World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has become one of the most beloved tennis players across the globe. The world has fallen in love with our champ over his great attitude on and off the court.
Before Rafa was due to play for Spain against Uruguay in the evening in Perth, he took some time out to pay respect to Aleksandre Bakshi and Zura Tkemaladz.
Bakshi and Tkemaladze produced an impressive display to beat Toshihide Matsui and Ben McLachlan 6-2 6-4 in 67 minutes. Bakshi is ranked 867 in the world while Tkemaladze is yet to achieve a ranking.
Amazon Prime broadcaster Sam Smith revealed: “Two young Georgian guys without any ranking, won the doubles against Japan, totally unexpected.
“Rafa went over to them and said well done in the doubles, he did some selfies with them, he did a video for their families, spent some time talking to them and they were wide-eyed. He spent 15-20 minutes of his day with the young guys from Georgia. They couldn’t believe it. But that’s Rafa. And that is not an isolated incident.”
Alongside Smith was tennis coach Roger Rasheed and he hailed Rafa’s ability to stay positive and the support team around him.
He said: “Rafa is one of the best at parking whatever is currently happened, moving on and getting on to the next stage. That’s what I love about him. There is always a positive and a silver lining to what’s actually just taken place.”
Source: express.co.uk
Rafa I can’t explain the thrill I got watching you play in the flesh in Perth n cheering you on, n on 8 Jan. (when you were playing singles) I shouted out “Rafa please play doubles” n you did in place of Feliciano! It was a wonderful surprise for the spectators – unfortunately a lot of fans had left after your singles game! I said to my family n friends “Rafa heard me and obliged”! I’m 84 years old n never thought I’d see you play in the flesh. My family gave me a Christmas present to see you n the Team play on all 3 days. I am now wishing I could see you play in Sydney n also the Aus. Open. You are such a kind n generous young man n a gentleman on n off the Court. I do hope you are not pushing yourself too hard n was a bit worried when I read today that you are going to play another Exhibition … this time for the victims of the awful bushfires. God bless you Rafa. I have followed you since you were a teenager n you were a great kid even then! Could not see your Wife n family n wondering whether they came to Perth? Each time you played close to our stand I cheered you on shouting “Come on Rafa” or “Vamos Rafa” n I do hope you heard me? I watch your every tournament on Foxtel TV! Vamos Rafa. Take care n keep on winning. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂🏆🏆🏆👑👑👑🎊🎊🎊🎉🎉🎉
Abuela NaN Shirley, how sweet! I loved your post. I flew from the USA to see Rafa win his 9th French Open in 2014. I was courtside with just a row of geraniums between us. Som I understand your thrill of seeing Rafa play. I’ve Ben his #1 fan for 15 years. It’s going to break my heart when he retires. No other player excites me like he does! God bless you, Shirley!
Rafa siempre te querremos, te amaremos por siglo de los siglos, SIEMPRE CONTIGO RAFA!!!!
Rafa we love you all over the world 🌎 👍🇺🇸🎾❤️😘
Yes he is the best human being we love you Rafa all the best for you👍🇺🇸🎾❤️😘👍🇺🇸🎾❤️😘👍🇺🇸🎾❤️😘
Wonderful and so kind 🥰 one and only Rafa👍❤️
This is why we love him very simply head a shoulders above the rest!
Rafa is such a gentleman, love his humility.
Can anyone tell me why we no longer have the thumbs up and down signs for Likes and Dislikes? A system both easy to see, and to understand.
No explanation has been given as to what to do now. If I tap the star, it comes up with some Word Press sign on page.
I have not been happy with this site since it changed ownership. They change things, which is their privilege, but don’t bother to explain them to us, the fans who make the site possible in the first place.
Anyone like to bet that they don’t answer this?
Michele, what did you mean by the site changing ownership? What happened to the previous owner—retired? too busy? or God forbid, chaned allegiance?
Maybe the new owner prefers that fans are less adversarial, more harmonious?
I am not into social media as such, don’t have any Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account. But one of those removed the capability of readers/visitors (?) to one of those to post likes/dislikes.
I am enjoying the ATP Cup when participants and supporters are sportsmanlike in their behaviour.
I say this because I was watching the doubles between Team France and Team Serbia and when Team France requested a video review of a net play by Djokovic where his racquet could possibly have gone over the net, the Serbian supporters booed the request.
But the review favoured the French Team.
The whole idea of the ATP Cup is to demonstrate love for your country but not to the detriment of another country.
After all, we’re all citizens of the world and we need to live alongside one another.
Rafa, our hero is the best living example of what the ATP is trying to achieve.
He has always been a world class player and gentleman !! A Perfect example for the upcoming tennis hopefuls to follow!!
I’ve followed Rafa since he was a kid and suffered through his knee injuries and happy he back where he belongs lots of love to you all and good luck at the Aussie open YWNWA96 Pez Liverpool
Michele, i have asked the same question about this website twice before, but no one cares to respond. I don’t see why the thumbs up/down buttons had to be removed. The “like” star which has replaced them doesn’t even work. I suppose we’ll never get the courtesy of a reply.
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVELY TO READ ABOUT YOUR BRIEF VISIT WITH THE DOUBLES PLAYERS ALEKSANDRE .BAKSHI AND ZURA TKEMALADZE ROM GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT IS SUCH KIND RESPECT TO SHOW UP FOR PLAYERS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TENNIS WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) MANY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES HAVE UPCOMING BRIGHT, TALENTED PLAYERS AND IT IS IMPORTANT AND RESPECTFUL TO GIVE THEM RECOGNITION AND ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VERY NICE OF YOU SWEETHEART TO TAKE THE TIME AND INTEREST! DURING THE DAVIS CUP I NOTICED SOME AMAZING STRONG UNKNOWN PLAYERS AND WAS SO IMPRESSED OF THEIR GREAT TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEPT WONDERING WHY DOESN’T THE ATP MAKE EFFORT AND TAKE SOME GOOD TIME TO PUBLICIZE THEIR PROFILES…..INTERVIEWS ETC…… SHOW THEM ON MEDIA CLIPS AND WRITE WELCOMING ARTICLES…..
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SOLID VICTORY TODAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE YOUR PRACTICE AND MATCH PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
It was NOT a brief visit as you wrote. Raga spent 15 – 20 mins with them. Why trivialize it?
Pure class, as always❤️
So typical of Rafa. That’s why we love him!! What a guy!
Why are we not surprised! He is the quintessential role model!!!
Amazing Rafa, that’s why we love him so much!
Rafa is all heart. He saw something in the Georgian doubles team that he sees in himself. That is, hard work, perseverence and a never-say-die attitude. Love it!
Rafa
Tu personalidad es impeccable. Eres y siempre seras el Numero Uno en Tennis y todo. Te deseo un nuevo ano de mucha salud y felicidad.
Tu Numero Uno Fan
Carmen
Él es así de auténtico.
Bravo Rafa! Amazing