Rafatennis Part III - We're all going on a summer holiday

First topic message reminder :

That’s the game: sometimes you win; sometimes you lose

Least said, soonest mended eh?

So we break up for our summer holidays and reflect on Rafa's half-year success that in any other season would be world-beating – a slam, a masters, a 500, another Wimbledon final and 4 other masters finals. Not Wimbledon Champion, not World No 1, but still leading every other player (other than he who must not be named) by a country mile.

Now is the time for mid-season conditioning, running repairs and riding around on a jet-ski in the Mediterranean. While I have used up nearly all my annual leave and have to start putting in the hard work <doom>. I know what I'd rather be doing.

The Montreal Masters starts on 8 August so we can reconvene in a mere 5 weeks and let's hope for more of the same…and Rafa – next time you win the toss against Djokovic – please choose to serve first, noh?

Vamos!

Well done Roger.....really good match, and experience paid off. But you have to say Djoko's huge run had to come to an end soon.

Its the difference between playing a weekly tourny and a slam....totally different animals, and whatever happens on Sunday, Rafa and Roger have masses of experience to call on.

What a fantastic match. I started to doubt Roger in the 4th and reckoned if he lost that then Novak would come back tomorrow and win easily.

Great match by both guys

Whilst I would have loved Rafa to have been the one to break 'The Streak' it's almost fitting that it should be Fed. Not sure why I think that though. Maybe the irony of Roger protecting the ranking of the guy who knocked him off the top spot.

Does Rafa stay no. 1 even if he loses in the final?

I don't think so Cats. I think he has to win to keep hold of it.

But he still IS the Number 1 player in the World!! Going for his 6th French Open.

What an amazing day of tennis. VAMOS RAFA!!!

It's days like this that makes me realise why I love this game sooooo much

I thought he kept it a long as he made the final and Djoko didn't - where is Stealth when you need him?

But who cares! He IS still no. 1, he's in the final and it's his birthday. Life is good

Some great tennis, not up to best from either player but I think both are to be congratulated, though Murray will just now, be feeling rather disappointed.

When he thinks that his tournament was nearly over a few matches ago, and that he has not played to his highest level, it's a good accomplishment.

Nadal, has shown his quality. Playing well below form, he scrapped and fought, and now he's in the final. Two months ago, anything less thana win, for me, woudl have been a failure, but now, whatever happens, I feel that it's OK. To lose before semis is a dreaful failure for someone of his quality unless there's an injury or extenuating circumstances, so this is great.

Just finished the other semi, and whilst it was a battle, and could have turned on a dime, I have felt from Day 1, that Federer would be the one to take Djokovic out in the semis - so well done Federer! Great match, held his nerve and went for it.

Now we have Nadal v Federer V - having had a "break" of two years, down to the Soderling "interruption!

Nadal will have to turn it up a level or two for this final, and I think Roger is playing well and more importantly, believes he belongs here and has more than enough belief to win. Perhaps more than in his "heyday," with what's been going on with Rafa as of late.

Kind of strange to think that having made the final in his last 7 tournaments, that he could be on the precipice of losing his World No 1 ranking; problem is four of those final losses have all been to the Serbinator!

It will now be interesting to see how Djokovic does inthe grass court "run."

I think he won't necessarily run up another big "loss free" run, but he's definitely "arrived," interms of his matured game, and "presence" in the Men's Game.

So we have a Day to enjoy a quite eclectic Women's Final, and then comes Nadal v Federer V at Roland Garros!! What a treat, so many people thought we would never see this, but here we are!

Great match from Roger! My dad in shock that I cheered for the Fed.
Hoping now for a great final. -and a Rafa win, obviously.

World No 1 ranking....Nadal MUST WIN and Djokovic NOT make the final, for Nadal to continue next Monday as World No 1.

If Nadal loses the final, Djokovic still "ascends" that particular "Throne!"

So Federer has stopped Djokovic for two days, but can also put him back there in two more days!

Rafa doesn't give a hoo-haa about that ranking right now - he wants his 6th French Open, and 10th Major Singles title. The rannking will come with the biggest of titles.

Just a turn of numbers that having reached all TMS finals this season, Nadal is still that close to losing. But it goes to show that, with Nadal holding three majors, he could have already lost that ranking, had Djokovic made the final. Shows how amazing Djokovic has been, and how high Nadal's point count had been, for his to still be nearly No 2, having made all those finals in TMS events.

To have beaten Djokovic in final, thus holding 3 Major singles titles and yet, he World No 2 - it's kind of the opposite of the conundrum that the Women's game is having right now.

