RafaLint: April 5th
Just a few bits. Meant to post earlier but got caught up in futile attempts to shove way too much stuff into too small of a suitcase.
Video from a press conference Rafa took part in as part of an event with a theme of “What really matters”. Also, here’s an article with quotes from the presser (mangle).
And, lastly, more shocking airport footage!
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“Health, friends and family: that’s what really matters in life” – I totally second that. What a mature thing to say. And glad to hear everything he’s thinking about the US season. Thanks Miri. What a wonderful insight into some of Rafa’s thoughts.
Have a good and safe trip to Monte Carlo, Miri! May you be a good luck charm to our Rafa a the clay season begins. Rafa FTW!!!
Wow, Rafa really has a great head on his shoulders although sometimes I wish he’d be a little less of a realist. Although I get a twinge of sadness when he talks about Nole getting the No.1 ranking, for him to be able to acknowledge and accept how hard Nole has worked and how well he has done takes a lot of maturity. But of course he does say he will fight to keep it. Also the fact that Rafa did crazy good last year and Nole has done so well early in the year means that it’s so much easier for Nole to get the ranking because Rafa can’t really gain any significant points in the coming months.
I know it ties into confidence but I still can’t get around how nervous Rafa can get in matches, you could see he was totally out of sorts during the Miami final.
Onto the clay courts, Vamos!
Yes but he didn’t used to get that nervous. Be with colm was the slogan, no? I blame it on the virus/injury aftermath together with Nole’s amazing improvement. And I hope he means Nole will be No1 sometime in the future and not anytime soon and that he’s willing to fight so it doesn’t happen very easily, otherwise he might believe it himself and it’s all downhill from there ;-)
>And I hope he means Nole will be No1 sometime in the future
In a very very distance future I hope !!!!
Yes Rafa is a very nervous player but he has always had self control playing he big points better, lets not forget the Wimby final tie-break! he was playing supreme tennis that year and yet at that moment the sniff of a potential victory dependant on his racquet really got the better of him… he has been there before! I feel sad too at his acceptance of Djokovic’s dominance, all we can hope right now that his mentality on clay sees him come out on top.. there is alot on the line, not just the no.1 ranking but also his superb clay record and reputation that goes along with it.. lets hope that never say die attitude kicks in!
Unfortunately, I’ve seen less of Rafa’s hyper-focus and self-control this year than any other year.
I disagree with that. His very early season was an exho win, being affected by a virus (unavoidable) and him being very happy with his progression in the AO till the injury (unfortunate).
He came back from injury not playing brilliantly in IW, yet bettering last year’s result by making a final. He was imperious in the first set and lost his game thereafter … it was surprising to see this happen to Rafa, but hey, it happens. I thought he was absolutely focussed in Miami right up to the final. He dug deep to beat Berdych and gave a tennis lesson to Federer. Sure he was nervous in the final with Djokovic, but some Nole fans have been explaining to me the changes he’s made to his game and how he’s immensely improved in certain areas, particularly the serve. Remember, Rafa’s the one that has to face it and has to work it all out, and he’s only had the two chances to look at it. But inspite of this pressure and the nerves, the match had to go to a lottery of a tie-breaker in the 3rd set and Rafa lost by those 3 points.
I fully expect to see total focus in MC next week where Rafa is the better player on the surface. Good for him in speaking of Nole being after his no.1. He did that in 2008 when he was after Rafa’s no.2 and Rafa beat him well to make sure it didn’t happen. Apart from Barcelona, Rafa has no chance to increase his points till the August hardcourt season, and it seems that Nole has everything to gain. Well, as much as it appears a tall order for Rafa to consolidate all his points, its as much a tall order for Nole to take them off him … on his lesser surface, and he’s not become super human overnight.
Never, ever under-estimate Rafael Nadal. Vamos!
Wooffie, Can’t agree with you more. I posted my comment before I saw yours.
I second (third?) that.
About Rafa’s cautious and pragmatic words about Nole and the # 1 ranking —
I remember that last year on the day before the Roland Garros final Rafa did an English language interview in which he expressed a lot of concern about his upcoming match with Soderling. At the end, the interviewer said, “Good luck,” to which Rafa replied, with a wry on his face, “Thanks! I am going to need it.”
We all know how that turned out. :-)
Indeed. In Rafa’s post FO blog he said he hadn’t blogged the night before the match because he was eager to go to sleep, “so match day would come faster”. Like a little kid waiting for Christmas Day.
I am glad that you all think otherwise. I am looking forward to Rafa winning again proving you all correct.
Lets try and keep things in perspective, it’s only been 3 months of the year of which Rafa has only played in 2 of them.
He was sick as a dog for the first month which led to an injury which ended his hopes of the Rafa slam. Although he says he wasn’t thinking about the Rafa Slam, there’s no doubt he wanted a chance at it. As strong mentally as Rafa has always been it must have been a definite psychological blow for things to happen the way they did, and almost mirror the start of 2010. That’s enough to affect anyone’s motivation. For Rafa to continue to maintain the extreme focus he has for the past 8(?) years is always gonna be a tall task and there are always going to be lapses probably more frequent in the coming years. But I have no doubt that Rafa still has goals but I think we’ll now longer see him give 110% for every point and match, and I think he’ll prioritise the majors.
So glad to see him happy with his Uncle there and relaxed though..
lovely video!! Rafa just looks so tanned!!
Cutie-pie on the bus. :) I wonder if that talkative man is giving Rafa tips on how to beat Nole?
Have a great trip miri … hope you get a little clay dust on your socks. ;)
More from the conference: video one; video two – seems to include some footie talk.
So sun-kissed, so Mediterranean. I’m talking about Rafa and the place. Perfecto :D
Who knows when the Monte Carlo draw will be issued?
The draw is being done at noon this Saturday.
Thanks Atch2 :)
‘the greatness of the sport is not winning the other but to win over yourself’ that comment from Rafa really sums up his essence, for me, and the life philosophy he lives by, i.e. to him it’s all about winning over himself, always striving to do his best & most times that gives him chances to win and be the best but even if he doesn’t win he’s happy because he has given everything to trying.
Buena suerte for MC Miri – hope you have a great time with the other NN members you’re meeting there.
Not sure why folks see Rafa’s comments about Nole as sad. He’s just being respectful of Nole’s abilities and level right now, and his desire to achieve. Rafa was #2 for a long long time. He can understand what Novak is feeling, and how things can shift in the course of the year — plus he likes him! I interpret it as just saying that if Novak manages to pass him, then Novak deserves it.
I agree. :-)
Same here.
me too!
Rafa has always been a master at lowering expectations. Given the relative points that they each have to defend, it’s probably inevitable that the gap will narrow, even if they don’t swap places. He’s probably just trying to take some pressure off himself.
I still have a nagging suspicion that something personal is affecting Rafa; um maybe a serious health issue with mom or dad or something like that. Hope I’m wrong.
Dad looked great in Miami all the times I saw him–and one was up close and personal! Will tell about that in another post. I had a wonderful 10 days there and saw Rafa all six times he played. He looks so good….what else is new?!
For Miri: have a fabulous time in MC and do try and get a little clay for a souvenier!