Skipping Dubai

Rafa is most probably skipping the Dubai tournament to give himself time to rest up before the US hard court season – per this article. Rafa’s quotes from the article:

Rafael Nadal tonight announced that he does not plan to participate in next month’s Dubai Tennis Championships as the world No2 looks to negotiate a busy 2010 schedule.

Nadal, fresh from winning the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi courtesy of a straight sets-victory against Robin Soderling, said he will look to use the break to rest ahead of a gruelling summer programme, especially after he missed six weeks of

3 Jan 2010 | by miri | 11 Comments

FB – testy Rafa

Rafa isn’t happy about hawkeye in this 2007 match.

Rafa went on to lose the match 6-7(5), 3-6.

Posted by dandantoltol and sent in by RC.

19 Jul 2009 | by miri | 12 Comments

FB – Wild Wadi

Rafa mixes work with pleasure and we all benefit.

Posted by goofy111.

14 Jul 2009 | by miri | 26 Comments

FB – Dubai 2006 final

1. Post match interview – this was the second tournament he’d played and first tournament win after a foot injury and he got quite teary-eyed after the win.

2. The announcer kept droning and droning and droning…until the crowd was amused by Rafa changing his shirt.

3. The trophy ceremony went on for so long that Rafa went over to Roger’s chair and had a chat with him.

4. Rafa gets his trophy.

And, while we are talking about Dubai, don’t forget about

3 Jul 2009 | by miri | 8 Comments

Polo Rafa

From the 2006 Dubai tournament.

Posted for johanne

10 Mar 2009 | by miri | 3 Comments

[Updated] Rafa out of Dubai

This Spanish article at marca.com indicates that Rafa has pulled out of Dubai. It also looks like Verdasco is out of Dubai and the first round of Davis Cup.

This news is now on Rafa’s official site.

“I am very disappointed not to be able to compete in Dubai but the doctor has advised me to stay home and rest after the pain on my knee in Rotterdam last week. Nothing to be worried about but it needs some rest. I ask my fans and the tournament organizers to understand and I am sorry for this. Dubai is one of

19 Feb 2009 | by miri | No Comment

Ram’s visa approved

While we are still waiting to hear if Rafa is going to play in Dubai, the story hits that Andy Ram has been given a visa so that he can take part in the doubles. Guess they didn’t like all the press from the Shahar Peer denial. Too bad her tournament is ruined. Bonnie Ford has an excellent Op-Ed about the whole situation on the ESPN site that contains a quote from former player Pam Shriver that, perhaps, sums things up the best.

“The tournament should automatically lose the right to exist,” Shriver said. “I know that carries unbelievable

18 Feb 2009 | by miri | No Comment