Beaten at foot-tennis and cards - at least I got lunch right

Hi Everyone,

I don't really know what to say today on this blog. It is one of those days that you really feel that nothing that I have done has been different to what I have been telling you. I did wake up at the normal time, I went to practice at a normal time (at noon) for over an hour and not much. Well,yes, we played some foot-tennis after practice that I always have fun with and lot of people watched us doing that. Me and Maymo vs Toni and Carlos Costa. Maymo a complete disaster. We lost because the guy is just a "zero on the left" hahahahahaha. He might be the best physio but as a football player he is just terrible. Still we had a lot of fun. I have to say it was the normal thing to do, to lose, but we were close if you look at the positive side of things like I normally do.

Then I went back to the house and simply cooked lunch. During lunch (we ate pretty late again), I watched most of the Clement v Schuetler match. I am really looking forward to tomorrow's match. This is my third consecutive semifinal here and I really find myself very motivated and fit. Lot of people might think tomorrow it is an easy match but come on, this is a semifinal of Wimbledon and it can only be a difficult match. Tomorrow the forecast is good, sunny skies so normally we will be able to play.

And what else? not much to be honest. We played some cards after lunch, a game called "the one". There I lost, Maymo says that I am a "filete" a steak would be the translation from Spanish to English. I am told it doesn't mean anything in English but it is the way we use to say someone is not good at something. You are a filete hahahahaha. Well, today I was one playing cards. It was again the four of us with Benito filming on a camera some parts of it. I wonder what he does with this footage. He better not use it !

Anyway, thanks all for your support and hope to write some more blogs during the next days. It would mean I am through...

Rafa

Comments

[Corinne]

Hi Rafa, I am so impressed that you find the time and energy to write your blog to your dedicated fans. A big thank you. How do you keep focused during the rain delays and what do you do ? Are you on your own in the locker room or with your coach and entourage? Would you strike up friendly conversation with Roger?! Good luck in the final . You are an exceptional player, and your positive outlook on life is inspirational. Wimbledon Champ 2008!

[Reema]

Hi Rafa!

In the last 2 years I've gone from being a Federer fan to becoming a die-hard Nadal fan! I absolutely love your tennis and really want you to win the Wimbledon this year. I have a good feeling...and hope that you win this year!

All the best, Reema

[Maria]

rafa,i wish you all the best for tomorrow!!! i know you can do it,it will be hard but it's not impossible!!! nothing is impossible for a player and a champion like you!!! so just do it!!! to win wimby!!! VAMOS:D

[nicole phillips]

Hola guapo! Just to wish you all the best for tomorrows final... I have supported you since I first saw you a few years ago. You are brilliant and have come so far!
Vamos Rafa!!
Muchos besos
Nicole

[shannon]

Hey Rafa,
Good thoughts are headed your way for your match on Sunday. Both you and Federer are great champions but tomorrow it's all about Rafa!
Good Luck, stay cool...
shannon

[shannon]

Hey Rafa,
Good thoughts are headed your way for your match on Sunday. Both you and Federer are great champions but tomorrow it's all about Rafa!
Good Luck, stay cool...
shannon

[KT]

Rafa,
you are the most inspirational player I have ever seen. Thanks so much for doing this blog. I'm a HUGE fan and am a member on your forum. Congratulations on getting to the final and I am praying for you to win. Remember to stay focussed. You are fantastic to watch because you give so much. I (and I am sure everyone on the forum would too) send you my best wishes and hope that you give federer the same beating that you did at RG. BUENA SUERTE!!!! VAMOS RAFA!!!!!!!!
lots of love,
KT
(AKA vamosrafa4eva)

[Jonathan]

Hey Rafa!

I think that you can win this Wimbledon final against Roger.
Here are some keys to the match:
1) Serve very well: This way Federer won't be able to break you easily and you could force some tiebreaks.
If you do get into a bunch of tiebreaks, please don't get nervous. Keep staying with him until you find an opportunity to get a mini-break and win the set!
2) Return Federer's serve: If you can get a feel for returning Federer's serve, then you can look for the return of the ball back to you and then start playing your game! This will help break him.
I have complete confidence that you can go out there and win!
¡Vamos Rafa! As always, I will be cheering for you on T.V. here at home.

[Aurelie]

Haha, that entry made me laugh for real! I'm loving this blog. :D I cannot thank you enough for writing it.

