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: This hand is making its comeback

That's what almost eight months out looks like? Good grief.

[Photo(s) credit: Nike Tennis]

2013 Australian Open: Perhaps it’s just a case of déjà vu

There’s a weird feeling nagging at me. The calendar says the Australian Open came and went, and I remember watching it (full disclosure: DVR is my capital B-estie) but nothing seems that different. No euphoria from an epic final (see last year) or a first-time major winner (see last year). Not even a sniff of a legend showing the young guns how’s it really done (see the 2012 “Serena Storm”). Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka entered the year and this tourney as world number ones and defending champions, and when the last ball was smacked they were left standing in the same spot they began. Wizards of Oz. Again.

Sure, a whole slew of drama filled out the middle. They both had to overcome tough moments that tested their champion’s mettle – an inexhaustible Nole eeking out a 12-10 fifth set win over Stanislas Wawrinka in a fourth round war and Vika fighting through a wonky rib and/or breathing problems and/or anxiety in her controversial semifinal win over a clearly over-awed Sloane Stephens and/AND a majority anti-Vika crowd in the final. But in the end, they defended their titles and remained the top ballers in the world.

Maybe that’s why I’ve been struggling a bit trying to put the finishing touches on this fortnight in Melbourne. It doesn’t seem like anything was figured out. I suppose it just means this first Grand Slam of the year is a proper beginning…a true starting point…A LAUNCHING PAD! So, might this year be different than the last?

After Nole fell onto his back, exhausted and elated, after almost six hours battling Rafael Nadal, it was all about the “Nole Slam.” Would he become first man since Rod Laver to hold all 4 majors at once and the 8th man in tennis history to complete the Career Grand Slam at Roland Garros? As we all know, Rafa exacted his revenge and ended that conversation. Although there were glimpses of that remarkable form, Nole was never really “Nole” again until the fall indoor season when he regained the top spot from Roger Federer and won the ATP World Tour Finals.

Vika went on a spectacular tear after claiming her first major and the top ranking in Melbourne, winning 26-straight matches until she was defeated by Marion Bartoli at the Sony Ericsson Open. From there, the Belarussian went into something of a slumber while Serena Williams took a stranglehold on Vika (going 0-5 against ReRe) and the rest of 2012. The 15-time Grand Slammer appeared primed to continue her domination in Oz, but a feisty Stephens and a turned ankle stopped her masterful run. When a door opens in tennis you better take it, and Vika did in the end.

"I was actually really happy that I went through so many things knowing that I can still produce the tennis that I can and keep the focus that I can," she said in her post-match presser. "It just motivates me to be a better player."

They were challenged and overcame. Now Nole and Vika are back where they began. But it’s different. Where they ended up may be the same, but something undoubtedly has changed. Adversity has a way of doing that. It’s like a full-circle moment except this one isn’t completed yet. Far from it. There’s still a whole season ahead of them, hungry foes to defeat, and a lot of work still left to do. Just ask Nole.

"You know, I'm just trying to embrace this moment and enjoy it as much as I can and see where tomorrow brings me."

 [Photo(s) credit: AP, Getty]

Sloane Stephens phones it in at the Australian Open, so to speak

"DM me guuurl!"

One of the best moments from Sloane Stephens's breakthrough win over Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarterfinals was right after the pair shook hands. The 19-year old went straight for her phone to see if her mom had texted her. Probably, but she couldn't tell from the 233 messages she had waiting for her. Kids. She also said after the match, "I hope to have more Twitter followers" which she does now (43,321 and climbing). That's what it's all about, folks.

It was reminiscent of a 17-year old Maria Sharapova going for her dad's phone to call her mom after winning Wimbledon over, of course, ReRe. She famously wasn't able to grab a signal leaving everyone in giggles and securing the newly-minted star with a phone sponsor, Motorola, one of her many future sponsors (at 3:35):



I guess a teenage win over the 15-time Grand Slammer at a major is worth a phone check. And a lucrative sponsorship. Smartphone brands and carriers take note.

