Australian Open 2010 - Rafael Nadal practice session

[ounce2314]

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

[telmolicious]

choosing rafa over fed is like choosing Inter over barca in the 2010 season..  the effective defensive vs the beautiful, attacting, effortless. I still loved barcas way of playing more than Inters in that season and that has/would have continued even if Inter had defended their titles... Its a question of beauty... not effectivity.. If ur main objective is to see ppl win, go watch some curling, armwrestling, rock paper scissor competitions and leave tennis for the admirers

[ounce2314]

@telmolicious Who the fuck r u to tell me I'm not an admirer of tennis & yet I'm a fan of Rafa & Novak who r the 2 best players in the world also guess who's going to win wimbledon 2011 NOT FEDERER Lol FedExpress effortless style got derailed by Tsong's "power" yes Power! which is why Rafa dominates Fed with Power both physically & mentally and yes I do watch tennis for ppl to win which is why Fed has been so popular becos he wins everything until Rafa stepped up

[RAFFORZANAPOLI]

SEI GRANDE RAFA

[CubbyRawr]

Damn, do you guys see the size difference in his left and right bicep.

[Millhouse3671]

Foot faults a lot

[JoeyFudd]

If Federer was the-best-ever, as they say, a year ago, then Nadal is the best ever, now.

[AceGuitarR7]

@JoeyFudd not even close yet.... one reason why federer has done so well is because his style of game is alot easier on the body then rafa. rafas allready had big problems with his knees. he may surpass federer eventually but he may not last that long. and federer has a few more years in him too and prob 2 or 3 slams

[brat3k]

Nike :-)

[hashamkhan16]

who is on the other end?

[NunnkaMunro]

VIVA ESPAÑA

[ounce2314]

The Man!!! :-) So Happy he Won Wimbledon

[sokerhead]

Rafael Maymo walking in the background xD

[IKnowWereYouSleep]

nigger

[hateNadalll]

nadal is ugly tennis

[gigatron4]

@hateNadalll Gay!

[Rafathaman94]

@hateNadalll Why don't you learn proper spelling and grammar before you insult someone.

[hateNadalll]

NADAL IS SUCKS TENNIS

[KAISER181818]

@hateNadalll u are a stupid hater but NADAL N1 again so shut up

[gigatron4]

@hateNadalll Gay!

[Rafathaman94]

@gigatron4 Agreed. I am letting everyone know that the users federerbestclass, hatenadalll, tennistennisful, and rogerfedererbestlove is the SAME person!

[explodingpimp]

@hateNadalll IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK IN ANGRY CAPITAL LETTERS, MAKE YOU SURE YOU HAVE GODDAMN GRAMMAR RIGHT. STUPID FUCKER. ANYWHO, HOW DOES HE SUCK IF HE'S RANKED #1 IN THE WORLD?

[Rafaelnadal85]

Rafa back after injury, for the North America hard court swing ;-)) Vamos El Toro!

[ounce2314]

He's back!! Spanish ace Rafael Nadal aiming to return in California after Australian Open injury setback Good News for Rafa fans like ME :) what do they say in Spanish VAMOS!! RAFA!!

[jagonetwot]

well we have seen what has happend to rafa, hes tried competing at fed express level, and now the result hes knees are being nursed for.

[iluvromo]

i don't think its "tried" when you have the winning record...

[jagonetwot]

yeh thats true, hes gassed out now, roger is far more superior

[iluvromo]

@jagonetwot Yeah maybe when Roger takes the winnin record from Rafa in their head to head matches you'll have a little more proof behind Roger being superior.

[KAISER181818]

@jagonetwot the style of roger is better than rafa thats true but rafa is a great player as you can see he is the number one again so i dont think is far superior roger than rafa...

[Babolat1125]

In Rafa we still trust!!!!! VAMOS RAFA and we wish you the best of luck on your return!

[ulizinho]

I wish him all good luck for his recovery and his future.

