DC: Happy dancing Spaniards, take two
Davis Cup finals – 2011
In the midst of the wonderful afterglow I had from attending the Davis Cup quarterfinals, I started thinking about going to the semis in Cordoba. That didn’t work out and I was sad. The results of the semis, however made me happy because they meant the final would be played in Spain and would be Spain vs. Argentina – teams with players on my “like to watch” checklist. Needless to say, I immediately started looking at budget and vacation time for work. After much conspiring with fellow RafaFans, plans were made, flights were booked, an apartment rented, and much fun was anticipated. Let’s just say that, after a bumpy start, the anticipation paid off.
The bumpy start was the way there. Turns out I should have ignored the cheaper ticket price and followed my gut to never book a trip that connects via Chicago in the winter. Chicago was a mess thanks to 60mph winds and wintery weather. Flights were getting delayed indefinitely or just plain cancelled. Not that my airline bothered to update their website to tell me this or send me any of the flight alerts I’d signed up for. I showed up at the airport thinking everything was going by plan only to be told I wasn’t going to be leaving until the next day. Fun! After much whining (from me) and searching (from the check-in lady), my flights were re-booked to avoid Chicago and go by way of Dallas instead. I would arrive in Sevilla much later than planned (and thus lose a day of tourism), but I would still be there! I let @nycsandygirl know about the arrival time change so that she could pass that on to the people from whom we were renting the apartment. Glad she was able to contact them and they were flexible on getting someone to let us in and provide keys at the new time.
I had been whining non-stop about the situation on Twitter (hey, it’s boring and stressful watching a check-in lady punch keys on her computer terminal knowing she holds the fate of your tip in her hands). Turns out @bluebirdone had been reading. She sent me a text asking what flight I was on out of Dallas. I told her and she replied she was on the same flight. (She had been going through similar travel frustrations and been re-booked.) This cracked me up because we’d also been on the same flight to the 2009 Barcelona final. Done with my re-booking whining, I started my “I’m now bored waiting for 3 hours for my new flight” whining. This got worse when my flight to Dallas was delayed and was now scheduled to land 5 minutes before the flight from Dallas to Madrid was scheduled to board. I was stressed out for the whole flight wondering if I’d made it. We landed. I ran. I barely made it. (And bonus – check-in lady had put me in business class!)
I’ve bored you long enough with the travel stuff so far, so I’ll skip the cluster that is the Madrid airport and just say: if you are transferring there, give yourself plenty of layover time. Sure, the 6+ hours I was stuck there was too long, but still. No tight transfers in Madrid. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
I got to our very nice apartment 24 hours after my trip had started. Soon @jeannab4 and Deb were there as well. Not long after, @sapphireswell showed up. It was starting to feel like a RafaFest. Man, I love those. @gandaines (our local RafaFan contact and tour guide) dropped by on her way off work and we all had a grand time talking. It’s always fun to put a face and voice to someone you’ve only known via twitter/email.
The next day we did the sightseeing thing. If you ever go to Sevilla, you must see the Alcazar. That is all.
Finally, it was Friday – time for tennis! We got over to the venue and waited for will-call to open so we could pick up our tickets. Oddly enough, it opened after the doors did. While waiting, we amused ourselves by being dorks and posing with the large Armada poster that was nearby. We finally got our tickets and met up with @beefromgoa to get our original tickets (that were now extras) and tried to sell those. @sapphireswell and I gave up on selling the extra and went inside, but left it with @NatalieHoHo and @Atch2 who also had tickets to sell. They sold it – yay! After spending way too much money at the Toro booth (bought a hat and a jacket), we went in to find our seats and were very happy once we did. They weren’t the ones I really wanted (on the side near the end where any ceremonies would face), but they were good seats with a nice view – as long as the camera crane wasn’t blocking us. (The darn crane sometimes picked the worst times to get in our way, but what can you do?)
The opening ceremonies happened and then we realized that we could see the teams lining up along the track waiting to get announced to come onto court. Rafa was bouncing and talking to himself. Right behind him were some Argentina support team members jumping and waving their flags. Ah, mind games. I think Rafa gave himself three or four Vamoses before he even got onto the court. He was pumped and ready to go. It showed in his play too. I actually felt a bit sorry for Pico because he wasn’t playing badly – certainly not as poorly as one would think looking at the score. It’s just that Pico’s a good match-up for Rafa, and Rafa was on his game. (By the way, the day before we learned that the little breadsticks they often serve in restaurants there are called picos. So, I guess Rafa served Pico a pico.)
