Rafa Nadal: ‘I knew Andy’s chance would come again’
Photo by REUTERS/Toby Melville
A rather unexpected blog entry from Rafa at The Times.
Rafa Nadal: ‘I knew Andy’s chance would come again’
by Rafa Nadal
Published at 12:00AM, July 7 2012; The Times
It is the late evening in Sardinia where I am having a small holiday and I have had a call saying that Andy Murray has reached the final of Wimbledon. I did not see the match, but I can only begin to imagine the emotions he must have been feeling.
For Andy this is an amazing achievement. It is the home tournament. To be in the final, to be playing against the best in history in Roger Federer, he has been fighting for this for a long time and now it has happened. I am very happy for him.
To be in so many Wimbledon semi-finals and not be in the final — I am sorry that it was me who beat him on the last couple of occasions — is disappointing for him, but I knew the chance would come again and that if it did come, he would take it.
For me, he has had a great career already, even without winning a final of a grand-slam, but this means so much more. This is the special one of the four major tournaments we have in our sport, especially for a player from Britain.
This is the best possible final for Wimbledon. They deserve it. I wish all the people there that it is a great occasion. I know what it is like to play Roger on the last day of a major championship. He is still here after years and years of competing and if he wins the tournament he will become the No 1 player in the world again. He deserves that, Andy deserves to win a grand-slam. It is going to be a special afternoon.
For me, 2008 against Roger is still an unforgettable memory. It is impossible to describe or to put into words how I felt that day but it was beautiful, I know that. It was my dream always to win Wimbledon and I am sure the same is true for Andy. All I know is that it will be a match that no one who sees it will forget. I don’t know if I will be watching or not, it depends on my schedule.
I am a little sad that it is not me who is playing. I had to cancel an exhibition I was due to play against Novak Djokovic in the Bernabéu stadium in Madrid next Sunday for my foundation because I am still having some problems with my knees.
I needed a couple of infiltrations after the French Open final and I was not at my best to play at Wimbledon. I am very sorry for that but I have to look after myself first.
I’ve had a good year so far, I believe. I won Monte Carlo for the eighth time, Barcelona for a seventh time, Rome for the sixth time and Roland Garros for a seventh time, so I cannot be too disappointed with that.
I want to find the best tennis levels of my career again and to do that I have to make sure that I rest properly. I am hoping, hoping that I will be all right to play in the Olympic Games.
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A very kind and gentlemanly thing to do, to write such a generous and admiring encomium for his friend Andy.
We are all a little sad that you are not the one playing at Wimbledon Sunday, Rafa. It’s not Wimbledon without you.
The last sentence seems so wistful, and is so troubling. The treatment prognosis sounds a very iffy thing. I’m sure this is adding to his sadness. I’ll be praying for a “good outcome” for him.
Sigh. Go, Murray; beat Roger. Rest, Rafa.
I’m not too worried about Rafa at the Olympics. Even if Rafa skips the Olympics, that might be good for Rafa. Because even if Rafa is healthy, every best-of-3-sets match on grass can be a tossup, even against a very low-ranked player (as Rafa has stated before).
So it might be better for Rafa to skips the Olympics and focus on US Open, where the best-of-5-sets format and slower surface should probably help Rafa.
Your thoughts?
hard courts tougher on Rafa’s knees!:-(
Let’s be optimistic, ok? Rafa had knee problems in this year’s Australian Open (also on hard-court), and still made the finals (which he almost won). Rafa had foot injury prior to last year’s US Open, and still made the finals at USO.
Your thoughts?
Optimistic is one thing; realistic, another. His knee problems seem to be accelerating, if I understand all I’ve read here and elsewhere by professionals familiar with this affliction. I’d rather see him on grass than hard court, and get a long, long rest.
Ditto that Melissa.
All this makes me very sad and afraid. I want to see Rafa win atleast 5 more GS but his knees seem to be getting weaker by the weeks. So, if he needs to rest he should, health is first. Take care Rafa.
So Rafa has no chance to win USO this year? We’ll see. Rafa is getting a rest already. We don’t even know details about the extent of his knee problem. Doctors ordered a 15-day rest, so we’ll wait & see. I would rely on what Rafa’s doctors say, instead of what posters on this board say about the extent of Rafa’s knee issue.