[cam230723]

In Rafa, we no longer trust

[marvinrouge89]

lol, nice one

[BrotherTree1]

It's so sad to see Rafa declining now. Hes just too young, and is capable of a lot more, if only he finds a way to alternate his footwork, to lighten his knees. At least he's done some memorable stuff like winning another RGarros, Wimby and a Auz open GS's before this major crisis hit him.

[pangtuli]

"nadal at his best" ain't gonna happen anymore. he's toast. btw, nadal after au09 was heavilly tested for roids. i wonder why?

[jtatsiue]

That's interesting because tendinitis is a very common injury among steroid abusers, the plot thickens.

[timafi]

when you are grinder;you force your body to do more than it can actually sustain.Nadal is suffering from that

[hakunamatata024]

when rafa get beat at the majors they always said " ofcors his injured " lol

[pangtuli]

rafa has been missing too many dates with Fed lately. he can't make it there anymore. too bad coz he's a talent. but part of the sport is being fit and he doesn't have it.

[jtatsiue]

No one questions Rafa's cardiovascular fitness, it's just that his knees can't withstand his grueling style of play. Patella Tendinitis, i.e. the microscopic tears in the tendon attached to the knee cap, do not heal. The symptoms may subside with rest and an intense regimen of lower body, muscle mass building exercises designed to reduce the wear and tear on the joints BUT the tendon itself will not recover.  Rafa has a long road of rehab ahead; he might not make it all the way back.

[kengbabsi07]

I started watching tennis few days ago when my husband watches the Australian Open 2010. I saw Rafa,and fell for him!hehe..nuh, I became one of his million of fans like you guys...

by the way where can we watch him s0on?

[JAASPER123]

i dont know if he cancelled it, but i think he plays at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam next week

[atibusco]

We wish seeing you again fighting like a brave. We miss you Rafa. Up!!! yo´re only 23!!

Arribe the King Nadal!!!!

[atibusco]

Down... "hasn´t been".. sorry!!!

Go Rafa!!

Come back soon!!!

uuuuuuuuhhhh .. is somebody angry? why??

Rafa in our hearts for ever!!!

[atibusco]

Vamos Rafa!!! semiifinals and final AO 2010haven´t been the same without you!!!

Congratulations Roger, but...

te queremos Rafa y te esperamos de vuelta..

Arriba el rey Nadal!!!

[ounce2314]

Dont really care what anyone says about RAFA he's proven that he can play at a level where no one can compete with him the only man to bring the great Roger Federer to tears and became No.1 If it wasn't for his knees he'll still be No1 ALL THE BEST FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON RAFA!!!!!

[iamtheparty23]

your an idiot, "hes proven he can play at a level where no one can compete" are you retarded? Federer not only has the most grand slams, he has shown talent and skill rafa can only dream of...defeating roddick in the semis of the aussie open was just a taste of what he can actually do. And just cause rafa has beaten federer doesnt mean hes a better player

[ounce2314]

Your the IDIOT :) like I said DONT REALLY CARE WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS INCLUDING YOU RETARD LOL The fact is yes Federer has now won 16 grand slams he should of had 20 by now if it wasn't for Nadal against ALL other players Federer is the man! but it's a different story with Nadal Head to head

Nadal leads 13-7

Grand Slam Finals: Nadal 6-2

So I cant wait to see Fed & Nadal in another final and if Fed loses "out comes the tissues again" Lol

[jtatsiue]

There's nothing that suggests that Rafa will beat Fed the next time they play. Fed just wrapped up number 16 at a tournament Rafa was forced to pull out of against the man Fed trounced in straights. Forget the AO 09 final, since then Fed has reached every GS final and beaten Rafa on clay, again, remove clay from the rivarly and Fed leads 5 to 4 on other surfaces. Rafa is breaking down at 23; Fed is still on top at 28. Rafa may be retired by 28; the Fed legacy will be judged as superior.

