Rafael Nadal Arrives In Montreal With The 2013 ATP Ranking Points Lead

by Tom Gainey | July 31st, 2013, 10:49 pm
  • 135 Comments

Current 2013 ATP Race leader Rafael Nadal landed in Montreal earlier today. “Picking up the suitcases at the Airport in Montreal”, Nadal posted facebook with photo of his suitcases.

Nadal, who won his last tournament on hardcourts at Indian Wells in March, is looking forward to coming back strong after a shocking first round loss to Steve Darcis at Wimbledon.

“I’m approaching this part of the season in exactly the same way,” said Nadal who has a tour-high seven titles this year in 10 tournaments. “Of course, what happened in the four months I’ve been able to compete this year was fantastic, but there’s still lots more to come and you have to be well prepared.”


Nadal won Montreal in 2005 when he beat Andre Agassi and he took the 2008 title in Toronto defeating the Agassi-like Nicolas Kiefer. Rafa will play his first match on Tuesday or Wednesday so he’ll have plenty of time to get readjusted to the North American hardcourts and climate.

Andy Murray is also at the event and Novak Djokovic is scheduled to arrive soon. No word yet on the status of Roger Federer.

Here’s Rafa leaving from Spain:

Rafa practicing Thursday:


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135 Comments for Rafael Nadal Arrives In Montreal With The 2013 ATP Ranking Points Lead

Humble Rafa Says:

Here’s Rafa leaving from Spain:

I am actually from Mars.


nadalista Says:

Vamos Rafa!


metan Says:

Good luck and all the best, vamos king!


Giles Says:

Vamos Rafa. Good luck in the forthcoming weeks. Stay healthy.


Giles Says:

Rafa is thinking of playing doubles to get into some rhythm before his first singles match.
Vamos!


Giles Says:

Tsonga has withdrawn from the Rogers Cup due to a knee injury.
#FallingLikeFlies


nadalista Says:

Rafa will practice with Gasquet on Friday and with Muzza on Saturday:

http://www.rogerscup.com/men/english/currentNews.php?
id=DJOKOVIC_MURRAY_NADAL_AND_THE_CREAM_OF_MEN_S_
TENNIS_WILL_PRACTICE_DURING_HYGRADE_AND_POM_FAMILY_WEEKEND

Vamos!!


metan Says:

@ Giles.

if Rafa will play double, that will be good for him,. Enough time to adjust to the court and more practises. Something that he lacked at Wimbledon. Hope he could make a deep run here. Vamos !


metan Says:

@ Nadalista, thanks for the link.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

The good news for Rafa is,he has no points to defend from now till the rest of the season,so he can only gain from here on in,so in all likelihood he will only go up in the rankings,he hasnt played anything on the American HCs so personally i see it as a good move playing doubles to gain as much practice as he can,as long as he does not overdo things,which would be my only worry.


holdserve Says:

Vamos Rafa!The excitement is back in tennis when Rafa is back!


metan Says:

First Tsonga, now Tomy Robredo has withdrawn.


Diane Says:

Vamos Rafa!!


Anna Says:

Tommy’s played a lot in Europe this last month. I think he just won UMAG in Croatia last Sunday. He’ll be back.


Okiegal Says:

Amen to that holdserve @ 9:28…….his number one fan in Oklahoma, America is ready for him to hit the hard courts in the USA.

GOOD LUCK, RAFA!!!

VAMOS!!!


Tennis Vagabond Says:

I was at the ’08 semis in Toronto when Rafa mopped up Murray. Would be something to see a rematch this year!


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Tennis Vagabond i think that would be interesting,Andy has not faced Rafa since becoming a GS champion or since Rafas return from injury,its a match up im keen to see now,both have faced all the others except each other.


the DA Says:

“I was at the ’08 semis in Toronto when Rafa mopped up Murray. Would be something to see a rematch this year!”

I remember the 2010 semis in Toronto when Andy mopped up Rafa. A rematch is long overdue.


harry Says:

@Hippy Chic & Wog Boy: hi!

———–
@others: sorry for a bunch of off topic stuff that follows this…
———–

Did you know that the Dog was a rapper (and a good one at that!)?

http://tinyurl.com/k9jcne7

———–
And… the prediction begins now :-) These are the odds for USO (and these are roughly what i would estimate as their “a priori” winning chances too — of course, these are subject to change as we see the h/c season unfold)

Nole: 7/4 (about 36% chance of winning).
Muzza: 2/1 (about 33% chance of winning).
Rafa: 7/4 (about 12% chance of winning).
DelBoy: 7/4 (about 7.5% chance of winning).
Fed: 7/4 (about 7% chance of winning).


harry Says:

^— grrrr! errors…. i was so busy converting the probabilities from the odds that i forgot to change the odds for each of them…

Nole: 7/4 (about 36% chance of winning).
Muzza: 2/1 (about 33% chance of winning).
Rafa: 7/1 (about 12% chance of winning).
DelBoy: 12/1 (about 7.5% chance of winning).
Fed: 13/1 (about 7% chance of winning).


