A page and forum to discuss all things Rafael Nadal.
Current ranking: 14
Last result: Australian Open second round (lost to Mackenzie McDonald)
Next tournament: Roland Garros
Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes
A page and forum to discuss all things Rafael Nadal.
Current ranking: 14
Last result: Australian Open second round (lost to Mackenzie McDonald)
Next tournament: Roland Garros
Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes
Via @creamola_foam
Rafa will play at Hurlingham on Friday 20th June.
^^Thanks @augusta08
Great!
Wimby qualies:
Peter Gojo is out, good. Don’t want him anywhere near Rafa.
Steve Darcis is through, good. I want in in the 3rd round to face Rafa so Rafa can avenge last year’s loss. In the 3rd, not 1st round….!
hawkeye63@June 15, 2014 at 11:18 pm
—The RG crowd that booed weren’t the ones at the Isner match. The RG crowd on Chartrier booed when the final score was flashed on the main screen where a different match was being played.—
Really??? But, the match Rafa vs Isner was played on Court Philippe Chartrier!!!
Whatever. Typo. Not the point. Should have said Lenglen then.
Point is it wasn’t even the court Nadal played on.
From Cheryl (Federazzi according to you incorrectly):
When Nadal finally won the fifth set, the result was flashed on the scoreboard in neighboring Suzanne Lenglen stadium. And in response to Nadal’s victory, half the stadium BOOED him. Let me repeat that. They booed him for WINNING. He did not swear at the chair umpire, he didn’t rub out a mark before it could be checked. He didn’t even beat a Frenchman.
I’ve heard all sorts of excuses over the years. Excuses for the ridiculously rude behavior. That he’s Spanish and the French don’t like the Spanish. That he dares to play the sport of tennis with “construction worker” arms. That they prefer to back the underdog. I was even told that he “works too hard” for them, whatever that means.
In the end, it doesn’t really matter why they do it; whatever sorry excuse they come up with will never be good enough. They are guilty of treating a great champion like he’s nothing better than a dog stealing the Easter ham off the dining room table. Instead of giving him the respect that a 5-time champion deserves, they boo him for winning a first round match over a player from a country they despise.
I’d like to think that they’re ashamed of themselves, but I highly doubt it. That’s okay, I’ll be ashamed for them. Congratulations, French crowd – you win the award for Most Classless Fans. Well done!
Preach it Cheryl (where ever you are).
Classless indeed.
Augusta, please let me know if you need any further clarification. 🙂
And you can say what you want but the French Open crowd has historically been on average MUCH worse than any other slam crowd.
I’m not talking about EVERY fan, I’m talking about the average crowd overall. Yes, if you prefer, I am saying that the RG crowd has historically had a much higher percentage of Federazzi (TM) than any other slam. By a very large margin. IMO.
Let me repeat: I don’t understand WHY Cheryl created this story!
Finally we have Cheryl’s own words! Now I don’t think we need any further clarification. She stated what happened quite succinctly. No other words needed.
Made it all up I guess. Or a big fat cheque from the federazzi is another possibility I suppose.
Couldn’t be because it’s…….true?
Twisting facts to suit theories.
BTW augusta, how much longer do you intend to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts?
#TwoCanPlayThatGame
Cheryl Murray wrote that blog because she was outraged and disgusted by the behavior of the French crowd. Or are some going to now say that she just made it all up? She was always a brilliant writer and her blogs were great reading. She thought it outrageous and boorish for the French crowd to boo the score when Rafa won. I think it was wonderful that she stood up for Rafa and chastised the French crowd. As I have already said, let’s not have revisionist history here.
Cheryl had nothing bad to say about the spectators at the match Rafa vs Isner!!!
Then she wrote about somebody booing at something (reportedly a scoreboard) somewhere else. Funny, no?
Nothing nny said above contradicts what Cheryl wrote.
We are talking about the buffoons that booed the score on Lenglen when Rafa won on Chartrier.
Please read more carefully and let me know if I can be of further assistance understanding why the RG crowd has been very disrespectful to Rafa.