[ounce2314]

Nadal at his best against Federer in a 5 set match, you know where my money is :)

I agree Federer's legacy will be superior then Nadal due to his grand slams

but the rivalry between the two players is a different story ALL GRAND SLAMS INCLUDED

And We cant forget the 09 OZ open the world witnessed Federer's state of mind and

how much it hurt losing to Nadal

Dont get me wrong Federer is a great champion but Nadal has the x factor to dethrone him :)

[jtatsiue]

Rafa's game, his unique style of play, will send him into early retirement. He's one of the all-time greats and has won on all surfaces but his supremacy on clay still outshines the rest of his career. Again, out of the 13 wins against Fed, 9 have been on clay. Fed has beaten Rafa on clay twice just as Rafa wrested the 08 Wimbledon title from Fed. Their rivalry doesn't demonstrate Rafa's dominance or mastery of Fed, subtract clay and Fed leads the series. They won't meet in a final again.

[ounce2314]

@jtatsiue I agree Rafa is ruthless on clay & Why subtract clay? Feds greatness was realised when he finally won the French apart from winning 16 majors & I wouldn't say they wont meet again in a final..As all true champions Do, they use set backs to create an even greater come back like Fed in this year Oz open I believe Rafa can do the same imagine what would happen in Feds world If Rafa reclaims The French & Wimbledon?

[jtatsiue]

@ounce2314, Rafa will not be able to shake off tendinitis easily, no one can. Also, Fed did not win the AO this year in Rafa's absence, Rafa failed to advance. Fed had mono and back trouble during the 08 season so if you're applying an asterisk to Fed's victories while Rafa is ailing then the same applies to Fed, thus explaining Rafa's 08 Wimbledon victory over a mono addled Fed. I subtract clay because Rafa established himself as a clay court specialist, Fed is an all surface player.

[ounce2314]

It seems to me if they lose they blame illness and if they win they don't say anything

Fed has proven himself no doubt so let's wait and see If Rafa will do the same So I'm looking forward to the up and coming slams to see were Rafa is at.

[ounce2314]

@jtatsiue Hi there remember me :-) Nadal has just won the US open for his career grand slam :-) & has now won 9 grand slams Fed didn't even make the final but I think that was for his own good because if they met and I can bet my house on it that Rafa would of won :-) more tissues would of came out Lol

[jtatsiue]

@ounce2314, yeah, I guess you're right, Fed didn't make the final, it was a little like the way the Rafa failed to make the final those 6 consecutive years that Fed played for the title. Rafa's currently at the top of his game, suddenly he's found an extra 15 mph on his serve, literally out of nowhere, that's great, but he hasn't pulled even with Fed's career accomplishments, he's got a long way to go. If he can keep this up he may surpass Fed's tally of 16 GS, we'll see.

[ounce2314]

@jtatsiue Only time will tell but the fact is Nadal is younger then both Fed & Sampas after wining 9 grand slams. He may have been missing for those 6 years but at that time no doubt Fed was King but times have changed and at 24, Rafa is the youngest player to have won all four grand slams in the professional era and I agree if he keeps this up he will definitely surpass Fed the man considered to be the greatest & you have to remember there is five, six years' difference between them.

[jtatsiue]

@ounce2314, granted at this stage, 24 years old, he's put together the greatest career in the history of the game, that he's already at such a young age been forced to recover, miraculously, from what could have easily been an injury preventing him from reaching his massive potential is every bit as compelling a part of his story as the titles he's amassed so far. I heard that he receives "blood spinning" treatments on his knees. If he stays healthy, you're right, he could surpass 16, "IF".

[ounce2314]

@jtatsiue Miraculous is a good word to use especially in Rafa’s case coming back from his injury was a feet on its own as u have stated in the past how difficult it is to come back from tendinitis not only win grand slams but regain his rightful place as world No 1. As for the “IF” factor once again only time will tell but I’m hoping he does stay fit and he does surpass Fed as records are made to be broken and Rafa is more than capable of doing that.

[ounce2314]

@jtatsiue Only time will tell but the fact is Nadal is younger then both Fed & Sampas after wining 9 grand slams. He may have been missing for those 6 years but at that time no doubt Fed was King but times have changed and at 24, Rafa is the youngest player to have won all four grand slams in the professional era and I agree if he keeps this up he will definitely surpass Federer record.

