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!

Fer is wonderfully handsome in that very "heavy" sort of Spanish way.

Where Feli is just simply divine .... Denz and I have the best taste, so ner. <tongueout>

Wooffie wrote:Fer is wonderfully handsome in that very "heavy" sort of Spanish way.

Where Feli is just simply divine .... Denz and I have the best taste, so ner.

That's ok with me. You n Denz can have Feli, and me n Rafan can have Fer. Seems fair, noh?

Harumph

Feli is like a greek god....Fer is like a greek salad

denzilsmom wrote:Harumph

Feli is like a greek god....Fer is like a greek salad

Yummy! I love Greek salad!!!

tennisluvver wrote:

denzilsmom wrote:Harumph

Feli is like a greek god....Fer is like a greek salad

Yummy! I love Greek salad!!!

Well, you'll have plenty of oil in it with that hair ...

You could dip your bread in it Angie

<cough>

Are we on the tennis fred or the chat one

The Dame and I have impeccable taste in Men....you should have seen some of the right crackers we pulled in MC

Um...dunno...are we <has a look> nope on the wrong thread

<sorry> Rafan ...

:run2: to Rafachat ----------------------------------->>>>

Rafa on third in the singles and fifth in the doubles tomorrow. I bet that means he won't be playing doubles on Thursday

OOP

I'll be on tenterhooks until his match is finished. Vamos Rafa!

Thanks for OOP, Rafan - I'm having trouble getting into ATP site tonight for some reason. Hopefully he first two matched will go the distance, and I'll try to get home to watch Rafa's match live for a change!

Pearl has just text about having <double Rafa> tomorrow ....

MORE <envy>

Spanish TV showed the match again tonight... so I was treated to a second helping... lucky old me... it looked even better the second time round probably because I hadn´t got my head buried in a cushion chewing my finger nails

I'm going to watch it again at some point this week, Haddie. You can appreciate the play a little better the second time round I think because your heart is not in your mouth or your hands sweating.

Very true Wooffie.. sit back and enjoy.. you realise
1 just how tired he looked
2 He didn´t even realise he was
3. His ownership of Federer is incredible.
4. How badly he wanted it.

Bless his little clay covered cotton socks

I've just been enjoying this of Rafa with his family, friends and team on the court having photos taken. And there's some snippets of him at his celebration dinner ... and the ladies put in an appearance too.

BTW, his sister and girlfriend are very cute

Just saying...lol.

Lovely clips, Wooffie;

Off to bed, now, so night night Rafateers!

Good luck & Vamos to Rafa for tomorrow!

lydian wrote:BTW, his sister and girlfriend are very cute

You'll have socal you for his sister ...

lol Wooffie...let battle commence!

You guys may enjoy reading this...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/5111757/The-great-wall-of-Nadal-so-beautifully-built

Good Morning all my luvverly Rafateers

Thanks to Lydian for posting that article...really interesting ....even tho I see he's being unfaithful to the Rafateers by casting an eye at Rafa's GF and his sister

Lovely clip Woofs and I thought Xisca looked stunning in that close up....she looked really relaxed and smiley and, as i said stunning

I'm going to watch the final again later on in the week so I can actually appreciate the match....once Mr Denz disappears tomorrow

I'm hoping that Rafa will now be feeling much better about his game....he's taking a bit of a pounding by Djoko recently and although didn't play his best at the French, it was still good enough. This week really doesn't matter that much, except he gets in some grass court tennis and can relax as he does seem to enjoy Queens, it does have that old fashioned club atmosphere that he loves.

He can then have a few days at home, before it all starts again, knowing that after Wimbledon is over, he can have a nice little break and recharge his batteries before the American swing starts.....personally my least favourite time of the year.

lol...Denz, would never be unfaithful to the Rafateers!

Just saying they were cute was all...

Good morning everyone. Well, I had a great day at Queens yesterday, although it was cold so I hope Pearl is wrapped up warm for her double dose of Rafa today. He is the only man who would have kept me sitting up in the stands until almost 9pm watching doubles yesterday, whilst shivering. Several people there were wearing gloves. Having said all that, it was great to see him back on the grass and looking as though he was enjoying playing after RG being such a stressful experience for everyone. Marc! is just so good for him, I think.

I got very annoyed with Feliciano, who looked good in both senses, but proceeded to play one of the worst service games I have ever seen in the 3rd set straight after breaking Roddick. If he was going to lose anyway, I really wanted him to do it quickly so that I wouldn't be deprived of Rafa's doubles on the main court. Fortunately, his partner in crime, Fernando and JWT cracked through their matches and I got to see Rafa after all.

Rafa started off a bit scratchy, but he did seem to be really cranking the serve. (Note to Rafa - if you can rediscover the USO version, it will be very helpful). I'm not sure whether it took him a set or so to get used to everything or that by 8.30pm he'd decided that he'd had enough grass court practice for the day, but he seemed to click about half way through the 2nd set. It was obvious who was going to win after that.