From the pre-match pumping up, to the leap of joy at the win, it was clear this match meant a lot to Rafa. It was fantastic to see him playing full-throttle, full of passion, and full of joy at the win.
Next up was Daveeed and Del Potro. Oye, what a match. I was sad to hear after the tie ended that Daveeed might not be playing DC again. I mean, after this match, I thought was had a nice tradition going: every other year, I travel to Spain to watch him play in a DC final and he tries to kill me. To be fair to him, this match wasn’t as stressful as the one he played against Stepanek in 2009, but still. I was so happy for Daveed that he pulled the match out. His consistency paid off and he didn’t lose his nerve.
As usual, one of the fun things about DC is watching teammates cheer for each other. We were lucky and our seats were on the same end as the Spanish team, so we had a clear view. Feli didn’t seem to be too into cheering, Fer seemed to know his play was going to suck and that his new main role was that of cheerleader (that is, he was cheering in hyper mode) and Rafa was…well, Rafa. Once he got out there (after his pressers, etc), he was doing all he could to support Daveeed. There was a lot of bossy looking chatting with players/team members that to me always looks like him trying to explain to them how he would have played that last point. Other than that, there were yells, fist pumps, clapping, and slapping at the barrier between him and the court. When the crowd would do their rhythmic claps that ended with a “Ferru!”, Rafa joined in. (BTW, I loved being in a place where a huge crowd cheered for the fierce lil’ man by name. Never happens in the US.) At one point, I thought Daveeed was getting a little nervous. Rafa was up to clap and yell support, but Toni kind of motioned that he should sit down and Rafa did. Maybe Toni thought the encouragement would just add to Daveeed’s nerves at the moment. Seemed like the right call as Daveeed went on to win that game.
Daveeed looked so happy with that win. His post-match kneel to the ground and roar was amazing. He had a nice moment at the net with DelPo (who looked devastated), did all the appropriate handshakes with officials and the opposing team captain and then went to his teams for high-fives and hugs. Rafa squeezed him like there was no tomorrow – it was great to see two of my favorite guys in such an emotion filled bear hug.
The matches lasted a while and I was a partial popsicle by the end! Since the day started overcast and foggy, there was no sun to heat up the stadium. It’s not enclosed at all; they just put a plastic roof over the court to protect it from rain. I was very glad I’d spent my money on the jacket (which looks just like the team jackets). I had it on and had wrapped my legs with my hoodie…and was still cold! During chunks of his cheerleading stint, Rafa had on two jackets! They didn’t have the slight breeze down there that we had in the stands, though. Brrrrr.
The next day, we got up early to do some sightseeing, got a little carried away and were running late to the doubles. We got there after all the ceremonies, but did get to see the full match. Not that we would have missed anything all that spectacular if we hadn’t. I was okay with the loss. I was glad that Nalbandian (for whom Davis Cup means so much) was able to get a win for his team, and Verdasco and Lopez didn’t deserve a win at all the way they were playing. Plus, this meant Sunday wouldn’t be just dead rubbers.
I think the team bench was pretty resigned to the loss as well. They attempted to cheer, but just seemed kind of lackluster about it. At one point. Rafa was clapping and yelling loudly, but as soon as he realized Verdasco/Lopez weren’t looking (as they moved up to start their point), he just kind of shrugged and sat down. Summed up the match to me!
And so, that brought us to Sunday. First up would be Rafa/DelPo. We were all wondering, if Rafa couldn’t win that match, would the next one be the scheduled Daveeed/Pico? Or would Nalbandian be the one to play for Argentina? We’ll never know because, despite how awful that first set was, Rafa managed to pull it out.
That first set? Was truly, truly awful. I don’t know if it was nerves or what, but Rafa, the King of Clay, was actually slipping on it. Not sliding, slipping. Mainly when going to his forehand. He just looked a bit lost out there and my insides were in knots. Thank goodness he’s made of stronger stuff than me. He managed to calm himself down and work his way into the match. I’m so glad he didn’t lose to DelPo . The press has already been trying to write career obituaries for Rafa this year and losing poorly to the same guy who caused similar premature obits to be written in 2009 would have made me very sad. (Well, plus, my dislike of super-tall tennis players is well documented.) I can’t say when it felt like things finally clicked for Rafa, but it might have been when he managed to get that second set. He seemed to play with more confidence after that and, although things were still tight, I didn’t have the same doubts I had in that first set. Well, except for a few scares when extended crowd noise clearly mucked up his concentration and it took him a bit to get it back.
