Rafa en photos

Rafael Nadal at the airport of Palma de Mallorca 31/01/13

Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy App

Rafael Nadal returns to tennis, one slow step at a time

Rafael Nadal's practice and interview in English 30/01/2013

Rafa en photos

Rafael Nadal sympathises with victims of Brazil fire tragedy

Former world number one tennis player Rafael Nadal has shared his sympathies with the affectees of the fire tragedy that happened in a nightclub in Brazil on Saturday night.


Former world number one tennis player Rafael Nadal has shared his sympathies with the affectees of the fire tragedy that happened in a nightclub in Brazil on Saturday night.
Nadal posted on his twitter account, “All my support and strength to the affected of the fire in Brazil. This kind of situation should not happen again!”
The tragic incident took place when weekend celebrations were in full swing at the Kiss club in the university town of Santa Maria. A band’s pyrotechnic display set fire to the sound-proofed ceiling and started a fire that choked dozens to death and saw dozens more trampled in the ensuing panic.
Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff said in a speech "In the face of this tragedy, we have to make sure it never happens again. The victims were young. They had dreams. They could have been our future mayors, presidents, scientists, agronomists, psychologists and judges. They could have been any one of our sons or granddaughters."
According to Reuter’s report, at least 233 people died in the deadly fire and around 92 are still being treated in hospitals. Local reporters stated that the two owners of the night club and two members of the band that was performing on the sad night have been arrested for investigations.
Nadal will be heading to Brazil in the second week of February to play an ATP World Tour 250 clay court tournament in Sao Paulo. The Spaniard would be playing his second comeback tournament and for the first time in Brazil in the last 18 years.
The world number five is currently in Chile, where he will be featuring in his first tournament since losing to Lukas Rosol in the second round of Wimbledon in the month of June last year.
Source: http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Nadal-sympathises-with-victims-of-Brazil-fire-tragedy-articolo8181.html

Rafael Nadal says knee still hurting ahead of return to tennis

 Rafael Nadal hasn't played on tour since June, mainly due to tendinitis in his knees. (Manu Fernandez/Associated Press)


One week ahead of his expected return to tennis, Rafael Nadal says his left knee is still causing him pain.
The 26-year-old Spaniard is scheduled to play next week in Chile before heading to tournaments in Brazil and Mexico.
Speaking Wednesday on the island of Mallorca, Nadal says that although his knee is looking better, "sometimes it still hurts ... but I have to start sooner or later."
Nadal says playing at the three Latin American tournaments "will be very useful," adding he is "fine, enthusiastic," after not playing since losing to Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/story/2013/01/30/sp-tennis-atp-rafael-nadal-knee-injury.html

Nadal ressent encore de la douleur

                         Rafael Nadal ressent encore de la douleur au genou à l'approche de son retour. (Photo PC)

MANACOR, Espagne - À une semaine de la date prévue de son retour au jeu, Rafael Nadal a fait savoir qu'il a encore mal au genou gauche.

L'Espagnol de 26 ans prévoyait renouer avec le tennis, la semaine prochaine au Chili, avant d'aller disputer des tournois au Brésil et au Mexique.

Depuis l'île de Majorque, mercredi, Nadal a indiqué que son genou prenait du mieux, mais qu'il lui faisait encore mal à l'occasion. Il a ajouté qu'il devra quand même recommencer à jouer « tôt ou tard ».

Nadal n'a pas disputé de match depuis qu'il a perdu au deuxième tour du tournoi de Wimbledon.

Classement ATP/ATP Ranks

1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 12920 pts

2. Roger Federer (SUI) 10265

3. Andy Murray (GBR) 8480

4. David Ferrer (ESP) 6685 (+1)

5. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 5400 (-1)

6. Tomas Berdych (Rép. t.) 4680

7. Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG) 4210

8. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 3555

9. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 3180

10. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 2720

11. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 2695

12. Juan Monaco (ARG) 2430

13. John Isner (É.-U.) 2215

14. Gilles Simon (FRA) 2280 (+2)

15. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2175

16. John Isner (É.-U.) 2125 (-3)

17. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 1990

18. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 1765 (+5)

19. Philipp Kohlschreiber (ALL) 1740

20. Sam Querrey (É.-U.) 1695 (+2)

Rafael Nadal remporte son premier tournoi de poker

Coup de tonnerre sur la planète poker : Rafael Nadal vient de remporter son premier tournoi de poker. Certes il ne s'agissait que d'un 10 € NLHE sur PokerStars.es. Certes il n'y avait que 47 joueurs en lice. Certes il n'a empoché que 152 €. Mais quand même !

