(AP) – Rafael Nadal’s first fist pump Friday followed his second point in the Miami Open, when he kissed a forehand off the sideline to win a long rally.
He accompanied the celebratory gesture with a skip in his step and then hit the accelerator, holding every service game to beat Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-4.
Thus began Rafa’s latest bid to win Key Biscayne.
“A lot of big motivation,” he said.
He is playing the tournament for the 13th time and has never won it, although he was the runner-up in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2014. At 0-for-12, it’s Rafa’s longest drought at any event and perhaps the most glaring gap in the 14-time Grand Slam champion’s resume.
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Dudi Sela of Israel at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Dudi Sela of Israel at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Dudi Sela of Israel during day 5 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Dudi Sela of Israel during day 5 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reterns a shot against Dudi Sela of Israel during day 5 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates against Dudi Sela of Israel during day 5 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Does it bug him? He won’t admit to any frustration but let slip that he still remembers the exact score when he was two points from the title in the third set versus Novak Djokovic.
That was six years ago.
“Against Novak — 6-5, 15-30,” Rafa said. “It didn’t happen.”
The Spaniard has always enjoyed the atmosphere in Miami, where Latin fans give him enthusiastic support, and he likes the tournament’s hard courts. He’s simply overdue.
“I’m trying my best every year,” Rafa told the stadium crowd after dispatching Sela. “I’ve been very close four times. I will try to give myself another chance.”
Source: AP
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Margo, the address was taken from a website on where to get an autograph from him
Yes, I am very familiar with that address. That’s why I did not recommend it to Rafantastic.
Charitable organizations are not in the business of handling fan mail. But you never know. Imagine millions of fan mail pieces being received by an organization dedicated to charitable endeavors.
RNF is a fan club and to me it makes sense to ask them. Just trying to make a donation to Rafa’s foundation was a Herculean task. I was trying to spare Rafantastic a headache.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafantastic, your welcome, the words below the address were on the website I went on (not my words) that’s why i copied them as i saw it mentioned autographs . People had left comment with thanks for the autographs so it might be worth a try . Good luck on your mission hope you have success
Thanks Maria. We’re all taking my mum out tomorrow so it’ll be good to spend time with the whole family. You have a great day yourself!
Susie , don’t forget to press your record button before you go out and have a lovely day . I can see a box of chocolates on my son’s bed hmmm…. I wonder who they are for , my favourite a box of Raffaello yum.
Rafa on yesterday’s match: Very difficult to play this afternoon’, the Spaniard player said. ‘Been a very tough and long day for everyone I think. Rain delay a couple of times and then the wind was very, very high. So difficult to find the right feelings this afternoon, but is these kind of days what you have to do is try to win. That’s what I did, and I am very happy with that.’. On never quite managing to take the title in Miami Rafa said: Life the same. You have opportunities. If you don’t convert these opportunities, then it’s tough But I am still playing tennis and I am still here fighting for the things that motivates me. My motivation is play enough well to have chances here.’.
Rafa speaking about the clay court season said: I know if I am playing well and I am able to find the right feelings on clay I am with confidence. I think I am playing well this year, better than the last couple years. So when that happened, I had chances on clay. That’s my goal. Roland Garros is still five tournaments away. For sure is an important event for me. But I know that to play well in Roland Garros I need to play well in the previous tournaments on clay.’
Rafa have a great match and day tomorrow , I wonder if you’re mum will be attending as it’s mothering Sunday tomorrow , if not I’m sure she will be watching and from one mum to another i would like to thank her for sharing her son with us for the past decade.
Rafantastic , here is an address that might be of some help:
Rafael Nadal
Fundacion Rafa Nadal
Avenida. Diagonal 618
5� A
08021 BARCELONA.
Spain
Kate@rafaelnadal.com
How to send your fan mail and autograph requests to Rafael Nadal?:
If you want to request an autograph, follow the guidelines bellow. If you just want to mail a letter with the address above, and do not want anything back, then you can stop reading! If you live in Spain send a properly stamped and self addressed envelope (minimum size 8.5″ x 4″) with your request letter and a photo. You can include a piece of cardboard to keep the photo from bending in shipping and also add “Do Not Bend” on the envelopes. Send your letter and wait. On average, there is going to be a 3+ month wait for a response. If you do not live in Spain, add several* International Reply Coupons. The International Reply Coupons (IRC) will be used by the receiver to purchase Spanich stamps. You can only get them at your post office
Thank you very much Maria for the information 😃👍🏻
VAMOS SWEET RAFA all the best of luck tomorrow!! 🎾💪🏼❤️🍀
Rafantastic, you don’t want to contact his foundation for your purposes. I am only speaking from experience. I think his fan club has a Mallorca mailing address but am not sure. That’s why I suggested you email RNF ZWhich you have done.