[Photo(s) credit: @TheJordanMiller]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Stanislas Wawrinka

We pushed each other to the limit. But in the end I lost and the disappointment is there and the disappointment is enormous. But I do think it’s also the most accomplished match I’ve ever played.

--Stan Wawrinka after losing to Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 12-10 in an epic fourth rounder at the Australian Open

Awesome effort, Stanny Boy.

[Photo(s) credit: AP]

Delpo goes down, double bagels and Kuznetsova all dressed up

"Yup. A real head scratcher."

Ahhhhh. The first week of play is over at the 2013 Australian Open. I dare say most everything has been going to plan, with the exception of sixth-seeeded Juan Martin del Potro’s 5-set loss to Frenchie Jeremy Chardy in the third round yesterday. If you follow me on Twitter (self-promo alert: @RawUncutTennis), you will have witnessed my conniption during the tennis match. You see, Delpo and I have a very special relationship. ‘Special’ as in I totally wrangled him into taking a picture with me after Taste of Tennis one year along with Karen from Tennis Panorama. Whatever. When he loses, I feel it, okay?

Sam Stosur imploded during her epic choke against Jie Zheng in the second round – certainly not “BREAKING NEWS!” for her in Oz. Disappointing? Yes. Shocking? Hell nah nah. Other than that, the faves have been making pretty quick work of their foes. Maria Sharapova not only performed a single axel, triple sow cow, double double bagel in her first two rounds, but also a pseudo-controversial post-match celebration after crushing Venus Williams. (Shrieka and/or her corporate sponsor doppelganger also officially joined Twitter.)

"Thumbs up for me in a dress?"

Like the Russian giant, Serena Williams has been barely losing games. She’s been rolling over her opponents and almost took her right ankle with her. But ReRe redeemed herself by pummeling two 128 mph serves – that’s gotta make a girl feel good. During her match against an injured Jamie Hampton (who can hit a serious ball) Victoria Azarenka seemed…cranky. Maybe she needs a RedFoo diet. Svetlana Kuznetsova is wearing a dress. That alone is news. But the 2-time Grand Slammer is having a good streak and winning matches. Shhhh! Don’t tell her.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PETRA KVITOVA? We didn’t get any closer to answering this question in Oz. Sadly.

"Gimme that MOMA, Worm."

Novak Djokovic is looking pretty flawless in game and Uniqlo fashion. Roger Federer and Andy Murray haven’t lost a set either, but they've all had some tight sets. Still, in this form, it’s hard to see any of them getting upset before the semifinals. Jerzy Janowicz gave an Oscar-winning performance. Can you believe the fucking unbelievably bad luck Brian Baker has had with injuries? It was heartbreaking to see him being wheeled off the court after tearing his meniscus during his second round match against Sam Querrey. Another four months out for BB. On the opposite side of the tennis spectrum, Rafael Nadal announced he’s officially returning a bit earlier at the Chilean Open on February 4. Rafanatics rejoice!

So, onto the second week. Bring it.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images, AP]

FASHION FIX: Tomas Berdych in H&M

No, you're not looking at Tomas Berdych's practice kit. The Czech baller, who had been sponsored by Nike for years, is now working H&M, beginning at this year's Australian Open and off court as well.

I'm all for simple and classic, but these duds are severely under the top. Maybe it was a rush job or something. Hopefully, the fashion brand will give him something more like fashion in the near future. 

As for the shorts, I'm not sure what everyone is bitching about on Twitter. They're not that short. Gimme 70's McEnroe/Borg crotch huggers any day on ballers with legs like Big Berd. Besides, someone needed to carry Vika's torch this year.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty]

After a break, a return to form for the 2013 Australian Open

"We're on top of the world! And, so HAWT."

Rafael Nadal totally ruined our plan. We were supposed to make our return to tennis together, and then he had to ruin it by picking up that stupid stomach thingy and withdrawing from the Australian Open. I’m never making plans with you again, Rafa. NEVAH.

