Sports - Tennis Talk #13 :Thank You,Rafa & Roger,For The Stunning Tennis You Give Us *bowdown* - Page 4

Ms X · 07-07-2008, 10:32 AM

It's amazing how Rafa has improved this past year, no doubt about that and he has finally conquered the grass

I'm happy he has, now it shows variety on surfaces. I wonder how he will fare in the hard court season too, maybe he'll be able to do that too.

However I still believe Roger is the best on grass despite the result yesterday.

*Catherine* · 07-07-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms X (View Post)

I wonder how he will fare in the hard court season too, maybe he'll be able to do that too.

Interesting point. He has made improvements and I am curious to see how it translates into his hardcourt game. The way he plays punishes his body, and the hardcourts are certainly no help, but it should be interesting to see.

Avatar · 07-07-2008, 11:08 AM

I'd be very surprised if Nadal got through the quarters at the USO - the courts at Flushing make the ball bounce higher and more unpredictable (the same way grass used to

) - my favourite for it is actually Djokovic; without, you know, seeing the draw, I think the semi-finalists will be Roddick, Federer, Djoko and either someone in tier two (Baghdatis? Davydenko? Nalbandian?) or an up-and-comer like Wawrinka and Gulbis.

Sparkling_Diamond · 07-07-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

I just feel differently about Wimbledon than the other grandslam events..sorry.

Everybody does I think. Rafa too has always acknowledged the prestige, class and glamour Wimbledon radiates. However, like me, he obviously doesn't think that means one should have a stick up his butt. I would've been disappointed^4170410 if he hadn't climbed to his family, flown into their arms and further bitten the trophey. It's just who he is, and I don't see why he should've not shown his raw feelings at the most important win in his career up until now. His impulsiveness is something what translates to his game, and what drew my attention back to tennis after a while of being 'heh' about it.

The boy's spontaneous and obviously not easily altered. Like he only speeds things up between points when he gets a warning, I think he would've only NOT gone up there unless someone had been pointing a gun at him ordering him to say on Centre Court. I'm not saying that spontanity is always right but it's just Nadal. Like JMac (?) said, this was the first time he had seen a player crawl to the Royal Box. It's impulsive, sure, but it's him and I think everyone wanted to see Rafa Nadal stripped bare as a matter of speak in that very moment he won and the ones shortly after.

Plus, let's not forget his family is the most important thing in his life, and his friends, even before tennis. He literally said that when they asked him if tennis was his life. But tennis is obviously also one of the things for which he lives, and I think it's only normal he wanted to share this victory with them.

Here he's looking classic and calm at the Champion's dinner

I really prefer this Rafa:

with the Spanish Crown Prince & Princess.

Though he looks mighty hot in a suit.

OK, I love both.

Other pics from the Champion's dinner:

Venus:

Laura Robson (Girl's Winner)

*Catherine* · 07-07-2008, 11:19 AM

Sorry. I guess I'll be the only one with the very unpopular opinion (maybe I should post it in the thread!

) that one shouldnt jump into the stands like that, and that not doing so doesnt mean that one has a stick up his butt or that they dont want to share the victory with their family. And ofcourse, that the Wimby trophy should NOT be bitten.

I am just full of unpopular opinions, it seems

Sparkling_Diamond · 07-07-2008, 11:24 AM

But he was like Spiderman!

I just noticed... what a horrendous idea to put Rafa's family and friends together with Fed's in one box.

Avatar · 07-07-2008, 11:24 AM

Even as a Fed-fan, I didn't mind Nadal jumping into the stands - I was just afraid that either a) he'd fall down or b) that thing he was walking on would collapse.

Sparkling_Diamond · 07-07-2008, 11:26 AM

ZOMG. I was scared about him falling down too, especially considering the fact that it had rained quite a bit that day. I saw terrifying images flash in front of my eyes of Rafa's hc season going bye-bye LOL.

But he seems to be quite the climber. So athletic.

ETAa - little detail: he's the youngest player ever to have won five slams. That alone... amazing.

wingster · 07-07-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

I just noticed... what a horrendous idea to put Rafa's family and friends together with Fed's in one box.

though i did like fed's father giving a standing ovation and mirka a little congratulatory pat

Ms X · 07-07-2008, 11:33 AM

I thought it was very sweet and moving when Rafa climbed into the box. I think most champions have done it but I'm not fussed either way really. I like it when Roger wins and he's graceful on court too

:

at the families in one box. Not a good idea at all!

Sparkling_Diamond · 07-07-2008, 11:35 AM

Gavin looks most pissed of all. Maybe he has a crush on Fed.

Either way, as many are saying and have been saying for a while: the best is truly yet to come for Rafa. He's the most intense player I've ever seen and I just can't express how much I feel he deserved this win.

It's what he wanted for years.

*Catherine* · 07-07-2008, 11:40 AM

Again, it has nothing to do with being a Fed fan. At Wimby I just dont like it...that is it

And I like the two families sitting together.

See? I am full of unpopular opinions today.

Ms X · 07-07-2008, 11:49 AM

aww well I can definitely see your point about the families in a way. It is nice for them to be there united in their support for their family member. I just think it must have been hard to watch for Fed's family to see Nadal and his family celebrating esp as Fed looked so down

Sawyer&Kate · 07-07-2008, 11:57 AM

My dear Goran did that after winning Wimbledon in 2001. It's just how some people are, temperamental and very connected to their family. Goran ran to hug his father who had always been with him. Rafa did the same and I honestly loved it to death, even him running to the prince. It was geunine and it felt that way. But I do get why people don't like that, though, I know I'd do the same.

Dude yes, Rosdale looks furious. And Rafa looks adorable in a suit. *has a thing for suits*

Quote:

my favourite for it is actually Djokovic; without, you know, seeing the draw, I think the semi-finalists will be Roddick, Federer, Djoko and either someone in tier two (Baghdatis? Davydenko? Nalbandian?) or an up-and-comer like Wawrinka and Gulbis.

Agreed. I am definitely counting on Đoković in the finale. And maybe even Baghdatis.

Sparkling_Diamond · 07-07-2008, 12:05 PM

I'm putting my money on Djokovic too for the US Open. I just hope Rafa will go further than the quarter finals this year LOL.

But those are worries for later, I'm still living inside my Wimbly Rafa bliss.