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Hi Harry great to have you here posting again,funnily enough i was actually thinking about you while blogging this morning,i miss Janes posts(sigh),as she was one of the nicest,most balanced and fair posters on this forum :(( so sad,i hope she comes back soon,anyway i have to say i disagree though on the USO odds,i would put Muzza and Nole about 50/50,with Delpo next,Rafa and Roger would be dark horses for me,but its as you say though,alot would depend on how they all fair in the tournies leading upto it,i cannot wait to get my teeth into some HC matches.


harry Says:

@HC:
ha ha! i don’t believe in telepathy… but why not! well, aren’t we stepping on to Jamie’s terrain?

I agree with you: yeah, i do miss the posts from jane, mat4, grendel, WB and a few others…

On this note: I can’t believe Dave has gone forever [i miss him too!]. He did provide interesting stats [although heavily biased, if i may add]!

Re the odds: well, the odds that i listed say that Muzza and Nole are about equal… I mean, i don’t know if the difference (36% and 33%) is significant (statistically or otherwise)…


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Harry yeah i agree,i miss Daves posts,he and Grendel are very clever and knowledgeable men and quite similar,although i must say with Grendel i always found his posts fairer and more balanced,also with an air of dry wit attached to them,i miss Mat 4s posts too but i know he has issues in the real world at the moment,Wogboy said he was taking a break till the HC season but has posted off and on,but like you say with the USO i dont think theres much to decide between Andy and Nole to be honest either way.


harry Says:

^– yes, grendel is objective and, more importantly, polite (something unusual for an anonymous poster)… yeah, his humor always cracks me up :-)


harry Says:

^– of course, you are objective & polite too :)


Wog boy Says:

Hi harry,

Nice video, Ljubicic looked very relaxed, who wouldn’t surrounded by those beautifull girls, they should show us more of them and less of Dolgopolov;)

Hippy chick, I did hang around for few weeks hopping I am going to lure back some nice poster and being off season, but no, you will not see me posting during North American swing, regardless of result.

harry this is for you, in this video you can see the traditional food and most importantly the way they make plum brandy for hundreds of years, I liked the way they prepared grapes for making wine, you will see why;) enjoy it:

http://youtu.be/9ArNLVTn9x0


harry Says:

@WB:

Ah! so beautiful (i want to take a vacation there!)… ha ha, the part of the video on wine making was exciting *wink*


Steve 27 Says:

In 2008 Nadal beat Murray in straight sets in Canada i but lost in 4 sets against him on the US Open.

In 2010 Andy beat Rafa in straight sets in Canada but lost in 4 sets against him on the US Open.


SG1 Says:

Kiefer is Agassi-like…LOL! Less the sick eye-hand coordination, power, 8 slams and 15 slam finals. Yup…it’s hard to tell them and their careers apart.


Steve 27 Says:

Classy Roger!
The teen reminds me a Mirka btw.


Brando Says:

Thanks for that Ben, really nice to read. She does look like Mirka somewhat as Steve mentioned. She seems nice and certainly overjoyed to have met the Fed. Hope she’s well and healthy. Nice touch by Fed: he’s a genuinely nice guy despite what Novak’s father has to say about him.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Thanks for that link Ben,very touching of Roger to take the time to do this for that young girl,brought a tear to my eye,just lovely,nice one Roger :-))..


El Flaco Says:

Rumor is the US Open courts are going to play very fast this year.


AD Tennis Says:

That will not be good news for team Nadal. The last thing he need is the courts to be fast.

This is the most unproductive season for Nadal. It would be interesting to know how many titles Nadal has won post-August, in his career. It must be less than 10.

Federer could use the fast courts, but with his back and 32 years, it may not be enough help. Unlike Rafa, Federer has an excellent record on the fast courts. Over his career, he has won more than 20 titles on these fast courts. [5 or more at Cincinnati, USopen, Basel and WTF].

The real battle will remain between the new rivals Djokovic and Murray. I think Djokovic will assert his authority and finish no.1 for a 3rd straight year. Something only Federer has done among active players.


nadalista Says:

Apparently Rafa prefers faster courts:

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2010-09-04/5166.php

RAFAEL NADAL: Everybody talks about Wimbledon is very slow. Maybe because I won two times. (Smiling.) When I started to play on Wimbledon in 2003 or 2002, I don’t remember, 2003 we are in 2010, so I played like eight Wimbledons. The speed of the court always was the same. That’s my feeling. So there’s no discussion Wimbledon is much faster than here. Is another sport than here. But I like the faster courts.


skeezer Says:

^LMAO.


nadalista Says:

^ahem, so is Rafa I hear…….snuggling his 2010 US Open trophy..


skeezer Says:

Great link Ben and thanks. Fed continues to show other players what “Class” and compassion is. Making a Wish foundation is a awesome organization. It was great to see a man of Feds stature be engaged in tye moment and show compasssion and care to a tennis fan.

#mansman
#worthyoftheking


skeezer Says:

C’mom nadalista, get your facts straight on what courts are fast and what aren’t. Rafa played all the years on the slower version of Wimby courts…. Now your saying ’10 USO was a fast court for a HC?

