Rafateers on Tour

This thread is capture all our adventures, musings, gossips, pics and other nonsense as we follow Rafa across the ATP tour.

1st :run1:

Wooffs! You got the WiFi sorted! Is it wonderful? Have you bumped into Rafa yet????

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Bonsoir, Rafateers

Great work on the WiFi, Wooffs

Already sounds like you're all having a great time - wish I'd seen the draw for the best room!

Look forward to hearing about your adventures in glamorous MC.

A bientot

LOL!............Loved the report Wooffie........looking forward to your next one!

Solerina

Excellent report Wooffie. Still a bit jealous of you three, mind.

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Sky blue shirt and fluffy hair

What did I say, Rafateers??

Wooffie wrote:
Have to say, that before we came here and I said we were going to the Cathedral, if my Dad told me this tale once, he told me a 1000 times and that was you were not allowed to take pictures of Princess Grace's grave, as the locals didn't like and also ... that Prince Rainier used to leave fresh flowers on her grave every day. I regaled this to Rafan with Rolling Eyes, to which she said, "Does he [Rainier] still do that?". To which I answered, "No. And that is because ... he is dead."

Whilst I can't say I share the same enthusiasm for Nadal's clothing and hairstyles as yourself, I have to say these reports are a credit to the tennis forum. Great effort!

Thanks for the news Wooffie, it's almost like we are there with you. Nice build up to the appearance of bonnie Rafa.

It all sounds fantastic and Nore is right, it's almost like we are there with you.

You report made me laugh and tear up a bit about the lovely Princess Grace. Taken far too young.....

Anyway, really looking forward to the next installment.

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Ive only just managed to catch up with you Wooffie... Ive been so busy that I didnt get chance to read the "The Daredevil Doings of the Rafateers" but hey I cant wait for the next episode and your comments on the match and the man himself. Sounds like you are having the time of HIS life Seeing Feli what a bonus.. he with the pony tail and legs to his armpits...Vamos Chicos de España

Good morning all lovely Rafateers!!, friends and those watching quietly.

Haddie

:sleep: :sleep: :sleep: I have been rattled out of my pit by some very excited Rafateers (not that I'm not one of them ... but I hate getting up )

Guess whot??

WE'RE GOING TO SEE RAFA TODAY!!

Hoping we'll be able to fill you in with some good tales later today.

VAMOS RAFA!!

Have a great day....should be a scorcher ... (weather should be good too Might even cause a couple of shirt changes.... (Rafa´s that is ) Vamos

Great reports Wooffie. Near to tears with laughing! Have a great day today, and VAMOS to Rafa.

Rafa day

Happily I have my satellite sorted and have got Sky Sports (without the need of a monstrosity of a big dish on my roof! Where there's a will there's a way ). So I get to see Rafa on the big telly

Have a lovely day Ladies and we'll keep an eye out for you. Get Rafan to wave her flag at us

Wooffie! And Rafan and Denzi!

So glad I found you and Wooffs, you're outdoing yourself with these travel reports. Sounds like you're having a marvelous time. Told you you'd love it there. It's such a gorgeous part of the world, and to be able to watch Rafa play tennis is just the cherry on top of the sundae. I'm so envious. <green>

Cats <waves>, I just about choked at the last line of your post. You really want to see Rafan waving her flag???? It might be all tanned and pretty and all, but really, Rafa doesn't need any distractions while he's playing! :run2:

Vernon! How are you? So glad you found us as well. I really do want to see Rafan waving her flag! Then I'll know it's them. Mind you, the Tesco bag in a sea of Chanel clad high society might give her away as well

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Wooffie wrote:After lunch, we then took to the Grandstand Court and I have to say guys, this has to be the most beautiful place to watch tennis. Again, the court is small and intimate so even at the back, you'd still have a good view. There's the cliffs to one side, the Mediterranean to the other ... it is truly an awesome sight.

SEE? I told you so.

Glad to hear your enjoying it out there.

Yes, SMAG (as we call you now, do we??) It is totally fabulous, and we had pretty good seats today.

We are loving it.

Great stuff Wooffie... worth going if only for the grope eh
Hopè you get a closer look at Rafa tomorrow,.. keep looking out for you in the crowd.. was it you lot that was yelling Rafa Rafa Rafa at match point...
Waiting for the next instalment... sleep tight :sleep:

"Hello Rafa, good luck". And Rafa said "Hello. Thank you". Then Rafan said, "Rafa, where are you practising today?" and he said, "I dunnoh??" ... then a security man said to him "vite, vite" ... and off he went ...

