Questions for Rafa: throwing some shapes on the dancefloor and singing La Bamba

Send Rafa your questions

Hi Rafa, congratulations for your season 2008!!! The history of final to Wimbledon was unbelievable. I am exciting with your style to play tennis and I admire you for your personality in the court and off that. You're a model for me in my professional carrier for the way to perform! Please, tell me how you evaluate the chances for the Davis Cup Team of Spain in the semis with the USA match? I will support you in all the actions you are involved to have a big success! GOOD LUCK! The biggest fan from Romania, Dana

RN: Thanks a lot for this. Not much more I can say

Hi Rafa, why do always choose to receive instead of to serve? Do you like to be under pressure? Do you work better when you are one set behind? Ahmad Fuadi

RN: I prefer to try to break in the first game. It is something I have always done since many years. It use to work more before I have to say. I prefer not to be under pressure and that's one of the reasons I like to break early. But if I am I try to handle it in the best way possible. Regarding the last question, I prefer to work better when I am ahead. Much easier, believe me.

Hola Rafa! When you are away from home for a long time, you probably miss a lot of people. Who do you miss the most? Virginia Huynh

RN: My sister, my father and mother and in general my friends and family.

Rafa, do you remember when you sang karaoke of the song "La Bamba" on some French TV show before 2007 French Open?  Now whenever they play that song, on the radio, or even on Arthur Ashe stadium, I have to smile because it reminds me of you.  Is there a song that makes you smile whenever you hear it?  What is the silliest thing that you have ever done that you can remember? Thanks! U2onair, NY

RN: Yes, that was at Roland Garros a couple of years ago. That was probably one of the funny things I have done in public, I suppose, apart from my early days press conferences with all the "invented words".

Hola Rafa! Felicidades! I wanted to thank you for answering the questions that your fans write to you because it shows your respect for us and also gives us a little bit of an opportunity to get to know you better. I have many questions, but this is one that I have never heard asked of you before. First of all, I love to dance A LOT! I was wondering if you are a great dancer and if you like to dance?  It seems logical to me that you would be a great dancer because you have such great footwork on the court! Gracias! Karmela Lucero, Albuquerque, NM

RN: I think I am an OK dancer. Not great but can do something decent on a dance floor.

Congratulations Rafa for many wonderful accomplishments this year and good luck in New York. My question is concerning the internet. Do you ever browse the blogs and websites that discuss tennis? Teresa

RN: Yes, I do. Specially the ones in newspapers.

Hi Rafa! I was wondering what the very best moment of your life has been so far. Also, Congrats on becoming Number 1! Alex

RN: This is a very tough questions. I have been lucky enough that playing tennis I have had great moments. I could not point out one or two. Too many. But this year it has been really special

Have you considered using a stun gun on or at least shooting a rubber band at reporters who ask you questions that reveal that they know nothing about you, such as why you're wearing tape on your knees? Tracy, Alabama

RN: No, I have a lot of respect for everyone. As long as they are not bad intentioned it is OK with me.

Hi Rafa, I have been watching you play all year and you are just getting better! I've seen you play at Wimbledon the last 3 years and you are pleasure to watch. Congratulations on getting to No 1 well deserved, even though I love Roger and hope to see him return to his usual great form soon. Good luck at the US Open. I too get blisters and sore fingers when I play tennis but not on my feet, how do you cope with the pain? Sue

RN: Tough, really tough, specially if they look like the one I had in Rome. No excuse, I lost and that's part of the game, but really tough to cope with. I had a lot of help from doctors and my physio Rafael Maymo.

Congratulations on all your success!  It is a true pleasure to watch you play.  My question is: What is your relationship with Roger Federer like when you are away from the tennis courts, and has this changed any since you have swapped positions in the rankings? Good luck for the rest of the US Open! Tina, Northern Ireland

RN: My relationship with Roger is very good. We are good colleagues and get along well. Our relationship hasn't changed at all since we swapped positions. He is a great guy.

Hi Rafa, did some players (men or women, actual or former champions) congratulate you for your number 1 ranking? Mathilde, France

RN: Yes, many of them and I thank them a lot for that.

Hola Rafa! Congratulations on a terrific year so far and at last the well deserved No 1 spot.  I'm sure like me all your fans are delighted.  My question is, if you had to sit next to someone famous, from the past or present, on a 13 hour flight who would you choose and why?  Good luck in the US Open - we know you can do it. Sharon

RN: I have been asked this question before and believe me when I say I have not an answer for this. I like to sleep on the planes so I suppose it would not be a good place to get to know anyone...

Send Rafa your questions

Comments

[leila]

rafa we love you here in manila!

[Carol]

Hi Rafa, You write about inventing words in English. Did you know that the person who was most famous for inventing words, (over 400 in use in the English language today,) was our greatest writer, William Shakespeare, in the 16th-17th centuries? So go ahead and and invent all the words you like and, if anyone teases you, just tell them you are in very good company!

[Jason]

Hi Rafa.

My question is did you help with the design of your cool website??

BEST of LUCK for the U.S open.

[Cheryl]

I don't have much to say tonight, but I am laughing pretty hard!! I've never seen that "La Bamba" interpretation you did with your buddies!! Too funny, you have another career on the back burner, huh!! :>)

GOOD LUCK RAFA, KICK SOME BUTT TONIGHT!!! WE ARE ALL CHEERING FOR YOU!!

PS- If you could play with your two-handed backhand, I would be in heaven-- it's one of the best I've seen. I know I'm really bugging you about this, but it's too good to give up!!

VAMOS RAFA!!! :>)

[Christine]

When you have the US Open trophy in your hands please consider coming to Ireland! We have the best fishing and the best golf, you can't ask for more and we can throw some shapes on the dancefloor as well ( Riverdance)! This fan lives in Donegal so let me know if you are coming here so I can get a picture of you and me on the RN forum! You are the man Rafa. Long may you reign:)