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=436519


Brando Says:

How typical is it for Fed fans to think of Rafa first these days before their fav? Very typical I would say. Far too attached to Fed’s record and not his tennis. Get a grip I say! IF Rafa’s good enough to win then the court speed will not matter and if not then who cares about the speed? His fans certainly doesn’t. He’s on record saying he likes fast courts, has won big on them, and is cool with it all so why are the naysayers getting all stiff about his chances? Seriously tired of the BS infatuation they have over Rafa. Stick to your fav if all you are going to do is talk BS about other players as that crap is needed. PS: rumour is not fact so don’t shoot your load early over this court rumour. It would be childish of you to do so!


skeezer Says:

^huh?

“Far too attached to Fed’s record and not his tennis.”

Aren’t most all his records …….TENNIS?

@Brando,

Stick to reading Bens link on Fed. There you’ll find enlightenment, not false hope on fast surfaces.
Can hardly wait to see Rafa in this years WTF, now that is a fast surface.


Brando Says:

ONE mere person thinking that a court was slowed down does not equate it to actually being the case. Besides: whenever Rafa wins anywhere the sceptics, naysayers are always there with this trivial BS that is just pure suspicion. Was Dubai slowed down in 2006 when Rafa beat Fed there? Was Madrid Indoors slowed down when Rafa won there? How about Shanghai, Paris, WTF when Rafa reache the final there? Nah, they were quick weren’t they? He lost there that’s why right? Since had he won we sure as f–k know the courts were slowed down right? What a colossal load of regurgated, petty BS from the same old bunch. Try a new line folks as this is getting old and ending in the same manner: exposing no insight but petty hate!


nadalista Says:

@skeezer,

Please put aside your anti-Rafa jaundice for a second and take time to read my 9:12 am post
again…..please.

The FACTS are as follows:

1. It is Rafa HIMSELF who said he prefers to play on faster courts, not me.
2. My post of 9:12 am does not lay out an opinion of mine, at all. The whole quote is Rafa’s, taken out of a tennis-x blog article, link provided.
3. Nowhere in my post have I said USOpen 2010 was a fast court for a HC.

If you know more about court speeds than Rafa, and do not agree with his opinion on such, please feel free to take it up with him.

The point of my post was to provide Rafa’s perspective on @D Tennis’s opinion that a faster USOpen court will not be good news to team Nadal.

Thanks.


nadalista Says:

^Sorry, my post of 9:54 am should read @AD Tennis..


skeezer Says:

Wow very emotive! Never said Rafa hasn’t won a match(s) on fasts courts, just responding to “Rafa prefers faster courts”. Sorry, has a TENNIS FAN I don’t believe it.

Btw, wasn’t that an awesome thing Fed did with that tennis fan?


skeezer Says:

^that was for Brando

@nadalista,

Thanks for clarifying…all good;)


Brando Says:

@Skeezer: 1- I have already read Ben’s article huncho so no need to sell what has been sold already 2- Why well done Skeez, you pick up on things quickly don’t you? Yes my old son: Fed’s records are indeed tennis stats but I’m talking obsession, infatuation here Einstein. Some love the man for his game, others get a hard on for his record. No need to tell us which camp you play the cheerleader for as we already know the answer for that one! 3- False hope on fast courts? Why it’s the season for false hope right? Otherwise what the hell was Fed doing on a clay court post Wimby: fishing for a new cow for his farm no? 4- Same here re Rafa at WTF. A welcome challenge. Speaking of welcome: will Fed get an invite or will he be passed over as he didn’t make the cut for not being good enough? Mmmm, the jury is out on that one for sure!


skeezer Says:

@nadalista

Evyone has there opinion. Facts are Rafa does not perform well on faster courts compared to slower ones. The facts are in the results. A no brainer there…


James Says:

Rafa Nadal is going to win the WTF this year as a result of the courts being slowed down in London. And if Rafa wins Cincinnati, it would be because the courts were slower this year.
Rafa knows how to slow down the fast courts. It’s in his godamn DNA :D


nadalista Says:

Of course you are free to not believe Rafa’s court speed preference. I haven’t taken the trouble to opine on that……yet, I just reported what he said on the matter.

Roger’s humanitarian work is well known. I do not think there is anybody out there who doubts his sincerity and is not impressed.


Brando Says:

@Skeezer: ‘Btw, wasn’t that an awesome thing Fed did with that tennis fan?’: Of course it was, and I posted on it earlier. Some think Fed is a arrogant, self obsessed so and so but personally I have never really bought into that BS. I think he is a genuinely nice guy and the best ambassador the game has had. A good role model for Rafa, Novak, Andy and others . It’s a nice, genuine thing he did: and it was heartwarming to see the affectation the girl had for him and Fed showed for her. A very humane story. Kudos to Fed for it!


Thomas Says:

If Nadal says he prefers faster surfaces-good for him. Does it really matter?