:OMG:

Seems like Roger has the largest entourage?

More excellent posts from Monte Carlo :sigh:

Hey Nore

No, Roger does not have largest entourage. It was the same for Rafa when he left the practice court, Rafan told me. There were huge crowds today and the place really is just set out like a private tennis club, not an arena, so its impossible for the players to have to walk through the crowds. So they need help from security guys.

Haddie, the "Rafa, Rafa, Rafa" callers were a set of Italian <fanboys> ... Italians always had such good taste.

Hi Wooffs, Denz and Rafan. I am SO jealous!! Hope tomorrow every bit as good. Loving the updates.

Morning everyone

Wooffs, fantastic report which had me laughing into my cornflakes this morning. Rafan's comment about Fed's hair cracked me up

It really does look gorgeous there. I mentioned to Mr C that we need to go some time (like this time next year would be good ) and he reckoned we would have to take a tent and our own sandwiches

Have a lovely day today and look forward to Day 5 report later

Just caught up with this thread.......brilliant reporting, Woofie

Really glad you're having a good time..........I would love to walk where Grace Kelly walked <sigh>

Solerina

Rafa wins and I am sure our on the spot Rafateers are delighted.

Wonder if they are watching the Fed match. If we see someone draped in a Spanish flag rush up to him for an autograph we'll know it's Rafan

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Dont worry about churlish French Wooffie.. (losing three of their men in one day) "let them eat cake" they have done away with the guillotine so your safe. The Spanish Armada sails on with Scotland coming up the rear (pardon the expression) Keep cheering him on girls you know it makes sense... Vamos Rafa....

Evening Haddie

We will do. We also spotted Ilie Nastase in the crowd today. What a heap he looks. Troiki also passed us today. I thought Tommy might have had a chance with winning the first set, but it appears not.

Still no sign of Boris Becker yet ...

Yes I saw Ilie in the crowd... he was so great years ago.. but I agree he does look a bit rough ... I had high hopes for Robby till the injury and Nico did what Nico does best.. I think they are all trying to get some time off to have their
vacaciones whilst there... must be some luscious young ladies around me thinks. Rafa can do better than he did today.. I think he always feels a bit sorry for Gasket when he plays him... still what the heck as long as he comes out winning.... Go get em girls ... keep the Spanish flag flying -- give my love to Boris if you see him... You must all be tired :yawn: sweet dreams.

Hi Rafateers

Have finally watched Rafa's game; got to agree Wooffs, not spectacular, but good enough. Don't expect any probs tomorrow against Looby, expecting Rafa to move up a gear.

Well done to Rafan & Denz for their Rafa-sightings; you've got to have a try at the solo expedition, Wooffie - your luck must change sometime!

Meant to say Cats - hurrah for Sky Sports installation - will Mr Cats be a Tennis Widow too now?

Just about ready for bed (work tomorrow for some of us!!), so night all, sweet drims; Looking forward to the Day 6 Report

Another great report Wooffie.......thanks

Solerina

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So glad you got a good gander at the boy... did you see Uncle Toni up close .. I think he is rather gorgeous. . runs in the family dunnit. Saw Mum Dad etc in the crowd looking very relaxed albeit windblown. Now be honest, I didnt see Tescos on it but that WAS your bag flying across court wasn´t it? I was pleased for Melzer although he has got a bit cocky in his presser... seems to think he will have no problem with Daveeeed .. quote "if I can beat Federer I can beat anyone".. dont bank on Jurgen... Vamos Daveeed. Agree with you I dont think Rafa was at his best but he did all he had to do so thats all that matters.
Have a good meal and a great evening.. we are depending on you to give our boy a boost tomorrow. Hasta mañana

Hello Haddie

Just having a chat with Denzy about what you said Melzer said. She makes a good point in that he shouldn't get above himself in that he didn't beat "the great" Roger Federer today ... the guy didn't show up.

As we all know, Daveed is a good clay court player and has matched his result from last year. OK, he lost to him in the French Open, but he shouldn't under-estimate him. We'll be cheering Daveed on, any way. Vamos!!

Ooh ... and forgot to say. Yes ... we did see Uncle Toni up very close and I've got some good pictures. Will post them next week.

That is what I said about Daveed on another thread... he has upped his game considerably of late... and he is a hungry little beggar I can see him making the final personally... ANYWAY... vamos Rafa and Daveed.. viva España

Another fascinating update from Wooffie

I hope Rafael is not too brutal on Andy, the poor boy has only recently found his feet again after being a little traumatised following his encounter with Novak at the Australian Open.

