Rafatennis - Rome Masters 1000 - 8-15 May 2011

"Obviously I didn't play at my best. I didn't play badly, just normal. But that is not enough against Djokovic." That's the true Rafa! Well, one of them had to lose their streak and it wasn't third time lucky for Rafa against Djokovic.

With a quick turnaround, we are straight off to Rome, with Rafa in a battle to keep his No 1 ranking and take it into the French. The tournament has already started and the draw could prove tough for him, depending on whether potential opponents can take their good form from Madrid onto Rome.

Rafa's first match will be on Wednesday.

Good luck Rafa - dust yourself down and come roaring back. Vamos!

And about time too - February has been so boring!

Excellent write up, Rafan. Thanks for this.

Looking forward to seeing all the DC developments on here.

Rafa looked in a fantastic, relaxed mood today in practice. Just have a look at these charming pictures.

Dont worry ... I won't even mention the word ... "caption". <run>

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aK1mS4mxwM8/TW1pSSQdM7I/AAAAAAAAC3s/FhgcFkKZi_c/s1600/March%2B1%2B2011%2B-%2B1.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GknVhajn4N4/TW1o_xfVjjI/AAAAAAAAC3k/7cQpluK6Sy0/s1600/March%2B1%2B2011%2B-%2B2.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94utFmjQbQ4/TW1o_SjBoUI/AAAAAAAAC3c/_rNlSE6CRJw/s1600/March%2B1%2B2011%2B-%2B3.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsaZuQ4ZwtY/TW1o_TgF9uI/AAAAAAAAC3U/gOw7amFxt74/s1600/March%2B1%2B2011%2B-%2B4.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrWg63uVQRc/TW1o-0K49VI/AAAAAAAAC3M/QWAniXJe9W4/s1600/March%2B1%2B2011%2B-%2B5.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xqdQ2HWmBQo/TW1o-i5OQdI/AAAAAAAAC3E/yKNW5IfvTAo/s1600/March%2B1%2B2011%2B-%2B6.jpg

Rafa's looking very happy and relaxed in these practice photos, and in the photos from the presser (nice link on NadalNews).

I think playing in the Davis Cup is a good way to come back from injury – it's a team event, so even though there is "pression" to a certain extent, it's not the same as playing your first match, losing and getting knocked out of the tournament.

A nice little article here - and looks like Djoko's a doubt for Serbia, he's 12-0 W/L for the year so far...

http://www.digibet.info/topnewsgbtease/00_20110302140151_Nadal_keen_Djokovic_a_doubt_in_Davis_Cup.php

There's so much news today on Spain and the DC and I've really enjoyed having some proper up-and-coming tennis to read about!!

I must say that I've been having a at this. FeliFer really ARE morphing into each other. I mean ... (notwithstanding the hideous green shorts ), Nando has now taken to pushing one leg of them up over his thigh just like Feli does!!

http://postimage.org/image/qv4zo7us/

http://postimage.org/image/qv6n7kck/

<caption for the second one> ... I HAVE TO!!

Rafa ... "Meh Nando!! You don't wear the thigh look as well ... "
Feli ... *I know. He doesn't." <tapsnose>

I love this video clip for the body language (well it ain't for the Spanish language ... ) ... the look of bromance love in Nando's eyes as he watches Rafa speak ... the fact that they actually let Marc! SPEAK!! ... and towards the end the image of Feli putting his hood up. Feli my love, I understand your problem so well. Wind and rain plays havoc with your wondrous, lovely locks ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykFY7obLQRE&feature=player_embedded

And here's another look at it ...

http://postimage.org/image/n4v00ysk/

I have something very similar myself ....

Sorry Rafan ... this is supposed to be the tennis thread ... I shall behave like an from now on ... <whistle>

Feli has tweeted this lovverly picture of the Armada out on their official dinner before the DC tie.

Question is ... who's that 15-year-old in the corner??? ...

http://twitpic.com/45ezdq

Rafa's also posted a picture on his Facebook ...

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?fbid=10150105504506026&set=a.456161351025.251362.64822581025&theater

Rafan ... you said earlier about how you think DC has been such a good thing to bring Rafa back to tennis. And I agree. Look how these guys seem to be bonding as a team and enjoying each others' company. Rafa loves the team environment and I'm now starting to believe that its the best way to get him into match play before IW and being around the guys will get his tennis juices going again. Vamos!!

Ooh, thanks for all the <links> and photos Wooffs. Now...this thread doesn't have to be just about the tennissss....it is just generally Davis Cup, be it pics, clips, goss etc. We are the Rafateers after all - we have to have some Rafa while he's playing...tomorrow!!!!

