[justClaudia]

Ali Good to see you here!

[*Ljubica*]

There is a good article in Clarins this morning - which is basically a look-ahead to the 2006 season, and what it might bring for the Argentine players over the next 12 months. I'm not going to translate all of it (it's really long!) - but I was happy to read that they say this could well be the year when Juan (helped by his very experienced new coach) "explodes" onto the international circuit in a big way - hope they're right Here is the link if anyone want to read the whole of the article:- http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/12...es/d-04801.htm

[DhammaTiger]

Thanks Rosie for the info. I also believe that Juan is ready to explode on the scene. I was greatly impressed with his potential when I saw him in Stuttgart last year. I am sure his new coach, with greater experience will make his talents blossom . I really look forward. Btw, thanks Claudia and Rosie for the welcome. I already feel at home here. Thank you.

[reiko]

Rosie, thanks for the news updates, esp. the translations!

As for the football thing with Nadal, etc., I thought there was an article about it somewhere (with English translation) but could not find it. Instead, I post this translated article taken from VamosRafael.com. for in case you haven't seen it:

http://www.vamosrafael.com/articles/art346.html

Juan Mónaco: Nadal’s friend and Play Station Opponent

Ole Diario Deportivo
By Juan Monaco
April 26, 2005

[Translated from Spanish; Thanks, Elisa]

Spanish Version

Everytime we meet each other at a tournament, we play soccer on the Play Station like our lives depend on it.

Who wins? Me, always. He didn’t say that he wins? He shouldn’t lie, because I’ll kill him.

Even when he plays with Real Madrid, which has the best players, he can’t beat me. I always choose Inter and he ends up being upset because I have a great defensive plan, a 4-4-2 like Mostaza Merlo.

Before, he used to play with Manchester, but he changed to Real Madrid to have more chances. The last time he beat me was in Monte Carlo, before he played against Rochus: 3-2 when I was already bored. But before that, I had beaten him, 4-0, 9-2, which was the biggest victory ever, haha. And in that last match he gave everything. He scored the 8-2 goal and he screamed like mad. Once, he even broke the control throwing it against a freezer… He was really upset.

I’m friends with Rafa since we began in pros. We used to meet in juniors, but he had his gang. I always talk with him and what he did in this last part of the tour doesn’t surprise me. I watched his matches against Hrbaty and Muller in Barcelona, and he really was awesome.

He’s unstoppable. I already told him this the first day in Monte Carlo. He hadn't even entered the court, and I bet him that he’d arrive as the 8th in the ranking to Roland Garros. He’s the 7th, so I’ve won all the dinners in Paris. I’ve saved 50€ per meal, *lol*. I sent him an sms as soon as the Godó final finished which said: “Come on, prepare the money”. He answered: “I wanna die!”

Original article:
http://www.ole.clarin.com/jsp/v3/pag...p?pagId=964818

[*Ljubica*]

Thanks Reiko

[Hangdog]

Originally Posted by Rosie

Here is the link if anyone want to read the whole of the article:- http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/12...es/d-04801.htm

Read... and, the strangest thing, even understood a bit =))

So thank you Rosie again for all your updates and special thanks to Reiko for posting this incomparable article

And also it's very nice to see here a new person - welcome Ali !

[Action Jackson]

Since the tournament thread hasn't been updated yet. Here is something of interest to some people maybe.


ATP Buenos Aires
1. Nalbandian, David ARG 6
2. Coria, Guillermo ARG 8
3. Ferrero, Juan Carlos ESP 17
4. Moya, Carlos ESP 31
5. Volandri, Filippo ITA 38
6. Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG 39
7. Acasuso, Jose ARG 40
8. Serra, Florent FRA 49
9. Martin, Alberto ESP 50
10. Calleri, Agustin ARG 51
11. Massu, Nicolas CHI 65
12. Montanes, Alberto ESP 71
13. Berlocq, Carlos ARG 79
14. Pashanski, Boris SCG 82
15. Zabaleta, Mariano ARG 83
16. Horna, Luis PER 84
17. Monaco, Juan ARG 85
18. Behrend, Tomas GER 89
19. Daniel, Marcos BRA 94
20. Lapentti Nicolas ECU 95
21. Vanek, Jiri CZE 99
22. Kim, Kevin USA 101
23. Starace, Potito ITA 105
24 (SE)
25 (SE)
26 del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) (WC)
27 Kuerten, Gustavo (BRA) (WC)
28 (WC)
29 (Q)
30 (Q)
31 (Q)
32 (Q)

[*Ljubica*]

Originally Posted by GeorgeWHitler

Since the tournament thread hasn't been updated yet. Here is something of interest to some people maybe.


ATP Buenos Aires
1. Nalbandian, David ARG 6
2. Coria, Guillermo ARG 8
3. Ferrero, Juan Carlos ESP 17
4. Moya, Carlos ESP 31
5. Volandri, Filippo ITA 38
6. Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG 39
7. Acasuso, Jose ARG 40
8. Serra, Florent FRA 49
9. Martin, Alberto ESP 50
10. Calleri, Agustin ARG 51
11. Massu, Nicolas CHI 65
12. Montanes, Alberto ESP 71
13. Berlocq, Carlos ARG 79
14. Pashanski, Boris SCG 82
15. Zabaleta, Mariano ARG 83
16. Horna, Luis PER 84
17. Monaco, Juan ARG 85
18. Behrend, Tomas GER 89
19. Daniel, Marcos BRA 94
20. Lapentti Nicolas ECU 95
21. Vanek, Jiri CZE 99
22. Kim, Kevin USA 101
23. Starace, Potito ITA 105
24 (SE)
25 (SE)
26 del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) (WC)
27 Kuerten, Gustavo (BRA) (WC)
28 (WC)
29 (Q)
30 (Q)
31 (Q)
32 (Q)

Thanks GWH

[justClaudia]

Thanks GWH.
No Gaston...

