Rafael Nadal! On a tennis court! Again!

Happy much? Why, yes, yes I am. So is he and the other he, as he should be. Rafael Nadal's hand, head, abs, infamous ass-ets and that wonky left knee all returned to action today in Vina del Mar, Chile. He paired up with Juan Monaco to win his first match in over 7 months, albeit in doubles, over Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy 6-3, 6-2 in the VTR Open clay-court tournament. Here are some highlights:
 

Tomorrow is Rafa's knee's first big test as he plays his first singles match against Federico Delbonis.

So, how did his knee hold up today?  Here's what he had to say after the win: "At the end of the day the doctors have said it's OK. There is no risk of making it worse. My knee keeps hurting. But the fact I am playing here is a thing of joy."

"I am not 100 percent, I need some weeks. If it hurts, it hurts and we'll put up with it. I am here to play tennis, with or without pain. ...I'm happy to have played an official game, although it was doubles."

Bottom line, there's pain and he's dealing with it. It should come as no surprise since Uncle Toni said there could be discomfort for a few more weeks. But Rafa's smiling big and so am I. And, if I had to bet, I'd say you are, too. Unless you're a robot. But, even robots have mechanical hearts.

[Photo(s) credit: @RafaelNadal Twitter account]

PHOTO OP: The shoes (un)make the man

"Those shoes. Here. Really?!"

Based on my in-depth analysis with Twitter friend and uber-knowledgeable tennis fiend @Ataraxis00, I've come to the conclusion that this image of Rafael Nadal and Tio Toni has everything to do with shoes. More specifically, the ones Tio is wearing. I'm with Rafa. What are they and why is hear wearing them at all???

What do you guys think is happening in this shot? Feel free to let your thoughts be known in the DtL Peanut Gallery.

More shots of Rafa practicing at Roland Garros after the jump. You know what to do.

(UPDATED) QUOTE OF THE DAY: Uncle Toni

If it's me, I'm (flying) to Mallorca.

- A concerned Toni Nadal after watching Rafa go down to Lleyton Hewitt 6-4, 6-3 during their exo at Hurlingham Club in London

Uh-oh. If Uncle Toni is spewing this shite, there is definitely cause for worry. There's still no confirmation on whether he will be healthy enough to defend beginning next week.

Stay tuned!

UPDATE: According to his website, Rafa will hold a press conference after his match against Stanislas Wawrinka to announce his plans.

(via gototennis, image via daylife.com)

Uncle Toni talks with Spanish radio, rips "pretty stupid" Parisian crowd

Toni Nadal lambasted the Parisian crown at Roland Garros during an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

The uncle + coach of top baller Rafael Nadal was none too pleased to hear how little the Parisian crowd was supporting the 4-time defending champion:

In an interview with the Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Toni Nadal said there was some truth to the phrase: "There is only one set of supporters that is worse than the French and that is the Parisians."

"They say it themselves and it's true, the Parisian crowd is pretty stupid. I think the French don't like it when a Spaniard wins," he added. "Wanting someone to lose is a slightly conceited way of amusing yourself. They show the stupidity of people who think themselves superior."

Rafa had made mention of the crowd's waning support in his post-match presser after the loss saying,

Maybe at one stage they supported Soderling more than me, and that was a bit sad.

But I wish when I'm back they can support me a bit more in key moments.

Boy, Uncle Toni just ripped them a new one - a deservedly so. I understand getting excited for the underdog but you can also support the 4-time defending champ.

It's not a one way street people...it's about appreciating great tennis.

(image via google)

Quote of the Day: Uncle Toni on Rafa

I try always to explain to him, things that happen in life, everything has a positive and a negative. When you shoot a gun, it give you a kick in the shoulder, right? Same thing. There’s more pressure when you’re at the top, so that’s the kick back from being no. 1. A lot of people have it worse than him, they have to work much harder than him, for less, and they do it.

- Uncle Toni on the pressures of being in Rafa's position

Who's the zen master now Babs?

(image via daylife.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Rafael Nadal releases statement on fitness questions, "...I want to make it clear for everyone that I’m fine," says Rafa

Rafael Nadal is determined to refute the remarks his coach and uncle Toni Nadal made about Rafa's lingering foot injury to El Diario de Mallorca. Yesterday, Uncle Toni was quoted as saying, "It's very serious. I don't know [if it's career-threatening]. I'll let the doctor reply to that. He has to take a lot of precautions when he plays." Rafa already spoke out on Spanish state TV last night but he's continued to speak publicly today about Toni's comments.

In a clear move to calm the speculation and remove doubts about his fitness (most importantly in the mind's of his opponents), the World No. 2 made the following statement via his website:

Hello everyone!

I’m usually not the kind that likes to clarify what is written about me on the press, but given the all the fuzz around the interview my uncle Toni did for ‘El Diario de Mallorca, I want to make it clear for everyone that I’m fine."

The injury I had in 2005 - and that I have already recovered from - is under total medical control. I don’t agree with what is being published, nor with the things that are being said in relation to the injury. I don’t know if the statements were taken out of context or if Toni didn’t express himself well (I wasn’t’ at the interview and therefore can’t give my opinion).

The truth of the matter is that it’s not like what the press is saying. In fact, I’ve been playing and training normally since 2006 by being cautious like it was advised. The only injury I had this season was, like you all know, in my knees. But as I said before, there is no need to be alarmed and my career isn’t in danger."

Finally, I just wanted to point out that this has been my best season yet. I was able to get the most points I’ve ever had since I started my career, was also able to achieve great results and on top of that I was able to shorten the point difference between me and an unreachable Roger Federer.

Thank you all for the support you always give me.

Rafa Nadal

It seems Rafa's publicist, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, needs to step up here because there's obviously some miscommunication happening in the Nadal camp. Was Uncle Toni speaking out of turn, or is Rafa hiding his wounds so he won't appear vulnerable to his opponents?

(image via rafaelnadal.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Toni Nadal speaks out on Rafa's foot injury, "It's very serious," says Toni

Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal's coach and uncle, is speaking out about Rafa's lingering foot injury. The World No. 2 recently discussed his injury to Spanish newspaper El Pais saying, "Ever since my foot injury in 205 (sic), I am very careful and I avoid running. And that shows. I need to get my physical form as I play matches, and it’s hard because I don't have a good foundation." He even revealed that he won his most recent French Open crown with what he described (and was translated) as "a numbed, anesthetized foot."

Now Uncle Toni has publicly confirmed his nephew's injury. Speaking to Spanish daily Diario de Mallorca, Toni said,"He's been affected by an injury to his foot since 2005. He has to learn how to live with it and so far he has managed for two years." He refused, however, to discuss the seriousness of the ailment saying, "I prefer not to answer. It's very serious. I don't know [if it's career-threatening]. I'll let the doctor reply to that. He has to take a lot of precautions when he plays."

At the tender age of 21, what chance does Rafa have of having a long, illustrious career? Certainly, he can continue to grind his way to another clay-court crown, but this news does not bode well for his chances of winning titles on the many, many hard surfaces featured throughout the rest of the tennis season. What major adjustments will the Spaniard need to make in his game to save his career?

UPDATE: According to Sporting Life, Rafael Nadal was interviewed on Spanish state TV Wednesday night and refuted Uncle Toni's claims that the injury is "very serious". Rafa was quoted as saying, "This injury hasn't stopped me competing at the top level for over two years, [...] "The story that has come out is totally false."

(images via TheAge and Viewimages)