jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 11, 2017 11:20:41 GMT -5
Today was achieved a record in sporting history -- Rafa Nadal won his 10th French Open title, called LA DECIMA! www.msn.com/en-us/sports/tennis/perfect-10-nadal-tops-wawrinka-for-record-10th-french-open/ar-BBCtFEo?ocid=edgspHe first won the Grand Slam title at Roland Garros ( site of the French Open - which commentators routinely describe as the "toughest" grand slam to win -- because it is played on clay for best -3 -of- 5 sets and can reach 5 hours on the court for 5-setters) in 2005 and in 2017, Rafa has won his 10th title at Roland Garros! My heart was in my mouth in the first few minutes -- but I need not have worried. Rafa simply demolished Stan after winning the first set. For this tournament, Rafa won the title without dropping a set in 7 matches. The ceremony was quite special! Huge banners were unfurled over the topmost section of the stadium to congratulate him for the historic achievement!  Among the audience was the former King of Spain ( his son is now King of Spain). When the famous trophy was first brought into the stadium by Nicole Kidman and a Frenchman, it was housed in a special Louis Vuitton leather trunk! Lol -- the French always like to show off their elegance  Rafa spoke in English because he said he was too emotional at the moment and his French was " tres mal" but he eventually spoke to the crowd in French. His English is not too great either -- but the emotion on his face ( he was holding back tears) spoke eloquently of how he felt. Congratulations to Rafa Nadal for this sporting achievement! Jo |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 11, 2017 12:21:02 GMT -5
One cannot fully appreciate what it took him to achieve this accomplishment unless one is a tennis fan and watch the Slams and other matches regularly! His career has been plagued with injuries ( knees, legs, wrist, back, feet) and even an appendectomy while in a tournament. The first time he lost in Roland Garros ( he has an amazing 79 wins and 2 losses there), there was also some personal issues ( his parents' separation hit him hard...although they have now reconciled). So the win has been very meaningful in terms of his career. He has been coached by his uncle since he was 3 years old ( which is why Uncle Toni - most famous uncle in sports - was given the honor to give Rafa an exact-to-size replica of the famous trophy with his 10 titles inscribed on it, as usually only a small trophy is given to the winner). In all this, his fans have been true despite the last few years of disappointments and concern. A Rafa fan expresses his sentiments : And this sports commentator writes a very insightful and very analytical piece on the riddle that is RAFA NADAL ! www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/on-paris-clay-rafael-nadal-is-still-teaching-us-lessons |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 11, 2017 18:41:44 GMT -5
Even La Tour Eiffel celebrates and honors Rafa's win!
Google Translation --
Google translation --
Has any other sporting great been similarly honored by Paris? Or maybe another individual from another field for a singular achievement?
Translation --
Haha -- this Frenchman tweeter is bemused with Rafa's accomplishment!
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 11, 2017 22:29:20 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 12, 2017 20:46:30 GMT -5
Remember this  http://instagram.com/p/pqamL4ChM7 3 years early - the legend has become even more legendary! Kudos to both of you -- you are both legends! This is your year, Hugh and Rafa! Jo |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jul 2, 2017 20:33:20 GMT -5
Hey, even GOOGLE is getting into the act --  It's WIMBLEDON time again! I wonder if Hugh will try to catch a match or two if he is still in Europe? Jo |
|
|
|
Post by hu4601 on Jul 2, 2017 22:09:43 GMT -5
Hey, even GOOGLE is getting into the act -- It's WIMBLEDON time again! I wonder if Hugh will try to catch a match or two if he is still in Europe? Jo He might even take part in a charity match with Djokovic and/or Federer, after challenging them a few months ago !! Would love to see him playing a fun doubles match with these two, although I'd prefer it was in Melbourne at the Australian Open. |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jul 13, 2017 19:39:18 GMT -5
Which would the Brits ( or you ) prefer to watch this weekend --
*The Wimbledon semis and finals - of the Big Four, only Roger Federer remains standing!
*Or the British Grand Prix at Silverstone ( in the UK) - with Brit racer Lewis Hamilton ( Mercedes) trying to catch up with championship leader Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) ?
Great sporting weekend! Thank goodness for worldwide TV!
Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jul 15, 2017 9:45:44 GMT -5
Congrats to Garbine Muguruza for winning the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Title!
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jul 16, 2017 17:04:18 GMT -5
So, it is a pairing of the Older Gen ( Federer) with the Next Gen ( Muguruza) for the Wimbledon honors this year!
Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jul 30, 2017 18:34:49 GMT -5
If Hugh Jackman is set to film ENZO FERRARI, this would be the best time to do it!What a sight to see how the tifosi ( Italian Ferrari fans) celebrate the SCUDERIA FERRARI'S 1-2 win at the Hungary Grand Prix. Ferrari's Vettel and Raikkonen claimed the top two spots on the podium! The fans went crazy -- all those flags flying high -- the excited run towards the podium looked like millions of ants doing their formation walk/run -- the noise and other celebratory signs...even the team singing together with the playing of the Italian national anthem. All good for the tifosi ( moi, included!)!  Forza Ferrari!! Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Sept 10, 2017 18:35:44 GMT -5
 Rafa Nadal marched to his 16th Grand Slam title! At the US Tennis Open, he won the finals against Kevin Anderson of South Africa, a very different slam final casting - no sign of Federer, Djokovic, and Murray ( the other members of the Big Four)! It was his semi-final match with crowd sentimental favorite and former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro which left the crowd and sportswriters searching for words to describe Nadal's dominant and stunning display of power and mental strength. It was almost unbelievable what he did to Delpo ( who beat Federer in the Quarterfinals), esp in the second set ( A bagel -- or 6-O score!). The finals seemed almost anti-climatic! It's been quite a year for Rafa Nadal -- he won his La Decima (10th trophy) at the French Open ( Roland Garros, arguably according to former player and commentator Luke Jensen the most difficult slam to win these days) and now the final Grand Slam of the year in New York City ( the noisiest tennis crowd in the world ). He is also now ranked # 1! Champion of champions - as he was called by the USTA President when he was handed his trophy today. Vamos, Rafa  PS: He also broke the curse of wearing pink at the US Open. His pink jacket ( courtesy of NIKE) shone brightly in the brilliant evening at Arthur Ashe Jo |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Sept 10, 2017 18:40:11 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Sept 10, 2017 21:59:40 GMT -5
So this was how Del Potro's powerhouse forehand got its nickname ( THORtro) -- Sorry, Chris -- didn't work with The Spanish Armada But Juan Martin, ever the gentleman ( he is called The Gentle Giant, at 6'6" while Anderson is 6'8"), tweeted in this congratulatory message to Rafa Nadal -- Jo |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Sept 23, 2017 18:53:00 GMT -5
If you are a great tennis fan -- you probably made sure you saw a sports performance that has never happened before and will likely not ever happen again. Roger Federer ( 19 Grand Slam titles, 1 Olympic Gold for doubles, currently # 2) and Rafa Nadal ( 16 Grand Slam titles, Olympic Gold for Single/and for Doubles, currently world # 1) joined together to play doubles at the newly-inaugurated LAVER CUP. The Laver Cup pits Team Europe ( coached by tennis legend Bjorn Borg) and Team World ( coached by tennis great John McEnroe). Their rivalry started when Rafa, still a teenager ( now 31), beat #1 Roger in Miami more than a decade ago) and has continued through the years... they are also very friendly with each other ( and share advocacies together) even if they have fought many title matches -- one of which was considered the greatest match ever fought ( Wimbledon 2009). This year Roger won Australia and Wimbledon while Rafa won the French and the USA Open! USA Today shares a dozen photos of this historic sports partnership! ftw.usatoday.com/2017/09/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-tennis-doubles-partners-first-time-laver-cup-prague  Did they win, even if they never had a chance to practice ( doubles take different tactics than singles) and that Roger has not played doubles in the last 2 years? They eventually did ( but they got me worried during the second set) I have never seen Rafa smile when he is playing -- here, he was often seen doing that. Roger tried his best to be accommodating to his partner ( one time, he was going for a smash, when Rafa beat him to it -- hey, were they competing or complementing each other )... But very competitive two people ( they will likely battle out the # 1 ranking at year end when they get back on tour and the O2 finale)... PS:Guess who was invited to toss the coin at the beginning ( re choice of receiving or serving) -- Vogue Editor and great tennis fan/Federer friend/Jackman friend Anna Wintour |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Sept 23, 2017 19:05:50 GMT -5
I woke up at 3:00 am to watch it on FOX/ESPN Sports ...but at 4:00 am, my computer was also open full screen to watch out for Hugh Jackman in the live screening of GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL.
Haha!
