also, rafa is attempting to become the only player in the history of masters series to earn a clean sweep of all the shields on clay courts, he did not lose a match in masters in 2005-06 but skipped hamburg , he has won all of them (barring madrid) but never in the same year...go rafa go make history , 18th sheild is on the cards

I know that Rafa fans will be watching to see how he handles the different conditions at Madrid. At least this year we know that Rafa is truly healthy, rested and now on a winning streak. Nothing would please me more than to see Rafa win this tournament, and in doing so, make history.

Vamos RAFA! 2 comments above are exciting me :D. The draw is friendly with Nadal, so I hope he will cruise to the semi-final without much difficulty.

Nadal will win Madrid for sure.

It will be historic. 18th Masters title. Woow.

We will also be able to guage his form going into RG. Rome was not as good as MC, lets see where is level of play is at Madrid.

Clay 2010 - half term report
by MAC




In what seems like the blink of an eye, we are half way through the eight week clay court season. At the start, the press delighted in pointing out (with monotonous regularity) that Rafa had not won a tournament for 11 months. "Rivals ready to pounce on out-of-form Nadal" was a typical headline. Four weeks later, with an unprecedented sixth consecutive title in Monte Carlo and his fifth Rome trophy, Rafa has equalled Andre Agassi's record of 17 Masters titles. These are the types of quotes we're getting now.

Juan Carlos Ferrero after losing to Rafa in Monte Carlo
"He's always there. I mean, he's always where he has to be ? He puts a thousand balls on the court, and it's difficult to get a winner."



Fernando Verdasco after losing to Rafa in the Monte Carlo final
"If Rafa plays like this, no one can beat him."

"Nadal is a tough proposition on clay and he's one or maybe even two levels above everyone else."




Mark Hodgkinson - Daily Telegraph
As long as Nadal?s physical problems don?t return, there is every chance he could win every tournament he plays during the European clay-court season.
This was just what men?s tennis needed, for Nadal to be crunching into his first trophy since his success at Rome?s Foro Italico last May.



Steve Tignor - Tennis World
After every match he wins, wherever it is, Nadal takes the time to celebrate as if the experience is brand new. It?s one reason why he continues to win, and why he can stay motivated at Monte Carlo.

Keep acting like you?ve never been there before, Rafa. It's why tennis players keep playing, and it's why tennis watchers keep watching. We want to feel that way, too.


Bruce Jenkins - Inside Tennis, Sports Illustrated
Monte Carlo run shows reports of Nadal's decline were premature.

Nearly a year had passed between storms, and the drought was severe. Tennis so badly missed the tempest that is Rafael Nadal's game, a singular whirlwind of passion, form and aesthetics.

As match point went down, Nadal collapsed in relief and lay on his back, the better to get fully immersed in his beloved clay. Rising to his feet, he looked to have just returned from a very ill-advised hike in 110-degree weather. He wept at first, overwhelmed by the realization that he is once again playing fabulous, pain-free tennis and holding a shiny trophy aloft. Then came many smiles and polite replies, and the sweet knowledge that the clay-court season is just beginning. Rare is the man who can singlehandedly bring it to life.


Robbie Koenig Blog from Rome
As for Rafael Nadal, he was simply "PHENOMI-NADAL"?this is my new word to describe the Mallorcan!!! The quality of tennis from him was outrageous. Victor Hanescu played his part too, in what was by far and away the best test for Rafa, on clay, so far, this spring, no question! Between them 47 winners and just 21 unforced errors, testimony to the quality of the contest.



David Ferrer prior to the Rome final
"What happens depends on Rafa, not me. He never seems to miss, he never gives you free points. People say he was so great two years ago when he won the titles on clay in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Hamburg, then the French Open, before going on to add Queen's and Wimbledon on grass.

"But I have played him twice in the past few weeks and I think he is playing better now."


Internazionali BNL d'Italia Official site
There is still only one person who deserves the title of the king of clay ? and with a fifth crown in Rome, Nadal carved his name even deeper into the annals, both of the Foro Italico and in tennis history.


