Home » 2012, 2012, 2012, Commercials & Sponsors, Halle, Olympics, Roland Garros

RafaLint: June 12th

Photo by REUTERS/ Gonzalo Fuentes

Rafa and Granollers will play Mertinak/Troicki last on the main court in Halle on Wednesday. They are the 5th match on the schedule with play starting at 11:30am local time.

Articles:

Contests:

Charity fundraisers:
You can bid to play tennis with Rafa – proceeds will be split between the Forever Dream Foundation and Rafael Nadal Foundation.

Video/Audio:

Photos:

Rafa does social media:

Tweets about Rafa:

Random:

(I will again be out of pocket most of the day tomorrow, so probably won’t get a doubles match post up on time. It’s going to be a complicated day – mom to the Dr to get her stitches out and hopefully get her test results back, then to hospital to visit her very, very sick friend, and then to meeting with the VP of my department at work. And, at some point, I actually have work to do. Ugh. Thanks for your patience.)


« Rafa’s arrived in Halle
Halle: Doubles victory »

12 Jun 2012 | by | 40 Comments


40 Comments »

  1. Eliana says:
    June 12, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    Thank you miri…hope everything goes ok with your full schedule tomorrow!

    Reply
  2. Melissa says:
    June 12, 2012 at 10:36 pm

    Aw, miri, hon, you got our patience and our support and prayers. Please let us know how your mom’s doing, and I hope you get some real rest soon.

    Reply
  3. Aini says:
    June 12, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    Wow! loys of goodies from you today. Hope your mum gets better.

    Reply
  4. leslie says:
    June 13, 2012 at 12:00 am

    Miri – thank you for all the joy you bring to us through this site. You, your mom and your friend are in our thoughts. Take care…xxx

    Don’t actually know how much Greg Couch knows about tennis- but I know I liked every word he had to say! I admit I am not objective when the subject is Rafa. I NEVER get bored when commentators or journalists heap praise upon him and I don’t react well to what I see as unjustified criticism (which is most of it). Rafa himself, in his actions as a person and as a player, has made me this biased.
    Viva the Incomparable Rafael Nadal!

    Reply
  5. Rafaella says:
    June 13, 2012 at 12:12 am

    Miri, thank you for continuously spoiling us with Rafa goodies. I’m glad to hear that all is better with your Mommy. :)

    I really like the article “Overcoming Djokovic” by Reeves Wiedeman. It summarizes how I felt about the recent match. I heard a lot of how Rafa should have adjusted himself well with the conditions and to some extent I would agree, but not with the last GS Final. While I was watching the match, the commies (McEnroe, Carillo & Robinson) were already complaining of the rain that picked up on the 3rd set. They were wondering when would the players or officials say something and stop the match. They were worried of the slippery lines, muddy court and the dark overcast. They unanimously agreed with Rafa when he started to speak about the soggy balls and the rain. As much as I want Rafa to win the GS, I wanted him to win in fair condition for both parties. Rafa cannot just simply change his shots to continue to win the game. His shots rely on different topspins which makes him very effective on clay. For him to hit flatter shots (which he was good at during his younger days), it will take a lot of risk as it’s not the kind of shot he has a lot of practice with recently. He won’t be confident on hitting those. The condition was not fair to say the least as it was not the normal court of a Grand Slam event. My point is, Rafa deserves to win this one no matter how strange this final came to be.

    Another article I think was great was the “Brain Game” by Craig O’ Shannessy. Rafa’s backhand was consistently abused by Novak last year, which was Rafa’s strategy against Federer. I noticed during the Monte Carlo tournament that Rafa has improved his backhand really well and that’s when I knew that he’s going to win MC, grieving Djokovic or not.

    Reply
  6. alibobbles says:
    June 13, 2012 at 2:00 am

    Lovely lint Miri; thank you. I hope your difficult day goes well.

    I like basking and relaxing in the afterglow of such a fantastic Rafa win. He really deserved it after all his work and effort to modify his game. He played amazingly well, managed the reversals of fortune courageously and found a state of steely calm when it mattered (or looked like he did!). He and his family were so full of joy it was a fantastic feeling just watching.

    I’m not quite ready for another tournament yet, but that’s tennis I guess!

    Reply
  7. POH123 says:
    June 13, 2012 at 7:07 am

    Hello to all, I am new to this site, and new to this group. I am also grateful that you put the work to do this. I am a researcher due to the type of work I do and I know it takes hours and dedication to compile of this material. I bought a couple of t-shirts to support the site. I am also an older person, so the reasons for my passion for Nadal are similar to many here: his dignity, dedication, passion, humility and his extraordinary athletic ability.

    From the get go, I knew as so many of you, that this was not about a 7th Roland Garros, and it didn’t matter how many times he said it, the press just did not listen. This was deeper and more essential to him, as many post match journalists have finally conceded.

