Paris, November 11, 2009

Rafa Nadal secured a titanic victory over compatriot Nicolás Almagro on Wednesday evening to reach round three of the BNP Paribas Masters tournament where he will play against Tommy Robredo today.

Rafa admitted he was "very lucky" after edging Almagro 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-5, by saving five match points in a three-hour and 14-minute marathon.

He was very critical of his game but highlighted his "attitude". "I've shown that if there is something to not worry about it's the attitude, that has been good at all times, even playing a game badly enough," he said.

"I am very lucky to be in third round.  I didn't play well”, said Rafa smiling. “I was practicing really well in Mallorca, but when I arrived here, it's tough to [get] good rhythm.  I have another chance to improve tomorrow.  I hope [I] don't play worse.  I think the win today is a very important win, and I am going to have another chance tomorrow to improve."

Tommy Robredo does not have a good record against Rafa. The world No. 15 has a 0-5 record against the world No.2. The two men last played in Shanghai a few weeks ago; Rafa won the match 6-1, 6-4.

Their match is scheduled to start not before 7:30pm (local time) on Center Court.

Video: Tennis24grTV

Vamos Rafa! 

Paris, November 10, 2009

Rafa and ‘Pico’ Monaco didn’t have much luck on Tuesday afternoon after losing a very close first-round doubles encounter (6-4, 5-7, 13-15) against Christopher Kas and Phillipp Kohlschreiber at the BNP Paribas Masters Series tournament.

In singles, Rafa will make his debut on Wednesday against Nicolas Almagro. Their match is scheduled third on center court.

Rafa's second-round opponent is a player against whom he has never lost. So far, he's up 4-0.

Vamos Rafa!

Paris, November 10, 2009

Rafa and ‘Pico’ Monaco will be playing the first round of doubles at the BNP Paribas Masters Series tournament today against Christopher Kas and Phillipp Kohlschreiber. Their match is scheduled fourth after 3 singles matches on Center court.

'THE BEST SPORTING TALENT' OF 2008

Rafa Nadal  received last night in Paris the prestigious Serge Kampf Award from the French Academy of Sports, for his “exceptional results in 2008”, which made him “the best sporting talent” of the year.

He was supposed to receive the prize this year during Roland Garros, but instead, the French National Assembly’s president, Bernard Accoyer presented him with the trophy in a ceremony at the Palais de Lassay residence yesterday evening.

Some of Rafa’s achievements in 2008 include his fourth successive win at Roland Garros, as well as winning Wimbledon for the first time, an Olympic gold in Peking and the world No.1 ranking.

“I’m really thankful to be getting this award in Paris because it is a city that has an important significance to my career. To me, it is the most important place in the world,” said Rafa at a press conference after the ceremony.

“2008 was almost perfect,” he continued before making reference to this year’s campaign which has also had “good moments”. Perhaps 2009’s performance doesn’t reach the same level of success that is being recognized by the Academy for last year’s results. But it “shows just how difficult it is to do something like that again.”

“It’s not easy to compare your year-by-year performance. But rest assured I will do everything in my power to do it again.”

Congratulations Rafa!

Paris, November 9, 2009

Rafa Nadal is set to receive this evening at 6:00pm (local time), the prestigious Serge Kampf Award from the French Academy of Sports, which will honour the Australian Open champion as the “best sporting talent” in 2008.

He was supposed to receive the prize this year during Roland Garros, but instead, the French National Assembly’s president, Bernard Accoyer will present the trophy in a ceremony at the Palais de Lassay residence tonight.

Some of Rafa’s "exceptional set of results" in 2008, include his fourth successive win at Roland Garros, as well as winning Wimbledon for the first time, an Olympic gold in Peking and the world No.1 ranking.

Congratulations Rafa!

Paris, November 6, 2009

The draw ceremony for the Paris Masters Series Tournament took place this evening and it was revealed that either Nicolas Almagro or a Qualifier will be Rafa’s opponent for his opening match in the second round.

Amongst the players on his side of the Draw, Rafa could clash with Tomas Berdych, Tommy Robredo, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, or Gilles Simon on his way to a hypothetical semi-final where he could face either Novak Djokovic or Robin Soderling.

DOUBLES: Rafa will also participate in the doubles competition where he will play with childhood friend Juan Monaco. The pair will face German couple Kas and Kohlschreiber in the first round.

Vamos Rafa!

November 5, 2009

Rafa Nadal sat down for an in-depth interview on this week’s Talk Asia with CNN’s John Vause. The champ shared his thoughts on his comeback this year, how long he hopes to continue playing and a lot more. 

Enjoy! 

