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]

SIGHTING: Model Zaira Nara all up in Monaco's box

WAG Zaira Nara watched boy toy, Juan Monaco, back up his win over Andy Roddick by crushing Mardy Fish 6-1, 6-3 to reach the Sony Ericsson Open semifinals, his second trip to a Masters 1000. He'll face top baller Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday's final.

It was also the Argentine's 28th birthday. Nice present, eh?

[Photo(s) credit: Al Bello/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Nadal's got serious game

Looks like the Davis Cup final is off to a very promising start...

So I know male athletes generally slap each other on the ass to say, "Good job!" or "Nice effort!" But what exactly does this greeting mean? We could all come up with ideas, but I'd like to think Rafael Nadal just wanted to grab it ("it" being Juan Monaco's firm Argentinean half moon)...HARD (see facial expression). And that this happens, like, lots. While in towels. Or out. And leaves an ass bruise. Like a hickey. But without the sucking. Or maybe...

You can thank reader DDM for tipping me off. You're welcome.

[Photo(s) credit: @olerafa]

VIDEO VAULT: Juan Monaco talks Tandil, finding your footwork with ATP Uncovered

Wonder why a small city like Tandil, Argentina (population 101, 010) has produced a few of the current top ballers in the world including U.S. Open champ Juan Martin del Potro? Juan Monaco isn't so sure about the answer either. My guess? Winning breeds winning.



Modern tennis isn't a hitting game - it's a running game. So check out this video featuring some footwork + balance training techniques you could do at home starring former baller Justin Gimelstob.

[Videos: ATP World Tour]

PHOTO OP: Pico + Jo-Willy get Frenchie with some MOMA in Paris

Not only did Juan Monaco + Jo-Wilfried Tsonga entertain the Parisian crowd with some scintillating tennis during their second round match, they also came together for some intimate man-on-man action at the net. YUM.

Oh yeah, the Frenchie won 7-5, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10) and will face Christophe Rochus for a spot in the Round of 16.

Now back to your regularly scheduled gawking. *drools*




(images: ap, getty)

VIDEO VAULT: Argentineans visit Guincho Beach while Pablo gets wet (to die)

Juan Monaco, Maximo Gonazalez, and their coaches took time out from the Estoril Open to hit up Guincho Beach for some ATP World Tour promo fun.

So ballers shmallers. What you need to do is check out Maximo's coach Pablo Fuentes - the face, the body, the tattoos. Oy.

I've got a video I'd like to shoot with him. Wetsuit optional.

*drools on self*
*faints*

(video via ATP World Tour)

PHOTO OP: Breasts? What breasts??

Juan Monaco, two lovely ladies, and their boobs took time out to grab a photograph together outside the Enel.Si booth after he defeated Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4 in Rome today. He'll next face Fernando Gonzalez for a spot in the tourney's final four.

The Argentine seems a bit nervous around these ladies. Go on Juan, you know you want to touch them. I mean, they are calling out for attention.

(image via getty)