Super Bowl Update

Last night, Rafa easily won his second round match against the enjoyably named Lukas Lacko. It was a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 display of awesomeness by Nadal. It was such an impressive display, there isn't a whole lot to say about it, except "good job!'"


After the match, Rafa said, "Well, I think I played [a] serious match. I think I played the match what I need to play. Winning 6‑2, 6‑2, 6‑2 is a really good news." Next up for Nadal is Philipp Kohlschreiber on Friday, who defeated Wayne Odesnik 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Vamos Rafa!


Fashion note: For some reason, Rafa has become a bit of a successor to Agassi as the ATP Fashion Player. He changes his color scheme for every major tournament and some of his outfits have raised eyebrows and sent tongues a'wagging in the past. At first it was his sleeveless looks that showed off his massive arms, and last season his hot pink shirt during the French Open, and his checkered shorts at the end of the season.


As I awaited last night's match, the commentators were discussing Rafa's fitness and someone asked Brad Gilbert how he thought Rafa looked. Gilbert made this pinched face and basically said that his technique looked good, but his "look" left something to be desired. He didn't like the plaid and the stripes and the color combos. Now, I had gone through a bunch of pics from the 1st round match online, and didn't understand what Gilbert was talking about. I admit the orange shirt with yellow and pink horizontal stripes, paired with one pink wristband and one white one, was a very European palette choice, but where was the plaid that had so offended Brad? Then during the match i saw it:



His SHORTS. His shorts are oddly plaid. At some angles you can't really see it, but then if the sun is positioned just so in the sky, this pattern of orange diamonds shows up in the shorts. It's... a little busy. I think Rafa's nonchalant attitude about it is endearing. It's like he simultaneously thinks a lot about what he's wearing, but never considers if it might look weird. If he didn't like it he wouldn't wear it. And if his outfit didn't matter to him at all, I don't think he'd change it so drastically so often.


I think if he had to face the 360 degree mirror with Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, they'd probably have some choice words for him on what not to wear. As long as he's happy and playing healthy, I don't care. I just can't get over how dismayed Gilbert seemed over the situation. He wants him playing good and looking good. Some people want it all.