Rafa, CONGRATULATIONS for your third consecutive Final here! You've been really impressive all the way through. I'm so happy and proud that you made it. I knew you would. :)

Now I'm sending you a whole lot of love and support for tomorrow. You know I believe in you 200% and I will be cheering for you like never before, because this one means a lot. I know you will do your best. You're amazing, thank you for being you. :)

[Nariman Aliev]

Buenas Rafa,

Congratulations on being in Wimbeldon finals. I really hope that finally this time you will be the one telling Roger that he had a good game and he is a great player, but I won the match! :) Good luck, and cant wait to see you win!!!

[paulie]

Dear Rafa,
I hope you win against Federer, I think it's your time to win on grass. I will be watching you and hoping you can break through. GOOD LUCK!!! GO RAFA.

Paulie, from Australia.

[amy]

I LOVE YOU RAFA!!!!!!! YOU WILL WIN WIMBLEDON! VAMOS

come to Malaysia again pleeeaaaseee :)

[rafa4ever]

Congratulations on your win. I hope whatever bothering your feet is going to be okay coming into the final. I am behind you 110%. Please bring in your A game and be not too nervous and there are fans from all over the world to support you on Sunday. Just play your best and we all love you whatever results in may be.
VAMOOOOS RAFA!
rafa4ever, California.

[mehwish]

haha i like this blog Rafa. you are just awsome!!! i loveeeee you freakin much.

so yeah i wish Benito puts the footage on some tube soon because i would love to see you play the cards.

Good luck at the Finals.
and guess what you are my idol.
Be my coach :)
Vamos Rafa!!!!

[Ali]

Hola! Rafa,

You always bring me joy when I watch you play.I have been following your career since 2003. I saw you live in Stuttgar t2004 and watched you play footbal with the tennis ball, so I know what you were saying in your blog. You are such a wonderful person and a credit to your family and country. I cannot think of a better role model for today's youth than you and Roger Federer.
Good luck on Sunday, and I am sure whatever the result you will do your best.
Vamos!!

[mary, usa]

GOOD LUCK IN THE FINAL RAFA!!!!

[claudia celestial girl (Los Angeles)]

good luck in the finals Rafa! thanks for taking the time to write in your diary everyday and share your experience with us. You are already a winner, and it is not even Sunday yet! ;-)

[ap]

very best of luck rafa for the final....ur french open win was amazin to watch!!! spain (my tip) won the euro's and so lets hope u get the good luck u deserve too! i always admire ur impeccable manners and personality...

[Nicolene (SA)]

Hey Rafa!! Well done for your game today (fri)
You're a great sportsman and i've followed all your games. I'll be watching on Sunday and all of the best!! Keep up the excellent game.

[Ferdinand]

Hey Rafa,
Well done on your straight sets victory over the animal Rainer Schuettler!
I am having a few problems with MY tennis playing.
I am left handed like you, but I keep hitting my ground strokes long! Can you give some tips?
Thank for your time,
Ferdy

[rafa4ever]

Hola, Rafa!
"Fillet" also means players that often lost in card/Majong game in Chinese. What a coincidence!
I just finished watching the semi from 2nd set tie break. The comentators said that there is something wrong with your shoes. Did somebody put itchy pepper powder in there? Or, mess up your racket tension? Hey, these are jokes that I once post under "how the heck you can beat Nadal?" in some blogs. Sorry, if these MO are copied by your rivalry. lolololol...
Anyway, you got thro' to the final as I expected from the beginning. I will be cheering for you in front of my projector. (At FO final, I injuried my palm clapping too much for you. I got to watch out this time.)
Please, Rafa, don't be nervous. Just play your best as always.
rafa4ever, California

[veronicaromm]

You were amazing Rafa, I can't wait for Sunday. Bravo!!!!!

[Tosin]

Fun blog, Rafa. Thank you for writing it.
You are in the final. Vamos! I want you to win so much.

[Toby Harris (London)]

Very best of luck today Rafa and for the final as i am sure you will be there!
I have a question about Mallorca (an island i love and visit often) - have you ever played tennis on the municipal hard courts in Arta? They are amazing and to know you've played there will make it even more special next time i play there!
Thank you so much for playing such inspirational tennis again this year - you have so many huge fans here in the UK.

[Kristina, Ukraine]

Hola Rafa)))Wish you that your star always shine to you a way))))Kristin Ukraine