People were concerned about Rafa’s knees (and shoulder) at this year’s Australian Open, and it held up fine.
Thoughts?
Rafa has permanent, chronic damage. It is not going away; it cannot be healed. And the wear is cumulative.
Yes, he recovered considerable ground (apparently) for the AO. But his recoveries do not take him back to his original unhurt state; he does not completely heal after every treatment; he does not go back to 100%. So you cannot keep going back to earlier instances, expecting Rafa’s knees to react the same as in 2009, 2010, 2011.
You cannot assume that the doctors said, “Rafa, you need to stop stressing the knee for just 2 weeks.” For many reasons, this could be a less than likely assumption. It is as likely they told him to stay off the knee for 6 weeks, or even longer.
I understand the depth of your desire for Rafa to be healthy and competitive. We all share that desire. But it is wishful thinking to ignore the known progression of patellar tendinitis and the testimony of Rafa’s own body.
Hear, hear. We all want Rafa to be fit and competitive, but it is indeed wishful thinking to believe that he can be healed and ready to go in just over a fortnight.
It cannot heal but perhaps it can improve to allow him to compete. Or am I wrong?
Rafa has been having this “permanent” condition for many years. So far, Rafa has been able to manage these conditions, including managing through some knee problems this year at Australia. Why are you assuming that Rafa can’t manage it this time?
It’s true that Rafa’s knees cannot return to his “original unhurt state”. But when was Rafa’s “original unhurt state”? 2008 (if not even earlier)? Since then, Rafa has still been playing at a top level, and has mostly managed his knee problems. By the way, the other top players have chronic injuries as well, so Rafa is NOT more injury-prone than others.
Remember, even after the knee injury in Miami this year, Rafa stated that his knees are in better condition than they were when he was younger (2009).
Rafa’s team said 15-days of rest. For now, I trust Rafa’s team, unless Rafa withdraws from Olympics because 15 days is not enough. Even withdrawing from Olympic may actually be a good thing, as it gives Rafa more time to rest for US Open. Rafa’s top rivals may be fatigued at USO (because of Olympics), so Rafa may have the freshness advantage over them.
Of course, eventually Rafa will decline because of the injuries, as will Djokovic, Federer, Murray, etc. I just don’t think we should be writing off Rafa’s chances at USO this year.
Any thoughts?
Kevin, with respect, you don’t want to hear what you don’t want to hear.
1. Rafa played even after injured, yes, and though he pulled it off with varying success in your examples, he paid for it with increased cumulative damage and shortened periods between treatments. That’s why one cannot assume that he can now manage as he did years earlier.
2. The facts that his team are telling us, which must be regarded as being spun with the greatest optimism and deftness (e.g., the gradually heightened leaks), are that he’s needing treatment more frequently, which means the treatments have become less effective and/or his knees’ condition is deteriorating. That’s what happens when he keeps playing, playing hard, playing on hard surfaces, playing without long rests, etc. Even when he succeeded while playing hurt, it only increased the damage being done. Staving off Novak for more than a year and then gutting him in the clay season saved tennis, perhaps, and may have been necessary for Rafa’s emotional health, but it appears to have come at heavy cost to his knees.
3. We are not hearing from the doctors themselves, but from the communications team. The information is filtered. One cannot expect at this stage to get unvarnished information. For many reasons.
4. Read the tea leaves. That Rafa has had to call off his exhibition is no small thing; it is ominous, to tell the truth. One does this only at great need. It has cost Rafa considerable capital already in the sports world — sponsors, the media, and fans will now see him as less reliable, more fragile, iffy. More than 40,000 tickets had been sold, acc. to the account I read — and though the ticket money is being refunded, a lot of folk will lose money on reservations and travel. It’s a big disappointment all around, including for the charities. So having to postpone the event should indicate to you the seriousness of his condition.
5. Rafa has talked for years of his love of the Olympics. He has made it clear in the last several months how badly he wishes to play for the gold for Spain. Now he is “hoping, hoping that [he] will be all right to play.” That does not sound optimistic to me. Nor should it. His knee problems must be serious and stubborn, for him to contemplate giving up the gold. With the clear indication that treatments are having to be stepped up, and knowing that long cessation of impactful use are needed for managing this conditon, one would not expect Rafa to be in good playing condition after 15 days of rest.
