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!

And they've just said that Intnl is leaving the game after this set, so if it does go to 3 as seems likely now ( Eurosport) I'm the one that is going to need updates.

Lydian, I think I jinxed him. The others are going to kill me

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

rudey poo, rudey poo.

Okay, going to take the dogs now. Can some kind soul just post the odd update for when I get back pretty please

lol....nooo

Amazing winning FH from Rafa there, he cant lose this now.....(surely).

I'm back and checked live scores and it was 4-0 and as soon as I started watching live scores (damn you Eurosport) Rafa lost his serve. I AM a jinx

Won at a canter at the end but made himself work harder than needed, still a win's a win and Radek is always good to watch with his different style.

Good commentary cool_cat

Thanks Lydian

How was he in the 3rd set? Business as usual after the 2nd set blip?

Yep cool, he raced into a 4-0 lead only to decide he would have a brief wobble (losing his serve) before breaking again for 5-1 and serving out to love. Besides that weird 4 game span in the 2nd he looked in good nick overall

Great stuff, thanks Lydian

I thought he looked good as well until I jinxed him.

Well ... I've just had a text from Rafan that he IS playing the doubles tonight.

She's got a front row seat ... and is now even more fed up about her camera.

And she's also been frozen to death!! I know we were all meant to Go Blue! for Rafa ... but this is pushing it a bit.

lol...looks like you'll have to stay in here to unjinx him

Doubles as well Wooffie? The guys is a glutton for punishment, I'll give him that!

He already looks exhausted, Lydian, so I'm a bit surprised. He pulled out of doubles last year when it ended up in a 3 set match.

Tsonga may be doing his dance tomorrow.

Well, I went down the tube and Rafa is 5-2 in the 2nd and cruising. I come out of the tube at the other end and he's somehow managed to go to 3 sets. Sounds like it was a bit of mental tiredness at the end of the 2nd, which is hardly surprising. I wouldn't have been too upset if he'd lost today in the bigger scheme of things, but certainly didn't want him to have MPs and then lose. Anyway, he's matched last year's QF at least.

Doubles as well ?? The boy's mad, but I guess we know that. I think he pulled out of the doubles last year after he'd lost to Feli. I guess so he could hot foot it back to Mallorca, which Marc presumably understood.

He probably doesn't want to let Marc down again. Does the tourney finish on Saturday? (Not that I'm assuming he'll go all the way to the final, just saying).

When do they have to be back in London for Wimbers? Hopefully he can get a few days back at home to chill and recharge.

It finishes on Sunday, Cats. And Rafa usually arrives back in the UK on Friday.

He better had ... we're having a Rafateers weekend and are going up to the Club!

By the way ... Rose has ripped her rubber pig. Its bacon for him ...

Wooffie just beat me to the answer there. By the way, please, please, please don't let him get Isner in the 1st round again.

Okay, so that gives him 4 days. Probably enough for him (young, fit athlete that he is), we know he's got ants in his pants and will be itching to get back on court.

Womble, banish that thought from your mind

Rafan has sent me a picture of Rafa fixing those ants in his pants.

On her phone of course. She's sitting right behind Rafa's chair.

And Womble!! <un ... JINX>

It's getting pretty late here and I need my beauty sleep, so will bid you all good night and hope Rafa and Marc win for Rafan.

Night night lovely Cats

Sweet Rafadrims

Good evening all my luvverly Rafateers

Mega apologies for deserting my post earlier....but was watching the match in fits and starts....anyway am pleased he got through...I think

Rafan has had a lovely day with Rafa...am pleased for her.....even thoThe Dame and I couldn't take our rightful place in the members clubhouse this year

Night Night Lovely Cats

Just think we can do all this again tomorrow

I'd rather take my rightful place next to Feli or Fer, Denz.

You all know she's going to be insufferable now, don't you??

Oh there won't be any living with her now Woofs....it'll be like Wimby 2009 all over again....not that she evah mentions it

Nah ... she never, evah mentioned it, did she Denz?

Rafan and (Fer) ...

Morning lovelies Did we all have fun last night?

Anyway, can't wait to hear Rafan's report. And good luck Rafa.

Morning all!!

I am <hungover> Who started that v2 party??

Hello lovely Cats Where is Rafan's report?? We were only teasing!

Hola my lovelies

I've just this second posted my report on the "Rafateers on Tour" thread…now I better do some work

:run2: immediately to R-o-T ...

Wooffs, dunno who started that party. I just suggested a group hug and it went downhill from there!!

Rafateers on Tour thread here I come :run2:

We've currently got a big thunderstorm and pouring with rain in London (City). I don't know if it's the same at Queens...but if it is I've got no idea how they are going to get through their matches. I think the forecast for tomorrow is not too bad, but Sunday is meant to be a wash out

Rafan, whilst I remember, I have a question about yesterday. At 5-2 second set, when the players sat down, the commie said, 'no change of ends here of course' and then it cut away to commercials. What was that all about? Or did I misunderstand?

I missed that bit Cats...it's weird, when you are at a tennis match there's so much to distract you that you miss what's going on under your nose

It didn't seem like anything strange happened though, or any reason why they didn't change ends after a sit down.

Okay thanks Rafan. Obviously whatever they were talking about carried on into the commercial break. Just wondered if I had missed a major rule change or something

Good afternoon all my luvverly Rafateers

I woke up this morning with a leopard skin thong on my head....anybody know who it belongs to

And it's still raining at Queens....although Sue said it wasn't too heavy. Reckon it's going to be another late night for Rafa

denzilsmom wrote:Good afternoon all my luvverly Rafateers

I woke up this morning with a leopard skin thong on my head....anybody know who it belongs to

:looks over shoulder to see if Wooffs is around:

I hope not...otherwise you're in trubble

They're not mine!! I don't do thongs, (except on my feet, and at Karaoke when I pithed)

Well the sun is out

Rafa has moved to second on Centre...followed by James Ward

Murray is now on Court 1

Roddick and Nando are out in 10 Min

Long faces in the studio that Rafa's been given preference over Andy for Centre court.

Is Rafa more popular than Andy...asks Andy Castle

Answer YES YES YES

I'm glad they've changed the OOP - Rafa's got the doubles to think about too...or maybe he's booked an earlier flight home tonight

Vamos Fer! Vamos Rafa!

Okay, my head is spinning now. So what time is Rafa likely to get on court? I need to go and do some supermarket shopping (boring!) but it's too hot at the moment

Am just going to feed assorted Hounds...will be back ASAP....Like you Rafan, I'm glad Rafa's on early....I should be here to keep an eye on him, and do a bit of commentating

Back soon

Don't worry, I'm with it now So Fer and Rodders then Rafa.

Depend on the weather Cats and of course this match....3-30pm our time I'm guessing

Erm ... I've just caught YOU Cats!!!

I would <ban> you, but I can't ... its Rafan's fred.

Don't you come over all innocent with me Ms Wooffie. I saw you last night at the party!

Erm ... there were no leopard skin thongs on my heid when I woke up this morning.

Just heard that Cilic has pulled out...so Andy M is through