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!

Phewee Fer saves the first MP!

COME ON FER!!!!

Yessssssss Fer wins the set. Vamos

BRILLIANT !!

Come on Fer! Keep it going!! Come on!!!!!!!

:match watching envy:

I've now <flicked> over to Rogerrrrrr

Whot?? WHOT??? Fer is in the throes of a 5 set thrilla and you are watching Feds!!

<calls for Rafan's immediate sacking from The Rafateers>

Did you know that if Roger wins Wimbledon and Rafa doesn't make the final then he'll get back to No 1?!

That makes it hard if it comes to a Djokovic/Feds semi - unless Rafa has made it to the final already by then.

It's all far too <yikesy> for my liking!

I have read that, Rafan. Sky Marcus and Barry Cowan will be wetting their pants.

But ... "Don't worry ... he is NADAL".

I will try and be with colm Wooffs.

And now Fer has two BPs against him

Saves one...and saves the second and holds to win the game

I think he's eating a sandwich in the changeover!

COME ON !!

Two MPs for and he takes the first one!



Well done Fer - from two sets down. Wonder if he'll be on Court 3 on Thursday <prays>

well done Fer!0

Got pulled off to do something and come to back to se that has WON!!

Well done Great effort from 2 sets down.

As is in Rafa's side of the draw, they might make him play again tomorrow, Rafan.

<prays> that one of the Armada are on Court 1 on Friday ... but not Nicoooo or Daveed. :run2:

Fellow Locker Room shirtless golf putting partner - Pico Monaco - has also battled back to take it to a 5th set against another my <squeezes> Micky Youzhney.

Whilst I have not really studied Micky with his top off ... this weekend's guilty pleasure meant that I have voraciously studied Pico.

Hence ... COME ON PICO!!

Judy Murray has also been tweeting her appreciation of the shirtless locker room shot and has quite a crush on our Feli. Women of her age ought to know a bit better ...

Well done Rafa another one bites the dust.

Rafa coasted through the first two sets, then lost concentration in the 3rd and it was a bit closer with Sweeting playing with more freedom....no real danger though.....nice lots of smiley Rafa afterwards

to all.

Another enjoyable, i.e. stress free match. Thanks Rafa

I know Sweeting wasn't really in it first 2 sets but was liking what I was seeing from our boy, especially all the coming into the net.

Agree with Denz, it's so lovely to see him all smiley at the end and teasing the crowd with the shirt change I love that he seems to have got his mojo back and is enjoying his tennis again.

Summary of my trip to wimbledon day 3.

Reached there at 10 am and went straight to practice court. Saw Gulbis, Courier, Tursenov, kuznetsova (her ball girl was myskina), Serena, Ana Ivanovic, Haasa, Lopez, yanina wickmayer, fe more players. Didn't see Rafa

My friend and I went to have tea as it was raining a lot. There we shared the table with an old lady who must be around 80 years old! To my surprise she told me that she is the biggest Rafa fan and she said that with a little blush.

The sun finally came. I left court 1 after Andy was up 5-3. As I went out I saw some pople waiting to get in without tickets. So I offered my ticket to a lovely man and his daughter. Guess what - they asked me if I would like to take their ticket and it was the CENTRE COURT! I couldn't belief my luck. My friend and I rushed to centre court and watch the final set between Rafa and Sweeting. This guy Sweeting is not bad - good returner. I also think Rafa played very well yesterday. Our seat was so close to the match.

Here are some selected pictures;
Why can't I upload pictures

Morning everybody

Great stuff Superochog. Thanks for the report. What a great piece of luck getting Centre Court tickets. So you had a bird's eye view of Rafa teasing the crowd with his shirt, not envious at all

Love the 80 year old fan. I remember Robbie Koenig once saying Rafa was the Rock and Roll of tennis in that youngsters and oldies (and all ages in between), male and female, love him and it's so true. Although some would have you believe it's only young girls, Spaniards and menopausal women that are fans

Hello Rafateers

So we've got a big match in the offing today I wonder what time Rafa will take to the court; there's the potential for two fairly long matches to come before his turn.

People certainly seem very generous with their Centre Court tickets when they've had enough - on Thursday me and my friend were handed CC tickets to see the whole of Roger's match by a couple that were leaving! I mean...it wasn't Rafa but still I was grateful. It's not every day you get to see one of the GOATs doing his thing on the Centre Court at Wimbledon - under the roof no less! It is a completely different feel to when the roof is open.

Vamos Rafa!

