Rafael Nadal made a stunning debut in Melbourne today, and in more ways than one.
The world's top baller absolutely crushed diminutive Belgian Christoph Rochus 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round and threw down some sick numbers to boot: 47 winners against 18 errors, 10 aces, 69% on first serve deliveries with 91% success, and made 8 of 9 net approaches.
In addition, the Mallorcan Matador finally debuted his highly-anticipated (and controversial) new Nike Spring '09 stylings I previewed back in November. He's working the Short Sleeve Top in white + classic charcoal, the Long Checked Short in classic charcoal (with some subtle dotting BTW), my fave Air Max Courtballistecs in light green + classic charcoal, and bandana and wrist bands in light green.
How incredibly sexy does he look in these duds?! *swoons*
Rafa was asked about the new look in his post-match presser:
Q. I notice you didn't have a sleeveless shirt on today. Are you sort of getting a bit older?
RAFAEL NADAL: You like it or the prefer the other one (smiling)?
Q. I wouldn't go sleeveless myself. What do you think?
RAFAEL NADAL: I feeled well, no? I feel good. Well, in this moment we gonna play like this. You never know in the future. But right now I am fine like this.
Q. Anything cause the change? Was there any reason to change it up?
RAFAEL NADAL: For change. I don't know.
LOVE. There really isn't anything more to say about this entire ensemble although, like any outfits seen on the runways during Fashion Week, I warn against wearing the complete look head-to-toe.
I mean, who wants to be compared to Rafa? You'll lose - just sayin'.
Now...must...buy.
PS - As if this wasn't enough, here's a BONUS for all you rabid Rafanatics:
Get it while you can!(images via Getty, AP, TennisWarehouse)
Rafa in black socks!
ReplyDeleteEeeeexcellent!
ReplyDeleteEverything works. Shorts are particularly nicely fitted, almost like dress pants. Shirt looks fresh and cheeky; great that it's not a polo, but colarless tee (not so busy). Fit is flawless. Lime green details are superb against that olive skin of his.
And how he wears it - totally unselfconscious, without that sense of awkwardness that new things tend to bring.
Overall, a resounding YES for the nite gear.
Now, let's see the day combo.
SOOOOOO sexyyyy sexxxxyyyyy the more i see him the more i want him!!
ReplyDeleteSOOOOOO sexyyyy sexxxxyyyyy the more i see him the more i want him!!
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about the new stuff is that it shows off his *shape*, not just his arms. I think you can really see the strength in Nadal's back and shoulders. The fit and the shirt that skims the waist really make the outfit work.
ReplyDeleteLove the Rafa t-shirt! If I were a man, I would buy it ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a big fan of the new look. Maybe I have to get used to it, I don't know. I miss his arms ;) I liked the one he was going to wear on the US open better.
Smashing outfit!!!! *swoons*
ReplyDeleteAnd smashing performance, too! He seems to be uber-fit. Hope he can keep it up injury-free.
Rafa: "You like it or you prefer the other one (smiling)?"
Sonja: "I love to see your bulging biceps, that's for sure. But the new outfit rocks, too. (dirty grin)"
HOT.
ReplyDeleteHOT. HOT. HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT.
HOT. LOVE IT. HOT. WANT IT.
HOT!
That's a recap of the dialog I was having with my TV in the wee hours of the morning, watching him totally kick ass. He looked FABULOUS!! In more way than one. The color comb looked AMAZING on him.
HOT. HOT. HOT.
You know, I used to hate black socks+black shoes, like Rog's USO apparel..
ReplyDelete...but...
HOW DASHING DOES MY MAN LOOK IN BLACK?
*SWOONS*
*DIES*
Not bad, but those straps under the knees should black as well.
ReplyDeleteOMG, those legs...those legs...
ReplyDelete*faints*
Did anyone else notice that he very obviously decided NOT to go with the pink and piss off natch? That's one smart cookie. *dusts off powder, cookie crumbs, and oil*
Hate to be the one who shatters you natch, but I'm afraid the pink one will be his day outfit...
ReplyDeleteMe likey Rafa Pink though. :-)
Just think of him dressed as a giant cotton candy. YUM.
I really think he could make any shirt, and shorts, any color, and sport look really hot. I mean he made red powder sexy - who wudda thunk it????
ReplyDeleteThe charcoal color really takes his sexiness to a new level me thinks.
*still shuddering at thighs encased in charcoal shorts*
I, for one, do like the black on black too. I thought it gave Fed that sex-cred when he did his Darth Federer look.
You know what.. I know I'm always raving about his white capris but the shorter shorts...
ReplyDelete*makes keening noises*
He. is so. hot.
sonja,
ReplyDeleteI know he will wear the pink during the day.
But the night is for natch...*faints*
Rich,
Agreed. He could wear Serena's hideous outfit and make it sexy.