Remporter 7 fois Roland Garros, c'est bien. Gagner 150 € sur PokerStars, c'est mieux.

 

Il l'a fait ! Plus de six mois après être devenu le porte-drapeau de PokerStars, Rafael Nadal a signé hier sa première victoire aux tables de poker en ligne.
Après un peu plus de 2h de jeu, soit l'équivalent d'un match en trois sets expéditifs, Rafa s'est en effet imposé dans un 10 € NLHE de PokerStars.es pour un gain de 152 €.
Chiffres de Sharkscope à l'appui, cela faisait rien de moins que 19 tournois que le tennisman espagnol attendait ça ! Une éternité pour un champion de cette trempe, habitué à enchaîner les victoires semaine après semaine.
Parmi les 47 joueurs présents sur la ligne de départ du tournoi figuraient pourtant quelques épouvantails. De Raul de Grenade, serveur dans un bar à tapas le jour et matador des Double or Nothing la nuit, à Sergio d'Alicante, go go dancer à Ibiza la nuit et conquistador des MTTs à 2 € le jour.
Du haut de ses 26 ans, le septuple vainqueur de Roland Garros ramène son bilan en carrière à un total tout à fait honorable de 250 € de pertes. Un retour sur des bases saines et qui lui permettra sans doute d'envisager l'avenir de manière plus sereine. Après avoir vu son déficit culminer à 400 € tout de même, ses détracteurs en sont aujourd'hui pour leurs frais : non, le point de retour n'avait pas été atteint.
À la faveur de ce retournement de situation inattendu, Rafa va désormais devoir répondre à cette question à laquelle tout joueur ayant remporté une manche du King 5 ou un Miniroll a un jour été confronté : dois-je abandonner mon job et me lancer dans la voie du poker professionnel ?

Source: http://www.clubpoker.net/rafael-nadal-remporte-premier-tournoi-poker/n-7245

Rafa Nadal Wins Online Poker Tournament

 Tennis legend Rafa Nadal joined PokerStars back in June 2012, and almost half a year on the Spaniard has now taken down his very first tournament on PokerStars. Recently, Nadal entered a €10 freeze-out tourney on PokerStars.es. and managed to defeat a 47 player field over two hours to eventually walk away with the €152.40 first place prize.
Ok, it may not have been the biggest score for the 26 year old compared to his $50 million winning tennis career, but no one can fault Nadal’s competitive streak and dedication to his new found hobby. As Nadal explained after joining PokerStars last summer:
“It’s no secret that I love to compete and try my very best in everything, whether that’s tennis, golf or video games. When I discovered the game of poker, I chose to join PokerStars because they understand what it takes to be the best and associate themselves with the qualities of champions. I’m very happy to be working with them.”
At the time, however, Rafael Nadal was a relative novice to poker, but over the past few months has evidently begun to sharpen his skills as he continues to receive training in the nuances of the game from the top pros.
Rafael Nadal’s joining PokerStars as member of Team SportStars coincided with his temporary withdrawal from professional tennis on account of tendinitis in his knee. During his recovery, Nadal has been practicing his poker game, and even had a promising run at the Spanish Championship of Online Poker (ESCOOP) €200 main event until his A-K got out flopped by his opponent’s pocket jacks.

Now with a first tournament victory under his belt, Nadal’s poker training seems to headed nicely in the right direction and the confidence he gains from taking down the mini-tournament can only spur him on to greater poker success in the future.

Source: http://www.onlinepoker.net/poker-news/poker-pros-news/rafa-nadal-wins-online-poker-tournament/18172

Spain to face Canada in Davis Cup without Rafael Nadal or David Ferrer

 Rafael Nadal won't play in the Davis Cup tie next month in Vancouver against Canada. (Charles William Pelletier/QMI Agency/Files)

 MADRID - Powerful Spain will play an opening-round Davis Cup tie against Canada next week without its top two players, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer.
World No. 11 Nicolas Almagro will lead the Spaniards against the Canadians in Vancouver from Feb. 1-3.
Spanish captain Alex Corretja has also called on a doubles team of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez, while 51st-ranked Albert Ramos is also on the squad.
Nadal hasn't played since June because of a left knee injury.
Five-time champion Spain lost to the Czech Republic in last year's Davis Cup final.
Canada, which has never won the Davis Cup, will be led by world No. 15 star Milos Raonic, and the team will also include Vasek Pospisil, Frank Dancevic and Daniel Nestor.