Brando Says:

@James: spot on. No one knows better how to slow down a court like Rafa does LOL! PS: didn’t he make SF at the viciously fast USO 08′,09′ when Fed reached the finals then or was I dreaming back then? Must be dreaming. Fast court right: so what on earth would Rafa be doing deep in such a tourny? Definitely not playing good enough tennis for such court that’s for sure!


nadalista Says:

It could be Rafa prefers faster surfaces but has not done well on them historically, relatively. I do not see a contradiction in that tbh……


Brando Says:

Final post on Rafa and court speed: Its true and obvious: a slow court seems to lead to greater success for Rafa. But that’s due to his astronomical success on them! Regardless of that: 1- he can play very good tennis on fast courts 2- he has had real success on them: at tournies and v top players in big matches. The reason for his relative lack of success is: 1- in comparison to his clay stats, his performance was always going to look lesser due to his insane clay stats 2- on the faster courts there are more players who are as good or better than Rafa. No shame in saying that as it doesn’t mean he isn’t good enough to win or won’t win: just means that there is a greater challenge there for him. Good luck to him!


nadalista Says:

@Brando 10:18 am;

+1


holdserve Says:

skeezer, Fed won all his Wimby titlels on the slower Wimbledon courts. So cannot understand what’s your grouse unless unknown to myself but known only to skeezer, Fed and Nadal played on different Wimbledon courts in different dimensions!
The grass was changed in 2001 and apparently the new tougher grass makes the surface slower than before but grass is still grass and has its own unique characteristics and is not the same as other surfaces.
Simple logic and knowledge of numbers shows 3>1 so 2003 is after 2001.
The myth that the faster the surface the better for Fed and that Federer is a serve and volley player is not substantiated by facts.
Fed himself has said that slower surfaces do benefit him. He is a base liner and anyone who has seen him play can see he is not a natural serve and volleyer.
Giving in no doubt to Fed’s insistence on a faster surface in 2010 when Fed was desperate to slow down Rafa’s seemingly unstoppable march toward innumerable slams (Fed made several public statements about faster surfaces being needed), the Paris surface was made lightening fast as possibly an experiment to see how faster surfaces would suit Fed. But Fed lost in the semi to Monfils so he realized that faster surfaces could make him lose to lesser players. As we know Paris wasn’t that fast the next year.


Brando Says:

I think barring Fed, Novak and possibly Andy not many can claim a better record (active players) on non clay events: 4 slams, 6 MS wins, wins at Dubai, China Open, Japan Open, Queens, leading outdoor HC h2h v HC GOAT Fed, reaching every non clay slam final at least twice etc etc. It’s not a shabby record at all. Yet: in comparison to his monstrous clay record, naturally it looks inferior.


Brando Says:

@ Holdserve: great post! FACT: Wimby surface was altered in 2001 not 2008! Whatever benefit Rafa drew was the same as Fed, Novak and Andy there. No more and no less. AO changed surfaces in 2008 right? Prior to which how many finals did Novak reach there? Oh: the same as Rafa, 0. So why do folks harp on about a slow AO in 2009 and yet praise Novak as HC king when his main success in slams- the real measuring stick for a true surface master- has only been at AO! LOL: double standards much? PS: I forget, he won the USO in 2011 v Nadal. Was that slow like the final in the year prior? LOL: we all know the answer to that one right. Face it: Rafa plays on the same surface like the rest and if he succeeds it’s for the same reason as the rest: the high caliber of his tennis game!


Margot Says:

Lol Brando, “fishing for a cow”….this I gotta see…;)


James Says:

great posts @Brando!

Well, many tennis experts and players agree that the slowing down of Wimbledon grass in 2001 was for the better. Prior to that Wimby had become more of a serve contest. Good for one dimensional big serving players. Boring! You don’t want extremely fast courts where the Isners/Raonics/Janowiczs outserve and therefore outplay the Feds for slams. Fans want a real contest between players with their styles of tennis, not just a “let’s see who can serve faster” contest.

Btw do people really believe that Rafa will not win a WTF in his career?


Giles Says:

I don’t think Rafa minds the faster surfaces as long as they are outdoors, it is the INDOOR faster surfaces that he perhaps struggles with e.g. low bouncing ball.


holdserve Says:

I believe time is running out for Rafa. Most players’ peak is between 22 and 29 and in case of Rafa with his dodgy knees, it is highly unlikely that he will achieve at 30 what he could not achieve in his prime.
So if Rafa’s going to win WTF, it has got to be this year or next. Also if ATP gives up its fascination for indoor hard courts and switches to clay for WTF, Rafa will definitely win it multiple times!!!!!
But WTF is a glorified exhibition where ATP showcases its 8 best players.
So it is going to be indoors. The London venue is not dedicated to tennis so the surface is laid just a couple of days before the start of WTF. Obviously you cannot do that with clay or grass.
Even though the surface is hard court I doubt it meets the professional standards of AO and USO or the regular hard court Masters.


skeezer Says:

@holdserve

Fed did not win Wimby in 2001, but he beat Sampras on grass that year. For Fed, it just proves he has won consistently more than any other on a variety of surfaces and speeds.

#holdwater?


