Late night fun in New York

Send Rafa your questions

Hello everyone,

First of all I would like to apologize because this will be a very short blog. The reason for this is that I have just arrived to the hotel and it is half past midnight. This is the thing I like less about the night matches. Today it wasn't too bad since the match was pretty fast. But if a match lasts 3 or even 4 hours, I could have gotten here by 2-3 am and you know how it is: press, something to eat, the transportation back to the hotel and also the tension after a match that has you awake until late. It can be 4 or 5 in the morning when you really go to sleep. Not the best when you are going to compete in less than 48 hours.

But on the other side I have to admit and say that the night crowds here in NY are somehow special. Very noisy, very much into the match, a fun experience. Very different from Wimbledon that is also fun and the ultimate thing. You know what I mean.

I came to the hotel as I say over midnight and we are waiting in my room, Rafa Maymo, Tomeu Salva and me to have room service dinner. In the mean time I write this blog and the one I am writing for a Spanish newspaper. They are similar but not the same for those of you that speak Spanish. Of course that the things I do are the same in any language, right?

Sometimes I read your comments to the blog but not every day. It depends if I have time, if Benito is around (he helps me with translations), etc. But I do read them sometimes. Thanks in any case for the comments and support.

Tomorrow I practice at 12 and therefore I will leave to the site around 10.30. Not much time to sleep but you know that I normally sleep 6/7/8 hours max every day. Enough to recover!

Thanks again.

Rafa

Send Rafa your questions

Comments

[Susila]

Rafa.. you are playing great! I have been your supporter since you started playing your first Roland Garros tournament...!! I like your humility in addition to your gungho mentality and never-say-die attitude. A potent combination coupled with hottie status... super stuff man!

[Fay]

Gotta echo many of the posts; please don't change your look. It's part of your unique style. Along w/ the crazy lefty spin you get on your ball strikes, of course!! You're playing great at this year's USO, a perfect cap to an unbelievable year! Keep it up!
Vamos!!

[B J Deller]

Well done Rafael. We, my wife and I, as British people now living in Spain share your joy and triumphs. We even fly the Spanish flag at our home near Marbella in your (and the Spanish football team's recent UEFA win) honour. My wife loves you but thank God she is over 50 now (although very fit and sexy) so she will not be leaving me for you, I hope.

Keep on making Spain proud.

[Shani H]

Hi Rafa

Well your BBC 606 fan thread is buzzing after that wonderful win! Glad to see the red outfit again,but we're all talking about the amazing curved shot on break back point,in the 2nd set. It was fantastic and so like you never to give up on a point! It broke your opponent mentally,he wasn't the same player after that.That's why so many people love you and your game,it's so different to every other player.

Good luck against Querry,we were surprised to see him beat Karlovic,but he'll be no match for you. Enjoy your day off.

En Rafa Confiamos

From your fans at BBC 606.

[sarah connor]

Hi rafa your blogs great, good luck for the us open I will certainly be cheering you on

[Debbie]

Hola Rafa

You looked lovely in the red and white. It went really well with your tan. Please don't change your outfit! You look amazing in that gear. Only you can wear those long shorts and sleeveless tops. The style goes well with your matador court persona. Which we all love. I hope you have managed to rest!
Good luck! Love you lots Debbie UK

[Sinead]

I just wanted to say Good Luck to you in the US Open. You are an amazing sportsman. You have re-ignited my interest in tennis.

[Vick]

Nice blog Rafa but I want to know what you are eating, are you still on the nutella and are there any playstation matches going on or are you not telling us because you are taking a beating!?

[Laura - Pittsburgh, PA]

Hi Rafa! I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write your blogs and questions. I really enjoy reading them. You have a great personality in addition to being an amazing athlete. You're my favorite tennis player since Agassi retired. I am so happy for you to be having such a great year, and I hope that you can continue your success at the US Open. I love watching you play, and I really appreciate your demeanor on and off the court. You're a class act. Best wishes to you always.

[Cheryl]

Hi Rafa,

GOOD LUCK TOMORROW - SATURDAY!!! KICK SOME BOOTY!! I wonder if you even know what our USA slang words mean, not that you have much extra time to read these blogs. :>)

I attempted to send you a question again and the internet box pops up, but I never use that service. I forget what it's called.

