Rafapocalypse?

It's fair to say that the last 12 months for Rafael Nadal have been dismal. A wrist injury, appendicitis, huge confidence issues and defeats to low-ranked players have all raised alarm bells that the 14-time slam champion is in trouble. His ranking has slipped down to number 10, his lowest standing for a decade.

Over the last four years, he's lost early in Wimbledon to players with three-digit rankings. This year, his second round defeat came to Dustin Brown. Why? Firstly, the German's game is incredibly sporadic. His serve is unpredictable, and his play aggressive. The vast majority of his winners were created inside of the court, with quick net play. During the match yesterday, points were kept exceptionally short. The  main issue for Rafa was that he was unable to create any momentum or rhythm, meaning he just didn't have the time to set up winners. Rafa didn't play atrociously, against a player with a game which is a nightmare for him, he did a good job. Brown played the match of his life. A combination of a fantastic player, Rafa's worst surface, major confidence issues and predictability led to the loss. It's not a shock. An upset, yes, but definitely not a shock. When you delve into the logistics of the match yesterday, it's not difficult to see why Rafa didn't come out with a victory.

I don't think anybody predicted Rafa winning Wimbledon, but as a fan, part of what I do is trust him and believe he can win every tournament he enters. It's always hard when he suffers a loss, especially one so early in such a special tournament like Wimbledon. Personally, I took it really hard as I was at Wimbledon when he lost. It was my first time, and now it's hard to think of my day without that bad memory looming over me.

In terms of the future, I don't think this loss has much to do with it. It's hugely disappointing for Rafa and understandably, he's sad, but in the long term I think he'll use it as motivation. It's not the end yet. I know that for sure. His career continues, this is just another setback. At the end of the day, it doesn't tell us anything that we already don't know. Rafa is struggling mentally and is not able to compete in the way he used to.

The road back to his best may never be complete, and that's something we have to come to terms with. We're no longer waiting for the old Rafa to come back, we are experiencing a new Rafa. I don't believe Rafa will ever be like he was, mentally invincible and able to beat anybody. That's okay, though. There comes a time when every player reaches the point where the best is behind them. This year, I believe we've hit that point, whether we like it or not.

Having said that, I strongly believe that he will improve and play at a great level again. Not a level that wins ten tournaments in a year, but a level that is solid and dependable. The first step to that happening is a full season. Consistency is key, and if Rafa can play the season from start to finish with no injuries, we're well on our way to achieving that.

Media are treating the loss as a disaster, which I think is just incredibly over-dramatic. There are 128 players in the draw, 127 of them have to lose. It's sport. Yes, it was to a low ranked player in an early round, but that doesn't tell the full story. Dustin played well and Rafa didn't. It happens.

Rafa's team have come under harsh criticism, especially Toni, as many urge him to get a new coach. Perhaps that would work in the long term, but I think that the trauma of removing his uncle from his team, one that have been together from the start, would cause more harm than a fresh face would do good. Ultimately, there's one player on that court, so losses are down to the player, and him only. No coach can repair Rafa's mental issues, that's a job for a psychologist, or alternatively, a solution is to be patient.

The only thing we can do now is accept the situation and try our best to adapt. It's not been an easy year and it's unlikely to miraculously get better, either. We have to remember that this is way harder for Rafa than it is for us. Our job now is to enjoy the roller coaster as best as we can because we never know when it's going to end.

My Life as a Rafan

Four years ago I sat at home on a Sunday afternoon with my family and watched the Wimbledon final. That day was where it all began. I saw my first glimpse of the passion I've launched myself into today. I never knew what was going to come out of it. The only thing I knew about the Spaniard on my screen was that he was named Rafael Nadal. I knew nothing about tennis. 

Since then, I've learnt a lot about that man I first saw on my screen four years ago. For the last two years, I've been lucky enough to call myself a Rafa fan. From not knowing anything about Rafael Nadal, I've become an expert. I didn't know what line was in or out at just age 10, but now I can watch a match and give as detailed an explanation as the commentator. That takes time. It was a process that just kind of happened. If you told my 11 year old self that in a few years time I would have spent my time admiring a professional athlete and doing everything in my power to catch a glimpse of him, I'd have never have believed you. 

Being a super fan is a very strange thing. You dedicate huge amounts of time and effort to support somebody who doesn't even know you exist. Playing a match is like a team effort, Rafa has millions of people all across the world supporting him and encouraging him. It's really special. He is a kind hearted and inspiring person that I think everybody can learn from. His incredible talent and warm, humble personality are a perfect combination, a combination that I'm proud of every single day. Every time he wins a match, the happiness he feels radiates out to me. It's an incredible feeling and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Being such an emotionally invested fan is a challenge. There are many positives to the 'job' but also quite a few negatives. It's emotionally draining. When Rafa goes through a rough time, I do too. It's an all consuming thing, which makes it so special when something good happens but also so emotionally debilitating when things don't go our way. Setting alarms for 3am are something you have to do if you want to experience all of the special moments in a tournament. It's actually not as bad as it seems! The lack of sleep isn't ideal, but there's something tranquil about waking up in the middle of night when everything is quiet and experiencing pure passion from him.

