Rafael Nadal Interviewed By HuffPost UK Blogger Victoria Coren
Interview with Rafa about the Olympics, sporting heroes, poker, luck and Roland Garros.
Most Recent Result
Rome Final: Defeated Roger Federer 6-1, 6-3Next Opponent
Daniel BrandsRecent Comments
- Sharon/London on RG: The draw
- Sharon/London on RG: The draw
- Ramara on RG: The draw
- Sharon/London on RG: The draw
- Ramara on RG: The draw
- Annie on RG: The draw
- Sharon/London on RG: The draw
- Cherie on RG: The draw
- CC on RG: Practice and Nike Event photos
- Ch F on RG: The draw
Loading ...Tags
AO
ATP Masters Madrid
ATP Masters Rome
Barcelona
dc
djokovic
doubles
draw
federer
final
flashback
fo
in between tournaments
injury
interview
IW
london
mallorquí
match report
match results
mc
miami
monte-carlo
nyc
photo
post-match
practice
pre-tournament
presser
quarterfinal
questions for rafa
R16
R32
rafa blog
rafalint
rg
roland garros
semifinal
spanish
toni
transcript
USO
video
wimbly
wtf
Support this site
Shirts, jackets, scarves, prints and a calendar - get some fun gear and help pay this site's server costs.
Oh, I love me a *passioned* Rafa. No wonder that lady has half of her baps hanging out. Or is that just a poker distraction thing?
CC, our minds certainly seem to travel down the same paths. Once again, we arrive at the same questions.
Did you also find several moments where you laughed out loud? And don’t you wish she’d asked about his “game face”?
CC, you’ve given me something new to think about instead of working. What would I wear if I were going to interview Rafa? I think I’d go for classy rather than cleavage (and save that for afterwards :))
Oh i know exactly what outfit i would wear…… I have one figured out for evry situation! And when i say evry situation i mean EVRY situatio n, even the passioned ones;)
hes so cute when he blushes at the end :)
Oh….Rafa has just made my day with those smiles of his.He couldn’t stop grinning, could he? Eeeh… finally, a happy face. Am loving him the more….thank God for His goodness!OR do i say poker? ;)
Are there any new information on whether Rafa will play in Toronto?
Glad to see him somewhat smiling. There will feel like something is missing at the opening ceremonies in the Spanish contingent. I wish he could at least carry the flag.
Did anyone else watch the next vid above called “Nadal Motionless on court?” Maybe I’m behind the times and this was shown previously; if so please forgive me. I can’t believe how amazingly well they captured Rafa for Madame Tousseaud’s! It’s the best likeness I’ve ever seen in wax…Meanwhile, I’m glad Rafa is keeping busy and maybe this will help him to be with colm while he convalesces. It’s just so cute how he keeps expanding his horizons.
That wax figure is absolutely impressive. I do wish they’d use a more Rafa like shot. There was already a wax figure of him hitting the same shot, I think.
Do we know when did this interview take place?.
I think the video was shot sometime in May, before rafa turned 26,
as the interviewer refers to rafa competing against 25yr olds!! i think
they have added extra questions & answers to the video interview, which
you can read the transcript of, which can be found on the above link. ( this talks about olympics, RG vs Nole
etc). Then again, i could be wayyyy off ;).
I love the smiles & rafa-isms ie focussed, colm etc. Also the new one “passioned” and how he pronounces Issac his coach!! Awesome :)
Rafa uses the Hebrew pronunciation of the name. It may also be the Spanish pronunciation, I don’t know … but I assume that his coach pronounces it thus.
Aw such a sweetheart. I miss that smile and that bashfulness. Love to hear him speak. Rafa can talk about anything and I’ll be all ears.
Me too…will be fun to watch as he aspires to become a “correct player” – yet another Rafa-ism.
Ahhh yes the Rafa that I love, and always will. Great personality and attitude… I must say the interviewer did a great job, helpful questions, the answers to which are so inspiring. I think Rafa will do great with “poker face”; he has to hide a lot in the tennis world as is.
Shoot, if I’m Rafa, I’m not so sure that I don’t fire my poker coach and hire Victoria!
Rafa is adorables!
I must say that this whole Rafa-PokerStars connection is not to my liking. It goes against what he stands for and totally contradicts his image.
I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What does it contradict in either his “stand” or his beliefs? This is a serious question, I’m not trying to pull your chain.
My son has played poker professionally; perhaps I have a different outlook.
Let me start by saying I have nothing against poker. It’s a fun game that I like to play every once and awhile – not for money but just for fun and challenge.
My “problem” is with a gambling site (PokerStars) trying to whitewash its problematic image with a sports star like Rafa, a man known for his fair play and honesty.
Ah, I see. You object to the particular site/company, which defrauded the government (and banks) awhile back and used Rubin to launder money. It’s not the actual gambling or poker you object to.
Yes, absolutely they are paying Rafa to help the salvage effort. I expect PokerStars to be under constant deep scrutiny; it’ll probably be a very tight op now. I certainly hope so. Surely Rafa’s lawyers will keep tabs on it, as they should be doing with all his sponsorships …
Thank you, NJR.
Informative exchange, Melissa and NJR. I was unaware of money laundering, although I knew PokerStars was paying Spain a chunk of money in back taxes. May I ask who Rubin is?
Also, Melissa’s comment that Rafa’s lawyers should keep an eye on PokerStars reminded me of his multi-million dollar deal promoting the Balearic Islands, where the tourism ministry stiffed him. Two weeks ago, Miquel Nadal, who was the government official who officially announced that venture, was convicted of corruption charges and sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Very briefly: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120726-718921.html
Much more fully: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Scheinberg follow footnotes if more desired
Thank you! Wow, what an eye-opener. I knew that the PokerStars domain name had been seized by the US government. Now I know why.
They say it’s seized on the home page, but you can still click on any of the nav links and access most of the site…so I don’t get it. It was that way the first time I went there to look for news of Rafa’s signing.
Eversince I have learnt that Rafa is connected to pokerstars my interest in Rafa has decreased.Oh god please change this situation!
Well if poker stars are so corrupt they must be paying Rafalito very well. Think of it as helping out the Spanish economy. What could be more ethical? Soon all the Spanish economy will be Rafas pay check so they need it. No Rafa no economy.
Loved reading all your comments. I haven’t even seen the interview yet!! Especially love hearing that An has an outfit for EVERY occasion! Hmmm….
Really made my day. Thanks
Thanks for the video.. Wonderful to watch Rafa who cant stop grinning..He is so adorable..Picturing him grinning on a poker game makes me laugh so much.. Rafa and his poker-face !!!
What a cutie !