James Says:

^ Stakhsky beat Federer this year on grass at Wimbledon. He has a story to tell his grand kids.

It can be argued that Federer in 2001 wasn’t good enough to win Wimbledon, before they changed the grass and made the courts slower. He was never the biggest server of the game nor a natural serve and vollyer like John McEnroe. Baseline players like Fed and Nadal benefitted from the slowing down of Wimby grass courts.


Giles Says:

Contract with O2 expires in 2015. Maybe the ATP will see fit to hold the WTF on indoor clay at some other venue? Wouldn’t that be great!!
# NotHoldingMyBreath


James Says:

@Giles, if Rafa is to win the WTF, I hope he does it at 02.


skeezer Says:

^he did not win O2, or 03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,11,12…..;)


James Says:

^ be he won the olympic gold in singles, then won the US Open and completed his career golden slam. Now if he wins another USO and AO, he’d have double career slam. If he gets lucky to win another olympic gold, he’d have double golden career slam;)
GOATdom not too far now :D

ps – relax, my insecure Fedfan friend. Roger’s still the most successful guy.

Maybe someday there will come a player who dominates the tour like never before and becomes the undisputed GOAT.


skeezer Says:

^ so your response is calling a poster “insecure’? why would I be insecure? Hehe…My fav is the all time record holder…please don’t double reverse your insecurities…..I am feeling fine with 17. HE is the best all a time player imho, and I have the records to show it compared to ANY other player.

Hope for your sake your man can finish his career with more records, he needs them.


Brando Says:

@Skeezer, James: What’s with the ‘your man’, ‘my man’ thing? You’ll soon start sounding like 2 rival women in a hair salon! Soon it shall be: ‘my man goes to work in a Ferrari. What about yours? A tricycle?’. LOL. let’s take it easy folks: BOTH your guys have done very, very well for themselves. No need to knock the other when they have achieved so much. There is no need for a handbags at dawn face off just yet, so relax!:-)


Brando Says:

@Margot: LOL, maybe it explains why the ‘bad back’ is bothering him atm. :-)


James Says:

lol skeezer, Roger’s the most successful of all time with 17 GS. The best ever? Does the best of all time in any sport lose 10-20 to his chief rival? For your sake I hope Roger wins a few more times against Rafa (I really do even though some Fedtaards make me want Rafa to whoop Fed every single time they meet) so that at the end of their respective careers, their h2h is more like 15-25 and not 10-30.

Rafa is my fav tennis player, who imo has a realistic shot at getting to 15 Slams or more. Whether achieves that or not, he remains my fav. He already holds some unique records, like winning a slam in 9 consecutive years, holding 3 slams on 3 different surfaces in 2010, CGS (along with Agassi), superior h2h vs top 30 of his time (which no other player can boast of), the clay GOAT (not even debatable anymore), etc.
Thanks, skeeze, let’s hope for more Rafa records, even if it means breaking some Fed records, no?


James Says:

LOL @Brando at 2.05 pm
I hope my friend skeezer shuts her mouth now or I’m gonna hit her with my handbag one more time! My man wins! LOL (hope gf doesn’t find these posts).


nadalista Says:

@skeezer, this was you on a separate thread:

Skeezer Says:

“Our rafa”….
Nuff said.

July 31st, 2013 at 1:42 am
—————————————

Appears you had a problem with me using the possessive pronoun “our” in relation to Rafa, but it’s okay for you to use a possessive pronoun in relation to Fed, “My fav is the all time record holder…”? (your post at 1:48 pm above)

Why is that?


James Says:

Btw Vilas picks Roger to win Rome next year, says 2014 will be ineteresting for Fedal rivalry

http://m.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/07/31/Vilas-On-Federer-Nadal.aspx


Brando Says:

@James: LMFAO: I can just see it: Skeez goes home to her man, the Fed opens the door with a bewildered look on his face, he utters: ” love, why the messed up lipstick across your adoring face? And tears too?” his dear Skeez responds whilst crying uncontrollably: “I was just minding ways arrogantly like a true Fed fan, and then I bumped into a Rafa fan who wouldn’t settle with my arrogant ways. It really got nasty”. Fed: “why what happened?”, Skeez:” I was singing sweet 17 like I always do, even though I’m pushing 84, and coyly playing with my hair like you do Fed my love. But soon after things got nasty, it was all handbags, broken nails. Oh god what a terrible scene”. Fed gulps and utters slowly: “was it over what we dare not speak off Skeezie my love?”. Somehow the Skeez summons the courage to speakcthe awful truth: “Yes my GoAT, it was over that darn h2h of yours v Rafa”. And tears got louder as Fed joined in to AO 09 final style, “god this is killing me!” !:-)


James Says:

@nadalista, it’s good to see you post again. Sorry for being a little late welcoming you back. Read about your Kilimanjaro adventure on another thread. Hope it was a wonderful experience. Wish I could see the pics. I’m a mountain freak! Have climbed a few of ’em in India, Nepal and Europe. Kilimanjaro’s very much on my list.


nadalista Says:

Thanks @James, interesting take from Vilas. I especially like this quote from him,

“Toni is the one who steers the ship,” said Vilas. “They know each other very well and Rafa has a lot of confidence in him. Toni knows a lot about tennis and is very intelligent; Rafa trusts him implicitly.”