6. We’ve watched a lot of athletes with injuries in our lives. Each is different. Appealing to the careers of other injured athletes to bolster arguments is not particularly useful or even apt at this far remove from detailed medical histories.
7. I have made no predictions on Rafa’s career, but it seems obvious from all this that he may now have to adjust schedule or style or something else if he is to play with any success while managing pain and mobility. I take no pleasure in suggesting unpleasant possiblities, but I believe in facing my own fears and weighing them objectively. I am also trying not to get ahead of developments. I will be the first to say I am wrong if things go that way (I pray they do).
You have asked why I am concerned — several times, in fact. I have endeavored to answer your points fully and reasonably with as much info and inference as I can muster. I doubt that this latest answer will meet with your acceptance any more than my earlier ones, so please do not ask me for my thoughts anymore.
Perhaps we can agree on one thing, eh? Vamos, Rafa!
As I have said before, I have no problem if Rafa skips the Olympics. Even if Rafa is healthy, every best-of-3-set match on grass is a toss-up anyways, even against low-ranked players. I accept that Rafa may not be ready for Olympics. Besides, having already won Olympic gold, Rafa doesn’t need it as much as other players.
Skipping the Olympics will give Rafa more time to rest his knees and be ready for US Open. And if Rafa wins the US Open, Rafa can take most of the fall to rest, like Djokovic did last year.
Also, knee/shoulder injuries shortened Rafa’s practice time for this year’s Australian Open, and clay-court season. And yet Rafa still played well in AO and on clay this year.
Rafa couldn’t touch a racquet for at least a week between Davis Cup final 2011 and AO 2012. He also couldn’t touch a racquet for 2 weeks between Miami & Monte Carlo this year. Had Rafa scheduled an exho match during these injury-breaks, he would’ve had to cancel the exho matches as well. But he went on to have a good AO 2012, and a great clay-court season.
So the cancellation of the exho match may mean little about Rafa’s chances at the USO. I accept that Rafa may not be ready for Olympics. But as I said, it may be better to skip the Olympics to be better rested for USO, where I think Rafa probably has a good chance of winning.
You said: “It is as likely they told him to stay off the knee for 6 weeks”
Even with your bad scenario of 6-week rest (which includes this week), that could give Rafa enough time to prepare for US Open. And as I noted, Rafa’s top rivals may be fatigued at US Open (because of Olympics), so Rafa will probably have the “freshness” advantage over them. That’s the good thing about leaving Wimbledon early.
Others’ thoughts?
You keep asking for the thoughts of others and then post multiple replies attempting to repudiate their thoughts.
People have their opinions there’s no need to try and change them…repeatedly.
I’m not trying to change opinions (although I do see some trying to change mine). I’m just posting my thoughts. Every post I mention a different aspect of my reasoning (I never post identical postings).
Rafa will carry the flag for the Spanish Olympic team at the London Games, so he will be there.
This is the longest blog I have ever read from Rafa. It is a very rare glimpse of what he feels at the moment as opposed to answering questions from reporters. It is so very personal, I felt like I am reading a private letter to Andy from Rafa. There are so many emotions jumping out of the page that I can’t help but feel his pain too of not being the one at the final. On a lighter note – in as much as he supports the big final – he is not sure if he will be watching the match. So typical Rafa.
It is an unexpected blog from Rafa but an expected support for Andy. Rafa has said before that Andy has the game to win grand slams and he just needs to have THE moment. I’d like to believe that this is his moment, so I’ll be cheering for him on Sunday. :) I still feel the pain of not being able to watch any Rafa tennis the past week but I pray that Rafa feels better and comes back stronger. Here’s hoping that we’d all be VAMOS-ing in the Olympics and beyond. :)
Nice Piece of article from Rafa .Really good to hear from Nadal about tennis in a week time.An article which surely motivates Murray to break his “DUCK” at his home soil .Hope he wins :)
Nadal would surely love to see Murray holding the trophy ,but he knows there is a daunting task ahead because its Roger.
The statement that he is sad for not being in Sunday’s final is obvious .I would love to have had “FEDAL” final .But this is what it is !!
