Daina Falk

Founder & face of Hungry Fan™ (brand). Curator of the sports fan's game day experience. Flavor maker. TV personality. Professional sports fan. #HungryFanFood

[Roger Federer @rogerfederer]

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

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

Today is a sad, sad day. Dikembe Mutombo was one of the most amazing humans on this planet. The impact that he made on the world and on me personally is immeasurable. Today we lost a good one. My thoughts are with his beautiful Rose and the kids.

#RIP #Dikembe

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

I had the distinct honor to be invited back to the Pentagon by the US Dept of Defense as part of the #JointCivilianOrientationConference. It’s not everyday you’re front row at a briefing with the Secretary of Defense. For more on my visit, head here: https://t.co/uqWesoLBka

[Robert Griffin III @RGIII]

The South Sudan Olympic Basketball team has been fascinating to follow. They are the youngest country in the world, have no indoor gyms and had a civil war that displaced millions.

Yet their basketball team has had the opportunity to play and got their first win ever at the Olympics against Puerto Rico because they have been funded by Luol Deng, the South Sudanese former NBA great, out of his own pockets for 4 years.

They had no funding for flights, hotels and other accommodations that are routine for every other team that is playing basketball in the Olympics.

Deng stepped in and made sure they could.

What a story and I can only imagine how proud this team is making all the South Sudanese. That’s the beauty of sports. They aren’t just an escape, they are a beacon of hope.

[Kevin Bacon @kevinbacon]

A drink fit for a GOAT. 🐐 Congrats @Simone_Biles and the entire women's gymnastics team!

[Rudy Willingham @RudyWillingham]

Simone Biles routine recreated with 120 paper cutouts. Congrats @Simone_Biles and @USAGym !!!! 🥇

#OlympicGames #Paris2024 #SimoneBiles #Gymnastics

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

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[Danny McGinlay @dannymcginlay]

Surely one of these blokes has an unfair advantage on the water? #Olympics2024

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

@voter1vote @celinedion It was amazing. She was perfect in every way. What a comeback.

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

Celine Dion made me cry. Very moving. #CelineDion

[Celine Gid @celinegidph]

Celine Dion
#Paris2024 #Olympics #Olympic2024

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

Here we go!!! #Olympics #Paris2024

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

Oooh my gosh! They gave us “Oh Happy Day” too!

Listen up: If you wanna be somebody and if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention. 😉

#SisterAct2Reunion

[philip lewis @Phil_Lewis_]

Whoopi Goldberg brought back the “Sister Act 2” choir to perform “Oh Happy Day” for the film’s 30th anniversary on “The View”

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

Oh my lord, I cannot contain my joy. Those of you who know me know that my favorite movies are Sister Act 1 and 2. And you also know I know ALL the dance moves to this song. This is THE BEST!!! #SisterAct2Reunion

[The View @TheView]

'JOYFUL, JOYFUL' 🎶 The stars of 'Sister Act 2' and students from the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art bring the house down with a performance of the hit song from the movie! #SisterAct2Reunion

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

I’ll never forget hearing Coach Wooden talk about what it was like coaching Bill Walton. He talked basketball, of course, but also about helping him overcome his speech impediment. He said they taught Bill how to speak…just not how to stop. 😁

#RIPBillWalton, you’ll be missed.

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

So sad to hear about the passing of Bill Walton. He was the absolute best. He was kind and so funny.

#RIPBillWalton

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

@SactownKingsFan @DaveManoucheri @kcranews @KCRAdapper @vicalonzomedia @Claire_Producer Congrats!!!

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

I live for seeing the OG 90s #Knicks showing up to the games and cheering on their team. It brings me back.

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

LOVED watching John Starks coaching the #Knicks from behind the baseline, under the basket.

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

Same. Could not have put it better myself.

#GNYGNYG #IYKYK

[Derek Johnson @derekjjohnson]

Seeing the Pacers in a playoff game against the Knicks feels like that feeling you get when you hear the first couple notes of an old song, memories rushing back so strong you can almost hear and smell them.

I immediately flashed to Reggie Miller and John Starks theatrics.

[Daina Falk @TheHungryFan]

How many dudes named Dan bet on #MystikDan because of the name and just got PAID (18-1)?

#KentuckyDerby

[DraftKings Sports @DKSports]

WHAT A FINISH 🤯

Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby.