Acapulco: Big hat, big pear, big smile
Photo via tournament site
Last night, Rafa earned his second title of the year by resoundingly defeating David Ferrer 6-0, 6-2. I was so happy for Rafa, so sad for Daveeeed. After the match, Rafa confirmed that he’s going to IW. (This took me 15 minutes to type on my jacked up tablet. Oye. Traveling light is not always a good thing.)
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Now the real quest begins to be on top.
Knowing how well Novak is playing… he deserves to be #1.
But man I would love to see go back to #2 and retain the RG crown. That would be a great result if he does that this year.
He can be No2 easly. He’s only 2.800 points behind Federer. If Rafa defend all his clay points then he has many many chance because after RG he defending nothing. And sorry for my english.
Easily? I don’t think it will be ‘easy’ for Rafa to regain such a high ranking – not this year. You’re right that he has no points to defend after RG, but defending 4500 points on clay is a big ask for any player – even Rafa – especially after such a long break – and with Novak and Roger so hungry for a French title.
Heath is right and I mentioned last week that Rafa might fall further down the rankings before heading back up.
Number 1 might be possible in 2014.
This is an article which sort of explains it but not in detail
http://sports.inquirer.net/86345/rafael-nadal-2-for-2-into-singles-and-doubles-finals
After RG Rafa will have no points to defend and everyone else will so the only way is up for him.
Roger has a lot to defend up to Cincinatti then Novak as a lot to defend after that. Murray will overtake Roger at some point , could do it if he wins IW I think. Rafa could gain in Madrid, I assume he will play there now it’s back to the red dirt. It’s all ifs and buts , Rafa can gain more than anyone if he is able to . It’s exciting but I’m just glad Rafa is back win or lose.
@Sharon,
The possible fall in the rankings was mentioned on CNN sport and i wish i could find a video but I cannot find one.
They said he could fall a couple more places before going back up. That was when he was still number 4, maybe they assumed he would fall a couple more places if he did not return early enough.
I hope he can defend all his points leading up to Wimbledon.
Me to. Berdych is no 6, 1400 points behind Rafa as of today . He had a good run this time last year reached QF or more but a lot depends on how Rafa does really don’t you think?
At the end of the day it’s about winning regardless of the ranking but I wouldn’t want Rafa to drop to far. Ideally if he could get back to no 4 for now he would only face the top 3 in SF then.
Nope cannot agree. I think the way RAFA played against David Ferrer was fantastic and almost back to the good old days when no-one could touch him. However having said that I still think he has a way to go yet before he can catch DJOKY – the only contender apart from RAFA for RG. RAFA in that mode would easily beat FED or MURRAY but I am not sure about DJOKY who has raised his level. However RG is the “red stuff” and RAFA is still KING. So let us wait and see. Incidentally, RAFA beat DJOKY twice consecutively on clay just before his Wimbledon defeat!! And kindly remember that he is the only 1 of the BIG 4 who has a winning record against all 3 of them so should he have the misfortune to bow out now – which I doubt – he still goes down in history as the KING of CLAY and the only one who held a winning record against all three and the player who held a winning record against the 2 other best tennis players in history !!
Just love that pic of Rafa in hat with trophy!
So happy that Rafa won! Love the emotion and tears, this means so much to him. Praying for continued strength as the season moves along. Vamos Rafa!!!!
I was worried before the match considering Ferrer’s in form state. I was expecting this one to be close at least. But Rafa showed why he is called the king of clay..I am pretty much sure he’ll regain No 1 spot should his knees hold.
I didn’t see the match live, but had a running commentary from all the guys watching it, thanks so much to you all. I too like Daveed but there’s only room for one in my heart. Agree with what Sharon said except i don’t think Novak is playing at his 2011 level,not quite anyway. I will be watching Rafael this season stomach churning as usual and a nervous wreck but i wouldn’t change it for the world.
Wow didn’t expect that scoreline (commiserations David). Rafa played well and it was worth not going to bed till 5.30 a.m. Very emotional at the end. That’s 3 weeks of nailbiting for me look forward to IW.
Is Rafa the Arnie Schwarzenegger of tennis “I’ll be back” … and he is x
Would like to add my admiration for Rafa and how excited I am that he is back and brilliant! The final in Acapulco was pure joy to watch – love that breathtaking backhand!
