Update December 16, 2:00 p.m.
Link to watch live Rafa and Iker and Friends:
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15th of December - 2008
www.rafaelnadal.com/nadal/en/home
It’s nearly the end of 2008 and Rafa doesn’t stop getting awards. The latest one has come from the hands of ‘Marca’, a popular Spanish newspaper that has honoured him with the ‘Marca Legend’ prize for excellence in his career.
The King of Spain, Don Juan Carlos, together with the Queen, Doña Sofía were present at the ceremony of the Sport’s newspaper 70th anniversary, which had other 50 Spanish sport legends present.
In the immediate picture above Rafa is between the red and white in the front row.
Rafael Nadal receiving award of Marca Legend
December 15, 2008
from King Don Juan Carlos and the Queen, Doña Sofía
Photo credits are unknown - my apologies to the photographer
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Video of Rafa receiving another award from the hand of the King Juan Carlos, in the event of the 70th anniversary of Marca
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Video of Rafa and Iker presenting today the match against Malaria
December 16, 2008, Tuesday
Both of the above two videos are used with permission of Ines - Ganda of The Forum at Rafael Nadal's website: www.rafaelnadal.com
Federer vs. Nadal - 2008 Wimbledon Final, Epilogue
12/15/08 8:29 PM | Ricky Dimon
Tennis talk has recapped the epic 2008 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in a seven-part series throughout the past week. It ends with this epilogue.
This one didn't end with Federer's final stroke. No, this one lives on forever. In memories, discussions of all-time greatest matches, and most certainly in Wimbledon lore.
It couldn't have ended with the last shot, because it just kept getting better and better. Considering the magnitude of what had just transpired, it was almost incredible that Federer and Nadal were even able to muster the mental strength to give on-court interviews. But, as usual, the two great champions did, and did so flawlessly.
Rafa is a deserving champion, opened Federer. He just played fantastically. It was a joy again to play here. Ill be back next year.
Nadal took it one step further in praising his opponent. The Wimbledon champion even suggested it was unlucky that he had to play in the same era as the best player of the history, Roger Federer. When asked if beating Federer made the title even more special, Nadal answered, He's still the No.1 (player in the world). He's still the best. Hes still five-time champion here and right now I have one.
One for all time, more like it.
You didn't even have to see the match to know just how historic this event was (or should I say, is). Just listening to the post-game comments of various commentators would have been enough.
Nothing told the tale better than the interviews Federer and Nadal did with NBC commentator John McEnroe (who perhaps played perhaps the second best match ever on the very same court 28 years earlier against Björn Borg). Heck, McEnroe even had to end his interview with Federer prematurely because both men were breaking down emotionally. It was the greatest match I ever witnessed, McEnroe said to the runner-up. Give me a hug. Thank you, man. Thank you so much.
Unbelievable effort, McEnroe exclaimed as Nadal approached while Federer exited in tears. Its the greatest match I have ever seen in my tennis career.
I was crying for like 10 minutes, admitted Nadal. It was a dream and now I have the trophy.
Even after Federer and Nadal were finally allowed to wander off into history, McEnroe couldnt stop. To fellow announcer Ted Robinson, he explained, This is one of those days I feel lucky to in some small way be a part of this truly memorable, unbelievable match.
Shouldn't we all.
The scoreline shows that Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7. Perhaps the numbers are correct, but the score is wrong in one critical aspect. Defeated suggests there was loser. Well, on this day there were no losers.
Tennis won. We all won.
I hope one day even Federer will agree. I think one day maybe when and if he surpasses Pete Sampras' all-time Grand Slam record he will. Source: www.tennistalk.com/en/news
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15th of December
It’s nearly the end of 2008 and Rafa doesn’t stop getting awards. The latest one has come from the hands of ‘Marca’, a popular Spanish newspaper that has honoured him with the ‘Marca Legend’ prize for excellence in his career.
The King of Spain, Don Juan Carlos, together with the Queen, Doña Sofía were present at the ceremony of the Sport’s newspaper 70th anniversary, which had other 50 Spanish sport legends present.
At the event, Don Juan Carlos was delighted to congratulate Rafa (and the Davis Cup team) for capturing this year’s title at Mar del Plata in Argentina and for ‘all his other achievements at the Grand Slam events and Olympic games during the 2008 season. These amazing accomplishments contributed to his rise at the top of the world rankings in August.
RAFA –VS- IKER
Today will be another busy day for Rafa. He and Iker will be the main attractions at today’s charity event: “Iker’s Friends –VS- Rafa’s Friends’. A humanitarian cause which they put together to help free the world from Malaria.
Before yesterday’s ceremony in Madrid, both players presented Esperanza Aguirre (the president of the ‘Communidad de Madrid) with the t-shirts that each of them will wear for the second edition of this evening’s event.
Amongst the sport starts invited to play at the fund-raiser will be: Fernando Alonso, Novak Djokovic, Jorge Lorenzo, Alberto Contador, Fabio Cannavaro, David Ferrer, Álvaro Bautista, Fernando Verdasco, Santiago Cazorla, Sergio Ramos, Raúl, David Villa, Pedro de la Rosa, Carlos Sainz, Marcos Senna, Sete Gibernau and there might even be a last minute surprise appearance.