Jo
|
|
|
|
Post by carouselkathy on Oct 24, 2017 21:50:00 GMT -5
WORLD SERIES: DODGERS WIN GAME ONE!!!!!!! (90 DEGREE WEATHER)
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Apr 8, 2018 12:04:39 GMT -5
OMG!!!!!!!!! Two heartstopping victories for two favorites within the same 15 minutes of each other! *Ferrari (Vettel) won by a split second ( or less) at the Bahrain Grand Prix! *Davis Cup win for Spain ( 3-set win for Nadal and 5-set win for Ferrer) over Germany to send it to the semis! The heart can only take so much. But how exciting  |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Apr 20, 2018 20:43:05 GMT -5
Roger Federer made the news the other day when he was featured on the TIME cover as among the TIME Top 100 ( which included Hugh). In 2017, Roger won his record-setting 20th Grand Slam title at age 36! Rafael Nadal was also making historical moments in his march towards an 11th Monte Carlo title, prior to a possible record-setting 11th Grand Slam title at the French Open a month later. No one has won a Grand Slam title for the same event 10 times, except Rafa... Yesterday, he almost registered a near-perfect match when he allowed only two games against him by his supposed clay heir apparent!  Vintage Rafa photo, with his characteristic forehand with lasso One of my bucket list dreams is to see him play in Monte Carlo, arguably the most beautiful tennis court in the world which is nestled on the hills of Monaco and overlooking the Mediterranean. I have been there twice but for another sporting event ( Formula One) and on a racing circuit that doubles as regular streets when it is not racing weekend ... That was one bucket list event that I have already done Jo EDIT as of April 22, 2018 -- Rafa Nadal wins his 11th title in Monte Carlo! He also leads the Masters 1000 with 31 titles! CONGRATULATIONS!Writes THE TIMES-UK --EDIT # 2, as of April 29, 2018Rafa Nadal has just won his 11th title at the Barcelona Tennis Open! VAMOS!More EDIT : I am very envious of a niece who was attending a pediatrics convention in Barcelona and who happened to stay in the same hotel where the Nadal family stays ( the Nadals also speak Catalan, as they live in the neighboring island of Majorca/Mallorca). And because of that, the hotel was able to get tickets for her to one of the matches! LOL - she said she waited every breakfast time to see RN but nada ... Although she said the place was teeming with other players whom she did not recognize...but she also did to see Novak Djokovic play. When I asked her which was the most memorable aspect she remembers from watching the matches. She said it was the loud and booming sound ( the sound on TV is a poor imitation) of the tennis ball being smacked by the racket! Btw, when she was a kid, she sort of won a tennis championship in the neighborhood ... Lol - she did not pursue that unexpected skill ( not really good enough) but decided to heal children instead. And it's moi who has one of her bucket list wanting to see Rafa play, albeit in Monte Carlo  C'est la vie! EDIT #3 -- as of May 20, 2018 --
That sums up the feeling of the Nadal fans today! Yes, he did win the Masters 2018 title in ROME today but we almost had a heart attack
That puts him back as # 1 … and will be competing for his 11th French Grand Slam title in a week's time at Roland Garros in Paris!
Allez, Rafa! Vamos!
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on May 26, 2018 20:25:20 GMT -5
This time of year is a personal favorite when it comes to sports events.
Intersecting at some point are two such events -- the French Open Tennis Championship at Roland Garros in Paris( hey, where do they get all those white straw hats that the audiences get to wear - lol - the French really try to be fashion-conscious even for sports events). The 2-week sports event starts today ( Sunday)... Even more so at the Monaco Grand Prix ( Formula One) which also happens on Sunday ( May 26). The race is known as the crown jewel of the Formula One series, not because it has the best racetrack -- either according to the fans or to the drivers ( that is usually Spa, even if every driver's wish is to win at Monte Carlo!)... but maybe because it is one of the oldest circuits for F1 racing or because it happens during the height of sports events season in Europe or because that is when everybody or anybody who matters turns up for the race. Someone like Michael Fassbender or director Ron Howard can turn up unobtrusively like any other fan of the series. It is also when all the owners and sponsors turn up on their yachts( during race days, there are probably more yachts on the harbor by the race circuit than you can see on the roads of Monaco ( for one, road cars are forbidden on those days near or at the circuit) … or luxe terraces bestrewn with different flags of sports allegiance on their balconies. The height of glamour which happens a week or so after the Cannes Film Festival ( and that is why some movie stars may stick around for the Monaco event). I remember one time when we watched if Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones will come out of Hotel de Paris -- haha -- we got to see the famous racer Niki Lauda instead!
Three weeks hence, grass courts take over clay...and every player has to wear white for WIMBLEDON. Towards the end of the second week, the pristine grass gives way to brown dried grass which turns the Wimbledon tennis courts more like hardcourts for the players. What is this prestigious tennis event known for other than for its sports pedigree. Well, the most luscious strawberries-and-cream refreshment to beat the oncoming summer heat ;
Will we see Hugh in the Royal Box or some prominent player's box again?
EDIT as of 5/28/18
Concurrent and happening in the USA, the NBA finals are coming soon. Too bad my once favorite team, the Celtics, did not make it to the finals. I haven't keep in touch since I lived in Massachusetts and cheering for them. Besides, I do not follow basketball as avidly before -- too much shock to the heart - LOL! I have gravitated more towards sports emphasizing individual prowess rather than team sports.
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 10, 2018 11:23:36 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 16, 2018 9:05:03 GMT -5
At the world's most famous endurance race ( 24-hour race) at Le Mans, France, the current French Open champion ( Roland Garros), Rafa Nadal was given the honor of waving the flag to signal the start of the race!
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 16, 2018 14:06:53 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jun 17, 2018 20:43:17 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,456
|
Post by jo on Jul 5, 2018 9:45:13 GMT -5
Er… Hugh … hope he is less successful in his next match - against The Bull of Spain Jo |
|
)
