I sometimes wonder why I wasn't born with silver spoon in my mouth.
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
heaven on my back
I have been hunting for a rucksak/backpack for ages. Then I saw this bag on display in Prada.
I sometimes wonder why I wasn't born with silver spoon in my mouth.
I sometimes wonder why I wasn't born with silver spoon in my mouth.
Monday, 28 June 2010
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Jessica and I
Jessica (Zafra) and I just got back home. It's nearly midnight.
I'm shattered to smithereens but spending time with her was fun minus that bunny boiler effect or that stalking-Whitney-you-die-denouement in Bodyguard. I admire her writings but I also admire her the most.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
I got f*&!@#!! tagged again on FB
Fourth Year High - Math Olympiad
I love maths but Geometry WAS HELL!
climbing Ayers in stilleto
Oh my... Where do I start?
It is already late (10.15 pm) and I'm still treading the noisy and busy streets of WestEnd. The deafening round of applause and feet stomping, standing ovation still paint a vivid picture inside my head. Priscilla - Queen of the Desert The Musical is a commendable one.
Faithful to the original 1994 Australian film, characters moulded against the fabulous costumes and disco classics with ease. Hilarious wisecrack banters with both double entendre and verbal explicity captivated the audience all throughout. I must have laughed the hardest along the G Row at Dress Circle as I was surrounded by a bunch of theatre prudes. It was good to see them tapping their feet discretely as if it was a crime to appreciate a production number yet deep inside there's a Gloria Gaynor screaming "I will survive".
That even the ping-pong nether-region popping "Asian" girl got her fair share of noise pollution but the curious right side of the G Row found it spellbinding as if watching Copperfield walk on water, only with disdain. I wonder if they were expecting Priscilla to be a tragedy a la Lady Macbeth. But I screamed the more, not to spite them but because it was goddam hilarious and ALIVE. Being a disco-generation myself, it helped rewind my fun past.
It was one of the longest applause and ovation I have ever seen in my musical theatre-attending life. The Musical's definitely made to impress, bring joy and smile and most of all, bring back to basic entertainment galore. It simply shot up to my top 5 musical of all time.
The superlatives of my vocabulary about adulation is running dry but it's one helluva show. To sum up in one word: supercampdivinefantasticfondlyfuncapricious.
Beat that Poppins!
Monday, 21 June 2010
Sunday, 20 June 2010
guess who's coming to dinner...
I waited for this moment to come.
For weeks, I felt like a benumbed, tongue-tied twit not saying a word or a mindless loafer, not blogging about it. The first time I had an exchange of emails with Jessica (Zafra) was months ago and I found that utterly dumbfounding and surreal. Somehow, I got over it and now, I'm just looking forward to seeing her the second time around. I met her the first time during my last holiday in January 2009 and I coyly admit to being starstruck. I had an autographed book and had coffee with her but that was it. She remained as elusive as ever despite a decent conversation about the likes of "Pinoy" cinema, cats and travels.
This time, she'll be visiting London and is crashing at my humble abode. During preparation, planning was the most difficult stage as trying to gauge what's best was futile. My mind played tricks like impressing her or just be myself (translation- leave the house as it is) but the nearer the date, the more I get restless about executing the aforementioned plans.
Then, I realised that I don't have problems with cleanliness. My partner hoovers the house twice a week and mops the kitchen floor whenever a speck of oil begrimes it. Every corner gets an anti-bacterial drubbing and the toilet gets the bleaching essential.
There are few things left to do:
- scented candles
- sofa bed
- new curtains
- a real house plant eg. "Laurentii"
Do I really have to go through this?
For weeks, I felt like a benumbed, tongue-tied twit not saying a word or a mindless loafer, not blogging about it. The first time I had an exchange of emails with Jessica (Zafra) was months ago and I found that utterly dumbfounding and surreal. Somehow, I got over it and now, I'm just looking forward to seeing her the second time around. I met her the first time during my last holiday in January 2009 and I coyly admit to being starstruck. I had an autographed book and had coffee with her but that was it. She remained as elusive as ever despite a decent conversation about the likes of "Pinoy" cinema, cats and travels.
This time, she'll be visiting London and is crashing at my humble abode. During preparation, planning was the most difficult stage as trying to gauge what's best was futile. My mind played tricks like impressing her or just be myself (translation- leave the house as it is) but the nearer the date, the more I get restless about executing the aforementioned plans.
Then, I realised that I don't have problems with cleanliness. My partner hoovers the house twice a week and mops the kitchen floor whenever a speck of oil begrimes it. Every corner gets an anti-bacterial drubbing and the toilet gets the bleaching essential.
There are few things left to do:
- scented candles
- sofa bed
- new curtains
- a real house plant eg. "Laurentii"
Do I really have to go through this?
unravel
This coming week has so much to offer. It would have an effect internally and externally, when living life is concerned. It will be a stern test of character and that being said, will affirm my strength as a person. In as much as I'd like to make it specific, I'd rather not so as not preempt expectations and outcomes. They're better abstract until it unravels through time.
I have known myself for being impatient but hopefully, this will attest my changing perspective and willpower.
Today's Sunday and I'm excited beyond belief. If ever I would want one thing to take from this minor sea change, I'd like it to be maturity and composure.
I guess I'm just being hard on myself. We are all allowed to falter, aren't we?