One thing I noticed during that first set, Costa talked to Rafa a lot on the changeovers, but so did Uncle Toni and Roig. Rafa talked back to them as well. No idea if he was listening to Costa at all.
For the first time in his career, Rafa hit the winning shot in a DC final tie. His fall and extended time laying on the clay really underscored how much the victory meant to him. He knows DelPo is tough and considered by many to be a RafaBeater. He also knew that anything can happen in 5th rubbers – that the tension, pressure and crowd craziness can do things to players’ heads. It was great that he managed to wrap things up (even if it meant no Daveeed for us) and win that clenching point for the team. (Speaking of Daveeed, I love how at 6-0 in the tiebreaker, the guys on the bench all started jumping up and down and he was like, “whoah, it’s not over yet.” Solid head on that man.) He gave a devastated looking DelPo a nice hug and then went to each Argentina team member with a handshake, or in the case of Pico and Nalbandian, a hug. Then, of course, came high-fives and hugs with his team. Always fun to see this group with huge smiles on their faces.
The trophy ceremony and celebration were a bit more subdued than I had hoped for. I mean, they all looked crazy happy, but I wanted happy dancing Spaniards. Little did I know. When Rafa was giving his speech after the ceremony, the crowd started chanting something during a pause. He looked embarrassed and dimply at the chant. I didn’t know what was being said so asked @gandaines the next day. She said they were saying, “you are worth it” – boy, ain’t that the truth.
After the stadium pretty much cleared out, we all met up, took what looked to be the last shuttle bus and then walked back to the apartment. There was much chatting, talking, squeeing, etc as everyone talked about the match and we watched coverage on Spanish TV. After a while, I decided to take a hot bath since my hip was hurting. As I emerged from the bathroom, @sapphireswell said that @nycsandygirl was at the player party and they were letting people in if we wanted to go. She was changing out of pjs and into party clothes in a frenzy. I was unsure what to do. I’m not a party gal, had no clubbing type clothes, hate club music, and was sure I’d just feel like an idiot there…but…when would I get an opportunity like this again? Shortly thereafter, @sapphireswell, @jeannab64 and myself were in a cab and heading to the party. We got in and checked out the place. There was a main dance floor that the general public was allowed on. Towards the far end, was a raised stage – about 4.5-5 feet high. Access to that was limited. There was another raised section at the back of that. There was also an upstairs area, but access to that was limited as well.
So, we got some drinks, I pretended to enjoy the music while we did our best to yell at each other over it and waited. Suddenly, Armada was spotted on the far stage. I could see the top of a dancing Marc!’s head from time to time. We saw Rafa to the edge of the stage – trying to make his way back, but stopping to talk to a lot of people. Finally, he’s back there with the rest of the guys and much dorky dancing ensued. After a while, they broke up again – some going upstairs, some talking to people on the lower stage. As Rafa was heading upstairs, he stopped to look at the guys on the stage and then started pointing at them and dancing in the most dorky way. It looked like some people were trying to talk him into going upstairs, but he was having way too much fun doing his solo dance while referencing his friends on the stage.
That was pretty much how things went. They would drift upstairs and then back down for a while – chatting on the low stage and/or dancing on the higher one. Eventually, someone found the tables that lined the right edge of the public area. And, they figured out that you could get to the tables from the stage if you were very careful about it. Thus, the table dancing began. Everyone but Daveeed danced on the table. Daveeed doesn’t seem to be much into the dancing – just saw him briefly and then he just seemed to be bouncing, but I got the feeling he spent most of his time upstairs.
At some point, large bottles of champagne appeared. Some of it was sprayed all over each other, the rest chugged directly from the bottles. Most of the guys arrived feeling little to no pain and just got drunker as the night went on.
Their dancing styles? Pretty much what I expected: Rafa, super dorky but doesn’t care. He’s just having fun and it doesn’t matter. Feli managed to look emo while partying. Fer was all about the pelvic thrusts. Marc! was a pretty good dancer with a good touch of dork in there too. Marcel was a step dorkier than Marc!, but nowhere near Rafa’s level.
