Heroic!, Epic!, Stunning!, Incredible!, Memorable!

These are some of the headline adjectives used to describe Rafa's strong-willed fight from two sets down to defeat Ivan Ljubicic in the final of the 2005 Masters Series Madrid. This was his first come from behind victory in a five set match and he said it was the second most important victory of his record breaking 2005, after his Roland Garros victory.

I'll never forget watching Rafa's demeanor suddenly change from sadness to firm belief that he was going to turn this match around. At the start of the 3rd set he began making first serves, hitting his shots harder and deeper, returning serves that whizzed by him in the first three sets and just all around playing much more aggressive tennis. Buoyed on by the roar of his loyal crowd he dug into his mental resources and willed himself to the win.



It's hard to remember that in 2005, as in 2007, Rafa had missed several weeks from the tour because of tendinitis in his knees. The Spanish public was so distraught that he may not play he had to call a press conference after his MRI on the Wednesday before the tournament to announce that he would be able to play. Then, as now and always, he promised he would try his best.

So many things stand out in my mind about this extraordinary win. I will never forget:

John Barrett's soothing voice praising "his sheer will to win, his sheer cussedness, his refusal to lose."

Rafa's beautiful supportive family, Uncle Toni sitting with his daughter on his lap, Princess Elena standing and cheering with the crowd, the multiple standing ovations, the crowd singing "Olé Olé Olé" and the complete love and support the crowd gave him that was so important that Rafa said they were 80% of the reason he won.



Rafa's two black braces he told the Spanish press corps were blessed with holy water from Lourdes, the white shorts that shrank with every wash, his exuberant boyish celebrations and as well as groans, his gigantic fist pumping leaps, his running double fist pumps, the double pumps he made to his heart, dropping his racket and falling to the ground, his hop-skip to the bench at the end of the match, high fiving the cameraman, laying his head on Luby's shoulder, leaning on Manolo's shoulder and chatting through the entire ceremony, and for once Rafa actually opening his bottle of champagne in a timely manner.



This match made such an impression on me that I actually made two sets of DVDs. And I was so moved by the praise of John Barrett and Jason Goodall that I actually transcribed their comments.

As the 2007 Masters Series Madrid starts in a similar pattern to the 2005 tournament we are all hoping for great things from our hero once again. We know that the Madrid crowd will be behind him as never before and several of our own members will be out in force every step of the way cheering him on to victory. We want to wish the best for our hero with his gigantic heart, amazing mental strength, will to win and "sheer cussedness". VAMOS RAFA!!!