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Thursday, 17 June 2010
step
Life is already taxing as it is.
Take a step back and relax. You owe that to yourself. Go on, you know you want it.
inspire
I'm stopping today at the new Education Centre for the "Train the Trainer's" update. On my way to work, I saw sunshine, felt the cool crisp breeze, arrested my sense of olfaction with mint and freshly brewed coffee (I swear I could taste it as well) and heard nothing but footsteps of people crossing the Millennium bridge. It was an all-out assault to my senses and it's an inspiring start to my working day... or more in the line of... inspiring to live.
My appointment is at half nine and I have an hour to burn. Sitting along the Thames next to the London Eye and less than hundred metres across the Houses of Parliament, I see a differing perspective. I have time to be at peace with myself and unwind from the rigours of living.
I hope this will set out the tone for the whole day. It'll take a lot of bollocking to top this.
My appointment is at half nine and I have an hour to burn. Sitting along the Thames next to the London Eye and less than hundred metres across the Houses of Parliament, I see a differing perspective. I have time to be at peace with myself and unwind from the rigours of living.
I hope this will set out the tone for the whole day. It'll take a lot of bollocking to top this.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
tough dogs
Event: Tap Dogs
Novello Theatre (WestEnd)
Adam Garcia et al
You'd think tapping for over 80 minutes would either bore/annoy you with sheer noise and monotony or excite you with epilepsy-inducing light displays and synthesizers accompanying agile feet. Whatever the critics say, I personally enjoyed it.
As soon as Adam Garcia appeared onstage, the audience whistled, jostled and roared. This is what famous people bring with them when they appear in a play, musical or this, a tap dancing sort of a musical. There is no doubt that Adam Garcia is naturally gifted as a dancer. It somehow sets him apart from the other tap dancers (5 of them) as he coordinates his feet with the rest of his body which in close scrutiny, flows along the beat especially when doing a pirouette. He has that flair.
At the beginning, the show's verging to that fine line between lackadaisical appeal and mediocrity until the lights, drum, bass and synth harmonised with feet synchronicity. Adam's star appeal lasted a good few minutes but like tap dancing's true nature, lack of creativity tends to colour it black and white. It started to come alive 15 minutes later when all elements merged to stimulate the audience's other senses.
Some props proved to be a hit but some merely a display, not used to its full potential. I liked two main numbers: the plates with different tones/sounds and the "water" number. Although I envied those who were sat close to the stage, after that "water" number, I was glad to be a good distance from it.
The latter numbers were high octane. I whispered to my colleague, " that number's pure sexual innuendo..." as the cast used metal polisher to produce sparks whilst Adam bathed under it, tapping his feet away. It was a sight oozing with fetish (just me probably). Talking about sex, real men tapping is always a plus.
Not to disappoint, a teasing, playful end of the production summed up the differing characterisation of each of the dancers as they exited the stage. The roaring applause heightened with each one of them sauntering a solo act until Adam's turn to curtsy broke my eardrum with the screaming teens.
True to Aussie spirit (Oz production), they culminated their tapping hardwork with a can of Foster's. You'd come to believe that real, sweaty men drink beer and nothing else. It was a worthwhile 80 minutes of my wednesday evening.
One tip though- it's better to go watch a new WestEnd production with little anticipation/expectation. If you enjoy at the end of it, that's double the fun. Just saying...
Monday, 14 June 2010
pure madness
Slap me hard for I don't really see the reason why I should/must love football.
It is just taking over Britain and I start to feel alienated.
It is just taking over Britain and I start to feel alienated.
SALE
I swear I died and went to heaven.
... after seeing the red tags all over Selfridges this afternoon.
But my self control took over and happily carried Tess' yellow bags as she parted ways with her "bank shifts" cash. I saw the demon tempting me with that V. Westwood bag and Dsquared jumper but I feigned lack of interest as if trying to convince myself over and over that material things don't necessarily make a person better. It's less convincing but a triumph over "label" addiction is still a triumph.
Now take me away from this sinful shopping mall before I become a Saint.
... after seeing the red tags all over Selfridges this afternoon.
But my self control took over and happily carried Tess' yellow bags as she parted ways with her "bank shifts" cash. I saw the demon tempting me with that V. Westwood bag and Dsquared jumper but I feigned lack of interest as if trying to convince myself over and over that material things don't necessarily make a person better. It's less convincing but a triumph over "label" addiction is still a triumph.
Now take me away from this sinful shopping mall before I become a Saint.
PETA alert
I went to Selfridges today with Tess and chanced upon this fine... uber fine item from the Burberry collection. It showed sale items from 60% and out of curiosity, I looked at the prize tag of this coat and to my shock horror, it's yours for nearly 2 grand!
Are they mad? Now where's that egg when you need one.
Are they mad? Now where's that egg when you need one.
Friday, 11 June 2010
filler
I summon the
Muses
To rise from the printed
graves,
and inspire the city dweller
to hallucinate
and write.
sex sells
This is the closest thing to being a paparazzi.
- Two insects having sex in broad daylight
Lesson 1 - Always be ready with a better camera phone (pixel-wise)
Lesson 2 - "Sex" photos are always interesting
I need more practice.
glee-like pregnancy
At least one of my dearest friends is pregnant. As she tries to convince herself that she's having a baby girl, I think otherwise. But that's besides the point. The important thing is that she's having a baby and I won't be surprised if that baby is one pretty buttercup (an Irish hubby mixed with my pretty friend's oriental genes). Exciting really!
