❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
Barclays ATP World Tour Finals atpworldtour.com/Finals Top Eight Players in the World play in Round Robin London, England
Rafa Nadal defeated Mardy Fish 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(3) Sunday, November 20, 1011
Roger Federer defeated Rafa Nadal 6-3, 6-0 Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Rafa Nadal 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-3 Thursday, November 24, 2011 Now, Rafa has the Davis Cup to be played in Spain vs. Argentina
The Tennis Channel is carrying LIVE matches and also reairing the matches, same day as played Rafa and Fish's match is being reaired now Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. USA, EST
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his match against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 1, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Ernests Gulbis of Latvia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 1, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Ernests Gulbis of Latvia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 1, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Rafael Nadal of Spain jumps in the air as he celebrates defeating Ernests Gulbis of Latvia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 1, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Ernests Gulbis of Latvia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 1, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Ernests Gulbis of Latvia during day seven of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on May 1, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
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................................................. Rafa enthusiastically signs camera lens after Rome Semi Final win Uploaded by cbtweety77
Semi Final Match Moments Definitely worth the trip to this link - elmundo tv You get to see the video of the pictures above where Rafa jumps in the air with exhilaration.
VAMOS RAFA
UPDATE April 30, 2010 Rome Masters Quarter Final Rafa Nadal defeated Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-1
Semi Final Saturday, May 1, 2010 Rafa Nadal versus Ernests Gulbis Not before 10:00 a.m. USA EDT
Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during day six of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on April 30, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during day six of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on April 30, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
......................................... Highlights of the Round 3 Rafa Nadal defeated Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-2 April 29, 2010 Uploaded by NadalPower
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......................................... Last game of the match Quarter Final Rafa versus Wawrinka April 30, 2010 Uploaded by Patxy270180 More of this match And more Uploaded by vamosrafelnadal andmeriko100 respectively
UPDATE April 29, 2010
Rome Masters Round 3 Rafa Nadal defeated Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-2
Quarter Final Friday, April 30, 2010 Rafal Nadal versus Stanislas Wawrinka Center Court Campo Centrale Rafa's is the third match of the day schedule The first match starts at 7:00 a.m. USA EDT
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a game against Victor Hanescu of Romania during day five of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on April 29, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Rome Masters Round 2 Rafa defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-1, 6-3
Round 3 Rafa Nadal versus Victor Hanescu Thursday, April 29, 2010 Center Court or Campo Centrale First match in the evening in Italy 2:30 p.m. USA EDT
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his match against Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany during day four of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on April 28, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Rafa Nadal Round 2- Rome April 28, 2010 Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Easy, because he is simply a nice human being. Nothing pretentiou. He is kind, unafraid to show emotion and fun to watch on court. Now, if we could just get him to look like he once did on court...you know, the sleeveless shirts and I vote for the nostalgia of the pirate pants.
Vamos, Rafa!!
Rome Masters Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Round 2 Rafa Nadal versus Philipp Kohlschreiber Center Court's second match The first match starts at 7:00 a.m. USA EDT
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays tennis with kids in a coaching session during day three of the ATP Masters Series - Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on April 27, 2010 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
UPDATE! UPDATE! .......................................... .......................................... The last game with Rafa and David Ferrer Uploaded by meriko100
Monte Carlo Quarter Final Rafa Nadal defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-4, 6-2
Semi Final Rafa Nadal versus David Ferrer Saturday, April 17, 2010 7:30 a.m. USA, EDT
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain during day five of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 16, 2010 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Photo credit: Julian Finney
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In this post:Rafa in Monte Carlo - up next Quarter Final match
Darfur, Sudan - news and action to take
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Monte Carlo Round 3 April 15, 2010 Rafa Nadal defeated Michael Berrer 6-0, 6-1
Quarter Finals Rafa Nadal versus Juan Carlos Ferrero Friday, April 16, 2010 Second match on Court Central First match starts at 4:30 a.m. USA EDT
TV: The Tennis Channel
Odd thing is this tournament in France has better TV coverage in the USA than the two tournaments that were recently in the USA - Indian Wells and Miami
Boo on USA Tennis TV Coverage It is the pits especially CBS
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Michael Berrer of Germany during day four of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 15, 2010 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Important website with up-to-date on-the-ground reports i on sudan
Open letter by Sudan Democracy First Group to Jimmy Carter Center is below and can be found at ionsudan.net/reports
Please consider emailing the letter to Jimmy Carter's Center at : carterweb@emory.edu
I did.
