RafaLint: January 14th
(The “I’m only slightly delirious from one sleepless Australian Open night” edition.)
Babolat is offering you the chance to win cool prizes…if you have reflexes like Rafa (and a Facebook account). Play here.
A promo video for the contest:
And don’t forget to show your support for Mission Nadal, so get on it – like these people already have.
Articles:
- ‘Big Four’ Still Missing a Vital Element: Nadal – by Christopher Clarey (nytimes.com)
- Moyà: “Ahora mismo le falta algo al tenis y ese algo es Nadal” – an interview with Moya in which he has some nice things to say about Rafa. (mangle; direct link to audio for those of us who do Spanish) – Thanks, Genny and Inés!
- Krajicek heeft te doen met Nadal: ‘Zijn situatie is zorgelijk’ – Richard Krajicek spreading rumors that Rafa will be all about clay when he comes back. Links to the mangle won’t work because of their cookie crap, so you have to self-mangle – if that’s legal where you live. ;)
- Nadal pierde su partido con Hacienda – by Miguel L. Serrano. Seems like the tax problems related to Rafa’s companies have come to a conclusion. (mangle)
- Qué bueno que volviste – by Sebastián Fest (mangle)
Videos/Audio:
- Was the 2012 AO final “The Greatest Match In History“? While it was an excellent match with some dazzling displays, I don’t think so. 2008 Wimbledon was much better…and not just because I preferred the outcome.
Rafa does social media:
- Scruffy faced Rafa let us know he was on his way to Barcelona.
- Happy (?) Rafa let us know he got a giftie from a Spanish multiple gold medal winner.
- And, that the sunrise in Mallorca is obscenely beautiful.
Melbourne (and, well, everywhere you aren’t) misses you too, Rafa:
The @australianopen already underway. I miss being in # Melbourne! Hope you enjoy the tournament!
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 14, 2013
He thanked Moya for some kind words:
Gracias @charlymoya por tus palabras!! Espero volver a disfrutar pronto del tenis :)
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 14, 2013
Social media related to Rafa:
Rafa was practicing today with an Irish player (and attendee of Roig’s tennis academy) James McGee:
Great to get 2 hours of hard practice in today with @rafaelnadal Loved every minute of it. More tomorrow! #Vamos twitter.com/jamesmcgee01/s…
— James McGee (@jamesmcgee01) January 14, 2013
Flavia Pennetta was working out with a special someone today and she was wise and caring enough to share him with us.
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) January 14, 2013
@rafaelnadal twitter.com/flavia_pennett…
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) January 14, 2013
Which mangles to: “Today ‘s workout in the gym and’ been more fun … I was in good company”
— James LaRosa (@JamesLaRosa) January 14, 2013
Random:
Loading ...
combination of slight beard and fluffy hair, he seems like someone else; how about Fabio? Cute nevertheless.
I’m so frickin’ happy that Rafa has finally cut some of that awful hair off, it looks sooo much better now! And the scruff stops him from looking like a 12-year-old. Full beard and he’d even look his age. ;) If only he could come back to play soon as well… *sighs*
Vamos!
Anyone else concerned he has got his left knee taped up in his practice session? Doesn’t look a very good sign does it?
A sensible precaution, I would say.
I really do like the shorter hair and stubble combo he has here; long may it continue!
Not sure what I make of it. When practising before Christmas there was no tape. I know we have had very little information since but now see him practicing with tape. And also he was seen of coming out of Barcelona hospital (via facebook). If it’s precautionary to have the taping that means surely that no-one is confident that the knee is a 100% better. Also isn’t the tape is the one he used a few years ago to help the tentonitis. All a bit baffling at the mo, although I have just seen on twitter he has confirmed his participation in Brazil on 11 Feb so that is some good news.
I wouldn’t read too much into the tape. I often wear an elastic strap on my knee when walking in the hills, not because it hurts any more – but just as some security. If Rafa feels more secure wearing it, then that’s fine.
Heath, I agree it may be a sensible precaution to have his knee taped but it does give out an image that all is not 100% with the knee and I thought that is what he wanted when playing. It looks like it is being taped just like a few years ago with the tentonitis in the knee but heah who knows. All has been a bit quiet recently. Before xmas no tape and now we see him pracitising with…… Also was seen coming out of Barcelona hospital recently. Not sure what to make of it. Anyway the good news is he is accelerating his comeback from 11 Feb in Brazil which has been confirmed. I guess he has to start somewhere and can’t be off tour too much longer. In anycase who is 100% all the time? He has to test his knee sometime in match conditions.
I think Rafa looks a bit like Pau Gasol! Rafa looks very yummy with the extra scruffy look. YUM-MEEEE!
Rafa looks great in all the pics. Missing him.
I’m not reading to much into the knee taping. If There were any issues with the knee he wouldn’t be practicing, he wouldn’t risk 6 months hard work of rehabilitation. So returning earlier than anticipated. Great news. Can’t bloody wait!
I’m totally with you. Can’t wait either.
I can’t tell you how many times I have re-watched 2008 Wimbledon final and 2012 Australian semi- final and final over the last 6 months. Sigh. But seeing him in Barcelona is such a beautiful sight to see! Soon the wait will be over!!
Are those pics from his home gym or is he with Flavs in Barcelona?
Barcelona… He’ll be in Barcelona practicing for 3 days (returning home tomorrow night, I guess) and that’s the gym of the “Real Club Tennis Barcelona”
He loooks gooood in that unshaven and unkempt look..Come back soon Rafa..really really miss you!