Rafa models for Lanvin ...

Earlier this year, Rafa modelled for a new eau de cologne for Lanvin. I didn't particularly like the publicity shots as (a) the first shot made him look like the Incredible Hulk with that oversized left arm and (b) its as if they said to Rafa, "stand there and look sexy" ... which he can't. The essence of Rafa is that he just IS sexy ...

But, below is a short clip on Rafa when he doing the publicity shoot. He's blowing a kiss at me, by the way ...

RAFA's GETTING MARRIED NEXT YEAR ??!**???!!??

Damn that French voice over ... what is he saying??? After being quizzed about Federer's nuptials and whether he might take the plunge, Rafa says ... "next year" ... folllowed by much comedy eyebrow raising.

Or is he???

Rafateer in print ...

Firstly, no apologies for posting the salacious picture of our lovely Rafa in all his manly glory in wet, green shorts ... (that body is gorrrrrrrrrgeooooooooossss), but I'm here to report on one of the Rafateers being in print within the Public Domain.

Remember a week ago I posted regarding our Rafateer Rafan (lovely person, met her at Queens), and how she met Rafa after persevering and waiting around the All England Club. Well ... it only turns out that someone within the press was lurking and she now appears within an article published by our Rafa-friend, Chuck Culpepper.

Congrats. to your Rafan!!! What a super momento to have in print ...

http://www.nw32.com/sports/la-sp-nadal-wimbledon20-2009jun20,0,3279148.story

And I thought to be a tennis player you just learnt how to hit a few shots ...

Attached are clips showing Rafa making promotional videos for MAFRE. It seems that Rafa films several scenarios which ultimately end up in 10 second television ads. And I just thought he worked on his backhand!!!

Anyhow, any excuse to marvel and watch the lovely Rafa ...

Alarming reports that Rafa is to return for the Davis Cup ...

One week ago we witnessed Rafa in a presser withdrawing from Wimbledon, talking about how he had been playing in pain over the last weeks, how he had reached his physical limit, how it was revealed in Madrid that he had two endemas one on either knee, that maybe they made mistakes with his scheduling ... need I go on?

But now there are alarming reports leaking out of Spain that Rafa has asked the Davis Cup captain, Albert Costa, if he can withhold from submitting his team selection till after Sunday as Rafa would like to see if he could make the team for the tie against Germany ... in two weeks time!!!

http://www.mallorcadiario.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45359&Itemid=33

Personally, I'm rather annoyed by this as last week it was reported that Rafa was 3-4 weeks away from fitness (and I even thought THAT to be optimistic). Although there is another report doing the rounds today suggesting that Rafa won't make it.

"http://www.costa-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3073&Itemid=122">http://www.costa-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3073&Itemid=122

Join you mates in Marbella to offer your support Rafa ... but leave them to play the tennis!!!

Evaluating the "Rafa Factor" at Wimbledon ...

"Some force, that Nadal. He's palpable even in absentia."

The Rafa-fans have still been out in force at this year's Wimbledon, and I'm happy to say they have made their presence known. T-shirts and and banners are visibly in force and we have had audible vocal support in a number of Centre Court matches.

Not that I would encourage any un-sporting behaviour at the hallowed ground mind you, but I have to admit that I rendered a smile in Feds second round match as when he stood to serve at match point, somebody shouted out ... "C'mon Rafa!!!" and he promptly missed. Ha!!

The Rafateers who have visited Wimbledon this week have stories from fans and Wimbledon staff alike of how much everyone is missing him.

The "Rafa-effect" is captured in the attached article. Not necessarily discussing his lamented absence, but how his sheer personality and presence and absolute wanting to win this grand old tournament may have filtered down to the rest of the Spanish players as they have come and still remain in numbers in this year's draw.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-wimbledon26-2009jun26,0,2753630.story

Its tough to watch a tournament like Wimbledon when you're home, no?

The BBC's report on Rafa withdrawing from Wimbledon. Will he watch? Give him a break!!!

Rafa's parents separate ...

The rumours have been around for so long now, we've almost got used to them. I think it was even last summer-time that I first read the report that Rafa's parents were to separate. But that wasn't long after Wimbledon, and the united front they displayed there belied the rumour.