Going to say sorry to Heath for use of exclamation marks – I read that you do not approve. Have to say my pleasure in watching Rafa always includes an exclamation point! Like a fist pump or Vamos!
Also here is link to part of Chris Fowler’s interview with Rafa. Not sure where would be a better place to post it.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9015057
Rafa looks so handsome in this interview but, seriously, if I ruled the world hair gel would be outlawed. Why, Rafa, why?
Del po match- anyone know where I can watch this match and what time is it on? Thanks
@Sharon,
You can watch it on streamhunter at 2am UK time.
Most matches are showing on this site, I’ve bookmarked it.
http://www.streamhunter.eu/tennis-live-streaming-video.html
Thanks Micamica. I’m going to try and keep awake to watch it.
Hi Sharon, if you suscribe to ESPN they will show Rafa’s match at 2am.
In relation to Rafa reaching number one again, I must admit that is not a prime concern of mine at this moment in time. As long as Rafa is in the top 5 I am content. The most important thing to me is that he is playing again. I was happy when he was number two for all those years too. I also think that Rafa prefers being number two as it allows him to be the hunter as opposed to being the hunted.
I am scared of the possible match ups with Djokovic and Rafa. Those matches were so intense between them and it was sad to watch Rafa losing to Djokovic so many times. I would like them to meet each other for a long time. I want Rafa to build up his mental and physical strength well before a likely match with Djokovic.
Dee
What I found sad is after all those loses to Novak Rafa was turning it around and then he had to stop with the injury. Novak is so good on hard courts, difficult to beat these days but Rafa is still the one to beat on the clay despite what anyone says and the way he played in Acapulco confirms it for me and he can still improve.
Sharon,
You are very right, Rafa was turning it around and then the injury stopped him in his tracks. Rafa is great on clay but I am still scared of Djokovic. I hope that they meet later on after Rafa has played some more matches as that will give Rafa time to improve further as you say.
What a great smile in the picture! Just so sweet and happy! Like a little “keed”.
has the match started? i cant get the link to work. is anyone else having problems?
a big VAMOS! to Rafa for last night’s entertainment at MSG.
Rafa looked so beautiful at MSG! That megawatt smile of his had me in a trance. The green looked lovely on him too. Rafa looks so good in his tennis clobber, unbelievable!
What is a “clobber”?
a slang word meaning clothes or outfit
Thanks!
So great to see Rafa having fun, enjoying playing tennis, smiling and kidding around at MSG. The passion, the joy, and the “sensations” are there for sure! And I loved Delpo’s comments about Rafa’s recovery. Even Bodo appreciated Rafa’s playfulness, expressed in an unusually positive article “Kid in a Garden” that I read only because Heath and Nora recommended it!
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/03/kid-garden/46696/#.UTaQCDc_dHo
Here are some nice words from Chris Oddo about Rafa whom he describes as having the
“shots of a cold-blooded tennis executionist” heh.
http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Heroes-and-Zeros-Rafa-Roars,-Novak-Soars,-Errani-E.aspx
In the absence of any post from Miri on the MSG exho, I can share my experience as I was there in person. The whole evening was fabulous from start to finish. All 4 players were introduced to the crowd at the very beginning, Rafa being the last one, and he got the loudest cheers and applause of all. After Serena’s and Vika’s match had finished, Rafa and DelPo took the court. They played as if to win, but with lots of exhibition-style rallies and shots throughout. Rafa did a lot of running about the court, trying to retrieve some of the more challenging shots from DelPo, and seemed to be moving freely and easily. He spent 90% of the time with a huge smile on his face, enjoying the atmosphere, having fun and I can tell you the crowd’s appreciation and enjoyment was obvious. You may have seen the video clip where Rafa teamed up with Ben Stiller, and DelPo with a little girl for a spot of doubles play, which was both hilarious and heart-melting at the same time, with the little girl being ‘allowed’ to play better than the grown ups. At the end Rafa bent down and gave her a kiss, and DelPo picked her up.
It was wonderful to see Rafa so happy and smiley, relaxed and clearly enjoying being there. He didn’t win, but he certainly was a winner with the crowd.