[AceGuitarR7]

@ounce2314 you would bet your house against a 5 time us open winner???.... lol, youre an idiot.

[ounce2314]

@AceGuitarR7 yes I would of but Fed never made the final yeah that's right!! HE DIDN'T EVEN MAKE THE FINAL YOU IDIOT which is lucky for Fed I say cause imagine if they played and Rafa beat him OUT COMES THE TISSUES AGAIN Lol and yes Rafa won the final against Novak who beat Federer & with that win Rafa became only the 7th man in History to complete a career grand slam. YOU IDIOT 

[AceGuitarR7]

@ounce2314 yeh right... he only made semis right? pretty bad hey. before that year nadals best result was quarters. and at nadals best tournemant, the french open federer has made the finals many times which is federers worst tournemant. im not saying he wouldnt beat roger if he made the final but it would be in his favour. you saying you would bet your house is a bit ridiculous. i like nadal too so dont get so defensive. i just dont want you to lose your house....lol

[ounce2314]

@AceGuitarR7 speaking of the french it was due to Rafa absence which is why Fed finally won, all those other years when facing Rafa in the final Fed always lost & it was from those wins Rafa began to mentally get the upper hand with Fed head to head Rafa dominates Fed on clay as for defensive dont like being called an idiot it's like me calling you a dickhead you wouldn't like that as for my house that's none of ur business if I lost or won it's my house

[TearTheRoofOff]

@ounce2314 Ugh, this idea is so tired. Rafa was in the French Open draw for 2009, but lost to Robin Soderling. Federer can only play who's on the other side of the net, and the fact that Federer reached 4 straight French Open finals (arguably his worst surface) is a testament to his greatness. Quit hating. And how do you know the exact reason Fed cried when he lost a match he wanted to win (how dare he)? Are you an expert psychologist who knows Federer's brain inside out? Have you even met him?

[ounce2314]

@TearTheRoofOff So I guess u have met him? & im not hating im stating what i think & to me Federer cant handle losing especially to Rafa as for knowing what he's thinking no one can 100% know but his reactions to situations & different moments in his career gives u a climpse of what he's thinkin as for determining what that is depends on the point of view or preception of the person who's explaining his point & my point is Fed cant handle the fact Rafa has challenged him for his crown & won‏

[TearTheRoofOff]

@ounce2314 No I haven't met him but I'm not the one making bold assertions as to a man's character. 'I don't know' is such an understated position. He did get very emotional, but he wasn't nasty or anything, seemed very accepting once over the initial shock of losing to his rival on a big occasion. It's not as if he came back to reach the finals of the 3 remaining slams, winning two of them...

It's just whether or not you view this as a bad reaction or not, so I respect your opinion of course.

[Baddieko]

@ounce2314 Using injuries is an excuse. Together with conditioning its the most important part of the game fans never see. Yeah nadal is most powerful at 100% but many times he reach final tired or injured. Federer would have won meeting nadal in 2009 FO final anyway, i put it this way, nadal is lucky not to meet federer there at the final. Less than 100% he can't beat on form federer. Its the same at wimbledon 2010 federer won't beat nadal cus he played really poor. The rest are fans' excuses.

[AceGuitarR7]

@ounce2314 hmmm and who was the 6th person to win a career grand slam? oh thats right federer.... i like nadal too so dont get so defensive. just dont want. oh and federer crys when he wins too moron. he cares about the game and loves it that much

[ounce2314]

@AceGuitarR7 Fed would have achieved the feat earlier in his career if who Rafa didn't win all those French open titles and like I said FEd only won the French when Rafa was injuried as for FEd crying he didn't cry cause he loves the game he cried cause he lost to Rafa I don't mind sportsmen showing emotions but Fed was crying like he's never won a grand slam in his life Fed cried cause he realised the tennis kingdom was no longer his there was someone younger who beat him on centre court

[telmolicious]

@ounce2314 he didnt say fed cried in ao 09 because he loves the game ... he said he cries when he wins because he loves the game.... read before writing... and injuries are a part of rafas game... a sacrifice u make when playing like that... technique of a beginner and just adds tons of power... I played a game simulair to his in style when I began playing tennis but I got to exhaustet using so much power to generate spin on every shot ... it drains u... feds game is purely based on technique..