RAFA ROCKS
Maria E, that’s Rafa’s foundation. His fan club is not located in Barcelona.
RAFA ROCKS
Margo – ok. I will wait for a response from RNF then and see what they recommend 😃 But thank you both for your help. Nice of you 🤗🌷
You’re very welcome.
The address mariaE supplied could be correct or not. I would wait for RNF to confirm or negate. No matter what, brace yourself for a good wait for your photo. But I’m sure the wait will be worth it. 🤗🤗🤗
RAFA ROCKS
Maria, this Sundat is not mothers day in Spain, it is the first Sunday in May
Nieves, oh i didn’t realise that , i guess we won’t be seeing Rafa’s mum in the crowd tomorrow after all. Hopefully Rafa will be home on that day and will be able to spend it with his mum , thanks for letting me know
🙈🙉🙊
I think that’s about 3pm UK time. I will be out for mothers day so will miss the match unfortunately.
Rafa will play Kohlschreiber at 11am local time tomorrow. He’s 14-1 against him with the only lost at Halle 2012. Hope it won’t be gusty like yesterday and Rafa will play much better. 🙂
Sorry for the typo: loss.
Yaahh, can’t wait! 🤗
Vamooos Rafa!! ❤️🍀😘
Beverley, please forgive my belated “Happy Earth Hour 2017.”
Started in Sydney, in 2007, I only now can actually cheer a citizen of the country where it all started.
SYDNEY AUSTRALIA ROCKS
Thanks, Margo.
A big advantage of this site, apart from the obvious one of following the fortunes of our hero, Rafa , is communicating with fans from other countries.
Yes, just today I learned that Rafantastic is in Denmark.
And who doesn’t know about the Great Barrier Reef, visible from space. And I miss Steve Erwin.
RAFA ROCKS
Buena suerte Rafa en tu proximo mach, tu puedes Vamos Rafa
Rafa on the match:
“It was difficult to find the right feelings this afternoon, but it’s these kind of days where you have to just try to win. That’s what I did and I am very happy with that,” said Nadal. “This tournament is a tough tournament and anything can happen. I think I had a good week of practice, so I need to play good in the competition now to try and have success.”
Meanwhile Federer said this yesterday:
“Obviously I would love to play with Nadal in the final, I hope it’s against him because he is playing very well and on this surface I expect him to be a tough player.”
Anyone’s feeling a little “hot” right now? Rafa is apparently not playing THAT well and one could easily read between the lines that Fed now WANTS to play Rafa because the last two wins must be so sweet and now he’s so confident he will win again.
Such a sharp contrast to himself 10 years ago. I still remember before the RG 2007 SF Rafa vs Djokovic, when being asked who he would prefer to play in the final, Fed said it was “probably” Djokovic because he had never lost against him (however it may sound it’s still better than his similar comment about Agassi). Of course Rafa was playing truly “very well” then :D.
Feels like he now thinks he has finally FIGURED RAFA OUT along the way of his renaissance.
Forget Djokovic (at least for the time being). FED IS THE NEW DJOKOVIC. I’m okay with Rafa losing against anyone BUT HIM. Well, probably not anyone but you get the idea.
Anyone with me?
Correction: I’m NOW okay with Rafa losing against anyone but him. (I used to be okay with it except for the Wimby and Hamburg 07).
Yes, Vy, I’m with you.
Congrats to Rafa for the win. It’s a routine win but of course I don’t take it for granted. Rafa works hard and always tries to play his best against every opponent.
However his current form is unimpressive.
It might have had something to do with the gusty winds and very high humidity. But still it’s quite worrying that many aspects of his games didn’t work well yesterday.
His forehand missed A LOT, his trademarked passing shots weren’t as good as usual and so were his volleys. Also his movement and balance seemed below par. He struggled when facing BP at 2-3 2nd set, finally survived it then tried to wrap up the match quickly. All in all he won in straight but I didn’t feel he enjoyed the match too much or was pleased with his performance.
Vy… My thoughts exactly, he won in straight sets against Sela but it should’ve been more of a slamdunk win! Maybe Rafa was preoccupied with his Restaurant’s opening! Rafa is becoming quite the businessman, restaurants, a state of arts academy, Modeling ! What’s next? Hopefully a Miami title & mostly a10th RG title! VAMOS RAFA!
Sioux, Rafa didn’t play well generally plus Sela played great at points, so no more bagels and breadsticks like their first meeting (6-0 6-1 7-5 AO15), which is okay as Sela earnt it. 🙂
Federer is gunning for Rafa and I think Rafa now is fully aware of it. He’ll be really focus this time, don’t worry. 🙂
Honestly, Vy and the rest of the Rafamaniacs, I don’t think we should expect much from Rafa just yet. He is yet to come full circle and this cannot happen until he does the fundamental thing he needs to do.
