How will I do playing against Andy and the crowd?

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Hi everyone,

Well tomorrow (today when you read this), I have that big match here at Wimbledon. I play against the local player Andy Murray. It is funny in one way since I have always gotten a lot of support here at Wimbledon. The crowds really support me and I really feel it. So tomorrow I suppose they will support mostly Andy. I have been asked a lot about that today. It is normal and I find it normal that the support will go to his side, but at the same time I am sure that they will be very respectful with me and I am also sure they will applaud the good points of both players. I expect this kind of atmosphere and I am sure that if the match is close and good the crowds will get very much into it.

Today I woke up at around 10 and immediately after breakfast i changed plans. I had scheduled a practice at 1 pm but since my mother and sister arrived yesterday I decided to spend some time with them. I saw the sky all cleared and sunny and the forecast was great for the day so I decided to change the practice to 6pm. At the same time I had more time to rest the back of the knee just to be on the safe side. I had a lot of questions today about the knee but as I said yesterday, everything should be fine for tomorrow.

Apparently for the next days the weather forecast is bad. The tournament has been great so far on that regard and you know what, the gentleman in the locker room said to us today that it is not going to rain... Normally the locals know well these things... but I tell them the forecast is not too good.   Let's see.

So, the Euro 08 is over and now it is like if I miss a bit of football. So to kill that, we watched a DVD that an Italian newspaper published a couple of years ago of goals. It is called the best 200 goals, so while we ate, we watched that on the TV. Glad that it is over because we won but on the other hand I miss those matches every afternoon/evening...

See you tomorrow !

Rafa

Comments

[vishkaha]

excellent win rafa!!...
ur gr8 on grass...im sure ull win de wimble...work hard n hope u havin fun ..here in london!!!...lukin forward 2 ur semi n Final!!
Besta Luck...
xx Vish xx

[Dani (BCN)]

Ànims Rafa!! Aquest any... és posible!!
I don't have words to tell how I enjoyed today's match... I'm sorry for Andy's supporters but definitively today there was only one player on the court (well, maybe I'm exaggerating :D)
This year you'll definitively win the wimbledon's trophy... and if the opponent is Roger it will be better for tennis!

[Shani H]

Congrats Rafa on your win over Murray,you really are becoming the new Centre Court darling. The crowd cheered for you as much as they did for Andy and once you become a favourite over here we will support you in every match. Good luck for the rest of the week and of course you will win on Sunday!

[nicole phillips]

Congratulations Rafa!! you were on fire today!! You are an inspiration!
Besos xxxxx

[Ega]

Knew you'd beat him.

We'll be here in NYC cheering you through Wimbledon until you come to conquer here.

¡Felicitaciones! ¡¡Saludos!!

¡¡¡Vamos Rafa!!!

[Haf]

Well done Rafa - that was an awesome match!

[Lily]

As many others have said, I found the crowd's behaviour on Monday unedifying to say the least. I hope they are fairer today. But you will have my support along with many many others.
Good luck!

[Ega]

Suerte Rafa! The cheering you will hear today in NYC is us preparing to welcome you here following your Wimbledon triumphs.

Vamos Rafa!!!

[alex]

Bona sort Rafa!!!

[JUAN LUIS DESDE ASTURIAS]

Mucha suerte RAFA.
I am sure that Andy will be a hard opponent today but I believe that you are better tennis player. I saw at central court Murray´s victory versus Nabaldian in 2006 Wimbledon and he get all my respect from him, but somebody that see both rankings and achivements has not doubs about your victory today, because after you recient Queens triumph nobody can ignore your great improvement in grass tennis, Obviously today´s crowd will cheering supporting Murray, but if you will play as well like you can and do in every time you will be the winner. VAMOS RAFA, VIVA LA ROJA ALSO, SOMOS LOS CAMPEONES and I hope will see your victory in the sunday final
Good luck, ERES EL MEJOR

[killian]

VAMOS RAFA!!! Good luck and hear the cheers for YOU!!!!!

[Daniela]

When the crowd shouts there go Andy just think about us who will scream in front of the TVs supporting you!But there will be a lot of people who will support you.Be sure!And good luck!!!!!