Such a hard life Wooffs. My heart breaks for you. Actually, my heart is breaking for me! I'd give anything to be there looking out over the blue Mediterranean after a long day of Rafa gawking. What an absolutely perfect vacation and I'm so envious. Your write-ups of your adventures are a hoot and I'm thoroughly enjoying them. Look forward to your report of Rafa's victory over MAndy tomorrow.

So we went skipping off to have a coffee (even me <cough>) and then returned to watch the Daveed vs. Raonic match. I have to say, we are starting to get a bit of a soft spot for young Milos. He was obviously struggling a bit, but the good thing about him was that he kept trying different things and didn't let his head drop. Rafan was getting so taken at that at one point, she was cheering him over Daveed Shocked ... until I reminded her that she was an Armada <fangirl> and was teetering with a ban. laughing Milos did a very nice exchange at the net with Daveed, and walked off the court with a big grin on his face and was waving and stuff ... we like him. Smile

He's a lovely Canadian boy, isn't he? I recall a lot of skepticism from a few Rafateers when I was blathering on about him a few months ago but this kid is so smart. He has a lot of talent and even more learning of what to do with it all but his attitude is very endearing. I'm glad I won't be booed out of the joint if my nationalism gets the better of me in future.

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Have a good day... (I can at least share the sunshine with you) and yes the Med looks really blue ...Hope the wind drops for you but if my memory serves me right a couple of years ago Rafa played Andypandy in gusting wind and Andy couldn´t cope with wind and Rafa in one match... so be careful what I wish for eh ???? go girls go

'So I'm sitting here overlooking the boats in the harbour with the sun still glinting on the yachts and we'll be going for dinner sometime soon. Tis a hard life, isn't it? '

Oh, what a wonderful image you conjure up Wooffs. Great report as always. Reading about your exploits really is the next best thing to being there

Hope you manage to get to see Novak

Vamos Rafa

Wooffs, have you had a chance to explore much of Nice yet? I was only there once. We drove the rental car from Villefranche and saw more of the city than planned as be damned if I could navigate and find street signs to get us to the Avis office to turn the car in even though it was only one block up from the sea. There was a fab little restaurant just a few doors down where we sat on the patio and had a wonderful cheese omelet and some wine. Across the street was a gorgeous park full of palm trees and a pergola covered with vines and a wild profusion of colourful roses. So beautiful.

We then walked around for a couple of hours - did the whole promenade of course - and stopped in at the lovely old Hotel Negresko. Pop in there if you get a chance as it's quite something. Took the crazy crowded bus back to Villefranche where we sat on our own balcony overlooking the harbour and all its yachts so I can really relate to your little vignette yesterday. It brought back a lot of wonderful memories.

You're probably at the tennis courts already. You'll have lots time to explore the grounds and stalk <I mean look for> Rafa as Daveeed and Jurgen just took 15 minutes to play their first game. I think it'll be awhile before Rafa gets on court but give him an extra loud vamos from all of us.

vernonbc wrote:Such a hard life Wooffs. My heart breaks for you. Actually, my heart is breaking for me!
I'd give anything to be there looking out over the blue Mediterranean after a long day of Rafa gawking.

Lol!

Me too vernon.....tho' I wouldn't be so bothered about Rafa gawking......I'd just like to be by the sea.

Anyway, welcome to the forum........I'm sure you'll love it here

I'm loving these reports from Wooffie.......they're really making want to book a holiday, somewhere sunny and warm.

Solerina

Good evening Rafateers

Rafa in the final -

What a nerve-wracking match that was. Rafa was great in the final set - and while I know that Andy's serve was affected by the elbow problem, the way Rafa lifted his own game was fantastic. His mental strength is amazing, cos Murray had him on the ropes in the second.

Hope our roving Rafateers enjoyed todays semi final matches. I'm glad for Ferrer too - I've a wee soft spot for him, and thought he played really well after a pretty slow start.

VAMOS to Rafa for tomorrow. I probably won't have a nail left on my hands by the end of it, but bring on the final!!!

A good semi-final match with Rafael running away with the final set 6-4 2-6 6-1 :applause:.

I have never been one to subscribe to the theory that Rafael's style of play will result in him having a shorter tennis career than the average. It seems likely to me that his body will outlast Andy Murrays, Juan Martin Del Potros and possibly Novaks. Roger Federers loss in the quarter-finals is rather indicative of his general decline and the threat we might expect from him on the clay this season.

On y va pour la finale entre Rafael et David demain!