Some people seem to take delight in thinking the French hate Rafa. It’s almost as if that’s what they want and are determined to ignore any evidence to the contrary. Let’s all agree then that the French hate Rafa if it makes them happy.
Some people are always on the negative side of any argument concerning Rafa, no matter what. There is a big difference between being a fan and just saying you are a fan.
Fantastic. You should see me now. Doing a biiiig French Hate Rafa dance.
What a party me and the Federazzi are all having.
I’m laughing for ten minutes.
Oh joy oh bliss.
1000X 🙂
“Some” people like to stick their head in the sand.
As the federazzi say, pfft.
It gives this forum some dimension because it would be too boring if there were only pro Rafa posters here. It’s the closest thing we’ve got to Rafa Detractors.
No, more like bored Reality Detractors trying to tell others how to be a “real” fan.
Two in particular. Good luck with that.
pfft
Also a big difference between a fan and a fanatic.
Difference being is one doesn’t tell the other “how” to cheer.
Guys, you’re having a real bizarre discussion going on here! Cheryl creating stories, come on! I miss her blog, btw. She was brillant, funny and honest.
Not everybody has to like Rafa, that’s ok. There are more than enough fans around the world. And of course the Parisians don’t root for Rafa. And you know why? Because it has become a tradition by now. It started, because he beat some Frenchies and Federer to boot. He was nothing like Guga, who was loved even more than Fed. He was Spanish. Every year they hoped anyone but Rafa will win – and every year Rafa has dashed their hopes. But that has become a tradition, too. Parisians love their traditions. Most of the rowdy crowd has started to respect him by now. They have grudgingly accepted his greatness and his uniqueness. And isn’t that worth more than uncritical adoration? They might not be sad, if he finally doesn’ t bite the trophy anymore, but they will have a very funny feeling in their stomachs, like the sun might not rise the next day. The trophy might have a funny feeling, too, btw, if it doesn’t get it’ annual bite (they should just give it to him and make a fresh one).Doesn’t this make each title count twice as much as any other trophy? Maybe, a number of years after Rafa retired, they will realize, what a great champion he was, and make their peace with him. They are on the verge of doing that already. All this makes Rafa’s RG history even more extraordinary.
^^^ this
@littlefoot,
Bravo! Thank you for saying it so very well! I think it’s all the more glorious for Rafa to have won nine titles from people who did not embrace him. It makes it that much more special. I also agree that the French have come to respect and admire Rafa.
I said in a previous comment, that I can’t believe we are getting into such an intense argument over this. This reference to “some” who are supposedly negative or whatever, is the same old unfortunate song we have heard all too often here. Even while supposedly celebrating different opinions, those who have them are derided. There must be something wrong with any of us who choose to have a different opinion. I don’t enjoy saying that the French have disrespected Rafa in the past. But it’s the truth and there’s no way around it. Rafa has triumphed despite it and that is his greatness. Now I do believe that there is a grudging appreciation for Rafa. He’s earned it.
Ha,ha, NNY, Rafa just had to do this trifle to win the Parisian crowd’s respect: winning nine trophies. They really don’t ask for much, lol!
But seriously, Sampras wasn’t all that much loved and respected by the Brits at the beginning of his Wimby career either. They loved flashy Becker (who used to call the center court his living room, which appealed to them much more than Sampras calling it his office), classy Edberg and then had high hopes for their very own Tim Henman, who was, unlike Murray, adored right from the beginning. And Sampras trashed Henman again and again at Wimby. That didn’t make him exactly popular with the Brits. They were just a little classier as spectators than the Parisians. Anyway, in the end Sampras earned their respect as well. A really great champion can win without crowd support.
Interestingly, they never begrudged Rafa all his wins over Murray, who himself had to earn the respect of the English crowd by exorcising Fred Perry’s ghost.
Much classier is the Wimbly crowd.