Am I here for the trophies? Absolutely not. Winning tournaments is what you expect, but there's a lot more to tennis than that. Every fist pump and point won is a tiny victory in my eyes. Just watching Rafael play tennis is good enough for me. Of course, titles are the aim for Rafa, and my aim is to encourage and support him so he can achieve that. Winning titles is like a victory for all of team Rafa. As cheesy as it sounds, we're a big family and we stick together. There's nothing better than winning a title. It's the most amazing feeling knowing the hard times have paid off.

It's not the usual thing for a teenage girl to obsess over, but you know what? I'm proud to support a role model instead of a band member. There's no going back now. I love this part of my life. Sometimes I feel like I'm living two lives. I'm so obsessed over somebody else's life it takes over sometimes! It might seem strange and not what I should be focusing on at my age, but it makes me happy, and that is the most important thing. Do what makes YOU happy.

Rafael Nadal is my passion. I can't put into words how incredible it is to be his fan. It's also lead to many more opportunities, and I hope it continues to. Tennis journalism is now a passion of mine, and that'd never have happened without Rafa.

Sometimes I wish that I'd have been there from the start. I've missed so many important symbolic points in his career, but what matters is I'm here now. It's tough being a fan, but also so rewarding. He makes me feel like I'm the grand slam champion, which is indescribably special. Rafans are a team, and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Vamos.

Post-Barcelona Panic

(Prepare for a rather long and un-professional expression of my emotions- sorry.)

So, you know the drill. Rafa lost again. This time it came to Fabio Fognini who defeated him 6-4 7-6 in the 3rd Round of the Barcelona Open.

Normally after a loss the fans are negative at first, but then clouds start to clear and the excitement for the next tournament kicks in. This one is kind of different. For me, it's like the permanent worry in the back of my head is being brought closer by every loss we endure. It's reached the stage where the worry is so overwhelming it's drowning out the positivity. At the moment, I can't think of anything positive about this situation.

After Monte Carlo I was so excited. The general consensus amongst fans was a positive energy and excitement for the next tournament. Rafa had lost in the semi final, but he lost to the best player in the world at that moment. It was a turning point, a really happy day for everybody despite the scoreline. I was delighted and just so relieved that the nervous off-point Rafa had vanished. Or so we thought.

The match in Barcelona was terrible, let's face it. Rafa's game was so average today. I didn't watch any of this tournament apart from the last couple of points in the tiebreak, (which both Rafa lost.) I'm a student so I spend most of my time at school. I rushed home to catch the end of the second set and hopefully a third set, but I only arrived minutes before Rafa lost the match. Not ideal at all.

Rafa's press conference was quite depressing to be honest. It reflected onto me. I'm now very worried for him. I'm worried he won't be at his best level in time for the French Open. I'm worried he's running out of time in his career. Every time a loss like this happens, we're losing the potential time I could be spending supporting him when he's winning and in a positive frame of mind. It might be selfish, I'm aware of that, but I desire to watch him for the maximum amount of time possible when he's playing well. This slump is no fun for anybody.

On the positive side, Rafa is totally healthy and injury free. That is the most important thing. I guess we can't have it both ways though, huh?

It's a pretty complex thing to explain, there's so many feelings and thoughts going on inside my head right now. At the end of the day, we need to simplify it a little though. A tennis player lost a tennis match. That's it. Even though there's a lot of doubt and panic surrounding the situation as it's kind of a disaster, let's not forget that it's a tennis match. Nothing more. (I know that's a little bit hypocritical, but to be honest, that was more of a reminder to myself to stop panicking.)

There's a lot going on right now. Every Rafa fan is hit hard by this by the looks of things. Therefore, can we all just support each other to get through it together please? Isn't that what fans are for? Let's be a TEAM and hold each others hands when it gets tough as well. It's cheesy but so important. Let's stop the criticism of what you think and say and just understand that everybody deals with a loss in different ways. Tolerance is key!

So, to round up this jumble of panicky statements… I'm worried. Time is running out before the time of the French Open rolls around again. HOWEVER… This is the important bit. Adversity is something Rafa is used to. He knows how to deal with it very well. Remember last year when everything seemed to go wrong at this point in the season? Well, it's the same kind of thing. A little more disastrous of course, but the principle is there. If anybody can overcome this, we know it's our guy Rafa. Let's just try to relax and enjoy the ride. This period is way more difficult for Rafa than it is for us.

Remember, when everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top!

Hugs everybody!

Grace x

Preview: Indian Wells 2015

It's time for one of my favourite tournaments on tour! The desert oasis of Indian Wells is so popular among players and the fans. The tournament always seeks to improve and provide an even better week and a half every year. As usual, all of the top players arrive in Indian Wells fresh and ready as it's the first masters tournament of the season.

There's a lot of great play right now, so there is sure to be tough competition. Let's analyse the main contenders on the mens side.

