Nole and Rafa in Argentina

Not a deep discussion point, just a picture that made me smile!

Despite what Novak's Dad says, there seems to be a good relationship between these two.

Yeah, shame. Wish they hated each other. It would be more fun.

I think Rafa, Andy and Novak need to go out and get wasted with each other, to extract a few home truths and get some animosity between them.

How did Borg tolerate McEnroe?

I think Lendl, Vajda and Toni going out drinking could be the more volatile option!

laverfan wrote:How did Borg tolerate McEnroe?

By beating him! Once that looked like stopping, he retired!

HM Murdoch wrote:

laverfan wrote:How did Borg tolerate McEnroe?

By beating him! Once that looked like stopping, he retired!

Yes everyone loves to believe that myth HM.. but it was not quite as simplistic as that... this article is quite informative. But also it has to be remembered that Borg retired in 1983 (not in 1981 as it is often reported ) and divorced his wife in 1984. He had problems with his marriage and his business also. His first wife helped by his failing business to make him bankrupt.. I think Johnny Mc was the least of his problems at that time.

http://besteversportstalk.blogspot.com.es/2009/07/debunking-myths-about-bjorn-borg-john.html

It is an informative article but I think the fact that Mcenroe beat Borg at Wimbledon, and backed it up with the US Open, and that Borg never played in another slam, is still a core part of the truth.

Sorry there was far more to it than that .. HB. Im old enough to have been around at the time and I was as big a fan of Borg as I am of Nadal. As I say he had much going on in his personal life at the time he made a wrong decision at a bad time in his life. Give McEnroe the credit of bringing down the big man if you will..but there are no fairies at the bottom of MY garden !!!!!

HM Murdoch

It's sweet that these two have used some of their limited off season to get to know each other better by going off on holiday together...

Sharing a laugh

https://2img.net/h/s15.postimg.cc/biijkzf8b/no8pic.jpg

horsing around

https://2img.net/h/s24.postimg.cc/nnkjjh3kl/no7pic.jpg

um.. cough.. jusy getting to know each other

https://2img.net/h/s21.postimg.cc/inbk7jeif/rafa_and_D.jpg

A bit of dancing

https://2img.net/h/s21.postimg.cc/vma8u0do5/BZy_m3a_CUAAP5_HK.jpg

Dressing up. Yes that Doctor is really Nole. Ha ha!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbywyVqi9po

Yes that clown is really Nole. Ha ha!

https://2img.net/h/s16.postimg.cc/golu36mpx/Buenos_Aires_11_19_Clinica_Nadal_chicos_Pl.jpg

And just taking some time to watch the world go by

https://2img.net/h/s9.postimg.cc/xwqunk9rz/1410872_394730167323843_1271401703_o.jpg

But even during all this holiday fun there is one thing that is always on Nole's mind. It is perhaps an obsession. La Coupe des Mousquetaires... his holy grail. Frienship means little in his quest and seeing perhaps his best opportunity he felt compelled to act...

https://2img.net/h/s20.postimg.cc/xkduavqb1/cz_Vgh9v_Oe_Lk_1.jpg

Phew! good job Uncle Toni was there to intervene. That could have been one huge asterisk!

hawkeye wrote:It is perhaps an obsession. La Coupe des Mousquetaires... his holy grail. Frienship means little in his quest and seeing perhaps his best opportunity he felt compelled to act…

You seem to have a stronger and emotional attachment to CdM then Nadal does.

Nice pics and video, HE, thanks.

I did like: "Are you ready to play tennis?" "Yes, look what partner I have"!

I'm actually a little surprised at how well they get on. I knew there was mutual respect and a good working relationship but they have really looked like buddies this week.

Did you see the press conference from Chile where Rafa was asked a question and started answering in English? Nalbandian leaned over and reminded him they speak Spanish here! It was pretty funny!

I was worried for a moment that you weren't going to get a holy grail reference in but you snuck one in at the final paragraph!

^ Ha ha! No I didn't see that but I suppose Rafa is more used to speaking English in press conferences.

Looked around a little more and it appears that the exhibition was a sort of retirement celebration for Nalbandian. The crowd look like they really enjoyed it and Rafa looks like his face will crack with smiling. Anyone who thinks exhibitions are anything like the real thing should watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKgUYVXwoNw&feature=youtu.be

Nalbandian brought along his baby

https://2img.net/h/s24.postimg.cc/70flhun9v/BZy_M_0_Cc_AAN2o0.jpg

After the singles match Rafa and Nole paired up to play doubles.

https://2img.net/h/s7.postimg.cc/5bqteu2ru/11019438493_4f0447c97d_h.jpg

Not surprisingly they won and shared the trophy.

https://2img.net/h/s7.postimg.cc/mmcmt451m/11019473165_6aec6058df_h.jpg

laverfan. You know a  is a bit more friendly than a mocking  ... I'm sure I'm not as emotionally invested in "the holy grail" as Nole or Rafa but I admit I am beginning to spook myself out a little. If they do meet next year I'm sure they will be brave enough to play but I am beginning to wonder if I will be brave enough to watch without cowering behind the sofa...

Gulp! Nadal reportedly received $10 million for having fun in South America. Nice work if you can get it...

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/12/reading-readers-dec-3/49891/#.Up9F7uKahS1

I think Feds got $12m last year but over more matches. No wonder the old man still wants to play