Always respectful to Sampras, the grass GOAT.
hawkeye63@June 17, 2014 at 2:11 am
‘The grass goat’ sounds well! 😀
@littlefoot 6:40 pm,
great post! fully agree…
Bodo is NOT writing Rafa’s Wimby chances off:
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/06/prince-grass/51775/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#.U588H01ZrIV
Great article. It’s like Bodo and Tignor have swapped bodies lately.
“Nadal also knew what it means for an outstanding clay-court player to win on grass. And we all appreciated the premium he put upon being a Spanish player who could rule the world of British grass. Some of these culturally-based attitudes have deep, deep roots.”
Never thought I’d say it but…
Preach it Bodo.
#ProBodo
@littlefoot,
It’s really so nice having you back here. I have enjoyed reading your thoughts. Yes, so true that all Rafa had to do was win nine titles for the French to give him some overdue appreciation.
I remember Sampras at Wimbledon. It’s true that he dashed the British hopes of breaking the drought in men’s tennis. But I remember when Sampras won his seventh Wimbledon and how emotional he was then. The crowd seemed very appreciative of him at that time.
I absolutely agree that the Wimbledon crowd has been so much more civilized and gracious than the French.
Is this proof that Bodo does not like (hate) Rafa?
Don’t you? Or do you. You did. Ok. Good.
I just hope Rafa has a restraining order ready.
#GettingCreepyNow
Wow! Pigs fly! Prince of Gras! I like that – though it might well be the nickname of a local Jamaican dealer, lol! Bodo – ever the contrarian.
He does seem to hop on the latest bandwagon.
@hawkeye, dunno. Rafa and doing well at Wimby isn’t exactly the latest bandwaggon. We were strongly advised to sell Rafastock. I remember quite well, that 2011, when the Supernovak exploded, Bodo picked Rafa for the winner of the Wimby final. But that’s not all: to the great chagrin of all Fedfans he made the bold claim, that Rafa was a greater gras courtplayer than Fed ever was at his TennisWorld blog. He based that judgement on the fact, that Rafa had beaten the GrasGOAT on his own turf, and had just reached his 5th consecutive Wimby final and more might follow. I think, Bodo was overreaching with this claim, but I do think, Rafa would’ve won against anyone but Novak that year. Apparently, Bodo admires Rafa at his best on gras very much and I can’t blame him. Bodo’s famous Rafatigue might be finally over and it might’ve never extended to gras courts.
What baffles me, is, that he lately waxed more lyrical on Rafa’s game than Tignor has in quite a while. Maybe, Tignor came down with a bout of Rafatigue, while Bodo is cured. Don’t worry Steve! Like measles you get it only once. But please keep away from pregnant women.
😉
I think what we have with Bodo now is a true case of a Damascene conversion, while what we are seeing with Tiggy is a pure case of a doubting Thomas…..
#BiblicalPhenomena
hawkeye63
Rafa received a standing ovation in 2005 – it was his first year to play at RG – and after that he has received it every year!
The video posted by ed251137
http://www.ina.fr/video/2845450001002
Keep trying, augusta. You won’t tire me. I’m like the cocka-roach-a or the Everready Bunny, no?
Doesn’t change what me, Cheryl, Rafa and Uncle T, nny, littlefoot have said. Honourable mention to ritb (an incredible Rafan IMO) who is on record as hating the RG crowd (as do I). Apologies to anyone I’ve neglected.
For that matter nadline and augusta are also incredible great and pasionate Rafans as well!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
But I won’t presume to tell you how to cheer or what you think. I’ll leave that to you.
hawkeye63 (at 7:23 pm),
Do you remember that lately you tried to create a myth that there was a lack of spectators at the match Rafa vs Murray at Roland Garros?
Please don’t keep trying to create myths! Thanks!