Gah!! Feli's lost the first set to Rafan's <squeeze> Kubot.

Come on Feli!! Don't undo all your good work. Do it for Judy!!!

Looks like Feli's losing the second set as well

Judy's going to be devestated although it could have been an Andy/Feli QF...who would she have supported then

Well Feli broke back when Kubot was serving for it ... but has just lost the TB !!!



Kubot is Rafan's <squeeze> The ONLY time she doesn't <jinx> anybody!!

Pull off the impossible Feli !! Its cos I didn't wish him luck personally!!

So it's your fault then Woofs

Serena is out....Bartoli in 2.. 6-3 7-6

Andy through...Reeshar did what he usually does ...but Andy was really solid today...no histronics

Tomic through against Malisse in 3 straight......you'll be thrilled Woofs

afternoon Rafa fans

delighted after that performance by Andy! thought Gasquet would be dangerous but Andy kept his focus really well throughout. I think Rafa will win in three or four sets, I don't think Del Potro has enough grass court nous yet to seriously trouble Rafa on that surface...

Kate and Wills are meeting Andy now to congratulate him...hope they stop for Rafa.....wonder if she'll get her Vamos Rafa Tshirt out of her bag

Anyway...any thoughts on Rafa vs DP? I reckon Rafa will come through but it could be close....I say Rafa in 4

Denzy, I really hope it's Rafa in 3 and not too close - I'm not sure that my nerves can stand a close match today. I'm very nervous already.

Hi everyone All the Rafa threads are busy, I don't know where to post

Love all the tweeting that is going on. Judy , bless, she sounds quite a laugh. Can just imagine Andy being embarrassed by her crush.

Bit nervous of today's match so nothing new there. If MFC says Rafa is going through then that's good enough for me

Womble Cats

He'll be fine....have faith...and Womble....breathe for goodness sake

Anyway MFC has spoken....and he's usually right...the day he isn't, we'll be gunning for him

Rafateers MFC

I think there are those out there clinging on with the last bit of hope they can to see Rafa come a-cropper against JMDP.

Our boy will take this too seriously and is by far the better grass court player - a fit Delpo or not.

I am biting my nails watching livescores with Feli.

Match point for Kubot !!

Saved !!

Another match point to the traitor's <squeeze>

Saved again !!

Why am I talking to myself ???

Set pont for Feli !!

COME ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

"POINT" even

Good old Feli is still in it !!

COME ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!

Yikes ... Venus already a set down ... when should I sneak off home??

Now???

I don't know why I am asking you lot cos nobody is speaking to me!!

Wooffs

Doing chores in readiness for Rafa. Keep talking. What's happening with Deli?

Andy Murray fan here in peace. A tricky match for Rafa later but I can see him coming through in three tightish sets.

Well ... the 4th set has just started on its on serve. Deli-Feli serving first this time. <breathes hard>

Why can't I get a printer to work when I want to clear off early!!

Sod's law Wooffs.

Hi CaledonianCraig Well done to your boy today.

Hello CC,

Are you happy with how Andy played today? Any improvement on grass since last year?

I think its going to be tight with Rafa today, but I think he will find a way.

Hmm I appreciate the faith you are showing in my powers of prediction, I'd hate to be wrong after all that

Re Murray's grass court game, don't think he's changed much since last year, was nice and aggressive today. I'd say in general since last year he seems to have made two general improvements to his game. Firstly he's added a "heavy" cross court forehand, which he used to good effect to pull Gasquet out wide on his forehand side today. Then he seems much happier hitting his forehand pass down the line. In the past you could confidently predict that 90% of the time he'd go cross court from that wing, but he seems to be mixing it up much more now...

Sorry Woofs...have been doing boring things....ooh it's all happening today...Feli's made a comeback and Venus is on the verge of going out

Hi CC and MFC I reckon Andy and Rafa fans go through the same problems at times....having to fight off idiot WUM's. Thought Andy played well today, didn't give Gasquet anything...and Reeshar unravelled as usual.

Woofs...if you're going home, it could be about 20 min before it starts...or another hour depending if Pironkova can serve it out

Start running Woofs...Venus has lost

Wozniacki has also lost in 3

No more upsets today....that's plenty

Rafa now out on court, had a lovely reception from the crowd as usual...oh well folks, strap yourselves in <clunk-click>

Yoo hoo!! :waves:

I :ran2: off home, Denz and came in just to see Feli take the 4th set and Rafa now on court.

Indeed ... no more upsets today please boys ... both of you! <prays>