"The charcoal color really takes his sexiness to a new level me thinks." ****still shuddering at thighs encased in charcoal shorts*****
ReplyDeleteOY!
I. Could not. Agree more. He could wear a potato sack and make it look sexy.
*sudden urge to play in potato sack with Rafa*
*am a broken record and don't care*
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!!
Thanks for the heads up on the shirt - I have a blazing orange one from USO - i love this blue much better. I must go blaze a hole in my credit card now. woo!
Wanna bet if he doesn't have a good AO he'll go back to the old duds? Why change when you've got something that's working :-)
ReplyDeleteI think with that outfit he will be the sensation in any Rave party..."Turn the black lights on !! UWA UWA...UWA UWA"!!
ReplyDeleteI know why I don't like it. I miss colour, because that looks so great on him. So I'll probably like his daytime outfit better.
ReplyDeleteSo hot. So so hot. Well worth waking up at 5:30 AM this morning to watch.
ReplyDeleteSo then we'll all have two Rafas to play with this fortnight:
ReplyDeletedaytime - fun, bright, playful, sexy Rafa
nighttime - dark, brooding, stealthy, sexy Rafa
GOOD TIMES!!!
I didn't like the colors of the others shirts, but I definitely like this one. I think he looks much better with sleeves (sorry, Rafanatics :)
ReplyDeleteRich: SOUNDS PERF!!
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:14: No need to apologize! You go and love Rafa just as you wish :) Personally, I'm a fan of both looks. HOT!! And SEXY!! The list goes on! ;)
Yes agreed johanne no apologies necessary. See johanne's previous "potato sack" comment - it's right on!
ReplyDeleteuvijek - i think we might have been at a few raves together. "UWA UWA" sounds awfully familiar.
Oh god you guys always make my day. Uwa Uwa sounds familiar too - you guys might have seen me selling pitchers of beer and bottles of alchy. I was a Marlboro Girl, JD girl, Guiness Girl, you name it..
ReplyDeleteDid anyone notice that Rafa didn't wear the Air Max Courtballistecs? Those were last year's Breathe Cage II's the new black and neon turquiose colors.
ReplyDeletebabz: I loved that UWA UWA track - what a classic. I might have seen you and a I might have completely seen 4 of you too. Not sure.
ReplyDeleteanon: they're not??? i wonder why he didn't wear them. i've never seen these cages before - i wonder if i could find them somewhere. i do love.
That UWA UWA track was the bomb, Rich. I'm sure you wouldn't have remembered me. Unless you're the kind of guy who would pay attention to short skirt and knee boots.. Oh, the indignity of trying to earn money on college years!
ReplyDeletegirl, we all had our money-making moves.
ReplyDelete*burns princess diaries*
not me of course. FINE - PROVE IT!
I still would've noticed you if only to covet the boots. The skirt? Meh.
Yeah Babz..PROVE IT!! hahahahahaha... ; )
ReplyDeleteMaybe Im watching too much "LOST" or something, but maybe our lifes cross between each other and destiny bring us to DOWN THE LINE!!
ReplyDeleteYep - those were definitely the Breathe Cage II's and not the new Courtballistecs. Nike most likely made those especially for Rafa since he still isn't used to the Courtballistecs yet. They (Nike) do colors just for him a lot of times - I contacted them about getting the red Olympics/Davis Cup Breathe Cage II's but they said that specific colorway was only for Rafa. The nerve!
ReplyDeleteA real, superreal, surreal joy for my eye. The new Spring outfit must be washed about 100 times - you can count them by the strangely perfect round holes - is this what that coloured things in detergents do? Or you may take that foggy klacj shorts as a image of the night starry sky. Which is nice butifsjy is the limut on Rafa's shorts they shouk really tighten his guard. :wink
ReplyDeleteA real, superreal, surreal joy for my eye. The new Spring outfit must be washed about 100 times - you can count them by the strangely perfect round holes - is this what that coloured things in detergents do? Or you may take that foggy black shorts as a image of the night starry sky. Which is nice but if sky is the limit on Rafa's shorts they should really tighten his guard. :wink
ReplyDeleteSorry my keyboard is leaving me
i'd like to see him in a tanktop and a pair of pat cash's old shorty shorts...and not necessarily on court
ReplyDeleteUWA UWA... LMFAO... I think I might've been on that exact same Rave! Good times...
ReplyDeleteRich:
"daytime - fun, bright, playful, sexy Rafa
nighttime - dark, brooding, stealthy, sexy Rafa"
Oy, the images.... playful... brooding.... stealthy.... *passes out so much*
Whaaa? Who would take pictures while we ourselves were working?? Those rave nights wasn't fun for me! It was worrrrrrrrrrrk.
ReplyDeleteThe boots and short skirts were mandatory. It's a beer/ciggy/alcohol thing. Apparently we sell more if we dress like sluts. I'm thinking it's a men thing...