Anyway, today's "work" is done. Let's enjoy Schiavone v Li tomorrow, and then with baited breath, await Sunday's battle!

Vamos Rafa!

Dresdten to the rescue. Yup, Rafa needs to win to maintain a small lead at the top.

So, who do we want to win the women's final. I'm going for Li Na (Na Li?). I really like her game and she's got a great personality. Having said that, won't be devastated if Franny wins again, another great player and character.

Angie I think millions of Rafa fans worldwide were cheering for Roger tonight

Evening again all lovely Rafateers!!

And welcome back ylopomonom Great to have you and purplerain on here to chat too because there's so much excitement over the next few weeks. Lovely posts.

Indeed ... what a treat is in store for us with Sunday's final, and yet another final this year for Rafa. Look, I don't hide that I've not been a Roger fan over the years, but I think like the old fool I am, the closer you get to a particular piece of tennis history being over, the more appreciative I feel about it. There is no doubt that Djokovic is one of the main players now, but what we saw tonight was every inch of Roger's nous and experience. All those years of tight matches and tension he drew on ... and to be honest, I never thought I would see him in another French Open final again ... yet there he is with our Rafa.

And frankly ... I fully expect it to go all the way. I think the good thing about Rafa is that he would never, ever be complacent about Roger, regardless of his record against him. Feds has been playing so well this tournament and Rafa not so, but what the hell ... its all bets off now and I fully expect to be feeling sicker than I have in a long while on Sunday.

I just hope with all hope that Rafa can make us prouder of him, if that is ever possible, by matching Borg's record and moving into double digits in Slam terms. As Denzy said, today shows why we love that game so much. To go through the mill for 3 hours watching Rafa and then mesmerized from another match that also took hours and had everything in it is fantastic. Well done to everyone today, but of course ... VAMOS RAFA!!!!

I have always enjoyed a Fedal final (like you Woofs never been much of a Fed fan) but hey I did admire him yesterday.. I didnt think he would pull that one off.. and looking at it from the selfish viewpoint I think Rafa would sooner play Roger ..Novak got to him I think over recent weeks.. I think Rafa may be more relaxed on court against Roger and hopefully rid himself completely of some of the issues that appear of late to have inhibited him and sapped his confidence. But he played well against Andy (wobbled a bit in the second) but he held on. What a great Birthday present. We know he can do it so Vamos Rafa lets have No.10

Good morning Rafateers

Little video clipof Rafa and Murray in the locker room after the match

Everyone feeling yikesy? Reading around it seems the weather forecast for Paris today is rain/showers, depending on where you look. Rats! I hope the match at least gets started on time.

Vamos Rafa!

Yes, indeed, I'm feeling very yikesy, Rafan. Half of me doesn't want to watch - just wake me up when it's all over. I will put myself through it, though and will try and remember that we can only ask that he does his best.

Good luck, Rafa. YOU CAN DO IT !!!

Hi everyone

I'm strangely calm at the moment, but that's probably due to emotional overload the past couple of days (well, actually the whole tournament really). Sure the nerves will kick in once the match starts

Who really thought after the 1st round that we would be here on the 2nd Sunday cheering our boy on?

I'm going to be banished to the bedroom (Mr C been working hard on the painting so I'll forgive him this once) so won't be on line so catch you after the match.

Good luck Rafa (sorry Roger, love you for the other day but normal service is now resumed).

Ive got a G & T lined up for any tricky moments...

Roger's going to feel the love here - any news on the Paris weather?

Come on RRRRAAAFFA!

Hi all lovely Rafateers!

Here's hoping for a good one and a Rafa victoree ...

We're all rooting for him, come on Rafa ... DO it!!! :run1:

ALLEZ RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!

(feel sick now)

Wooffie wrote:(feel sick now)

Me too, Wooffie, me too!!!

Hey guys. Watching the game. Rafa looked down and out after being 3-0 and it's amazing how he has pulled it back. I have come to this thread because of the utter nonsense being spoken on the main thread.

Hi Legend ... trouble is we all talk together on gmail during Rafa's matches to support each other so we won't be posting on here. I'm not even going to look at the match thread then. Sorry if its rubbish cos all anybody really wants is just to talk tennis. I just don't understand why there has to be all this utter claptrap that spoils it for the average tennis fan.

Thats ok Woofie. I shall try and survive on the match thread. Well played Rafa though for turning this match around. Enjoy the match

Thanks legend

Well done Rafa, so happy for the victory! There were some really tough moments when Roger stepped it up.

I just don't know what else to say! Hands up who else had a weep at the end.

Cats not quite but nearly! Still waiting for it to sink in

Thrilled for Rafa. Perhaps not the classic match, but who cares??