Here is the letter by Sudan Democracy First Group
April 15, 2010
Dear Mr President,
It is with regret that we find ourselves compelled to write this letter to you on the eve of the close of polling in the Sudanese “elections”, three days before the expected declaration of victory for the National Congress Party (NCP) and its indicted President.
Once more we are writing to ask you to withdraw your observer mission from Sudan and salvage your own personal reputation and that of the Carter Center. Your mission is based on the Declaration of Principles for International Observation and Code of Conduct for International Observers which defines democratic elections as, “an expression of sovereignty, which belongs to the people of a country, the free expression of whose will provides the basis for the authority and legitimacy of government”. It further recognises that, “the rights of citizens to vote and to be elected at periodic, genuine democratic elections are internationally recognized human rights”.
As you will be aware over the last 5 days there have been hundreds of reports of inference with the right to vote from domestic sources, including the media, party agents, and independent civil society groups. The election has been riddled with massive irregularities and fraud not only with respect to matters relating to the voting itself such as the absence of candidates from ballot papers, the rigging of voter registration, and the use of non-permanent voter ink, but also commission of crimes such as the burning of election centers, the beating of voters, forced voting based on violent threats, summary trials of citizens in Khartoum, arrest of candidates, attacks on domestic monitors and so on. Indeed even Mr Alhaj Warrag, a prominent journalist and co founder of SDFG was charged under the Sudanese Penal Code with “waging war against the state” simply on the basis that he wrote an article on April 6th which called for a boycott of the already rigged elections.
It may be as a result of language and cultural barriers that you do not comprehend these incidents, but it is astonishing to us that your public statements since your arrival completely run counter to the on-the-ground reports and realities, seeming to only echo the pronouncements of the NCP and officials from the National Election Commission (NEC). In fact despite your Center’s declared policy of not making public statements during the course of voting, you appear to have judged it necessary to continually speak to the media and to make statements about the election. For example on the 13th of April you told AFP that the problems being reported were “administrative problems” that there was “no evidence of fraud so far as I know."
These statements not only completely ignored the facts and realties on the ground during the polling days, but also jeopardise the efforts of your own staff to monitor the elections fairly and prepare an accurate and credible report. Your statements also undermine the positions of the major political forces and only serve to inflame the fragile political and security context. The boycott of the elections by the majority of the Sudanese in fact helped to prevent the threat of violence, contributing to maintaining the fragile social stability. If there had been a real choice could you imagine the reaction of millions of Sudanese encountering the massive irregularities and fraud which have unfolded during the polling days. You should indeed thank those who boycotted the elections for saving Sudanese lives by preventing bloody confrontation.
Our belief as SDFG is that the opening of the polls was simply the second phase of the well prepared rigging process for this election. The pre-polling prerequisites for legitimising the victory of the NCP and its President were already in place well before April 11.th As our latest public statement put it, “the census results were manipulated, constitutionally inconsistent laws were deployed restricting basic freedoms, electoral constituencies were delineated to suit the interests of the NCP, the voter register was maneuvered around predicable and determined outcomes (places and votes), and State resources were monopolized, including access to the media and corrupt and unlimited expenditure during the campaign.”
The Carter Center had already reported on these major violations of the pre-election process: indeed the assessment of the Center was one of the main bases upon which the major political parties made the decision to boycott the elections. You will be very aware that Center itself was also a prime target of this intimidatory violence with its staff suffering harassment, arrest, interrogation and expulsion. We are completely at a loss to understand why your public statements contradict not only those of independent Sudanese voters and major political and civic forces of Sudan but also the findings and assessments—and experience—of the Carter Center. Your latest statements have given rise to distrust on the part of Sudanese people towards the Carter Center that will certainly overshadow its impartiality.
In Darfur after issue of the arrest warrant for President the violent threats and attacks by the NCP on the international aid community and Sudanese civil society went largely unchallenged by the international community. Forced submission to the power of the NCP paralysed the Darfur region, creating an increased state of fear. Once again in the context of these elections the vicious threats and attacks against the international community – this time against election observers –have been swallowed with little protest, let alone withdrawal and refusal to lend legitimacy. Sudanese people watch as the international community once again abandons the civic and political rights of the citizen and the future of democracy to the ascendency of the NCP. The international community already failed when they sacrificed justice in Darfur for an illusory peace with the Darfur Peace Agreement, and they achieved neither. Now with the current elections internationals need to learn that peace and democracy are also inter-related and interdependent: there is no room for further failure that costs more Sudanese lives.
