How did we find out about Rafa?
Part three - Australian Open 2007 onwards
To finish our look into how people first noticed Rafa, we concentrate this week on the relative latecomers.
Australian Open 2007
Isabel –
I first started following rafa during the 2007 Aus open when he played against Tommy Haas in third round, I first thought tennis was soo boring and never dreamed I'd be following it, or more specifically, Rafael Nadal, religiously, but my parents always watched it and I sat down to watch some matches and Rafa caught my eye because one, he was so buff and had the best smile and accent , and two because he was so modest and friendly . I was so upset when he lost in the next round to Gonzalez but I have followed him ever since and love him
Indian Wells 2007
luvyoyoma1954 –
As a man, as a player he struck me like lightening. I was a tennis fan again.
Hamburg 2007
ofrafa -
One day when my dad was watching the Hamburg masters, I had nothing else to do so I sat there and watched too. It was the semis, Rafa vs Hewitt. THAT WAS WHEN I SERIOUSLY GOT HOOKED. I finally looked at Rafa carefully, and was all "THAT GUY IS SERIOUSLY HOT". I got so excited and when it was the finals, I switched on the tv early, and plonked myself down onto the couch to watch. The thing was, the moment Rafa appeared on the screen, I got so breathless and excited and all that I had to run into my room to calm down for a while. Whoops. That's not very healthy is it? I just sat at my desk, telling myself "calm down, calm down, breathe..." before coming out again and sitting at the tv. I totally ogled throughout the match, and cried when he lost. Anyway, from that day on, it was from me everytime I heard Rafa's name, and I went on the net immediately and searched and searched for every scrap of info on Rafa possible. One of the first sites I discovered was VB, and though I read it practically every day, I didn't join yet. I guess I was kinda shy. Eventually, though, I really wanted to talk to and hear from other fellow fans of Rafa, so I joined. And loving every minute of it.
Roland Garros 2007
Nessa –
I've been a huge tennis fan for years, grew up watching it - thanks to my dad! Boris Becker was - and always will be - my tennis idol, but after he retired I lost a little interest in the sport. I still watched tournaments (though not as religiously) but no-one really grasped my attention. That is, until Roland Garros 2007...Yes, I'm a very latecomer.
I'd been off work sick and was laid up in bed watching Sky Sports and they were talking about this Spaniard, the reigning champion, who was hoping to make it 3 in a row. That got me interested right away, so I snuggled down and began watching, wondering who this 'phenonemal' player was they were raving about. And then there he was...this rather hot-looking guy with funny pants and killer arms and my interest began to peak. It was completely lust at first sight, I'm afraid to say. Until he began to play...he had such a booming forehand and I'd never seen such a charismatic and physical player since Boom-Boom Becker. He reminded me a lot of him and so, the lust quickly turned into admiration and my interest in the game was back!
I kept thinking to myself during the match, 'Who the heck is this guy and why did I not know about him sooner?'
The weird thing is if anyone was to ask me 'Do you remember the first time you saw Rafa Nadal?' I would say 'yes'. But if they asked me do you remember who he was playing at the time....that's a different story. I honestly can't remember who he was playing against that day. I was so completely focused on him.
And now, I'm hooked and Rafa has brought me back to the game. He's given me something, that after Becker, I thought I'd never see again. So and thank you, Mr. Nadal.
Tschager -
It was may 2007 (French Open) and my brother set in the livingroom and watched Eurosport!
I watched a bit with him and after 10 minutes I asked him how this is and all this things. His answer were: it is Rafael Nadal the number 2 of the world and this is one of the 4 Grand Slam!
I liked it from the first minute (only why I saw Rafa) and I asked him everything what he knew about tennis and Rafa!
The funny thing is that 2 minutes from our house is a tenniscenter but from me it wasn't interessting!
So I watched everyday to see Rafa and learn the regulate! Ok than it was sunday and my brother had had a footballplay and I pay the newspaper and in it was a big pic from Rafa so I knew that I must go home to see his match today!
Yes and from this moment I watched every match in the free tv and when it wasn't in the tv I was in the liveticker from eurosport since I found out about VB!
Wimbledon 2007
srikandi -
I was a tennis fan as a kid but lost interest when I started high school...never watched tennis again...until Wimbledon 2007. I was at work in a hospital (I was a student nurse) and my patient was sleeping the whole day but I had to stay in her room...I was so bored so I turned on the TV. Didn't even realize Wimbly was on, and then lo and behold, it was the Rafa v. Roger final! I had to watch with the sound off so I wouldn't disturb my patient, so I couldn't hear the commentary. I didn't know who Rafa or Roger was, their ranking, their rivalry, or their history...I was just mesmerized by Rafa's fighting spirit, athleticism, and HOTNESS! When he lost I had tears in my eyes, and one of the nurses came in and thought I was sad about my patient's condition and told me that my patient would be ok!
