easy thing to do, notifying a stranger --an organization of strangers!-- where you are going to be at a certain hour each day for one year. 

 

WADA claims that recent changes in rules - which used to demand that sportsmen be available for tests in this way only out of season - were intended to make things easier for sportsmen. Now they are only required to report their location one hour per day, and not for the whole day.

Every time you want to go somewhere, FOR A WHOLE YEAR, you have to whip out your phone and inform them. If you, say, oh, forgot to do it like most humans would, tough luck. 

Stuart Miller, the head of the anti-doping programme of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), said this should not be a problem.

'Except for the notion that if you provide information about your whereabouts on a quarterly basis, it's possible your plans might change,' was quoted as saying in the daily USA Today.

In that case, he stressed, players can notify the relevant authorities by e-mail, text message or even fax.

Oh, it's even better. Everyday you wanna go out, anywhere, you can easily whip out your phone/pda/fax machine and contact WADA.

Seriously, WHO are making these rules? I just can't get my head around it. It's like having a girlfriend, boyfriend, mother and father rolled into one.

For a private person like Rafa it must be a chafing chore. Sure, he is a player well known for his stamina. But Federer kept up with him in that epic Wimby final. We don't hear WADA paying Roger a visit at 8am on a Saturday morning. Rafa's under suspicion because he has muscles and his style of play is grueling. What. A load. Of crock. He can't help having a divine body, okay?

What if his football player friends (I refuse to call it soccer okay? it's football) invites him for a night out with strippers? What if he wants to meet up with Rafanatics behind Xisca's back?? I am a homebody, and even I balk at the thought of such restrictions.

What say you, Rafanatics?