Second video

Third Video 

Video courtesy: Talk Asia CNN 

Uploaded by: marmiaumiau

RAFA FACEBOOK UPDATE: "[i'm] going to Lyon (Babolat's HQ) on Friday, [and will travel] to Paris on Saturday.

Mallorca, November 4, 2009

Six-time grand slam winner Rafa Nadal sits down for an in-depth interview on this week’s Talk Asia. CNN gets access to the Mallorcan tennis player on and off the court at the Shanghai ATP Masters 2009.

Rafa shares with CNN’s John Vause thoughts on his comeback this year, how long he hopes to continue playing and a lot more. 

(Airtimes: Indian Standard Times ,Wednesday, Nov 4 at 19:00hrs ,Thursday, Nov 5 at 10:00hrs , Saturday, Nov 7 at 17:30hrs , Monday, Nov 9 at 05:00hrs)

Santander, October 31st, 2009

Rafa Nadal will spend this weekend in Santander (accompanied by members of his family) where he plans to play a golf tournament at the Pedreña golf club today, Saturday.

BANESTO'S NEW TV AD

All day yesterday, in hall No.3 of the Bilbao Exposition Center (BEC), Rafa shot a TV commercial for Banesto (The bank that represents him). The ad, called 'The Matrix', was closely watched by Ana Patricia Botin, president of the entity.

During filming, Rafa ran from side to side of the set chasing imaginary balls and not even his signature Babolat racket had strings. The aim, as they explained, was to achieve the show-motion effect that you see in the scenes when Keanu Reeves fights.  

With Rafa, they think, it will be even better, more spectacular, since cameras (placed on the set of filming as the backbone of a triceratops), will show the movements of the tennis player from a 360 º angle: A complete view of the muscular champion. The technique has been called, very appropriately, 'instant bullet'.

During lunch, at the Gloria Zierbena restaurant, Rafa signed some autographs and took photos with fans, always smiling and grateful to them for their affection. There is no doubt his greatness goes way beyond his skills on a tennis court. 

Vamos Rafa!

Mallorca, October 29, 2009

Rafa Nadal trained early this morning in Mallorca before getting ready for a trip to Madrid where he will receive this afternoon at 5:00pm (local Spanish time) the 'Universal Spaniard 2009 Award', given to him by 'La Fundación Independiente' for his successful sporting career and excellent civic behaviour.

The organization described Rafa as "an excellent example for our society. Specially for our youngsters."

The celebration will honour all kind of athletes who have excelled not only in their profession but most importantly, in their determination to help project Spain's name across the world through hard work, sportsmanship and good values.

After the press conference you will be able to follow the event 'online' through 'www.fundacionindependiente.com' or 'www.mapfre.com'. The chat, which has been named: 'Rafa Nadal. Talent and Values: An educational challenge', will explain the keys to his success.

The chat will start at 6.00pm (local Spanish time), and will count with the participation of Rafa, Carlos Costa and Santiago Alvarez de Mon, (an IESE professor).

COMMITMENTS: Rafa is due to travel on Friday to Santander where he will participate in a promotional event for the bank that sponsors him.

Madrid, October 29, 2009

Rafa Nadal has been honoured this afternoon in Spain with ‘The Independent Foundation 'Universal Spaniard of the Year Award for his success in sport and his excellent behaviour off-court. "I do not see it that way, but people tell me I'm a role-model to young people and kids. If so, please tell them to strive to be the best and enjoy what they like doing most," said the champ in a press conference at the Ritz Hotel.

“At the moment I feel great. I competed in Beijing and Shanghai. In Beijing I had a few things bothering me but after that, I started to feel at 100% and I’m very happy because I’m training very well now,” he continued.

He also qualified his 2009 campaign as “real good” considering he had fantastic results at the beginning of the year. “I can’t say much, I won a Grand Slam, three Master Series events and played 2 more finals In Godó and Rotterdam… I know there were other factors like injuries and other problems, but personally, I think it’s been a year more complicated than I initially expected,” he continued.

“There’s a lot more to life than tennis,” and there are problems out there more serious than an injury. “I didn’t play for 2 months. This season has been worse than last year’s, but not worse than 2007’s and 2006’s. When you are at home, without competitions, you think a lot, you spend tons of hours seating at home on a sofa recovering. If your down in the ranking and you play less, you get fewer injuries for sure. But you never know.”  

Nevertheless, “I always give a 110% …Perhaps that puts me in a risk and makes me more vulnerable to injuries but if I can’t give my best then I just go fishing…. You will learn at the end.”

COMMITMENTS: Rafa is due to travel on Friday to Santander where he will participate in a promotional event for the bank that sponsors him.