[Aichi]

Hola Rafa,
I am your fan in Taiwan!
I can't be there in Wimbledon, but I cheer and applaud for every point you get here in Taiwan. There are more and more people cheer and applaud for you around the world in front of televison!
¡Vamos Rafa!

[Paulo Amado]

Vamos, Rafa!!

I've been a fan for years and I really hope you win Wimbledon for the first time this year. Everyone knows you're probably the biggest test for Murray, but yours still is Roger, I'm really looking forward to this rematch and hopefully this time the title goes to you.

I am Brazilian which goes without saying that I love football and I was very excited about the way "La Roja" played in Euro 2008, I think Spain have a great chance of getting their first World Cup if they keep playing like that. I certainly hope you have as much success at the Wimbledon tournament as la selección had in the Euro.

Dale, Nadal!

[Soso972(Martinica)]

Hello Rafa!
I hope of any heart that the match will not be interrupted by the rain and that especially you will win your match!
It is true whom the public will be more for Murray whom for you but do not make you here one is all for you and even if we are not in Wimbledon, one you support for 200 %!
Vamos Rafa!!!!!!!
Sloane

[Ales_Alessandra]

lolol...
I have to say that I miss the 2008 Euro matches too Rafa!!! Damn it!! ;-)

[Lisa Jane Marzaroli]

I have every faith in you Nadal! You can do it! I know I should be behind Murray 1) because he is Scottish and 2) because he is our only hope, but I just do not feel that way about this man! So hope you get through to the semi finals and im behind you all the way! May not be in the wimbeldon crowd to cheer you on but im here somewhere in Glasgow behind you all the way! LOve and respect Lisa Jane Marzaroli (Glasgow, Scotland)

[roma]

hi Rafa best of luck for today my sister and i
saw you at wimbledon 2years ago and we and we want you to win today our best wishes go with you (we are english)

[Friederike Jacob]

Hey Rafa,
saw you playing against Murray in Hamburg: 2 sets, game won. So why not at the end of today: 3 sets, game won :-)) Miss football too, saw 99% of the games and finaly I was so right when I repeatedly said to a spanish journalist (whom I know) after the Italian-game: Spain has won! They deserved the Eurocup like no other team cause they were the best trough the whole tournament, yeah.
Vamos Campeón!!!
Friederike, Cologne, Germany

[afrah]

hallo rafa you can do it i hv faith in you we r all behinde u love u hv ppl wiv u frm the uk vamos rafa am learning spanish becoz of u u can do it this year good luck

[gabriela valentina]

vamos rafa! show everybody that it is not only "la roja" that knows how to win on grass!

I am glad that the Eurocup is over
because now I'm not nervous anymore and I can concentrate on cheering for you (and feli lopez too!!)

vamos,rafa...PUEDES!!

[RMLK]

I wish you the best of luck. As a Spaniard living in London, you bring me and my family so much enjoyement every time you play. Even if the crowd in Centre Court cheers more for Andy than for you this evening, the crowd around the World (and all of us who would love to be in Centre Court today!) cheers for you. And you are right: everyone respects you! Vamos Rafa, show what a great Champion you are (on and off the court) and win today, and win on Sunday!! We also love Cambio de Tercio by the way. Buena suerte!!! We will be watching you.

[gabriela valentina]

vamos rafa! show everybody that it is not only "la roja" that knows how to win on grass!

I am glad that the Eurocup is over
because now I'm not nervous anymore and I can concentrate on cheering for you (and feli lopez too!!)

vamos,rafa...PUEDES!!

[Sarah]

Vamos Rafa - you'll have my support today. You're a gentleman and a true sportsman and have every faith you'll win! Hoping to see you on Centre in the semis on Friday!!

[A]

Hi Rafa,

Just a quick hello to wish you the very best of luck this afternoon.....not that you'll need it ! I am ENGLISH and I am supporting you to win all the way ! I saw your fantastic win at Queens,and I hope and pray for you that it is your year to win Wimbledon. The British public are a very fickle lot, cos when you do beat Andy this afternoon/evening (cos he is Scottish,remember) they will soon be back to supporting you. Not sporting I know but that's the public for you !

Good luck, keep safe and injury free, GO RAFA ! WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT !