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!

Yoohoo!! <waves>

Finally got my laptop to fire up. Anyone about??

Who is commentating on Eurosport? Is it Simon Reid??? Why has Rafa suddenly become the best thing since sliced bread?

Yoo hoo Woofs <waves back>

I'm on Red Button with Prattling Pat Cash and

Hi Wooffie

It's Chris someone & Chris someone else commentating. I thought they were a pair of fan-boys. Very different from Frew & Co from last week, eh?

Rafa's biggest problem tonight is concentration....and dear old Prat is trying to talk his fellow countryman up

Evening Denz Angie

I'm sticking on Eurosport then if Prat is about. This pair on here are being a bit patronising to him. I mean, he's 100+ but its not like he's the first player of that rank ever to play Rafa and he's not getting battered.

Feli

<tongueout > to Ange

Rafa's having a nice work out here.

Thought you might have seen Feli watching, Wooffie

Evening Rafateers

I've been texting Pearl - she was dying for Rafa to come on before they died of hypothermia :brr:

I got home not long after it started and guess whot...I've managed to buy a ticket for tomorrow. So in the end it's cost me more because I've got the ground pass and the Centre Court but my nervous wouldn't hold out for a return.

Hope nothing happens to Rafa in the meantime

Next year much more planning is going into this tournament

Don't you dare go out of this now Rafi!

Oh yes, and I believe that Fer is playing doubles with Wawrinka...

I came home, dumped my bags, turned the telly on and was in the kitchen when I heard the commies say Feli was watching ...........

:run2: in there ...

10 bob who says the lot of them are off to El Tercio tonight?? I'm a bit surprised too about FeliFer not playing doubles, Denz. Maybe they've had one of their spats? Maybe that's why Feli is hanging around Rafa to make him jealous ...

Rafan!!

You haven't gone and bought a ticket after all, have you?? Oh Lordy, lordy.

I remember freezing to death last year and when I got to Euston I had Burger King ... yes me! having Burger King and it tasted like nectar.

Its so cold ... Rafa needs a wee

Fer is playing doubles with Stan???

Beauty and the ... Stan. :run2:

Fer = the Beauty. How true

The revised OOP has Rafa straight back out playing doubles after this! Surely not! D'you think it'll be put back til tomorrow?

So she's succumbed and brought a ticket come on Rafa...don't do anything daft will you

Remember to take all your summer things with you...gloves...rug for the knees and a hot water bottle

Rafa's mind isn't on this is it...wondering what the special is at El Tercios tonight

Well Beauty and Stan got knocked out of the doubles

Can't see it somehow....there won't be enough light will there?

I think I'll get pom pom out of hibernation for tomorrow

So Fer won't be around for you to moon over ...

I said "over" ... not "at".

Guess whot Rafateers! Vernon is following me on Twitter. Not that I say owt, I just like nosying at everyone else.

POM, POM AHOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done Rafa!!

Good start from Rafa;
I'll just have to cope without sight of Fer (sighs), although isn't he still in singles?
Hope you have lots of great tennis tomorrow, Rafan. I'm green with envy, btw!

The woman to left of Rafa ... I have that hat. It was my MC hat, but I wore the bow at the back.

Its only M&S.

so 2 people with big heads then Woofs

Well done Rafa

But she would have been able to buy the smaller size ...

Phewee! So now we wait with bated breath to see if Rafa is on Centre Court tomorrow <prays> surely he will be...

This is the part of tennis I hate! Plus the weather.

Other than that...I'm seeing Rafa tomorrow

Rafan...can't see where else they could put Rafa to be honest.....hope you've got good seats, as I assume you'll be taking your camera

<click><click><click>

then it will be ....

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All the way home



Camera batteries charging right now!

By the way...in winning his match, Rafa qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2

But I'm not booking tickets until I know when he's playing!

No! You are not! Cos neither am I ...

Well the OOP is out, and hurrah that Rafa's on Centre Court - but boo that matches I'd also like to see - Fer against Nalbandian and the Delpo match are on court 1, and instead I get Andy <fiddle> Roddick.