But we've all noticed a different Rafa from the start of the US hardcourt season in Spring. Laboured, distracted, the infamous headband moving scruffily up his head. We now know of his health issues, and the pain he has been playing through, but what did he ever mean by the infamous Miami presser after his defeat to Del Potro ... "its personal".

It now, however, has been formally reported in the Timesonline, a paper that patronises Rafa and within which he co-operates, that his parents have indeed separated. This must be a massive blow to Rafa, the fabric of his family life that means so much to him and within which he receives such succour has been irreparably altered. His mental state must also have surely been affected and all things considered, its a wonder that he has kept going.

We wish him continued support in this most trying of times. Here's how it was reported in Timesonline:-

"Right now, such sensitive matters are on the mind of Nadal, at home in Majorca. For many weeks there have been whispers that all was not uncomplicated in the Nadal household, that his parents, Sebastian and Ana María, who hugged their son on the most joyous day of his life a year ago, had separated. Yesterday, we discovered that that was, in fact, the case, that Nadal had been playing in such a fog for the past couple of months, he should have been wearing luminous clothing. He is crushed and any fair-minded person has to be crushed for him.

Imagine what it has been like, trying to do your duty by yourself, your team and your profession and yet having to perform when your heart is elsewhere, the distressing nightly calls home, the wish that it were not so, the desire for a reconciliation.

Nadal never mentioned it, he played and hoped. He talked about resetting his body after having to withdraw from the championships with problem knees and yet he has a more difficult task, resetting his entire life. We wish him well. "

Everyone misses Rafa ...

Hands up who's missing Rafa??? What a sorry day this has been ... that gurning goon Feds looking like a complete prat or a reject from a marching band took his long-trousered goose-step walk of honour that should have belonged to our lovely Rafa, out on Centre Court today.

Hot on the heels of this is the attached clip, which shows Rafa in some happier times and cements within me why we need this boy fit and playing the game. The raw passion, the drama, the excitement of those moments. Who else motivates you into a frenzy when playing on a tennis court? The men’s game is a sorry place right now without Rafa in it.

I choose to ignore the self-opiniated ramblings of Cahill … he doesn’t know how Rafa feels. Rafa is no hood-winker … he’s said its not chronic, and he’ll come back again just like he did at the beginning of the year at the Australian Open. Come back healthy Rafa!! Your public needs you …

Just when you thought he couldn't get any more gorgeous ...

... along comes this picture. Those cheekbones, the chocolate eyes, the kissable lips ... *swoons* and *faints*.

Its going to be slow news ... till Autumn

Well ... a few paparazzi shots of lovely Rafa and Xisca when he was in Paris (not that I actually approve, its just that I'm nosy). Boy is she thin, but they do make a lovely couple.

Further Rafa interview ...

Another interview with Rafa discussing his decision. The overwhelming thing for me in this one is that he seems really calm about it. I think he's mentally coping with it in the right way as he knows he's just physically incapable of competing right now. So much better than losing his title in a disappointing match and overcoming the bitterness of defeat too. He's a darling ... vamos Rafa !!!

The Rafateers ...

Let me tell you about the Rafateers ... a self-penned name for a bunch of us (women - quelle surprise!!!), who found each other on a public forum on the BBC 606 tennis website. Our love of tennis drew us to the site, but the perpetual Rafa-bashing or hideous treatment of us for daring to express an opinion that favoured Rafa and for not worshipping at the altar that is Feds meant that one-by-one we flocked to a thread which finds itself now in the guise of the Rafael Nadal Appreciation Thread.

There's been a core number of us developed over the last few months, but our number have expanded in recent weeks. We all go by pseudonyms, yours truly being Wooffie. So let me see ... there's Clare2904, Denzilsmon, la-Rafanatica, Rafandready, MrsL, CorazonLatino, Sec1SupaLaura, Laliga, ModernHappyGill, Neo-Rafaelite, AFCWomble, PearlofManacor, several visitors and lurkers, and last but by no means least, my lovely MarcusInKensington - my precious lamb and raven-haired prince, not a Rafateer but an appreciator. We post daily on the thread and a small number of us chat nightly on-line. The best thing to come out of it is that our shared love of Rafa and tennis has meant that a number of us have met up (Clare2904 and I actually living in the same town and Clare having previously worked with my Mum!), we've become friends and are planning special expeditions to travel and see our lovely Rafa play.

