Last September, Rafael Nadal shared a photo of himself with driver Iain and his wife Jane after the Australian couple were treated to dinner in Mallorca:
Iain has been (and still is) our driver at the Australian Open many years and together with his wife Jane we had last night a nice dinner at Sa Punta restaurant in Mallorca. Always nice to see you! Thanks for coming and see you in Melbourne in January!
A few days ago, Rafa has found time in his busy schedule to visit Iain and his family.
Iain:
Rafa and I have agreed that when he retires, I will retire.
Well looking at the positive side – its good rafa’s getting challenged at this stage as its only going to get tougher. One set all and rafa will just have to press his reset button. He can do this.
Oh no! Come on Rafa
Oh come on, when is Schwartzman going to run out of puff
Come on Rafa, you haven’t dropped a set yet in this tournament and today will be no different.
Rafa can do this despite the break back. He is the champion of champions so i am not worried – yet.
Announcers are right….YOU ARE PLAYING BRILLIANTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) leading 4:3 2nd set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) It is ok to make Unforced Errors…no big deal sweetheart….YOU ARE STILL DELIVERING TOP TENNIS and YOU ARE THE BETTER PLAYER…… VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy sweetheart….. EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ); )
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) You are leading 6:3 first set and on serve now 2:2 …..VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) YOU WILL WIN THIS MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ci…….ci……..ci……YOU HAVE GREAT RETURNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) UNBELIEVABLE BEAUTIFUL BACKWARD SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Point by point…..and itis ok to accumulate your points no matter how…..as long as they add up……you are doing it….and working hard day after day…..not easy but you are doing great…..line folks are doing poor job….sorry this happens so much……thankfully YOUR EYES ARE MAGNIFICENTLY SHARP………and your challenges are right on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) WE LOVE YOU SWEETHEART & keep singing GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
HAVE FUN SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) When you put in such brilliant efforts you always lead…..ci…..ci…..ci…….YOU JUST BROKE AGAIN….leading 3:2 and serving……VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXO
Schwartzman is certainly a little powerhouse but it’s just another days workout for Rafa. Good to hear that if Rafa wins the match today ,his number one spot is safe no matter what the outcome of the AO is
Yes! That’s more like it Rafa, one more game and the 1st set is in the bag.
I can barely watch the match. Rafa isn’t playing his best. Vamos!
Phew! First close shave for Rafa already, hope we don’t get many more of those. Come on Rafa
OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : : ) I love the clip with your AO driver….so precious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Great photo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) So lovely….and so telling what a great gentleman you are dear Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 😉 : ) We love you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy lots & lots of fun playing….it will be a great match for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Have a great time sweetheart and enjoy your beautiful Tennis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) Lots of love & happiness and enjoy everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 😉 : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) XOXOXOXOXOXO
Hola Rafa
Te deseo mucha suerte y mucha salud para que sigas siendo el NÚMERO UNO porque eres una persona especial y que Dios Te Bendiga siempre y te cuide.
Tu Fan
Carmen
Rafa what a special relationship you have with your driver,
as you do with so many people all over the world.
All the best for match tonight with Schwartsmann.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXMelbourneXX
We’re with u Champ every step of the way. Stay’in up.💪🦁🥇👏
I hope to win today’s tournament.I always believe your play. Good luck .I ‘m going to watch the game on TV at home.
Good luck today Rafa, I’m sure Schwartzman won’t give you to much trouble , hoping to stay awake long enough to watch you win and also see Dimitrov/Kyrgios Match . Lots of black coffee and watching Carla’s match should do the trick😄
Hey Maria – me too. But think i’ll have to have a little kip after Carla’s match or I’ll be good for nothing. Hope all ok with you. Cant wait for Rafa’s match i have to say. No doubt will catch you in a bit.
Hi Susie, good to see you back . Hope your move back to Manchester went smoothly ( did you have enough of us southerners Lol). All is well hope the same for you and your family and Raffy. So happy Carla won in the end , can’t wait for Rafas’s match but now it’s been put back to 4.05 so there a good chance I will probably snooze half way through ( let’s hope not) talk soon hopefully 😴
Good luck for your match today. Vamos Rafa <3
That is soooo sweet – real testimony to Rafa’s true character – not that we would ever think differently.
Charming as we have come to expect of Rafael. Good luck against Swartzman💪🍀👏👍😍