Hope Murray utilizes the opportunity that surely came at his sheer Hard work and Determination ,but in least or at least some % ,at the exit of Rafa .
“Kudos” for nadal for making Murray’s win special with this kind of Article .
Comeon Rafa ,recover soon and make it in dream come true by defending your gold medal at olympics .
Such a lovely thing to do. Our boy really is at the top of the scale when it comes to appreciating the skills and achievements of others. I hope others learn from this and most of all, I hope Andy can draw on the support of his friend and beat Roger on Sunday :)
It was also good to hear that he is on vacation on a beautiful island – I have been there and it is a glorious place – and I can imagine him there enjoying good food and company and resting those knees. Because he needs to rest for as long it takes and if that means missing the Olympics, then that’s what he’ll have to do. I believe in being realistically optimistic for the future and from what Rafa has said about problems and treatment at and after RG and recurrent problems now, he seems to be adopting the same realistically optimistic approach.
I agree that Rafa should skip the Olympics, if he’s not ready to play at a top level. Even if Rafa is at top level, every match in best-of-3-sets on grass can be a toss-up anyways (even against very low-ranked players). Rafa should focus on being healthy for the USO, where the best-of-5-sets format and slower surface give him an advantage.
Thoughts?
I agree that any slam provides Rafa with an advantage because they’re over 5 sets. Also, Novak’s loss yesterday will hopefully reinforce Rafa’s belief that he can beat him again. Hopefully, if his knee pain is controlled and can play at the level he wants, that he won’t have to play too many long matches because the hard courts of the USO are not good for his body.
Hard-courts are not good for anybody’s body (not just Rafa). But Rafa came into this year’s Australian Open with knee injury concerns (he suffered knee injury on clay in last year’s Davis Cup final), but was still able to endure very long matches in Australia. Rafa made the AO finals, and almost won. So I am cautiously optimistic for this year’s USO- especially since other top players might be exhausted from Wimbledon & Olympics. The good thing about losing early at Wimbledon is that Rafa might be better rested for USO than other top players.
Thoughts?
Also, doctors ordered only a 15-day rest for Rafa’s knees (I believe the 15-day timeline started this past Monday). So the injury doesn’t seem that severe. If the injury was severe, I think doctors would have ordered a longer rest. Even if the rest is not long enough for Olympics, then hopefully it will be enough for US Open Series.
Thoughts?
‘Also, doctors ordered only a 15-day rest for Rafa’s knees (I believe the 15-day timeline started this past Monday). So the injury doesn’t seem that severe. If the injury was severe, I think doctors would have ordered a longer rest.’
I don’t think you really appreciate the reality of patellar tendonitis, but you believe whatever you want.
I’m betting that Rafa has decided with his doctors to go with fifteen days rest in the first instance because that would be until the latest time he could leave it before restart practice for the Olympics. This is a positive message to give out to fans, media and sponsors, yes? The rest is to not only to limit the use of the tendon but to optimise the treatment. Then he and his team will re-evaluate nearer the time. Whether or not they manage to control the pain in the short term, Rafa has chronic ‘overuse’ damage to his patellar tendons which is *not* going away.
I think you’re speculating, and you can speculate all you want.
I’ll wait for details from Rafa’s doctors on the nature of his current knee condition. I actually saw Spanish media reports that Rafa’s current knee problem is not serious.
If I’m speculating, I’m doing so from a position of knowledge and expertise. You’re gazing into a future of your own design through some rose tinted spectacles…
Let’s wait & see. Most players have “overuse” injuries that will get worse as they get older. Look at Murray’s back injury during the clay-court season, while Rafa was relatively healthy this clay-court season. Look at Del Potro’s knee injury in Rome, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon.
I understand Rafa may not be a top player at age 30, but we shouldn’t go all pessissmistic about Rafa’s immediate future. Rafa’s only 26.
Rafa’s knees held up better in 2011 & AO 2012 than it did in 2009 & AO 2010, even though Rafa was obviously older than 2009 & early 2010. So I’m cautiously optimistic that Rafa will have at least 1 year left as a top player. Of course, Rafa will eventually decline after probably several more years, as will Murray, Djokovic, etc.
Others’ thoughts?
Heath- I’ll wait for more information from Rafa’s team about Rafa’s current issue- I’ll trust that more than your so-called “expertise”.