Ever since that day, also known to my friends as "the day Srikandi fell in love with Rafa", I've been watching all his old matches on DVD. I wish I had discovered him sooner, but I'm happy that I did. Almost a year ago and I'm still in love!
Nadal4ica -
My uncle watched tennis and one day I was interested to see what was he watching and that how I found Rafa! That day was the Wimbledon 2007 semifinal match Nadal agains Djokovic . I liked Rafa since the moment I saw him! Fortunately Djokovic retired from the match and I saw that the beautiful player was called Rafael Nadal and that he's from Spain. I started to like him because he was from Spain too.
His best match that I have seen was the Wimbledon final 2008. I cried so many tears that day and I was happy that he won!
Now I don't miss any of his matches well even if I'm not at school but even if I am, I'd make some excuse and the teachers let me go home.
US Open 2007
kyalpn -
I believe it was the 2007 US Open. My internet was down, I had three days off from work...was flipping channels on the TV trying to find something to watch and....
I was like... D***! Who is that and why have I never watched tennis before?
I've become more and more impressed with his tennis and have been getting into the sport more. I'm glad I found this site. I can find out about Rafa and learn tennis at the same time!
Hamburg 2008
July –
A friend of mine ask me to come with her, although I didn't know any Tennis-rules or any Tennis-Player. I never watched it on TV or something like that. Because I didn't want my friend to go to Hamburg alone, I went with here. I liked the event. And it only took a few minutes to make me fall in love with Rafa. He really got something special I don't know how to describe. But girls.....I think you know what I mean
Roland Garros 2008
mizhel -
I've been a tennis fan since midway through the Sampras era... turned off by the domination of *ahem* certain players. I switched off the nut in me...
Tennis has never been big in the Philippines, but enough to get an article or two in the big dailies, enough for me to notice that they're showing RG 08 with this ridiculously hot Spaniard trying to win his 4th title... so I tune in...
*poof*
Instant rafanatic! Have not used my pc without reading abt him, watching youtube vids, and finally finding VB...which was, quite frankly a godsend!
and I leave u all with this:
hi, I'm mizhel, and I am a card carrying, vamos screaming, fist pumping RAFAHOLIC...
donski –
It was only 2008 that I came across Rafa. My husband and his friend got interested in playing tennis and everytime there is a game aired on TV, they would watch in our place, I think it was the French Open final and Rafa won it, my first comment on Rafa was that he looked like an Apache or someone from the movie, Last of the Mohicans...so no interest there yet since I know nothing about tennis and I got no interest really. Then came Wimbledon finals and he won again! I was so sorry for Federer that I wanted to root for him ( good thing I didn't )...and so Rafa's wins went on in Toronto and the Olympics...it was really in the US Open 2008 that he got me hooked hahaha...in the semifinals, I even cooked "lechong kawali" , (crunchy fried pork belly) for him hehehe, unfortunately he lost and I was so sad I wanted to cry...it was the first match I watched seriously and he lost...so what I did was surf the net and get all the information about him, I first searched if he has a girlfriend and was glad he has this simple girl named Xisca....Since then my husband had been deprived of his laptop because I never stop searching for info about Rafa until the wee of hours......until now I tell you, I search the net everyday, good thing am not a working mom, got plenty of time.....my only sentiment is that had I known him earlier, I could have watched him play in Toronto last year because we just live here in Mississauga.....but anyway maybe next year when he plays again here, I wouldn't miss that opportunity to watch him...
I really really like Rafa, his tennis is superb, he really has the looks and he is so humble, what more can I ask for??????
I love u Rafaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Wimbledon 2008
htrix –
My mother is a big tennis fan and so I grew up spending two weeks of every summer being forced to watch every minute of Wimbledon! Naturally, I rebelled against this and ignored tennis as best I could, complaining loudly whever she made me watch it. Until this year's Wimbledon, when I decided to watch a little bit out of boredom. It was one of Nadal's matches and I wasn't bored for very long! I thought he was charismatic, so attractive it hurt, and a great, great player. I then watched the final and it was the best afternoon's entertainment I have ever seen! That fifth set almost killed me! So, thanks to Rafa, I am now a total tennis nut, completely converted. I've even started playing myself with a friend (needless to say, I suck badly!).
maitush –
I heard about Rafa a few years ago but didn't really watch him play an entire match till Wimbledon 07 finals, I was rooting for him cause I didn't want Fed to win... again. but then forgot about him
A few years passed, I moved out of home and didn't really followed tennis much. I knew about Hewitt and Roddick and Safin and then I heard about Roger too. but never really watched entire matches.
