Pat Cash was asked
"Can Federer get back to No 1 in 2013?"

"I think it depends on Rafa?s knees, and whether Rafa is fit again. Rafa is Federer?s nemesis, always has been. If Rafa isn?t fit, Federer could get back to the top again next season. Djokovic, Federer and Murray don?t seem to mind playing against each other, but they don?t like playing Nadal much. But it would be sad, now that Murray is at his peak, if Nadal isn?t around competing. I think one of Djokovic, Federer or Murray could win three grand slams. I can see that happening. Not four, though."

Read more
http://www.thetennisspace.com/pat-cash-exclusive-murray-could-wi n-three-slams-in-2013/

It's Rafa who's going to win at least 3 Slams in 2013............

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Fed rues absence of main rival Rafa

ROGER FEDERER admits he misses his on-court battles with rival Rafa Nadal as the Spaniard continues his recovery from injury.

While Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are starring at the ATP World Tour Finals in London this week, 2010 finalist Nadal is again absent from the big stage through a chronic knee problem.

Federer faces Janko Tipsarevic today but admits the competition is not as fierce with only three of the world's top four players in action at the 02 Arena.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/other/fed-rues-absence-o f-main-rival-rafa-106362n.19340300

Rafa doesn't need fake polls to know that he is the rock star of tennis:

THE DIFFICULT YEAR OF THE GREATEST SPANISH TENNIS PLAYER

JAUME PUJOL-GALCERAN 03/11/2012

When Rafa attended the tournament in Valencia he talked about his recovery and said

"This is slow, very slow, much slower than I expected, but you have to have patience, confessed Rafael Nadal to his fellow players and friends in Valencia, at the tribute to Juan Carlos Ferrero. It was the first time in many months that he?s stepped foot in a tournament, although he just sat in the stands as a spectator. He had to make an effort to go to the Agora, but he was rewarded by the affection he was shown him fans.

His fans shouted "Get Well Soon", "I hope", "you're the greatest," as they approached him to ask for an autograph, while he was on court watching Ferrero and Ferrer in a doubles match. The queue was so long that the Organization opted to seal off the area. To do the 300 metres to the Agora of the Science Museum, where they were changing rooms are, the players were ferried in golf cars, but Nadal was taken by a limousine provided by the organization to protect him from the tumult. The protection was not only from the fans but also to avoid the press. There was an IMG agent by his side to sheild him from the crowd.

Nadline: Nice of him to admit it at last. After the coverage Delpo's remarks received he clearly thought it was time to add his voice to the chorus of good will.

#JumpingOnTheBandwagon?
#BetterLateThanNever
#PublicRelationsSpi n

#Frustrated
#Can't to see Rafa on court



#Vamos Rafa

#Can't wait to see Rafa on court

Is there still a possibility he might be at Dubai?

Abu Dhabi is still on the cards but Rafa hasn't played Dubai for a few years and he is now committed to Acapulco.

Too bad if he doesn't when you have your three day pass. Hope you get to see some good tennis nevertheless.

Rafa on FB

"One step closer to the court! Vamossss!"

I guess this looks promising for Abu Dhabi.

If he is planning to play the AO surely he will need all the match play he can muster after seven months out of the game. No?

Rafael Nadal close to practice says reports
Thursday, November 8th, 2012 at 4:15 am , filed under Tennis News by Jon Denton

http://digg.com/submit?url=http://www.livetennisguide.com/2012/11/08/r afael-nadal-close-to-practice-says-reports/digg

Former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal hopes to come back to the practice court by the end of this month, says reports. The 11-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal, has posted a picture on his Facebook wall that he is just one step closer to the tennis court. According to sources Nadal is going to start training along with uncle and Coach Toni Nadal by the end of this month in Mallorca. The Spaniard said he will work hard to be back to top form on the ATP World Tour and will give tough challenge to best players in 2013.

King of Clay Nadal has committed to take part in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, schedule to begin in December at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex, Abu Dhabi. Nadal said it will be a good practice for him at Abu Dhabi tournament, before heading into the new season starts in January.

26-year-old Nadal, who has been out of action from past four month, having played his last match at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships in the second round. Nadal had big threat by his fellow country mate World No. 5 David Ferrer for No. 4 spot in the ATP Rankings, where he is just 765 points ahead in ranking points.

_______________________

His ranking is bound to be affected as he hasn't played for months. I hope he comes back fit and ready to kick @**.

Promise you will post a day by day, blow by blow account. As long as he's ready for the Clay Swing to hell with his ranking.

#Bird'sEyeView
#EmeraldGreenWithEnvy

@nadline, 11/8/12 10:55 AM
__According to sources Nadal is going to start training along with uncle and Coach Toni Nadal by the end of this month in Mallorca___

Rafa hasn't given any deadlines. I don't think these 'sources' know when he is going to start training, they just make predictions.
I miss seeing Rafa on a tennis court, but I want him to come back when he is healthy enough to play.
Vamos Rafa!

Oh, I miss Rafa so much...I really, truly hope he will resume training this month (and it's about the time!) and play in Abu Dhabi...he is so missed by everyone...and I do hope he comes back for the AO...I have a feeling that Rafa is going to make a magnificent come back and that his fans will enjoy the year of 2013...

Please Rafa be ready for the 2013 season...all I ask from you is to win two more GSs in 2013...and, of course, to win most of (or better ALL!) clay court titles...:)

Vamos Rafa!

I don't think that report is accurate, I think Rafa could start training as early as next Monday. I hope so anyway, he sounds like it's imminent.

ed, I promise to send you daily reports. I won't be using my iphone in Dubai because my bank manager will go spare.

Last time I went to the tournament in AD I did not go on Day 1 because Rafa wasn't playing until Day 2, little did I know that both him and Federer signed autographs on Day 1, so on Day 2 I had the pleasure of seeing Berdy, Tsonga and Baghdatis signing autographs.

I shall say Hi from his devoted fans on TT.

Rafa is present at the WTF.

## Rafael Nadal at ATP Finals ... at the bar!
The Spanish is still listed as a cocktail despite the absence from the tournament.
/---/ a curious initiative of managers of catering to the ATP Finals in London has meant that in some way Rafa was present. To all the cocktails was given the name of one of the disputants of the tennis tournament ... with the addition of Rafael Nadal! ##
Cocktail NADAL: Tequila and Triple Sec shaken with Strawberry Puree, Lemon and Gomme Syrup, topped up with Cranberry Juice.
[tennisworldusa, 08 Nov 2012, by FC]

http://tinyurl.com/cu9dhj9

:)

roger rasheed roger rasheed ?@roger_rasheed

Cutest thing, Rogers girls walking down corridor of O2 pointing @ every picture on the wall and saying" RAFA"- mmm they know the rival lol


Hilarious!

I hope this link works! Rafa posted this on fb and tweeted saying that this is what his hair looks like after practice and should he keep it this way! I do love you Rafa!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=11244708&l=4466091aa3&id=648 22581025

That link didn't work. Trying again.

http://t.co/BKBhRT6k