On August 11 vamosbrigade.com will be 4 years old. Since that's only just over a week away, now seems as good a time as any to look back to how things were way back then and compare them to now.


Our first home page article, written by Carly, was a succinct explanation of Why we love Rafa. I read through it just now and realised that nothing has changed. Rafa's career has developed, the way he plays tennis has improved and his looks have matured but all those reasons still hold true.

The passion is undiminished...
the focus is still there...

and there's one other thing that hasn't changed.
When we started Rafa had held the number 2 ranking for a year. He would continue to do so for a further 2 years before finally achieving the number one spot for the first time. This, naturally, was something for us to celebrate.

A month before our launch, Rafa had reached his first Wimbledon final. At the time this was considered a major achievement for a player pundits reckoned to be a clay court specialist. Rafa seemed more than pleased by this achievement. Now, of course, he has just won his second Wimbledon title (and second channel slam).



Rafa's love of football has not diminished. He was photographed at Queens at the start of the World Cup in 2006 draped in the Spanish flag to show his support for his country. This year he took his fandom to the ultimate level and made it to the final where he was snapped in the victorious Spanish team's dressing room.


He continues to support Real Madrid (amid many rumours of his jinxing ability) and is now a shareholder in RCD Mallorca.


He continues to be a keen golfer. I couldn't find any images of him playing in 2006 but managed to find one from the Mallorca Classic golf tournament in 2007. Judging by this lie in the 2010 Renault Llucmajor Tournament he hasn't had much time to improve his game.


He had 17 singles titles in August 2006. These included 2 grand slams (or majors - call them what you will) and 6 ATP Masters Series. At some point that year (the origin of the quote is now lost in the mists of time) Rafa said, "If I finish tomorrow, I’ve had a very good career."

If he thought it was good then we can only speculate on what he thinks of his career now. In the last four years we've seen him win another 24 titles including 6 grand slams, a further 12 ATP Masters and the Olympic gold medal for singles.

It's been a fabulous ride through the ups and downs. Thanks to all those members of the Vamos Brigade who search so tirelessly to bring us all the news, pictures and videos and to those who simply entertain us with their comments. And, of course, thanks to Rafa for remaining the person we all fell in love with.

Long may you continue to delight us, Rafa