Rafael Nadal on Sundaytimes Magazine

Rafael Nadal as seen on NYtimes' Sunday Magazine (Photo by Paolo Pellegrin/Magnum, for The New York Times)

Rafael Nadal appeared on last Sunday’s issue of Nytimes Magazine.  I have just recently finished reading the very long article about Nadal by Cynthia Gorney.  The photo above was shot by Paolo Pellegrin at a hotel in Rome probably while doing the masters there.  The write-up was interesting on being partly biographical but I think it was pretty much done to appease fans’ Pre – Wimbledon anticipation which had to end abruptly because of Nadal’s withdrawal from the tournament.  Gorney also talked about Nadal’s ambidextrous (equally capable) hands. I guess what happened to Nadal was a strange twist.  He’ll later redeem himself for sure…in the future to come.

Federer….not his usual self at Wimbledon?

Roger Federer sporting his new look at the Wimbledon (Photo Credit:AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images via YahooSports.com)

The contest has began at Wimbledon and I can’t help to make a few observations on Mr. Roger Federer and his new uniform.  As expected, Wimbledon is basically one of the few tournaments that imposes a dress code: White – is always and forever will be the no color – color on the spring grass court.  A few moments earlier, the world greeted Roger upon entering in his usual self…of course, but not the usual all elegant look….this time it was more sloppy.

Roger Federer and his entire ensemble

I thought it was a bad bargain from his classic beige cardigan we saw last year.  That white  jacket I’m afraid looks  like a rugged belstaff-y jacket better left off in leather.  It’s very corporate.  Take that jacket right off and he seems more ventilated rather than choked.  His shirts have always been a favorite, this one particularly is a stand-out especially with that understated pinstripe detail and the peekaboo champaigne piping on his collar.  In a lighter note, perhaps that reflects the status of his career….authority…the powerful graceful master of strokes.  I think that’s the subliminal message of his uniform.  Now that Nadal is out of the way….his productive state  so far as compared to the darker past and growing confidence out there is most certainly not the usual.

Nadal skips Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal in his new pink tee on the French Open (Photo credit:(Photo credit :JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, the current world no. 1 in tennis makes a pass for Wimbledon this year.  After losing to Roger Federer last month on his very own battlefield (French Open), Nadal not only accepts defeat but also continues to struggle past debilitating knee injury.

The brawny Rafa who’s smarter than he looks puts wellness on top of it all.  He withstands the pressure of ‘keeping up‘ instead looks after his health.

Now that Nadal is out of the tournament which will start tomorrow, there’s a greater chance for Roger to reclaim his glory at Wimbledon and possibly win his 15th title (more than Sampras).  If nothing fails, that shall place Federer as a legend set for posterity.

There may not be enough coal to bring out the fire at Wimbledon but it might still make history for Roger to surpass Sampras.

Further thoughts….

I can’t help but comment on Nadal’s new ‘pretty in pink’ uniform.  He failed to defend his beloved title though, at least in style.

On Federer, in case he gets the title….winning of course equates financial success (even bigger in figures) per se. If I’m not mistaken, Andre Agassi posed for an ad campagin with the luxury brand Louis Vuitton not so long ago.  Already a rolex endorser, I’m thinking in the near future we might see Federer as a face of LV, in luggage.