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 to James Ward....beaten Querry...good for him

Just having an interview with Diego the cage fighter

Diego has just said to John Inverdale....I could keel you with my bare hands...so could Woofs John..

A-Rod a set and a break up against Nando

oh poo...it's raining again

I'd throttle Barker and Croft first though, Denz.

One of the lads I deal with a work is a body builder with a shaved head and is into this cage fighting malarky (watching, not actual fighting). For some strange reason, we have a very good working relationship ...

Why am I not surprised...you frighten the life out of me

You can tell it's raining...they're just talking about past Wimbledons and memories. Apparently there's a special programme on BBC2 next Sunday (19th) about 125 years of Wimbledon....and when it goes back into the archives, it always leaves me in bits

I realise how much of my life is caught up in this game, and especially Wimbledon...having lived so close to it as a teenager and still loving it, even if I haven't had a favourite player to follow, it's been a huge part of my life.

Do any of you remember the parade of champions they had a few years back on the middle Saturday on Centre Court...I howled all the way through that....I am a sentimental old fool!

Oh for god's sake....they've just called Rafa a beast when he plays....I get really P****d off with that!!!!!

There now showing a special programme on the Wimby 2008 final.....Denz with tissues at the ready

Now it's the Kipling poem...oh Rafa

Denzy ...

it's 2 sets all now....wonder who'll win the 5th

I've stopped breathing....brings it all back.....

Oh you lucky thing, getting to watch that while we're working :envy:

I don't know how they are going to get this tournament finished with the weather being as it is - the prediction for Sunday is a complete wash out as well! At this rate Rafa won't get time to go home before it's time to come back again!

I wonder if the family are still here. Maybe they've decided not to go home this year and just hang out in London.

<nails Rafan's feet to the Easbourne floor>

Ouch!

No, surely they would have gone home? They haven't been spotted at Queens since Monday I think it is. Unless they are busy in Wimbledon preparing the house for the court of King Rafa.

Rafa's just hit that point to make it 7 all...and did that huge Vamos!!!!

he's now 0-30 on Feds serve....and the grunting from Rafa!!! he's just hit a huge c/c b/h to make it 15-40

back to deuce..but feds does a shanky...ad Rafa

ace from feds...deuce

feds nets..ad Rafa

and feds hits long...game Rafa

How did I watch this match on my own


Ok Rafa serves

and it's deuce

big serve from Rafa....ad....anyone remember Uncle T jumping out of his chair and going onto the steps so Rafa could see him better.

Rafa wins!!! Big hugs all round as we know

It finishes with Kipling poem...pictures of baby Rafa...him crying in the chair afterwards and ends with the trophy...and you wonder why I'm in bits

Commentary on the match ... priceless.

Neil Harman, Jonathan Overend and two others who I don't know talking to Inverdale about that match....and Borg/Mcenroe

All agree Rafa/Roger match was best of all time.....because of the drama and the late finish.

Saying technology has changed the game so much, and that more players can win now than they would have done...it's all down to speed and power...bemoning the lost of S&V.

Well you might have forgotten the outcome

They're all saying AM is going to win Wimby....or Federer, no one gives Rafa a chance...why?????

Prat cash has just said he saw Lendl the other day, and Lendl think Feds won't win another slam.....interesting.

It's stopped raining....so play will resume soon.....if it goes on like this, you'll be home for Rafa, Woofs

Cheers Denz

Why would they tip Rafa? He's only been in the final the last 4 times out of 5 years and won it twice, being the current World's No. 1 and showing all his guts and determination to win the most recent Slam. Yep ... why would they tip him???

Chris Kermode has just been talking to John Inverdale, praising Rafa...saying he's on his knees with exhaustion, but will always fulfill his committments

Resumed play...Nando not playing well, but hopefully may make a fight of it yet

Roddick 4-1 up with a double break....hurry up Woofs :run2:

Oh dear ... not a chance I'll get home for this. I was hoping for 6 pm.

I see the Rafan <jinx> has worked again ... this time on Fer.

She'll be b l dy "de nada'd" next time he sees her ...

Rafan is turning into the Jonah for Tennis players

She's not to go anywhere near Rafa outside the All England.....no photos....autographs...nothing

Look what I've found ...

<shakes head>

But I suppose its better than or

But I still want <bubbly>

GSM Roddick...6-3 6-2...Nando really didn't play well

Yep...don't expect Fer to be the same in the coming months...which means he might do well for a change

Poor old Marin has never recovered from the of me getting his autograph.

If there's another impromtu party tonight ... we will be well oiled ...

Denz is a right one for the old pints ... :run2:

You ended Marin's career, Rafan.