#DontShootTheMessenger
#ConfusingMythAndReality
#YoureWelcome
Harman (@NeilHarmanTimes)
Posted at 6 June, 2014 11:34 AM on Twitter
“Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal walk out to a one third full stadium for a grand slam semi final. Atrocious”
@Hawkeye,
That’s the way you disagree and still respect Rafa fans. For myself, I have had it up to here with some deciding who is and who is not, a real Rafa fan. The hubris of anyone presuming to elevate themselves to a certain lofty standard from which they can look down and judge other Rafa fans, is annoying to say the least. I don’t sit here and tell other Rafa fans if they are real fans or not. That is not for me to say. No one here should feel that they have exclusive rights to Rafa and others are not deserving or good enough fans. That’s beyond presumptuous and quite insulting.
I forgive them nny. Helps them feel better about themselves.
At the end of the day, we are all Rafans so none of us are too bad, no?
#SolidarityRafans
There was at the start of the match. It’s a fact! ven Ed said so. Due to traffic/celebrations I believe she said.
Keep trying. Next.
#OneToGrowOn
#YoureWelcome
@hawkeye,
I would certainly like to think that we are all Rafans. That’s how I see it. I am not the one pointing fingers at anyone and accusing them of not being a real Rafa fan or the closest thing to a Rafa detractor on this site.
The idea of accusing any Rafa fan on this site of even remotely being like a Rafa detractor, just confounds me.
Nice post on “another” forum today:
Davy Says:
Wow, the insecurity of the Federer fanatics comes bleeding through the screen: Skeezer, in particular, appears to be a deeply troubled personality. No one argues this vociferously if they don’t feel, deep down, that their guy is actually second best. Federer is a great, great player, but Nadal actually has the better winning stats, the better h2h against Federer (and practically everyone else). He’s the only tennis player in the entire history of the game to win majors and masters for ten straight years. He’s the only male player ever to win three majors on three surfaces in the same season. He did the channel slam twice, and in all has reached the finals of the French and Wimbledon back to back five times (Fed and Borg managed four). He’s the only current player to win the summer hard court slam, and this on top of two masters and a major on clay in the same season. As well as the three surface run in 2010, he achieved another three-surface streak in 2008 with the French, Wimbledon and Olympic Gold on a hard court. For ten years Nadal has been one of the two best players in the world – five years of Fed/Nadal, five of Nadal/Djokovic. The eagle-eyed among you may spot that one name appears twice there! So what if Fed was No. 1 for all those weeks – Nadal was No. 2, and yet beat him on all surfaces even at Federer’s peak. Federer’s game might be prettier, more balletic, but this is tennis not ballroom dancing or synchronised swimming. And in tennis, Nadal is quite simply the best.
^^^ to paraphrase the great @skeezer: shamon!
Hehehehehe! Rafito just does his talking on the court…………….
Noticed btw, that Ben Pronin has yet to make an appearance since Rafa handed Novak that shellacking at RG 2014……………….
lol. Don’t miss him at all!
Georgeous Nadalista is thinking of making an appearance though! 😉
lol. Him and jonathan crack be up.
Wish I knew who Rafa Is Better Than Roger is.
Still not convinced queen is not nadline. Sounds like her. nadline is more fun when she has federazzi to pick on instead of me. I still love you though nadline. 🙂
#UnrequitedLove
Hawkeye: I think you’ll find this article fascinating. It took me awhile to find it because it’s from 2012, but after reading all of these posts on the subject, I thought you’d appreciate the information. Sure would like to know who the “drunk official” from the French Tennis Federation is who said those things, but there’s no reason to doubt anything that Joyce writes. He’s a respected sports writer who’s also done well documented investigative reporting of sports scandals. http://www.realclearsports.com/articles/2012/04/01/a_french_conspiracy_to_thwart_nadal_97642.html
Yes. Fascinating article. The more I read the more I laughed then I realized why I was chuckling, this:-
“Not worried” he said. “No one listens to the French … not on April 1 anyway.”
Yeah, it’s an April 1st article and presumably a joke being pulled by the French official, but it’s fun in that it touches on all of the points of this ongoing discussion.