Djokovic- defending champion and hard court genius, Novak always performs well in this tournament. After winning the Australian Open against Murray, he's in great form. However, a loss in the Dubai final to Federer shows he's not unstoppable. For sure I can see Novak reaching the semi finals or further.

Winning Percentage- 86%
Best result- Win 2008, 2011, 2014.
Last Title- Australian Open 2015.

Federer- coming off the back of a win in Dubai, Roger's also in great form. He's healthy and constantly improving after a successful 2014. He started the season well and has picked up 2 titles so far this year.

Winning Percentage- 83%
Best result- Win 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012.
Last Title- Dubai Tennis Championships 2015

Nadal- a comeback from injury in the second half of 2014 has been wobbly at times, but Rafa's results are improving every tournament. His form is still questionable, but if anybody can rise to a challenge, it's Rafa. The slower hard court and dry heat help Rafa's game substantially.

Winning Percentage- 85%
Best Result- Win 2007, 2009, 2013
Last Title- Argentina Open 2015

Murray- a great season started with reaching the final of the Australian Open. It's the first time since he's really been at his best level of tennis for a while. Andy is motivated at the moment and is hoping to get off to a great start in California.

Winning Percentage- 69%
Best Result- Final 2009
Last Title- Valencia Open 2014.

The big four are the main contenders in my eyes, but it's very likely that there will be a dark horse. I'm very excited. The mens draw is out.

As I'm a Rafan, of course I'm a little more positive than some others may be about his chances. He still has doubts over his form but that's normal after a comeback. Rafa is healthy and improving every match, so I really think he has a great chance at having a successful tournament. Rafa always really enjoys Indian Wells so that also helps as he's likely to be more relaxed. A win in Buenos Aires will have improved his confidence too. There are lots of good signs, so I'm hopeful.

Rafa's potential route to the final (optimistic) is as follows;

1st Round Bye
2nd Round- Igor Sijsling
3rd Round- Donald Young
Round of 16- Gilles Simon
Quarterfinal- Milos Raonic
Semifinal- Roger Federer
Final- Novak Djokovic

Have a wonderful tournament everybody, I can't wait.

Vamos.

Rafa: Ending the Trophy Drought

Before the tournament in Buenos Aires, doubts still hovered over Rafa. Will he return to his best? When will he? A disappointing finish in Rio led to even more questions and worried us all.

Just one week later, Rafa is now celebrating his 65th ATP title and his 46th clay court title. Yep, that's right, the 8 month title drought is over.

In the last 8 months, Rafa's lost his appendix, Marin Cilic won a grand slam and Li Na retired. A lot has happened since Rafa's been stuck on title number 64.

After a great first few matches, Rafa was to play great friend Pico in the final.
Rain delays disrupted the final, resulting in Bossy Rafa complaining and the whole court having to be re surfaced. Once the final started at around 5pm both players were strong. Rafa's grunts got louder and balls landed deeper (sorry) and he forced a break and a one set lead. The second set was easy, Rafa's confidence was high and he was dominating. A simple final resulted in Rafa winning the tournament
6-4 6-1.

It's been a really long time since we've seen Rafa's teeth bite a trophy, so this win was so special, especially as we got some super cute Rafico photos out of it! I'm so proud of Rafa, and I hope this win is one of many to come. A title will improve his confidence for sure. Having a solid win so early on in the year is a great thing, even if it is only a small tournament.

Next up is Indian Wells. Rafa won here in 2013 but only reached the 3rd round last year, so we're hoping to improve once again. It's one of my favourite tournaments so I'm really looking forward to it.

Vamos.

"Recovery is Like a Ladder"

"Recovery is like a ladder which you don't climb running but rather step by step"

Rafael Nadal started his pre tournament press conference in Buenos Aires with this relatable simile. After a semi final loss to Fabio Fognini in Rio de Janeiro, Rafa's philosophy was clearer than ever. Fatigue and cramps as a result of his absence from the tour late last year show us just how gradual this process will be.

Even after failing to defend his clay court title in Rio, Rafa counts it as a positive week. Physically, he is fine. Rafa is climbing the ladder, but who knows how tall that ladder may be? It's true that when you get older you may experience fatigue and cramps more often, Rafa has said he hardly ever gets them. A mixture of tough conditions, a good opponent and Rafa not on top form is enough to take him out of tournament- and that's no disaster. It happens.

Playing 2 matches in one day after the ludicrous decision to start his quarterfinal match at 1am certainly didn't help the situation. Shame on you, ATP. The match came close to beating the record of the latest finish of an ATP match ever outside of grand slam tennis.

So far this year Rafa's been improving every match. His first match of the year in Doha he lost yet now he's contending for finals in tournaments. In 2 months, that's great progress. Patience is a word that has been used a lot recently. Waiting for Rafa to return to top form-if he does- is agonising. Rafa is physically well and motivated though so there should be no issue, right? The only issue is that he lacks match play and confidence, but when the wins start racking up, he'll be well on his way back to the summit of mens tennis.