I hope Rafan can get to see Rafa tomorrow, but I wouldn't be too sorry if he were to lose then as time back in sunny Mallorca resting will probably do him more good than anything else at the moment.

Good afternoon lovely Rafateers!!

Lovely Womble <shiver><shiver><shiver> Thank you so much for your lovely report although as we know, its all part of supporting Rafa to make us suffer.

Feli What can you say? He does seem to have come on leaps and bounds since he got this new coach, although the mental aspect of his game seems to be the same as ever. What was he thinking of in the third??

Dare I ask ... any news of him and Eastbourne?? :run2:

Glad that Rafa seemed to be in good shape and good luck for his match today. Vamos!!

PS Lydian ... good article.

Rain!!!! After we've not had a drop in the south for months it suddenly arrived on Sunday and now it's going to spoil our tennissing fun

Poor Pearl, I hope it's nicer in the west of London than it is in the city at the moment, because it's chucking it down and very grey and gloomy outside.

Thanks for your report Womble, what a great day of tennis you had yesterday, and seeing Rafa & Marc! on top of it too. Brill!

If the rain doesn't stop I might get a triple bill of Rafa tomorrow

Oh wait a minute...I didn't get a ticket just a ground pass. I bet I'm going to regret it

My pleasure wooffie

Rafan! I'd forgotten you'd only gone for a gound pass tomorrow!! Queens needs to be planned so much better for next year. Mind you though ... so many tournaments, so little money and time ...

Whot's happening?? Is it still raining??

I don't have Pearl <envy> any more ...

Where's Sir Cliff of Richard when you need him??

It raining Rafateers

Damn it!

Queens needs to borrow Wimbledons re-tractable roof.

Good afternoon all my lovelies

At this rate Woofs...you'll be home in time to watch Rafa....they've only played 4 games of Andy's match, so god only knows when he'll get on

They're showing Feds and Djoko from last week now.....it's only a matter of time before Borg vs Mac 1980 is dragged out of the vaults!

Wow is it raining....and it's blowing a hoolie as well...poor old Pearl, what a day for her....and poor old Womble as well....freezing in the stands, bet you were nearly as blue as Rafa's smurf shoes

I am still keeping the wheels of industry turning, Denz ... so not sure when I will get home. <shines halo>

Hello LK! I know its only the start of the match, but how is Andy doing? How is his injury holding up?

Now Woofs...don't you work too hard....you'll be fit for nothing

At this rate I can't see Rafa getting on court before 6pm....and I hope it's not too cold for him.

Denzy, yes, I was indeed blue. When I got up to leave, my legs were so cold, they could hardly function. I'm in a warm office today, though and am trying to work out whether it's worth a 5.00 get away in the hope of being able to watch Rafa.

If Rafa is on at 6 UK time, that's dinner time here and I really should pay some attention to Mr C as he is going away for 4 days I can watch tennis on big telly. Er, I mean, Mr C is going away, woe is me

I know just how you feel Cats Mr Denz is going away early in the morning, and I am bereft....I've done his ironing...packed his case and it's in the car already

There's too much ing going on here about your loved ones going away for a few days.

They would be very hurt if they ever read any of this.

sound of Mr Denz as he drives away from home for 10 days of staying in a hotel where he'll get 2, 5 course meals a day....his own en-suite bathroom and use of the hotel pool and gym....not that the gym will see Mr Denz

What will Mrs Denz get up to??? (which will probably also not include any visits to the gym ... :run2: )

Hey Woofie,

Andy is moving freely. He has another ankle support on the right ankle, so that might see him through the grass season.

Thanks LK

Mrs Denz will be attending Zumba classes which have opened in the village hall...so I will be getting off my considerable ass at least twice this week

I will be working...cleaning up this tip.....looking after puppies....going to a dog show...shopping....more work.....and oh yes...going to London for a night away (without a Tesco carrier bag)

We're going to get <told off> by Rafan for gabbing on Rafatennis, but ... what the hell is this Zumba (Chumba Wumba) nonsense?? Is it the WI chasing each other round the room brandishing spears?

Zumba is the lastest dance craze Woofs...it's Samba and Salsa and all those shake your tush dances...looks like fun and pretty exhausting.

Our village doesn't have a WI.....there's enough blood spilt with the hall committee....ooh the trouble over this year village fete

Sorry Rafan....will stop all this nonsense now :run2:

Woofs...if you're still at work....looks like it'll be nearer 7pm for Rafa...Murray's just dropped a cod, and it's going to a 3rd set

Cheers Denz!! Phew!! <mops brow> I am ... but will be :run2: ing off soon.

VAMOS !!

Early break for Rafa...and Feli is watching him I though he and Fer would be playing doubles....or have I missed something