At one point, not long before we had to leave, Rafa decided to do a dance/walk “among the people” and went through the main dance floor. (He was pretty wobbly at this point, so Moya was close by to offer a hand if needed…and perhaps to keep crazy fans from mobbing.) Rafa ended up facing the stage, arms up and wiggling his hips. I had a lovely view of the backside. It wasn’t a bad way to start my birthday, that’s for sure.
We had to leave at 5am. @sapphireswell and @jeannab64 and transport they needed to catch in order to make their ways back to the US. So, off we went. I later heard that things went to 6:45am. How Rafa managed to get up the next day, go to Madrid and look perky for a Nike promo is beyond me.
Here are a few useless photos of Rafa dancing on the stairs and then what is possibly the world’s most poorly taken 10 minutes of video ever. I promise it gets a bit better after the start. I was having to hold the camera up above my head and could barely even see the screen to know what I was filming.
(Heh, just what is that girl looking at in the first picture?)
Again, I feel the need to express my deep love for Davis Cup. The crowds are amazing – flags, crazy outfits, chanting (before the matches even started!), drums, horns…you name it. The atmosphere is something so completely unique in tennis and so electrifying to experience in person. It’s a day and half after and I still have the chants ringing in my head. Hearing a huge crowd chime “Raaaafa” in unison is something I’ll never forget.
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“Hearing a huge crowd chime “Raaaafa” in unison is something I’ll never forget.”
I was so emotional during the weekend I can’t imagine what it was like to be there. Hell I got teary just reading what you wrote. To be there to see and feel Rafa get the love he so deserves ….wow..
i’ve always wondered how rafa must feel (and his family too) when they hear that “raaafaaa” chant. must be spine-tingling.
Miri – this is absolutely priceless! What a birthday you have had never to forget and what with Rafa thrusting his hips and arse dorky style…. well how can you ever forget and we have the privilege of that wonderful vid. As we know Rafa is not playing in 2012 (must admit did wonder how he could cram it all in with Olympic, Paris and next day WTF) and in a way glad he told us straight away. I mean how can he ever top what he has done – the winning point in a Davis Cup – 7 years after he first played, and to fight in what has now become in the archives as a classic match. Between you me and the gatepost I think really Rafa got let off the hook by Delpo. In the tiebreak Delpo made silly mistakes rather than Rafa winners, but heah who cares! Delpo when he gets his fitness back is gonna be one heck dangerous in 2012. I do not want Rafa to meet him in a while but I do have a lot of admiration and respect for Delpo to come back after his injury the way he has.
Party party Rafa, isn#t he the most incredible dorky person on this earth. So glad you had a fantastic time. I am so looking forward to next year, and get the bonus of the Olympics and I live 20 mins from Wimbledon so if you or anyone got tickets and want a place to stay and party, I have lots of space for accommodation. Happy belated birthday Miri. Vamooooos xxxx
Last night I watched highlights of the match which included the 4th set tiebreaker and although Delpo did indeed make some unforced errors in the first few points, after that it was all Rafa who played aggressively and hit some great forehand winners.
Excatly L. It was only the first few points from Del Po i the T break that were an issue, Rafa stepped it up and he won with a winner too.
The first set and another due to disturbance from the crowd affected Rafa but when he started to play like we know he can he found away to win and dictate.. Rafa is also a wonderful defender, something which is underated in the mens game, but it goes without saying unless you defend well you ain’t ever gonna make it te the pinnacle of tennis! Del Po fought through till the end and unless Rafa didn’t find his range he could have beated him, people need to give Rafa more credit!
Delpo didn’t make “silly” mistakes in the TB. He did what he does when down – aimed for the lines. He missed by not all that much as far as I could make out. Rafa played aggressively on his serves and won the points when he forced Delpo into bad positions, if not with outright winners.
It’s how the match ends that counts. It ended with Rafa the calmest person in the place at match point. :-)
Loved seeing Rafa work his way out of the team embrace so he could go get Delpo off the court and pay his respects to the Argie team before celebrating the win with his team.
Love the write-up, miri! Missed ya.
Thanks for the write-up Miri, sounds like you had a great time:)
I also loved hearing the chants of “Raaafa”, it sent shivers down my spine even through the t.v.