I met up with her in Camden after work. Her bouts of nausea and generalised feeling of being unwell kept her slightly peckish for real greasy nosh. No matter how much she loved her pad thai, she felt uncomfortable after ingesting it. In between her need for sustenance and a good chat about matters of motherhood, I was intent on making it known how blank and empty my factory of thought was. Although hers was an interesting idea at that time, I just found it hard to digest every word and extreme of emotions as I was having a dilemma myself.
She's pregnant at least, I thought. My brain, no matter how many moments of multigravidas it bore in the past, just couldn't impregnate a single interesting thought to write. All I could muster is this nonsensical lines of implied synonymy of pregnancy in words. Even with that simple association means nothing. Yes, nothing.
On my way home, I thought of pregnancy as a sign of productivity. I felt bad about myself; I felt low.
Am I being hormonal? I can't believe that even in thought production, I deal with pseudo-pregnancy.... being hormonal yet not pregnant in the head. Sadness is really upon me.
I sometimes wish, I'm fucked in the head.
Thursday, 10 June 2010
open mind
One of Bo's "House of Diarrhea" Youtube entries
Imagine if I am rigid and intolerant of this "aberration"?!!!!
This is exactly what I have to live with. Beyonce this and Beyonce that. After fiddling painstakingly with graphics, he now sits in front of his laptop gloating like an accomplished pre-school kid.
His first few lines after finishing on this new Beyonce sycophancy: "Go and pimp it in your blog". "Don't forget your facebook account as well". Such vehemence can be a hit or a miss. Let's see how far my patience takes me.
Imagine if I am rigid and intolerant of this "aberration"?!!!!
This is exactly what I have to live with. Beyonce this and Beyonce that. After fiddling painstakingly with graphics, he now sits in front of his laptop gloating like an accomplished pre-school kid.
His first few lines after finishing on this new Beyonce sycophancy: "Go and pimp it in your blog". "Don't forget your facebook account as well". Such vehemence can be a hit or a miss. Let's see how far my patience takes me.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
taken lightly
Words these days no matter how meaningful and powerful they mean, can be reduced to mediocrity. Creativity becomes the license.
"FUCK YOU!" becomes a sissy of an expression.
the leave
I took last minute "leave" from work today. The ceiling needs plastering, bank and supermarket needs visiting and household chores need my full attention. By nine pm, I was half dead. It was a rather long day.
... and I only achieved half of the above-mentioned errands.
... just like this half-empty, half-full willingness to blog.
I took last minute "leave" to justify my selfish nature and spend quality time with myself. Is it really that bad?
... and I only achieved half of the above-mentioned errands.
... just like this half-empty, half-full willingness to blog.
I took last minute "leave" to justify my selfish nature and spend quality time with myself. Is it really that bad?
Monday, 7 June 2010
alone
I woke up today cramped on the side of the bed. The massive space of the king-sized mattress was more evident as if lil' Goldilocks fell asleep on Papa Bear's bed. Now that's hyperbole with a hint simile but truly, I felt that way. The room was quieter and more colossal than ever. I suddenly missed Bo.
Today's Monday and I'm running late for work. I don't have any valid reasons except for sheer laziness to wake up to the sound of alarm set on a snooze every 5 minutes. I must have pressed the reset button a few times that it was already 8 am when I hesitatingly pulled myself out of bed. I reached work at half nine and sluggishly made myself a cup of coffee.
....but my favorite cup was missing so I settled for a large styrofoam cup. Looking at the array of prefilled cups along the counter, all I could see was decaf coffee. Pointless, I thought. It never happened before for we usually have a selection of coffee, tea, chocolate and even soup, day in day out. My colleague Amber, shared her secret stash of coffee but I couldn't find sugar and a teaspoon to initiate and complete my awakening transition.
I swear I yelled in disbelief.
Sometimes, when I write honest daily accounts, something simply clicks and makes sense. Like if you look closer at how things pan out, they are interrelated and significant. Even the most boring of days tell a story that would mean something eventually. But then I guess we fail to look at it closely because distraction is human.
Today, I miss Bo. Now that's an understatement for I actually miss him a lot. I know that for a fact because I am not myself today (channeling Aguilera).
Sunday, 6 June 2010
press con
Read and be amazed!
RG: Rafael Nadal Championship Press Conference
June 6, 2010 ·
Q. I think we could tell by your emotions afterwards that it was a really, really special day for you. How special was it?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Very important victory for me. I think one of the most important victories in my career, I think.
Yeah, I told you 100 times, but was a difficult year for me the last year. So after this tournament last year was a difficult year, and I worked a lot to be here. I was very nervous during all the tournament, because I know before that that I was ready to try to win another time, and I saw the chances there.
But the very positive thing is today I was ready to play. I was ready to play with calm and to try my best and to enjoy the match.
I did, and was a very special day.
Q. You got Roland Garros title again and return to No. 1 ranking. So right now, which is more important for you right now?
RAFAEL NADAL: For me, I told you too, no, yesterday and a lot of times, I think that for me it’s Roland Garros. This is the most important thing for me, no? (Pointing to trophy.)