I know there are some posters on this site who think Toni is a negative influence on Rafa and yes, some have even questioned his knowledge of tennis. I disagree, I believe Vila’s take is more accurate.


James Says:

ROFLMAO @Brando! :D
I felt bad for Fed at the time but the AO 2009 moment is always good to bring back when you run into a biased Fedfan with not much respect for the tennis playing Spanish fisherman. Pointing to Rafa, Fed said “this man deserves to have the last word…” in their rivalry I hope;)


nadalista Says:

Aw thanks @James! Nice to hear you’re an outdoors kindred spirit! Kili was my first mountain climb, truth be told. I’m a runner by interest, ran the Kilimanjaro marathon 2 years back and my son dared me to climb the mountain as well, so yeah……..glutton for punishment.

I kept a diary, pics and all, haven’t quite settled on what to do with them. When I do will let you know!


James Says:

^ well I could be wrong about skeezer’s lack of respect for Nadal. Maybe it’s just hard for a Fedfan to appreciate Rafa.


skeezer Says:

You Rafafanatics take a crumb and try to run with it…lol

I said “My fav”…..not “My man(wwwww) or “Our man”. It’s well known Roger has been my favorite tennis player. However, I don’t worship the guy, nor think he is perfect, nor have posters of him in my bedroom. Its all about his Tennis, and what he represents so honorably to the game. I cheer for him and his family.

@Brando

“I can just see it…..” Stop there. You haven’t seen it. You can’t. you don’t have a clue who I am. Lets just leave it at that.


Brando Says:

@James: LOL, thanks!:-) But in all seriousness: I think Skeez does appreciate Rafa and so do most Fed fans. But yep: the h2h and Rafa being such a rival does genuinely make it hard for them to do so. Rafa fans? It’s pretty easy to appreciate Fed: he has a record that commands respect, a beautiful game, nice guy etc so it’s pretty easy to respect him. Rafa for Fed fans though? I do think it is a difficult pill for them to swallow: how Rafa has done well so famously v their fav. I can understand it though. However: deep down though I do think they have a real, hidden begrudging respect and admiration for Rafa. They know Fed is some player and surely it takes a hell of a tennis player to compete with him let alone beat him so clearly as Rafa has. So the respect is there: but it shall be a unspoken one due to the bitter pill that is: the h2h.


James Says:

thanks @nadalista. I’m glad you took up the challenge of climbing Kili. So far I’ve only seen the mountain a couple of times from a distance flying from Nairobi to Jo’burg. You don’t get a clear view but the top parts visible from the plane.
Wow! So you’re a runner! Glad you’re an outdoors person too. My friends in Montreal once tried to get me to run a marathon a few years back but I backed out! I wish I hadn’t. I used to run a lot in my younger days but not 42km like that, prolly just 5km/3mile a day.


Brando Says:

@Skeezer: Aw come on Skeez: I hope you didn’t take me all serious in this dialogue at all did you? It was all in good jest, so ease up! Anyhow: fair enough if you want to see it as such. It’s cool. Moving on.


James Says:

Well said @Brando. There’s nothing to dislike Fed for as a Rafa fan.
My cousin who’s a Fedfan also likes Rafa and roots for him when the Spaniard isn’t playing the Swiss. I do the same for Fed when it’s not against Rafa. Well, I did root for him vs Rafa at Rome!


Giles Says:

http://instagram.com/p/chbg21qD6h/
Rafa leaving practice.
Geez, all those hands reaching out!


Giles Says:

@James. And why did you root for fed over Rafa? Did you feel sorry for fed?
#SupportRafaNoMatterWhat


James Says:

Yes @Giles, Fed is a great champion, and it isn’t a pretty sight to see a great player like him get dominated by his rival the way Rafa does. I enjoyed their great battles in the past and always rooted for Rafa.
I rooted for Fed over Rafa in Rome final ’cause:
1. It wasn’t a slam final
2. Fed is old now and can’t compete the way he used to.
3. A Fed win could make their great rivalry even more ineteresting for fans.
4. Fed was getting abuses from some of his fans on his FB page over his failure to solve the Nadal puzzle all these years.
Actually it was seeing these fan abuses on his FB that made me want to see Roger beat Rafa to shut those loser mouths. Rafa and Roger are both sporting greats, not just in tennis, and neither of them deserve to be disrespected by fans for some of their flaws in their otherwise amazing careers. We may not get to see players like these two in I don’t how many years to come.


the DA Says:

Guys, the draw is underway. Potential SFs: Djokovic vs Nadal and Murray vs Ferrer.


the DA Says:

Potential QFs: Djokovic vs Gasquet, Nadal vs Wawrinka, Ferrer vs Berdych, Murray vs Del Potro. Juicy.


the DA Says:

Ooh, Nadal might face Janowicz in 3rd round. I’d like to see that – especially if Rafa spanks Lurch.