It’s very funny. But it’s funny because it exaggerates the true. 🙂
My attempts at subtle humor are lame…I suck at it. I should confine my attempts at humorous posts to the written equivalent of a pratfall. Hawkeye…I knew you’d like it because it does indeed exaggerate the true.
jpacnw@June 16, 2014 at 8:02 pm
—Roger is Paris class – he is fashion friends with Vogue magazine woman. He knows style.” [article] —
Yeah, it’s another myth created by the pro-Fed journos and Fed fans. 😆
In this picture, you can see WHO knows style:
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/478856751912321025/photo/1
It’s nice to know that there are people on that “other” forum who are capable of putting skeezer in his place. I actually agree that if someone has to argue as vociferously as skeezer does, then they know deep down that their guy isn’t the best. He is one of the worst on that site.
I also love how this poster put Rafa’s achievements in some historical perspective. It’s quite extraordinary laid out in that manner.
MALLORCAIR FBO announced:
https://twitter.com/MallorcairFbo/status/478439342726451201/photo/1
Maybe they were not delighted to see Rafael Nadal, they were just happy to have their picture taken. 😀
I want Rafa’s red kicks……..
I’m lusting after them too……..the red kicks I mean 🙂
@hawkeye
Of course the stadium was i/3rd full when Rafa and Andy walked on. There was something like a 15 mins turn around between the previous match and their match. That is not enough time for the spectators to stretch their legs, queue for food and the toilets then queue to re-enter the stadium. Then if the match has started before you get to that point, you have to wait for 3 games to be able to go in. If you are at the back of the queue, you may then have to wait for a further 2 games to make it back in. Neil Harman wouldn’t know this, because he doesn’t have to queue.
As for saying Rafa would have played to an empty stadium in China as well because Roger did……..that says it all. There are fans and fans. No Federer fan would say that about Federer.
Rafa haters will be joining The Grandstand in their droves now, seeing they have company here. I never agreed with everything Cheryl had to say about Rafa. I remember her blog saying how wrong she was saying Rafa wouldn’t get past Rnd 16 at USO 2010. She also wrote a blog dissing Rafa as a h/c player which I totally disagreed with and there were a few so called Rafa fans who were annoyed with me for disagreeing with Cheryl and went to lengths to prove that she was right.
Rafa proved them all wrong by winning the bonus prize for the Nth American Swing last year.
I’ve been to tennis tournaments and that is a ridiculous explanation to explain away 2/3 empty. Even though Harman doesn’t have to queue, pretty sure he’s been to his share of matches.
Ed’s was better.
You will always find someone to call a Rafa hater nadline. It is your raison d’etre, Have fun with that.
#TryHarder
hawkeye63 (at 12:20 pm),
The stadium was packed during the SF match Rafa vs Andy Murray on June 6, 2014
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10447735_754596504562020_8147244534817394573_n.jpg
This is what I posted at the time the observation was made. Please let me know if you need me to post it again for you in the future. Actually, I’ve posted it extra times for you below.
Hope this helps. Next!
(Atrocious indeed.)
Harman (@NeilHarmanTimes)
Posted at 6 June, 2014 11:34 AM on Twitter
“Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal walk out to a one third full stadium for a grand slam semi final. Atrocious”
Harman (@NeilHarmanTimes)
Posted at 6 June, 2014 11:34 AM on Twitter
“Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal walk out to a one third full stadium for a grand slam semi final. Atrocious”
Harman (@NeilHarmanTimes)
Posted at 6 June, 2014 11:34 AM on Twitter
“Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal walk out to a one third full stadium for a grand slam semi final. Atrocious”
Harman (@NeilHarmanTimes)
Posted at 6 June, 2014 11:34 AM on Twitter
“Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal walk out to a one third full stadium for a grand slam semi final. Atrocious”
I’ve been to Wimbledon countless times (my husband used to get tickets through the RAF) over many decades that I don’t even care to say, the O2 3 times, Dubai twice, Abu Dhabi 3 times, Doha once; maybe missed one or two. I have always experienced difficulty juggling time between matches with buying food, taking toilet breaks etc. In Doha where I had a press pass (thanks to Ricky), I found it easier to manage my time.
