Comments on: RafaLint: July 29th

By: sia

sia — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:47:17 +0000

Well of course; Bar picks the one where Rafa looks nekkid. I’m sure it inspires every day. ;)

By: Casual Observer

Casual Observer — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:10:27 +0000

Agreed. I’ve heard Kobe Bryant’s PRP treatments were more successful than Rafa’s. Bryant had these done in Germany along with Alex Rodriguez and other athletes who go there for this. The latest NBA player to do this is Brandon Roy. He was able to get the treatment and come out of retirement. I think most of these cases are where there’s no cartilage in the knee. I’m not sure any of these guys who went to Germany had tendon issues. I’ve read the treatment in Germany is a little more advanced than initial forms of PRP, which is what Rafa underwent. It seems like a combination of rest and therapy along with an adjusted playing schedule (especially on hardcourts) might be the best medicine. The ironic part about Rafa is he seems to be okay on clay, which is the most difficult “surfrace” for most other players, while the knees bother him on hardcourts the way other players are bothered by physical ailments on clay. I’d love for Rafa to get back to the 2010 version of him. Just play less and get treatment whenever possible.

By: Isabelle

Isabelle — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:44:06 +0000

The tennis world is very flat without Rafa. The little girl photo is precious! I enjoyed the article on the best returners.

By: Heath

Heath — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:23:17 +0000

I agree; the stem cell therapy that is about life saving tissue replacement is an entirely different thing and should never be sanctioned in sports injuries, in my opinion. I hope Rafa has success with whichever intervention he goes for. But given the manyy, many variables associate with tendinopathy, there are no guarantees that SCT will prove more beneficial than PRP.

By: Casual Observer

Casual Observer — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 06:53:01 +0000

CO – My understanding of stem cell therapy isn’t that much but there was a recent case of a tracheaotomy performed from a windpipe that was created from the patient’s stem cells. The trachea had developed abnormally early in life but they were able to use the stem cells to produce a ‘good’ trachea, harvest it and then transplant it into the patient. I think this is where the promise of stem cell therapy really is. I think at some point though, the ITF and WADA would have to eventually ban stem cells for replacing body parts this way. I’m not sure where they will draw the line. I think the stem cell route probably holds the most promise for Rafa.

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:51:55 +0000

Rafa looks great in the video! The injury must be tough, but he’ll be back in about a month and have a great chance of winning the US Open.

By: June

June — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:43:39 +0000

Regarding the Babolat Ultimate Photo Contest, looks like Eva B. won & her prize is an Unforgetable Encounter w/Rafa! That sounds intriguing. I wonder what she is in store for?

By: Tina

Tina — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:53:42 +0000

Yes Julie, Rafa´s absence makes you realize how much impact he has on all of us: The fans, the commies, even his fellowplayers.
That´s why it is so strange, when he´s not around.

Let´s hope he gets fully recovered from his injuries, and it may take some time still, but it will be so worth waiting for.

Here´s to a healthy, well rested Rafa!

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:09:41 +0000

Me too…what a void in the tennis world without him. I’m guessing even the commies are missing him…both the critics and the supporters. His presence is so powerful and compelling.

By: zibah

zibah — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:22:40 +0000

Oh and I love the little girl too. However, I would contest that I am Rafa’s #1 admirer, not her!! :)