Support Chile

On his Facebook page, Rafa has posted the Spanish and English versions of a video made by Fernando Gonzalez asking for support for Chile.

We have to support Chile! I am posting this video Fernando sent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff6TW47ErmM

y aqui en Español. Ayudemos a Chile!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXf7CIHbmkk

There are rumors that Rafa will play an exhibition match with Gonzalez during the Madrid tournament. (Well, first the rumors were that it would be during Miami, but now the rumor mill is saying Madrid.)

7 Mar 2010 | 8 Comments

Gypsy: behind the scenes

Popeater.com has a making of type feature for the Gypsy thing. Aside from all the hot/wet/shirtless bits (*gulp*), my favorite is the shot of Rafa and Shakira laughing their asses off (bit that appears in the video) while the directory gesticulates at them. I can just imagine what he’s saying. “If you two idiots would stop laughing for just a moment, we could finish this! It’s supposed to be sultry, not a giggle-fest!”

5 Mar 2010 | 37 Comments

Breakfast with Emilio

Maria sent in two similar articles that feature a “breakfast chat” with former Spanish Davis Cup captain Emilio Sánchez Vicario. He has a lot to say about Rafa and seems to think people should just chill – Rafa will be back.

Europsport Yahoo version (Google translation)
Marca.com version (Google translation)

5 Mar 2010 | 16 Comments

Full RTV practice video

We’ve seen bits of this practice session/interview before, but not the whole video and not with the handy translation (click the “Read more” link on the page). Thanks to SpanishRNfan for sending this in.

3 Mar 2010 | 10 Comments

Facebook frenzy

As many people have pointed out to me, heh, Rafa went on a bit of a Facebook bender last night. Well, a bender for him….

Last week was great, with great practice and a lot of work well done. Marc Lopez came to practice with me. I am feeling better and better and playing well so looking forward to Indian Wells.

La semana pasada entrene muy bien y se trabajo tambien muy bien. Marc Lopez entreno conmigo y

1 Mar 2010 | 58 Comments

Tighten the throttle into the season of earth

…at least, that’s how Google translates the title of this article from balearesport.es (dated February 18th). Yes, I know clay = earth, but season of the earth just sounds poetic for some reason. Seems like we missed a radio interview where Rafa talked about Miguel Angel’s dancing stint, the Shakira video, his injury recovery progress, and thoughts on the upcoming tennis months.

(Thanks to Atch2 for the heads up.)

1 Mar 2010 | 25 Comments

Gypsy video in full (English version)

HD versions of the video:
English
Spanish

Looks like Sony is doing a good job of taking down all the videos. I’m guessing the one on Shakira’s official site will stick around, though. *fingers crossed* She also links to Yahoo, so I’m hoping this one will also stay. (Thanks, patzin)

Is it okay that my favorite parts are the ones when they are cracking up? It’s like Rafa just couldn’t take any of this “posing and looking serious” stuff anymore and

25 Feb 2010 | 247 Comments

Can I get an amen?

Thanks to @A_Gallivant for tweeting this article by Kelli DeMario that sums up my reaction to the whole video thing so well.

In a nutshell, Nadal was commissioned to play a role, just as an actor or a dancer might, if asked lend their talent to an artistic discipline. Shakira asked, and Nadal consented. Their respective legal representatives sat down and crafted a contract. A business contract. I thought it a rather illogical leap to

24 Feb 2010 | 76 Comments

Well, d’uh!

In the “blatantly obvious” category today, we have a report titled “Nadal concerned about injuries” – I mean, he’d be neck deep in denial if he wasn’t, right?

Rafael Nadal “is worried” about his constant injuries although the former top-ranked player is confident of getting back to his best form, according to Spain’s Davis Cup captain Albert Costa.

“He is worried about his physical state but he’s working every day to get better,” Costa said on Wednesday.

So, panicky headline turns into “no

24 Feb 2010 | 11 Comments

Rafa and tennis tots

Posted by meriko100 who sums the video up thusly:

Rafael Nadal got a visit from the kids, from Manacor tennis academy

21 Feb 2010 | 29 Comments