I had the pleasure of meeting and sharing my Queens experience with Rafandready last week. But who would have guessed, when met to share a tear of disappointment at Rafa's Queen's withdrawal, what was to to be in store for her the following week.

SHE ONLY WENT AND MET RAFA YESTERDAY !!!

Rafan went on a Wimbers scouting mission as she has semi-final tickets, and could not have planned that Rafa was to give his press conference at the All England Club at 7 pm. So she took full advantage of the situation. She saw David Ferrer, met Marat and GOT HIS AUTOGRAPH, met Uncle Toni and GOT HIS AUTOGRAPH, and saw Rafa when he first entered the club. She hung around for over 3 hours and it took some encouraging texts from yours truly to keep her going till the end. It was worth it ... Rafa came out of the club with Novak (who she'd seen entering from the back of a swish Bentley), and she got Rafa's autograph and took her chance and asked if he would shake her hand. He did ... oh to lose one of your mittens in that big bear's paw!!! I'm absolutely delighted for her, as it goes some way for making up for the disappointment of not seeing him with those semi-final tickets.

Here's her account of the story from today's thread ...

Morning Rafateers
I just wanted to post this tome before I go out for the day!So...yesterday I met Rafa. I was already planning a visit to Wimbledon yesterday to scope out the area – see how to get to the ground from the station etc, as I haven’t been before. And if I happened to see a certain someone then that would be just fabulous. BUT then I heard Rafa was doing a press conference there at 7 pm and everything fell into place.

I dragged my friend up there and we got there at about 6.30. Firstly, I was really surprised that there weren’t loads of people waiting! We hung around the competitor’s entrance, peeking in through a mental fence and lots of foliage and managed to spy David Ferrer. Then Marat came out and I ran up to the gate to get his autograph. I knew this would make lots of Rafateers jealous . There was a slight brushing of fingers as he passed my pen back to me and accidentally drew on my hand. Wooffie made this sound a lot more exciting in her post . Then Rafa’s team came strolling down the road, followed by Rafa himself. He was in the gate before I realised so I just shouted “good luck Rafa” – don’t know why, couldn’t think of anything else to say!!! It was actually him...Rafa...I couldn’t really believe it!

So...Rafa did his press conference and me and my friend waited outside. It got to about 8.10 and Uncle Toni came out. Some people had their picture taken with him and I got his autograph. I managed to squeak “muchos gracias”. Then it was back to peering through the fence/foliage. Rafa was sitting on the sofa, I could just about see him (especially if I stood on the wall but I didn't like to do that too much ). At about 8.45 a swish Bentley turned up and Novak got out and went into the club and sat and chatted with Rafa for ages. In the meantime it was starting to get a bit cold, my friend had gone to meet her boyfriend, the light had started to fade - even the couple of photographers that were hanging around had gone. I was starting to feel a bit of a fool waiting around on my own but my fellow Rafateers via Wooffie were great cheerleaders and I was inspired to stay

And I’m so glad I did.

One of Rafa’s team came out (not sure who it was) and he spoke to a couple of men standing inside the fence. I called through to ask if Rafa was coming out, and he said yes, in a couple of minutes. One of the men speaking to him said that the Brits will be glad Rafa is out as Andy will have a better chance, and I said “No we’re not, I wanted Rafa to win!” and receive a “thank you” for my efforts from the Rafaman (he also said Rafa is going home today. And then excitement... at 9.45 Rafa left the building with Nole.

He had his picture taken with the security guard and I got Nole’s autograph, and I finally got the chance to ask Rafa to sign the photo I had with me (you know - just on the off chance that I bumped into him!). I said “sorry you are not playing”. I had spotted a car driving past a couple of times and they got out and got Rafa’s autograph too...little did I realise that it was Pearl! (Pearl – you should have said something – I was so jealous of you speaking Spanish to him!) I thought, I can’t go without touching Rafa so I said “can I shake your hand” – what a dweeb I am . What I really wanted to say was “can I feel your left bicep” . So he shook my hand, and what a big lovely warm hand he had. He then walked off up the road with a couple of friends and Nole went in the opposite direction.