Rafa plays in the Argentina Open this week, in doubles with Pico Monaco and singles. A lower tier tournament with no points to defend will give him the opportunity to build his confidence and have some more experiences on court.

It seems hard now, but the world of tennis knows that Rafa is not one to shy away from hard work and dedication to be the best.

You just wait, tennis world.

Vamos.

Expectations of a Rafan

When you're a tennis fan, you dedicate a huge part of your life to the player you admire. There may only be a select few people in the whole scheme of things that feel the same, but if even a few fans can relate to this, then I'll be happy.

Before a new season, it's a mixture of emotions. It's mostly doubts, but also that deep down excitement that we're always a little too scared to admit. Expectations are in everybody, but they're often seen as a bad thing. In the past, I've got negative comments towards my desire to achieve more on Rafa's behalf. I of course stand by Rafa at all times, but I'm competitive and ruthless inside. Sometimes that can be a good thing. For example, when I'm hungry to win, if it happens it's an even better feeling than going with the flow.

I don't know if this is making sense, but what I'm getting at is it's OK to have expectations. It's seen as over confidence, but really, it's just that raw belief in your player.

My expectations for this year are complicated. I want a grand slam win, a few masters titles and the ATP finals trophy. It's ambitious, but it's no fun without aspirations, right?

Dealing with these expectations is difficult. There's a fine balance between looking over confident or lacking in faith in your player. That's a battle I have to deal with very regularly. The criticism many of us get for either of these is unkind.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, having expectations is a good thing. It shouldn't be looked down on when you want to win. During Rafa's comeback, many Rafans had the opinion of 'I'm just happy to see him on court.' Well, yes, that's great, but why are you even a fan if you don't want to celebrate? Winning is the best part, and to talk about it like it's not why you've sticked around is incorrect. I'm a fan because I love watching Rafa play, but I could have left long ago. The heartbreak and misery I have been through is overwhelming, but I'm not going anywhere. My expectations for more victories keep me motivated to be the best fan I can be.

Vamos.

Doubts- Rafa

Doubts run through every tennis fans head. They're inevitable, necessary. However, the doubts running through Rafa fans heads are often unnecessary. When you want a win for a long time, doubting it makes pulling it off even more special. When the doubts are constant though, it gets tougher to try to ignore them.

After every loss Rafa has, the journalists rub their hands together in glee and get writing. They have another opportunity to portray Rafa as the crumbling, diminishing tennis star. It's very negative and it's tiresome. I'm not going to lie and say they don't worry me. The doubts are in the back of my head all the time, and they're weighing me down.

'Will Nadal win another slam?'
'When will the former champion be finished?'
'Retirement beckons for Nadal.'

Those are just some of the headlines I see on a daily basis. Being a fan is hard enough as it is, but with these so-called professional opinions spread across the tennis world, it's even harder. So far, I'm proud to say that every time he's faced with these doubts, he delivers. He proves everybody wrong time and time again. That's special.

Why do these journalists keep doubting him though? One day, Rafa might not prove everybody wrong. They are waiting for that moment, and quite frankly, it terrifies me. Every single year questions regarding Rafa's Roland Garros record arise. Surely one year he won't win? What happens if he doesn't? What's scary is the doubts that will come after/if he loses at the French Open. Retirement will be uttered from all the media's lips.

It's hard to have this burden over you constantly, but when the hard times pay off, my god it is worth it. Last years Roland Garros win was unforgettable. I will never regret becoming a fan because even though it's tough, moments like that make me feel on top of the world.

I guess the moral of the story is, every time this happens, every year, the media are not right. For sure, they'll be a time when they get their glory, but right now, they're not going to win.

Rafa is not finished, he's not over, he will fight. I can guarantee you that he'll put in 100% and find a way to prove everybody wrong… once again.

Vamos.

Australia 2015 Draws To A Close for Rafa

It's the 27th January, otherwise known as Day 9 of the Australian Open. Today, Rafa played Berdych in his quarterfinal match and he was defeated 6-2 6-0 7-6.

The first two sets were very bad from Rafa. DF's, countless errors, little depth and weak shots allowed Berdych to dominate. It wasn't the Rafa we knew whatsoever, and he was very frustrated with himself for playing so badly.

We knew it wouldn't be that easy for Tomas though, he is Rafa after all. In the 3rd set we saw sparks. By the end of the set, he was relatively back to normal. (Definitely not great, but a lot better than before) Unfortunately, it was too little, too late. He fought very hard, but Berdych held his nerve incredibly well, and didn't give any points away in the tiebreak.

It was a difficult and quite bizarre match to watch. We don't really have any answers to why it went like it did, but we don't have to. It's sport, and losing is just routine. Rafa said he had no physical problems in his presser afterwards.

I'm a little disappointed of course, you always want more for Rafa and have your eyes on the prize. I wanted this very badly but realistically, it was a big ask after a long absence.

If you asked me three weeks ago, 'Do you think Rafa will reach the quarterfinals?' I would have probably said no, so he's done incredibly well. He played some great matches, including that incredible comeback against Tim.

I'm very proud of him and I'm so excited to see what the rest of the season has to bring.

Rafa is travelling back to Mallorca on the 28th January, and will start his training on Monday, to prepare for the South American part of the season. He will play in Rio de Janeiro to defend his title and Buenos Aires. Both clay! Yipee!

I'm so excited to see him back in action again after a successful week in Melbourne.

Positive thoughts, people! This is only the beginning! The comeback 2015 has just begun!

Vamos.

Tennis Tribute Videos: Behind The Scenes

Hi everyone! Today I though I'd do something slightly different. As you know, I have made a couple of tribute videos recently, and I thought it would be interesting to give you some insight of the making of them.

To watch 'Rafa Nadal- 14' click here. To watch 'Rafa Nadal | Adversity' click here.


What you see on your screens is the slick, precisely edited version of a project. Behind the scenes there is a lot of work going on to ensure the videos are as good as they can be. If you were thinking of making one yourself or are simply interested, here are some tips.

1. Brainstorm. Get a big piece of paper and prepare to write a lot of lists. What is your video going to be about? A player? A tournament? Sometimes it takes a while for a good idea to pop into your head, but it will, you just have to be patient with yourself. Make sure you create a structure (beginning, middle, end) and plan exactly what you want it to include. This will make the research a lot easier.

2. Research. It's often a good idea to get your clips and matches first in bulk, so you can work straight away. This isn't essential though. Use YouTube or similar sites to search for clips and then convert them (there are loads of them on the internet) and upload them straight into your editing software. It's good to get loads of clips and then you can just pick and choose what bits you want to include. Bare in mind that whole matches take a long time to upload, so stick to highlights.

3. Edit. Now you have your clips (you might need to go back for more at some stage) you can begin to put it all together. Copy what you think might be useful in the video and then work around it. If it's a tribute to a player like mine are, get some good points in first, and then go back and find things to fill up space (e.g., slow mo's) You can rearrange as much as you like, so don't worry if it's not all in place. My first tribute video 'Rafa Nadal- 14' contained 14 sections, so each one had a similar process.

4. Music. This is the fun bit. Choose music to go over your video. You may want to use one song depending on it's length, or split it up into a few. Music can really uplift a video (or bring it down) so make sure you choose something fitting. For example, in my video about adversity, I used the song 'Not Giving In.'

5. Uploading. This is the bit where things can tend to go a bit wrong. As you may know, YouTube are strict with copyright. When I tried to upload my first tribute video, within seconds it was blocked worldwide. There aren't many ways to avoid this, but shorter videos tend to be able to get away with it. If it doesn't work, there are other platforms you can upload on, for example, Daily Motion. This isn't a perfect option as it won't get the publicity it would on YouTube, but sometimes it's the only way to upload.

I hope this helps if anyone is interested in making their own video. It's a lot of work but definitely worth it! Also, if anyone would like any help or has questions about the making process, feel free to contact me!

Thanks for reading!

Nadal's Quest in Melbourne: 2015

After a bittersweet week in Doha, next up is the Australian Open!

A first round exit in Doha was slighting worrying regarding Rafa's match preparation before Melbourne. However, after a very successful week in doubles winning the title, (see here) Rafa has had some more opportunities to be on court. The win will surely improve his confidence, giving him an even better chance of starting the Australian Open strong.

As this is still the start of a comeback, we cannot be sure how Rafa will play or react to some tough matches that await in Melbourne. One thing is for sure though, Rafa will work as hard as possible and do everything he can to be ready for the first slam of the year.

Many tennis enthusiasts share the same view that Rafa will either exit the tournament early or get deep into competition. I agree. If Rafa can get over the first week, his confidence will be high and he'll have a really good chance at the title. We know that Rafa's form is not perfect and his tennis needs adjustments, but a slam is a tournament you can really play into. Lots of rounds that are all 5 sets will allow room for improvement.

Even if Rafa does play himself into form, the competition is so tough. Federer, Djokovic and Murray are all playing great as usual and the quality of tennis from most competitors is so strong right now. The likes of Dimitrov and Raonic are leading the new generation and improving each tournament. The standard in Melbourne will undoubtedly be very high.

After a heartbreaking final last year and some unlucky moments in the past (see here) I'd love Rafa to pick up a second title at the Australian Open. It's a tournament I've always loved and so has he, it would be amazingly special to watch him bite another trophy. However, we have no idea what is going to happen. Rafans will just have to take one match at a time and just enjoy having him back on court.

I'm very excited to watch the tournament and I can't wait to see what happens. I'm hungry for success and I'm sure Rafa is too… we'll see.

Vamos.

@_phenomenadal_

The Comeback Continues

After an unsuccessful day against Murray yesterday, Rafa said he would improve and guess what? He did. Rafa takes 3rd place in the Mubadala Exhibition tournament by beating Wawrinka 7-6 6-3.

Rafa was still rusty, but today there were definitely reassuring glimpses of the Rafa we're used to seeing on court. His serve was very reliable today and there were a few familiar impressive shots. In the first set the match was patchy and featured lots of breaks of serve. Somehow, in the last couple of games and tiebreak, Rafa picked up his game and really played fantastically.