If you say spectators can sit for 2-3 hours watching a match and they never leave the court in between matches to relieve themselves etc. and can stroll back to their seats as and when they feel like it, all I can say is there is no length you will not go to just to prove that the French hate Rafa.
Again all I can say is that it’s incredibly insulting to say that now there will be Rafa haters who will come here now because they have company. That’s really crossing the line. There’s really nothing else to say.
Not what I said nadline and I’m quite aware of typical queuing issues before/during matches and there is never an issue that I’ve seen where queuing causes 2/3 of the court to be empty when the players walk on court.
As always, you twist facts to suit theories. Each attempt getting more desperate that the last.
Keep making up crap. Comical.
(I still love you though nadline!)
#BFFs
I still am not able to figure out what is the endless arguement about 🙂 I mean so much print disscuing whether Paris crowd likes Rafa or not or whether Rafa played to a full stadium or not..(:-
I think we all need Wimby to start asap. Bring it on soon.
^^^
+1
^^^
+2
Sanju (at 8:17 am),
The point is that hawkeye63 is tying to convince people that Fed is better in every department.
Sanju (at 8:17 am),
The point is that augusta is trying to convince people that there is only one set of rules to be a Rafan.
@Sanju,
The problem is that if anyone thinks that there may be some fans on this earth who may not love Rafa the way we and others do, then they get attacked. The rhetoric gets dialed up and the next thing you know, someone is saying that those who disagree with them must be Rafa detractors and haters. I do not understand this kind of narrow minded thought process.
I never saw any rule book on how to be a Rafa fan. I accept people here as true Rafa fans. Some here do not. It’s an ongoing battle that never ends. I don’t like anyone saying that I am not a real Rafa fan. Why? Because they do not know me. Only I know what is in my mind and heart.
@hawkeye63, I am BEGGING you: stop this argument now!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcHr46XGIlc
I’ll stop when I’m no longer being attacked.
hawkeye63 ( at 12:24 pm),
WHO is attacking YOU???
Aliens and the CIA.
#Tinfoil
If you can’t currently relax on a yacht, enjoy Rafa’s yachting!
http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2014/06/17/photos-rafael-nadal-relaxes-in-mallorca-ahead-of-wimbledon-2014-summer-holidays/
Nike Tennis asks: What’s your victor’s stance?
https://twitter.com/NikeTennis/status/478854577631293440/photo/1
I’ve long thought if the use of the word ‘hate’ were to be banned on tennis sites there would be far fewer misunderstandings and bitter arguments.
It has too many shades of meaning – from ‘I hate spiders’ to the hatred which provokes violence.
You will note that nowhere did I used this term to describe the RG crowd’s disrespect towards Rafa. Just the REAL Rafans apparently. All two of them.
Speaks volumes.
Well, just so we are really, really honest and truthful: I did use the “h” word in describing my feelings towards the RG crowd. I make no apologies for it, nor do I feel the need to justify my feelings.
I hate the RG crowd. On to Wimby and a knowledgeable tennis crowd………….can’t wait! I do not have to wake up, breath in check, wondering what humiliation the Wimby tournament organisers have lined up for their most successful Champion, or any other player for that matter.
Vamos Rafa!
(ok ritb, no justifications required. Don’t tell anyone but I ha… strongly dislike them too) 🙂
rafaisthebest ( at 1:06 pm),
I can’t stand the Federazzi and their Maestro!
With all due respect to everyone here and I mean everyone…
I love all of your posts, Augusta’s, for the longest time…. but in these recent ones on this topic of the RG crowd then and now, Augusta dear, I really think you have mis-read the tone and meaning of hawkeye’s original emails. That is clear from your responses, and now there seems no end to it: neither of you will let the other one have the last word.
