A planned exhibition match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in Saudi Arabia has been called off.
Rafa and Nole were due to take part in a one-off exhibition contest in Jeddah on December 22. They committed to the event over a year ago and were under pressure to pull out after Amnesty International condemned the plans following the recent death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The Serb told BBC Sport on Friday:
Nadal is injured, so the match is not happening this year.
Thankfully, the exhibition match is finally cancelled. And let’s be honest we all know it’s not just because of Rafa’s injury and Nole is likely to face more questions about the situation in the coming days. Anyway, it was a safe excuse to do the right thing.
Source: BBC
WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, RAFA. PLEASE DO WISH YOUR FAMILY, NOT FORGETTING YOUR TEAM. 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🥂🥂🥂🌷🌷🌷🦋
What a pity that this website is no longer actively managed. Great to hear about the new (alternative) initiative though, I am sure most of the fans who enjoyed this website in the past, will move there eventually, see you there!
Very strange. I went to FB and there were only a few comments by fans and one from RNFC and those were from Friday.
Looks like FB is dedicated to news outlets?
May I know what’s this new alternative initiative about?
Luckystar, it may be YouTube. I think Rafa has a fan channel but you have to join through Google.
His RNF FB fan page was mostly the Spanish speaking fan base. RNF was basically the English speaking fandom.
Now YouTube? Or somewhere else? I find it strange and disrespectful to fans that there was no post about a change of location or the dissolution of RNF.
When RNF stopped posting I thought that it had been hacked but RNF didn’t want to inform its members. That’s what I still think. Of course, I could be wrong. But it’s something to consider.
Have a Happy Holiday
The official 2019 Rafa Nadal calendar is now available on his foundation site.
RAFA ROCKS HIS CALENDAR
Rafa was interviewed today, December22, 2018, on CNN by Danielle Rossingh. He intends to kick off 2019 with Mubadala, Brisbane and then the AO.
According to @WTA Insider, the Australian Open will no longer play advantage final sets.
Beginning at AO2019, the final set will be decided after six games all with a ten-point tiebreak [first to 10].
GET ‘EM RAFA
Rafael has given one million euros ($1.14 million) to the victims of floods in his native Mallorca, said Mateu Puigros, the mayor of the town on Thursday. “In the name of the municipality and the residents especially those affected by the flood in October, we want to thank him for the sensitivity he has shown since the beginning and after what happened here in Sant Llorenc,” Puigros said in a video.
True words. After Rafa’s effort in the clean up operation, this is a wonderful act of kindness towards his beloved people.
Rafa’s 2018 season to remember:
36 weeks at No. 1
33rd Masters 1000 crown
11th titles at:
Monte-Carlo
Barcelona
Roland Garros
[Source: ATP Tour]
WOWOWEEEEE
Here’s to Rafa for an equally or better 2019
The 2019 Australian Open just may introduce a “super tiebreak” at 6-6, in which the player must win 10 points with a margin of 2.
Approval was granted by the grand slam board and then put forth to the players to decide if it will be implemented as soon as 2019.
[Source: Stuart Fraser of thetimes.co.uk, December 5, 2018]
The Sportsmanship Award and other thoughts on the 2018 hardware
New post on The Grandstand
The Sportsmanship Award and other thoughts on the 2018 hardware
by Ricky
Before we can delve into the rapidly-approaching 2019 tennis season, we have to know where we’ve been–or just been, to be more accurate, as the 2018 campaign just ended and now we are in the midst of the shortest offseason in sports. So let’s take a look back at the ATP’s year-end awards that were handed out last month prior to the Nitto ATP Finals.
Comeback Player of the Year: Novak Djokovic
Also nominated: Kei Nishikori, John Millman, Jason Kubler
It was a no-brainer that Djokovic would win this. He emerged from what had to be the nadir of his career in March to capture back-to-back Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. The only argument against him is that he really recovered from January-through-April woes as opposed to coming back from something like an entirely disastrous 2017 campaign. So this is more of a second-half-of-2018 comeback award as opposed to a full-year comeback. After all, he was ranked 12th to start the year; not that bad. Similarly, Nishikori began the season at No. 22. Millman, on the other hand, soared from 128th to 38th. Still, Djokovic did deserve it. As for Kubler, I’m sure whatever he did was commendable; but…who?
