We love to show Rafa that he has a huge community of fans who support him. For two of the founders a whistlestop trip to Stuttgart was the ideal opportunity.
Here's the story behind that pic in La Zingara's own words illustrated by Anke's video.

I had the feeling that 12.20 pm would be the right timing. Don’t ask me why, there are some things you can not explain. Stephie shouted “Auto, Auto !” again and we saw the cameraman running around like crazy, the three guys who were waiting outside since yesterday, took their Rafa pictures under their arm.

BINGO. “Ok LZ. You have a Mission." Vamos me!

Anke got ready with the videocamera and filmed the arrival of our Stars from the lobby. Rafa’s fisio came out of the car and looked a bit weird, he took his stuff and went straight in the lobby for his check-in. Then it was Toni’s turn, but he had a big smile on his face.

Stephie ran away with Anke’s flag and asked me in panic : “Who is Toni ? Tell me who I have to ask for an autograph !” “It’s him with the brown shirt, don’t worry…”


I waited beside her until he signed the flag and then told him that we had a gift for him.
“For me ?” He looked very surprised.
“Can we go inside ?” I didn’t want to open the bag in front of the camera.
“Sure”. The Toni Attack worked again.
We quite got stucked in the door. You know, such bloody hotel doors that turn and if you walk too quickly it stops. So, I gave him a bottle of a very good French red wine.
“Oooh… Thank you !”
“I hope you’ll like it.”
“Ah yes !” I made El Tio happy.

“Is it possible to give something to Rafa ?”
“Yes, of course, no problem !”
I just realized that Rafa was also stucked with his luggage in this bloody turning door, walking towards to Toni.
Toni said something to him in Mallorcan that looked like “Hey, she has something for you”.

Rafa said “Hola!” to me and put his Babolat bag on the floor. I knew he was late for his schedule or maybe tired, and did as quick as I could.

At this time, Toni went away to the counter and left me all alone with Rafa.
And now ? Total improvisation. Let’s the joke begin.

“Rafa, we have a gift for you that should have been delivered in Paris for your Birthday, but it was impossible” (don’t think it is the right moment to tell him that I missed my train and all the troubles ! ).
He laughed and said :“Ok, ok, no problem !” Cool, he’s in a good mood.
I took the VB Cup out of the plastic bag and told him : “I don’t think you already have a cup like that !”
He said “Oh no, thank you, thank you !”. He quickly read the message and laughed.
“Record of 81 matches on clay – www.vamosbrigade.com”

“I also have a funny Birthday hat ! I don’t expect you to wear it, but I suppose your cousins will like it…”
He looked in the bag with a big smile : “Yes, sure !”.
I can not ask him to wear this damn hat here, imagine if the TV cameraman would film it… Oh no…
“And also something to eat…” 1 kg of Nutella.
“… Ok !!!”

“Can I make a picture ?”
“Sure… Not here, not here !”
Huh ?!

I ran to Stephie to give him the camera, Rafa put his bag on his shoulder again and signed quickly a picture for the guy who was waiting and starring at us all the time, with a “What the hell are they talking about ???”
In fact, I wanted a pic of Rafa holding the cup, but he posed next to me and the cup ended in my hands. I won’t complain !!!


I gave him his heavy bag with all the stuff, he said “Thank you” again and went straight to Toni who was waiting for him. Toni yelled to me through the lobby “Merci beaucoup” in French. He waved, I smiled back and they did their check-in.

Phew. All the missions have been accomplished.

They didn't stop there. Anke went to the semi-finals with her parents and LZ was at the final. The full blog from La Zingara and Anke, complete with pictures and videos, is here.