Giles Says:

@ James. You are very generous. :-))


Brando Says:

@the DA: thanks for that. Mmmmm….. Think Rafa and Andy got good draws there. Bar Jerzy, pretty much what I wanted for Rafa. A clash with Novak- potentially- suits him early in the swing me thinks. Muzza could with meeting Delpo also. Great possible matchups! Early pick for title post draw: Novak.


Brando Says:

@James: Wow on the Fed abuse thing. Really unnecessary to see and quite honestly speaking: beyond ridiculous for someone to engage in.


James Says:

Thanks @the DA
Potential SF Djokovic vs Nadal? Just what I wanted! Rafa should be able to overcome Janowicz in 3rd round. So the final likely to be Djokovic/Nadal vs Murray/Delpo. Great!
Some fans are of the opinion that Nadal can’t beat Djokovic on the HCs. Let’s see what happens.


Giles Says:

Hopefully joker won’t bust his b@lls trying to win in Montreal. It’s Cincy he is gunning for to complete the set of MS.


Brando Says:

@James: completely agree. Was wishing Rafa was in Nole’s half and hey presto: got my wish. Let’s see how the cookie crumbles in this one. Vamos Rafa!


James Says:

thanks @Giles :)
@Brando, I know. After achieving almost everything in tennis, Roger just doesn’t deserve such disrespect from anyone, let alone his own fans. So what if he couldn’t solve the Nadal riddle? He still has more slams than any other player. Also it wasn’t like he just showed up and got beat and went home. The guy really tried to beat his opponent. It just wasn’t working for him.
I was hoping Roger wouldn’t see those stupid comments. I posted some warm comments there and others also began to blast off those morons and said nice things about Roger.


the DA Says:

Oof, Andy’s first match might be a doozy. He meets the winner of Dimitrov/Granollers. Rafa’s first match will be vs the winner of Malisse/Levine. No sign of where Gulbis is yet.


Brando Says:

@Giles: why wouldn’t Novak do best at Montreal? Why wouldn’t you want him to do his best there my fellow Rafa fan? Personally: he’ll try hard as he always does. And I want Rafa to face a competitive Nole: not one who Is half taking it easy. Also I don’t think Novak is overly bothered with Cincy: if it happens great it doesn’t who cares is the attitude I think he has towards that. After all: MS are 2 nd tier events, tune ups to slams for the big guns!


James Says:

So my comment is awaiting moderation now! Wow! Thanks!


the DA Says:

Aah, Gulbis is in Andy’s quarter (along with Fognini and Baggy). Raonic is in Delpo’s qtr. Ferrer has got the easiest qtr.


James Says:

Novak will try his best to defend his Rogers Cup title. Losing it to Murray or Rafa isn’t gonna help his hold on the year end no.1 ranking.


Giles Says:

@Brando. “Why wouldn’t you want him to do his best there my fello Rafa fan?” Lol Brando, do you really want me to spell it out for you?
#AintItObvious?


Margot Says:

@the DA
Thanx for the update. Andy’s draw looks OKish.


Brando Says:

@Giles: LOL, but I reckon it serves Rafa better to face a on song opponent. A better gauge of what works or not. Either way though: post Wimby let’s take it a round at a time.:-)


Giles Says:

Just had a look at Joker’s draw. It is not a cake walk by any means IMO.


courbon Says:

@ James: Funny what you said.I also wanted Rafa to be in a Novaks half.Firstly to try to beat him and mentally forget FO and secondly, I think at the moment Delpotro is on fire!So good luck to Andy.
Can Rafa beat Nole on HC? Off course he can but Rafa is at the moment unknown quantity after Wimby and Delpo is on the roll right now.We will see-lets best man wins!


Brando Says:

@Courbon: wise post. Delpo’s stock is definitely high post Wimby.


courbon Says:

@ Brando: You have more faith in Novak then me!After tough looses in FO and Wimby I just do not know which Novak will show up…For me Andy is the favourite, then Delpo and then Novak and Rafa joined…but lets see-my predictions are usually wrong.


courbon Says:

@ Brando: Delpo yesterday beated too good oponents in the same day.
I agree with you post about Master events.They are good but…Honestly, I prefer |Novak to loose both Montreal and Cincy but wins US Open then other way around.Worst possible scenario-does not win anything!Little bit easier for Rafas fans-if he does not win any of those it would not be end of the world-FO 2014 is waiting! This part of the season is |Novaks ( and Andys ) favourite so it’s kind off different.Lets see what happens on Tuesday ( Bernard Tomic has a game that troubles Novak so it could be a upset!)


Brando Says:

@Courbon: LOL, taken aside the djokes I have at Novaks expense sometimes (and they are just cheap fun) I rate the guy highly. He’s king of HC for a reason IMO, and it’s not a title given to him freely. I think he’ll be over FO loss. He reached Wimby final so FO loss is forgotten. But I’m not going to lie: losing in straight sets in Wimby final was a shock no one expected. So who knows if he’s over it or not. For me though he’s still the main man on HC and I think only Andy really can say I’m as good as Novak on HC without being sneered at right now. Me thinks for Canada: 1- Nole 2- Delpo (just a feeling about the big man) 3- andy (I don’t think he’ll push himself too much here) 4- Rafa (I don’t think he’s looking for anything other than matches here). IF Nole doesn’t win I have a sneeky feeling for Delpo: it’s about time he wins a MS. It’s crazy that he hasn’t IMO!