The matches will be played at the ‘Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid’, at 8:00pm (local Spanish time). There will be a karts race where the teams will be split into groups of 4 and those who don’t get the opportunity to race will play a ‘mini-tennis’ competition.
La Oreja de Van Gogh, and ‘Andy & Lucas’, two very popular Spanish bands will also be part of the entertainment.
Last year, "Iker vs Nadal" had a total of 5.000 people in the crowd compared to this year’s 10.000. So far they’ve been able to raise 200.000 euros, 30.000 euros more than last year.
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Another great achievement by Rafa and Iker!
DECEMBER 15 | 2008
www.rafaelnadal.com/nadal/en/news/article/rafa-will-receive-marca-legend-award 15th of December
RAFA AND IKER: Will be presenting today some T-shirts to Esperanza Aguirre as part of the charity event they have put together and that will be celebrated on Tuesday thanks to the help of ‘Comunidad de Madrid’ and the Red Cross.
TONIGHT’S AWARD
RAFA will be flying to Madrid late in the afternoon Monday, December 15, for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Marca, (a popular Spanish newspaper) at the Ritz Hotel.
There, the King, Don Juan Carlos and the Queen, Doña Sofía, will be waiting for him.
The Marca awards celebrate and recognize the trajectory of the biggest sport stars in the world, like Michael Jordan, who was the first winner back in 1997 and who is regarded as the best basketball player of all time.
Rafa in this case, has been invited to receive the award of ‘Marca Legend’ for his exceptional success in tennis this year after winning 2 of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, Roland Garros for the 4th time and Wimbledon for the first. Add to that a gold medal at the Olympic Games, the Davis Cup title and many more trophies.
Amongst the guests, there will be famous soccer and tennis stars, as well as drivers, basketetball players, athletes, golf players, and other players from other sports.
Don't forget to continue voting for Rafa's best match ever!
To vote you need to become a member of our forum and then follow this link.
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DECEMBER 14 | 2008
After 7 year's on tour, 31 singles titles (5 of them Majors), 4 doubles titles. 2 Davis Cup titles, and 1 Olympic Gold Medal. It's mission impossible trying to chose a few of the best matches Rafa has played.There are countless memories that come to mind, and even more if we count the times that he didn't win but still made us jump out our skin.
That is why we want to ask YOU, what you think is the best match Rafa’s ever played?
To vote you need to become a member of our forum and then follow this link.
Enjoy!
RAFA –VS- DJOKOVIC IN HAMBURG FIGHTING FOR THE No.2 SPOT
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=FCHvcpdaA9o
It's hard to believe now, but Rafa almost became No. 3 in the world before he became No. 1.??
That's right; his No. 2 ranking was at stake when Rafa took on third-ranked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Masters Series Hamburg back in May. The stage was set, and the match lived up to the hype.??
Rafa needed three hours and thee minutes to subdue Djokovic 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. The scoreline is not as flabbergasting as those of other top matches, but it terms of tennis quality, this one was hard to beat.??Amazing; one of my best matches,” said Rafa.??
“It was great to be part of a fantastic match; the quality was very high,” added Djokovic. “It was one of the best, maybe the best match I can remember I played on clay.”??
“I am a little bit tired right now so let's see how I feel tomororow,” Rafa explained of his upcoming title rematch with Federer. “I'll need to be 100 percent if I want to have a chance of beating Roger.”??He must have been 100 percent, as Rafa avenged his 2007 loss and was well on his way to No. 1. No. 3, on the other hand, became an afterthought.
RAFA –VS- CORIA IN 2005’S ROME FINAL
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=uFu8KlCXw3A
The 18-year-old with bulging biceps, was the imposing figure in this final, but it was the tiny Guillermo Coria who dictated play for most of this five-hour, 14-minute classic that ended in customary fashion: with Rafa on his back, sprawled out after another stirring win, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6).
Rafa applied tape to his blistered fingers the entire match and seemed exhausted when he lost the first three games of the fifth set. I thought that sooner or later he would give up, or at least ease up, Coria said after the match. Rafa did not.
His defense and will carried him to his 17th consecutive victory, a win he described as “the toughest match of my life”. He needed four match points before he could take away the victory.
RAFA-VS- CARLOS MOYA IN CHENNAI 2008 SEMI-FINAL
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CVIJA4Jx4Gg
World number two Rafael Nadal overcame a dazzling challenge from Spanish compatriot Carlos Moya to squeeze through to the ATP Chennai Open final.The 21-year-old French Open champion won 6-7 7-6 7-6 after former world number one Moya pushed him to the brink in a thrilling contest between two friends.
Nadal staved off four match points in the second set tiebreak and then rallied from a break down in the decider against the 31-year-old Moya, third seed and ranked 17 in the world.
He eventually clinched the final tiebreak 7-1 to end the marathon contest lasting almost four hours."It was one of the most emotional matches of my career," a relieved Nadal told reporters.