Most Improved Player of the Year: Alex de Minaur
Also nominated: Marco Cecchinato, Kyle Edmund, Stefanos Tsitsipas
De Minaur probably deserved it, although he was more of a breakthrough performer as opposed to a journeyman who suddenly improved from mediocrity (like Cecchinato). The problem with Cecchinato is that he basically accrued all of his points at just one event; he didn’t sustain a whole lot of consistent success. Tsitsipas was likely the proverbial runner-up in this category, climbing 76 spots in the rankings(No. 91 to No. 15) while de Minaur soared 177 (No. 208 to No. 31). Edmund should never have been in the serious running; he was already a solid player and his second half of the season underwhelmed on the heels of a hot start (Australian Open semifinals).
Newcomer of the Year: Alex de Minaur
Also nominated: Hubert Hurkacz, Jaume Munar, Michael Mmoh, Ugo Humbert
There is no discussion whatsoever to be had in this category, as no one else is in the same stratosphere as de Minaur. Hurkacz and Munar at least managed to make debut appearances in the NextGen ATP Finals.
Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award: Rafael Nadal
Also nominated: Roger Federer, Kevin Anderson, Juan Martin Del Potro
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What else needs to be said? Shockingly, thankfully, mercifully, Federer somehow didn’t win it. I would have been just as satisfied with Anderson or Del Potro, both of whom are fully deserving.
Coach of the Year: Marian Vajda (Novak Djokovic)
Also nominated: Jan de Witt (Nikoloz Basilashvili), Carlos Moya (Rafael Nadal), Sebastian Prieto (Juan Martin Del Potro), Simone Vagnozzi (Marco Cecchinato)
Djokovic getting back with Vajda was the best decision he ever made. No other partnership was in the same ballpark in 2018, and only Rafael Nadal-Toni Nadal is a more productive one all-time in tennis’ current era (Roger Federer-Severen Luthi doesn’t count since Luthi has rarely been a full-time coach).
Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year: Indian Wells
It is simply the best!
500 Tournament of the Year: Queen’s Club
Having never been, I can’t say for sure. But I at least got a private tour of the club during this year’s Nitto ATP Finals and it is a really neat place (also, real tennis is a phenomenon!).
250 Tournament of the Year: Stockholm
Ernests Gulbis somehow got to the final. Isn’t that enough?
[SOURCE: TheGrandstand, Ricky | December 18, 2018 at 2:47 PM
Ricky got it wrong at The Grandstand, it’s Tsitsipas who’s the Most Improved Player of the Year, not De Minaur! Better to check the ATP website!
Sorry for the late thank you for catching that error. My fault too for not correcting it before posting.
Looking past 2018.
Darren Cahill is pushing for a change of surface at the Nitto ATP Finals. He feels it’s not fair to have the tournament played on hard court only; a clay court would make the tournament fairer. I agree.
Many have argued that repeatedly hosting the ATP Finals on one surface is unfair to some players. Rafael Nadal – a record 11-time French Open champion and considered by many the greatest clay-courter ever – has never won an ATP Finals title.
Barcelona organizers have announced that Rafa is the first to confirm for 2019, after David Ferrer who will play his last tournament there.
The New Adonis, as the French refer to Stefanos Tsitsipas, ended 2017 ranked 91, and 2018 as world No. 15. He claimed his first ATP title at Stockholm, he also won the Next Gen Masters title, and is the youngest to have defeated 4 top-ten players at a Masters level.
Juan Martin delPotro announced that he is practicing at full strength after recovery from his kneecap injury.
[Sources: TennisWorldUSA.; Twitter;
ATP NEWS RELEASE
14 December 2018
ATP FINALS HOST CITY CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED
LONDON — The ATP, governing body of men’s professional tennis, has announced the final shortlist of candidates bidding to host the ATP Finals. The cities of Manchester, England, Singapore, Tokyo, Japan, and Turin, Italy, have been selected by the ATP to progress and will now be assessed alongside London in the final phase of the bidding process to host the ATP Tour’s crown jewel event from 2021 to 2025.
