Some tennis, a bite to eat but definitely no coffee

Send Rafa your questions

Hi everybody,

Short one again today since I have not really done much. Not much to tell today and I am actually about to start watching a movie here in my room. I have called Maymo and Carlos to come and watch it and Benito who was coming also decided to stay at the restaurant where we had dinner with Albert Costa and Feli Lopez who you all know he is a good friend of mine. He lost today his doubles match with Verdasco and so he is flying back home tomorrow. So as I say short one today and I am being help to write this by Rafa Maymo.

The question lots of people have is do I watch the other players' matches? I did see part of Djokovic's match, the last part, since I was at the club practicing. When I finished I had something to eat at the Player's Lounge and had the chance to watch some of it. It was a tough match and that proves that there are no easy matches for anyone. I know Robredo well and we know that it would have been a good match. I also watched Roger's match back at the hotel before going out for dinner. Another tough one and another to make people understand that it is not easy to make it to finals. It is typical that they ask me when I get to a tournament where Roger is playing about a final between us. And today is a prove that it is very difficult to get there. As I always say, match by match.

Another question that I have is about the food i eat. Let me just tell you that I eat lighter the night before the day I play. I have some pasta and maybe some pizza. I leave the meat or even the fish for those days that I play and don't have match the following day. I also never take dessert or coffee. I actually don't like coffee.

Tomorrow more...

Thanks Rafa

Send Rafa your questions

Comments

[Kimberley, Melbourne Oz]

Well Rafa - Congratulations to your first shot to be in the Semi's of the US Open!! Well done to you young Man. I am supporting you match by match - let's keep it going!! :-)

[Doreen]

Rafa,
Congratulations on the exciting win against Fish. As a viewer, I think you play a more interesting and action packed game if you lose the first few games, and last night was a really good match. You never disappoint. You are starting to speak English as fast as you speak Spanish - it is amazing how fast you have improved! My question is, why don't players ever stay for a few days after they lose? Is it because they just want to get home whenever they can? Seems like a few relaxing days vacationing could be fun and to watch the other remaining matches. Are they depressed or is it just a custom that they "get out of town" immediately after losing? Is it because they are kicked out of their hotels? Just curious. And also, RAFA, I am so glad you decided not to wear that Orange Polo shirt and short white pants. To hide those arms would be a shame, and the knee taping is more hidden with the long pants - you'll tan weird with short pants.
Katie, your biggest fan in California

[francisca]

hi Rafa,ilove tennis and i never had any farvoriye just like to watch the game but recently i got so draw into ur stroy when people use to say he is good on clay and it going to be different on grass and i felt they were doubting u and i decided to be ur fan and help cheer u on and i cheer out each time u were on and rejoice so loud when u won the queens and wilnlembon infact i was was in London for vacation those games cheering u on at home.i hope u win this open and keep being the humble person that u are

[reem sayed]

long live the king rafa

[Brenda Hayles]

Halo Rafa,

Wow (I'm genuinely so very happy for you - I too could see only repeats of your tough Match against Mardy Fish (I'm based in UK). I hope and pray you win US Tennis Open 2008 you well deserve it - you've worked so very hard - way you move with speed, power and athleticism. I hope you continue to play brilliant tennis for many years to come - every Tournament you play you should WIN fairly. We, your fans love you Rafa, we'll always support you, no matter what country you play excellent Tennis. We cheer your name out loud - "Come on Rafa - you can win.

