Madrid: The rest of the exho

Spanish TV heard our fist shakes and aired the rest of the benefit match today. Thanks for recording and posting, Inés.

30 Apr 2011 | by miri | 12 Comments

Madrid: The draw

The Madrid draw is up on the Madrid site. Wait? Before it’s on the ATP site? It’s useful for something? *ahem* (Oh, and you have to scroll past the qualifying draw to get to the main draw.)

30 Apr 2011 | by miri | 42 Comments

RafaLint: April 29th

Madrid:

A very windy practice session with Pico:

(Thanks, Jorge.) Here’s another video from the same session.

Rafa and his fuzzy headband look puzzled or grumpy…or just concentrate.

RFET Award:
Scroll down a bit on this page and you’ll see some nice photos from the award ceremony.

And here’s a video with annoying watermarks all over it.

KIA:
Rafa and KIA renewed their sponsorship deal today. Here’s a video from the press conference. And here’s an iB3 report on it (mangle).

The Marca coverage includes a picture of Rafa with hair that looks styled. STYLED

30 Apr 2011 | by miri | 11 Comments

Madrid: Benefit for the Félix Mantilla Foundation

Rafa, Moya and quite a few other tennis players (Spanish and not) took part in an exhibition for the benefit of the Félix Mantilla Foundation today in Madrid. Watch this smiley and fun video:

(Thanks, Inés.) Or watch it here. And give a little fist shake of frustration to the TV station for not showing the mixed doubles part.

Félix Mantilla thanks Rafa for participating:

(Thanks, Jorge.)

Interview with Rafa:

Posted by MadridOpen

I’m hoping more pictures/videos will eventually be added to the foundation’s blog –

29 Apr 2011 | by miri | 13 Comments

RafaLint: April 28th

Videos of Rafa receiving the RFET’s inaugural J.A. Samaranch award: one, two.

Madrid:

EFE report on Rafa training.

Moya says that Rafa’s the favorite for Madrid, but that anything can happen. (Mangle)

Preview of the Madrid tournament.

Photos of Rafa practicing. What’s he doing with Maymo’s notebook in that last one? Erasing all the mentions of chocolate he’s eaten?

Roland Garros:
Nadal following in Borg’s footsteps – short article on the new RG site.

Nike once again

28 Apr 2011 | by miri | 17 Comments

RafaLint: April 26th

Just a few bits…

Rafa received an award from the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation:
Rafael Nadal galardonado con el primer “Premio Internacional Juan Antonio Samaranch” (Mangle); Més guardons per a Nadal (Mangle).

Rafa will take part in a benefit for the Fundación Félix Mantilla – an organization that wants to raise awareness about skin cancer: El ex jugador catalán Félix Mantilla alía a la ‘familia’ del tenis español contra el cáncer (Mangle). Promotional video one and two.

26 Apr 2011 | by miri | 24 Comments

RafaLint: April 25th

I owe you guys a lot of lint!

Articles:

Nadal Records 500th Win To Reach Final

Nadal Clinches Sixth Barcelona Crown

Rafa on clay – the incredible numbers

Groundhog day for runner-up Ferrer

Nadal clay run goes on with Barcelona win

My annual clay court tribute to Rafael Nadal

Stunners
Nadal brilla como imagen del deporte español (Mangle)

Rafael Nadal recibe también la pulsera de apoyo al futbolista Miki Roqué (Mangle)

Videos:

Barcelona trophy ceremony
Barcelona final Highlights: Set 1, Set 2
That’s

25 Apr 2011 | by miri | 6 Comments

Barcelona: Final videos

Post-match interview:

Hotshot:

Highlights:

All posted by ATPWorldTour.

tve coverage (includes pool dip):

Posted by gandaines2.

And, lastly the iB3 report.

24 Apr 2011 | by miri | 20 Comments

Barcelona: Final photos

Photos from today’s final against Ferrer.

Photos by REUTERS/Albert Gea, JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images, AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino, and David Ramos/Getty Images

Also, check out the tournament’s Facebook and Flickr pages.

Lastly, the ATP tweeted this photo of Rafa’s post-match swim…still want one of him being tossed in the pool.

24 Apr 2011 | by miri | 14 Comments

Barcelona: Rafa wins his 6th Barcelona title

For a second Sunday in a row, it was Rafa and Daveeed playing for a title. (Was it just a week ago I was courtside in Monte-Carlo? Oh my.) Ferrer hadn’t beaten Rafa on clay since 2004, and Rafa was trying to become the first player to win two tournaments six times. Rafa skipped playing here last year and seemed to be itching to return to his home tournament.

Rafa broke in the 3rd game for a 2-1 lead. He broke

24 Apr 2011 | by miri | 61 Comments