6 French Opens
10 Grand Slams
The Number 1

You truly are the finest of Champions and we are all so proud of you.

VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!

10 slams

That's right ... TEN.

TEN

TEN

TEN

TEN

TEN

TEN

TEN

TEN

TEN

Oh my goodness. Well done to our boy. I was so, so nervous and was swearing badly (sounded a bit like Andy M) at the Paris weather at the end of the 2nd set. Very worried at the end of the 3rd, but I really need to have more faith. He's so good at blocking out what has gone before.

Have to say Roger acted with real class today, BUT VAMOS RAFA !!!!

OMG I LUVS YAH RAFA !!!!!!

I reckon you're quite chuffed HaddieNuff....a great win indeed!

Chuffed to little pieces .... what a boy

I think getting to double digits is an amazing, amazing thing for this player who only turned 25 two days ago.

Never, ever did I believe when I first started watching him in 2005 that he would turn into the player he is, and the wonderful champion he is also.

He is, of course, a clay courter the likes of which we have only seen once before, but a 10th Slam ... absolutely outstanding!!

Bravo Rafa ... our Champion

Indeed...and infact not just a great claycourter but great tennis player all round. I remember watching him in his first televised match on Eurosport, in early 2003 when he was 16 and thinking boy this lad can play...and the commentator (think it was Petchy) said this player could be a future #1...how right they were hey? 12 months later he beat Federer on hardcourt and the tennis world knew they were witnessing something special. Bravo indeed....!

Good evening Rafateers , and visitors

Still smiling!

Have just re-watched the 4th set (having been rudely interrupted by a phone call at the time), and my goodness, didn't our boy lift his game!

What a truly great champion he is.

Cats, didn't quite weep, but pretty damn close to it!

Thank goodness a few stress-free days now, before we get to do it all again!

Quite Lydian. To watch the progression of Rafa over the years, and the work he's had to put in to be successful off clay, to win Slams on the hardcourts, and to now be matching records such as winning a Slam for the 6th time, to be a Career Grand Slam champion. Fabulous, fabulous.

Good evening all my luvverly Rafateers

What more can I say

Congratulations Rafa..... you are indeed our hero.....and we loves the bones of you

To all Rafateers...thank you all for being around oh it makes life easier

Rafateers

How about some pictures!!!

WE

LOVE

RAFA

I find it very interesting that Rafa covered himself in the Spanish flag to be photographed with the trophy. VAMOS!!

What a lovely boy ... viva España Rafa and Vamos

Lovely photos of a lovely lovely boy ...think it's just starting to sink in now.

Spanish flag eh....

Rafa

Have you seen the pictures of Rafa in the locker room afterwards? He looks absolutely done in!

No Rafan....where?

I really think he is spent you know, he's had such a hard mental time for the past 2-3 months and his run is also remarkable, since AO he's got to the final or won every event he's entered. The strain of winning FO, and by lord you felt he needed that to rescue in his own perspective his clay season, was palpable. I think winning more FOs in the future may be easier now as he's at least equalled Borg now. Plus this event has pushed him more than normal due to being out of form...I mean 5 sets to Isner? Its been a long hard slog and I wouldnt be surprised if he pulled out of Queens...but then he may want to fight for #1 and keep going...its risky entering SW19 without a grass event beforehand. He is really is one hell of a competitor...and he's able to win slams when not his best, a quality all the greats have. Bravo!

I think the boy is spent ... the locker room pictures are here and here

You can only imagine what the mental and physical exertions have been like. This has been such a tough time for Rafa.

I think he will just go to Queens and do his best, Lydian. It was only 2008 that he did things there and he's entered the doubles with Marc! so I think he just wants to grass practice but will be happen to go home as soon as he can.

Hi Lydian...am so pleased you're still around

Rafa may do what he did last year, go to Queens and get a couple of matches under his belt, and then bow out to go home for a few extra days.

I wouldn't be surprise tho if he did pull out, (his foot looked pretty sore) and it may be a wise decision.....Wimbledon is too important, and you can bet your bottom dollar that he'll want to be as fit as possible for that.

Well, he's down to play singles and doubles at Queens - I'm sure he won't push himself to his limit, same as last year, but he'll want to feel the grass under his feet. Last year he turned up Monday afternoon to hit a few balls

There's a great doubles match tomorrow, Delpo and Stepanek v Nalby and Roddick.

Feli is also in first round action.

Rafan ... dual post.

The poor guy looks absolutely exhausted.

Aww ... this quote is from Twitter ... him ...

"I'm not the best player in the history of tennis but I'm amongst the best & that's enough for me"

OMG he looks cream crackered poor kid