After the No. 1 is there, yes. But I was No. 1, and believe me, I am very happy. When I was crying after the match, the last thing I was thinking was on the No. 1.
The first thing is the title and all the hours I worked a lot to be here another time.
Q. Holding back that trophy that had been yours since 2005, and that desire to want to hold it back again after losing it last year, does that explain how you fought in the breakpoints that Soderling had? You didn’t lose any break points. Did you put like extra, some super concentration on those points?
RAFAEL NADAL: I try my best in every point.
I am in the every week we have weekly, the players, and we have the statistics, and I am the No. 1 on break points saved of the year. So specialist. (Laughter.)
Q. You always defend very well, but today you are against a guy who has a very big game. Your defense seemed even better than at some times in the past. How did you…
RAFAEL NADAL: Was very difficult to play against Robin. I think he’s a great player. But at the same time, very difficult to play against because he has a big serve, very flat shots are long from the baseline, very good shots from both sides, forehand and backhand, and is very difficult to control.
It’s almost impossible to have the control of the points against him. Today I felt great physically. I felt perfect mentally, too. I run. My movements was much better today than the rest of all the tournament.
So I am very happy how I played today, because I play with very good tactic, I think, and the movements was at my best level today.
Q. You win so many titles. Why do you say this one is the most important?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I didn’t say it was the most important. I say it is one of the most important.
Is important because is one of the most important because I had difficult year, and for some moments was difficult to accept the injuries and everything. You know, for moments you don’t know if you are ready another time to compete, you are 100%.
At the same time, sometimes is a big frustration when you are in US Open and you broke your an abdominal one week before and you are in Australia and have to retire during the quarterfinals match.
So all these moments are difficult to accept. I was there all the time, and for that reason, today is a very, very special day for me.
Q. Two days ago you said you preferred a sunny day, like sun is energy for you.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah.
Q. But today is not very sunny day. It was rainy in the morning. So could you explain what kind of condition it was out there today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe I had a mistake before to say I would love to have a sunny day. Maybe it was better to have a day like today, cloudy. I don’t know. I don’t know.
My feeling before the match was we have a sunny day with hot, the bounce gonna be bigger and gonna be easier for me to control his ball.
But in the same time, this year the court is more slippery than usual. With this weather, the court is more normal clay court, you know.
At the same time, I can run better. I feel more (through translation) stable on court than when the court is very dry. So that’s the very important point for me today.
Q. What I think you said was that this was the most emotional moment of your career.
RAFAEL NADAL: No.
Q. No?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn’t say that. (Laughter.) I say it is one of the more important moments in my career. But no, final of Wimbledon was amazing; second title here was amazing, and the first one, too.
Q. When you won, did you feel that this was a triumph of all the hardships that you’ve experienced over this past year?
RAFAEL NADAL: The feeling is when you win you know how many hours you had on court, how many hours you was thinking and working to play your best tennis, how much time you wait to win another time a title.
For me was 11 months without win a title, so a lot of tournaments going back to home without a victory. A lot of moments, difficult moments, because in a few of these tournaments I had to retired for the problems.
So is difficult moments to accept I say before, and this, sure, it’s very important for me. It was personal goal to be back at my best. So I did.
And for me, sure, the important thing is Roland Garros. But for me the biggest thing is the personal satisfaction to be here, to be here another time and to be at the top level.
Q. I don’t want to move on too quickly, but can you confirm, when will you first step on a grass court, and how is this gonna help you with your preparations for Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: The title here? I didn’t understand.
Q. Everything that’s happened here…
RAFAEL NADAL: The confidence always is the most important thing. So winning here and winning the last 22 matches on clay is always very good preparation for grass.
So tomorrow in afternoon I gonna be practicing on Queen’s for not a lot of time. For 45 minutes. Maybe I will love to play doubles on Tuesday there to prepare.
And later, sure, I gonna play, I think, singles on Wednesday. So I love this tournament. I love Queen’s always. I enjoy a lot to be there. It’s different tournament because you play in a club. That makes the tournament very special.
I am feeling great all the time there.
Q. Was there any point in the past year where you feared that you would not get back to this level of tennis? Did you fear that, you know, to yourself, Maybe I won’t be there?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure. I think everybody have doubts, have his doubts on himself, no? I am not an exception.
And, sure, for a moment when I worked a lot at home during all December, my feeling was I was in perfect conditions to try to win in Australia because I played really well in Abu Dhabi and in Doha, too.
And when I had to retire from there was very difficult moment. Go out of court in any tournament is very hard, especially in a Grand Slam.
Sure, the biggest or most important thing is not the match that you are losing the match, the harder thing is you gonna be another three weeks without practice at home recovering. So that’s hard for me.
Q. When you were sitting on the bench today with the towel in your face, in the towel, what was going through your mind?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I was there crying, but was really emotional moment for me. But probably is because of the situation. I didn’t thought about a lot of things but the moment, and after, a lot of nervous, a lot of pression for me and a difficult year.
After you win this big title is, everything is you lose your tension. I don’t know.
Q. Did you learn anything this season about how much is necessary to play before coming into Roland Garros, and how does your body feel now compared to previous years?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn’t understand the first thing.
