BARCELONA OPEN: Pool Toss!!

How fun does that look??

Thanks Miri!

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.

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.

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

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)

BARCELONA OPEN: This Is Not The Hardcourts, Gil.

Rafa won easy over Gil Frederico in Barcelona yesterday, 62, 62.



If we look back at Miami, Rafa had some trouble putting Gil away in the first set of their match on the third round. But alas, this is clay, yes?

I caught a bit of the match and all I could remember was Rafa workin' his thang and Gil falling all over the place trying to get to the ball. There were a couple of good balls from Gil, vicious pace and great placing, but again, this is clay, yes? Oh yeah, he's still wearing that ridiculously short shirt. 

I don't know. Maybe it's not that short, but he just looks funny in it.

Next up for Rafa is Rochus, who swept Richard Gasquet out of the draw, but to be honest, who can't do that nowadays? If Nico Almagro somehow gets past Nalby, it'd be interesting to see if he has made some kind of improvement over the last year, how he measures against Rafa. Their last meeting was in last year's French Open. From the other quarter, I want Kolya and Wawa to battle it out and the winner to meet Rafa in the semi, but as much as I adore Wawa I want Kolya to go forth. Firstly, he deserves as much and secondly, Rafa deserves a challenging opponent. Everyone else seems such a walkover.

Right, serious stuff (ha!) done, let's bring on the picture, yes?

No Wonder He's Winning All The Time.

If this is the kind of power he weilds on court, I'm not surprised. I mean, telekinesis? Even Bjorn didn't have that.

See, he's controlling it with his eyes!

I wonder if it's just the camera filter (is there such a thing? I know shite of photography) or his skin is actually as smooth as that. It bugs me so much when I see a guy with better skin/hair than me. *shakes fist*

Rafa practicing during Barcelona Open day one. God bless white shorts. They just mold like nothing else.

"Bet You Can't Win Wimby With This, Biceps Boy."

Here's Manolo Santana and our very own Rafael Nadal holding a racquet used by Manolo the year he won Wimby during an event for Rafa's foundation on the 21st of April.

Boy, that racquet is decrepit and an antique. And is it just me or that racquet is longer than the ones they use nowadays? I'm too lazy to do research about this, but if no one answers me I will probably do it. Damn me and my sense of curiosity. Come on guys, take pity on a sick girl here.

Red on Rafa = one hot Spanish hunk.

And everytime I read/hear/see this guy's name I unconsciously tack on "Blahnik" behind it. Am I rambling? As if that's not all I do in this blog!