Kneesgate Update

Rafa's team needs to find a way to anounce they're going to announce something without making people worrying all the damned day. I was *this* close to chugging my mom's 30 year old red vintage.

From rafaelnadal.com:

Rafa Nadal underwent further medical tests today in Barcelona. He is slowly recovering from his injury and will resume practice next Monday July 20th. He will back in action in Montreal where he is defending champion.

Rafa travelled to Barcelona yesterday and underwent medical exams to see the evolution of the insertion tendinitis of both Quadricipitals Tendons through an MRI and radiography under the supervision of his doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro.

Also, Benito? Stop using google as translator, because "evolution of injury" makes people think of bad, bad things. Like the injury has evolved into a more advanced injury, and that is never good in the world of fandom. The word you're looking for is "development". I'm always available to be a translator for your time. I will not require payment, only time alone with Rafa 15 minutes every day. I don't think that's too much to ask.

Please don't think I am ungracious for the update. I am very grateful that you're involving us almost every step of the way. The announcement just didn't need that much sense of occasion.

Maybe I need to chug that vintage after all.

Wimbledon: Press Conference Videos

I kinda wish the news would just STOPOMGSTOPPLEASE but such is the power of the media and I can't help posting them.

Videos via Nadal News, by mirsasha at youtube.

Wimbledon: Rafa Will Not Play

Word is just out from @wimbledon in twitter. Rafa is not going to play Wimbledon this year.

The conference is still going on right now. He is speaking in Spanish for much of it.

He has been quoted saying:

"To not play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career."

"Sportsman always play with pain. You really don't know where the limit is."

"I have some time to recover and will work very hard to return as soon as possible."

Excuse me while I take a moment for myself. Hopefully this will get him the rest he so badly needs and do well on the hardcourts season. I will be posting the presser transcript when it's up.

I know this was probably happening, and I even hoped that he wouldn't play if he was just gonna crash out, but I didn't realize it would feel like I've been struck with a bullet. I know it's silly to be emotional over someone I don't know and will probably never meet but that is what I feel.

What a terrible day.

UPDATED: full article from Wimbledon official site.

Rafael Nadal has announced he will not defend his Wimbledon title.

The world number one and top seed had said after the French Open that he would not play Wimbledon if he was not 100% and so it has come to pass.

"I’m here and I'm just not 100%. I'm better than what I was a couple of weeks ago but I don’t feel right," Nadal told a packed press conference on Friday evening at the All England Club.

"To not play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career."

After suffering a shock defeat in the French Open to Robin Soderling, Nadal received treatment on his knees in Barcelona and skipped the tradition Wimbledon warm-up at Queen’s in an effort to be fit for The Championships. He was diagnosed with tendinitis in both quadriceps tendons as well as a small amount of fluid on the kneecaps.

"I tried everything. I didn't feel terrible but also not close to my best. When I enter a tournament my goal is winning and my feeling right now is I'm not ready to win.

"It's very painful for me but I can't play at the tournament this year. It's tough but it is what it is."

Nadal's absence will cause a reshuffle in the men’s singles draw. Nadal's place will be taken by fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro's place will be taken by the 17th seed James Blake. Blake's place will be taken by Jose Arguso of Argentina and a lucky loser will fill Arguso's spot.

Nadal revealed that he had been playing with considerable pain and he didn't know how long he would be out of tennis. But he said he expected to fully recover from his knee problems and that he would have a "long career".

"I played with some problems on the on the knee for the last few months. I've been making efforts to play week after week. The truth is that sportsmen always play with pain and don't know where the limit is, where you can get to. I think I reached that limit now.

"I will work very hard to comeback as soon as possible. One of the problems is I’m thinking more about the knees than what is happening on court and it’s very difficult to play like that."

When Nadal was asked about his many fans and how disappointed they would be that he was not appearing at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old replied: "no more than me".

Nadal also said he was not concerned that his absence would open the door for Roger Federer to reclaim the number one world ranking. "If I lose the number one ranking I’m going to accept it like the four years I was number two and work hard to improve and recover."

Rafa Knees Alert: Caution, Might Cause Extreme Distress For Rafanatics

Today at the exhibition match at the Hurlingham Club in London, Rafa lost 46, 36 to Leyton Hewitt.

Now, I do not care who he lost to or how. What worries me is what this article says:

Rafael Nadal still looked hampered by his injured knees in an unsuccessful transition to grass Thursday and will decide Friday whether he is fit enough to defend his Wimbledon title.

Nadal played without tape on his sore knees but frequently looked a step slow in losing 6-4, 6-3 to Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match at the Hurlingham Club in London.

I wonder if something is lost in translation (oh I sure hope so) but apparently Uncle Tony said this:

"It's the first match (on grass), and we'll have to wait until tomorrow," Toni Nadal said. "I don't know. We'll have to wait until tomorrow, and we'll see then."

When pressed about Nadal's chances of playing at Wimbledon, his coach did not sound optimistic.

"If it's me, I'm (flying) to Mallorca," he said, referring to the island Nadal grew up on.

Right, so Tio Tony said he would go home if he's Rafa. I'm not panicking. I swear. I just need a bottle of Prozac or Valium or someone to knock me out until we hear official word whether he's playing Wimbledon or not.

