hey !
"about how Rafa is trying to carry a little less weight around to see if it will help with his knees. FOOL, I TELL YOU! I?m a fool."

Ok. cHeryl you are not FOOL
because I have the same answer in my mind when anybody asks me about that
take into the consideration that I'm in my last year physical therapy study!

but , let's say that he had changed the type of exercises to reduce load on his knees ,
thats it Ithink . and that fellow journalist! well , I would have bunch him

Well, pathetic as they are, those so called journalists will speculate about Rafa?s weight, Rafa?s emotional destruction, Rafa?s less power and lost confidence...Rafa is always on the top as the subject to discuss. I read so many times he has been asked the same question by French journalists about the supplements he was apparently taking...and even if that was the case, why would he stop doing it all of the sudden?! According to them, he was taking it all his life and that is how he arrived at his best?! Come on, that is so ridiculous! If it was allowed a year ago, when he was having his best year, he would have continued this year with the same stuff! But, those delusional idiots who are only trying to diminish his accomplishments and who would just love to see him go away, they will always find the reason to underestimate his successes. I feel sorry for those poor souls! They just can not live with the fact that Rafa, gold medalist and king of clay, who won it all and will keep winning, is only human who has his ups and downs like the rest of the world...he will come back lighter to reduce the pressure of his knees, but that will make it easier for him to move and run and he sure is going to give hard time to his opponents in the very near future...

Grrrr ... indeed. Poor Rafa ... although if you ask him he says that he is still the same weight. I think he has lost his facial baby fat ... he is getting on, now.

I think its pretty clear that he has lost at least some amount of weight. Maybe just 10 pounds, but he looks thinner to me.

Nevertheless, how often does the guy have to deal with those sorts of accusations. It stinks.

Nadal does appear to be a bit leaner; still looks good nevertheless. It might be intentional or just a natural process because his body is changing slightly with "age". I do not think anyone should read too much into it, though, and those kind of accusations are uncalled for. Cheryl, well done for keeping your control and not attacking those journalists...

I don't know what's more surprising. The fact that we're surprised that there are haters who would make such malicious and reckless accusations and then air that garbage on a tennis TV show, the fact that you found it within yourself to not inflict physical harm on those !$@#!$@ or the fact that those Argentinian "journalists" thought that the guy was trying to look like Roger ON PURPOSE. *snickers* I'm joking, JOKING about the last part! No doubt looking like Federer would be considered an advantage in some cases. No doubt there are perks. :)

Cheryl, your Roger-lite wasn't this guy was it? This clip is from this years US Open, he looks like Federer's long lost brother :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js-EI3v_nCs&feature=related

As for the accusations, haters and incompetent journalists existed before Andre Agassi had the "brilliant" idea to write his tell-all. At least if they chose to discuss Agassi, they'd be covering facts that was revealed by the man himself. I'd normally allow myself to get very mad when reading about such lies because I know that a single lie can destroy a whole reputation for integrity.

But Rafa is so dignified and above it all, I really don't give a fork what they think and try and spread. The saying that "the man who fears no truth has nothing to fear from lies" rings true in Rafa's case.

I would like to read what you had to say though Cheryl. Not all journalists have dignity, honor and the desire to cover and report the truth, or the sense and moral fiber to not invent and spread lies.

*brushes shoulder off* They aren't worth the sweat on Rafa's brow.

Did I miss something? What's got you so hot and bothered and not giving a "fork"?

Well, Chr18, it changes from day to day. Do you mean like RIGHT NOW?

In that case (aside from the obvious, i.e. wars - poverty - politicians - Twilight) I'd have to say the fact that my TV didn't air the New Orleans Saints game vs the New England Patriots. I really wanted to see that one! Plus, I also missed out on the Indianapolis Colts vs the Houston Texans.

*folds arms angrily*

OH! The fact that you can get tennis elbow from playing tennis on your Nintendo Wii and the fact that we have to wait until June 18th of 2010 before we can see 'Toy Story 3'. Or, how about the fact that so many things in the world are not "lefty friendly"! >:(

Thanks for giving a spoon Chr18, you're too sweet. :)