#corboba

Who's Rafa fake snogging?

Is that a Costa daughter? Or a cousin? (Posted by cymro16668)

Anyone got a higher quality one of this? I don't see it here (and the Nadal Minutes are usually region-blocked for me anyway.)

Articles:

The Sherwood Taipei to Welcome World-Renowned Tennis Players - Rafa's getting the star treatment at an upcoming exhibtion with Daveeed.

The Implacable by Pete Bodo (tennis.com)

"He jugado en muchos sitios, pero la afición de aquí es inmejorable" by Rafael C. Mendoza. Warning: old man shorts! (mangle)

La última noche en Córdoba by R.C.M. (mangle) So, is Danza Kuduro their theme song now?

Video:

Davis Cup Highlights: Spain 4-1 France (Semifinals 2011)

raficionada's videos from the DC semifinal: opening ceremondy, after the win part 1, part 2, part 3

Let's talk scheduling:

Michael Stich criticises strike talk from Andy Murray - Stich thinks the current players are a bunch of pansies. (Okay, so he didn't it that strongly, but that seems to be the gist of it.)

Are Rafael Nadal and co justified in their complaints about the men's tennis calendar? by Alexandra Willis - asks some interesting questions and counterpoints to Stich's comments.

[caption id="attachment_28778" align="alignright" width="150" caption="CESAR MANSO/ AFP/ Getty Images"][/caption] Recommended Non-Reading:

There appears to be tons of articles floating around right now (like this and this) that are saying Rafa is close to sacking Toni. Quite frankly, I doubt their veracity. What are their sources? I see nothing but interpretations of some of the quotes in Rafa's book - that's all. Nothing to corroborate their interpretation of those quotes.

Articles:

Nadal secures Spain's spot in Final by Clive White (daviscup.com). Includes audio files of interviews.

Davis Cup wrap: Rafa shines; injuries take toll by Courtney Nguyen (SI.com)

Rafael Nadal on fire, Novak Djokovic weeps in Davis Cup via AFP

Rafael Nadal beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Spain reach Davis Cup final via guardian.co.uk

Rafael Nadal Puts Spain in Davis Cup Final via Fox News Latino

A nice interview with Tsonga in French sent to me by kefuoe and posted in comments by Emilie. (Mangle)

Ooodles of coverage on marca.com - feel free to explore.

Rafa vs the ITF: I admit to having mixed feelings about Rafa's recent comments about the ITF and DC scheduling. After all, he (and other top players) requested this schedule in 2006. The ITF agreed and implemented it in 2009. I fully agree that the season should be shortened. (As it is, it's not a season, it's a year.) I also agree that scheduling DC one week after slams is totally insane. But I can't help but worry about how Rafa's going about this. Maybe he should start with, "yeah, we requested it. Now that I've lived it, though, I think that request was wrong. Can we re-evaluate now?" I also wonder if he isn't talking about a further restructuring of the whole DC format - another thing I have extremely mixed feelings about. One of the proposed format changes I've read about would have the whole competition taking place in one location over a week or so. While this would be ideal for players, I think it would totally gut Davis Cup of what makes it so special. It's the whole "away vs. home" that gives these matches such an electric atmosphere. If they want to switch it to be in one place and play it all at once, just rename it The Hopman Cup.

It's just another item for them to try and sort out in an already overly-complicated scheduling mess. There is no one governing party in tennis. There's no one place for players to go to have their voices heard. Terribly, terribly complicated.

Nadal wins, complains about overcrowded calendar by Paul Logothetis, AP

Nadal heaps more criticism on International Tennis Federation - AFP

ITF: Rafael Nadal's take 'inconsistent' - AP via espn.com

Murray joins Nadal in claiming fatigue - Andy's comments are more aimed at the ATP than the ITF.

Video:

Rafa tries to sneak out mid-game to watch the Verdasco/Gasquet match.

Photos:

Next, head over to flickr for this lovely album with pictures from a lot of the DC ties this weekend. (And don't forget to zoom.)

More photos from the French Tennis Association: one, two.

Rafa does social media:

Rafa gave us a glimpse of his post-match recovery time.

He also tweeted and posted on Facebook to congratulate the Spanish basketball team.

[caption id="attachment_28611" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Photo by AP Photo/ Charles Krupa"][/caption]

Q&A

El Mundo Q&A #5 and here's the mangle.

El Mundo Q&A #6 (mangle)

Articles about the final/USO:

Racquet Reaction by Peter Bodo

Nadal Is Again Unable to Overcome Djokovic by Jorge Castillo (NY Times)

The game that crushed Rafael Nadal by Greg Garber (espn.com)

Mr. One More Ball by Steve Tignor (tennis.com)

Djokovic Wins Most Electric Men’s Final in Years by Lindsay Sakraida (NY Mag)

Djokovic now the best of the best by Richard Deitsch (SI.com)

Video: Best points, shots of Djokovic-Nadal by Courtney Nguyen (SI.com)

Djokovic vs. Nadal by the numbers by Courtney Nguyen (SI.com)

Djokovic vs. Nadal: Breaking It Down by Craig O'Shannessy

It’s Form, Not Dysfunction, on Final Day by George Vecsey

Fifty thoughts from the U.S. Open by Jon Wertheim (SI.com)

A Keen Use of the Wind Aided Djokovic by Geoff MacDonald

Bodo gives Rafa the MVP award: The 2011 U.S. Open Awards

Other things to read:

Richard Mille Hosts Exclusive Dinner For Rafael Nadal by Ashley Joy Parker (hauteliving.com)

Video:

Pre-match interview that was on SkySports

iB3 report on the final

Davis Cup:

Spanish TV coverage of Rafa's arrival and practice in Cordoba. I don't know what he's showing Roig, but I appreciate him doing it.

DC video - Rafa arriving, guys practicing...Gracias!

Si no jugara por mi país, no haría el esfuerzo from as.com. From the mangle, it sounds like Rafa is only considering playing so soon after the USO because it's for his country.

Pictures from the Spanish DC Team's Facebook page

Photos from Rafa's practice, arrival and The Armada

Rafa arriving equals bedlam and more bedlam.

New shoes

Nice to know Marc! is there too.

Rafa cheers us up via social media:

Rafa lets us know he's okay and thanks us for his support: English and Spanish. (Thanks for the "hello everybody guys", Rafa. It was just what I needed to hear last night.)

Random: John Carlin offers his ideas for motivating Rafa to beat Nole.