All I did was go and make a cup of tea and Rafa was up 2-0 in the second set! His level dipped as he got tired but he hung on until the end of the set, taking it 6-3. It was wonderful to see him play as I didn't have the opportunity to yesterday. His tennis is still not up to the level either of us would like, but it's certainly improving.

There were many charming comments and smiles in the post match interview which were a delight to see. Rafa seems happy with the progress he's made so far this year, saying that he did what he wanted to do in Abu Dhabi. If you missed Stan vs Rafa today, you can watch the match here.

Next up is Doha for Rafa, starting on Monday. He plays in singles and doubles, so hopefully it'll give him lots more match time. With a tournament and another week of practice, I'm sure Rafa will be ready for the Australian Open, starting in 16 days time on the 19th of January.

The draw for Doha is out, and Rafa will be more than happy with how it turned out for him.

Rafa's possible path to the final is as follows;

R1 : Qualifier R2 : Dodig QF : Mayer SF : Berdych F : Djokovic

Rafa will also be playing in doubles with Juan Monaco in Doha. The men's doubles draw is also out.

I cannot wait to see Rafa on court again next week. It's been a great couple of days in Abu Dhabi. Rafa leaves with positive feelings and improved confidence. 

The comeback continues… stay tuned.

@_phenomenadal_ 

This Is Just The Beginning...

Today marked the start of Rafa's 2015 season, playing against Andy Murray in the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Nobody had high expectations, but it's fair to say a few were shocked at the scoreline. Nadal lost to Murray 2-6 0-6. However, as I've been told, Rafa's level of tennis wasn't as shocking as the score suggests.

Rafa was very rusty around the edges, but you would expect that after playing only 8 matches in the last 6 months. Rafa's game isn't there yet, but that's understandable. After the match, Rafa described it's issues. "There are only small things I need to adjust."
“At the beginning, I played very badly with my backhand, but that is normal after a long time out, and could not get my normal rhythm. I was also a little bit more tired than usual." 'I had a lot of chances to have a closer result.'

Rafa said he is going to work hard to improve his game, and I have no doubt in that whatsoever. The media (especially British) seem to label this loss as an 'upset', but there is no need to worry at all. For starters, this is only an exhibition tournament and only Rafa's first match back on tour after a long break. 

As Rafael plays more matches his game will begin to fall into place and very soon we'll see the Rafa we're used to once again. Of course it's normal to have doubts right now, but Rafa knows exactly what he is doing and how he needs to improve. I will trust his professionalism and await the magic…

Rafa has another match tomorrow against Wawrinka to determine 3rd and 4th place in the exhibition tournament. This is another great opportunity to get some more match play in against a tough opponent.

After Abu Dhabi, Rafa will play in Doha where he will compete in singles to defend his title, and doubles with Juan Monaco. The tournament starts on the 5th of January. 

Above all, the most important thing is that Rafa is back on court after a very long wait. It's incredible to have him back, and I can't wait to spend the rest of the season with him. 

Vamos.

@_phenomenadal_ 

Becoming A Rafan

This post I wanted to talk, so grab a cuppa and read on.

The other day I was thinking about being a Rafa fan, and thought- I never knew this would happen. It all started with one Wimbledon final I was watching with my family (2011) and thinking Rafa was attractive. A Google search and a drooling over a Shakira video later: I'm here.

I used to not know anything about tennis. I thought Wimbledon was the only tournament there was (unfortunately, many British people still do). After watching Rafa in Wimbledon 2012, I became a 'proper fan'. I learnt as much as I could about the sport and learnt a bit about tournaments and players. I was still only young, so when it got to 2013 I watched most tournaments and really started to become emotionally invested.

It's been a crazy, difficult and bittersweet journey. I was just a young teenager who fell for a tennis playing Spaniard, and now I'm a 'professional Rafan', if there is such thing.

I never expected to become so emotionally invested in this man's life, but that was part of the magic. Not knowing what I was in for, and learning the ways of tennis as I grew into the fan I am today.

Even though most of the time I get no sleep, I worry constantly about future tournaments and matches and my stress levels are often abnormally high, I wouldn't change a thing.

Being a tennis fan is no easy job. Forget about your schoolwork, for those tournaments your mind is focused 100%! It's a stressful thing and the different emotions you go through in a 2 hour match blow your mind.

Becoming a Rafan was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I'd love to hear your becoming a Rafan stories. Drop me a comment. 

Grace x

2015: A Fresh Start

Happy New Year! The bittersweet year that was 2014 is long gone, now it's time to focus on a new 12 months ahead of us.

I'm delighted that it's nearly 2015. Months and months of messy, complicated injuries and tournaments are now put behind us, and Rafa is set to make his return.

Rafa is feeling healthy and motivated but of course, a little nervous of his return. A new season holds lot's of questions, 'Will Rafa be able to play to a good level again?' 'Will we see a repeat of 2013?'

