Victoria Pleavin

P.Eng. Water nerd. Gamer. Fandom Warrior. SciFi lover. My husband's IT support desk. 🍅 grower. She/her. @[email protected]

[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

[snopes.com @snopes]

While you’re scrolling, keep a lookout for suspicious videos or images — or, visual media that may have been digitally edited to show something that isn’t real. Send them our way. We'll try to investigate. https://t.co/CbfBDeDStW

[Liveuamap @Liveuamap]

.@secdef confirms the US is seeing evidence that North Korean troops have gone to Russia. First official U.S. confirmation https://t.co/ZDAMJpb3bU
https://t.co/KV6xJR51lo

[Troy Hunt @troyhunt]

Processing a new (possible) breach and have a poll for you all: If you use a service implementing Gravatar and it enables your email address to be retrieved, matched to your profile and leaked, would you want to be notified? Previous reference: https://t.co/JVYwBSSfSl

[Victoria Pleavin @pleavin]

@ARCCollective That or he's REALLY determined to see what I'm tweeting.

[Foreign Policy CAN @CanadaFP]

2/2 Canada calls for the protection of peacekeepers and humanitarian workers, and for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law.

[Foreign Policy CAN @CanadaFP]

1/2 The IDF firing on #UNIFIL peacekeepers and first responders in #Lebanon is alarming and unacceptable. Canada reiterates its full support for UNIFIL and its critical role in contributing to a diplomatic settlement consistent with UNSCR 1701.

[The Associated Press @AP]

BREAKING: Maggie Smith, the Oscar-winning actor known to millions from Harry Potter and "Downton Abbey," has died at age 89, her publicist says. https://t.co/Y1CGV6tHNY

[Jen Psaki @jrpsaki]

I have worked for two Presidents, briefed two Presidents. We don’t want a President sitting in the Oval Office who wouldn’t demand exactly this. It’s literally your job to be prepared for it.

[Kate Mulgrew @TheKateMulgrew]

Thank you @AOC for the shout-out last night on @StephenAtHome @colbertlateshow. I take great pride in my legacy as Janeway, especially inspiring the next generation of leaders.

I wholeheartedly endorse @KamalaHarris & @Tim_Walz - time for another #BlueWave2024 🌊 #KamalaHarris

[Jay in Kyiv @JayinKyiv]

Ukrainian Forces pouring over Russia's Kursk region like sweet, sweet maple syrup.

[EMPR.media @EuromaidanPR]

The IAEA advised russia and Ukraine to use "maximum restraint" near the Kursk NPP.
We advise IAEA to advise russia return alive ALL personnel of the Chornobyl NPP captured by russians in Feb 2022.
We advise IAEA to advise russia to withdraw ALL russian troops from the Zaporizhzhia NPP occupied by russians on March 4, 2022.
After that you are welcome to advise on the Kursk NPP.
Let's solve problems as they come.

[Jeffrey Cook @NagusCook]

@JeriLRyan Whenever someone complains to me wondering when Star Trek turned political, my immediate and unwavering answer is always "1966."

[Taylor Owen @taylor_owen]

Important new report from @MediaEcosystem detailing the implications of Meta's Canadian news ban on news consumption across five platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter. A few observations. 🧵

[Katt Wade @KattW_]

WeeblsStuff is looking for a part time editor for creating social content, such as lyric videos, compilations, shorts/reels/tiktoks and more. If you’re interested, please reply to this tweet with your editing reel and we will get back to you! DMs will not be considered.

[Jeffrey Evan Gold @jeffgoldesq]

4:21 PM PT -- A source who has spoken with a member of the Secret Service tells TMZ, Trump was not hit by a bullet. Rather, a bullet hit his teleprompter and the GLASS struck him by the ear.

[Victoria Pleavin @pleavin]

When will there be sanctions for how much psychic damage the US is doing to the world? #debate2024

[snopes.com @snopes]

The debate is over. Stay tuned for more fact-checking from us as the 2024 presidential election nears. Heard something tonight you're curious about? Send Snopes tips here: https://t.co/ggOmeDS1Kw