What a fabulous end to the day. I know it was bad news because Rafa pulled out, and yes I would have rather seen him fit and in action on semi-finals day but this was the best compensation I could ever have imagined. I’m still pinching myself...is a drim noh? Now I think, why didn’t I say more, why didn’t I wish him the best from the Rafateers (sorry but I was thinking of you all all the time and it was a "one for all" moment!), why didn’t I look at him more and drink it all in, but it was all such a blur – I couldn’t really believe it! He was lovely – so kind to sign autographs after the day he’d had. He did seem fine and was laughing and chatting with his friends as he walked to the gate. I wish him all the best as he goes home to recover and be 100% for the rest of the season.

Vamos Rafa and thank you Wooffie for your inspiring texts which kept me there when hope was fading – massive and .

Rafa withdraws from Wimbledon ...

With the greatest of regret, Rafa pulled out of Wimbledon today, as announced at a 7pm press conference held at the All England Club.

It is, of course, the saddest of news but I think that Rafa has made the absolute right decision, albeit probably 2 months too late. He mentioned his scheduling and I don't think its beyond the wit of man to work out that that silly indoor, fast court tournament at Rotterdam, so fast on the heels of his astounding, but hard earned win at the Australian Open, turned out to be his undoing.

Here is a report and some quotes from the presser:-

Rafael Nadal has announced he will not defend his Wimbledon title. The world number one and top seed had said after the French Open that he would not play Wimbledon if he was not 100% and so it has come to pass.

"I’m here and I'm just not 100%. I'm better than what I was a couple of weeks ago but I don’t feel right," Nadal told a packed press conference on Friday evening at the All England Club. "To not play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career. I tried everything. I didn't feel terrible but also not close to my best. When I enter a tournament my goal is winning and my feeling right now is I'm not ready to win. It's very painful for me but I can't play at the tournament this year. It's tough but it is what it is."

Nadal revealed that he had been playing with considerable pain and he didn't know how long he would be out of tennis. But he said he expected to fully recover from his knee problems and that he would have a "long career".

"I played with some problems on the knee for the last few months. I've been making efforts to play week after week. The truth is that sportsmen always play with pain and don't know where the limit is, where you can get to. I think I reached that limit now. I will work very hard to comeback as soon as possible. One of the problems is I’m thinking more about the knees than what is happening on court and it’s very difficult to play like that."

When Nadal was asked about his many fans and how disappointed they would be that he was not appearing at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old replied: "no more than me". Nadal also said he was not concerned that his absence would open the door for Roger Federer to reclaim the number one world ranking. "If I lose the number one ranking I’m going to accept it like the four years I was number two and work hard to improve and recover."

Bless ... I wish Rafa all the best in the world in his rehabilitation and look forward to seeing him fit, rested and refreshed in the Fall. But for me, tennis is a sorry place without him. En Rafa confiamos!!

Its looking very bad indeed for Wimbledon ...

As reported yesterday, Rafa took to the courts to play Lleyton Hewitt at Hurlingham. Bad news is ... he lost 6-4, 6-3. But it wasn't the result that mattered, it was the reports of his struggle to play. Here's a couple of reports ...

"Rafael Nadal still looked hampered by his injured knees in an unsuccessful transition to grass Thursday and will decide Friday whether he is fit enough to defend the Wimbledon title.

Nadal played without tape on his sore knees but frequently looked a step slow in losing 6-4, 6-3 to Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match at the Hurlingham Club in London. It was Nadal’s first match after losing to Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open.

Nadal did not speak to reporters, but his uncle and coach Toni said it was still uncertain whether he can play at Wimbledon, which starts Monday.

Nadal plays another match against Stanislav Wawrinka on Friday, and Toni Nadal said the top-ranked player will make a decision after that."

So sadly, its not looking good ... some more words from Toni ...

"It will be “very difficult” for Rafael Nadal to play at Wimbledon in defense of his tennis title next week because of his knee problems, his uncle and coach Toni Nadal said.