We can't answer those yet, not even Rafa. We need to trust his professionalism and take each match as it comes.


The season starts for Rafa at an Exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi. From the 1st-3rd of January Rafa and fellow ATP stars Djokovic, Wawrinka, Feliciano Lopez, Murray and Almagro will compete at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships.

Next, it's time to get serious. Rafa will defend his title in Doha at the Qatar Open. Playing amongst Murray, Berdych, Ferrer and Djokovic who is making his debut (Couldn't he have found another tournament? Dammit), Rafa will try to start the competitive season well. It's always a good week, last year Rafa met some falcons. (The terrified look on his face I'll never forget!)

Then the fun begins. The Australian Open 2015. I've made it clear that a title down under this year would be a very good way to start off the season for Rafa and his fans. After his bad luck in the past (click here) including last year, I'd love to finally get some joy for a 2nd time in Melbourne. Please Rafa!

Hopefully one of my favourite moments of 2014 will reoccur this year in Rio. A title at the Rio Open was a perfect end to a great tournament last year. A couple of thrillers later (Semi-final vs Andujar 3rd set tiebreak anyone?) Rafa became the first champion of this new tournament.

Rafa missed the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires in 2014, but at least he got to show off his trophies though, no? We're looking forward to seeing him in 2015.

Next up it's time for some Masters. Indian Wells is one of Rafa's favourite tournaments, and I am too very excited to see him play there. Miami is next, another hard court masters, one Rafa has never won.

Bring on the clay…

The best time of the year will come round, the clay season!
First up it's Monte Carlo! After 8 consecutive wins, we hope for a 9th title at the Rolex Masters. One of my personal favourite tournaments, it's just beautiful. Particularly excited for this tournament.

Barcelona is next, an ATP 500 tournament. Rafa lost in the QF in 2014.

Then the pressure will pile back on, Rafa is defending champion in Madrid and is aiming to win his 3rd consecutive title there.

We will watch Rafa at the masters in Rome playing to win his 8th title at the Italian Open.

Roland Garros is next! You know the drill Rafans, Rafa wins his next grand slam. Kidding! Even though our record is so mind-blowing, it's never certain! Rafa will compete for his 10th title in Paris.

Next up is the grass season. After a record of disappointing results, Rafa will really try to fix that this year. Playing in Halle first will hopefully help him warm up well for Wimbledon. In 2015 there is an extra week between Roland Garros and Wimbledon so that'll give Rafa more time to rest and adapt his game to grass.

After missing a whole North American season due to his wrist injury, I have no doubt Rafa will be excited to play there again.

The Rogers Cup in Montreal is first, a tournament Rafa has won 3 times previously.
Next up is the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, a masters Rafa won in 2013.

I am so excited for the US Open! Rafa's absence in 2014 was hugely noticeable, so everybody will be delighted to get him back. Rafa is aiming to win the last slam of the year for a 3rd time.

Asia is next on the list, as usual Rafa will compete in Beijing in the China Open and Shanghai Masters.

Back to Basel in 2015 and then Paris. Rafa has never won in Paris, but hopefully he can change that and get one step closer to completing his golden masters.

Last but definitely not least is the ATP Finals, which too, Rafa has never won. After an absence in 2014, I really hope Rafa can be back to his best in London once again.

I'm so excited for this season to begin. My dreams are going to come true again- watching Rafa play tennis on court. It's been a long wait, but finally we can see Rafa on tour.

Vamos Rafa.

2014- Roundup

Finally.

The 2014 tennis season is officially over, and I couldn't be happier. This year has been assorted with good and bad moments. Title wise, it's been great. 4 titles including a slam is a dream season for most. However, the reason why Rafa has not won more is mostly due to injury and illness.

Losing because he doesn't play well enough, I'm ok with that, but because of injury- that's a no go. There have been many painful matches to watch, injury breaks and negativity, but one thing's for sure- 2015 can't be any worse, no?

I've learnt a lot about tennis this year, but mostly about myself. I can get through tough moments and make the best of them, so I'm proud of that. The 2014 season has been bizarre to put it frankly. It's been a roller coaster for Rafans.

The highlight of my year? Our 9th Roland Garros Title. Unforgettable.

Toughest moment of my year? The Australian Open Final. Unforgettable too, but for darker reasons.

I've had the best time writing my blog posts this year and making friends across the world on twitter. I wouldn't change a thing.

Thank you to you all, for the nice comments and good times with all of you make me truly happy.

I can't wait for the new season to start! Have a fantastic Christmas and I wish you all an extremely happy new year <3


(New twitter- @_phenomenadal_ )

Grace x

Announcement!

You're probably wondering why there has been a lack of blog posts recently.

Firstly, I apologise for that.

However…

I am working on an exciting new project. "Rafa Nadal- 14" is a tribute video I am making, to celebrate his grand slam wins. So far the project is going very well, and I hope it will continue to head in the right direction. It's a big task and a work in progress, but it's coming. Gathering a lot of clips from as far back as 2005 is a challenge!!

My aim is to have it finished by the end of the year.