I’ll say it again: there is a lot of truth in what you’ve written, Augusta, as there is in what was written by hawkeye, and nadline, and other rafans here, and what was said by Uncle Toni at times and by Rafa at times, and by some journalists more outspoken about the rather nasty and uncalled-for treatment of Rafa on various occasions by … some (vocal) crowds at RG and often at the worst times … by … many a member of the French press over the years … by … Yanick Noah and a few other tennis _professionals_ who really should know better than to spread entirely fabricated and potentially very damaging lies.
This in no way takes away from the really good treatment Rafa ( and all other players, to various degrees ) has enjoyed the rest of the time. And that good treatment certainly has increased in recent years. I do not disbelief that some of this is indeed because Roger has completed his career slam ( thank you, Rafa’s tendinitis ) and entered the ‘old’ stage of his career… among other reasons.
Now, can we put this circular dance / argument to a close and move on to other topics?
For example, how unbelievable is what Rafa did with his challenges this year, despite us being used to being surprised by his efforts and accomplishments?
RITB/Hawkeye: I guess I asked for that ? ?????
but you both know what I mean.
I will own up to feeling the ‘H’ word towards Soderling.
What had for a long time been a simmering dislike/antipathy/hostility/intolerance/distaste/aversion – take your pick
came close to hatred during that fateful 2009 RG. Thereafter I took an excessive amount of pleasure imagining his feelings of humiliation each time he lost to Rafa.
“Thereafter I took an excessive amount of pleasure imagining his feelings of humiliation each time he lost to Rafa.”
Hahaha! I am enjoying this “therapy” session!
That feeling you expressed in that quote @ed251137, I have it in relation to a certain gentleman from the Balkans! I confess, I love it when Rafa beats Novak, I enjoy it. Don’t know whether the joy stems from the probable feelings of humiliation Novak suffers when Rafa beats him (knowing him, he probably couldn’t give a toss!) or from a Rafa win! Either way, I cannot describe the overwhelming sense of satisfaction I get. I know what would top it though: Rafa beating Novak at Australian Open! I swear I’ll go nuts……..
I used to feel the same way about Fed but not any more. Am ready to watch paint dry when FEDAL comes along now…………
ed251137 (at 9:48 am)
I don’t hate Söderling! I can’t stand pro-Fed journos and the Fed fans who made Söderling a hero and continually praise him for beating Rafa at RG!
^^^^ritb: I rarely experienced very strong feelings about Federer one way or another during matches. It’s when he opens his mouth I get riled: the smugness, air of entitlement, boasting, patronising manner towards other players, the snide mind games, the ‘forked tongue’ compliments always with the sting in the tail etc.
I understand why the press lap up every word he utters. He provides them with an endless stream of quotes and sound bites: one question and he’s off which makes their job much easier: and he can do it in half a dozen languages. Well at least four 🙂
^^^^^Gussie: I have to agree It must be galling for the players who have caused upsets against Federer not to get a fraction of the effusive praise, congratulations and media coverage that is showered on the vanquishers of Rafa. But, please let’s not go there.
chloro says: June 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm
It’s the usual Rafa withdrawal symptoms at play, no harm done………..
Wait for the difference from today, when Rafa steps onto the “greens”!
chloro@June 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Yannick Noah’s didn’t accuse Rafa, he claimed that SPANISH sporting success is due to dop!
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/tennis/15815600
Really? So you don’t think Noah was taking a jab at Rafa. Really?
Just.
Wow.
https://twitter.com/LuisGatTWI/statuses/478838749640798208
Is it just me or does Toni sound ominous.
#ChannelingMyInnerSanju
Oh noo, that DOES sound ominous 🙁
#readingbetweenthelines
#lostintranslation
Uncle Toni has his own sponsors. He signed a new contract with IBEROSTAR until 2017.
https://twitter.com/IBEROSTAR/status/478820227300753408/photo/1
Uncle T is a really handsome chap…………
^^^^^Seconded.
Safarova and Kvitova are playing to a 1/3 full court at Eastbourne. The English must hate them.
The RG crowd are boorish in their attitude and exclusion of others.
This behaviour is not just limited to the RG crowd (and I ain’t referring to Eastbourne for those that can’t pick up on subtleties).