Remember that photo I posted yesterday? Who’da thunk that less than a day later all three of these striking Spaniards would be sent packing! Moya was already out, and today David lost in three to Stepanek (say it ain’t so!) and Rafa went down to Juan Carlos Ferrero in straights.
Rafa displayed a lot of frustration and anger in his press conference. He was mightily miffed by his (partially) injury-induced loss, and blamed the fat blister on his foot on Etienne de V. and the ATP head’s unreasonable clay court scheduling. Here are the money quotes:
Q. Were you close to not playing? Were you hesitating not to play?
RAFA: (After some talk about the blister on his foot bugging him, Rafa launches into this off-topic “told you so” tirade) So, you know, the calendar is impossible. Last week and in Barcelona everybody is talking about how you feel about the calendar and everything. I said for me going to be impossible four weeks in a row playing well, no? They told me, Yes, but you have already two playing very well. I said, Yes, but in a few days you going to see why it’s impossible, and disappointing they going to see. Finally they see it’s impossible, no? Just congratulate Juan Carlos, because this is an important win for him, I think. . .Q. You know that Etienne of the ATP is here. Are you going to talk to him and say the same thing you told us about the calendar, what you said in Barcelona? I know you have told him already, but do you think there is a chance that something can change, or you don’t think anything will change?
RAFA: I don’t have nothing to speak with this man, no? Not more.
RAFA: (After some talk about the blister on his foot bugging him, Rafa launches into this off-topic “told you so” tirade) So, you know, the calendar is impossible. Last week and in Barcelona everybody is talking about how you feel about the calendar and everything. I said for me going to be impossible four weeks in a row playing well, no? They told me, Yes, but you have already two playing very well. I said, Yes, but in a few days you going to see why it’s impossible, and disappointing they going to see. Finally they see it’s impossible, no? Just congratulate Juan Carlos, because this is an important win for him, I think. . .Q. You know that Etienne of the ATP is here. Are you going to talk to him and say the same thing you told us about the calendar, what you said in Barcelona? I know you have told him already, but do you think there is a chance that something can change, or you don’t think anything will change?
RAFA: I don’t have nothing to speak with this man, no? Not more.
Q. Don’t trust him?
RAFA:
I think it’s obvious that Rafa was expecting to lose today, which explains why he went down so easily in the second set. Usually when he’s struggling, he shows a lot more on court emotion than that, practically wriggling out of his capri pants in frustration and disbelief. He also rarely talks about injuries as contributing factors to his losses (after losing last year’s Wimbledon final, for example, he brushed off any questions about his failing knees). One could argue that he should have skipped the non-Masters tourny in Barcelona last week, but it’s hard to fault him for supporting his “home” event and for wanting to give it his all on clay. I think Rafa is doing everything he can to prove his point to the ATP and is even willing to stomach a few losses to do so. And maybe this forced break will give him some much needed rest before the French.
Get up close and personal with Rafa’s blister below (viewer discretion advised):
So, geeze, Rafa’s suffered his SECOND clay court loss in 105 (or so) matches. Whaddya’ think – is this a SLUMP???
Other “on paper” upsets included Andy Murray’s loss to Wawrinka and Almagro’s straight set win over David “Dark Alley” Nalbandian. I’d also like to mourn the early exit of Juan Monaco, who was beaten by Igor “Do Rag Done Wrong” Andreev.
Even with Rafa and Co. gone, there are still some tasty match ups to come: Roddick v. Bolelli (I smell an “upset” given the Italian’s recent success and home court advantage), Blake v. Verdasco (the dreamboat match), Gonzo v. Almagro (this could be a real “VAMOS!” fest), and Djokovic v. Andreev could be tough for the world #3 (who still appears to be breathing hard).
Loading ...
