A few photos from Rafa’s Sunday practice.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal volleys the ball during a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain is watched closely by coach Toni Nadal during a practise session at Wimbledon on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain during a practise session at Wimbledon on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain during a practise session at Wimbledon on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball during a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain takes a break during a practice ahead of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain takes a break during a practice ahead of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain re grips his racket during a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain re grips his racket during a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain re grips his racket during a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
His hitting partner was Christian Garin.
CONGRATZ Rafa. Knew you would have an easy win. Just beautiful. I hope you have your strawberries and cream to top your win. If not, we’ve got plenty here for you. A yummy win for a yummy champion.
RAFA ROCKS 150%
Congratulations on you’re first match win Rafa. When did they get green clay at Wimbledon Lol. You owned the grass today Rafa , Roger’s spell over this surface has been broken . You were speeding through your sets like you had some urgent call to make , I’d dare make a coffee as fear it would all be over. The Wimbledon crowd love and adore you but also give respect to other players and great tennis in general. Can’t wait to see you play on Wednesday. Well done also to Andy . Hope to see you both in the next week.
Seems I had the same thoughts as you Maria! 🙂 I write my comments in a text ediitor then copy and paste and I was going to say “Thought Rafa looked great on the green clay” 🙂 Seeing Rafa on court at Wimbledon this afternoon, it was odd to think that the last time I’d seen him play a tour match was when he won La Decima… and then it was like nothing changed except the colour of the court… did someone Photoshop it? I know it’s early days, but it looks to me that Rafa’s transition to grass went very well!
Such a darling our Rafa! Rafa you played beautifully most of the time. Congrats!!! Keep it up!!!
You are just too sweet and too good! God bless you!
All my love!
VAMOS!!!!!
Looking good sweet Rafa – Gorgeous 😍🤗 Keep up the great play champ 🎾💪🏼😃 All the best of luck – VAMOOS!! 🍀❤️
Yhiihaa sweetheart 🤗 Keep it going 🎾💪🏼🍀 U R THE CHAMP❣️👍🏻🌟
👍🤗🎾🍕RAFA ROCKS 150%
See you again on Wednesday.
See you Wednesday 😊🎾🍓👍🏻
RAFA TOTALLY ROCKS❣️💪🏼😃
Isn’t he the best, Rafantastic? He’s a gem.
I did expect a SS win today. He produced.🤗👏🎾
I know he hasn’t won all his grass finals but maybe this time he’ll make it a FO/Wimby double, like the other two. 🤗. Now I have to evaluate his next opponent….
RAFA ROCKS 150%
He sure is, Margo – A sparkling gem 💎𗀠 and he’s doing so great 😊👏🏻
RAFA ROCKS 4EVER! 🎾💪🏼😘🍀
Only Rafa could make white look so interesting, Rafa certainly is a man on a mission , he powered through that set in record time. Couldn’t have gone any better.Keep it up Rafa , you’re on the first run towards your next trophy.
Thx Susie ! Finally find the RIGHT canal ! Now just have to wait the ads
You’re welcome. Rafa is on now so I hope you’re watching
A big threat for Nadal are the rain delays. If they somehow ‘screw’ him and make him play indoor, (I know he’s not scheduled for centre court today) he is at risk. Let us not forget the 2012 Rosol defeat was for 50% due to their ugly decision making there. Rafa had the momentum, winning the 4th and those losers decided to put the roof, which caused a frigging 43 minute delay. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jun/28/rafael-nadal-lukas-rosol-wimbledon-2012
Remember the disgusting sounds Rosol made (nose and throat pig sounds), which completely upset Rafa? I do. It’s part of tennis for sure, but it’s ugly when you are on the wrong end of the stick!
Hey !
Can someone know when the match starts ?
’cause the canal which should airs Nadal/Millman airs an other match Brown/Sousa ….
I’m SO confused !
Hi Lilly. There is a short rain delay and Venus has to come back and finish her match. It could only be a couple of points as she’s 5 3 up in the 2nd set and won the 1st. Rafa is on that court after Venus finishes. Hope that helps
Hiya Rafa, I put the news on earlier and who do I see but YOU on the screen practicing before your takedown of Millman. You will be our featured July 4th guest for sure.
You’re looking nimble, fresh and ready to win. I’m glad your fans in the USA love you as they do. I have yet to see Federer featured in the news for Wimbledon and that’s fine with me.
All the best Rafa, for a SS win because I have no doubt you will do it. Make the best of your nice draw.
RAFA ROCKS 150%
Rafa you are in my thoughts and prayers akways, but especially now during a gramd slam.
Remember not too much respect for the opponent.
Wish you all the confidence, strength, power, tennis smartness and winner/killer attitude for all your matches.
Good luck starting with todays match.
VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome fanastic rocking Rafa.
All the best for all of this week Rafa,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Rafa good luck.this years is 2017 your year vamossssssssssss champ.you can do it.🎾🏆🎾👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😇😇😇🏆❤️
Rafa due to play around 2.30 UK time.
Hi Maria – really looking forward to Wimbledon this year and so pleased rafa is playing on day 1. I’m sure he’ll get through this match with relative ease.
Hi Susie, yes it’s going to be an exciting two weeks, and day one we have Rafa, Stan and Andy, what a treat. I’m sure we will be seeing Rafa a lot in the next two weeks and hopefully in the final . Have fun watching as I think I remember you saying you have booked time off work for Wimbledon ( you won’t be disappointed). Are you actually going ?
Congrats also to Andy who has just announced Kim is pregnant with their second child. ( I know a great role model who would be a perfect godparent).
Gosh Maria you have an excellent memory. Yes off work for 2 weeks – I need the rest and its a prefect time to catch the tennis at the most beautiful of the grand slams. I’m at Wimbledon on Wednesday with tickets and on Friday will join the famous queue and try for ground passes which is always good fun. The best of luck to rafa today. Hopefully he is still full of confidence. RG seems like ages ago but it is only a couple of weeks.
Oh that’s great news Susie, you will be there the days Rafa and Andy are due to play. The weather all week is looking fine so you shouldn’t have any delays. I hope you get to see Rafa and Andy play or maybe Stan or Nick , you certainly have the best of the bunch, shame Thiem is playing alternative days.Have a great time anyway 🎾🍓,💂🇬🇧
and enjoy
Looking like I might have to take Nick of that list Susie , as he is not looking good at all. Such a shame ,hate losing great players so early on in the tournament. Crowd seem behind him and trying to cheer him on , but it’s looking like he might retire.
Poor nick. It seems this Wimbledon just wasn’t to be
Look like Eurosport do not aired the match – do someone have a link to see the match ??? Please ???
Can you get the BBC channels as they are televising it on 1& 2
WAMOS WAMOS WAMOS
REMEMBER YOU ARE THE ONLY TO MALE TENNIS PLAYER WITH 10 GS TITLES ON THE SAME SURFACE, TO WHICH YOU CAN ADD A FEW MORE IF YOU FEEL LIKE DOING SO;
YOU ARE THE BEST
RAFA ROCKS
Get a good night’s rest Rafa, recharge your batteries and start your Wimbledon campaign with a 3-set win. All the best.
RAFA ROCKS
Always with you. Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
my god you look so tense , take a deep breath relax win or . you are a fantastic ambassador
for your country and a great sportsman.and will never be far from all our minds ;;
vamoss darling boyxxx
Awesome Rafa !!!