Abu Dhabi: Semifinal wrap up [Updated]

Articles

CNN write up
Sydney Morning Herald write up

A bit of the presser video…or is it snack time? I guess it’s both:

Posted by meko1686.

Photos:

Photos by MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images, KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images, REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh, AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, and REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh

Stupid me, left out the iB3 report – complete with a bit of the on-court interview:

Finally the last 3 games of the match. (Still in baby chest mode. I hope he’s not keeping things

31 Dec 2010 | by miri | 17 Comments

Abu Dhabi: Hello, new season

Rafa started off his 2011 season on the last day of 2010 by playing #6 Tomas Berdych in the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament. Rafa’s timing was a bit off at first, but his forehand down the line was soon firing in the most awesome of ways. He broke in the 9th game of the first set and then served it out 6-4. Up a double break in the 2nd, Rafa had a brain fart of a game and double-faulted to give

31 Dec 2010 | by miri | 25 Comments

RafaLint: December 30th

Ready for 2011 Rafa tennis in 2010? Rafa takes on Berdych tomorrow (well, today for some of you guys) in Abu Dhabi.

Year end wrap-up kind of stuff:

Year in review: Glory for Nadal

Tennis: The moments of 2010

YMAs (Yet More Awards):

Nadal named top sportsman by journalists
elmundo.es article about the L’Equipe award (Google mangling)

Abu Dhabi stuff:

Nadal: This was the best year ever
New year and new hopes for Federer and Nadal

I don’t know what’s more wrong

30 Dec 2010 | by miri | 9 Comments

Abu Dhabi: Press and play videos

Rafa gave a presser today and then played with some enthusiastic tennis players.

From the iB3:

Mainly the same footage, but just a bit different:

Posted by meko1686.

I know he probably said the beginning is a “little hard”, but I swear he said a “little hairy”. New idiomatic phrase for him? And I love the “so” after that.

30 Dec 2010 | by miri | 25 Comments

Abu Dhabi: First pictures

Presser pics and two from Rafa & Roger’s hit with some tots.

Photos by HO/MUBADALA/AFP/Getty Images, and REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh

30 Dec 2010 | by miri | 9 Comments

RafaLint: December 29th

Awards, awards, awards…

Rafa’s site has a translation of the elpais article where Rafa was named Spanish Athlete of the year (thanks, Holly)
L’Equipe names Nadal Champion of Champions (thanks, kefuoe) and video of Rafa getting the award and visiting L’Equipe

Schtuff:

Madrid exo raised 1 million Euros
Nadal eager for a winning start to season
iB3 preview of Abu Dhabi
A year end tennis knowledge quiz that gives away the answers – what’s the point?
2010: The year Rafa took off (Pssst

29 Dec 2010 | by miri | 8 Comments

Abu Dhabi: On his way

It’s almost time to start a new tennis season. You know what that means, right? Time for a flight. And if Rafa’s getting on a plane in Mallorca, there must be TV coverage!

Thanks, Inés!

29 Dec 2010 | by miri | 36 Comments

Rafa & Toni interview

Interview with Rafa and Toni for Mallorca Esports.

28 Dec 2010 | by miri | 29 Comments

Abu Dhabi: Prep

Rafa’s getting ready for 2011:

Google mangling of the text on the iB3 page:

All good things end and Rafael Nadal have already completed your holiday. Although knowing the number 1 in the world sure is already looking forward to competing again. The Spaniard will bounce on the slopes soon, this Friday, New Year, the exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi. How Deims, Rafel is keen to start the new season but clearly would like to finish and start the new year close to his, it is clear that the timetable does not forgive.

Rafael

28 Dec 2010 | by miri | 19 Comments

RafaLint: December 27th

Per Rafa’s site he’s been named the “Spanish Sportsman of the Decade” by Marca.com readers and as “Best Spanish Athlete of the year” by elpais.com.

Nadal’s feats are the year’s most impressive – by Steve Tignor.

For now, we’re watching Nadal. When asked about the future, the Spaniard’s characteristic reply is, “We gonna see, no?” We’re gonna see more Rafa, which is the best part of this story.

It’s the best part of a lot of stories. ;)

Excellent Madrid

27 Dec 2010 | by miri | 13 Comments