Wimbly: Times Blog and Q&A #11
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
New entries are up! Rafa was feeling chatty. First, the blog:
Hello everybody,
My first words go to Andy Murray, he is a very talented player, a really good one, best of best and yesterday during the first set he proved it once again. What a first set, there was no way I could keep up with his shots! I always say it but it will be sooner than later that he will win a Grand Slam. And I also think that even if he hasn’t won a major yet, he is much better than some players that have won one!
And my next thing is to thank the crowds! Once again they proved how respectful, fair and knowledgeable are. These are arguably the best crowd in the World since they have always been very supportive with their local player but also with the rival. Every time I’ve played here they have been like this! Really feel good here!
And to finalize, wanted to congratulate Novak for being number one. He has been the best player so far this year and deserves to be the ATP World number 1.
As you can imagine I am very happy for being again on the final of Wimbledon. If anyone would have told me when I was 15, or 16 or 19 years old that I would have played 5 finals at Wimbledon I would have not believed it. But I am very fortunate and tomorrow I will be playing my fifth final here. Very excited and looking forward to that. I am sure it will be difficult for me to sleep well tonight….
I like how the crowds are knowledgeable because they support him. ;) (I know that’s not what he’s saying, but the thought amuses me.) Good luck getting to sleep tonight, Rafa and best of luck tomorrow.
Now, the Q&A:
Q&A: Get your questions into Rafa by e-mailing rafa@timesonline.co.uk and follow his progress in his own words.
Hello Rafa! Next year when you come back to Wimbledon for Olympic Games, will you be staying at the Olympic village with all other sportsmen or at the apartment same as during the regular tournament? Best wishes from all your fans in Bangladesh. Upoma & Paroma, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Yes, I am really looking forward to coming back here next year twice at least. The Olympics is something special. I will be staying during Wimbledon at the house I rent, but during the games at the Olympic village with all the athletes. I loved that atmosphere and would like to live it again!
Awww. I remember all the stories about him loving the village last Olympics. He arrived so tired and said that atmosphere really energized him. Hope it’s worth the traffic getting to and from Wimbledon!
Why do you call Maymo “Tin Tin”? Is it because he looks like the Belgian detective cartoon? Atch
Hahahahahah. We started like that one day and now we all call him like that. He didn’t like it much at the beginning, but now it’s OK.
So is that a yes on the cartoon character resemblance? I think so.
Hi Rafa. Which of your Nike kits in recent years would you say is your favourite? Mine was the one you wore at Roland Garros when you won last year. Great colours and design. Nicole
I actually love all their designs. I love the fact that they always have live colors, except here the white of Wimbledon, which I also think is special and like it.
I love live colors too. So much better than dead ones. Why is it that “incorrect” English often sounds twice as expressive and descriptive as correct English? I mean, “sleep the foot” totally describes how his foot must feel so much better than “numb the foot”. And the colors he wears are most definitely live.
There is a lot of talk on Twitter that you will be joining after Wimbledon, is this true? And if you are, can you tell us when exactly? Looking forward to your tweets! Sofie from NYC
Yes, I am thinking about it. Not sure if it will be right after Wimbledon or when we go to Montreal.
Since he rarely posts on Facebook when not on tour, I’d bet on when he goes to Montreal
Wimbledon is the only tournament where the winner is not taken to some famous city sight to be photographed with the trophy the next day, as is the practice in New York, Paris and Melbourne. If you could choose a famous sight in London to go to for an official photograph, where would it be and why? Julie (Woofs)
True. I suppose that the picture at that gorgeous stadium is strong enough for them. Maybe the first one would be in front of the Big Ben I suppose. Will have to ask Benito Perez-Barbadillo, my publicist.
Maybe they just want to avoid traffic too.
What’s your second favourite European country (Spain being the first, I assume)? Have you ever been to Hungary? Edina
I have never been to Hungary, but I hear it is beautiful, especially the capital, Budapest. I love many things of many countries, especially cities like Paris, Rome, London and many others.
Budapest is in my list of cities I’d like to see one day.