I have been a devoted fan of professional tennis for over 15 years (seen John McEnroe of (USA), former World No 1) and many great, former Tennis Champions at Wimbledon, in London/Australia/USA Open, Now you come along & and it's refreshing for the Game, your young, fresh & handsome, humble skilful tennis star and intelligent about your Game. I'm your BIGGEST fan always, (like millions of other people around the World - especially us hot-blooded females (I have a partner for over 12 years - he speaks Spanish but not as nice as you). You're like a good brother / son, a role model to our young children in the World generally. Children who love tennis want to be a GREAT TENNIS Champion like you one day, they worship and learn from you when they watch you live or on TV, YouTube anywhere on the big Tennis Championships. You have so much good influence on people knowledgeable about Tennis as you grow and improve - you are World Number One - it makes millions like me, very happy. You're simply the BEST TENNIS player ever, plus your Spanish, even better (bar Bjorn Borg) and Rafa you inspire all of us. Play your best every Tennis against Murray - play out of your skin for yourself, for your millions of adoring fans but play aggressive, fast, brutal but fare but play to WIN against Murray or Federer. Rafa you can do it - we know you can. (Sorry about alot to say - hope you read some of this). WE LOVE YOU.

VAMOS RAFA, VAMOS

Brenda, London (England)

[Gen]

Hey Rafa well done for reaching the semis. Was worried for you because I thought the scheduling was crazy yesterday. Its a good job the other quarter final matches did not go the full distance as I was beginning to think you and Mardy wouldn't get on court until 1 am or later.

Almost had heart failure when Mardy won the first set but I have to concede that he played great so fully deserved that set.

Also good to see you were a lot fresher than when you played Querrey as you had me worried when you were hitting so many errors.

I am British and strictly speaking I should be supporting Murray but I can't bring myself to do it! I think you are fantastic and have supported you too long just to go AWOL because you are playing a British player. Please take it to Murray and get to the final. If you were to go on and lift the US Open title as well I would be in dreamland! Come on Rafa!!!

[jessy]

hey rafa! congratz fo bein in the semis :) and best of luck fo the rest of the tournament!
i juz love readin yo blogs and i wish ya were be bloggin all year long hehe. :)

[Julia]

Dear Rafa, I am the true fan of yours for years and I admire your behavier on and off the court. I would like to congratulate you on your unbeliavable achievements in this year and wish you well deserved win in US Open 2008. I love reading all your blogs and your answers. Thank you for being always honest with us.
VAMOS!

[Anna, England]

Well done Rafa :)

I'm very glad that you're through to the semi-finals. That was a tough time of day to play, unfortunately due to the time delay between the US and the UK I could not watch it live. I will have to watch the repeat.

So, pleased you won. Good luck against Andy Murray in the semi, you can do it!

Vamos Rafa!

[Rone]

Hi Rafa - I always thought I am surely your biggest fan in South Africa, but everywhere I go and talk tennis the people are Rafa fans! (Which is a little funny as Roger is half South African!)

My question is: are you really on Facebook, or is it a "fake" Rafa pretending to be you?

[Nittan]

Thanks Rafa for another post, can't wait to read after you're great match against Fish,Congrats for reaching the semis!! VAMOS RAFA! :)

[Dubravka]

Hola Rafa. You wrote that you will tell us what you have talked on the way to the site August 30th. We are still waiting. Greetings and Vamos. Great victory against Fish. Dubravka, Vamosbrigade, Serbia

[Kathia]

!!!! Oleee!! Bravooo Campeon!!!
y salio el sol!! and the sunrise!!
what a match!! what a recovery!!! and how !!much your english is imporving!!
Congratulations!! y un fuertisimo bravoo!! aplausosss y felicitat!! from here Albuquerque.!!!

!!!!!!!!!Forca!!! and Vola ben Alt!!!!!!!

no dejes de creer!! you can do it!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to see your parents there!! Glad to see how well you are doing!!..

Kathia

[val]

hey rafa (:
haha wow you don't like coffee.
you don't like bitter stuff or the taste?
wonder what movie you watched!
anyway VAMOS RAFA :D

[Anna]

Maymo's English isn't as good as the person's who helps you with these blogs usually (Benito?), is it? :D

I hope the late start with the match with Fish doesn't mean an encore to the 3 am, dramatic ending of last year's match against Ferrer. It still hurts thinking about that. :(

[Eryn]

Buena Suerte for the US open we know you can do it! Congratulations on a great year, and a big thank you for doing this blog again we love it! Vamos!

