Calm before the storm

Send Rafa your questions

Hi everyone,

Well, one less day or one more day... The thing is that tomorrow the semifinals are here. Or at least that's what we expect. The fact is that the weather forecasts are pretty grey and on this they are like at Wimbledon: they don't make mistakes. That is the reason why we have been scheduled to play not before noon. We might even change the court where we are scheduled to play and we have been told that we have to be ready by then. We could end up playing on the other show court instead of the centre court. This is not usual but they are ready to do it in case it really rains hard so that the semis are both played and the final could be played on Sunday. I really don't mind although I have only played on centre court and I really don't know if that other court is different. But the conditions are the same for both so nothing to complaint about, right?

I know most of you are wanting to know my thoughts about Andy. I have said it many times and I think he is a great player. He has been improving a lot lately and I already said last year he would make it to the Masters at the end of the year. He didn't because of the injury he suffered, but this year he will be there for sure since he's stayed healthy and played great tennis. He won Cincy and showed all he can and knows how to win. The match in Toronto against him was really difficult and close and it could have gone either way.

You know me and I will try hard and give it all to win but even if I lose I think that this tournament has been great and reaching for the first time the semis here is good. I always say that to reach the semis and be one of those last four is always a good result. Better to win, obviously.

Today I write  this blog quite early since I went early to dinner (to my favorite Japanese restaurant in NYC) and now I am going to get my physiotherapy session before I go to bed. We have an early departure at 8am since we need to be ready by 12. You know, with the taping, warm up, shower, more taping and the things before the match we need to be there early. let's see what happens. I hope I can be here again writing a pre-final blog... Would be great.

Thanks to all.

Rafa

Comments

[mona]

rafa pleassseeeeeeeee win the match against murray ! and go for taking the title!
i'm praying so much for u so dont make me disappoint! u must win it cause u are the one and the best.
u are lost 2 sets to murray and its unbelievable and i really dont know what happend to u for losing 2 sets to murray !u always were winning the matches against him and now u should win over him and show him u are always the best.u can win cause i believe in u pleasssseeeeee

[C.S., USA]

Rafa,

Thank you for taking the time out to give us another great post. At the moment your match has already gone two sets and unfortunately they went to Andy, but I know you can come back. I hope when you resume the match tomorrow that the weather stays good all the way through. This way you can play your best and come out a winner... but you have done so well that you're right, it would be a great tournament either way. Like you said, "better to win, obviously" :)

I admire your humility and how complimentary you are about other players. You really are amazing, Rafa.

Una vez mas, muchisimas gracias... Suerte con todo.

[Molly]

Good luck in the second half of your match on Sunday!! I know you can do it!!!!!!

Congratulations on having such a great year so far!!

[Melanie]

Hi Rafa,
Good luck tomorrow against Andy, I know that you can come back and win the match! I believe in you! As a dedicated fan of yours ever since you won Roland Garros for the first time, I just want to congratulate you on the AMAZING year that you have had so far. I am so proud to be your fan. Hope to see you in the final on Monday!
Thank you for taking the time to do these blogs, they are absolutely wonderful to read!
Forever your fan,
Melanie

[Sara]

Hi Rafa, congrates on all the achievements you've had so far at such a young age, while being such a humble man. Tonight may not be easy for you and for a lot of your fans, being anxiously waiting for tomorrow's second part of match with Murray. No matter what the result would be, we'll cheer for you and your fabulous 2008.

[Tram - Phenomenadal.com]

Good luck the rest of the match Rafa! Just regroup, play aggressive, and show the world why you are No.1! We believe in you! Your fighting spirit is second to none! We know you will come back and set up a real "Grapple in the Apple" with Federer! Vamos from Phenomenadal.com!

[Linda, China]

VAMOS Rafa!

Find your game and you know you can do it!
I really enjoy reading your blog and am looking forward for your pre-final post.

[Virginia (Canada)]

Vamos Rafa! You can beat Andy no problem ;)
You are the best.

[Kathia]

!!!!VAMOS!! VAMOS!! RAFA!!!!!

Whatever the result is, we know you have given the best of you!! you have passed to semifinals!! if things favored you on this third set!! we still can make it! If not!! IT DOSE MATTER!! you have done great!!
even Federer mention the final game he wanted to be with you!!

!!!!!!!!!!Vola alt!!! believe!!! Vola alt!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!Vamoss!! vamoss!!! en la vida hay que aguantarse!! y tambien echar pa lante!!!
!!!! Vamosss Rafa!!!! Vamosssss!!!

!!My prayers with you..so your mind and soul can rest!...