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I read this and I have so many questions:
1. If Andy is better than some who HAVE won a Grand Slam, then who are they, seeing as only Rafa, Roger, Novak and Juan Martin have won one in…donkey’s years? Interesting. :)
2. Would it have been different if they had asked Rafa when he was 17 or 18?
3. How is he going to get from the Olympic village to Wimbly in time for his matches?
4. Rafa seems to be the most untwitterlike person in the whole world, so why start an account? (Please don’t Rafa, you really don’t have to.)
5. Why Big Ben and why does he have to ask Benito?
I ought to ask him.
He didn’t put a time frame on his answer about Murray. There are older players still on the tour (or recently retired) that you could make an argument that Murray today is better than they were when they won their majors.
I could come up with some names…in no particular order)
Murray is better (or more talented) than:
Pat Cash (Wimby 1987)
Andres Gomez (RG 1993); he only won because Agassi worried about his wig, lol!
Thomas Johannson ( AO 2001)
Richard Krajicek (Wimby 1996)
Carlos Moya (RG ?)
Goran Ivanisevic (One Wonder Wimby 2001), though I love the guy, and don’t you dare to call him a one slam wonder!
Juan Carlos Ferrero (RG ?)
Lleyton Hewitt (UO 2001, Wimby 2002), though Hewitt might be a much superior competitor
Gaston Gaudio (RG, can’t remember the year) says himself that he is probably the worst player ever to have won a slam…
Rafa answered my question!!!! Squeeeee!!! So happy, I have a huge grin on my face that just won’t go away! It was the kit question. And of course, a non-answer. But at least he went on to explain how he loves ‘live’ colour LOL. I love Raflish. So tickled. And yes Miri, I love “sleep the foot” too. You can just imagine his foot sleeping. Aw this has made my day! Night even, it’s 3am!
Oh yeah, and I’m no longer jealous of Atch. But I seriously take my hat off to her for the number of times she’s gotten a question in. And more importantly, for the quality of her questions!! If only I was more creative and would ask less inane stuff. Oh well, justcansay thanksverymuch and I’m ‘appyfordwin!!!
*croaks* Squeeeeeeeeee!
i’m from Budapest:) we would welcome Rafa and Miri too:) btw i know somebody who gave Rafa a book either about Hungary or Budapest i don’t remember which one:))
Does Rafa realise the Olympic Village is going to be in East London i.e. miles away from Wimbledon!! all that traffic will be horrendous, I would advise Rafa not to stay there!
The Olympics provide transportation for them. They don’t have to get there on their own.
Yeah, but they still have to get through that traffic….and traffic’s always much worse when there’s a big event going on. I know I’d be paranoid about getting stuck behind a wreck or something and not getting there on time! Much more relaxing to just walk a short distance.
THey’re going to put lanes aside for Olympic VIPs. Not a popular move, they’ve been likened to the old USSR system of putting lanes aside for government apparatchiks.
I don’t know if this is true for the entire interview but I noticed that Rafa never once referred to Novak by name in this clip. It is always ‘he’ when he is talking about either losing #1 ranking or tomorrows match. Not so with Andy. No more bro-mance?
Oops! sorry, posted this in the wrong place. Should have been on ‘semifinal video presser” so please ignore!
“I am sure it will be difficult for me to sleep well tonight….”
This makes me obsessed with the thought that if Rafa sleeps well, he is going to win this Wimbly. Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite!
I hope our boy is fast asleep by now………but no such luck for me. A late night out to try and chill – didn’t work!! I am not at all chilled and going to try and get a few hours before the nerves kick in again. How does he cope with being “nervious?” Love you Rafa….sweet dreams. :-)
Just so gracious in his introduction acknowledging Andy, the respectful crowd and Novak at no 1.
Cannot imagine any athlete that I would rather support ..for sure I have never seen as exciting and breathtaking a tennis player as Rafa! Hope he will arrive with colm and confidence tomorrow and put on the brilliant dominating dislay that he is so capable of.
Mmmh our Rafa is chatty. As a Londoner, unless he leaves before 6am, it just might take 3 hours to get across from the Stratford area to Wimbledon by car. Or maybe the Olympics transportation will be a helicopter? Wish him the best, as always for the final! Also love the fact that he answered my question too (in a previous blog, though!)