Internazionali BNL d'Italia Official site
When a supremely gifted player is finally fit enough to "try his best all the time" and explore the limits of his enormous potential, then tennis fans the world over can afford to smile as well.

Steve Flink - tennischannel.com
As long as he remains healthy and free of injuries, whenever he is confident and in command of his game, he is in a class of his own on the surface he loves the most.

Steve Tignor - Tennis World
Clay highlights the particular beauty of Nadal?s game. It's a beauty of energy, of the vitality, rather than the elegance, that can be exhibited in tennis, and which is embedded deeper in the sport's core. It can be found in the parabolic bend of his forehand when it crosses the net and peaks in the air?few players have ever hit with his combination of high-arcing trajectory and heavy-topspin propulsion. In his accuracy with each stroke. In his point construction, which so often leaves him with a single easy volley to put away at the net. In his ability to slide unimpeded over long stretches, without losing his balance, and seemingly catch up with a ball that has already passed him. In the way he enlarges the playing surface in all directions. In that little anticipatory, frenetic jump forward that he made as Ferrer was dumping the ball in the net. The desire is there in the movement.

On hard courts or grass, Nadal can be just as good, and even more vicious in his attack, but he?s never as smooth and self-assured, never as complete and artistic and at his ease, the way he is on clay. On hard courts, he must go to the edge of his comfort zone; on clay he?s within himself. Maybe clay-court special-ist is the right term for Nadal, after all. There is something pretty special about watching him play on it.



Neil Harman - timesonline
If anything ? and this ought to frighten the socks off everyone else preparing for the French Open later this month ? Nadal is getting even better. It is an alarming thought.

thanks for posting them quotes, vrael! We Rafa-nation can rejoice!!! We love you, Rafa!!!!

welcome martine.....i got all these from vamosbrigade.com

vrael, thanks a bunch for posting all these quotes, my favourite one is this:

'Tennis so badly missed the tempest that is Rafael Nadal's game, a singular whirlwind of passion, form and aesthetics'.

Bruce Jenkins - Inside Tennis, Sports Illustrated


The press do blow hot and cold, these people who were telling us that Rafa would never play at the top of his game again, bla, bla, bla and lost faith in him, had to see the print of the nail to have faith in him. I know his fans had faith in him, and he had faith in himself.

I shall celebrate with champagne if Rafa completes a clean sweep of Madrid and RG.

Vamos Rafa!

don't forget to tow us nadline.

i love this one...ill post it again

Steve Tignor - Tennis World
Clay highlights the particular beauty of Nadal?s game. It's a beauty of energy, of the vitality, rather than the elegance, that can be exhibited in tennis, and which is embedded deeper in the sport's core. It can be found in the parabolic bend of his forehand when it crosses the net and peaks in the air?few players have ever hit with his combination of high-arcing trajectory and heavy-topspin propulsion. In his accuracy with each stroke. In his point construction, which so often leaves him with a single easy volley to put away at the net. In his ability to slide unimpeded over long stretches, without losing his balance, and seemingly catch up with a ball that has already passed him. In the way he enlarges the playing surface in all directions. In that little anticipatory, frenetic jump forward that he made as Ferrer was dumping the ball in the net. The desire is there in the movement.

On hard courts or grass, Nadal can be just as good, and even more vicious in his attack, but he?s never as smooth and self-assured, never as complete and artistic and at his ease, the way he is on clay. On hard courts, he must go to the edge of his comfort zone; on clay he?s within himself. Maybe clay-court special-ist is the right term for Nadal, after all. There is something pretty special about watching him play on it.

So Rafa is the ultimate tennis player according to tennis writers. He's got the beauty, energy, passion, vitality, elegance, precision, form and aesthetics. Wow!!!!!!!!

VAMOS!!!

vrael, what a beautiful way to start my day...thank you! This was so enjoyable and so true! Vamos Rafa! Enjoy your superiority in Madrid!