"It was unbelievable.""It is great to get off to such a start. It is very good to play in the final at the start of the season."A dejected Moya said: "I had many chances to win. Against Nadal if you don't take advantage of them, you will lose."
RAFA –VS- FEDERER IN WIMBLEDON FINAL 2008
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ZQn4kHqSk
Yes, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal left EVERYONE searching for words at the end of arguably the greatest match ever played, and five months later, I’m still gasping for breath.??
It was just that good.??But why was it so good? Is it simply because of the quality of tennis??? Well, it had everything. And more.?There is not one thing I can think of that this one lacked. For Federer supporters, of course, it lacked the desired outcome.?
That really leaves you, the unbiased observer, with only one legitimate gripe. And that is that the match ended at all. If you had your druthers, it would still be going on right now. But then you realize that if the match had gone on just one minute longer—if Rafa had failed to hold serve at 8-7—it would have been stopped at 8-8 (or at the 9-8 changeover at the latest) due to darkness.??
Getting interrupted by two rain delays? That just adds to the drama. Getting interrupted by nighttime and forced to conclude a whole day later? That’s just a disaster.?But it wasn’t, and because it wasn’t, it was perfect.
RAFA –VS- LLEYTON HEWITT IN AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2005
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=tnH092Qtyhc
2005 was Nadal's best year to date on the tour. Another clash down under with Hewitt, this time 5 sets, saw the 18 year old Nadal playing insanely well, with his ranking just itching to shoot up. That 4th rounder in Australia bumped him up to 47.
“Rafa, a teenager, who is full of energy and charisma, has a fine future in this game” they said at the time. Rafa tired in the fourth set and was virtually out on his feet in the fifth when he needed treatment for cramp. "He's going to be a tough player on any surface," said Hewitt. "He has a massive forehand and his backhand is definitely not a weakness. It's just not quite as strong."
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DECEMBER 14 | 2008
Madrid, 12th of December
The day has come. This Tuesday 16th of December at 8:00 p.m. ( Spanish time - that is 2:00 p.m. USA EST - see Spanish time clock in my sidebar), Iker’s friends and Rafa’s friends will be sharing a unique moment in their lives, when they unite to play in benefit of the Red Cross a ‘Match to Help Free People from Malaria’.
Sadly for some, their chance to see some of the biggest starts in sport together for a special cause won't be possible as the entries to the event have sold out.
However, that is great news for Rafa and Iker because they have successfully achieve a larger amount of donations compared to last year’s contribution.
A Karts race, a Tennis and indoor Football match as well as two concerts by: La Oreja de Van Gogh and Andy y Lucas have been scheduled for the special evening.
All of those people who will be attending the Palace of Sports will be part of an incredible humanitarian cause that started up as an idea from the 2 main stars of the event, Rafa and Iker.
They have been busy putting together their teams and have sent us a list of the guests they have invited to play the Match against Malaria.
However, it is still known how they will split up the teams.
The money raised from they sales of the tickets to the event will go towards helping a plan that has been put together for the Red Cross and that consists on rehabilitating the unlucky people that suffer from the this disease in Mali, as well as provide them with a better treatment.
Thankfully, there are many people who have joined Iker and Rafa towards making this cause a reality. From ‘Comunidad de Madrid’; that has shown and amazing support since the first edition of this charity event, to all the other sponsors and supporters that wanted to be part of it in some way or another.
The official list of guests is the following:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid’s goalkeeper)
Rafa Nadal (No.1 tennis player in the world)
David Ferrer (Tennis player)
Feliciano López (Tennis player)
Fernando Alonso (Formula 1 driver and 2 time champion)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid soccer player)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid soccer player)
Alberto Contador (Cyclist)
Dani Sordo (Rally driver)
Álvaro Bautista (250 cc motocross driver)
Juan Carlos Ferrero (Tennis player)
Juan Carlos Moya (Tenis player)
Jorge Lorenzo (Moto GP driver)
Raúl González (Real Madrid soccer player)
Carlos Sastre (Cyclist)
Carlos Sáinz (ex Rally driver)
Santi Cazorla (Villareal soccer player)
Pedro Martínez – de la Rosa (McLaren Mercedes F1 test driver)
Marcos Senna (Villareal soccer player Novak Djokovic (Tennis player)
Sete Gibernau (Moto GP driver)
Media Day’s Schedule:
18.30 Doors open for the event
9.45 Taxi Concert
19.57 Team’s presentation
20.00 Karts Race
20.20 ‘La Oreja de Van Gogh’ concert
20.30 Tennis Match
20.55 ‘Andy y Lucas’ concert
21.05 Indoor soccer match
22.00 End of event
Place: Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid
Address: Plaza de Felipe II, Madrid
Source of immediate above and below information from:
www.rafaelnadal.com/nadal/en/news
Labels: Concert, Fund Raiser, Iker Casillas, ilovemylife, King Carlos of Spain, Madrid, Malaria, Rafa, Rafael Nadal, Red Cross, Sandra Hammel, Schedule, Sold Out, Tennis, Vote