We note with appreciation that European Union observers pulled out of Darfur: yet you did not, relying on an inexperienced UNAMID assessment. UAMID officers were kidnapped in the last days as a statement against their complicity in these elections. Was Mr Ibrahinm Gambari the head of UNAMID the appropriate authority to give the go ahead to the Carter Centre to deploy and monitor elections in the war zone of Darfur? The internally displaced communities, Darfurian civil society, rebel groups, and major political parties had all said elections in Darfur were impossible—whether in terms of their very conduct, fairness or appropriateness. The Carter Center’s deployment and monitoring of polling in Darfur is only adding to the political and security fragmentation of Darfur. We are sorry to see now that your judgement about elections in Darfur only adds to the questions which were raised about your statements in 2007 on the scale of the atrocities in Darfur when they were used indirectly to support NCP propaganda at that time.
As a civil society Sudanese coalition including representatives from a range of communities, farmers, workers, displaced people and activists, we appreciate the international community’s acts of solidarity and support towards Sudan. We are committed to the rules and principles of international instruments and institutions. We will however openly reject any paternalism or neo-colonial attitudes towards the will of the people of Sudan.
Mr. President: As a leader coming from a country which has progressed thorough a long heritage of democratic principles and practices, we expected you to respect and observe that human beings, regardless of their wealth, colour of skin or geographical location are entitled to exercise their political will safely, freely and fairly. This is the only sustainable means for peace and stability.
We are deeply disappointed Mr President that despite your avowed independence as observer and your profile as a leader of democracy in your country you appear to have become part of the recent invasion of conservatism and international and regional actors to pressurise Sudanese political forces to not boycott the elections. SDFG and many advocacy groups have reported and documented the orchestrated efforts led by the US Special Envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, to bring on board leaders such as former South African President Mbeki, organisations such as the Arab League, individual countries, and pro government regional NGOs. As we noted in our last statement which challenged such kinds of international interference, the right of self determination for the people of South Sudan, and popular consultation for the people of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, must be protected and implemented on time with international support, "without any compromise or connection with the current corrupted electoral process”.
The Carter Center’s reputation is on the line in Sudan, with the imminent reproduction of a regime with a history of two decades of repression and violence and the future of peace, stability and democracy in Sudan in the balance.
We ask you to consider your position very carefully and withdraw prior to the announcement of the already known results of these “elections”.
Yours sincerely, Sudan Democracy First Group
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Reporting on the Sudan Elections
On the last of five days of polling in Sudan, reports from across the country continued to document technical problems, electoral irregularities, and unfortunately violence and intimidation.
News was dominated by reports that nine members of Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) were killed in South Sudan three days ago. The NCP blamed the Sudan People's Liberation Army - but SPLA leaders denied the violence was coordinated and described the incident as an isolated, individual crime by one of its soldiers. In other news, the youth movement Girifna reported on its website that two of its members had been detained in Khartoum yesterday. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the Sudanese authorities to immediately drop criminal charges against prominent journalist and opposition party member Al-Haj Ali Warrag. Authorities charged Warrag on Sunday with "waging war against the state" in connection with an article that he published on April 6.
The National Election Commission yesterday estimated the voter turnout ranged widely from 63% to 82% in each state, though these figures have been questioned. With polling now complete, all eyes turn to the announcement of results and the reaction of world leaders across the globe. Vote counting will begin tomorrow and the National Elections Commission plans to begin releasing results next Tuesday, April 20. Many Sudanese fear the possibility of post-election violence.
Round 3 Rafa Nadal versus Michael Berrer Thursday, April 16, 2010 Second Match on Court Central The first match begins 4:30 a.m. USA, EST Order of Play
TV The Tennis Channel
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Singles - Second Round [1] N Djokovic (SRB) d F Serra (FRA) 62 63 [2] R Nadal (ESP) d [Q] T de Bakker (NED) 61 60 P Kohlschreiber (GER) d [3] [WC] A Murray (GBR) 62 61 D Nalbandian (ARG) d [7] M Youzhny (RUS) 46 63 76(5) [8] I Ljubicic (CRO) d M Llodra (FRA) 63 76(3) [9] J Ferrero (ESP) d B Becker (GER) 63 64 [11] D Ferrer (ESP) d [Q] A Golubev (KAZ) 63 62 [12] T Robredo (ESP) d V Troicki (SRB) 64 63 [13] S Wawrinka (SUI) d E Gulbis (LAT) 61 64 M Berrer (GER) d [14] J Monaco (ARG) 64 64 P Petzschner (GER) d [15] J Melzer (AUT) 76(4) 62 A Montanes (ESP) d A Seppi (ITA) 76(1) 36 60
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his match against Thiemo De Bakker of Holland during day three of the ATP Masters Series at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 14, 2010 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Photo credit: Julian Finney
Rafa Nadal versus Thiemo de Bakker Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Court Central 3rd match The 1st match is scheduled to begin 4:30 a.m. USA EST Order Of Play
Doubles Round 1 B Bryan / M Bryam defeated R Nadal / B Salva-Vidal 6-0 , 6-3 March 27, Saturday, 2010 Pictures
News Mardy Fish (USA) defeated [3] Andy Murray (GBR) 6-4, 6-4
That means both Djokovic and Murray are out
RAFA CATCH UP
Indian Wells Doubles Championship Match Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez defeated Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic 7-6 (8), 6-3
INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 20: Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose for photographers after defeating Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Daniel Nestor of Canada in the doubles final of the BNP Paribas Open on March 20, 2010 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Press conference at Indian Wells 2010 March 20 - when Rafa lost his singles match and won the doubles Championship match with friend Marc Lopez. Uploaded by BNPParibasOpen
Rafael Nadal talks to the media about his inflamed wisdom teeth at a press conference during day two of the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2010 in Key Biscayne, Florida. March 23, 2010Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images North America
Rafa March 23, 2010 Miami. Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images North America
More pictures of Rafael Nadal from the March 23, 2010 press conference
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Taylor Dent during day four of the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 26, 2010 in Key Biscayne, Florida.
