Comments on: Rafa withdraws from Doha and the Australian Open

By: Elfie

Elfie — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 23:58:42 +0000

As the Aussie Open starts today, they are showing a few highlights of last year’s Open, Rafa v Federer and Rafa v Djokovic. It really brings it home how long he has been off the tour, Gosh! how we all miss him! The AO won’t be the same without him.

By: eric

eric — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:05:47 +0000

Rafa

You’ve got absolutely nothing to prove. come back when you feel ready by your own standards. We’ll all be there!
Eric

By: Boki

Boki — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:21:33 +0000

Come on Rafa! We are waiting for you!

By: Cristina

Cristina — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 03:17:06 +0000

After hearing him say in several interviews that the knee didn’t feel that well, I was very worried about him returning on hard courts and especially about playing such a taxing tournament as the AO. So I think they’ve made the right decision.

What is worrying is that he still does’t feel quite right after SO long.

As for people saying all this doesn’t make sense and coming up with the dumbest theories, well, the sad truth is lots of people just aren’t very smart and don’t even understand what they read. That’s all.

Hope you all have a great year.

And I hope Rafa come here to Chile. That would be amazing :).

By: David Constantine

David Constantine — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:05:55 +0000

Although I adore RF, tennis is just not the same with the absence of Rafa. Please return when you’re ready. I can’t wait…

By: Ch F

Ch F — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:45:49 +0000

Happy New Year to all of you! May 2013 bring you health, happiness, love, and lots of Rafavictories.

I am gutted he won’t play and must admit I was alarmed when I heard the news. Hopefully this is the last withdrawal.

By: Louyson from Québec

Louyson from Québec — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:24:59 +0000

J’espère te voir bientôt jouer en compétition . the world is waiting your return. Go easy at first play Ferederers way. The fact to be back playing will please all your fans we all miss you. You are the gratest tennis player and a gentleman. We love you Happy good year 2013 will be the year for you. Hasta luego champion Vamos Rafa Québec Louyson Québec

By: Ankit

Ankit — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:42:25 +0000

Yea rafa .. take ur time but return with ur confidence .. clay will b d bst to boost ur confidence ..
just cant wait to watch you cruise to rank 1 :-)

By: Rafafan

Rafafan — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:35:44 +0000

PS: Rafa is in the best 25 sports photos of the year!

By: Rafafan

Rafafan — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:56:18 +0000

Happy New Year from England everybody! Let’s hope for a better 2013 for our Rafa – at least he got his French Open in 2012. First of all my 2 pennies. I have just been watching Eurosport where Rafa was meant to be playing in Doha and they have said that although Rafa is sick with a stomach virus he is training on a clay court today and have shown pictures. Can that be right? I am disappointed but trust what he knows is best but I do understand how the journalists are hounding him with the various contradictions. He could have had 2 weeks practice before AO? No? Was he ever meant to play on a hard court after 6 months out? especially in a five set match? Were they really honest to think that would be the case? Heard Australia is going to be exceptionally hot this year, I am sure they did too. Feel a bit sorry for his fans. Rafa will be back to his true self but whether that would be on hard court remains to be seen – even I am a bit less optimistic. He said himself that he may have to change his schedule. It would be a shame if at the end of his career he will be seen as a clay court specialist again (he may win all the clay court in 2013 including Madrid if it appears on his schedule and the French Open but will he really be recognised as one of the greatest players on all surfaces?). I am baffled why he just doesn’t seem to be recognised for his triumphs. I think that’s why Rafa always said he wanted to win Wimbledon and then achieving all 4 grand slams you would have hoped he has been accepted as one of the true greats! But now he is resigned to start from scratch again on clay and see where his knee leads him. I am not convinced he will play in IW or Miami are you? He has said he is not concerned at being no 1. So maybe as journalists keep saying that clay and grass and intermittent hard court will be from now on until the end of his career? But heah – let’s look on the bright side and whatever we get from Rafa in 2013 we will cherish. xx