[telmolicious]

@ounce2314 ppl adore fed because he plays effortlessly... I would choose his game even if rafa wins more slams... what drives many ppl playing tennis is the feeling of hitting the ball as smooth as possible... no effort... 100% plow through.. we all know the feeling... orgasmic.. bet rafa hasnt tried that in his whole life! its exhausting and less fun to play a muscle game than a technical game... but that doesnt change the fact that rafa dominates fed... no arguement there....

[jtatsiue]

@ounce2314, Rafa has developed into an all surface player as well but unless he rebounds miraculously from his recurring knee injury, accomplishing what few athletes in any sport have managed to pull off, he'll never compete on Fed's level again.

[ounce2314]

@jtatsiue Only time will tell What level Rafa will be able to play let's give him a bit of time until we pass our final judgement

[jtatsiue]

My judgment is based on the improbable odds of coming all the way back from chronic tendinitis. Rafa will be forced to play with pain for the rest of his career. He may return to top form but it'll be excruciating for him and he won't be able to keep it up given his style of play and the year round tournament schedule. I suffer from tendinitis, I've had it since high school, it goes away with rest but the symptoms flair up the instant I overdo it, i.e. 5 days a week on hard courts.

[jtatsiue]

Since the 09 AO Fed has reached every GS final and won 3 of them. He has demonstrated far more mettle and grit in just the last year than the frailty and fallibility revealed by that one loss. That loss did not diminish Fed, he has responded emphatically to anyone suggesting that he's past his prime. Rafa's 09 AO title may have prematurely ended his career and he's been 1-11 against top ten players since. Fed beat 3 players in the top ten in this year's AO.

[ounce2314]

@jtatsiue Fed beating top 10 players is what he does best Fed reaching grand slam finals isnt a surprise, hes the favourite everytime he reaches the Finals his mettle and grit has always been there Everything Federer achieved in Nadals absence was NO SURPRISE!!! except for US open Which is why Fed playing Rafa will always be a spectacle not only for there individual brillance but the tennis world holds their breaths uncertain of the outcome until the final point.

[jtatsiue]

The tide, after briefly swinging in Rafa's favor, has turned decidedly and in all likelihood permanently in Fed's.

[ounce2314]

@jtatsiue agree with decidedly due to Rafas injury but not permanently Rafa still has time to challenge Fed for those titles.

[20036012]

yeah but you cant forget in AO 09 federer had a backage he was serving about 50% If Federer had served over 60%, the story would be different, on Hardcurt is 3-3 tie, on grass is 2-1 for federer only on clay nadal dominates 9-2..

[ounce2314]

@20036012 Yes that's right there basically equal on all the other surfaces except for Clay where Nadal dominates as for Fed's serve I guess every player has that problem "If only"

but unfortunate it didn't happen.

[20036012]

just trying to tell you in matches where Federer is 100% not currently have a player who can beat him ... except on clay where the type of Nadal's game is better suited for his physical endurance...

[ounce2314]

@20036012 the same can be said with Rafa when he's at 100%. 08-09 season has proven that! he not only beat Fed but became no.1 Rafa has developed into all surface player until his injury.Both players at 100% regardless of surface or tournament in a 5 set match you know who my money is on!

[20036012]

in that season where Rafa turned into number 1 coincided with Federer "mononucleosis" was unable to defend the points in AO 08 and be fully recovered from the disease can take 18 months, remember in 2006 and 2007 WIMBLEDOM who won? Federer was at 100% go see the games in Shanghai 06 and 07 Federer was at his best.. in a 5 set match Federer at his best, like now vs any player my money is with him...

