RafaLint: June 17th
Today’s recommended reading:
‘Why I can win Wimbledon and how Andy Murray can end his Grand Slam jinx’: The unstoppable Rafael Nadal – by Brian Viner. This is a very nice interview with Rafa. (Warning: does include a paparazzi photo. Why go there?)
Rafa features in this breakdown of the “All Times” leaders on clay and grass:
Articles:
- Love the fan-shaped graphic in this article scan. (Zoom!)
- El ladrón del reloj de Nadal es condenado a seis meses de cárcel – the watch thief gets 6 months in jail (mangle)
Video/Audio:
- Er hat viel besser gespielt – post Halle loss presser clip.
- RG practice video from Nana/NatalieHOHO.
Photos:
- Some nice Rafa photos from Halle in these albums by Juergen Hansekopf. While there, browse around. There’s a 2012 Roland Garros album too.
- Rafa drawing
Rafa does social media:
- Rafa and his friends got a great deal on some white shirts – nice to see he’s finally getting to really enjoy and celebrate his historic win.
Random:
- If you aren’t reading this blog, I don’t know what’s wrong with you: PseudoFed
Just an FYI, at some point this week, I’ll need to update the software that I use to run this site – people forgive any wonkiness you might encounter. And thanks for your support. (Happy, Ataraxis00?)


Yeah, I loved the Viner interview, for all the things that you can get from a written rather than a filmed piece. Rafa has the Old World manners, which is part of his charm.
I had no idea he could be so “tactile” when being interviewed, since in TV pieces he is usually fidgeting. Viner had good questions and must have put him at ease.
For years I have thought, “He’s just too good to be (the) true,” but apparently he is as he seems. What a guy!
I like Rafa being at ease and “tactile” :)
Naughty ;)
Rafa drinks “diet” coke?
PseudoFed is a hoot…lol
A round of PseudoRafa could be good fun too…seriously, no?
@Miri, OMG, thank you for sending me to PseudoFed. I am with the laughings and the Smirkings (Mirki’s sister) out loud!
I particularly like the reason why his wife stayed on in Paris, heh heh.
Great interview!
Oh dear, I nearly burst my sides laughing at PseudoFed’s witty sarcasm. What actually cracked me up was his tweet on protective ‘shinwear’! Hilarious.
I loved the article on Rafa (any news of him is welcome) as it was personal and revealing of his character. How genuinely charming he seems.
P.S. Yes Julie, I too will like to converse with a relaxed and tactile Rafa. :)
I LOVE Rafa’s tactile nature! hehe..Actualy I did get to touch his baby soft hands but for a BRIEF moment , at QATAR OPEN last January 2012.
A guy at the Media Centre told me to go forward towards Rafa, though I was apprehensive seeing the many burly bodyguards around him..But i went ahead..and Rafa told the guards “It’s Okay , It’s Okay”..for a brief moment I managed to touch his hands, he posed for a photo with me..then CHAOS again..
Wish i had a better photo with him MINUS the guards though..
The Brian Viner article is a very nice read. Rafa’s english is better than it sounds on TV??That’s disappointing. Does he not say “fight-ed”,”broke-ed”, “very good new” and “the true” ?? :(
The “All time leaders on grass and clay” vid is nice but the post-halle presser vid – why did they not let us hear Rafa’s voice?
Last but not the least..the PseudoFed blog. Hahahaha.
Brilliant interview; probably the best Rafa interview I’ve read. Viner gave Rafa the space to talk freely and be natural which let his (amazing) character shine. Rafa is one of the best tennis players in history, but it’s interviews like this one that are the main reason I’ve been his fan for 7 years. What a champ and -more importantly- what a great guy!