But then one day I found myself at my grandparents house watching the 08 wimbledon final. That was the day that changed my perception about tennis and sports in general. That was the first time I've seen Rafa in THAT way. I was totally hypnotized by his willing not to give up, fighting for every point as if his life depended on it. I was completely hooked with his movements, power and his charismatic attitude on court. I caught myself staring at his ass the entire match - the most beautiful ass I've seen in a man ever
After the match I couldn't sleep - I was thinking about the match, about the influence of sport on people and the beauty of it. I was inspired - just inspired
I think Rafa changed tennis forever and I'm proud we all have the privilege to watch him play.
dieaston -
I'm afraid I'm a latecomer to Rafa. Lost interest years ago in tennis. Am working in a supported house with two men with acquired brain injuries. One of them is young (27) so I said 'lets watch Wimbledon' (this year). Rafa was playing and we were both hooked. We followed Rafa to the final. I don't know how many cigarettes I smoked during that match, I was on the edge of my seat throughout willing him on. I went out the next day and brought newspapers with a picture to put up in the office at the house. I used it as inspiration to my client of the results of hard work, dedication etc. Its also something for me to drool over when I'm at work.
shelly -
I've been lurking on this board since last year; This is my first post. I've wanted to post in this particular thread for a while now but never got up the nerve to do it (silly I know ). However, I figured now was a good time to share with you guys how I became interested in this beautiful boy( this is what my mom and i call him. she is also a big rafa fan). I've always liked tennis but lost interest in it over the years. My mom however is almost 70 and a sports nut who watches every kind of sport from golf to moto gp. Last year she was watching the wimbledon final and I was sitting there bored, watching but not really watching, waiting for it to finish so I could watch something more interesting (I know, how dumb ). I noticed at first that it was that guy from the finals the year before who I thought was trying too hard to look all street and cool in his sleeveless shirt and long baggy shorts plus his butt picking was a big turn off. Then I thought, this guy has really beautiful skin. I was soon thinking, wow this guy's body is amazing. By this time I was sitting up straighter and really watching. I noticed his focus and intensity and thought how very latin and sexy that was. Next thing I know I was googling to find out more about him and since then have become entrenched in the intriguing dichotomy that is the on court and off court Rafa Nadal. I am now one of his devoted fans . I really miss him and i'm hoping and praying that he will be back soon playing in the way that only this beautiful boy can
Toronto 2008
ladydks –
I had seen him play a few times in previous years but this year I started to hear the commentators talk about how respectful, humble, determined, patient etc. he was and this caught my attention. Then I REALLY watched him play and I couldn't believe that a guy this competitive could be that nice. So I went online and sure enough everything I read seemed to agree - tiger, warrior, matador, raging bull on court but kind, simple, and grounded off court. THEN he won the Rogers Cup, I saw the pic and the rest is . . . well let's just say that my life has changed and I know that many of you on this board know what I mean. This is getting long but I wanted to add that I had a few moments of panic in Nov. (no tennis for Rafa) and then VB site was suspended! I realized that I had to register to get through the "off season" and so far it has been great. So many like-minded and talented people here. Thanks
A final few words from those who can't remember when it was...
nashty
I was watching CNN and saw a text at the bottom part of the screen (sorry I forgot what it's called) saying that Rafael Nadal had won the French Open. He stuck to my mind because he has the same surname as one of the great singers that I like in our country - Nadal.
Then came Wimbledon. I surfed the Internet and found an article in yahoo about the final between Rafa and Roger. What struck me the most is the question on how one feels about the other. As I remember it, Roger's answer is fear while Rafa's is RESPECT. And it was at that moment that I started to [like] him. I'm so proud that what got me into him is his off-court attitude.
suzyq -
I was surprised how quickly the Rafa-obsession took over as well.
I've been a tennis fan forever and I love to play. I loved watching Conners, Chang, Agassi,and Hewitt. I love the fighting style of play. Then along came the next "greats" Sampras (yawn) then Fed (beautiful game yada, yada, yawn, & double yawn). No passion. The top of the game needed a big VAMOS!
So I'm watching one of the slams a few years ago and here's this Spanish kid who is like no one ever seen--and gorgeous to boot!
Next round I say to my husband "this guy is so exciting to watch and he's got to be the best looking tennis player ever." And right then and there I was totally smitten with the player, his game, his electric smile,and what I eventually learned about the way he conducts himself, his humility, respect for others,etc, etc.
I got to see him at a tournament, working on his serve on the practice court. I thought if a meteor landed behind me it wouldn't be enough for me to take my eyes off Rafa. My friend said. "You've got it bad" and believe me it's gotten alot worse.
Now, as much as I love tennis, I my Rafafanatisism has overshadowed my tennis fanatisism. It's hard to cope-- living and dying with every point, cheering but nervous. at every round. On cloud nine for the wins--in a rotten funk and worried for him at every loss.
Glad for vb and those who have same wonderful problem and those with so much talent, enthusiasm and savvy to put together this site and all the fabulous pics, video, articles, news and shared admiration for this great champion!!!!!!!!