[20036012]

@ounce2314, the analysis we have to do about what happened, not what might happen and what happened is that Federer was sick that year and did not face Nadal at 100% when at its highest level this has beaten Nadal ... Federer is the best player in the story told by the same Nadal ... Federer has lost those epic Grand Slam matches and not been at 100%, tells you the level that can still reach 100% ...

[ounce2314]

I say it wasn't physically that Rafa defeated Fed but Mentally after the Oz Open 09 Fed realised their was a new ruler in the kingdom but fortunately for Fed his prayers were answered when Rafa was struck down with Tendinitis which is still plaguing him today hopefully Rafa comes back soon because the world of tennis is boring without him seeing Fed up there all the time same speech then when he loses after winning all those matches he cant handle and out comes the tissues

[20036012]

The prayers of Federer ? Federer should dominate the tennis with Nadal included because then come those arguments that is dominated because Nadal is out and it is not so .. If you look at the 2009 Federer demonstrate an improvement in their physical condition and in their play and this year is in complete form and you will see in the next tournament, prayers of Federer are that Nadal will come back fully recovered so he can prove that can beat Nadal when he is in complete form..

[ounce2314]

@20036012 Im sure All Nadals fans have the same prayer as Fed for Rafa to come back fully recovered except for the beat part :) Fed against everyone is always the favourite against Rafa 50/50 and the matches are amazing to watch so hopefully it will be soon so Lets wait and see what happens this season

[20036012]

@ounce2314 oks lets wait :)

[jtatsiue]

Out of the 13 victories Rafa has posted against Fed, I believe 9 have been on clay. Fed has won 7 of their other 11 matches, 2 of those being on clay.

[EvilAirlinePilot]

@jtatsiue...'Rafa' is a beast.

[kengbabsi07]

c0rrect!

wanted to see federer cry again c0z of rafa!

[daycan1]

just heard you are out for 4 weeks. take care of yourself Rafa. You are the most exciting man in tennis. we need you back on top

[nikola359]

This is the one thing that gets me so frustrated. He is one hell of a tennis player who hits the ball perfectly and uses his feet like his God. He is recovering from a knee injury you cannot expect him to come back and win the first grandslam he plays, it takes time! Not one of you could hit a ball like him! :@

[liufang3]

I love Rafa no matter what!

[SaudiCanadianBoy]

hmmmmmmm, No good any more "Nadal".. wat the hell has happened to this guy...!!! But I have to say that he isnt good enough to win the title nor to be a rival wiht (Murray, Fedrrer, ..etc)

[MsCharmed05]

Agree. He does need to play more aggressively or change his game tactics.. Puts me down when he loses...

[DonChilenito]

nadal need to change he´s way of playing! he really need to play more aressive and he have to take back he´s secure play, i see him very insecure sometimes. but ofc Murray played amazingly good, To bad Nadal got injured.. hopefully its not very big, but whas a good point with leaving cus if he would have keept playing it may have been worse *the injury*

[NMAJ1990]

Hope that he'll recover from his injury soon

VAMOS RAFA !!!!

[Federerfan009]

murray def nadal 63 76 30 ret. deuce

[Henrii01]

Don't like his serve. He doesn't use his legs well and pronates too soon.

[TheLordHodne]

@Henrii01 So wat? I don't think it's fair u can say he does something wrong... When he ranked as nr 2 best tennis player ever.

[Saso28885]

Henrii01 can you please publish video of your serve - that he should supose to have.

You're unbelievable..

[rhyzerarchangel]

Goodluck rafa!!!

[pati0502]

Ya qe no qedan representantes de mi Argentina, ojalá el Australian sea tuyo, Rafa (L) VAMOS RAFA.!

[nohachoufimafi]

vamos Rafa

[papafish0]

its a match i don't wantto see, i'm scared for rafa

[gigatron4]

vamos a donde?

[Se7enFan07]

Im sorry but, Rafa ha "lost his legs"

[chachris08]

love Rafa. vamos Rafa. love you.

