DC: Possible hamstring problem
Photo by Nick Laham/ Getty Images
David Nadal (no relation; iB3 producer who made a documentary on Toni) has tweeted that DC is in doubt for Rafa due to a hamstring problem.
Rafel Nadal podria no jugar la Davis por problemas en los isquiotibiales. Ahora mismo es seria duda
Rafel Nadal could not play the Davis Cup by hamstring problems. Right now it is serious doubt
He names his source:
Información de Tomeu Terrasa
First, let me say: there is nothing to back up these claims besides the word of David Nadal. I’m only posting this now because in the past he has been accurate and passed on good information. And let’s keep in mind that @davidjnadal said there was doubt about Rafa playing DC. Not that he wasn’t. Let’s see what’s going to happen. I hope that, if there is a problem, it’s not too serious and Rafa can still feel free to play the roll of “mad dorky cheerleader” (TM Atch2).
Loading ...
I recall Nadal clutching at his hamstring a few times in that last set yesterday.
Yes, me too!
I was worried that there could be something!
Rafa as a dorky cheerleader. Absolutely delectable! Rafa just rest well. Boy must be exhausted mentally and physically.
Would like to see Rafa as the dorky cheerleader again =)
If he misses this Davis Cup can he still play in the Olympics in 2012? I think I heard that tennis players have to play in a Davis Cup to be eligible for the Olympics. Is this right?
I think he will still be in Cordoba and on the team roster, so yes. This is just an assumption and speculation. But he is already in Corboda – the Spanish team doctor is probably there too and they will do some tests to see what’s going on.
I thought his flight left New York Tuesday afternoon. How could he have arrived at Cordoba already?
I read that in a Spanish article, but they said on TV last night that Rafa was leaving after the match no matter what the outcome. (aka, it sounded like if he won, he was skipping the following media day.) No idea who is right, but it does look like he left right away.
I saw that Atch2 tweeted a pic but I can’t get it to load. That means he’s there already.
Click on the link and then click on ‘view full size’ to see the pic :)
Thanks, Heath. Rookie mistake.
Oh man! I definitely saw him grab his thigh last night! I’m not surprised though, the way he threw himself around would be enough to cripple anyone else. Poor thing, not really his year.
That would be a shame if he has a problem and a shame if he couldn’t play. But rest up and heal, Rafa. That is more important.
Both commies at Eurosport mentioned that they thought Rafa had a hamstring problem at the 4rth set, so it’s possible.
Miri, could you find out who this Tomeu person is?
I think he’s a radio host in Spain, but I’m not sure.
elpaís says:
“Mentalmente estoy bien, físicamente, complicado”, dice Rafael Nadal cuando se le pregunta sobre si jugará este viernes en la primera jornada de las semifinales de la Copa Davis que enfrentan a España con Francia en Córdoba.
which means:
“Mentally I’m fine, physically complicated,” says Rafael Nadal when asked about whether he’ll play Friday in the first round of the Davis Cup semifinals to face France in Cordoba, Spain.
What exactly does “complicated” mean???
“Complicado” can be translated as “difficult”. Rafa means that the mental part is not a problem for him to play on Friday, but physically it could be difficult depending on how the hamstring is.
Awww…hhhamstrings are a bugger. Strip off, lie down and let the other Spanish boys look after you, Rafa. That David, the one with the amazing eyes, I imagine he’s rather good at massages. And at stripping off. Oh, and don’t forget the camera. The other two, yes the “pretty” ones, can take photos.
*waits patiently*
I want to see Rafa play and cheerlead! Selfish … I know.
AND I want to see those massage photos!
Greed. Rafa-greed. ;)
… it’s an illness … ‘Rafagreed’ and I got it bad. ;)
CC that sounds like the perfect cure for hamstring troubles to me!!!!!
‘Rafa-greed’ I like that, guess that would describe me to a tee!! hee hee
Uhm. I’ve gotten pretty good at hamstring massages iff i say so myself;) Bf often has hamstring sore after playing football!
So Rafa and Daviiiiid can both strip off and lay down and i will be on the next plane! Ok, maybe i’ll handle the “pretty” ones too….
Glad Rafa’s already back in sunny Spain. Hope he’s fit for DC but if not that’s still fine as long as he gives his all as cheerleader which I know he will. He’ll be disappointed if he can’t play but the boy needs some serious rest anyway.