Are we ready for Rafa

Rafa is already out...the interview with Roddick was still going on and Rafa snuck out onto the court!

Vamos !!

I likes a pint as you well know Woofs....you can still beat me with your yard of ale

Are you sure you don't own that thong I found this morning

Listen ... if I put a thong on, it would be never be found again ...

I loves me Bridgets ...

Tsonga beat him hollow in the 2008 AO semi...(Castle)...he has the weapons.

It's raining again

well they're going to start

Jo to serve

ace..15-0

oops Rafa slips and falls over chasing a ball at the net...but he's fine and is laughing...30-0

Play is suspended...again



Tsonga and Rafa are sitting in their chairs...no chance of playing but he's sitting with a towel over his shoulder and a brolly over his head.

Tsonga has gone...but Rafa is still waiting and the courts are covered....don't think you'll play yet Rafa.

He's signing autographs....oh he's off now....talking to Graham Kimpton but he's going....chatting to the crowd and laughing, he's so good natured

Don't you just love this guy He's not afraid of a bit of humidity.

I rushed to get all my chores done and settled down to Rafa and saw 2 points

I'm bored now......

Ask Woofs if you can have a drop of her yard of ale...that's if there's any left

<burp>

<gone>

hello rafa fans

rain eh? who needs it?

how's Rafa been doing so far this week? Saw he lost a set to Stepanek yesterday. Tsonga will be a real test I think.

Tennis to resume in 10 Min...looks like you had a much better day yesterday Rafan

Let's hope it gets finished tonight..one way or the other...and Rafa if you win this....don't play doubles...please<begs>

Hi MFC

Rafa's been ok this week....tried to rush his match yesterday and ended up having to go to 3

He's on his knees with tiredness tho....so I honestly don't know how he'll do against JoWilly today, but JW has a really good chance.

They're coming back out....but it looks pretty grey

well there's a decent rest after this week anyway isn't there? So nothing to get worried about really... I'm a bit surprised he played Queens at all after winning RG TBH

Hi MFC

Rafa has played Queens every time after winning the FO. He has to do something to get some grass practice and this is the way he does it. Only in 2008 did he ever reach the final ... other than that its been quarter final losses or worse. But he's reached the final of Wimbers even with doing it ... so fingers crossed.

yeah I think he'll be fine for Wimbers. Just think Tsonga may have a bit too much for him today...

Right folks

Tsonga has won his opening game and Rafa is 40-15 up after serving a D/F

Big F/H from Rafa wins the game 1 all

JW to serve

big serve 15-0

and another..30-0

and another...40-0 <yawn>

ace...game Tsonga..2-1

aha my stream is obviously a bit behind

Thanks for the commentary, Denzy. Much appreciated by those of us still working at 5.30pm on a Friday.

Rafa not getting a look in on Tsonga's serve so far, but holding his own easily too. Is it too early to say tie-break?

Evening Womble

Well I'm off for home now ... ... Can't do any more cos I'm

I'm coming Rafa ...........................................

Rafa serves

Tsonga nets..15-0

Tsonga hits long...30-0

Ace!...40-0

and a drive volley shot (sort of) from Rafa..game Rafa 2 all

JW to serve

serve was called in 15-0

big serve 30-0

and again...40-0

ace....game JW..3-2

Very cheap points from Tsonga...huge serves and Rafa hasn't had a shot yet..

beautiful evening

Oh they're now discussing that Rafa doesn't pay Toni...disbelief in their voice


Rafa serves

D/F..0-15

Tsonga nets off a 2nd serve...15 all

big Rafa serve...30-15

JW hits couple of good c/c shots..30 all

another fierce JW b/h..30-40

and a huge f/h from Rafa...opened up the court nicely...deuce

nice shot at net from Rafa..ad

JW hits out down the line...game Rafa 3 all

JW to serve

Prat cash

Ace..15-0

big f/h down the line..30-0

JW hits long..30-15

where's Rafa going...turned his phone off!!

Ace....40-15

JW has a net cord but it goes out..40-30

ace...game Tsonga..4-3

Hi Womble

Everyone let me know when you leave work...I'll stop Rabbiting.

Ace from Rafa...15-0

Dropshot...30-0

Tsonga nets..40-0

Rafa hits a wild one out of court...40-15

and again! 40-30

big serve from Rafa..and JW hits long...4 all

It's very quiet there...and match isn't wonderful

JW to serve

ace..15-0

big serve..30-0

ace.40-0

another big serve...game Tsonga 5-4

Yawn...it's dullsville out there...can't asses how well Rafa is playing, because he can't get his racquet on anything...oh now I've got to go online...will return soon