Q. Did you learn something about how much you need to play before the French Open this year? Second, how does your body feel physically compared to the last few years coming out of this tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. You know, I played three tournaments before Roland Garros. That’s the usual thing. In 2005 I play three, I think. Yeah, I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona well I played in Valencia, but I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome. I didn’t play Hamburg. 2006, I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome. I didn’t play Hamburg.
And 2007 and 8 years I played all four. But I don’t know. It’s depends of the moment. I think for me this year probably because I had a lot of problems on the knees, so I decided to play only three weeks.
But you never know in the future what’s going on. And, sure, three tournaments the problem on tennis is you can’t say, I gonna play three tournaments, because if you lose early you play five matches.
So is depends of the matches you play, no? If you win three, sure, it’s enough. But if you lose in the first round, second, third round, this can’t be enough of tournaments for me. So depends of the victories.
Q. Can you compare physically how you feel now versus last few years?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, physically I feeling great. I didn’t have any problems, so that’s the most important thing for me. Because if I am healthy again, enjoy playing tennis, that’s the main thing.
If you have problems, is impossible to enjoy and is very difficult to play at your best, because you have too many problems. If you think about the knees, you can’t think about the ball.
You can play with pain, but not… (through translation) You have a pain that limitate your movements, is impossible to play at the best level.
Q. Because you weren’t able to defend your title last year at Wimbledon, do you go in with the mentality that you are a defending champion because it’s your first opportunity to go back? What sort of mentality will you go in now that you are once you again French champion?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, see the points I have, so everything is improve. No, no, I not going thinking about I was the last champion. Two years happen after my victory, so a lot of things change.
I gonna try my best like I did every year to arrive there in my best conditions. Last year wasn’t possible. This year I gonna do the same like I did every year: play Queen’s, have a few days at home, and before Wimbledon practice there. Wednesday I think I gonna arrive there.
And that’s all. That’s all. That’s what I can say I gonna do. I gonna try my best every day to adapt to the grass as fast as possible.
Q. Do you feel like the best ever on clay now?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. No, I sure that the numbers are unbelievable for me, no? I never thought to have the chance to win this tournament, five titles, five times or Monte Carlo six or Barcelona five, I think, too, or Rome for me five.
For me, that’s more than a dream. When I see these titles and these numbers, for me is amazing. I don’t know how I did.
But first of all, you gonna be very arrogant if I say for myself I am the best of the history. Second thing, I don’t believe I don’t believe I am the best of the history. I try my best every day, and we will see when I finish my career. I not gonna be who decide if I am the best or not. You maybe, but not me, sure.
Q. Will you celebrate tonight, or what are the plans?
RAFAEL NADAL: Difficult to have a big celebration if you have to practice tomorrow. (Laughter.)
Q. No party?
RAFAEL NADAL: I gonna have time, eh? At the summer at home after Wimbledon, Mallorca is unbelievable celebration to do. (Laughter.)
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish, please.
Q. Let me ask my question again. You spoke in French to the French crowd. Will you end up being a diplomate?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I’m not very smart with languages, but I have no shame talking in a language which is not mine. I was very shy, but I’m recovering from that. I have no problem with that. At the beginning I spoke very bad English. I could not understand anything, but I have improved.
As for French, I understand French pretty well. I can understand almost everything when they speak slowly, because it sounds like the Spanish and the language we speak in Mallorca, so I can try and speak it even if I speak it badly.
Q. Why would you bite the Cup each time? Is there a story behind that?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I did that in Monte Carlo for the first time during my first Masters, and then the journalists asked me to do it again for the picture. I do it just to please the photographers.
Q. The Spanish flag you were supposed to wear, were you wearing it today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it’s a fan who gave it to me in Madrid, and he said it’s going to be good luck.
Q. What kind of objectives do you have for Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I’ll be top seed in Wimbledon, because that’s a tournament I am very comfortable with. But please let me enjoy this day before I start talking about Wimbledon. Please give me that time to savor the moment, because it’s really a special moment for me.
Tomorrow when I start practicing in Queen’s, then we can start talking about Wimbledon. But first, let me appreciate the day. I was very fortunate my friend Marc accepted to play the doubles with me. So I’ll prepare to get ready for the tournament in Queens.
This is a big favor, because I don’t think I’ll be his best partner in doubles. But I’m very happy. I’ll try and practice and spend as much time on the court this week to, you know, find my momentum on grass.
That’s my objective. I’ll try and arrive as prepared as possible to play my best Wimbledon ever.
Q. One of your major objectives was Roland Garros, and you won. Now, what’s your second most important objective? Would it be to be No. 1 in the world, to win Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think winning any other tournament would be better for me than being No. 1 in the world; winning at Wimbledon or the US Open would be incredible for me.
Q. You’re back to your 2008 level. You even exceeded that. How far are you planning to go, and would you say that you’re in the same shape as 2008 or better?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don’t like making comparisons. I don’t want to compare, and I don’t want to compare to 2008. I’m very happy about the way I play.
I’m very happy I can play. And as you all know, Roger Federer played very well and he was very happy he played in Australia and Miami, and it’s just the same for me.
I’m just happy I can maintain my game at this level for as long as I can. And to achieve that, I need to be in very good health. So I do everything I cannot to get injured. That’s how I can go through difficult moments.
You always need to learn from difficult moments to face the future.