Source: http://www.torontosun.com/2013/01/22/spain-to-face-canada-in-davis-cup-without-rafael-nadal-or-david-ferrer

Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal Watch

SIHH 2013…
Yohan ‘The Beast’ Blake isn’t the only one to get a new Richard Mille this year — multi-year athlete/ambassador and tennis superstar Rafael Nadal also gets a new piece.  The new Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 27-01 ‘Rafael Nadal Watch’ — designed in collaboration with Rafael Nadal — follows the original RM 027 from 2010.  Not only is the look is vastly different but so is the engineering.  Its ultra-light carbon case and complex architecture reflects Mille’s desire to create a movement held in total suspension  in its case.   Indeed, this is one of the more avant-garde and innovative architectural constructions seen in recent times — I’ll walk you through all the details, below.

Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal Watch

Limited edition 50 pieces

carbon case + Velcro strap (total=19 grams), movement suspended by tensioned cable & pulley architecture

The RM 27-01 has a baseplate attached by four braided steel cables just 0.35mm in diameter. The cables are held taut by an ingenious system of tensioners (located at 3′ and 9′) and pulleys positioned at the four corners of the movement.  Each cable is fixed to the tensioner, passes over the upper pulley and into the movement before returning to the lower pulley.  Once the cables are threaded, the watchmaker tensions them by rotating a central tensioner ring .  All said and done, Mille suggests that this enables the caliber to withstand tensions of 5,000 G.
As one seeks to comprehend this process, I was reminded of the process of stringing a tennis racket and Voila!  The Mille genius of building his watches to be sympatico with his athletes is recognized!
This structure combines strength and flexibility to protect the ultra-light movement which clocks in at a mere 3.5 grams.  This ultra-light movement is due to the use of titanium baseplate and tourbillon carriage as well as aluminum-lithium for the barrel bridges and gear trains.
The overall watch weights in at a mere 19 grams — Velcro strap included.  The original RM 27 was 21 grams, sans strap, I believe).  Velcro — as we first saw on the 2012 Olympics and Yohan Blake’s watch — seems an appropriate material for a watch such as this.
Word is that Rafa is now playing all his tournaments in the RM27-01!

Source: http://blog.perpetuelle.com/watches/richard-mille-tourbillon-rm-27-01-rafael-nadal-watch/

Rafael Nadal's practice in Barcelona 21/01/2013 (TVE)

Pete Sampras says Rafael Nadal is missed by tennis people and fans

One of the best tennis players of all time Pete Sampras has said that 11-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal might not be missed by his rivals but almost every other person related to tennis is missing him.
One of the best tennis players of all time Pete Sampras has said that 11-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal might not be missed by his rivals but almost every other person related to tennis is missing him.
Sampras stated in a recent interview, “He’s missed. He might not be missed by the players, but he’s missed by tennis people and by the fans.”
Nadal is having an extended lay off due to his recurring knee injury and stomach virus. The former world number one has not played any tournament for nearly seven months, missing last year’s London Olympics, US Open, ATP World Tour Finals, Davis Cup final and now this year’s Australian Open.
Although, Nadal had recovered from the knee injury in last November and had started court training. The Spaniard was scheduled to make a comeback at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi and then take part in Qatar ExxonMobil Open and Australian Open but the stomach virus did not allow him to do so.
Nadal is now almost certain to make his much awaited comeback at the VTR Open in Chile at the start of February. After featuring at that ATP World Tour 250 clay court tournament, the Spanish star will play two more events on his favorite surface in South America during February.
Sampras thinks that Nadal has made a wise decision to make his comeback on the clay courts, as it is his favourite surface and competition will also be less tougher in the South American tournaments.
The American said, “He’s going about things the right way by returning at a clay-court tournament in South America, as he knows clay like the back of his hand, and the field in South America probably won’t be that strong so he could win the tournament.”
Sampras went on to say that no one can deny the fact that Nadal is being missed at the Australian Open and every tennis follower wants to see him back at his best as early as possible.
He added, “But there’s something missing in Melbourne. He’s great for the sport, and everyone wants to see him back at the top again.”
Nadal will drop to the fifth place in the tennis rankings at the end of the Australian Open, getting overtaken by his compatriot, Davis Cup team mate and very good friend David Ferrer.

Source:  http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Pete-Sampras-says-Rafael-Nadal-is-missed-by-tennis-people-and-fans-articolo8008.html

Andy Murray defends Rafael Nadal from Rochus comments

 Andy Murray recently defended Rafael Nadal from comments made by Olivier Rochus, who implied the Spaniard might have doped in the past: ”He’s very far from reality his thinking. A few see how much we train, the hours of hard preparation and work…and there are sports even more demanding than tennis. When we stay 5-6 hours on court during the Slams, we have anyway a day off, it’s not impossible to play the following round.”

Source: http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Andy-Murray-defends-Rafael-Nadal-from-Rochus-comments-articolo7990.html