Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.
I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear... All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.
And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.
OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.
We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud.
I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.
I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.
And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.
Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.
Rafa that!
Best always, your fan,
Roger
A little clarification, since this is a topic that people are surprisingly passionate about:
“Next Sunday” is in 6 days. Because it is the next Sunday.
“This Sunday” is also in 6 days. They are the same day.
So is “Sunday coming”. Same day.
However, If you have already referred to Sunday coming as “this Sunday”, you may then refer to “THE next Sunday” as the following Sunday after that, but that does not make it “next Sunday”
Generally though, If you want to talk about the Sunday after the next one, you should say “Sunday Week”.
Hope this clarifies matters, and resolves the issue in a way that requires no further discussion.
Quentin Halys hits one of the SHOTS OF THE YEAR.
Never seen anything like this.
He falls down & is half-way to laying on the floor, but slaps a forehand into the corner.
TENNIS. 🤯
🚨🔴 Manchester United have agreed on personal terms with Manuel Ugarte.
Contract terms discussed, player keen on moving to United even without Champions League football.
Club-to-club talks continue with PSG, as more clubs also inquired.
Same agent as Leny Yoro: Jorge Mendes.
I know I should be posting the Demba Ba slip, but when Steven Gerrard was sent off just 38 seconds after coming on as a sub in his last game against Manchester United that was the funniest moment in the pettiest way for it to finish like that against us.
Liverpool under Klopp during their BEST run
15/16:No Trophy
16/17:No Trophy
17/18:No Trophy
20/21:No Trophy
22/23:No Trophy
Trophy less in 5 out of 8 seasons, but the media wants to label him as a legend 😄.
Hats off to Danny Mills. He is spot on here.
The Original Nike Air Zoom Total 90s didn’t win but they’re going to go in the next 48hrs….
RETWEET to win BUT please read the below and raise awareness and some help for some amazing people 👇🏼👇🏼
It’s a disgrace that fans still go to Everton and Anfield and sing feed the scousers. The homeless problem in this country is staggering.
@Donna_Scully and the Carpenters Group along with @SFoodbanks run a Sunday breakfast club feeding the homeless that those fans sing about.
Please see the link attached after this tweet and retweet to raise awareness to help them do what they do.
The more eyes the better 👀
Donna, Dave, Robbie, Ross and all of you amazing guys… see you all soon 🙌🏼