Still - weather allowing I'll get to see Team Cuteness as well, though the forecast for tomorrow is much the same as today.

I'll keep you updated of course

Also, if Rafa is playing doubles you'd think it would make sense to put him on second rather than third, noh.

<moan><moan><moan><moan><moan>

Morning everyone

I am so Eurosport Intnl switched to the *!*!&! women's football last night and didn't show Rafa's match. And Mr C had gone to bed early so I could've watched on big telly. I thought they had stopped play because of rain but when I came on here this morning I see he did play. How did he look? Tennis wise that is. Looks wise I am sure he looked as yummy as always. Also, I can't get the OOP to open up for today so no idea what time he is on today. Please help a desperate Rafateer based in the back of beyond where they think a woman's football match is more important than a Rafa match

Morning Cats .......Women's football...pah

So to Rafa...well he looked fab as usual Got a great reception from the crowd, which was lovely.

Match...well typical first match from Rafa...not under much pressure, although the Aussie had a good serve and hit a few good shots. Rafa made some errors and really only had to do what he needed.

When he left the court, he was nearly mobbed....well mobbed as in a Queens crowd-very politely, and signed loads of autographs. He posed for a few pics as well, everyone was saying well done to him and all around were smiling, as was he. You could see the affection that was being shown

He said afterwards that he made some mistakes, changing from Clay to Grass and is a bit tired, but as always will try his best

Aw thanks Denzi

I'm so glad he got a lovely reception, not that there was any doubt about that. If someone could tell me approx what time he is playing today, that would be great. Hopefully it will be earlier and not in the evening when Eurosport will no doubt be showing the highly anticipated Under 13s Tiddlywinks Final!

Rafa is 3rd on Centre today Cats....If the weather holds up that it....showers forecast again ....so can't see him on much before 4.30-5pm our time.

Rafan is there today.....I hope she's got waterproofs and thermals...she's going to need then

Thanks Denzi

Once Rafa gets on court I'm sure Rafan won't feel the cold or the rain

Morning all lovely Rafateers!

Denz Cats

Rafan has packed her parka, thermal vest (soxy), 5 pairs of socks, travel blanket, a flask, her pom pom ahoy hat and a pair of gloves.

What she hasn't packed is her sunhat, sunglasses and suncream. I know what the weather forecast says, but I bet someone ends up with <pink> face today.

Almost forgiven Eurosport, they're just repeating Rafa's match from last night

Edben (who I have never heard of before) is hanging in there with Rafa but I guess Rafa is just doing enough and not killing himself which is the way it should be. (Not sure why I am giving a report seeing as you have all seen it! ). Keeps scrunching his lovely face up

Ahoy from the Rafateer-at-Large.

Rafa is now on-court practising, but sadly on the furthest court from her. He's wearing a lovely orange top.

Cats

You crack me up with last night's match report when we all watched it.

Wooffs

I know! What am I like!



Hope these guys hurry up so I get to see Rafa live today.

I see Roddick is going sockless. Clearly he wants to join my list of players I would marry!

Does Brooklyn need to be worried??

Probably not Wooffs. Whilst I hate washing socks (well, sorting and folding actually, the actual washing is done by my trusty machine), I think guys that don't wear them look pretty silly really.

When you text Rafan, tell her I said hi and to have fun. And that whilst she's watching Rafa live, we are being rebels and chatting on the Tennis thread!

Good afternoon all my luvverly Rafateers

coo...it looks dark at Queens at the mo and this match between <jiggle> Roddick and Kevin Anderson...is dull...dull...dull ....it's made worse by Prattling Prat Cash

Glad our Rafan is having a lovely time...she text me earlier as she did Woofs...not that we're jealous

Llodra has pulled out 3-4 down to Tsonga, and Simon has defaulted as well. I heard Nando won fairly handily against Nalby. Back now after the rain break...let's hope they can play without any more interruptions

Well done Andy Rafa next and I would like you all to join me in a little prayer that Eurosport don't switch away to something like Lacrosse

They're staying with Rafa

I'm still at work ...

Good Luck Rafa!!

Have fun Rafan!!! VAMOS!!