    I am willing to bet that Nole knew that the only year he could have beat him was last year, when Rafa walked into the French Open filled with doubts and so did Roger, perhaps that is why he played so fearlessly against Djokovic in that epic semi final. They both knew that was their chance. I am also willing to bet that Nadal’s brilliant play throughout the tournament rattled them and affected their play. Especially Nole’s. They knew that it would be virtually impossible to beat Rafa.

    If the day had been sunny and the conditions a bit better, just a bit, Rafa would have taken care of business in a three setter. Perhaps one of them very contested, but that would have been it. And I am sure that is what Rafa wanted. When he broke Nole on Monday not only did I know this was over, so did Nole and his corner. It was a matter of when.

    Rafa not only knows what he has to do, he knows he CAN DO what he has to do. It will not be easy, far from it,because Nole is also a beast, and has a lot of heart, but his one sided dominance over the sport is over. From now on, who knows what may happen. Other opponents will challenge him fearlessly as well. Tennis is a funny sport. It is very physical but it is just as much a mental and spiritual sport.

    I am looking forward to Wimbledon with joy and expectations, not with nerves and uncertainty as I am sure many of us felt last year. I would be willing to bet that what we feel is a reflection of what our Rafa feels. What an extraordinary young man with a quiet but enourmos charisma.

    Again thank you for doing this…

    Reply
  8. tennisfun says:
    June 13, 2012 at 7:29 am

    Thank you Miri for all the great rafalint. I hope your mom is well.

    Please don’t be in a hurry . Take your time .

    Reply
  9. Melissa says:
    June 13, 2012 at 9:36 am

    If you haven’t yet read Flink’s piece (see miri’s list, above) on the French Open final, I highly recommend you do so. It is a well-written, skillfully reported, balanced description of the match itself and commentary on its result and implications.

    As a Rafanista, I particulaarly like his assessment of Nadal:

    Catching Federer will be a longshot, but I would put nothing past this indefatigable fellow who is the best competitor that I have witnessed in 47 years of watching top flight tennis.

    Meanwhile, Nadal can be very proud of himself for winning probably the single most important tennis match he has played since eclipsing Federer in their incomparable Wimbledon final of 2008. Under the most trying of circumstances, dealing with abysmal weather conditions that hampered him even more than his opponent, admitting to himself that he had no alternative but to win, Rafael Nadal —- indisputably the greatest clay court player who has yet lived, arguably the most honorable champion in today’s world of tennis, surely the sport’s ultimate professional -— came through for a record breaking seventh singles title at Roland Garros. He turned 26 in the middle of the tournament, and the hope here is that he is around the upper levels of tennis for a good many more years.

    Reply
    • Melissa says:
      June 13, 2012 at 9:42 am

      Nuts! Imagine quotation marks around last two paras of my previous post. (Sheesh.)

      Also, another sweet picture of Pau Gasol hugging a teary Rafa: http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2012/06/11/actualidad/1339442984_533647.html

      Reply
      • Aini says:
        June 13, 2012 at 9:15 pm

        err..i didnt get to see Pau hug Rafa from that link?! maybe my URL link gone bust..

        Reply
      • Nils says:
        June 13, 2012 at 11:17 pm

        I’ve been reading any and all articles I can get my hands on and can’t seems to get tired of looking at all the pics and vids. But, the Steve Flink article – i loved it and believe it or not the parts that you quoted were the exact ones that I loved! Esp. the “I would put nothing past this indefatigable fellow who is the best competitor that I have witnessed in 47 years of watching top flight tennis.”

        Reply
    • Melissa says:
      June 13, 2012 at 10:19 am

      BTW, those of you curious about Pau Gasol — a 7′ tall basketball player born in Barcelona, a thoughtful, smart, quiet man and close friend of Rafa — might like to view one of a series of funny commercials for Time Force watches that Gasol and Nadal made in 2007, I think it was …

      Reply
  10. Shamababes says:
    June 13, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Just read that Rafa’s watch was NOT lost but STOLEN from his Hotel room? This must have been when they were out celebrating on Monday. The scary thing is how vulnerable he must feel as a result of this.
    I’m glad he is safe but it doesn’t bode well for French security plus the fact that the media sought to insight some crappy “steroids” ism on to him a few months ago.

    Reply
  11. Casual Observer says:
    June 13, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    Best of luck Miri. I am a lurker and don’t post much here but you do a phenome-nadal job of keeping us up to things on all things Rafa. Hope you get some rest..you deserve it.

    Reply
  12. Karen says:
    June 13, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Rafa’s watch has been recovered after a barman from his hotel was arrested having been traced through his hotel badge security to Rafa’s room. He took police to where he had hidden it near the metro. What a plonker, did he really think he could get away with it? Maybe next year Rafa should stay somewhere a bit more prestige & not trust anybody.