Whatever, Kevin. I couldn’t care less what you do.
Both if you chill. Now. I know people are worried about Rafa and have their own thoughts about the situation, but there is no need to make this personal.
Patellar tendonitis is a serious condition, but manageable from what I understand. Of course the Spanish media would want report that the problem is not serious.
Yes, PT is manageable – if you remove the initial cause. If you don’t remove the cause, i.e. stop doing the activity that’s doing the damage, then all you’re doing is chasing symptoms which are worsening as time goes by.
Exactly.
Kevin, i’m not trying to burst your bubble or trying to put you in your place, but if you read some of the Heaths’s posts in regard to this type of injury, its very evident that, while maybe not privy to the exact pathology of Rafa’s situation, he does have a high level of expertise with sports injuries and probably a pretty good feel for what ballpark Rafa is in in regard to where things stand going forward. No one knows how long Rafa will hold up, sure, but at the same time, its a situation that is proving to be more and more mitigating, and that trend just isn’t going to get better. And yes, hard courts are very hard on his knees, i’m not sure how you can think otherwise.
That said, and i don’t like to come across as Ebenezer Scrooge by any means, it probably behooves us to be realistic with his career going forward. We’re all passionate fans, wanting him to win majors, and what-not, but i think it creates a better perspective for everyone if we really appreciate the times he can play in best form, because those days are, in fact, going to come to an end. Further, he is playing in an extraordinarily tough era. And no one would be happier to be wrong than me, i’d love to be 3 years down the road and he’s up to 14, 15, maybe 16 slams. I hope that happens, i really do. Just trying to maybe stave off a little disappointment on your end.
Joel- I think you misunderstood me. I said hard-court are diffcult for all players’ bodies, and of course Rafa is no exception. I agree that Rafa will eventually decline (as will Murray, Federer, Djokovic), but please don’t write Rafa off for the immediate future. I’m cautiously optimistic about Rafa’s chances at USO.
That’s our Rafa, what a lovely gesture! He had said before the tournament that Andy has it in him to win a grand slam and now that he has that oppurtunity, Rafa praising and congratulating him for that is such a lovely thought. The friendship between them is evident. My heart aches for him, how he says he wished it could have been him in the final.
Love you Rafa for being you!
Go Andy!!!Win your 1st Grand slam.
This is a wonderful thing from Rafa to do. Shows he has the skills and heart of a champion. I hope Murray wins Wimbledon. The early exit from Wimbledon will turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Rafa. The rest before the Olympics and the US Open will do him a world of good. Best of luck for the rest of the year. VAMOS Rafaa !!!
I totally agree…lovely, heartfelt gesture from Rafa.
Wimbledon is not the same without you.Without the fighting bull playing the past week ,Wimbledon misses him badly.We want you back Rafa,in Olympics or to win US open.You are a fighter.After 2009 French Open you are in bad shape than you are in now, as you wrote in your autobiography.When critics wrote you off,you showed the world what you are in 2010.Fight the battle with your knees.,which you’ll be winning and start winning from US open this year.Even without that ,you are still one of the best players to have played this game. Make Rod Laver words modify a bit,”Federer is greatest ever but Nadal is close enough,..”nope Nadal is the greatest ever.Waiting for your 12 in Flushing Meadows. Can’t wait any longer to see you running on the court.
Tennis been berry berry good to Rafa.
Beautiful article, written from the heart and with genuine sentiments. I always knew Rafa and Andy were good friends but hadn’t realised before just how good. How many other players would publicly declare their good wishes to their fellow players on the eve of a final of a major tournament, especially one that they would love to be in themselves, as he says in his own words. I too was hoping for a Roger/Rafa final but it was not to be. I really hope that this article is brought to Andy’s attention and gives him a massive boost of confidence, knowing that Rafa believes in him. Wimbledon hasn’t been the same without Rafa and I am so desperately hoping he is fit enough to compete in the Olympics, which we all know he is so looking forward to.
Rafa is a class act. I still could never understand people who told me he was cocky until one who didn’t follow tennis that much said that they didn’t like how he celebrated on court and then she was really honest and said that she just didn’t like how he just started beating Federer. It was rather funny.