March 25, 2010. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America more pictures
CURRENTLY MIAMI Sony Ericsson Open Singles Rafa had a bye in Round 1 Round 2 Rafael Nadal defeated Taylor Dent 6-4, 6-3
NOTE: Rafa's Round 2 match was not televised or online apparently anywhere, however there was live scoring at Sony Ericsson Open
Doubles for Rafa Nadal and Salva-Vidal starts Saturday March 27, 2010 Their match is scheduled to be 3rd on Grandstand court:
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am S Giraldo (COL) vs M Youzhny (RUS) M Baghdatis (CYP) vs J Chela (ARG) R Nadal (ESP) / B Salva-Vidal (ESP) vs B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) F Gonzalez (CHI) vs Y Lu (TPE)
Big News is that Novak Djokovic lost in Round 2 today O Rochus (BEL) defeated N Djokovic (SRB) 6-2 6-7(7) 6-4
NOTE: Saturday's schedule - March 27, 2010 (no Rafa, but Andy Murray and Roger Federer play on Saturday STADIUM Not Before 1:00 PM
2nd match: A Murray (GBR) vs M Fish (USA)
Starting at 8:00 PM R Federer (SUI) vs N Lapentti (ECU)
`````````````````````````````````````````` Sign the Petition: Sudan sham 2010
United States, stop supporting the sham April 2010 elections in Sudan.In a climate of violent political intimidation and with millions disenfranchised in camps, there cannot be credible elections in Sudan. Our support gives the Government of al-Bashir, indicted on war crimes and crimes against humanity, legitimacy it does not deserve. It is a waste of American taxpayer money, and non-credible elections will fuel violence and divisions in a country that is already on the brink. Obama Administration, engageat the highest level in bringing lasting peace, protection, and justice to Sudan, now!
Standing with Darfur
If you want peace, work for justice إذا كنت تريد السلام ، أعمل من أجل العدالة
Tweet this button to read: @JimLangevin Call for a Intelligence Committee special hearing re: #Sudan policy review and demand pressures and consequences #SudanSham
GENOCIDE WILL only STOP WITH US - Our leaders have taught us this
And at http://sudansham2010.org/page3/page3.html do the tweets but replace any reference to Senate Resolution 404 with something important like "Gration has got to go" in words of your choosing.
WITH THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN COURT COLOR and even the headband and wristbands are color coordinated with the tennis balls
Round 2 Australia Open 2009
Rafael Nadal d Roko Karanusic : 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
Pictures of Rafael Nadal in Round 2 with Roko Karanusic match January 22, (in Australia) 2009 Photo credits: Cameron Spencer, Scott Barbour and Rick Stevens ~all of whom are Getty Images photographers Link to pictures and photo captions with credits attributed: Australian Open Day 4
Uncle Tony and Rafa in Training Session in Melbourne
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
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Khartoum, Sudan Stop Genocide Time
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Spain Time
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Melbourne Time
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RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
Double Click on Videos to Enlarge
Darfur - The Abandoned Genocide - a video by Sandra Hammel
Want to help? Call 1~800~GENOCIDE
"May I Suggest" by Susan Werner
Satchita - Playing for Change
Stand By Me ~ Playing for Change
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Genocide is not only a word,
it is crying of the whole human race.
There is nothing redeeming about being silent
when speaking up is the humane thing to do.
The honor and integrity of the human race is at stake.