Q. Could you explain your tears? Were you crying of joy?
RAFAEL NADAL: Relief, joy. Joy, certainly. It was a great personal satisfaction, because my family, my team, myself, all those who supported me and helped me be back…
Well, it’s true that I played this tournament with more anxiety. I was slightly more nervous than usual. I went through difficult moments because I couldn’t find, you know, my momentum on the court.
Then it was very emotional, you know, winning, and last week Astruch died. I was very sad. I couldn’t attend the funerals, and this was a delightful woman. We miss her, and that was very sad for me.
Q. Can you tell us again the relationship you have to this clay here in Paris?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, how can I say? I mean, when I was a kid, I did not consider myself as a clay court specialist. But apparently since 2005, well, clay has been the surface of which I achieved the best results and which I best adapted my way to move and to play.
Apparently my game is perfectly suited to this surface. I love it with all my heart, because it gave me so much joy. Winning here in Paris is ever so special.
All tournaments I win give me huge satisfaction, but winning a Grand Slam tournament here in Paris, despite the fact I lost last year because I was not well prepared and I had very low morale last year, as well.
But this time I’m back. I’m back and I win. Maybe this is the tournament I most wanted to win.
Q. So you’ve equalled McEnroe and Wilander’s record. Do you consider yourself as a great tennis player?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, that’s exactly the kind of question I don’t like, because then people say I’m arrogant, that I’m fat headed. What do you mean, being a great player?
As I said, I try to play my best tennis, to play my best game, to do everything I can. If figures and statistics say I’ve been a good player over the last years, well, I’ll continue and play as best as I can to maintain those figures as long as I can.
As I said, it’s a huge pleasure for me to be here in Paris. I am in Paris. I won in Paris. I’m very lucky, and I was very fortunate in life to have had the opportunity of experiencing all this at the age of 24.
Never in my wildest dream would I have dreamt of such beautiful presents. Life was very kind to me.
Well said RAFA!
RG: Rafael Nadal Championship Press Conference
June 6, 2010 ·
Q. I think we could tell by your emotions afterwards that it was a really, really special day for you. How special was it?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Very important victory for me. I think one of the most important victories in my career, I think.
Yeah, I told you 100 times, but was a difficult year for me the last year. So after this tournament last year was a difficult year, and I worked a lot to be here. I was very nervous during all the tournament, because I know before that that I was ready to try to win another time, and I saw the chances there.
But the very positive thing is today I was ready to play. I was ready to play with calm and to try my best and to enjoy the match.
I did, and was a very special day.
Q. You got Roland Garros title again and return to No. 1 ranking. So right now, which is more important for you right now?
RAFAEL NADAL: For me, I told you too, no, yesterday and a lot of times, I think that for me it’s Roland Garros. This is the most important thing for me, no? (Pointing to trophy.)
After the No. 1 is there, yes. But I was No. 1, and believe me, I am very happy. When I was crying after the match, the last thing I was thinking was on the No. 1.
The first thing is the title and all the hours I worked a lot to be here another time.
Q. Holding back that trophy that had been yours since 2005, and that desire to want to hold it back again after losing it last year, does that explain how you fought in the breakpoints that Soderling had? You didn’t lose any break points. Did you put like extra, some super concentration on those points?
RAFAEL NADAL: I try my best in every point.
I am in the every week we have weekly, the players, and we have the statistics, and I am the No. 1 on break points saved of the year. So specialist. (Laughter.)
Q. You always defend very well, but today you are against a guy who has a very big game. Your defense seemed even better than at some times in the past. How did you…
RAFAEL NADAL: Was very difficult to play against Robin. I think he’s a great player. But at the same time, very difficult to play against because he has a big serve, very flat shots are long from the baseline, very good shots from both sides, forehand and backhand, and is very difficult to control.
It’s almost impossible to have the control of the points against him. Today I felt great physically. I felt perfect mentally, too. I run. My movements was much better today than the rest of all the tournament.
So I am very happy how I played today, because I play with very good tactic, I think, and the movements was at my best level today.
Q. You win so many titles. Why do you say this one is the most important?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I didn’t say it was the most important. I say it is one of the most important.
Is important because is one of the most important because I had difficult year, and for some moments was difficult to accept the injuries and everything. You know, for moments you don’t know if you are ready another time to compete, you are 100%.
At the same time, sometimes is a big frustration when you are in US Open and you broke your an abdominal one week before and you are in Australia and have to retire during the quarterfinals match.
So all these moments are difficult to accept. I was there all the time, and for that reason, today is a very, very special day for me.
Q. Two days ago you said you preferred a sunny day, like sun is energy for you.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah.
Q. But today is not very sunny day. It was rainy in the morning. So could you explain what kind of condition it was out there today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe I had a mistake before to say I would love to have a sunny day. Maybe it was better to have a day like today, cloudy. I don’t know. I don’t know.
My feeling before the match was we have a sunny day with hot, the bounce gonna be bigger and gonna be easier for me to control his ball.
But in the same time, this year the court is more slippery than usual. With this weather, the court is more normal clay court, you know.
At the same time, I can run better. I feel more (through translation) stable on court than when the court is very dry. So that’s the very important point for me today.
Q. What I think you said was that this was the most emotional moment of your career.
RAFAEL NADAL: No.
Q. No?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn’t say that. (Laughter.) I say it is one of the more important moments in my career. But no, final of Wimbledon was amazing; second title here was amazing, and the first one, too.
