Cute stuff! I expect nothing less than that level of class- it takes a good family to raise that caliber of athletes!
I just want to say THANK YOU To tennis x. This week and all weeks, the coverage has been exquisite and everytime I check in for an update, it is there!
I have mentioned two things in two days – the funk/trunk and this video and both appeared within a day. Coincidence or not, whatever I want, I get at tennis x! Not to mention all the great posts from.tennis fans. Thank you, thank you!

December 1st, 2010 at 11:47 am

Thanks so much for posting that vid! I read about Rafa’s family congratulating Roger, but didn’t yet get to see it. Awesome, what a classy family – just like the Federers are likewise classy. No wonder their sons get along well just the same.
Perhaps it’s about time that the overzealous fans (or should I say ‘haters’?) from either side of the fence follow suit?

December 1st, 2010 at 1:05 pm

who is spacey?

December 1st, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Roger probably didn’t even recognize Spoacey and what a nice gesture from both families. Lovely to see, really.

December 1st, 2010 at 3:30 pm

I saw this earlier and it was really nice. Classy from both. I also heard that when Nadal received the Sportsmanship award, Roger’s Dad and Mirka stayed in the stadium to see Rafa receive his award and they were clapping with the other spectators. Same thing when Rafa won Wimbledon back in 2008 and he climbed in the stands, you could see Roger’s parents standing and clapping for him as well. Both players come from great families and I’m proud to see both of them at the top of tennis. They both set great examples for fans (who, one day I wish would follow them) lol!

December 1st, 2010 at 5:29 pm

Fot,

Here ya on that! We here have the luxury of not interacting in the flesh. They do. Me thinks we would all behave a lot better in person. One day a Tennis X Convention?

Sean, you listenin”?

December 1st, 2010 at 7:17 pm

I would like to say that my feelings of mistrust/resentment for rafa have lessened in the past few days. The cause of this is mostly that roger beat him one more time, but also the interviews and this video. nadal family is quite nice.
I never really had that bad of feelings for rafa until july 6, 2008. then my heart got broken and it has taken me 2.5 years to not be pissed!
Maybe my more positive feelings will bring roger some great things in 2011. Yes, i am that important! Bring on DC this weekend, then take a little break for 2011! Tennis never ends, thank goodness!

December 1st, 2010 at 7:50 pm

mighta been nice if the wall didn’t cover that kiss from mirka!

December 1st, 2010 at 7:51 pm

Yeah, these are Rafa’a mom (Ana Maria Parera), dad (Sebastian) and sister (Maria Isabel, 5 years Rafa’s junior, student in Barcelona atm). Her bf is in the background.

Parents have been divorced since last year, but apparently remained civil to each other and watch their son’s matches from the same box (when they started to do that again, Nadal snapped his 11-month title drought, BTW).

December 1st, 2010 at 8:28 pm

Awesome video of a wonderful moment in sports.

December 1st, 2010 at 9:20 pm

to be fair, i didnt even notice Kevin Spacey as he walked by

good to see Fed gets on with the Nadal family

December 1st, 2010 at 11:12 pm

Rafa’s sister is cute btw

December 1st, 2010 at 11:23 pm

Nice video; very gracious of the Nadals, and Fed gets a hug from Gavin!! I wish it were me. : ) Though Gwen is cooler.

December 2nd, 2010 at 12:10 am

WOW!!! This video just made my day!! Very nice to see this, even though I never thought there are any hostility between the families…

December 2nd, 2010 at 6:15 am

Somehow I cannot see this with the Đokovic’s.

December 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 am

Well, the families & friends ought to behave, in the public at least — otherwise they tarnish their most valuable assets. But if all we fans behave like them, what fun it is? :-))

Also, I do miss the passions from Novak’s family, even though I don’t agree with some of their past behaviors.

December 2nd, 2010 at 1:53 pm

Still waiting to see Fed climb into his box (and fall in the process) :-)).

December 2nd, 2010 at 1:54 pm

Nadal’s mom is so lovely; she’s beautiful and seems so kind, and truly seems to admire Roger. How cool. Also Fed’s dad strikes me as a cool dude, very laidback and appreciative of Roger’s opponent’s wins too. I know when Nole won at the USO they showed Fed’s dad clapping heartily for both guys.

December 2nd, 2010 at 2:02 pm

Neither Fed nor Nadal shows as much open admiration to their opponent’s good shots as Djok or Roddick does.

