Murray was better - no excuses

Hello and goodbye to all,

I am writing a short note as my last blog post from New York. You know I normally don't do this after I have finished a tournament but thought I should do it today since I lost against your player. I am flying back home to Spain and will have 3 days of rest.  Andy played better than me both yesterday and today and he deserved to win. No excuses, no complaints. Some have asked if I had something to say about yesterday and the match being changed of courts, etc. The conditions are the same for both players and he simply played better. I had said on my previous blog that I knew this was a very, very difficult match. That Andy was playing great and that I knew this could happen. Well, it did.

Tomorrow it will be his first Grand Slam final and I am happy for him. it will be difficult for him since Roger is still Roger. I remember when lots of people were saying he was finished. I always said that Roger deserved more respect, and that he is still there, the favourite always. Well, he is in the final, again. Good luck to both and let's hope we see a great tennis match.

Finally holidays. I left home on July 18th and played Toronto, Cincinnati, Olympics in Beijing and here in New York since then. I will play some golf, be with friends, family maybe fish a bit and not much more. Don't have time for more. Then start practicing again to be ready for the Davis Cup. It will be big and I hope I will be at my top level with the help from the crowd.

I really want to thank all of you who have been reading and sending me questions. It gets me closer to all and hopefully gets me closer to you. I also want to thank the Times Online for this opportunity. Benito tells me it is Neil Harman (stop making fun of my Spanish accent :-) ) and James Major the ones I have to thank, so there you go.

Take care all of you and "hasta pronto".

Rafa

Comments

[Justa]

Hi Rafa,

I wasn`t big fun of tennis until my boyfriend one Sunday last year insisted to watch you and Roger in finals. In spite of a big hangover me and my friends watched it. Since then I am your fan. Thank you for giving us such a entertainment. You are like a breath of fresh air.
All the best
Justa

[Contessa ChiChi]

Rafa, you rule! Win or lose, you're my #1 champion and exemplary sportsman! You know I luuuuuuv you, Rafa! See you tonight.. ;>

Your Contessa ChiChi

[Nada]

Read a few of these and it's all I can do to keep my lunch down. It's just tennis. Some of you people would line up to kiss Nadal's itchy butt.

[Barry Stinson]

Rafa:
You are truly a credit to your sport, your family, and your country. I enjoy and appreciate your blog and hope you continue with it. Enjoy your holiday, and best of luck in your future matches. Vamos Rafa!

[TB]

To be honest you are not as good a player as Federer and I now have faith in a british tennis player, perhaps one day we may win wimbledon!!!good effort though, work harder for next time.

[Vee]

Rafa , you looked exhausted towards the end of the match with Murray - I've never seen you gasp for breath like that; please make sure you get lots of rest before the Davis Cup starts.
I've loved your blog & the Wimbledon one - thank you for taking the time out to do this, it just shows that you appreciate your fans as we appreciate you doing this. You didn't lose the semi-final, Murray just happened to win as he played better in the end , which is nothing to lose any sleep over; you've had a great year with all your wins , inculding Olympic Gold , and the year is far from over . Please just look after that wonderful body of yours.

[rafa4ever]

Hola Rafa,
I bring tears to my eyes when I read all these posters from supportive fans all over the world. Roger may go down history with the most slams obtained (he has 2 more to shoot for, most likely he will get there). However, imo the MVP and one of the GOATs will be you, RAFA!!!
RAFAEL NADAL - THE MOST FEARLESS FIGHTER IN THE HISTORY OF TENNIS.
Rafa, like one of the recent posters said you inspired her never to give up and stays positive in her health situations. This goes beyond tennis. You are bigger than LIFE!
Good luck to her and you!
Go Spain at Davis Cup!!
your american fan.

[Emma]

You are a good man, Rafa. God bless you.

[Jenny]

Rafa, you are a true champion win or lose. You show humility and grace in triumph and disaster. Your uncle and parents must be proud of you. You not only work so hard in your tennis, you never forget what truely matters in life beyond tennis, and that is to be a great human being that you are. When all is over, people will still talk about you and what a genuine humble champion you are and a great tennis player. You are a credit to the human race! Good luck for Davis cup, Shanghai and Oz Open 09 when I will come to watch and cheer you.

[Gen]

Rafa forgot to mention in my earlier post what a true gentleman you are. Even though you had lost and it had to hurt you didn't storm past the fans like so many others do. It brought a lump to my throat when you stopped to sign autographs and I applaud you for that.

Your family have done an excellent job in the way they've brought you up. Whilst you are on your break I will console myself with the DVD of your excellent win at Wimbledon!

Lots of love,

Gen xxx

[Gen]

Thanks for providing us with such pleasure this summer Rafa. What you have achieved in winning Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Hamburg, Roland Garros, Queens, Wimbledon, Toronto and becoming Olympic champion (phew!) is remarkable. You have given your millions of fans around the world hours and hours of joy.

I could tell you were tired at the US Open from the outset which is completely understandable after the summer you have had. To be honest I did not think you would make the semis but well done for that.

Its a pity you lost to Murray but he did play better over the two days. Despite that I also think the US organisers did you no favours with their ridiculous scheduling in favouring one semi over the other. Its a shame the match had to be stopped when you broke in the third set because Murray was starting to miss and you were starting to play better.