I went on to explain that Rafa is one of the most humble athletes on the planet.
All this being said, this is the final I had hoped for, for so many reasons, most importantly, nobody will have dominated the grand slams in 2012. Especially Djokovic. The unearthly season he had last year is over, finito. Also, one slam for each of these power houses, is great for the game. This puts Murray very much in the game, making things quite interesting. And what does this do for our boy? Gives him confidence of course, and tells him that the big brass ring is there for him to grab such as: the Olympics and the US Open. It also opens the door to all the top players. But the Djokovic sole dominance is finished. He will win slams, and majors, of course, but so will Rafa and so will Andy and if Federer is to win this, I don’t see many more on him,really. He has achieved historical greatness, anyway. I guess he is looking to be #1 at 30. WHy not. A good thing for older folks ;). BUT, GO ANDY! It will be a hell of a final. No doubt.
And regarding Rafa’s knees, remember he always lowers expectations. He will be fine.
I am so glad Rafa took the time to write to us…o.k.(murray). Though, it feels like we are the recipient. I can say i am relieved that i didn’t miss the mark by rooting for murray to win the semis and eventually the slam (good of Rafa to remember he was the one who stopped murray a couple of times.. lol).
Again, i like the way Rafa is trying to tell Murray that going by his experience, victory would be a lot sweeter for him as he will be contending against Roger whom he considers a worthy opponent.
Inanycase, I pray the treatment Rafa is receiving on his knees works better this time…if only he can rest through the Olympics and come back for the hard court season, what a world of good it would do to those famous knees of his. But knowing how patriotic he is, it will be like wishing for the moon.
I too wish you are the one playing the final, Rafa and i know without doubt you would have been the one lifting the trophy if the circumstance were to be different. I have resolved to reasoning that destiny is giving Murray a chance in history at this time and so it is easier to bear.
I miss your fist pumps, your smiles and the special way which you play. Tennis isn’t the same without you!
Get well soon, Rafa. We all miss you!
Well said! :)
“All I know is that it will be a match that no one who sees it will forget. I don’t know if I will be watching or not, it depends on my schedule.”
ROTFL!
Exactly! Hysterical :D
I wonder who called him…maybe someone fom the Times? Or Benito, who then set up an interview?
miri…if you know, was there any byline or attribution from anyone but Rafa on the story, and where was it in the paper?
I like to think it was Roger or Andy who called him… ;) As to where it is in the paper, it’s on the front page of the Sports supplement :) And there was no further attribution – well, not in the paper version of The Times.
Considering Neil Harman’s tweet from earlier this week regarding Rafa’s knees and his later confirmation that he had a source for his earlier tweet, he’s evidently been in touch with Benito. It was probably a phone call turned into an article.
You may be right. However, Benito is nothing if not consummately prepared, and I suspect that he talked with Rafa a day before about how he’d feel if Andy got to the final, and banged out a draft from that conversation that Rafa then revised.
Journos have said in the past that Rafa does not like others to speak for him. It is possible that Rafa wrote it himself and then it got a slight edit. Certainly the blog has a very authentic “voice” throughout, and the wistfulness and warmth I have no doubt are not forced and are not Benito. I almost expected him to say, “And I tell you this from my heart.”
Have you read “Rafa’s” travel blogs?
Where are Rafa’s travel blogs? Do you have a link?
Grupo Barcelo has hired him to do the blogs, which seem quite Benito-esque to me. The one “he” did after Rome is found here. http://bit.ly/MfQjWl
Yes, I have read them. I try to read everything with any semblance of input from Rafa.
It would be naïve to think that Rafa sits in front of a screen and taps out stuff with his byline all by himself, in English, and that his work goes straight from there to the public. I’ve done a bit of this kind of thing in my time, I’m not a impressionable gaga fan (usually).
This is a fairly skilled bit of work. To me, it’s obvious that the piece meets several news objectives of Team Nadal/Benito:
– encouraging Murray (for many reasons);
– nodding to Roger as The Old Man of Tennis (implications? yes);
– reminding people that, though Rafa is not in the tourney, he did beat TOMOT in The Greatest Tennis Match of All Time;
– Rafa’s knees are really messed up, which (hinting here) kept him from competing effectively at W (Rosol who?);
– thus implying, if Rafa were still in the tourney, the finals might well be different;
– he really had no choice in cancelling his tournament;
– reminding people that Rafa is still a force, the guy who set several new records (and gutted Novak, leaving only sweepings for Roger).