Q. When you won, did you feel that this was a triumph of all the hardships that you’ve experienced over this past year?
RAFAEL NADAL: The feeling is when you win you know how many hours you had on court, how many hours you was thinking and working to play your best tennis, how much time you wait to win another time a title.
For me was 11 months without win a title, so a lot of tournaments going back to home without a victory. A lot of moments, difficult moments, because in a few of these tournaments I had to retired for the problems.
So is difficult moments to accept I say before, and this, sure, it’s very important for me. It was personal goal to be back at my best. So I did.
And for me, sure, the important thing is Roland Garros. But for me the biggest thing is the personal satisfaction to be here, to be here another time and to be at the top level.
Q. I don’t want to move on too quickly, but can you confirm, when will you first step on a grass court, and how is this gonna help you with your preparations for Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: The title here? I didn’t understand.
Q. Everything that’s happened here…
RAFAEL NADAL: The confidence always is the most important thing. So winning here and winning the last 22 matches on clay is always very good preparation for grass.
So tomorrow in afternoon I gonna be practicing on Queen’s for not a lot of time. For 45 minutes. Maybe I will love to play doubles on Tuesday there to prepare.
And later, sure, I gonna play, I think, singles on Wednesday. So I love this tournament. I love Queen’s always. I enjoy a lot to be there. It’s different tournament because you play in a club. That makes the tournament very special.
I am feeling great all the time there.
Q. Was there any point in the past year where you feared that you would not get back to this level of tennis? Did you fear that, you know, to yourself, Maybe I won’t be there?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure. I think everybody have doubts, have his doubts on himself, no? I am not an exception.
And, sure, for a moment when I worked a lot at home during all December, my feeling was I was in perfect conditions to try to win in Australia because I played really well in Abu Dhabi and in Doha, too.
And when I had to retire from there was very difficult moment. Go out of court in any tournament is very hard, especially in a Grand Slam.
Sure, the biggest or most important thing is not the match that you are losing the match, the harder thing is you gonna be another three weeks without practice at home recovering. So that’s hard for me.
Q. When you were sitting on the bench today with the towel in your face, in the towel, what was going through your mind?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I was there crying, but was really emotional moment for me. But probably is because of the situation. I didn’t thought about a lot of things but the moment, and after, a lot of nervous, a lot of pression for me and a difficult year.
After you win this big title is, everything is you lose your tension. I don’t know.
Q. Did you learn anything this season about how much is necessary to play before coming into Roland Garros, and how does your body feel now compared to previous years?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn’t understand the first thing.
Q. Did you learn something about how much you need to play before the French Open this year? Second, how does your body feel physically compared to the last few years coming out of this tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. You know, I played three tournaments before Roland Garros. That’s the usual thing. In 2005 I play three, I think. Yeah, I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona well I played in Valencia, but I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome. I didn’t play Hamburg. 2006, I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome. I didn’t play Hamburg.
And 2007 and 8 years I played all four. But I don’t know. It’s depends of the moment. I think for me this year probably because I had a lot of problems on the knees, so I decided to play only three weeks.
But you never know in the future what’s going on. And, sure, three tournaments the problem on tennis is you can’t say, I gonna play three tournaments, because if you lose early you play five matches.
So is depends of the matches you play, no? If you win three, sure, it’s enough. But if you lose in the first round, second, third round, this can’t be enough of tournaments for me. So depends of the victories.
Q. Can you compare physically how you feel now versus last few years?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, physically I feeling great. I didn’t have any problems, so that’s the most important thing for me. Because if I am healthy again, enjoy playing tennis, that’s the main thing.
If you have problems, is impossible to enjoy and is very difficult to play at your best, because you have too many problems. If you think about the knees, you can’t think about the ball.
You can play with pain, but not… (through translation) You have a pain that limitate your movements, is impossible to play at the best level.
Q. Because you weren’t able to defend your title last year at Wimbledon, do you go in with the mentality that you are a defending champion because it’s your first opportunity to go back? What sort of mentality will you go in now that you are once you again French champion?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, see the points I have, so everything is improve. No, no, I not going thinking about I was the last champion. Two years happen after my victory, so a lot of things change.
I gonna try my best like I did every year to arrive there in my best conditions. Last year wasn’t possible. This year I gonna do the same like I did every year: play Queen’s, have a few days at home, and before Wimbledon practice there. Wednesday I think I gonna arrive there.
And that’s all. That’s all. That’s what I can say I gonna do. I gonna try my best every day to adapt to the grass as fast as possible.
Q. Do you feel like the best ever on clay now?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. No, I sure that the numbers are unbelievable for me, no? I never thought to have the chance to win this tournament, five titles, five times or Monte Carlo six or Barcelona five, I think, too, or Rome for me five.
For me, that’s more than a dream. When I see these titles and these numbers, for me is amazing. I don’t know how I did.
But first of all, you gonna be very arrogant if I say for myself I am the best of the history. Second thing, I don’t believe I don’t believe I am the best of the history. I try my best every day, and we will see when I finish my career. I not gonna be who decide if I am the best or not. You maybe, but not me, sure.
Q. Will you celebrate tonight, or what are the plans?
RAFAEL NADAL: Difficult to have a big celebration if you have to practice tomorrow. (Laughter.)