Picture via skyejaden

The good news is that he looks like a bronze statue came to life in that white Wimbledon outfit (yes, that is what he will wear if he plays), and his shirt sticks to him like white on rice. The bad news? We might not get the chance to see Rafa working that outfit in Wimbledon.

Article via Nadal News

Will He Play.. Will He Not.

Some say aye.

Rafael Nadal, world number one in tennis, announced that the next 16 days traveling to London with the intention of defending his title at Wimbledon, in the light of the results of medical tests that have been subjected for two days in Barcelona.

"I will give 200% to 100% can be the most important tennis tournament and the world that always made me dream. Not leave any track, much less central to Wimbledon to see what happens, if I know that I leave at 100%, "said on its website.

Some say, maybe.

Seriously guys, waiting for news is tiring. Please just decide if he plays or not. I can't take it much longer. Btw, his official site has crashed from agonized people like me, looking for some word.

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

Is This Stalking Or Just Paparazzi Madness?

Seems like someone can't even take time off without being dogged by spectators and cameras. It's insane. I know he's famous and all but, if I was him I'd have smacked someone by now. Interviews, interviews, more interviews. It's even more annoying to me because I can't understand shite of what he's saying.



Do any other tennista get the same treatment from the media?

Rafa Might Deign The Third World With His Presence

Rafa has been invited to Thailand Open, and the president of Thai's Tennis Association said that the organizers have talked to Rafa and so far so good.

From Bangkok Post:

"We told his manager Nadal has never been to Thailand so we want him to come here for a 'vacation'," Suwat said.

"His manager said Nadal will tell us about his decision in two weeks' time."

Whoa. How much are the tickets to Thailand again? And what or who can I sell to acquire it?

Let's see, I have:

1. One kidney I can afford to lose


2. One Fendi bag from 2002


3. Two pooches that are eating me out of house and home


4. One fifth generation iPod


5. A whole load of hair to be made into a wig

If I sell all of that, will it be enough to secure a ticket and accommodation? One way tix is fine, and I can live on instant noodles the whole time. Because:

Rafa

+

A place close enough for me to travel

=

Once in a lifetime chance

I think I have a friend in the Thailand embassy. Kit, may I crash at your place? 

*Phi Phi Island image from jorgetutor.com

Roger & Mirka Are Expecting!

From Roger's official site:

O. M. G.

Congrats you guys!!! 

Thanks to neil in toronto for the tip!

 

*To Rafanatics: yes, I know, two Roger posts in a day. Sorry. Too exciting not to share. Rafaservice will resume shortly.

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

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.

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!"

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.

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.

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

This Guy's Not Playing Around

It's not enough that he's currently the number one tennis player in the world and some hails him as one of the best ever played. He also has a body that turns most women's (and men's) knees weak. He's down to earth and humble. He consoled his rival on the podium. Now he reads to children.

Did you get that?

HE READS. TO CHILDREN, PEOPLE.





Where's Benito? I'm going to do things to you, Benito, painful things, because you do this to me. I don't even want children for god's sakes, and yet you make me squeee at Rafa being all perfect. I'm done, Rafanatics, done. He must have some kind of flaw that will put out this flame I've got going for him. Give me something, dammit!

*via Nadal News

GAH

These pictures makes me soooo angry.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="366" caption="First the right cheek..."][/caption]

Watching the video was not so bad. I went "holy shit" and didn't think much about it. But the pictures somehow makes me cringe and wince.

Yeah yeah, I know I molest the man verbally if nothing else, and that's the point of this blog, but to see it happening to him in real life just turns my stomach. I know the difference between fantasy and reality. Woman, you bring a bad image to the Rafanatics.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="...then the left."][/caption]

If I was Xisca, I'd be furious. Because what this.. this little &*%$#*@!! did was intrusion of privacy and sexual harassment.

And encroachment on private property. And trespassing. Who's a lawyer? Come on, back me up here.

*images via DownTheLine and ATP tennis photos.

Rafa Still Doesn't Like Hard Courts (well, not the schedules anyways)

Winning a grand slam trophy on it doesn't mean he's okay with the current hard courts' schedule by ATP.

 

"This calendar I am playing with this surface — hard court surface — is tougher than grass or clay for the body, and all the time we are playing more on this surface," said Nadal.

"In my humble opinion, we have to change that a bit more," the Spaniard said. "I can say that because I won a grand slam on hard (courts)."

Nadal, 22, has previously won four Grand Slams on the French Open clay courts, as well as Wimbledon on grass last year.

"Before if I say that, a lot of people think 'He wants to change because he's a clay player.' But believe me, I don't think anything about if I am a clay court player or not.

"When I say this, I think about the best for the players and for the future. It's not possible to have a lot of injuries on tour like this. So we have to try to change something."

Many are saying he should put up with it like the rest, that he complains too much about the situation.

As for me, I think he deserves his say. What say you, Rafanatics?

Source.

"Was A Lot Of Run Today..."

Rafa's post match interview on ESPN.

Take a minute and watch it. That point on the 4th set was the point of the match. Simply incredible. Sliding around like it's on clay. 

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.2037867&w=425&h=350&fv=]

Is his English getting better? I'm conflicted about that. Okay, no, I don't like it. I like him accented and speaking confused english. Adorable. And he actually looks like he's just in from a hard day's work, what with the stubbles and all.

Nabbed via Nadal News, because Miri is a cyborg and she finds great things like it just comes running to her.