I am very excited about the project. I'm busy for a number of reasons now, not just the project, so it will take time, but hopefully it'll be worth it.

I am looking forward to the finished project, and I hope you are too.

Again, I apologise for the semi- hiatus of this blog, I will try my absolute best to keep writing material whenever I can.

Lastly, I just want to say thank you to everyone that has read my blog since July. I am thoroughly looking forward to 2015, and lots more posts to come!

Thank you! Grace x

ATP Finals 2014

The last of the players have qualified, and we're now just a few days away from the last tournament of the year, the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02, London.

The top 8 to qualify are as follows;

1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3.Wawrinka
4. Nishikori
5. Murray
6. Berdych
7. Raonic
8. Cilic


There are a few new faces in the field this year, Nishikori, Raonic and Cilic.

As you know, Rafa withdrew due to his appendectomy, so this gave one extra spot to the 9th in the race.

David Ferrer narrowly missed out on a spot by losing to Nishikori in the QF of the Paris Masters, it is the first time in 5 years he has not completed the race to London.

This year we've had the breakthrough of Nishikori, Raonic and Cilic- who won the US Open. It's been an interesting year to watch, hopefully that will carry on in London.

The draw for the tournament sorts the players into two groups A and B.

GROUP A

Djokovic
Wawrinka
Berdych
Cilic


GROUP B

Federer
Murray
Raonic
Nishikori


Some may argue (including me) that it's one of the most uninteresting line ups we've seen for a while, with Rafa and David gone. It's a different situation with the new generation creeping in as we don't know if they're going to bring excitement or just make us miss Rafa and David even more…

What are your thoughts on the lineup?
Who will win the ATP World Tour Finals Title in 2014?


@rafanadaladdict

A Lot Is On the Line | Paris + Rankings

Today is quarterfinals day in Paris, and one of the last chances to grab hold of those crucial ranking points. The last masters tournament of the year leads to the ATP World Tour Finals. Players are desperately trying to grab hold of last minute ranking points to make it to London. The race is on.

Murray grasped hold of a spot in the top 8 by beating Grigor Dimitrov in the 3rd Round in a fantastic performance. Andy has had a great end to the season so far, winning in Vienna and Valencia. He will play Novak Djokovic in a battle to reach the semi finals.

David Ferrer wants a spot, but he must make the final of Paris to guarantee his place in London.

Milos Raonic is also very close, he is currently number 10 in the race, and must do better than David Ferrer in the tournament to overtake in the race. Beating Federer in the QF was a huge boost, lifting him higher in the race.

Due to Rafa's withdrawal, the top 9 will qualify, not the top 8. This gives the players further down the race a lifeline. The race is so incredibly close at the moment. You can keep track of the live race here: http://live-tennis.eu/race

The end of year number 1 spot is up for grabs. Djokovic and Federer are very close, 490 points apart. Federer has managed to rise up the rankings at the end of the year, helped by Rafa's huge loss of points due to absence. However, Federer's loss to Raonic sets him back further for reaching that top spot…

A title in Paris is now so important for Djokovic and end of year world number 1.

It's all about numbers at the end of the season. Lot's of matches are becoming so much more important, players want the win that little bit more, especially those who are trying to grab on to as many points as possible.

Who will make it to London? Who will end the year as number 1?

An exciting few days in Paris await…


@rafanadaladdict

Rafael Nadal Draws 2014 Season To a Close

Yesterday (24th October) marked the end of Rafa's 2014 season. He lost to Borna Coric 6-2 7-6 in the quarterfinals of Basel. Rafa was playing very out of sorts, he produced huge amounts of errors, and it definitely wasn't like Rafa Nadal out there… He fought on as much as he could, of course, but in the end his body wasn't going to let him win.

Earlier in the month when he was first diagnosed with appendicitis, he took a harsh course of antibiotics to reduce the symptoms and try to put back surgery. These stopped pain for a few weeks, but made him tired and weak. He said he got tired very easily and therefore could not play to the intensity he would have liked to.

He played well in Basel up to the QF, producing good wins. It's always hard with Rafa because we often don't know what's going on. He doesn't like to talk about his health very much, but in reality is he's been struggling the last 4-5 months.

In a press conference after the match yesterday he talked about his loss and plans for the rest of the year. He had already announced withdrawal from the Paris Masters earlier, but now confirmed he would also miss the ATP World Tour Finals in London. He officially announced the close of his 2014 season.

Rafa said that he would have treatment on his back for a few days, as it had not been 100% since Melbourne. He will have his appendix finally taken out in surgery on November 3rd. Rafa will rest for 5 weeks before practicing again.

That's a lot of information all at once, and it obviously confirms to us that Rafa had been struggling with his back the whole year, which is very sad to hear.

It will be January 2015 when we next see Rafa play tennis competitively. It's yet again another long wait to get through.

However, I am delighted Rafa is finally taking action to sort his health out, I believe that after a couple of months of recovery he will be raring to go and be back better than ever.

Goodbye 2014, you've been… a roller coaster.

Bring it on, 2015.