After seeing the vids of Rafa dancing, what I love so much is that he really doesn’t seem to care what he looks like or what anyone thinks, he just does his thing and really loves it and is not at all phased by all the people taking pics and vids of him(I’m not sure I’d be too happy having my dance moves whilst inebriated or not, caught on tape for the world to see:))
And man does he have no rhythm whatsoever and the drink doesn’t seem help either;)
It was also nice to hear Charly was looking out for him.
I had trouble deciding whether or not to post the video for that reason. But it’s clear they are aware (well, as aware as they could be of anything in their state) and didn’t care. The area I was in was open to the general public, so they knew it wasn’t a private party. So, in the end, I posted.
Yes, Rafa is so comfortable in his own skin, thats what is so great/special about him and makes him such an engaging personality I suppose.
Thanks miri … Rafa looks a little toasted. Love it! They all look to be having a great celebration and I think it’s great that all you were there with the whole Spanish team. Doesn’t seem intrusive at all …
ps There are other videos out there affording a more exposed view of Rafa’s dorky dancing.
A little? He arrived that way…ended up a lot. A whole lot.
Didn’t you just want to give him some aspirin and rub his..head :-) and tuck him in to bed!!!!!
He looks hammered. Hilarious. So much for “champions drinking responsibly”. They all look like they are really tying one on and having an utter blast.
Love this! “So much for champion’s drinking responsibly.”
Miri, I can’t imagine a more wonderful way to spend your birthday. Love how laid back the spanish are. I love love love Davis Cup too.
Ah Miri.. Thanks for bringing it all as close to me as i probably ever will get. I’m so happy for you girls that you had such a blast and i so so so so so wished i could have bin there. Iff only they picked another weekend once for the DC final to be played so i could visit it.. From youre write up it looks like you girls lived my favourite Rafa dream!
To be there in a club where he is cellebrating his win, a chance to dance with him, a chance to ……. *faints*, a chance to kindly nurse his aching head the next morning and a chance for him to express his gratitude for that next morning ;)
Oh and Miri, no clubbing clothes, youre mother never teached you to always bring along one nice black piece of clothes on evry trip you make???
I agree that it was open to the general public and clearly Rafa has nothing to hide, also there are many pics from over the years of him in similar situations, all of which make him even more endearing. But for me personally, as much as I love all things Rafa, I do wish at times he could just do his thing, sober or not, without it being immortalized in one form or another.
I totally get what you are saying and agree with you. In fact, I think Rafa also feels the same. When people would ask for or sneak a photo of him up close, he would keep smiling until the photo was taken and then walk away without the smile (well, I think he couldn’t completely stop smiling that night, but it was less of a smile). It made me sad (one reason why I didn’t try). I do think, however, if it was bothering him that much, he would have spent larger chunks of time upstairs in the private area – where he could still dance and have fun but without the “poooblic” bothering him. As it was, he was the only one who did a tour of the public dance floor.
Yeah, I think there’s a big part of Rafa that at times longs for normality or at least anonymity. I actually don’t think it’s in his personality to hide in a dark corner, he seems to enjoy being around people and having fun but more as part of the group not as the focal point, which of course is almost impossible because of who he is. But he has said in the past that he won’t let that stop him from going about his life the way he wants to.
L, he does lots of things, including clubbing, that aren’t immortalized in photos. Normally, he goes to swanky clubs with VIP areas, where what happens in the VIP area stays in the VIP area. ;) As for this party, he had the option to hang out in the VIP area, but instead he chose to come down and dance ON STAGE and mingle with the non-VIP crowd. That was his choice, so why second-guess it?
The very next night after this party, he, Feli and Verdasco went to a swanky club in Madrid to celebrate their victory and bask in their success. No pics from the club, just from the parking lot, and they knew that would happen when they picked that club.
Mine may be a minority view, but I think he likes being a star more than he lets on, and that adulation from fans helps motivate him to stay at the top.
Denizen,
Maybe you’ve misunderstood what I’ve written because I haven’t second-guessed anything he did. Rafa’s always been open about the fact that he loves to party, and why shouldn’t he? He should be able to do whatever he wants and he does, simple as that. I love the fact that he always enjoys his time away from tennis to the fullest because when he does work he gives it his all.