[Margaret]

Thank you so much for your blog, Rafa. While I can't imagine how you manage to live without coffee, I respect how well you take care of yourself! Please don't ever think what you write is boring because it isn't. It's a great opportunity for your fans to understand the daily life on the tour.

[Anna]

Salud Best Lefty in the World,
You said that our questions and comments make your being at US Open more comfortable? I will keep writing. :-)
As Times Online gives such a great opportunity, I want to say: Rafa, you're so wonderful in representing Spain and your native land Mallorca! I know that you are a humble person, but - you're so worthy of this Prince of Asturias Award! I can't imagine what a big crowd will meet you in Manacor on your come back! :-)
I wish you to take everything you can of this Championship! And I keep dreaming to see you biting your next trophy. Best of luck in the match of today! VAMOS!!!

[Erinna]

Hi. I really thought Robredo was going to win. Cute guy too. What is it with all these Spanish guys. Thats it, I'm packing up and moving.
Whatever you write seems good. It doesn't have to be Shakespeare to please us lot. Pathetic really but kind of empowering too, if I am having a bad moment I can sit and read about you not liking coffee and I forget the moment.
I agree about coffee. I am more of a tea drinker. I had to laugh the other day when I was watching two of your interviews on the US Open website and they were asking what book you'd read, what car you drive and what you were drinking? Which was vanilla milk shake for those of you who haven't seen it. I thought next they'll be like 'so what size underwear do you wear?'
Whoops that slipped out.
Erinna

[Christopher]

Thanks for the blog Rafa, it is an excellent read and I'm sure everyone really appreciates the effort...your English really is "almost perfect" ;-) ...better than my Spanish anyway (not that this would be difficult)!!

Congratulations on the Premio Príncipe de Asturias de los Deportes, perhaps you will tell us in another entry how you feel about that among your other amazing successes of this year.

Oh and good luck against Fish tonight (one match at a time, right?!).

[Debbie]

Hi Rafa,
I really look forward to reading your blogs. Its just nice to hear what you have to say. I thought it was really sweet when you said your friend Rafa Maymo was helping you write your blog. I just thought ahhhh, its sounded so sweet. I will be staying up late to watch your match with Fish. So not much sleep for work. But you are worth it! You will beat him! Love Debbie x

[Veronica]

I had a great time at the USO yesterday (Tuesday) and I had fun watching you practise, I thought you hit the ball really well and hard. The only problem is that my daughter Debbie who is 10 cried when she didn't manage to get your autograph! I had to explain to her that you couldn't sign for everybody, there are always so many fans following you around! I hope everything goes well in your match tonight and you'll catch a big "fish" for your dinner, ha ha. Abrazos.

[Cristina Martins]

Olá Rafael!
Your last game wasnt easy and the difficulties will appear more and more but I think for one way “How hard is the fight better is the taste of Victory”, im sure you agree with me.
Sometimes we need to be lost to find a way to “drive the wheel” but when we find that way we find the right direction.If you feel lost today in your game look deep into yourself that im sure you will see something that will guide you.
Fisher will have the crowd to supporting him but my question is: Can a crowd be enough to a player win a match?The answer is simple and clear “of course not” if a player doesnt show his value in a game, his true wish in winning a crowd can be very disappointing and affect the players concentration because the nerves will take place instead of a focused mind.
I could write everyday about your qualities as a player but honestly i prefer leave everyday and when i can, a message to think about, i believe this is the most important support we can give a person( the act of giving).I hope you can understand all the meaning of what i write, if you ever read this, because i meant every word .Best luck for your game.Cristina.Portugal.

[Angel]

Congratulations for the Principe de Asturias.

[Angel]

Venga Rafa, a por ellos.