He was speaking after Nadal lost today to Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match at Hurlingham Club in West London, his first match since exiting the French Open on May 31. He was testing his knees after suffering from tendinitis.

“At the moment it’s very difficult to play at Wimbledon, his knees are not good, he cannot bend,” the coach said. “This is his first match, we wait until tomorrow.”

Toni Nadal said that an electromagnetic machine had been used in an effort to deal with the problem but “at the moment it is not enough. We wait for tomorrow.”

I fear tomorrow may bring the gravest of news, but Rafa's health and longevity is what matters most. En Rafa confiamos ....

What news of the Machiavellian Court of Nadal ?

Not much to report today, but the news from the Spanish Court is getting slightly more promising. Andy Murray appeared on Radio 5 Live this evening and reported that he had spent an hour today hitting with Rafa. He reported that Rafa was hitting really well, but as it was so windy, neither of them were doing much running and Andy himself had tight hamstrings, so he couldn't really judge on his movement. However, he did reiterate how well Rafa was hitting.

Hot on the heels of that little gem, its then announced that Rafa will play Hurlingham ... a day early!!! He's going to play Lleyton Hewitt on Thursday as well as the Friday match against Wawrinka that he was initially scheduled for. I'd like to take this as a good sign in that he is progressing well in his rehabilitation ... and not think that they might be pushing too hard to get him fit in time ...

There's also been some good articles today.

One in the New York Times featuring some established journalists who have put some balance and perspective on the past few weeks and actually left me feeling rather positive ...

http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/16/the-global-sports-forum-with-christopher-clarey-wimbledon-edition-part-1/#more-2717

Another link centering on Toni and some information that we know from old ...

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/the-man-who-made-nadal-1706747.html

And finally, another New York Times article, provocatively entitled ... "Ripped. (Or torn up?) ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/magazine/21nadal-t.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

The Rafakit ... part deux

There's been several varations of a theme and Nike catalogues galore depicting at least 4 versions pertaining to be the "Wimbledon" kit. However, this one might be it - traditional white with accents of Wimbledon green and purple, as befitting the Champion ...

Feds will be wearing gold accents ... as befitting a Big 'Ed ...

Rafa shows up ... at Wimbledon !!!

An unexpected visitor turned up to practice today, lovely Rafael. He arrived from Spain today, complete with special equipment to help with the rehabilitation of his knees. He actually caught Wimbledon by surprise as they weren't expecting him ...

From the "Wimbledon As It Happens Posting"

17:05- Rafael Nadal turned up at practice today:In the glorious afternoon sunshine a sight for sore eyes emerged in the form of Rafael Nadal. As the Spaniard made his way to the Aorangi practice courts, staff shouted out ‘good luck Rafa’ to which he responded ‘thank you very much’ with his trademark humble smile.Next he set about his business – minus the knee supports - and began pummelling the life out of the balls. After a brief sit down, change of racket and laughter in his camp, Rafa switched ends and resumed play.

Let's keep those fingers crossed, eh?

Rafa "considering" playing at the Hurlingham Club

Hurlingham is a traditional little event that some players use as a bit of a warm up before Wimbledon. Rafa has played there in 2006 and 2007, but withdrew last year to enjoy a few more precious days at home after his successful clay court season and unexpected victory at Queens.

However, Rafa has announced via his website of an invitation to play there - against Stanislav Wawrinka.

"I have kindly been invited to play the traditional exhibition at the Hurlingham Club on Friday, June 19. I have played at that Club for several years now. It would be a good test for me to play there on Friday to see how the knee is doing and it would provide the perfect setting to get some practice before Wimbledon. If I feel the recuperation is going well I will be more than happy to be there again. I hope that's the case." said Rafa.

Let's see if he makes it ...

Rafa is THE cover boy for June ...

The Elizabeth Kaye article has fast done the rounds, what with appearing in Men's Journal and the Guardian, its now in the Observer. But ... check out the cover ... wow!! And Rafa ... those hands ... they're HUGE !!! ;-)

I just had to ...

Gratuitous Rafa-perving. That skin, the shoulder-line, those lips, the damp, sweaty hair .......... *swoons* and *faints*

Rafa is the face of the news stands in the US this June ...

We're all aware of the stupendous June issue of US Vogue ... "Waiting for Rafa", but Rafa is also being vaulted in two editions of US men's magazines. Has me wondering if the Rafa public relations team are launching an all-out Rafa-assault on the US market in preparation for the US Open. Both contain reasonable articles, especially so the one penned by Elizabeth Kaye which is deep and insightful and replicated with additions in the Guardian which is the link provided below.

Men's Journal

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/14/rafael-nadal-interview

Men's Fitness

http://www.mensfitness.com/sports_and_recreation/athletes/154

The Rafakit ...

Well ... we barely even got used to the much discussed and long-awaited for pink shirt, when we are now into the realms of tradition and decorum and the all white kit of Wimbledon. This is what Rafa is anticipated to wear (cue matching white shorts) ...

However, I was alerted today by the lovely MiK that details of Rafa's USO kit have been published ... and horror of horrors ... the colour is EGG YOLK YELLOW. Well people, you can imagine my abject horror as I have maligned that hideous spring-time kit to the extent that I would personally have burnt it. However, after looking at the pictoral evidence and seeing that it is one, block colour ... I've calmed down (cue contrasting black shorts) ...



The kit is described as an "hommage" to the famous yellow New York City cabs ... so is this Nike's way of engratiating Rafa to the New York public as they did with Feds and his monogrammed 1930's jacket and matching long trousers along with the fabelled cable-kit cardigan to the stuffy Wimbledon crowd? Hmmm ... ???

Actually ... I think I'm going to like it. But more so the "Night Kit" ... which is aaaaaaall blaaaaaaack ....

The Timesonline ...

For quite a number of years now, the Timesonline has been producing exceptional articles on our lovely boy. They are insightful of Rafa as a tennis player, his journey, how hard he has had to work with his game to become the champion he is and additionally, they take you inside the family with precious information on its make up and the back bone that makes Rafa tick.

Attached is a link to the latest of such an article ... enjoy the read.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6455384.ece

Wooffie's been to Queen's ...

Shall we gloss over the fact that Rafa wasn't there? OK then ... fellow Rafateer Rafandready and I met up, had a little weep, and then got on with enjoying the day.

We had a lovely time in the sunshine watching Blake & Querry, Murray & some bloke, little chicken legs Simon (and seriously folks, he DOES have chicken legs) and the mad, head-bashing Youzhny ... although it wasn’t THE mad Russian that I had so hoped to see. The gorgeous, sexy Marat Safin had withdrawn through injury the day before, thereby dashing my one and only hope of ever seeing him live. DAMN YOU MARAT ... and if he pulled his back because of the proverbial, I damn him even more!!!

Anyhow, the match of the day was Roddick & Hewitt, which was thoroughly enjoyable and a lovely display of grass court tennis. That service action ... wow!!!

I was also sitting very close to the noisy terrace, and spent most of the day going, “there’s so-and-so” and “ooo .. . there’s so-and-so”. The luminaries that I saw were ... get this ... Feli Lopez ... TWICE!!!! and , Karlovic , Murray, sweetie Jamie Murray, Tipsarevic, Ljubicic and Querry, lovely Auntie Sue Barker, John Lloyd, Andrew Castle, Mark Petchy and Pat Cash ... oh, and Murray’s Mum and girlfriend and last but not least ... Tim Henman’s Dad.

Nice to know I could still enjoy the day regardless ...

Let's have a brief distraction ...

It's been nothing but doom and gloom lately, so lets take a flash back to last week when someone seemed to be out and about on his new boy-toy birthday present.

Glad Maymo was there on hand to keep an eye on the knee ... and Xisca was there to look after Rafa. She is one lucky girl, but I have to say it ... they are such a lovely couple ...

Rafa's Wimbledon ... non-announcement

Well ... all morning long we waited in morbid anticipation as to whether lovely Rafa would turn up to play. Was he still injured? Would he pull out? You work it out ...

Rafa Nadal has confirmed today that he will travel to London next Tuesday, June 16th. For the past 36 hours, Rafa Nadal, has been undergoing in-depth medical tests under the supervision of Doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro.

