[Naudio Spanlatine]

Me he encontrado a dos grandes amigos en el aeropuerto! Suerte en Vancouver!

I meet two great friends at the airport! Good luck in Vancouver!

[Ash86]

He practised for 3 and a half hours with Joao Sousa today. Reports from site said he was hitting the ball well -- a good mood in the camp. Toni gave an interview saying Nadal has some "fear" about returning to court but that is natural. That is why he asked for his first doubles match to be before his singles so he can get a feel of the court/his game etc. It'll take some time for him to get the right rhythm but Toni is happy as they've been training well and he's not had any problems.

Given how much Nadal relies on confidence and needs matches to get that I think this South America swing to come back on tour looks more and more like a better idea. Hard courts in Australia straight away probably would have been tougher.

[bounccer]

I hope Rafa will be back and kick somm ass again on clay.

I find these highlights yesterday, absolutely unbelievable stuff. Best match on clay EVER and i don't say these things frequently. Stunning!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkOhsBWDQHY

[Brit Tennis Fan]

Serious question for Rafa fans. What are your expectations for the South America swing?

NB: Anyone who thinks that he is bound to win all three tournaments because they are on clay an that every other player is a mug need not bother replying.

[Kat_YYZ]

Originally Posted by Naudio Spanlatine

Me he encontrado a dos grandes amigos en el aeropuerto! Suerte en Vancouver!

I meet two great friends at the airport! Good luck in Vancouver!

the new haircut looks really good here

[hahayoyo]

Kneedal....cant wait for the comeback...

[Ivelina_P]

Originally Posted by Ash86

]

Ouch!I miss his old calves
I seriously wish him best and can't wait seeing him kick some ass at RG soon!

[howyesno]

he does look like he lost some weight, good luck to him. happy for his fans, wasn't the same your without rafa.

[Sauletekis]

Good to know he is back in business. Also good to see Joao Sousa trained with the master

[Mark Lenders]

Originally Posted by Brit Tennis Fan

Serious question for Rafa fans. What are your expectations for the South America swing?

NB: Anyone who thinks that he is bound to win all three tournaments because they are on clay an that every other player is a mug need not bother replying.

You know that's the most likely outcome, don't you?

[Mountaindewslave]

Originally Posted by Brit Tennis Fan

Serious question for Rafa fans. What are your expectations for the South America swing?

NB: Anyone who thinks that he is bound to win all three tournaments because they are on clay an that every other player is a mug need not bother replying.

Mark Lenders is correct, that is indeed the most likely outcome. I love Nadal but am not being biased when I say I think he will win the three tournaments. the reason is less based on high expectations about his form returning as much as knowing that for at least 2/3 of the tournaments Rafael is playing, the draw is full of very mediocre players on clay as far as his standards.

Ferrer I believe is playing the Mexico tournament so that could be tough but the other two are pretty soft of draws. and, after all, Nadal has Ferrer's number on clay to an extreme amount

it would be different if any of the top guys played these South American events, but since they seem to evade them like the plague, it certainly gives Rafael some good odds to win them even despite his long absence. then again it wouldn't be TOO Shocking if he bowed out early on his first tournament back, but seriously mate, look at the players signed on to play! nothing too intimidating

[Ash86]

More details on Nadal's Chile trip:

Rafael Nadal's presence in Chile may well be considered to be the most important visit here by a sports personality in recent years. Despite his star status, the Mallorcan has made no problems about carrying out the various activities he will have during his stay in the country, his first stop on his return to the tennis court, after seven months without playing.

"Rafa" will be arriving in Chile on February 1st, shortly before 10 am, accompanied by: his father, Sebastián; his uncle and trainer, Toni; his manager, Carlos Costa; his press agent, Benito Pérez-Barbadillo; and his physiotherapist, Rafael Maymó. From the airport at Pudahuel, he will be taken to the Palacio de La Moneda, where he will be received by the head of state Sebastián Piñera. After their meeting, he will travel to Viña del Mar, where he will be staying in the presidential suite of the hotel at the Enjoy Casino and Resort.

A press conference has been arranged for 13.30 the next day, in the Club Naval Las Salinas, immediately after the draw, which starts at 12 noon. So, the Mallorcan will not be present at the draw ceremony. It is also planned that he will have his first practice session that morning, on central court, which will be open to the public. This routine will be repeated on the following days. In any event, he will be surrounded by a large detail of security guards, uniformed and plain clothed.

On Sunday 3rd, at 9 pm, he will attend the tournament's official dinner at the house of businessman Jorge Yarur, in Reñaca. In the days that follow, the seven time Roland Garros champion will be involved in promotional activities for Cachantún (sponsor) and the VTR, while on Tuesday 5th, at 3 pm, he will sign autographs. Three hours after that, he will make his debut in the tournament, in doubles partnered by the Argentinian Juan Mónaco.

As the tournament progresses, it is also expected that other activities will be added, like visits to hospitals and tennis clinics for children at social risk. "I think for sure we're going to be able to count on Rafael's presence at sports clinics and also at centres and places where people don't have it so good, like, for example, hospitals," Viña del Mar councillor Andrés Celis advanced.

Visit from his Chilean family

While he is in Viña del Mar, the Mallorcan will be visited by his Chilean family. "They are relatives on my father's side, who left Mallorca for Chile many years ago," said Toni Nadal. In fact, the player's coach confirmed that his nephew was going to be able to meet them. "They wrote me a letter saying they would be coming to visit us," he added.

On the other hand, the municipality of Viña del Mar, the "Garden City", and the regional authorities are preparing a tribute to their famous guest. It was local councillar Celis himself who commented: "I've requested that it should be declared an illustrious visit and he'll be given a plaque to commemorate it. We are also thinking of handing over the keys of the city to him in a symbolic way, because he's someone of renowned quality. As far as I remember, no tennis player with his achievements has ever come to Viña before. Moreover, it's an opportunity that has to be taken full advantage of and he has to be made to feel as much at ease as possible."

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/dep...-a-chile.shtml

Sounds like a pretty big event! You'd hope he doesn't crash out first round for the tournament's sake... Hopefully this time next week we may get better practice footage to see where his level is really at. Draw matters to an extent too - could get someone like Massu in the first round.

[GOAT = Fed]

Lol the saddest thing about Nadal playing the clay tournies in South America is the fact that the lower ranked players have no chance of winning it.

[Looner]

To be fair, even the higher-ranked players (if they did turn up) would have very little chance to win them...

[Lemon Water]

When does Vina Del Mar start? can hardly wait for it.