WTF? rafandready’s last day
I was at the O2 again today – had tickets for the afternoon session (Murray v Verdasco). Rafa had even put in his blog that he would be practising at 2 pm so me (and some fellow Rafateers who are down in London for the WTF and are going to see Rafa play tomorrow – hi Julie, Shani and Clare!) went along to see him.
He “only” practised for one hour today, and without meaning to raise alarm, seemed to have a little niggle with his lower back. But he was interactive with the crowd, smiling when people shouted “smile Rafa”, and even assuming some cheeky positions during his sit down – I swear he thought “I’ll give them the photos they want”. Playful Rafa was definitely out in force today. Papa Nadal was in attendance during the practice session too – looking a little scruffy :)
Hope you enjoy the photos. I’ve pretty much lived the dream this week – still mega jealous of corporate types that can get him to sign photos etc – but I couldn’t have asked for a better few days (unless Rafa had won his matches – though there’s still tomorrow to go!).
Back to earth with a bump tomorrow when I go back to work.
Vamos Rafa!
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Thanks so much for the insider reports and the hilarious photos, rafandready! Wish I could be there, but this is the next best thing ;) Can’t wait to see Rafa bright and early tomorrow morning…
I’m going to try to not be paranoid about the fact that when I saw him play against Del Potro in Montreal I thought his back was bothering him…and it turned out to be the broke abdominal.
well… lets just hope he was just a little stiff in the lower back, happens to me often when i play a tournament and so more matches in a week but always goes after some time playing!
The players at the top must get lots of little niggles, because they practise so hard.
I remember Jonas Björkman once saying (when he was still on the tour) that Rafa used to “hobble” into the breakfast lounge at the hotel in the mornings because he was so stiff after practising and playing like mad… I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.
*crosses fingers*
Yeah stiffnes must be verry normal, espacially on these kind of courts!
Hey another day – Rafa will be fine – is jealous that you are going to DC BUT I know you will have loads of fun. Thanks for everything this week!
Rafandready, how many tickets have you wasted because of rafa? Haha.
Thanks again for the pix and the “on site” report. You don’t know what it means to people who are thousands of miles away, like me.
BTW, they should put more chairs on the practice court… so many people are left standing…
Thank you for the photos, rafandready! And thank you for asking Rafa to move the bottle in pic 9, so that you could take pic 10… ;)
*faints*
Rafa, u’re a big tease.
Thanks Rafandready for the news and photo updates, esp this set. Rafa looks so playful.
Atch2, you wait until I post my report from the O2 tonight, when I break into Rafa’s locker room shower… That’ll be playful Rafa AND me in action… ;)
And u know Rafa has his own private locker room. Maybe there’s a sauna and massage table for you to make use of ;)
Are u going to spice up your report with any pictures or video footage?
I look forward to your report. I’m sure Miri will make it a headline story.
(will bf be at hm?)
Your right Atch2 … a video of that caliber would surely qualify as a headline story … I think you should start in the sauna CC.
Went on Monday but didn’t see him on the practice court, just the showcourt. Going again today. Do you know if I should hang around the practice court first? Does he warm up there beforehand?
Thanks Rafandready. Lots of eye candy in these. Always knew he is a cheeky shit. Glad he was so obliging. And he says he didn’t like those pics of him in that NY mag cause they were too sexy. Ahem, me thinks you are a flirt Rafa! *had to take deep breaths after ogling at pics 9 & 10*
Also CC go flog some towels & then deliver them to the private locker room. Make sure you get the right one though. Tell him you’ve come to heat up the spa & you need to check it personally. Invite him to to to test it with you. I guess you can take it from there. Oh don’t forget to hide the camara & set it on auto!!! :) :)
Argh this is killing me!!! I found out at the last moment he was practising at 2, played truant with gay abandon, pegged it across London only to arrive at…3pm! When he was leaving! Got about 60 beautiful seconds in his presence, and just enough time to run after him and wave my flag fanatically as he stood in the tunnel waiting to depart… Could cry! Can’t believe he only practised an hour; cursing the 15 minute hold-up at a train station… argh!
Tho I did get to see the 2nd Murray-Verdasco set when someone offered me their ticket as they were leaving. That was nice. But it is the 3rd time this year I’ve seen Murray when I went to see Rafa – I fear the Fates hate me and have cursed me with this eternal bad swap. Am glad to see Muzza of course. But he’s not Rafa, is he?!
Boo! :’-(
That sucks!!! I hope somehow somewhere in the future you make up for this unfortunate event & you will get to see plenty of sweet Rafa!!
Thanks – me too! I wonder if there’s someone out there who’s always trying to see Murray and ends up landed with Rafa? IF there is, we need to swap.
Feeling bad for stf too, I’m sure she said she has a ticket for tonight’s match and it’s the only one she can afford. Vicariously gutted when the schedule came out.
Just by way of an update – I have been lucky enough to be offered a ticket for this afternoon’s match! It is up in the Gods and I haven’t got my camera with me so I will just enjoy watching Rafa. Vamos (and thank you Isabelle!).
That is your reward for providing us with some awesome pics. Your charm must have worked some magic on him, cause he was soooooooooooo obliging. ;) ;)
Enjoy the match. Hope you will come away with an almighty grin on your face at seeing our man win. Pray, pray, pray!!!
Thanks Mary – I am praying, wishing and hoping right now. He can do it!
lucky you!! Vamos Rafa!
Let’s hope the lower back is nothing to worry about, which is most probably the case. For a player who needs a lot of matchplay to reach his best level, it would be a shame to have to face one problem after the other! If it really bothers him, he’s right not to push himself to the limit. Here’s to a decent match with Djokovic! To all Rafa fans at the O2 Arena, do your best to support him! We are counting on you.
Thank you sooooo much for these wonderful pics and great commentaries.
It is painful to watch him lose – he hasn’t won a set…ugh, it hurts.
But I KNOW that 2010 will be HIS year and he’ll be back on top – no. 1 position again – where he deserves to be.
He can be on top any time he likes. Or any other position. He certainly deserves it. And so do I.
Rafandready (love the name, btw) – did you think Rafa looked a little pale? He seemed to be to me, but then I’m not accustomed to seeing him in the glistening manly flesh, and it was only for a moment and at a distance (grumpity grump).
I thought Rafa looked fine, not pale or thin – and that did seem to be the general opinion amongst my friends too. I think quite often people look thinner than they appear on TV, but generally he looks tanned and healthy (and absolutely divine LOL).
THanks, that’s good to know. Didn’t think he looked thin or little like some people seem to see him, lol. Thanks for the posts *dies of envy* really enjoyed them and the pics.
thanks for the blog, I wish I had been able to go see him practise on Thurs but had to work, god and do you go back with a bump, its awful post-tennis and Rafa when you actually have to focus on work!! The mind wanders awfully!