Brando Says:

@Courbon: completely agree with you. When Rafa lost in Monte Carlo is over the loss in 10 minutes! Yes: you want your fav to win everything, especially a event that they love but at the end of the day: MS is nothing compared to slams. I’m a huge Rafa fan and I even don’t know how many MS he has won. But slams? That I make I sure I know, LOL! Del Potro: I agree with you fully. He’s the real danger man this HC swing. Big game, big match player and he showed at Wimby he can play tough for 5 sets v the best. And that was his weakest surface. Scary stuff. Re Djurray: I agree. This is their part of the year so Nole and Andy fans will understandably be nervous. So will be Rafa fans though: we are greedy and want some titles!:-)


courbon Says:

@ Brando: You greedy bastards!
I know it sound like we are pathing each other on the back but completely agree with everything you said.
I better go to bed, I have to wake up in 4 hours and I’m bit drunk ( drinking with Scotsman is always challenging…)Speak to you soon.


Legend Says:

One old lady is claiming that Rafa is her “main man”.

Guess who ?????

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2013-05-18/12431.php#comment-450050

LOL.


Anna Says:

Oh Skeezer……your just so darn desperate :)


Brando Says:

@Legend: LMFAO running through the neighbourhood naked with carefree delirium what a GOAT of a post, a find that was . To steal a line from Clint Eastwood and tweak it a bit to suit what you have done: you have just made my day! :-)


metan Says:

@ Legend, post 8:56pm. Old song☺.

@ Brando, we as Rafa fans are not greedy, just follow the foot step of GOAT 17.
If 12 is greedy how about 17?????☺


Brando Says:

@Courbon: LOL, we are great minds who just think alike that’s all. Speak to you soon and I know what you mean re the drinking! :-)


Brando Says:

@metan: LOL, true. Some Fed fans and indeed Fed think of 20 slams! Wow, I think they must have taken Gordon Gekko to heart and really believe that: greed is good!


skeezer Says:

@anna

desperate for what? i am calm and cool. why would a Fed fan feel that? i am secure in cheering his records and his greatest alltime status. the rafafanatics aren’t as u can see. hehe…dream on …. the summer ia here.


Nadalista Says:

@skeezer 3:19pm;

In other words, you hang out in Rafafanatics” bedrooms. How else would you know they hang Rafa’s posters on their bedroom walls?


skeezer Says:

^yawn…..really? Me thinks you needed to stay on that mountain you came down from, or you didn’t stay long enough. I am sure Rafa is going to be fine without you.

#mirrormirror


James Says:

@courbon, so well, we got what we wanted. Hopefully no upset for either of ’em before the semis, and hopefully a good match. May the best man win.


Nadalista Says:

^^
Hehehe! Oh no he can’t, who else is going to be stirring the RafaKoolAid, or straightening the bedroom posters?

#Rafafanaticisme


Michael Says:

Great to see Rafa back. I am sure after that shock 1st round defeat at Wimbledon, he has got something to prove to his critics not to write him off. His performance in Montreal is going to be interesting and that might provide him with a leap of confidence going into US Open if he manages to do well in the tournament.


Nadalista Says:

Sorry @James, my comment was meant for my fellow Rafafanatic, sorry strike that……meant for @skeezer.


James Says:

no problem @nadalista, we all know skeeze likes to talk about Rafa related things, no?

@Michael, Nadal imo is underrated on the HCs. Will be interesting to see if his 1st round Wimbledon loss was a blessing in disguise. He arrived a few days early in Montreal to prepare well for the tournament. His intention is clear, he’s not just looking to play a few matches. He’ll try to win the tournament and try to gain some mental edge over his rivals as they head to Flushing Meadows.


Michael Says:

James,

Well the way he won Indian Wells after his come back proves as to how brilliant a player he is, even on hard courts. It is just that on clay, he is even better. I am not sure his loss at Wimbledon is a blessing in disguise for him, for I think that would have shaken his confidence a bit. But now it is a different tournament, a new surface and Rafa knows well as to how to cope up with the challenges. He has won Montreal before and therefore it would be no surprise if he manages to repeat that feat. A win here would also make him as one of the favourites to win the US Open. But he has a tough net to crack at the semifinal stage in the form of Novak. Let us see how it goes.


James Says:

Agree @Michael. Rafa may not be the no.1 or no.2 best player on HCs but he still is Nadal regardless of the surface. People often forget or choose to forget that only Djokovic had stopped him from winning most tournaments in 2011, including Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome, Wimbledon and US Open. The only reason he didn’t do well last year in the summer hardcourt season was because he wasn’t there.
I’m sure Rafa is quite aware of what people write about him re his tennis on the HCs and will be keen to prove his critics wrong once again.

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