The break came at the wrong time for you and the right time for him. Its the first time he's beaten you in 6 attempts and I hope you redress the balance next time.

Enjoy your well earned rest Rafa including the fishing! I hope you have fully recharged your batteries by the time you come back for the Davis Cup semis and go on to end the season on a high.

Vamos Rafa! xxx

[Khalil, Toronto - Canada]

Rafa, watching you play brings to me a rare kind of joy I don't experience with anyone else. Rooting for you just feels right because it's so well deserved. You're a great champion and and even greater human being. Your mom and dad must be very proud and are to be commended for having instilled in you the values that formed your great character. Thanks for everything and all the best for the rest of your sure to be glorious "careera". Vamos champ.

[Francesca]

I quote Mats Wilander during one commentary at the US Open " Tennis is so blessed to have Nadal......". Just so you know, I watch tennis because of Nadal. Rafa is my hero win or lose.

[Hafade]

Rafa, it's so nice to see you giving signatures to the kids after the loss and tiring match.. I watched some other players would have just walked off the court and ignoring the fans...
Have a nice rest at home and God bless you with good health!!

[Naomi]

Dear Rafa!

There is no reason to be upset and you know that! You stepped up in all the GS games this year. Everybody wished to see you and Roger in the final of the US open, but we should not get greedy, it would be too much to happen in one year!
Of course I wanted to see you beat Andy but he played great on his favorite surface and I could detect the feeling that you were realistic about the possibility from your blog. I was fortunate enough to see you how you hang in there, though, especially the 2nd game in the fourth set. It was really inspirational and you always show me and teach me not to give up easily. For me, your winning or losing titles is not so important, it is just numbers in the end, compared to see how you fight for them.
Now I am waiting for a lab test result for my tumor. For a week, I have been in an emotional roller coaster and all kind of thoughts came to me and had anxiety attack. Then I saw you playing in the semi-final and saw you did not throw the game away, always do your best and try to do what you should do under any circumstances, I decided I would do the same. You are a great inspiration and please keep being so. Vamos Rafa!

[mimi]

Rafa, you are one of a kind, you are a great person and the people's champion. I stop watching tennis until you started to play. You really did bring joy back to tennis. Thank you sooooooooo for playing tennis and for keeping in touch with your fans. We love you very much.

[Nike]

Dear Rafael,

I insanely enjoyed watching you play the big matches this year. Your W final was incredible, both you and Roger were awesome! I cried when you lost to Murray this week, but I know you were off your game (for 1 or 2 days!) I stopped crying when you proudly walked off the court, flooded Murray with some gracious compliments, and then signed balls and programs for your fans. You are a marvelous sportsman! Rest up, play well!

Plus thanks for wearing my name on your clothing and gear!

Cheers, Nike

[George Tung]

Congratulations Rafa on an awesome year. You deserve to be number 1. I see you as number 1, not just as a tennis player but number 1 as a person, a true gentleman showing great sportsmanship. Your tenacity and hard work will keep you at this level for many years to come.
Congratulations too, to your parents who brought you up to be the great person that you are.
I look forward to the day that you will be inducted into the tennis hall of fame.

Good luck in your career, stay healthy, and God bless.

George Tung
Mountain View
California

[JimBob]

Dude's a class act, innie?

[Tatzkie]

Hi Rafa,
Eventhough you lost the game...you are still a great player to me (us). Win or lost you are still the number 1. You are still the champion.......Rafa the man of clay. You are the "CROWN PRINCE" This is not the last game..... there are still many games to go, you are still young. Good luck to your career.

[Wotman]

Rafa,

I'm a die hard Federer fan! However, I truly admire you! You are a worthy Champion & World No 1. Your humility is exemplary & you are a great representative for the sport. Wish you a good holiday & looking forward to many more great battles with Roger!

[Suahant Pandit]

Rafa

You are absolutely a true champion! Your humilty inspite your great achievements and talent is for everyone to aspire to.

Hope you have a wonderful new season where you conquer new heights.

Very best from an old brother from India.

wishes
Sushant Pandit

[Monica Ceballos]

Rafa, despite losing to Murray, you have shown amazing grace in the face of defeat and for that, I congratulate you. You are a great inspiration to us all, and you have taught me that one loss in life does not mean that ALL is lost. You have had an amazing year, and you made our hearts swell with pride and love after you won those tournaments, and the Olympic Gold. This time, you were just simply too burned out, and it is true, Andy has done his best to improve his game. Now you can train harder and wow us all with a more improved, creative game next time. :)

Rest now, and continue to do what you do, because like i said, you're an inspiration to us. I also look forward to seeing you in Madrid 4 years from now in Madrid for World Youth Day.

and keep posting in your blog. It is nice to hear from our hero and how he's doing. :)

[Arthur Gonis Melbourne Australia]

Rafa you're a a great sportsman and your tenacity never ceases to amaze. Can't wait till you get back to Melbourne in January!! Tennis is richer for having Federer and Nadal. Two champs.

All the best.

[VERONICA LUKE]

Rafael,
You are a credit to your game, your country, your wonderful family who supports you and to the world of true sportman who are humble in defeat and winning.
Grow in strength and know your help is from divine God who supports and strengthens you.
I am a 73yr old granny and admire you and all you do. Keep going Rafaiel you are a very worthy champion.