Rafa Nadal:

"I have been playing with pain on my knees for some months now and I simply can't go on like this. The pain was limiting certain movements in my body, which affected me mentally as well."

"After the tests and with the appropriate treatment, we have decided to travel to London next Tuesday, June 16th."

"I am going to give my 200% to be ready for the most important tournament in the world. The tournament that I always dream about. I will not go out and play, especially on the Wimbledon Centre Court, if I am not 100% ready to play."

"I have 2 difficult weeks ahead of me, especially because I won't be doing what I like doing most, which is to play tennis, but I will be working on my recovery through physiotherapy treatments as well as recovery work on the specific muscular area."

Doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, the Spanish Federation doctor and Managing Director of the Mapfre Medical Tennis Center:

"After the appropriate tests (MRI, Ultrasound scans and gammagraphy) Mr. Rafael Nadal suffers from insertion tendonitis in the superior end of both kneecaps with a light osseous edema. His treatment will involve oral anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy as well as progressive muscular exercises for both quadriceps's. Following the 48-hour treatment, Mr. Nadal will gradually get back into training."

Many thanks.

Says nowt ... does it? He's injured - he's still gonna travel - he'll try to get fit - he'll play - ???

I don't know whether to be pleased or cross. Denzy called it Knee-gate ... LOL ... this will still run and run.

I wish it had been a lost weekend ...

Alarming news has been breaking over the weekend with reports essentially saying the same thing that Rafa's knee injury could be serious and his participation at Wimbledon could be under threat.

Essentially, he sustained the injury back in Miami and has been working through it ever since. The Rafacrew had hoped that it would last out until after Wimbledon when he would have around a month's time off, but its not held out. Rafa today went to Barcelona for further tests and the prognosis will be delivered tomorrow. Is it worse for him to withdraw from the competition, thereby give up on his title and give others, ie. Feds the chance to lift his hard-earned crown, or to turn up less than 100% and potentially run the risk of a Soderling?

Here's one of the reports run over the weekend ...

After having declared its absence in Queen’ s, Rafael Nadal could not be able to defend his title in Wimbledon. because of a painful knee, as Toni Nadal, the uncle and trainer of the player tells us in an exclusive interview.

Toni Nadal, what is Rafael undergoing?

Rafael has a problem in the right knee (edema,) since Miami, and this kept getting worse, So now we have decided to stop. He played with this in Madrid, Monte-Carlo and, Roland-Garros. Every time, it was a little worse.

It is because of this pain that Rafael lost against Soderling in the fourth round?

He lost,, that’s all, we are not going to talk about this after the match. The pain was there from the first day. Since Madrid, he played with a specific treatment preparation by the doctor and the physiotherapist of the Spanish equipment of the Davis Cup.

Why did Rafael not speak of it after his defeat against Söderling?

We are now talking about it because Rafael is not going to Queen’s tournament, otherwise we wouldn’t have mentioned it. Many players play with physical annoyances.

In Madrid, the doctor did not underestimate the gravity of Rafael’s injury?

No, the doctor said that it was not serious but it was painful when the player tried to bend. As long as he could endure the injury, he could play. We saw well that Rafael had difficulty to move in Roland-Garros.

Will Rafael go to Wimbledon?

We will see. Monday and Tuesday, He’ll go to Barcelona to pass examinations, and later we will decide what we will do. We will do whatever the doctors tell us we should do.

Are you optimistic?

Oh no, I am not optimistic at all. Of course, if there is an opportunity to play the most important tournament of the season, he will try. We will see.

Is Rafael affected by all this?

Very much so. He is affected, it is normal, because he sees that he’s been hampered in Roland-Garros, a very important tournament for us, and now his presence in Wimbledon is uncertain."

==============================================

And to top it all ... Feds won the French Open, quelle surprise. Today he talked about his victory and Rafa's injury with his usual magnanimity ...

"It's different for me to come through this way, instead of just dominating everybody."

"I feel I've definitely become more a man now, the last few years, where I'm not scared of five-setters anymore. I can handle the pressure."