Anyway, get some rest, relax and take one point at a time tomorrow!! :>)

VAMOS RAFA!!

[Erinna]

Congrats on your success this year. It must be amazing to have actually lived what we can only view from a distance. I must agree that you look great in red.
Thank you for writing a blog. It's fun to read.
I'll be watching you tomorrow with my two year old son who jumps on the settee as soon as you appear on the tv. He ignores everyone else except Serena Williams.
Good luck with everything. And believe me you're so far from boring it's unreal.

[BABE]

You and Tomeu are soooooooooo cute. The boys definitely are gorgeous in Mallorca. 'm coming. ;-)

Fantastic match last night. Keep it up.

[Debbie]

Hola Rafa
I just wanted to congratulate you on getting to the 3rd round. You looked lovely in the red shorts and white top. It looks really nice with your tan. This has got to be my favourite outfit!I like reading your blog. You poor thing thinking about the matches and finding it hard to sleep afterwards. Late nights for you but it will be worth it when you lift that trophy in a weeks time! Good Luck! Debbie

[Amro]

Hi Rafa,
I believe Roger one his first grand slam when he was 22 ..you are 22 and have 5 ...god's willing could be six next weekend.
do yu believe you could end up having the highest number of grand slams and the greatest ever

Good luck ........you deserve it because you simply do not give up

[Chitra]

Rafa,

Maybe you won't read these comments but thank you so much for taking the time out to write to us. I know you are so busy and even a little bit of news costs you time but it is so nice that you still do it.

I am glad that you enjoy the night matches at NY. Hope you get some sleep and relax well (maybe with some golf) before your 3rd round match. Suerte Rafa. Vamos!

rafa, as ur biggest fan i jst want to say, U R FANTASTIC. and absolutley gorgeous! and i want to thankyou so much for the blog. i love reading it everyday, i feel like im right ther with u! (i wish i was) x

[Sander]

I wish you a good tournament and much blogpleasure ;)

[gerda]

Good luck for your match against Troicki, Rafa. I hope you will play well.
Maybe you don't prefer a nightmatch, but for european fans like me it means we have to record it, because it is in the middle of the night. And watching a recorded match the next morning, knowing you won, is not so stressful.Sorry. (how I got through that Wimbledon final I still don't know)

[BABE]

Rafa, can you marry me? :-D

[JAVIER from Mollet - Barcelona -]

Hola Rafa.
I agree with Sara.
Where is your spanish blog?
It seems that you have more supporter in UK & U.S. that in Spain, or here people loves more tennis.
For the moment, Carpe Diem - Enjoy life & Sport.
Rafa, eres el mejor. (Rafa, You are the best)
Un saludo.

[Jose]

Hi, Rafa!
Thanks from a Spanish Follower
Regards

[cherice]

the red outfit was beautiful last night rafa,
but i think you look great in anything. ;) the game was awesome last night even though deheart had some great shots it still wasn't enough for our MATADOR!! on to the 3rd round, can't wait! :D

[Lily]

Hi Rafa!

Firstly, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to write this blog for us crazy fans:)

I'd also like to congratulate you on all your success this summer. You know, for my birthday wish, I wished that you would win Wimbledon...and you did! It's the first time that my birthday wish has ever come true in my 21 years of living so thank you Rafa!!

Rafa, you inspire me in everything...I watch tennis because of you, I started playing tennis because of you. When I go through hard times, I remember your never-give-up attitude and tell myself to keep going on. You're truly a great role model for everything and a perfect person. I thought the perfect guy would only exist in fairy tales but you're so perfect to me...I love your passion and determination on your court, and your humbleness and niceness off the court.

You'll always be number 1 in my heart Rafa!! I wish you good luck at the US open!!
Love you!

[Sofia, England]

Hi Rafael
Thanks so much for taking the time & effort to write this blog. It really means alot to us fans. Congrats on your great season but also for the great seasons to come.
I can't wait to see you lift the US open trophy. Keep up the great tennis and you are a great champion and true world No 1.
Lots of love, support and best wishes!!!!!!

[noinah]

Hi Rafa.
Good luck in U.S open.I know you are the best. ; )