The announcement of the final shortlist follows an extensive bid application process that began in August 2018 in which more than 40 cities worldwide expressed an interest in hosting the prestigious season-ending event. The final phase of the process will see the ATP visit the candidate cities to further review their respective visions for the ATP Finals, with a decision on the successful candidate to be made not before March 2019.
N.B. The above is an excerpt only.
Tokyo on clay please!
I really enjoyed watching Rafa & Roger playing doubles in the Laver Cup last year, so i’m delighted that they’ll be repeating this partnership in 2019.
Laver Cup has announced that Rafa will team up with Roger for its 2019 edition. I wonder what the implications are for this. Davis Cup? Year-end ATP tournaments? Hhmmmmm
For 2019, I hope certain fans have realized by now that we don’t raise Rafa by denigrating his opponents. If you’re going to fling ACCUSATIONS, please back them up with FACTS.
What this site has taught me is to double check my sources. All too often a Spanish language article conflicts with an English language version and/or even a French one.
And that’s why I endeavor to supply all sources. I welcome comments, constructive criticism, and yes, even corrections.
Wishing all Rafa fans and RNF management a great New Year and an exciting 2019 following the greatest competitor there ever was in the history of tennis [my personal opinion].
RAFA ROCKS
Thanks, Margo 🙂
Cheers Alex.
GREAT NEWS ABOUT RAFA
New post on The Grandstand
Nadal returns to practice, set for Abu Dhabi later this month
by Ricky
Rafael Nadal is back at practice and apparently good to go for the lucrative Abu Dhabi exhibition late in December followed by a January schedule that includes the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
For the first time this offseason, Nadal posted a photo of himself practicing.
👇🏻💪🏻 entrenamiento, practice! pic.twitter.com/z0nQNQvWnv
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 10, 2018
The second-ranked Spaniard has been sidelined since retiring from his U.S. Open semifinal match against Juan Martin Del Potro. He missed the entire fall swing, including Masters 1000 events in Shanghai and Paris plus the Nitto ATP Finals due to various injuries–ankle, abdominal, and hip.
“Rafael took the decision to correct a problem he was having in training and the federation doctor recommended he do so,” Toni Nadal noted. “When I spoke to him his intention was to start training again around 4th or 5th December, and he will have more than a month to arrive in good conditions for the Australian Open.”
With Nadal healthy, Novak Djokovic in borderline dominant form, and Roger Federer reigning as the two-time defending champion, the Australian Open figures to be especially intriguing in 2019.
“I’ve been in touch with Rafa and he’s back to full fitness after cutting his season short after Paris and can’t wait to arrive in Australia,” tournament director Craig Tiley said in a press release. “And there are so many contenders who have the game, fitness and ability to break through on the men’s side. Kei Nishikori has had an incredible year, as have Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson. The young guns [Alexander] Zverev, Dominic Thiem, David Goffin, and Stefanos Tsitsipas are all on the cusp of a breakthrough at this level.”
Before those festivities get underway, Nadal is set for the Abu Dhabi tournament along with Djokovic, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Karen Khachanov, and Hyeon Chung. It takes place Dec. 27-29.
Ricky | December 11, 2018 at 4:53 AM |
Thanks for posting. The comments contain the news content nowadays….
Thank you for the info,Margo. Hopefully all is good in Rafa camp. Vamos.
You’re welcome Bis. I was so excited after reading it. ONWARD TO A GR8 2019 FOR RAFA.
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) APOLEGIES FOR THE LENGTHY MESSAGE……..I FORGOT TO ADD HOW MUCH FUN WAS TO HEAR YOUR BEAUTIFUL VOCALS DURING PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HEARING YOUR FORCE AND PASSION AS YOU HIT RETURNS IS SO MESMERIZING AND GRATIFYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ; ) LOVE IT,,,,,IT IS A HUGE PART OF THE EXPERIENCE WITNESSING YOUR GREATNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) EQUALLY FUN, IS SEEING YOUR SPONTENOUS BRILLIANT FIST – PUMPS AND ENJOYING THE ENERGIZED ADORING CROWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) LAST BUT NOT LEAST …….THE REACTION OF YOUR OPONNENTS TO YOUR INCREDIBLE REACH AND WINNERS IS TRULY PRICELESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) ; ) COMEDY AT HIS BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE LOVE LOVE SEEING YOUR WINNERS TOTALLY ASTONISHING THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART AND ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL 2019!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SHOW UP,,,,,NO PRESSUER ……..NOTHING TO PROVE……..JUST BRING YOUR BEAUTIFUL SELF AND BRILLIANT GAME AND THAT WILL BE MORE THAN ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU SWEETHEART AND SENDING OUR GRATITTUDE AND THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOX HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND ALL BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FANS FOR THE APPROACHING HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ; )
Congrats on not posting any news for a month. Your longest break ever.
OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ): ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) I JUST WATCHED YOUR BEAUTIFUL PRECIOUS 2018 BEST POINTS BOTH THE EXTENDED (1.07:59 ) AND YESTERDAY WATCHED 7 TIMES THE SHORTER (16:24) VERSION……YOU ARE BRILLIANT SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) IT WAS GREAT TO RELIVE ALL YOUR MAGICAL MOMENTS IN THESE FANTASTIC MATCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE A TENNIS GENIUS SWEETHEART………A VERY SPECIAL RAFA NADAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) CI……..CI……CI……& WE MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI…….WI……WI……. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO WITNESS AGAIN ALL YOUR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR REACH…….YOUR SPEED……….YOUR FIESTY RETURNS………..YOUR MAGIC NET MOVES……..YOUR BEAUTIFUL SOLID SERVE……….YOUR SIDE TO SIDE BRILLIANT SHOTS………….I SENT THESE LINKS TO ALL MY FRIENDS AS OUR SEASON GREETINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THANK YOU TO THE WONDERFUL FOLKS WHO POSTED THESE GORGEOUS LINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CONGRATULATIONS SWEETHEAFRT ON YOUR MAGNIFICENT, BRILLIANT YEAR…….SO MUCH CLASS AND SO MUCH SUBSTANCE…..AND SUCH HARD WORK…….. YOU EARNED YOUR NUMBER ONE SPOT PLAYING AND COMPETING AGAINST THE VERY TOP TOP TOP MOST IN SHAPE PLAYERS……AND WE CAN NOT SAY THE SAME FOR OTHERS WHO ACCUMILATED CHEAP POINTS WHILST PLAYING SMALLER SCALE TENNIS IN SMALLER SCALE TOURS ACCUMILATING POINTS PLAYING AGAINST MUCH WEAKER PLAYERS…….FAMOUS OUT OF SHAPE PLAYERS, OR UNKNOWNS……ONCE AGAIN 2018 SHOWED US HOW PRECIOUS AND STRONG YOU ARE EARNING EACH AND EVERY POINT WITH SHEERTOP COMPITETION AND GENUINE SWEAT AND PASSION FOR THE SPORT. WATCHING ALL YOUR BEST POINTS BROUGHT US SO MUCH JOY DEAR RAFA……YOU ARE ONE VERY VERY SPECIAL GOAT AND THE ULTIMATE TENNIS CHAMP AND WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOX YOU ARE LOVED BY MILLIONS OF GLOBAL FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU BRING SO MUCH EXCITIMENT AND PASSION AND CLASS AND UNBELIEVABLE TENNIS INTELLEGENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE SO MAGNIFICENT ON THE COURT……… THE WAY YOU STRIKE THE BALL…..THE WAY YOU MOVE……THE WAY YOU PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE WITH EACH POINT IS SIMPLY EXTRODINARY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THANK YOU SWEETHEART FOR ALL THE BEAUTY AND FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ; ) ; ) ; ) ; ) ; ) I REALALY LOVED THE DIFFERENT COMMENTARY CLIPS FROM VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL SPORT NET WORKS COVERING YOUR MATCHES………..I OFTEN TUNE TO THEIR COVERGAE BECAUSE THEY ARE OBJECTIVE, PROFESSIONAL, AND MANAGE TO GIVE CREDIT DUE TO BOTH YOU AND YOUR OPPONENETS………CONGRAULATIONS SWEETHEART FOR SUCH A BRILLIANT TENNIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) AFTER INJUERIES AND TIME OFF THE COURT……YOU CAME BACK STRONG AND FIT AND PRECIOUS AND BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU EARNAND EACH MATCH VICTOREY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) YOU HAD TO FIGHT VERY HARD AGAINST UP COMING YOUNG BRIGHT STRONG AND FIT PLAYERS…….ANDYOU DELIVERED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) FAIR AND SQUARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT WAS SIMPLY GORGEOUS TO SEE YOU STRONG AND FIT AND FIESTY AND DETRMIND AND