[akizalega]

VAMOS MI RAFA!!!!! TE QUIERO MUCHO!!!! I LOVE YOU BABY!! WIN AO!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!! NO.1!!!! your love NADJA

[TheRockapak1]

Bware of d Invicible Man ND.Hope Rafa will get thru 2 d final safely.Nadal 4 Life.

[violchen91]

Vamos mi Rafa !!!

[hudhud1404]

vamos rafa

[F1xFAxR29xAmy]

Vamossss Rafa !!!! el no.1 es tuyo en 2010

[LiviStuff16]

hed be so cute

[driveright]

RAFA!!!

win AO! and no.1. plz...

Vamos Rafa!

[dradale]

VAMOS RAFA!!!!

[Makyz77]

Vamooooooossss Rafa!!!

[XoXoNadXoXo]

YUMMMMM Nadal <3

[CabezaDeRes]

Practicando su punto débil que es el saque. Rafa es bueno, pero da mucha ventaja con su saque que no es uno de los mejores..

¡Vamos Rafa!

[aleirimr]

Rafa and Roger should be in the final because they are epic and classic match maker, besides they are the best in the world.

So Rafa, Roger Lets Rock Australia....cause tomorrow is showtime. yeah baby.

[abcddcba09]

i have the feeling that both players will leave too early (i really hope not!)

[YoSoyZuri]

Luczak will play what would be the biggest mach of his career. He played against Nadal and lost in straigh sets when Rafa was still a teenager

[YoSoyZuri]

Nadal will play against Australian player, Peter Luczak said "I could barely believe the news when he discovered hed drawn Nadal in the first round". They have to "tell me about 10 times before I would believe it".

Even if Nadal had not reached his previous heights since returning from injury in 2009, "Nadal's a formidable player even when he's not at his peak. He's a tough opponent to play against,

[YoSoyZuri]

I hope Rafa wears plenty of SUN-BLOCK!!  :)

[YoSoyZuri]

Hechaba de menos a Rafael!!!

[Orzolas]

Vamos Rafa campeon que tu puedes!!!!

estamos contigo!!!!

[WR10FTW]

and is that his new racquet ??

[evyca]

hoorray foor RAFAAAAAA!!!

[1stAjay]

...soo good...nadal's a stud

[nmatkovich]

Gotta love Rafa!! good luck! VAMOSSS RAFA!! :D

[panicatdislove]

I wish he would go back to wearing the singlets again. Cause it looked better on him.

[panicatdislove]

did rafa get a haircut? cause his hair looks different. I don't know i'm jst saying.

[RZO909]

vamos rafa buena suerte!!

[chachris08]

good luck Rafa. i am 100% behind you.

[Kishnabe]

Hopfully Rafa doesn meet Davy, Delpo, Soderling in his draw.

[xman4un]

Obviously he would meet one of them at some point and obviously either one of those opponents have his number!

[jamesriadi23]

@Kishnabe amen to that lol!! VAMOS RAFA!

[Fmoya93]

rafa wont meet delpo.. because he is now a head serie as murray didnt defend doha so if delpo and roger make their ways they will meet at semi but not againsst rafa... soderling is not at his best davydenko is on fire... but GS is GS and we all know the difference 3 set.. and RF kows how to deal with it

[binaryhex1]

@Kishnabe davy is in feds side of the draw but he'll have delpo. probably not soderling though :p

[shelleyslater]

Wow......did my eyes deceive me or did Rafa serve and volley then??!! He has to defend his title, he must defend it.......he WILL defend it!!!! Venido en Rafa usted puede hacerlo!!!!!!!!!!

[Nevena392]

Vamooooos :)))

[lidyaeffendi]

vamoooooooooooooooosssssssssss­ssssssssssssssssss Rafaelllllll!!!!!!!!!!

[1505kad]

ooooo the muscles are back yummy!

[LEOVIXEN23]

Rafael, I hope u have the necessary calm to win this tournament, which u always say is very important, and don't let all this pressure to win build up on you. One match at a time. Vamos! You will do it.

[suziii25]

VAMOS RAFA!