Soooooo. Anything exciting happen while I was away getting hitched and soaking in my new married life? Duh, of course. Andy Murray finally breaking through and getting that Grand Slam monkey of his ghostly white back (see photo below) tops my list. I definitely was hoping for more tears, sobs or blubbering after he clinched match point at the Flushing Meadows, but he’s British. It's like trying to get Victoria Azarenka to take it down 1000 notches. Ain't. Gonna. Happen. His win over Roger Federer at the Olympics only a few weeks after losing the Wimbledon final was so impressive. Will 2013 be the long-awaited moment when a Brit is once again named "The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Champion of the World?"

"Look at me. You're useless, sun."

Serena Williams is tennis’s golden girl at the moment – or is she one of the Golden Girls of tennis? Hell, she even lives in South Florida, so I guess both. I'll be damned if she isn't seemingly getting better with age after having one of her best seasons on the WTA tour at the age of 31, winning Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the singles and doubles gold with sister Venus at the Olympics. If ReRe’s winning run in Brisbane is any indicator, she hasn’t stepped off the gas having now won 52 of her last 54 matches. But what’s with her swapping the actress-dates-rapper story for a rumored tennis coach-dates-tennis baller one aka Patrick Mouratoglou? Whatever’s going on with them, it’s working.

"Keep your eyes on the prize, Patty."

What else? Well, Maria Sharapova completed a Career Slam by winning the French Open. That was pretty cool. But, the Russian revealed at the U.S. Open that she and fellow giant Sasha Vujacic called off their engagement, and now she’s rumored to be dating Grigor Dimitrov. There's even a video encounter to "prove" it. Novak Djokovic ended 2012 as the year-end No.1 for the second consecutive year; he held it for most of last year with Fed holding the top spot in middle. Speaking of the Swiss, he won his 17th major title at the All-England Club, while Vika won her first in Oz.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH PETRA KVITOVA?! Sorry. Had to get that out.

I love this time of year. Like any beginning, it can set the tone for the entire season. There’s so much potential and possibility. But it’s not how you start – it’s how you end. Will any lady baller be able to stand tall against ReRe? The top women can’t even take sets from her right now, nevermind win matches. Maybe it’ll be some precocious up-and-comer with a big game and no fear a la Shrieka circa 2004; but they don’t come around that often anymore.

Rafa won’t be anywhere near his best level when he returns, so that leaves Nole, Muzz and Fed to scoop up the Grand Slam goodies. Or maybe someone else will break through their stranglehold on the majors. But who – Juan Martin del Potro, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga? Maybe one of the young, massive-serving ballers like Milos Raonic or Jerzy Janowicz will shock and awe or Grisha will fulfill his tremendous potential. That being said, it’s hard to see anyone breaking through the Top 3 especially at Slams. But as Rafa takes time to sharpen up his game, that will leave a hole in tourney draws for opportunist ballers ready to make their move.

Game on.

P.S. Getting married was and is awesome. Don’t believe the “it’s just a piece of paper” bullshit. Even though Kalil and I have been together almost 13 years, it does feel different in a great way. Plus, the reception was phenomenal. I danced my ass off. Seriously, I had to scrape it off the floor. This dance party was uber-special. So, if you’re thinking there’s no point in getting married because you already “feel” married, I say take the plunge and do it for reals.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images, Victoria Azarenka Facebook page]

Letter to DtL readers: Not now, but later

Maybe this is better than kissing an Olympic gold medal. Maybe.

So, my apologies for having you look at that picture of Svetlana Kuznetsova and her hairy situation for months. It was cruel and unusual punishment.

I wanted to drop you guys a note about the status of Down the Line! With the wedding coming up, I won't be able to cover the US Open. So, at this point it just made sense to shut it down for the remainder of the 2012 season. But, I do plan to get back to some form of regular blogging next year. For those of you who have stuck around I say THANK YOU.

See you on the other side.

Rich

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Kuznetsova's hairy situation

Maria Sharapova showed a photo of herself with short locks over on Facebook and the tennis world went cray. Then we found out it was a wig.

Svetlana Kuznetsova showed up at the FED CUP presser in Moscow today wearing this hairy situation on her head. Then we found out it's REAL.

So...Alexandr. Give Sveta her hair back.

[Photo(s) credit: AP]