Agreed, L. I was probably responding to the last sentence in your 12:05 post more than anything, about having his fun immortalized.
He does epitomize “work hard, play hard.” Wish I had his energy!
I agree with you L but unfortunately thats not the world we live in where the sharing of stuff is so easy via social media!!. It would have only taken 1 person to film the Armada dancing and it would have ended up on you tube I’m sure. Like Miri says, Rafa had the choice on where to spend his time/how much he wanted to be in the public domain and made his decisions (drunken ones at that)accordingly.
Yup, Rafa’s a big boy;)
My two cents on this…..
Its not all the vids that show up evrywhere off the dorky drunken dancing that disturbes me at all!
They had a choice, without a doubt they could have had the club closed for non-invited people and thus have a private party, they obviously chose to share theire cellebration with the pooblic, the big pooblic all over the world trough you-tube etc!
So Rafa got drunk, well good for him! I love to see that he in fact from time to time, as we expected but never was shown to us before, knows how to party and wind down! I think, judging by how it looks, that they had a blast and i think there possibly could not have bin a better medicine then letting it al loose like this for once for his mentally tiredness!
And dios mio….. even a wasted Rafa is sexy as hell! *sigh*
The bothering him for picture taking…. not so ok, iff you ask me! Why could’nt it be enough for people that they where allowed to experience this in theire presence?!
I am in total agreement with you Anna! :-). Its easy to forget all that the Armada have done throughout this year to get to the final and then win it!! I am ALL for them letting their hair down, getting totally hammered and why the hell not!! I’m sure they all behaved responsibly with how they got home so its no big deal. I also like we get to see rafa like this as we’ve had quite a lot of serious rafa in the last few months, so i for one will be enjoying the Armada and their celebrations!!
Oh, I forgot one thing: Toni was dancing too! Never thought I’d see that. :)
Toni was there? Awesome!!! I think one of things that makes the Spanish team so special is that not only do they train together, they party together, old and young:)
That was really good. Adds so much reality and colour. Thank you.
I’m glad you guys had a clear view of Rafa when he was at the stands cheering for the others. Spanish tv wouldn’t stop showing him up close and I swear they showed him more than the actual players and I thought to myself, oh no, they’re losing it, these facial expressions of his, his constant cheerleading or his giving serious coaching advice. So I’m glad you got to see that. It’s very rare after all to see the spectator Rafa. Also, you’re totally right about Costa. Poor guy talked his heart out to Rafa and he barely even looked at him much less answer him. But I’m sure you’ll get to see all that on DVR later.
So I’m assuming coaching is totally allowed in Davis Cup?
It is during team matches! But i tought the official rule says that its only the team captain thats allowed to…..
I am pretty sure you are correct.
omg, thank you for this i had the biggest smile on my face while reading this:)
(Well, plus, my dislike of super-tall tennis players is well documented.)
Dito!
Oh thanks Miri for this great right up of your happenings at DC. <Must have been simply amazing and to be there for your B. Day too? Incredible!!! Thank you so much for this, really enjoyed it all, I was crying too with him when he fell to the ground. After wards the commentators., well at ;least one of them, were saying what would happen if Rafa fai;ed to win this for his country etc etc in to which another (Greg Rudestsky) responded, "he wasn't going to lose it" this is Rafa no way no way! I really loved that, ye of little faith as they say.. I was so concerned too about the out come of this tie, so much was resting on Rafas shoulders, the pressure was huge! and the consequences of losing I cannot bear to think! Thank god he finished 2011 on a high as Rog predicted too, prehaps he knows Rafa better than most!
Thanks so much for sharing Miri. I have been waiting to hear your thoughts of being there. It sounds like it was everything you could hope for out of a Rafa experience. What great memories to have!!!
Miri, I love you — no I really mean that. You have give us a site that has fantastic resources to find everything about Rafa, and you post witty and amusing captions to the best of the pictures,and you are inclusive of everyone who posts here — no factions or cliques. Thank you so much. I’m so glad you had this experience at the match and at the club.
Rafa is beyond adorable, the video makes me feel like I was there, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Vamos Miri! (Sent b’day greetings via Twitter, but here too — feliz cumpleanos)
Oh, I also forgot to mention: when we were standing in line to get into the Cathedral, we saw Carlos Costa picking up the audio tour headsets in another line! He was there with his family. :D We weren’t even trying to follow them, but ended up at the top of the tower at the same time. Some of us were in full Armada gear, so I hope he didn’t think we were stalking! (Someone also saw Uncle Rafel as well.)
