Tennis: Road to Turin, anyone seen Rafa?

[IceandIndigo]

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Goffin is doing well.

Very impressive!

Well done David.

I know Sascha isn't 100%, but David played very well.

Well done David! Happy for him, he reminds me of my accountant.

Sascha seems fatigued, he should take a break.

He's never really looked like a tennis player, or older than 17. Despite the facial hair .

I'm not sure his 3 week old daughter will actually be watching.

Oh my goodness- talking of ball bouncing- I have a new contender for the most bounces between points- Leylah Fernandez. I have been watching for 2 points. I am already too irritated to watch any more .

Rafa is officially retiring after the Davis Cup - breaking news! 😭

I'm at work and I want to cry (also want to go to Malaga!)

I knew it was coming but I'm still sad

Not surprising really but NOOOOOO!

We're not ready!

I feel strange Raahh - I also knew it was coming and is probably for the best but Noooo!

I think that the Davis Cup in Spain will be a fitting end for him though

I just hope that we get to see it- knowing how coverage of Davis Cup has been (who has the rights to it, anyway? The Brits bits were on iplayer) I've no idea how I will watch it.

I don't think I dare watch his video until I'm safely home alone!

I agree, that it feels right that he retire in Spain. He was unlikely to win at RG again, and a send off after losing in the first round was always going to be a bit miserable.

He has had a lot of success as part of the Spanish team.
They are due to play the Netherlands(?)- so as a team, stand a pretty good chance. He will want to go out on a win, but I don't think anyone will be noticing the results .

I just wish Djok would go too- it would make it easier to swallow.

Yes I'm not sure if the result will really matter (although I'm sure that Spain will still want to win)

I have just watched his video - it is lovely actually - especially when he thanks his family and team

The clips just made be remember how amazing he was - I can't imagine anyone else being like him

The video made me cry . he looked so teary talking about his family especially.

2022 started so well- and then it all started to unravel- but he has his gorgeous little boy, who came at the right time really.

Noooo, just seen the news.

Even though it was what many people were expecting it's still crushing me.

I don't think there will ever be anyone like him- not just the way he plays, or his results, but his whole attitude, and the way people react to him.

I have 2 all time favourite players- Edberg and Rafa. Very different playing style, but with the same attitude and sportsmanship.

I remember seeing him play at the ASB Classic in Auckland back in 2004. It was the first tournament I ever went to in person. He was only a teenager at the time but it was clear he was going to be exceptional. An exceptional competitor and a wonderful human being, he will leave a Rafa shaped hole in the tour.

I agree that he's exceptional - just everything about him - will miss him a lot

I never got to see him in real life (I've seen Roger, Djok and Murray but never got to see Rafa )

Unsurprisingly Davis Cup tickets are sold out

Right I'd better get back to work - productivity has gone seriously downhill in the last hour!

I wonder if he's going to play singles at Davis cup or only doubles?

I'm still annoyed that he got drawn against Sascha in the first round at RG 24, I feel like he could have beaten most other players in the draw.

Carlitos about to play in Shanghai, hope he's had a good cry and got it all out of his system!

I've just watched the video and not gonna lie, I shed a tear 😭

My DD is insisting that we rename our dog because we named him Rafa and she thinks it'll break her heart when she comes home from uni 😂 😜

Actually, officially his full name is Rafa Roger.

She's suggesting we rename in GOAT!!!

I am still bitter about the draw at RG, there was a precedent set by Wimbledon when they seeded Serena after her mat leave- Amelie had the choice to do it, it was discussed and they decided against it.
I doubt Rafa would have won RG, but he deserved a few rounds at least- and 5 sets suit him better than 3.

Sad news, albeit expected. I’m just sad I never got to see any of them (Rafa, Roger, Andy) play. Hopefully they will come back to do invitation doubles at Wimbledon in the future or something!