Ummm … An sounds kinda greedy , too. ;)
When it comes to Rafa i have no shame…. I’m not only sounding greedy, i am!
Bummer. But as Rafa pointed out last spring even he needs time to adjust to clay. If he can’t practice during the next few days, let alone play on Friday, it might be best all round if someone else plays instead. Disappointing though.
Also, he will be more prone to injury adjusting to another surface so quickly.
Ohhhh ……Please don’t!!!!! I was so happy and uptight at the same time to see Rafa ( and the rest of the hottest team on this planet) playing on clay again…Vamos Armada!
btw..Rafa on the sidelines… always so cute *drool*
There are some pics of Rafa practicing on clay today. It seems everything is ok.
That explains everything now after last night’s final! To lose 6 1 in the fourth (MTO permitting – sorry Miri! wont do again) and seeing Rafa lose at 2 0 and then not run for the balls like we are used to – it definite explains everthing. Yes Sky did mention something about hamstring as well as eurosport. I am just about to watch the hightlights. Also the way Rafa was so with emotion – did anyone see pulling faces, gritting his teeth in the fourth and then towards the end (I thought he just run out of gas cos of his fitness issues, but now we know). How on earth can Rafa say anyting in the presser. He is not going to excuse anyting or reflect differently on how well Djok played – but as we know this is the real truth. Rafa – fitness issues + hamstring issue and of course he will fight for every ball to his detriment sometimes!
As much as I was looking forward to it and am taking it on Sky in England I will bet everything that he doesn’t play – sad as I was looking forward to it after such a downer from last night.
|Yep, I am gutted for Rafa too, bless him and damn these injuries!
Hello my dear Rafans,
I have a question not really related to Rafa’s “possible hamstring problem” but still 100% really to the Davis Cup. Where will the DC final be played if Serbia was to qualify for the final this week-end ? And which team among the two countries to make it to the final has to pick the surface where matches will be played ?
I just have to prepare myself for another possible Rafanightmare, i.e. Rafa and his spaniard familia facing The Djoker’s army on Serbian soil in front of an über unfriendly crowd. That would be a bloodshed I’m afraid, and my heart could be broke into pieces if something like this was to open. Just the thought of it already gives me shivers…
Oh, and I hope it’s not taboo to raise the subject at such an early stage (as the semis haven’t been played yet).
If Spain defeats France and Serbia defeats Argentina, the Final Serbia-Spain will take place in Serbia because the previous tie between these two (2009) took place in Spain. Thus Serbia will pick the surface (probably the same they’re playing Argentina this weekend).
Thanks, SpanishRNfan.
And, if Argentina wins (hey, anything can happen, right?) and Spain wins, the final will be in Spain. Thus, I’m cheering for Argentina. (Although my credit card might not be happy as I just might feel compelled to go.)
Yes, I think we all will cheer for Argentina for that reason (well, cute Pico can be another good reason too, no? ;-) )
very good reason, no?
Vamos Argentina and Spain!
From the DC website:
The host nation is decided depending on where the two competing teams played their most recent tie against each other, as long as the tie took place after 1970. Any ties before this date don’t count towards the choice of ground.
If a nation had home advantage last time then it will be away next time, and vice versa. If the nations have never previously met, or if they faced each other at a neutral venue, then the choice of ground is decided by lot.
El Pais reports that it’s unlikely Rafa will feature in the first day of DC
Though he has been out on the courts practising this afternoon
I hope he doesn’t play and takes the rest of the year off even if he is healthy. He needs some time off and some time to plan for 2012. The ATP and Grand slam schedule is just crazy as Rafa put it during the USO when questioned. We know Rafa is the greatest player on the planet when he is in perfect mental and physical condition. The hamstring was a problem after the AO. I think the stress and strain of these grinding grand slam tournaments takes its toll. I hope Rafa takes time off so he can continue to play at a high level for years to come. So I hope we see him yelling VAMOS from the bench at Davis Cup.
He’s not taking the rest of the year off. He will get a break before the exhibition with Ferrer on October 1. Then Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris Bercy, and WTF. Who knows about Davis Cup after that!
The December exhibitions seem to have disappeared, so maybe he’ll train in Mallorca instead of picking up easy millions. Decisions, decisions…