Good luck, Juanito.
Oh and I'm so happy to see Guga on the list.

[*Ljubica*]

Although the clay court season is the time and place we expect Juan to get his best results, it is interesting to see that he is very keen not to become one of those players known as a "clay court specialist". This is what he says about his matches in the Australian Open and his plans for the immediate future:-
http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/de...006-01-20.html
"............When I broke (Grosjean) I was not sufficiently intelligent to continue playing at a 100% level. At the moment in my game i need a little more balance.There are games where I know I do not concentrate enough from the begining ", said the very self-critical Mónaco. "But as I go away from here I know that although I lost, I was always trying. I am playing myself into a form and have a plan I know I am not going to always win, especially now." The tennis player aged 21 years, starting training in October with Eduardo Infantino, the man who took David Nalbandian to the top, and both have a plan: "I want to form a game scheme and a plan for the future" says Mónaco. The "project", as he himself calls it, is to practically forget the results "during the next year or two" so as to become "a player like Safin, who can play on all surfaces. Our objective is to be able to win matches on grass and hard courts as well as a clay".

[*Ljubica*]

Tonight Juan will be on TV in Argentina in a programme about football. It was recorded yesterday (Thursday 16th February) and Guillermo Coria is also on the show. It is on ESPN at 10.00pm and is called "Talking about Football". I can't personally get excited about football but we all know Juan can - just wish I could watch but ESPN don't broadcast in Europe

[lau]

Originally Posted by Rosie

Tonight Juan will be on TV in Argentina in a programme about football. It was recorded yesterday (Thursday 16th February) and Guillermo Coria is also on the show. It is on ESPN at 10.00pm and is called "Talking about Football". I can't personally get excited about football but we all know Juan can - just wish I could watch but ESPN don't broadcast in Europe

You know, I´m the kind of woman that really hates football (except World Cup...,ocasionally ) and I think Sunday football is depressing, but "Hablemos de fútbol" is the coolest football show, IMO Morales and Perfumo (ex football player) are great and they make the most "intimist" interviews..., of course, related with football. They manage to make people feel relaxed and talk about their lives (I simply adore Zamorano, the Chilean footballer after watching his interview in "Hablemos de fútbol"). I really like that tv show and I watch it when I have a chance. I´ll watch it today if I can (it will be a little complicated.., but I´ll try) and will do a report if it´s possible.

EDIT: They ocassionally make little comments about the Arg. tennis players performances and they are very nice. I would say it´s considered an "honour" being invited to "Hablemos de fútbol".

[*Ljubica*]

Originally Posted by lau

You know, I´m the kind of woman that really hates football (except World Cup...,ocasionally ) and I think Sunday football is depressing, but "Hablemos de fútbol" is the coolest football show, IMO Morales and Perfumo (ex football player) are great and they make the most "intimist" interviews..., of course, related with football. They manage to make people feel relaxed and talk about their lives (I simply adore Zamorano, the Chilean footballer after watching his interview in "Hablemos de fútbol"). I really like that tv show and I watch it when I have a chance. I´ll watch it today if I can (it will be a little complicated.., but I´ll try) and will do a report if it´s possible.

EDIT: They ocassionally make little comments about the Arg. tennis players performances and they are very nice. I would say it´s considered an "honour" being invited to "Hablemos de fútbol".

Thanks for the information - and it does sound like a fun show. And I'm sure a football-crazy young guy like Juan will definitely see this as an "honour". Of course it would be great to have a report from you - but don't worry if you can't. Thanks again

[lau]

Originally Posted by Rosie

Thanks for the information - and it does sound like a fun show. And I'm sure a football-crazy young guy like Juan will definitely see this as an "honour". Of course it would be great to have a report from you - but don't worry if you can't. Thanks again

I´m sorry, Rosie. I couldn´t watch it properly. When I tried to, I had to do other things while the TV was on. But I think he felt a little intimidated and didn´t talk a lot. The only thing I could hear is that he makes whatever is possible to follow Estudiante´s football matches by internet, but that´s not new...
What I was surprised about was how grown up he looks now with normal clothes! I know I´m getting old when I still have images of a younger person looking like a child

[*Ljubica*]

Originally Posted by lau

I´m sorry, Rosie. I couldn´t watch it properly. When I tried to, I had to do other things while the TV was on. But I think he felt a little intimidated and didn´t talk a lot. The only thing I could hear is that he makes whatever is possible to follow Estudiante´s football matches by internet, but that´s not new...
What I was surprised about was how grown up he looks now with normal clothes! I know I´m getting old when I still have images of a younger person looking like a child

In England we always say you know you're getting old when the Policemen start looking young - that has already happened to me!!! Thanks for the report

Btw - Juan is now in the main draw of Indian Wells and will be heading there early next week. Good Luck Juan