RAFA ON CLOUD 9
48 hours with the Wimbledon Champion
48 hours with the Wimbledon Champion
by LZ
Did we die and go to heaven? Obviously, we are all on the same cloud and don’t want to leave it. What an amazing Sunday, probably the most incredible final in Wimbledon’s history. Not sure Rafa really realizes what he has accomplished these last weeks as a double Grand Slam champion.
His childhood dream came true, and as he said, the run to the number 1 position is not so important anymore. But he's closer than ever.
FORMER CHAMPIONS ALL BEWITCHED
All the tennis world greets the new winner :
“It is absolutely fantastic that Rafa won, because he’s a special person, not only on court, but also off-court. It’s a proud and an honour that Rafa succeeds me with this victory 42 years after. I’m very moved.” (Manolo Santana)
“The greatest match I've ever seen.“ (John McEnroe)
“This was clearly the most beautiful final in grand slam history. It had it all: the quality of the game, the intensity, the emotions at the end of the match… A gem of fair play. I feel like crying“. (Mats Wilander)
“Oh. My. Goodness. I'm out of “Holy“. No mackerel. No cow. Just sen-frickin'-sational. This was an instant classic to catapult the Federer-Nadal rivalry right up there. Make way, please. Young gods on the way to the pantheon“. (Nick Bolletieri)
“This is the best victory of his career. Mentally speaking, he was never this strong, not even in Roland Garros. I can’t tell you from what sort of wood Rafael Nadal is made because I think that when speaking of mental power, he’s different.“ (Toni Nadal)
RAFA NEEDS A BREAK
After celebrating his victory with his family at the traditional Champions’ Dinner, Rafa travelled to Stuttgart early in the morning with his father Sebastian and Carlos Costa. He arrived at noon very tired to make an announcement : he pulls out of Stuttgart. Because he really likes the tournament, he just had to be there.
“It’s disappointing for me this year that I can’t play here in Stuttgart. I played a lot these last couple of weeks. The calendar this year is terrible. (…)” And regarding his knees problems, he had a hard match behind him : “I prefer to be at 100 % sure that what I have… and come back to the court when I feel at 100 %.”
Edwin Weindorfer, the tournament director was very touched that Rafa stopped at Stuttgart : “Nadal is a great treasure for tennis and he’s one of the few who cares about his commitments and it is an honour to have the new Wimbledon champion here today, even he won’t play. It’s a great loss for us today, but we should remember that he’s an example that most of the sportsmen should follow (…) The ATP schedule is a real disaster this year because of the Olympic Games, so I hope to be able to welcome him again next year.“
THE LOCAL HERO IS BACK IN TOWN
On Monday evening, Rafa was warmly greeted at the Palma airport with the Spanish flag, as he came back from Stuttgart. Many children and fans were screaming “Rafa, Rafa !!!“
Rafa proudly thanked his coutrymen : “I simply want to say thank you people of Manacor all for your support. I only want to tell you how proud I am when I go around the world saying that I am from here“.
The Manacor town council organized in a hurry a well-deserved celebration for the local hero. From the town hall balcony and beside his family he was really moved to see so much support : All the Manacoris went down the streets to celebrate their brand new Wimbledon champion. Just amazing.
Those who know him, say that all the success and the popularity does not change him. He is still Rafa. “I will never put myself on an altar“ and added he would keep on “working with the same humility and enthusiasm as always.“ And this is why we love him so much, for keeping his feet on the ground.
And before competing for an Olympic Medal, Rafa gets ready for his summer triathlon : Swimming, fishing and… golf.
Don’t you think gold suits hims so well ?...
His childhood dream came true, and as he said, the run to the number 1 position is not so important anymore. But he's closer than ever.
FORMER CHAMPIONS ALL BEWITCHED
All the tennis world greets the new winner :
“It is absolutely fantastic that Rafa won, because he’s a special person, not only on court, but also off-court. It’s a proud and an honour that Rafa succeeds me with this victory 42 years after. I’m very moved.” (Manolo Santana)
“The greatest match I've ever seen.“ (John McEnroe)
“This was clearly the most beautiful final in grand slam history. It had it all: the quality of the game, the intensity, the emotions at the end of the match… A gem of fair play. I feel like crying“. (Mats Wilander)
“Oh. My. Goodness. I'm out of “Holy“. No mackerel. No cow. Just sen-frickin'-sational. This was an instant classic to catapult the Federer-Nadal rivalry right up there. Make way, please. Young gods on the way to the pantheon“. (Nick Bolletieri)
“This is the best victory of his career. Mentally speaking, he was never this strong, not even in Roland Garros. I can’t tell you from what sort of wood Rafael Nadal is made because I think that when speaking of mental power, he’s different.“ (Toni Nadal)
RAFA NEEDS A BREAK
After celebrating his victory with his family at the traditional Champions’ Dinner, Rafa travelled to Stuttgart early in the morning with his father Sebastian and Carlos Costa. He arrived at noon very tired to make an announcement : he pulls out of Stuttgart. Because he really likes the tournament, he just had to be there.
“It’s disappointing for me this year that I can’t play here in Stuttgart. I played a lot these last couple of weeks. The calendar this year is terrible. (…)” And regarding his knees problems, he had a hard match behind him : “I prefer to be at 100 % sure that what I have… and come back to the court when I feel at 100 %.”
Edwin Weindorfer, the tournament director was very touched that Rafa stopped at Stuttgart : “Nadal is a great treasure for tennis and he’s one of the few who cares about his commitments and it is an honour to have the new Wimbledon champion here today, even he won’t play. It’s a great loss for us today, but we should remember that he’s an example that most of the sportsmen should follow (…) The ATP schedule is a real disaster this year because of the Olympic Games, so I hope to be able to welcome him again next year.“
THE LOCAL HERO IS BACK IN TOWN
On Monday evening, Rafa was warmly greeted at the Palma airport with the Spanish flag, as he came back from Stuttgart. Many children and fans were screaming “Rafa, Rafa !!!“
Rafa proudly thanked his coutrymen : “I simply want to say thank you people of Manacor all for your support. I only want to tell you how proud I am when I go around the world saying that I am from here“.
The Manacor town council organized in a hurry a well-deserved celebration for the local hero. From the town hall balcony and beside his family he was really moved to see so much support : All the Manacoris went down the streets to celebrate their brand new Wimbledon champion. Just amazing.
Those who know him, say that all the success and the popularity does not change him. He is still Rafa. “I will never put myself on an altar“ and added he would keep on “working with the same humility and enthusiasm as always.“ And this is why we love him so much, for keeping his feet on the ground.
And before competing for an Olympic Medal, Rafa gets ready for his summer triathlon : Swimming, fishing and… golf.
Don’t you think gold suits hims so well ?...