Getting Carlos Moya on board was good, but that can’t take him far enough. It certainly cant take him back to No 1. Perhaps, and that’s a strong Perhaps, he may at best just win 1 more French Open. Perhaps.
This is because he ought to have changed Coach like 2 or 3 years ago when MIROMO, Jaybeer, Dr. Who and the irrepressible Deep Thinker were then shouting from the roof top ”Rafa, do someting fast” But Rafa did nothing! Meanwhile, Roger kept tweaking and tweaking his game, experimenting with rackets, got Stefan Edberg and now Ivan Ljubic on board. The result has now paid off, like Vy said ”Roger is the new Djokovic”
If Rafa had not dilly dallied and had wisely (like good, old Roger) done the fundamental thing, he would by now be able to square off on equal footing with Roger.
And, mind you, Novak and Andy are still gonna come back in full force, you can bet your last dime on that! So, this period of ‘Novak Slump’ is the one golden chance that Rafa needs to quickly amass all he needs to amass in Grand Slams and ATPs, but he has apparently not prepared well enough to seize this GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY! Roger Federer is therefore the sole beneficiary of this opportunity.Roger has even surpassed Rafa in the rankings to wit!
This tournament is Roger’s to win, except if he (Roger) decides otherwise.
But as always, we’d see…………….hmmmn
Please STOP! ✋🏻 Disliking positive comments in here – whoever you are!? 🤔🙄😠 Actually it’s very rude and so annoying… 😬👎🏻
VAMOOS RAFA!! 🎾💪🏼🍀❤️
I have noticed that too and was going to mention it. I then decided that it must be one or two sad individuals with no lives. I am glad, however, that you raised it. We are so lucky to be
fans of someone like Rafa who makes us proud. He may lose, but he does not toss his racquet or scream at others. He is truly a role model.
Well said va4favre and thanks for the support. – Couldn’t agree with you more 😊👍🏻 Perhaps it’s better just ignoring the disliking… 😠
VAMOS CHAMP RAFA! ❤️🍀
Good luck Rafa in the next round.
vamis vamos vamos rafa👑👑👑👑👑👑👍👍❤
Congratulations Rafa my boy. Praying hard for you. God Bless. Vamos Rafa. Love from your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. xxx ⏳👑🎈🎈😀😇😊
Does anyone in here know wich adress to write to in terms of receiving Rafas autograph? Thx. 🤗
VAMOOOS RAFA 🎾💪🏼🍀❤️
I think the best source would be RNF. Send them a message either here or they may have a contact email on the Internet.
RAFA ROCKS
I found this email for RNF:
Contact@rafaelnadalfans.com
A form for you to fill out will (should) pop up.
RAFA ROCKS
I’ll try That 👍🏻 – Thank you Margo 😃
RAFA TOTALLY ROCKS!! 🎾💪🏼😄💕
You’re welcome.
I think we all have noted the “down” votes on positive comments. I started paying attention not long ago when some who are no longer here received well-deserved double-digit “downs.” Soon after, these “fans” disappeared. For us regulars, I need not mention their names. I think their “departure” was due more to the unified voice of Rafa fans who openly protested here.
Don’t let the miscreants of the cyber world ruffle your feathers. They know they are being jerks and even my comment here has given them too much attention.
RAFA ROCKS
Margo I’ve now tried writing to the RNF email you recommented and then hope for an respond 😊👍🏻
RAFAN 4-EVER! 🎾💪🏼😃❤️
Love your “RAFAN 4-EVER!”
That’s the only email address I could find for RNF. They may be busy so I would give them at least a few days to respond. Good luck.
RAFA ROCKS
“He [Rfafa] is playing the tournament for the 13th time and has never won it…” This tells me that Rafa likes a challenge. Unlike other players who may duck out of a particular tournament because they don’t do well, Rafa is here for his 13th try. With no disrespect directed at anyone, that’s why I don’t understand why some feel uncomfortable when Rafa has to face Nole, and now Roger, or any other player who poses a threat to the ROCKIN’ RAFA.
I’ve been through many loses with Rafa, experiencing that feeling of gut wrenching tightness, and nausea. That, along with the elation of a win, is the fate of of a fan. I embrace it all, win or lose.
I have to say that many good things have happened to me on many thirteens. I hope this is Rafa’s lucky 13.
RAFA ROCKS
Thanx Margo 😃👍🏻
RAFAN 4-EVER!! VAMOS!! 🍀🤗💕
Congratulations sweet Rafa and good luck in next the round 🍀❤️ Hope so much your going to win and bite that trophy in Miami 😘🏆
VAMOS champ!! 🎾💪🏼🤗
I want Rafa to win so badly, but don’t want to get my hopes up. He does have a real opportunity this year so we will see. It is clear that Rafa wants this title very much too. Of course, the most important thing is that he stays healthy.
Solid start. Good luck for the next round. Vamos Rafa <3