Miami: Last day

I hate it when I don’t write up my thoughts on the day before going to bed because my memory is so haphazard these days. Right now I’m working on 4 hours of sleep…let’s see what I can remember.

Looking at the OOP for Tuesday, my main goals were: Tsonga v. Ferrero, Rafa and Felando doubles. I can never make a tennis day meet my goals, however. ;) For the second day in a row, my phone alarm didn’t go off. Luckily, I’d set a back up and was even early for the bus. While waiting, this guy starting talking to

31 Mar 2010 | by miri | 53 Comments

Miami: Can’t beat a top 10 player? Pffft

In tonight’s late quarterfinal match in Miami, Rafa took on #10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the right to battle Andy Roddick in the semis. It was close at first and RafaFans got worried when it took him 12 minutes to hold is first service game, but once he broke Tsonga, it was pretty good going from then on out. Even when Rafa was in trouble, he didn’t have that nervous look he’s had recently. All in all: well played, Mr. Nadal. It was good to see you be both mentally and physically there and playing with fire. Rafa defeats Jo 6-3,

31 Mar 2010 | by miri | 76 Comments

Technogym

Looks like Rafa might have a new sponsor or is helping push a new product. Here’s a set of photos on flickr for Technogym. Couldn’t they have done something with his hair?

Update: I received this tweet late last night:

Technogym: @nadalnews Technogym is not properly a sponsor of Nadal, but there’s an agreement to fully equip his personal gym in Maiorca.

31 Mar 2010 | by miri | 11 Comments

Miami: Post 4th round interviews

Here’s one in Spanish:

Posted by gandaines

And here’s an English one on tennistv.com. (Thanks, Nana)

30 Mar 2010 | by miri | 17 Comments

Marching On In Miami

Rafa took on his good buddy David Ferrer today. It looks like the first set at least was pretty hard fought. I’ve been a busy bee this week and missed the match again, sadly. I hope that these wins over players he sometimes struggles with are helping his confidence. Rafa wins 7-6, 6-4 to move on to the quarterfinals.

30 Mar 2010 | by Kalliopeia | 91 Comments

Miami: Watching Fed

Rafa, his smile and his dimples (with Tomeu in tow) watched a bit of Fed’s match today. Seems like a lot of players did that today. Probably something to do with them being bored and hanging out while trying to figure out their schedule because of the rain delay.

(Found on the rafah0lics site via a tweet from TennisLuvah.)

29 Mar 2010 | by miri | 37 Comments

Miami: 3rd round potpourri

I got soaked to the bone this morning and am back at my hotel trying to decide if I want to attempt the evening session or just chill out and relax. In the mean time, here’s some vids for you:

Shakey practice snippet pre-match

Match Highlights
Last game of the Nalbandian match
ATP Hot shot of the day
On court interview – just tweeted by johanne(TennisLuvah)

YouTube version of post match interview
Fan video of Rafa hitting balls into the crowd after the match
Spanish presser
Pre-Spanish presser – what’s going on?

Oodles of pictures can be found here.

And lastly,

29 Mar 2010 | by miri | 16 Comments

Miami: Day three

I might have found my limit on live tennis: 3 days. I’m soooooo tired! Despite constant slatherings of sunscreen, my face, neck, arms, hands and left knee are sunburned. Oh, and my feet are twice the size as they are gathering up water weight that is needed to keep my pants from falling down.

Okay, whining over. Because really? Today I got to see some fun stuff and shouldn’t complain at all. But, I’m me…so there it is.

Started off running into Kate at breakfast again. We munched and then got on the tournament bus. While on the bus, I get

28 Mar 2010 | by miri | 38 Comments

Miami: Post 3rd round interview

TennisTV.com has an interview up after the Nalbandian match. You can see it here.

(edited because an actual link would be nice. Sorry y’all. I is tired.)

28 Mar 2010 | by miri | 19 Comments

One Step Closer

Once again I missed all but the very end of the match. Looks to have been a bit of a battle for Rafa, taking on David Nalbandian who has missed most of the past year or so with hip problems. Not too surprising even so that it was tough, Rafa’s always had a problem with Nalbandian. Rafa is on to the fourth round, winning 6-7 (8-10), 6-2, 6-2.

28 Mar 2010 | by Kalliopeia | 54 Comments