RafaLint: May 14th
Semifinal stuff:
- IB3 report
- Nadal playing better every day as final approaches
- Rafael Nadal beats Richard Gasquet to make Rome final
- Nadal overpowers Gasquet to reach final
- Nadal Cruises Into Final in Rome
- Some nice presser photos in this twitpic stream.
- Nadal itching for Djokovic showdown
Video feature from Rome posted by ksyuzi:
How the hell does he put up with this? And Maymo being nice and taking a photo for a lady and then the lady not paying enough attention to take the camera back…sheesh.
Rafa posted a video on Facebook about his Drink Responsibly campaign for Bacardi.
A very soothing Roland Garros preview video.
Rafa bit from another Roland Garros preview:
(Sorry if you get an advert…that and processed video quality are problems with Daily Motion, but YouTube likes to delete the vids I post from this channel… I’ve also uploaded to MegaUpload.)
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That RG promo was soothing…makes me wish I were headed there. I had plans to attend this weekend in Rome and the beginning of RG but those fell through. Hopefully I will make it there in 2012!
The sort of “day-in-the-life” vid of Rafa is crazy. I guess he just is used to it. Can’t be easy. especially if you’re not feeling well or just need to rest and everyone is screaming your name, grabbing at you and asking for photos. He must appreciate it but also probably goes to a zone or happy place to get through it. That’s what I’d have to do.
Yeah, I think that most of the time he’s signing autographs for huge crowds he has a kind of blank look on his face…like his mind is elsewhere or in survival mode. He did seem a bit upset/unsure/worried about the crowd getting out of hand at one point – kind of grimaced.
You’ re right on about the zone or survival mode comment. How else could he deal with all the people and still maintain some semblance of calmness.
I am thinking “EARPLUGS!” How can he stand that volume of noise for so long? >Sheesh< is right!
That crowd is bigger than several WTA match attendances put together! They go so far back that I really don’t see the point.
Apart from sun cream, su glasses, now I think Rafa also needs eardrum protection ;)
RG is just around the corner but I guess I can only fully appreciate it after today!
Wow. that video was kind of disturbing. SOOO many people crushing to get his autograph. And that’s just his trying to leave the venue and get into a car. I don’t know how he keeps his sanity. I really don’t. pretty soon he’s going to need big bodyguards around him all the time. Well I guess he gets that already. the crowds at the USO are kept to a very limited area for autographs. Now I kind of understand why.
I love Rafa very much, but I cannot imagine standing there screaming his name and pressing in on him for an autograph or picture. I wish people loved him enough to give him space and let him be the “normal guy” he so wants to be. Oh well, there’s always Mallorca. BTW, waaay off topic, but just exactly how is Xica’s pronounced correctly? I’ve heard some pretty hilarious attempts by the commies!
Oops, I misspelled Xicsa…The commies can’t pronounce it and I can’t spell it! Maybe we should just call her Francesca and leave it at that!
In re-reading my post, I see that I also cannot construct a sentance correctly tonight either…I meant, how is Xica’s NAME pronounced! I give up. I’m going to bed and someone can tell me tomorrow, after Rafa dusts the court off with his buddy Nole!
I’m getting a kick out of my own errors…Once again misspelled her name…I really do give up! Goodnight y’all!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090122033809AA9ZG0w
Not quite definitive, but it’s probably Chis-ka.
Thanks, Miri, for both those RG previews! Esp. the 2nd one moved me very much.
Well what a nice collection today.. the first of Rafa’s intensity up close playing was a treat, but the crowds and the fans, he looks so subdued poor fellow still seeking a smile, just let him get in the car for christ sake.. I too could not be a party to that!.. He looks so shy in the Drink campaign ad, bless him but looks a knock out in black!
Lovely pictures on twitter pic, typical Rafa’
And last but not least, I so wanna go to Roland Garros now! I have discussed it with my Ma, she is my Only Tennis buddy on the planet!
The second RG vid was so moving, so emotional and is a reminder of just HOW important RG is for Rafa for the rest of his season, he gains SO much confidence from winning it!…
Have Tickets for Queens, 8th June, Wimbledon 2nd week and O2 tour finals this year, I have gone all out as I feel that the tennis world is in such a good place right now, hope that will include Rafa!
Thanks so much for those videos! I remember being there and watching Rafa cry with his head in the towel last year, it was shown on the big screens in Philippe Chatrier… It’s a moment I will cherish forever.
Oh lucky you Ch F! definatley up there in terms of Rafa memories, you cannot get better than that!
Remember how at the US Open 2010 Nole played a ridiculously long semi but Rafa was well rested and then the rain came and they played on Mon. giving Nole an extra day to recover? Thank God, he lost that day!
But … guess what! It’s really raining in Rome, the women’s final is already delayed and the way I’m looking at the sky, it doesn’t seem like the sun will come out today. Wheather forecast predicts nice wheather only much later in the evening!
Nice going, Rome!!
Maria – thanks for weather update! I tried to post in Forum to ask if anyone has any updates on rain delay – no answer so far and can’t find any news on atp site, etc.
Hope, hope the rain quits and Rafa can play with his briiliance to take the title!
The RG Promo brought tears to my eyes .. so emotional <3
especially the part regarding injuries </3
I am LOVING the RG promo. Ah, Rafa…please win this one again. It never gets old. ;)