Q. No party?
RAFAEL NADAL: I gonna have time, eh? At the summer at home after Wimbledon, Mallorca is unbelievable celebration to do. (Laughter.)
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish, please.
Q. Let me ask my question again. You spoke in French to the French crowd. Will you end up being a diplomate?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I’m not very smart with languages, but I have no shame talking in a language which is not mine. I was very shy, but I’m recovering from that. I have no problem with that. At the beginning I spoke very bad English. I could not understand anything, but I have improved.
As for French, I understand French pretty well. I can understand almost everything when they speak slowly, because it sounds like the Spanish and the language we speak in Mallorca, so I can try and speak it even if I speak it badly.
Q. Why would you bite the Cup each time? Is there a story behind that?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I did that in Monte Carlo for the first time during my first Masters, and then the journalists asked me to do it again for the picture. I do it just to please the photographers.
Q. The Spanish flag you were supposed to wear, were you wearing it today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it’s a fan who gave it to me in Madrid, and he said it’s going to be good luck.
Q. What kind of objectives do you have for Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I’ll be top seed in Wimbledon, because that’s a tournament I am very comfortable with. But please let me enjoy this day before I start talking about Wimbledon. Please give me that time to savor the moment, because it’s really a special moment for me.
Tomorrow when I start practicing in Queen’s, then we can start talking about Wimbledon. But first, let me appreciate the day. I was very fortunate my friend Marc accepted to play the doubles with me. So I’ll prepare to get ready for the tournament in Queens.
This is a big favor, because I don’t think I’ll be his best partner in doubles. But I’m very happy. I’ll try and practice and spend as much time on the court this week to, you know, find my momentum on grass.
That’s my objective. I’ll try and arrive as prepared as possible to play my best Wimbledon ever.
Q. One of your major objectives was Roland Garros, and you won. Now, what’s your second most important objective? Would it be to be No. 1 in the world, to win Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think winning any other tournament would be better for me than being No. 1 in the world; winning at Wimbledon or the US Open would be incredible for me.
Q. You’re back to your 2008 level. You even exceeded that. How far are you planning to go, and would you say that you’re in the same shape as 2008 or better?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don’t like making comparisons. I don’t want to compare, and I don’t want to compare to 2008. I’m very happy about the way I play.
I’m very happy I can play. And as you all know, Roger Federer played very well and he was very happy he played in Australia and Miami, and it’s just the same for me.
I’m just happy I can maintain my game at this level for as long as I can. And to achieve that, I need to be in very good health. So I do everything I cannot to get injured. That’s how I can go through difficult moments.
You always need to learn from difficult moments to face the future.
Q. Could you explain your tears? Were you crying of joy?
RAFAEL NADAL: Relief, joy. Joy, certainly. It was a great personal satisfaction, because my family, my team, myself, all those who supported me and helped me be back…
Well, it’s true that I played this tournament with more anxiety. I was slightly more nervous than usual. I went through difficult moments because I couldn’t find, you know, my momentum on the court.
Then it was very emotional, you know, winning, and last week Astruch died. I was very sad. I couldn’t attend the funerals, and this was a delightful woman. We miss her, and that was very sad for me.
Q. Can you tell us again the relationship you have to this clay here in Paris?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, how can I say? I mean, when I was a kid, I did not consider myself as a clay court specialist. But apparently since 2005, well, clay has been the surface of which I achieved the best results and which I best adapted my way to move and to play.
Apparently my game is perfectly suited to this surface. I love it with all my heart, because it gave me so much joy. Winning here in Paris is ever so special.
All tournaments I win give me huge satisfaction, but winning a Grand Slam tournament here in Paris, despite the fact I lost last year because I was not well prepared and I had very low morale last year, as well.
But this time I’m back. I’m back and I win. Maybe this is the tournament I most wanted to win.
Q. So you’ve equalled McEnroe and Wilander’s record. Do you consider yourself as a great tennis player?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, that’s exactly the kind of question I don’t like, because then people say I’m arrogant, that I’m fat headed. What do you mean, being a great player?
As I said, I try to play my best tennis, to play my best game, to do everything I can. If figures and statistics say I’ve been a good player over the last years, well, I’ll continue and play as best as I can to maintain those figures as long as I can.
As I said, it’s a huge pleasure for me to be here in Paris. I am in Paris. I won in Paris. I’m very lucky, and I was very fortunate in life to have had the opportunity of experiencing all this at the age of 24.
Never in my wildest dream would I have dreamt of such beautiful presents. Life was very kind to me.
Well said RAFA!
superlatives fail
When Rafa rolled on his back at that "terre battue" surface of Roland Garros, I was kicking the carpet whilst flat out with extreme excitement inside the living room. Watching the whole proceeding of the final, I was screaming like mad. In fact, I'm still at a loss for words.
Let me wait a day or two. Maybe then, I get to say something about this momentous occasion.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Thursday, 3 June 2010
mini lesson
As usual, NAM finds that valuable time to teach me how to use "strike through". He said that it gives a blog a bit of character (although I don't totally agree, I might as well do to shut him up). So for this lesson, I have to think of something I need to "strike through".
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NAM has new blog layout and I must admit, the main picture depicts that sense ofdespair hope.
Is this a lesson learned, NAM?
**************************
NAM has new blog layout and I must admit, the main picture depicts that sense of
Is this a lesson learned, NAM?
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