Thank you so much for your wonderful, detailed report, your pictures, and that amazing video! I’ve been on cloud 9 ever since Rafa won on Sunday. What a high note on which to end the tennis year.
Lots of video of this online; Rafa, marc! fer etc. Looks great. fer knows how to thrust those hips. They are all smashed and quite adorable. I want to see uncle tony on the dance floor!
Yes, looked like Fer really had it going on, boy can dance. But I will take dorky Rafa dancing any day!!
I love it Miri!!!!! Great roundup – thanks for writing! What’s the song they’re playing around 5:40?
At 5:50 it’s Danza Kuduro by Don Omar ft Lucenzo. It’s funny because as I’m writing it I have it on french TV. We have it hundreds of time each day… (Just before on the video, it’s La Madre de José by El Canto del Loco)
Thanks Miri for sharing with us your amazing experience. And I know I’m a little late but Happy birthday !!
I think that this match was for Rafa a really good thing. First of course It’s good for his mood. But I think above all that he knows that he has still the capacity to recover after a 1-6 set down. He was able to find the strength to fight after loosing so badly the first set. He believed in his victory and he won this match.
I think it was great that it was the Davis Cup and they have a coach right there on the sidelines. Given how jittery Rafa has been during tough moments this year, I think it was a big help to him to have Albert right there telling him constantly to concentrate, to be confident, to take his moment. Hopefully when he encounters similar difficult moments next year, he’ll be able to draw on this experience and find that confidence himself. We all know that he has the talent and the ability, but he has to get through those wobbles. He’s certainly done it often enough in the past.
miri, congrats on the DC experience. and thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful experiences with us. I think I would have almost had a heart attack if I were there! Being at Davis Cup in Spain and Rafa winning the deciding rubber; and then getting into the party and seeing them all celebrating and getting video of it—-amazing!!! I am so glad you got some sightseeing in, too. Sounds like you had a really fabulous time and a great birthday present from Rafa—winning!!! I would love to go on one of these trips with the Rafa fans and have a little bit of this experience with other fans, it makes such a difference when you are sharing it. Maybe you could let us know and we could plan it. In any case, thank you soooooo much for your report and video and always posting the latest Rafa news and pictures. While you were gone I was going crazy going to different sites and news sources trying to get Rafa pics and news. Don’t know how you do it all and work too, but I have never missed a day since I found your site shortly after you started it. :-)
Awesome report Miri! Great to see the team celebrate in style :) Yeah hips don’t lie, Verdasco can dance! Rafa is ever so cute toasted,
Thanks for such a emotional detailed story. We are all a great time with them. Cheer !.
Wish this rise will be a springboard for Rafa and the team next year.
Nando CAN SHAKE that thing!!! Rafa is beyond my words.. I’m watching the vid again again and AGAIN just drooling
I should have spoken after the vid was over!! Marc!’s got the moves like Jagger!!!!
ha ha ha! Great comment rafalove!!! :D
Thanks for the great DC write-up Miri! It seems like such a special experience – being in Spain, watching Rafa win and CHEER and be part of the Armada celebrations! My boyfriend couldn’t understand how I was glued to the TV for the whole 4 hours, not to mention lots of jumping off the couch, screaming and slapping of the thigh/head! It was epic stuff and left me all teary at the end. I wish I could experience something like that first hand – Olympics maybe? But I’m glad you had a wonderful time in Seville. PS: Sorry about the travel woes.
Thank you for your delightful write-up, Miri! I had fun reading it. Dorky Totally Plastered Rafa is hilarious and adorable.
In total agreement with you Paige!! on both Miri’s write up and dorky totally plastered rafa…….what a great sight that was!!! :D
“Well, plus, my dislike of super-tall tennis players is well documented.”
Miri, why do you dislike super tall tennis players? Am curious.
They tend to be all serves with poor movement.
Miri you are fantastic – great write up – you certainly had a ball, I’m green with envy. You just couldn’t have missed that party could you. Fantastic video (let’s hope they were all drinking responsibly ha ha). Brilliant result – loved every minute of watching the matches. Belated Birthday wishes.