Another pic featuring the WHOLE of the Armada team "suited and booted" at last night's dinner ...

http://postimage.org/image/25msflkck/

And bless you our lovely mods, but here is my first use of the smiley ...



For Feli ... not dorky Rafa. Who still looks 15-years-old and like he's wearing his Dad's jacket ... <run>

Official announcement of matches on Friday:
First match: Malisse vs Ferrer (starts at 2:30 p.m.)
followed by: Bemelmans vs Nadal

Doubles match on Saturday:
Probably:
Malisse/Rochus vs Verdasco/Lopez (but the Belgian team isn't written in stone yet)
=====================================

Just seen the above whilst perusing the sites. I assume 2.30 pm is local time, so 1.30 pm for us. (I won't ask Rafan who got the AO timings sooooooo wrong and between her and Pearl, I got up early on a Saturday morning to watch wimmins tennis instead of Rafa )

So ... I might be able to leave work early to see Rafa on a stream on Friday pm. Can't wait !!

Should have carried on ready cos this has now been posted on the DC webiste ...

Friday
R1: Xavier Malisse (BEL) v David Ferrer (ESP)
R2: Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) v Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Saturday
R3: Xavier Malisse/Olivier Rochus (BEL) v Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

Sunday
R4: Xavier Malisse (BEL) v Rafael Nadal (ESP)
R5: Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) v David Ferrer (ESP)

Stirling work there Wooffs :hugs:

Unfortunately I won't be able to leave work early to watch Rafa, so will have to reply on a few clips here and there as get posted on various sites. Shame! So in some ways I hope for Belgium to get a victory either in R1 or R3 so I can watch a live R4 on Sunday hehe.

If you and/or Denzy can watch perhaps you can give us poor people (because I'm sure there's more than just me looking on!) a little commentary? It would be much appreciated

Oh ... I'm sure that we can resurrect our sterling commentary duties on here, Rafan. For all the Rafateers and those who may be watching

I've only just found this thread....still finding my way around, you know what I'm like

Brilliant my lovelies.....loads for me to gawp at and yes you're right Woofs, Rafa does look about 15

How can someone look sooooo grown up and warrior like on the court and yet turn into a dork (albeit a very cute one) off it

Aye Denz ... is the operative word. All Rafan's hard word too ... <shakes head>

Mind you ... you did discover the heinous crime of that dastardly duo RafanCats earlier ...

Has this got to be the most handsome Davis Cup team out there?? Even Alberto is casting eyes towards Feli ...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UcUE2-Q7c5o/TXALDKNAKYI/AAAAAAAAC40/r27drkSd9Fw/s1600/March%2B3%2B2011%2B-%2B1.jpg

Buenos Suerte tomorrow boys!!

Good morning lovely Rafateers !!

In BREAKINGDCNEWS ... little Daveed will not be playing today as he's got a pinched nerve.

So its down to Nando to step into the fray and lead the way for Espana in the opening match against Malisse.

GO NANDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone

So much to over. Now I'm being a fangirl. DC is best of 5 sets isn't? Just want to work out when Rafa is likely to get on court.

Wooffs, can I make amends for my recent treachery and confirm for you that 2.30 local time is indeed 1.30 your time. Noh? How about I'll clean your house for a week?

Anyway, sure Rafa is just as excited as we are to be getting back to doing what he loves best and good luck to all the guys

Lovely Cats

As Nando is up first ... anything can happen

But I generally average a 3-setter at about 1.5-2 hours ... so maybe Rafa will be on at about 4 pm our time ... whatever that is for you.

And you don't need to clean my house for a week ... I have left you a <peace offering> on the chat fred ...

Saw it I'm getting a good workout :run2: between threads.

(Shall I? Shan't I? I have to!!)

.... It's better than

Sorry!! But I just had to use that smilie at least once!

Lovelies, it's been fun but I need to go shopping (boring supermarket stuff, not therapeutic handbag stuff so will catch you all later

Bye Cats <wave>

Vamos Espana !!!

See you later Cats

Vamos Espana! Hurrah for Tennis <throwshatintheair>

Hi and Bye Cats Speak later

Viva Espana being played at the moment....Nando just warming up against Malisse.

Before it all kicks off I'm going to feed the dogs....ooh Rafa signing an autograph for a pretty young girl....he looked at her for just a moment too long, if you know what I mean

Denzy...don't say things like that, I hate it when Rafa betrays me

Hello lovely Denz

Supposed to be working ... obviously ... but if you could just give us little updates as to how Nando's doing that would be appreciated.