Kathia

[Tommy]

Rafa! I believe you can do this and you will do this. I will pray for your win. Vamos Rafa and believe in this win!!!!!

[Laura - Pittsburgh, PA]

Good luck in part 2 of the match. I believe in you, Rafa. You can do this! Vamos!

[MomterryOKC]

Congratulations Rafa for fighting so hard during play today! Stay upbeat and encouraged. You can come back tomorrow and restart the match fresh and rested. We all believe that you can do it, and I think Murray was afraid of the rain comming because he knows how tough you are going to be in a five set match. Get a good sleep and dream of a great match tomorrow!

[Rebecca]

Rafa, You were really starting to get a read on Andy's serve at the end of play today. Be positive and confident. I believe that you can come out and win this tomorrow. It will be like starting a best of three set match! Play your best and be proud of all of your success!

[Kellyghost]

Rafa, i really want you to write a pre-final blog just like the one when you could go into the final of Wimbledon.!
Although now you are losing two sets to Andy. Don't worry! You are the No.1, you have skills to go into the final! The rain is helping you. Give out your GREAT skills on Sunday 4p.m. Get into the final!!
We all support you ! Remember, just treat it as a common match. Semi is a great result already.

[Tina]

If anybody can fight back from 2 sets down, its you! Come back out Sunday with all guns blazin' Rafa, I know you can do it :-)

VIVA ESPANA!
VAMOS RAFA!

[Becky]

Rafa, I may be British, and I may appreciate that taking 2 sets from you is a great achievement for Andy Murray, but it's you i'm supporting.

It's your enthusiasm and persistence that inspires me. Your optimistic yet humble attitude that I want to see prevailing.

I really hope that you get to to complete your summer of triumphs with a win in the U.S., because right now you are not only the best but also the most deserving player in the sport.

If you were to win on what is considered your weakest surface, i think that would be the greatest example yet of how far the right mental attitude can take you (combined with a decent amount of talent, admittedly!).

You are an inspiration to me and to many others. Watching you play always puts me in a happy mood, and I will be watching you tomorrow and wishing you more success.

Congratulations whatever happens on a truly magnificent year of tennis! I will never forget that amazing Wimbledon final. 06/07/08!!!

Becky xx

[Sam Bastiman]

You can beat Andy, Rafa, He's played fantastic but you are better, I love you. Sam. york

[gorgeous]

Vamos Rafa!! Thank you for a great year of tennis! I know that you will play every point tomorrow with all your heart, soul and spirit. It is a pleasure to watch you play tennis. You bring excitement and energy to the game and for that we love you! I wish you all the best always! Be Relentless, Be Determined, Be Passionate, Play Your Game on Your Terms and Fight to the end!!!! You're the best!! I believe in you.

[Claire]

It's not over yet, you can still do it! Hopefully the change of court back to Arthur Ashe will help and bring you good luck. I really want you to win :-)

[Hiromi]

Hi,Rafa!
Well,the game was suspended and hopefully this rain will be on your side....
I really have a lot of faith in you that you can come back and win at the end!!

Vamos,Rafa!!

All the best for the rest of the game.

Love,Hiromi

[andrew bell]

Rafa, you can do this. I now you are pleased to make another semis, but this tournament is yours for the taking. I know it will be really hard to come back, but your fans know that you can make it. Put your heart into it, and don't be intimidated by Andy Murray or his newfound powerful serve and agressive game. He's a great player, but when you ae focused, and play more agressive and penetrate the court more, you are always victorious. Win this for those who will never have the chance to make the semifinals.
i'll pray for you.

[Julie]

Rafa I hope that the rain delay today will help you so you can go back tomorrow and turn the match around, you already have a break in the 3rd set so that's a good position to start from. Don't forget that millions of fans are cheering you on, we all want you to win but we'll still love you even if you don't.
Vamos!
Julie from U.K.

[Contessa ChiChi]

Hola, Rafa, mi rey de tenis! Contessa ChiChi asked her readers to pray for you today - and now look! You have the good fortune of a day's respite and you'll be playing tomorrow in the afternoon which you prefer, no? Contessa ChiChi sees you finding your game and winning the match after some effort. VAMOS, Rafa! Wrrrrrrrow!

[francesca]

hola!!
Rafa you are the most beautiful man on the planet,inside and out...i wish you the best,and I am sure you can win this tournament. Muchas suerte,good luck and bonne chance.
From a big fan from Montreal
Francesca :)

[Kathy, Rochester, NY]

Gotta think this cancellation is going to work for you. Another tough one, Rafa; but I know
you're going to regroup and finish Murray off tomorrow.

It's another Rafa/Roger match for the FINALS!! Vamos Rafa!! Get those teeth ready....