HANDSOME WITH ALL YOUR HUNKY NIKE OUTFITS……..SO HANDSOME AND CUTE AND ADORABLE AND YOUR FACE……SO INVOLVED AND PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL TIME OFF AND KNOW WE ALL HAPPY FOR YOU AND YOUR WELL CRAFTED TENNIS STRENGTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND AND WE ARE MIGHTY PROUD OF YOU DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH YOUR FORTITUDE AND DRIVE AND SHEER DOMINANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) AS FAR AS TRUE COMPETIOTION GOES YOU DID WIN THE AUSTRALIA OPEN….PRINCESS R ASKED FOR MEDICAL TIME OUT DURING THE LAST FEW MINUTES OF THE MATCH AS YOU WERE LEADING……….PATHETIC PRIVILAGED LOOSER, HE GOT THE ARTIFICIAL HELP BECAUSE HE LACKS FAIR AND SQUARE ENDURANCE…….NOT TO MENTION UGLY SPORTSMANSHIP. SAME WITH WIMBELDON……..AS FAR AS TRUE COMPITTION GOES YOU WON WIMBELDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU WERE THE STRONGER PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THE ROOF WAS UNJUSTLY CLOSED….AND NOVAC SOMEHOW GOT TO HAVE A SAY,,,,CRY BABY THAT HE IS….. HIS ENDURANCE AND FITNESS WAS NOT AS POWERFUL AS YOURS……HE BARELY HAD A CHANCE TO BREATH DURING THE MATCH WITH YOUR FIGHTING STRONG STRIKING AT HIM AGAIN AND AGAIN………..HE WAS LOOSING AND YOU DID WIN WIMBELDON………IF NOT FOR THE BS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ANYWAY SWEETHEART….IT IS ALL IN THE PAST AND MAKES ZERO DIFFERENCE HOW MANY GS TITLES YOU HAVE BECAUSE YOU ARE THE BEST, MOST PASSIONATE AND STRONGEST PLAYER…….MOST FUN TO WATCH, MOST BELOVED TENNIS PLAYER IN HISTROY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMAOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE WERE EQUALLY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR HARD WORK ETHICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) NO ONE COMES CLOSE TO YOU PREPARING AND PRACTICING AND SHOWING UP SO POWERFUL AND MIGHTY ON THE COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) ; ) ; ) : ) HAVE A NICE EVENING AND A BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS AND VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU DEAR RAFA NADAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Can 2019 get here already? I can’t wait!! I need my Rafa fix!!
… or maybe I just need a life:):)
Hope my fellow Rafans you are all doing well and being nice:)
Mac, you’re not alone. We have a life, but we miss Rafa!
The ATP has ranked the top 5 ATP World Tour matches, and the top 5 Grand Slam matches of 2018.
Rrrraaaafa is featured in 5 of the 10 ranked matches. Rafa is the only ONE to be in 5 of the best 2018 matches. RAFA ROCKS.
Of the 5 best Grand Slam matches, Rafa made the top 3-ranked matches.
Of the 5 best ATP World Tour matches, Rafa made the 4th- and 5th-ranked matches.
The above info can be found on the ATP site.
I wasn’t in the mood for reading anything tennis until I read the above. This has gotten my excitement going for Rafa and 2019.
RAFA ROCKED 2018
Margo, thank you for keeping us informed! I’m starving for anything Rafa. 🙂 Uncle Tony said Rafa will probably start practicing this week. Can’t wait to see the practice photos!
Happy Holidays to you and all Rafafans!
Back @ you YB and you’re welcome.
I’m waiting too to see his practice sessions. I truly hope all is well with Rafa’s body. Can’t wait.
RAFA ROCKED 2018
Yep,Margo
That’s showing that our statement that tennis is boring without Rafa is true,not just his fans prospective