Don't want to impose re. commentary but general pointers would be lovely. Thank you!

Hello...am back with fed and watered hounds Rafa looking very animated....chatting 19 to the dozen. Nando 5-3 up

Well done Nando

Ta Denz!!

Ok Nando serving for the set

big 1st serve...15-0

but nets off some good groundies from Malisse...15 all

excellent cross court shot from Nando...30-15

malisse hits long...40-15

overhead from Nando...set Spain 6-3 and Rafa leaves the court.

Streaming's a bit iffy...but looks as if Nando broke malisse in the 1st game and he's 15 all in the second

loose game by Nando and Malisse breaks back... 1 all

Two big serves from malisse gives him 30-0

huge forehand down the line from Nando..30-15

and a big c/c from Nando...30 all

malisse nets twice and Nando breaks back, game Spain...2-1

Malisse hits long..15-0

Nando hits wide...twice! 15-30

two huge serves from Nando get him out of trouble...40-30

nd a big f/h down the line...game Spain..3-1

Nando wins 1st point..15-0

and hits huge groundies to get to 30-0

ace from malisse 30-15

and big 1st serve..30 all

big 1-2 from malisse 40-30

good nando return...deuce

ace...ad Belgium

and big serve...game belgium....3-2

Thanks Denzy! Stoooopid work getting in the way.

It is gloriously sunny outside as well. So many other ways to spend the afternoon other than under fluorescent lights <doom> :sleep:

Yes ... <cheers> Denz.

Trying to get something done to try and get out early for Raaaaaaaffffffaaaaaa.

Nando serves

Malisse hits long..15-0

some enormous hitting from Nando today..30-0

nando nets off good malisse groundies...30-15

malisse nets...40-15

and nets again off of pressure from Nando...game Spain..4-2

Malisse serves

nando hits long....15-0

malisse nets...15 all

two big serves from malisse....40-15

malisse hits long...40-30

and nando hits long....game Belgium 4-3

ok folks

Nando serving

great shots from Nando finishing with a mid c/c f/h..15-0

malisse hits out..30-0

and again...40-0

big nando f/h in the corner...game Spain..5-3

Malisse serving

malisse nets after good rally...0-15

nando nets...15 all

malisse nets again...15-30

nando hits good f/h...15-40

and huge b/h finishes the game and set...Spain 6-3.

Malisse just hasn't got the consistency of Nando or the weight of shot...Nando is playing solid Tennis and using the court well. Nothing too flash...just getting the job done

He sounds like he's doing a pretty good job, Denz.

OK ... Malisse isn't a force any more, but I hope giving a platform for Spain gives some confidence to Nando. He needs a bit of a boost from his results of late. He's better than that ...

Well done to him!!

3rd set...Nando serves

malisse hits good volley...0-15

but misses next shot 15 all

malisse hits long...30-15

nando hits through malisse...40-15

big serve from nanado...game Spain...1-0

Malisse serves

Feli signing lots of autographs!!!

two big serves from Malisse...30-0

huge f/h from malisse...40-0

and a big serve...game Belgium 1 all

Nando serves

Ace..15-0

and twice more! 40-0

then hits long...40-15

put away at the net...game Spain..2-1

Malisse serves

fabulous down the line f/h from Nanado...0-15

Malisse hits out...0-30

nando challenging a call on the sideline.....looks like it's broken down!!!....ah ha....it was in!!!.....

fabulous return from nando....0-40

malisse nets...game Spain...3-1

yey!! Go Nando !!

Excellent work, Denz ... oh how we have missed this.

Nando really into his stride now...malisse looks very dejected.

Nando serves

malisse hits wide..15-0

good serve from nando...30-0

malisse hits wild return...40-0

and nets...game Spain...4-1.

Actually Nando ... slow down. I don't think I can leave here till 4 pm.

Brill isn't it woofs back to the old days

Malisse serves

stream stuck....but it's now deuce

nando hits c/c.. ad Spain

malisse nets...game Spain..5-1

Nando serves with new balls

malisse nets...15-0

nando his long...15 all

malisse nets....30-15

malisse hits out...40-15

nando hits wide...40-30

malisse hits out....GSM Spain!

Excellent start from Nando....good solid display, totally out classed Malisse

You're going to have to go quickly to get home in time for Rafa, Wooffs

Wish I was watching. Vamos Nando and Vamos Rafa!

Wee and a drink...should be 10 min or so before Rafa takes to the court.

Rafa is due on court at 14.55 our time...which should mean about 10 min after

Oops...make that 15.55...sorry

A whot Denz ?? :huh:

<laughing>