    Reply
  13. wendy says:
    June 13, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    Lots of really complementary and interesting articles…well worth taking the time to read through them.

    Thanks Miri and sorry for yesterday’s outburst!

    Reply
  14. Dana says:
    June 13, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Hi everybodyguys!

    I’m very excited to see several articles praising our boy these days! (don’t even want to think of all the headlines if he’d lost!)

    Just few random thoughts after this awesome final:

    1. I’m glad to see that a victory gets finally more posts from us than a loss, which sums up pretty clearly how “nervious” we all were (including our champ)

    2. As some of you have mentioned before (Silhouette maybe?)there was a creepy feeling I’ve experienced since Miami 2011: I kind of knew what the outcome was gonna be when I woke up before every Rafa’s match (including his 2 victories this year against DJ); my husband said I should make some money betting- that’s how accurate my feelings were. This time again I had a strange feeling of “not quite loss but not a victory” on Sun morning and surprise! the match doen’t end that day. Next morning (Mon) I woke up very nervous thinking that he’s gonna lose until literally “three minutes” before the match when as I was fliping the channels to look for live streaming I suddenly became “calm” and relaxed and I knew he’s gonna win. Strange, right?.. anybody else a psychic?

    3. Very interesting analysis in Craig O’S___ article above. Not a tennis player myself, I learned a lot about tennis just watching Rafa’s quest since last year and I can tell that there is a tremendous improvement in Rafa’s BH since MC 2012; I particularly noticed that in his game against Daveed (who has the same BH hammering strategy when plays Rafa)and we all know how that match ended

    4. Looking forward for the rest of the season and I am very “calm “about it(haven’t felt that way in a while)

    5. Many thanks to Miri for this great site!

    6. Congrats to Rafa, his family and team and all his fans here and everywhere

    7. VAMOOOOOS RAFA!!!!!

    Reply
  15. Reva says:
    June 14, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    I havent had chance yet to read all the wonderful articles, since Rafa created his7ory!!! I just wanted to make a few comments on the IB3 coverage of the celebrations on Monday night!! Which I’ve watched quite a few times!!!

    Firstly, SO nice to see Team Nadal so relaxed and happy and family not seeming to bothered by the cameras being there. Secondly, Maria Francisca’s nails…red….she was firing up our boy too ;). Thirdly I love it when Rafa takes the coke from the barman and slurps away it, its exactly what he does with his water bottles. It made me laugh and I also loved his entrance into the room,where he blew the kiss and raised his arm. That facial expression, REALLY cracked me up. I have the feeling i’ve seen it before, i think it could have been during the post DC final drunkness at the club. Its just simply awesome to see our boy and everyone involved happy and celebrating!!!We have the luxury of being able to enjoy it all for many days afterwards whereas Team Nadal….its all about the next tourney.

    Reply
  16. Annie says:
    June 14, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    POH123: welcome to Miri’s wonderful Rafa site and thanks for your post.

    I have a lot of reading to do but first off, I agree that this was an enormously important title for Rafa to win – not for the records books – but for his continued success against Djokovic. Personally, I think his 2010 USOpen victory was the most amazing. I wasn’t sure he would ever win a USOpen (since it’s the end of the long season and not his favorite surface).

    Miri, hope your Mom is making a full recovery. I’m recovering from shoulder surgery I had on tuesday. It’s unbelievable what they can do orthoscopically now.

    And please don’t worry about your loyal readers. We can manage while you’re taking a well deserved break. “hugs”

    Reply
  17. Annie says:
    June 14, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    hey Nils, I wasn’t a Rafa fan until I got caught up in all those fan videos and fell in love with his exquisite dorkiness!

    I’m sorry If I’m repeating myself, but 60Minutes recently did a piece on Pau Gasol and I was interested to learn that when he was drafted to the U.S. to play in the NBA, his entire family moved to the states with him (He was maybe 19 or so). Families in Spain really know how to stick together, no?

    Also read a press release from Rafa regarding the theft of his watch. He made it very clear that he loves the hotel where he has stayed for the last 8 years and where he will stay again next year. He said it was not hotel staff (“someone from the outside”) – that the staff has always been amazing to him. – So was it the bartender?

    Rafa: dude, you need to put the watch in the safe!

    Reply
    • Melissa says:
      June 14, 2012 at 7:23 pm

      Dude, you need EXTRA SECURITY. And make that, COMPETENT security. You know, like, screening your calls, keeping your schedule and location confidential, limiting access to your hotel lobby and floor, unimpeded passage to and from your vehicle, etc.

      Not to be an alarmist, but some of us remember Seles.

      Reply

Up

Leave a Reply

Add your comment below, or trackback from your own site. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS.



Rafa on Twitter

NadalNews on Twitter