December 2nd, 2010 at 2:09 pm

@ Twocents: I’d say that’s the case for two reasons:

1) Fed and Nadal already respect each other plenty and so don’t need to openly admire one another’s shots when they play against each other, and

2) Neither Fed nor Nadal gets owned nearly as much by their opponents’ shots as do Djokovic and Roddick — and they’re usually getting owned by Fed/Nadal :)

December 2nd, 2010 at 2:30 pm

Two Cents: was thinking that myself…Rafa’s family was in the tunnel, they’re hardly going to trip him up are they? Also, jane’s gonna be cross, but I thought Djko was far too admiring of Fed’s shots.

December 2nd, 2010 at 2:35 pm

margot – no, not cross at all! Totally agree. In fact, while I admire when Nole occasionally gives a clap for a good shot, he should do that less and give as good as he gets right back! :)

December 2nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm

Nadal’s parents were so impressed by Fed, they decided to kiss him instead of Nadal.

December 2nd, 2010 at 9:01 pm

the_mind_reels,

I’m not talking about Fedal vs. Djok & Roddick only. I’m talking about Djok & Roddick (and Murray)generally show much more appreciation on court to their opponent’s good shots. There’s a full tour out there, not just Fedal.

Jane & margot,

I agree with you: Djok & Murray’s inner kindness may have cost them too much on court. Maybe they should be nasty up more? I don’t know which life is better: being a happy no.2/3/4 or being a hunted no.1.

December 2nd, 2010 at 11:26 pm

the_mind_reels,

I’m not talking about Fedal vs. Djok & Roddick only. I’m talking about Djok & Roddick (and Murray)generally show much more appreciation on court to their opponent’s good shots. There’s a full tour out there, not just Fedal.

Jane & margot,

I agree with you: Djok & Murray’s inner kindness may have cost them too much on court. Maybe they should nasty up more? I don’t know which life is better: being a happy no.2/3/4 or being a hunted no.1.

December 2nd, 2010 at 11:47 pm

@fedeRER Says:

who is spacey?

u don’t know Kevin spacey?? he was lex luther in superman returns n the villain of the movie seven…. superb actor he is :):)

December 2nd, 2010 at 11:52 pm

n also good to hear that rafa’s parents congradulated federer on his wtf win over nadal… gr8 match it was… has been an emotional year for both players…. i hope 2011 is just as good or even better
well played roger n vamos rafa
n hell yeah would love to get along with the federer fans :):)

December 2nd, 2010 at 11:55 pm

Hmm it seems to be all rainbows and unicorns happening at the top… WILL SOME UNKNOWN PLEASE COME UP AND TAKE OVER TENNIS NOW. I’d like to see a lovable villain type. Some one with the spirit Connors and craziness of McEnroe. That’s what I’d like to see. That’s what makes the game more interesting at the pro level other than watching human tennis pong.

December 3rd, 2010 at 12:27 am

I personally impressed by players who applaud an opponent’s great shot. I think it is condescending. I much prefer that they accept the great shot quietly and avoid doing anything that will steal the limelight from the other player. Applauding puts the camera on them, not the other players who deserves it more. A little smile or a barely noticeable nod is a more complimentary form of acknowledging the good shot. That is what Federer and Nadal usually do.

December 3rd, 2010 at 10:40 am

I meant…personally NOT impressed…

December 3rd, 2010 at 10:41 am

hi jane: glad u aren’t cross with me :) I watched replay of WTF semi, Andy’s forehand down the line with a broken string- amazing shot, but the only emotion on Rafa’s face was one of annoyance that he’d lost the point! That’s the way it should be IMHO time Andy and Novak took a leaf out of Rafa’s book!
re pics, if u go to Murrat’s world -pictures page 511 you’ll see some nice photos of Andy and Jamie playing doubles. Andy looks so happy, illustrates what a lonely life being a tennis pro can be, I think.
Looks as if Davis Cup match will be v. tight, might even come down to last doubles, exciting!

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:29 pm

Class rises above “crass” any day and the likes of McEnroe are best left off the tennis courts. Roger and Rafa ( and yes their families ) are showing the sports world what it takes to not only win at their sport but how to be gracious and accepting of a loss.
Two very remarkable men!

December 7th, 2010 at 11:58 am

@ pro rafa: cool words, mate, appreciative of both players! Hope you will get along with this Fedal Fan. :-)

December 7th, 2010 at 7:22 pm