Federer's run of five consecutive Wimbledon titles ended with a five-set loss to Nadal in last year's final. The 27-year-old Swiss star considers himself the man to beat this time. "I do think I'm the favorite, actually, with all the success I've had," Federer said.

Federer expects to see his nemesis at the All England Club. "It seems like it's not 100 percent serious, his knee injury. I only wish him the best and I hope it's not true that he will miss Wimbledon. I think it's a lot of speculation at the moment," Federer said. "He wasn't taping his knees here in Paris. He seemed fine, (from) what I saw, anyway. I've played him so many times, I can tell when he's in pain and when he's not."

I CAN TELL WHEN HE'S IN PAIN OR NOT ... God, I can't stand him.

Rafa's prognosis is due to be placed on his website at 1.30 pm tomorrow. Can't decide whether or not I'd prefer him to go or stay away ...

Wooffie.is.gutted ... again

Just when you didn't think it possible that you could sink any lower into the depths of dispair, this appears on Rafa's website ...

"I am very disappointed to not be able to come this year to Queen's, defend the title I won last year and enjoy playing there in front of that very knowledgeable crowds. To play in London has always been special for me, to play at the Queen's Club an honour and the fans in the UK are among the best I have ever seen, always supporting me since the first time I played there.

I have been having some problems in the past months with my knees, that's no secret, that did not allow me to compete at 100% always. I need to work with my team to recover well, work on my physical condition to be at my top form and get ready for the grass to play at Wimbledon. I hope I can be ready to compete by then.

I am really sorry and I hope that the people at the Club will still want me to come next year.

Rafa"

I have been following this guy for 4 years now and loved every minute of watching him on his journey. But thus far, the watching has been via a television set, only this time, for the first time, I had tickets to go and see him at Queens. I am devastated. However, he needs to get fit, and someone, somewhere along the line was going to get disappointed. This time ... it was me.

To cheer ourselves up ... how about a clip of "the smile". I already loved him by then ... but I am quite sure that this little gesture captured the hearts and made fans of countless others. Vamos Rafa!! Till next time ....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAFA !!!

Lovely Rafael is 23 years old today and for the first time in years is enjoying his birthday at home in Mallorca surrounded by his family and friends - although for future ones he wants to continue celebrating them in Paris!!!

Rafa's website couldn't have summed up the occasion more beautifully:-

"From the bottom of our hearts, we’d like to thank you Rafa … for your kind heart, your respect towards others, your perseverance, your honesty, your strength, your mentality, your character, your attitude towards life, but on top of everything, we’d like to thank you for the millions of times you’ve filled our lives with joy and beautiful memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives."

And here's a special montage in tribute to our "special boy" ...

Oh-Wooffs-of-little-faith ...

I was absolutely convinced that Rafa would just take the earliest flight out of Paris and return to his homeland to reflect, review, lick his wounds and get over it. He did ... but I thought that the blog he so generously does via Timesonline at the Slams would remain open-ended ... but I was wrong.

Even more significantly, this is what he said:-

"Thanks to all for your support. I know I have a lot of fans there in the UK and around the world and I am truly thankful for that. I know the messages that I have received are sincere and honest."

You're right they were ... and guess who had a message posted to him yesterday, yep ... me and Denzy! To say I am thrilled in an understatement (10th comment down - posted on the link to the left), but to know he reads these things and takes comfort from them is amazing. Vamos Rafa!! See you at Queens ...

Lovely Rafa,

Of course I am desperately sad that you lost today, however, you've said it all in your press conferences that sometimes you learn more from you defeats. Take heart that you are a tremendous champion, discuss the detail with Toni and talk to your father and we will be happy to see you in the UK for the grass court season.

Rafa ... as your fans we have enjoyed enormously the journey you have taken us on, and to share some of your greatest triumphs with you in your blogs has been tremendous. What I would say though is that now is possibly the time to concentrate totally on yourself and your career.

We will always be supportive of you, always have been, always will be .... en Rafa confiamos !!

from your devoted Rafateers,

Julie, Clare, Shani, Sam, Sam, Rebecca, Cath, Vanessa, Gill, Laura xxx

Posted by: Julie, England