Yes, he nods to both players, but there is a clear emphasis on Murray. Can’t get away from that.
But I still think there’s authentic Rafa in here, quite a bit, actually. Genuine warmth and respect, friendly encouragement, missing Wimbledon, concern about missing the Olympics … I don’t see it as an outside piece derived from answering questions — too careful and targeted — and I don’t see it as the British press using Rafa. (They’re very good at that without having to chat him up in Sardinia.)
We can agree to disagree about how much of this is Rafa, and about anything I’ve said here. None of us is sitting at the Times desk.
Vamos, Rafa. Get well, champ.
I agree, and even more so after reading from this vantage point. Putting biases aside, and we all want to believe the best, of course, but i think some of the nuances of him and his team that you detail, and then the things you can infer from that lend more credibility to it. And i could care less how the media spun it. Its consistent with Rafa and the character of his team to do such a thing.
The byline is exactly as I copied it above. No idea where it was in the paper as I don’t have a hard copy.
i think rafa`ll win uso and win gold in olampic game
Yet another great example of how classy and selfless Rafa is, just to take the time while on vacation, to selflessly post his thoughts on a match that, isn’t what any of his fans were hoping for, yet is still historic none the less.
It’s noteworthy that he is pretty clearly rooting for Andy. Reason being, if Andy were to win W, i would have to believe that he becomes a far greater threat to win more slams in the future just from the vantage point of now having that confidence that comes with it. Nole was in a similar situation not long ago.
Its clear Rafa doesn’t think that way at all, that he simply has far too much respect for the game, the players that are playing, the significance of the title for either one that wins, and puts all of those items into perspective before considering the implications of how it may impact his own prospects down the road.
God bless him.
Let’s go Andy!
“It’s clear Rafa doesn’t think that way at all, that he simply has far too much respect for the game, the players that are playing, the significance of the title for either one that wins, and puts all of those items into perspective before considering the implications of how it may impact his own prospects down the road.”
One of the major reasons we like Rafa and hold him dear. Even absent, he is still a part of the Wimbledon ambience. And a forever Champion, in behavior as well as in tennis.
I agree Andy will be an even more serious threat if he wins a major so Rafa will have to deal with Novak, Roger and Andy on his way to winning more slams. So be it! Poor Andy, the pressure must be enormous. Roger is very motivated and he’s had such a relaxed way to the final, with the exception of Novak.
I disagree. With the draw, Rafa will only have to deal with at most 2 of the other Top 4 players to win a Slam. Rafa will be ranked #3, and Murray will be ranked #4 next week; so in the USO, Rafa & Murray will likely be on opposite halfs of the draw.
Your thoughts?
I meant that if Andy won Wimbledon it would unblock his belief and full potential and he would become much more dangerous than he is now. So it would be another very dangerous opponent, with Novak and Roger still there of course. Novak was so close to winning important titles but lacked the belief until he didn’t lack it anymore. The same could happen to Andy. After all, if they are not on the same side of the draw, then Novak or Roger will be, which is equally difficult given Roger’s newfound confidence and Novak’s style. So basically No3 sucks. But for now let’s hope Rafa is healthy and then the rest will follow!
I respectfully disagree again. Roger also came into Australia in better form than Rafa (Roger was on a winning streak), and Rafa still beat Roger. Murray has beaten Rafa twice in Hard Court Slams, while Roger is 0-2 against Rafa in Hard Cour Slams. So at this year’s USO, I would much rather have Rafa face Roger than Murray. So it’s a good thing that Murray and Rafa will be opposite sides of the draw at USO.
Also, Murray’s recent form has been better than Novak’s (Murray put up a bigger fight against Roger than Novak did at Wimbledon). Rafa’s has also beaten Novak the last 3 times, and was so close to beating Novak in Australia. On the other hand, Rafa lost his last meeting against Murray.
So I don’t think Rafa being No. 3 is necessarily a bad thing- it means Rafa avoids Murray in the semis of USO- on Hard Court Slams, Murray is more dangerous to Rafa than Roger, and Murray could be as dangerous as Novak. Remember, when Murray plays well (and Murray is playing even better than Novak now), Murray’s style is very similar to Novak’s.
