TENNIS: Gracias Rafa

[JaneJeffer]

@PeggyMitchellsCameo that's lovely 🥲 but I did snigger at bottom fiddler because that's the kind of person I am

Me too JJ 😂😂😂
I am going to miss all the fiddling.
I used to love him playing Roger or Andy.
I am not a huge Novak fan but I appreciate all he has achieved. The Olympic final was epic!

Holger has taken over as fidgeter-in-chief and I'm hoping next year he does better but he's got Jannik and Carlos to contend with!

@PeggyMitchellsCameo that's lovely!

Jane I am hoping Holger settles a bit, and people (i.e the commentators) leave him alone a bit. Stop harping on about what he may have done 2/3 years ago. He's still young, he's a great talent, and can be so much fun to watch. Does need to decide on what length he wants his shorts. .
(Don't take advice from Tomas Machac).

Obviously, I'm still pinning my hopes on Casper - he can carry on the legacy of Rafa's academy, an honorary Spaniard. .

Love the poem PeggyMitchell - bottom fiddler

I think I might have to rewatch the Roger/Rafa Wimbledon final - I still remember watching it when it happened

I think someone has already mentioned it but I also loved his last AO win when he managed to come back after losing the first two sets - I started watching it in my PJs and it was still on at about 2.30pm - I think it's also the first time I'd heard Rafa swear!

I was just saying to DH (massive tennis fan and he plays tennis - I am too uncoordinated for tennis so I just watch) I feel really lucky to have watched the 4 of them. I feel sure they all elevated the others' level because they made them work so hard for it.
Rafael was so different and so exciting when he burst onto the scene and then we got used to his predictable rituals and baseline routine (we called it de-wedgying his wedgie) and sheer endurance and determination.

I might get flamed for this but Roger Federer was occassionally a sore loser (on the few times someone outside the 4 , beat him) whereas Rafa always seems to credit his opponent
Loved the letter from RF though.

I thought it was funny that Roger wrote about Rafa lining up his water bottles and fiddling with his underwear
Also saw one of the ATP videos today, with Andy saying Rafa must be the only player never to have thrown his racquet on the court but that he often threw his games 🎮 when Andy used to beat him at football gaming

@Fizbosshoes yes Rafa never made any excuses when he got beat. He would just say they played better than him. Roger could be a bit sulky and Djok likes to pretend he's at death's door when he loses.

Thanks for the new thread Jane. I’ve been at a work conference the last few days which has been very full on so I didn’t get to see Rafa’s last match or his ceremony thing. Will have to try and find it on YouTube somewhere (hopefully with translation!). Sad to have missed it.

We have snow, no electricity and a dog who doesn't know what the heck has happened!

Oh no that doesn't sound good Jane - hope you get sorted out soon!

Australia v US in the Davis Cup this morning and then Italy later this afternoon (I can't remember who they are playing)

I also think Italy have a good chance of winning (and their bench will quite easy on the eye )

Italy are playing Argentina

Gosh, the combination of Rafa’s retirement and this miserable cold weather is making me feel a bit flat. Hope you’re all keeping warm. Surely Italy is winning the Davis cup to go with the BJK trophy. They’ve certainly become a distractingly gorgeous incredibly dominant tennis superpower.

Thanks Jane for this thread. And a big thank you to everyone on these tennis threads for sharing so much knowledge and joy! I don't talk tennis outside of these threads, no one else I know cares! Feels so end of an era with Rafa's retirement :(

I saw his speech in a video on IG, with English subs - auto generated, not the best but you get the gist. If anyone is interested: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCk3KzoPtDF/?igsh=MTk5a2dlaGhteXdpcw==

I'm slightly sad there wasn't a bigger "do" but it also seems fitting for him to just say his piece and just let that stand, his sincerity shines through ♥️

It's close in the third set of Shelton v Kokkinakis - hoping that this and the Italian Team will make up for the post Rafa/winter blues

Wow! Epic tiebreak - 16-14 (I think!) to Australia

Aww- poor doggy.

My dog is turning into a total diva- he won't walk too far and demands to be hand fed on the sofa. He hates his coat- but I think his feet were cold this morning
(just frosty here now, the bits of snow melted, thankfullygrinch).

Ice No, if Italy are going to become the new Tennis superpower, the fact they are a good looking bunch isn't a bad thing, is it? shallow . And Jasmine Paolini just makes me smile.

I will be very happy with anything that means we see more of Matteo.

Ooh, definitely.

Purely for his tennis skills, of course.

Of course for his tennis skills! What else could I possibly mean?!

No idea

Chessie thank you for your service

USA vs Aus is coming down to the doubles.
I wonder why USA have chosen Ben and Tommy Paul to play doubles instead of Ram and Krejicek who were originally listed?

That's a bit odd- Ram and Krajicek being doubles specialists and everything. Maybe there's an injury?

I hope for their sake that’s the case Raahh, because the Australians are about to serve for the match.