If Rafa were No. 2, Rafa could face Murray in USO semis, which is not a good thing, since Murray is currently in even better form than Novak, and Hard Courts are Murray’s best surface.
Hey Rafa.
“This is the best possible final for Wimbledon…” I completely agree with that whole paragraph.
Get well soon Champ. Have a great holiday :)
If the roof is open tomorrow, Andy Murray will have a great chance. Otherwise, Federer’s serve becomes faster and better on indoor courts. Good Luck, Andy! I will be rooting for you tomorrow! :D
Go ANDY!!! As Rafa says: You deserve it. Rafa, you will be missed and I am really, really happy you are not the one having to face Murray in the a Wimbledon final with unhealthy knees.
[...] news today, Rafa wrote a blog about Andy Murray in The Times, the full text of which can be found here. It is kind of unintentionally hysterically funny, in my opinion. I recommend reading it aloud in [...]
Wow, don’t know where I’ve been but I had no idea that Rafa was having a flare up of the tendinitis again. I was under the impression that his treatments had been working very well over the last few years. I even remember him saying his knees were no longer a problem (can’t remember when he said that). Unfortunately it’s back. Let’s all hope that a few weeks rest will remedy the situation enough for him to feel confident at the Olympics.
As for the USO, I had my doubts Rafa would ever win a USO so when he did in 2010 I was completely and utterly thrilled. If he wins another USO title I would be even more thrilled. But for some reason I’d prefer to see him win another gold medal. I wasn’t following tennis in 2008 so I missed his first. And I like that, out of today’s greats, he alone has the “Golden Slam.”
Roger has been talking about getting back to number 1 ever since he lost the top spot. And to be quite honest here, I always thought he was delusional on this..well, lordy, I can’t believe if he wins tomorrow he will have done it! I really don’t want that to happen. All his rabid fans will become intolerable. Besides, Andy has been playing with such pressure from his countrymen, it would be lovely to see him win tomorrow.
Rafa’s blog to Andy is just lovely. He balanced his support for him with plenty of accolades for Roger. He hit all the right notes. What a true sportsman he is — and great friend to both Andy and Roger.
Great piece of writing. Thank you, Rafa. For being the sportsman and the person that you are.
Once again, Rafa, you show the world what a true champion you are on and off the court. Your empathy and sincere encouragement for Andy Murray are all the more remarkable b/c they are so rarely found in competitive sportsmen.
Tomorrow’s final is flat for me without you Rafa- but I will be cheering on Andy -mostly because you hold him in such high esteem.
Sharing his thoughts and words to Andy with everybody is a real “Rafa thing” to do. Andy must be pleased, proud and eager to finish the job tomorrow.
It is by far his best chances ever to make it happen.
I can´t help it, but I have to say, that I just saw Jonathan Marray and Frederik Nielsen play the finals in the doubles at Wimbledon. Frederik being from my country, makes me very proud, and Marray being British made the homecrowd go wild. It may do the trick for Andy tomorrow, who knows?
Also I understand and share the worries from a lot of you, concerning Rafa´s knee problems, and it is really a sad and rather delicate situation for him yet again.
With the Olympics right around the corner, it would mean so much for Rafa, if he could be able to be there. I think more so than the US Open, but that´s just my humble guess. I surely don´t hope, that he has to choose between the two, but as some of you rightly said, the hard court season is the toughest for his knees.
Best wishes for the healing, Rafa, tennis isn´t the same at all without you.
It certainly is not the same…there’s a void without the excitement and energy that Rafa brings to every tournament he plays. Gives us a hint of what it will be like when he does retire. But let’s not go there yet! Hoping that he and his team will make sensible decisions regarding his schedule, his health that will prolong his career. His absence from Wimbledon this year makes me appreciate and look forward to every moment that he is able to play from here on…
Well said, Julie, we must appreciate every moment from now on..
Wimbledon was just bad luck for Rafa. Rafa will have good chances to win US Open. Rafa’s knee pain will always be there, but I am optimistic Rafa can manage his knee problems for US Open, like he has managed knee problems earlier this year.
Vamos Rafa!