No. 1 Fedophile, Rafael Nadal, nominated Roger Federer to receive the 2009 Prince of Asturias Award for Sports. The Spanish award is intended to “acknowledge scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work carried out internationally” by prominent people in a variety of fields, including sports. Rafa told the press after this year’s Australian Open that he planned to nominate Roger: “I won the award in 2008 and of course I’d like a colleague and a friend to win it because he deserves it.”
The award comes with some serious swag, namely a Joan Miró sculpture “representing and symbolising the Awards” and a cash prize of €50,000 (that’s almost $70,000 U.S.D.)
But the nominee must be present at the October awards ceremony in order to accept the prize, and this was the deal-breaker for Federer, who will be a new father by then. Federer reportedly explained in the Marca sports newspaper:
“I’d like to thank Rafa Nadal and Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers basketball player -ed.) for having considered me, but it won’t be possible. It’s always difficult for me to travel to Spain because I have a very busy schedule and I also have to think about my personal life. . .Maybe next year is a good moment to nominate me.”
Federer also added that while his son may interfere with his awards ceremony appearances, the lil’ slugger will not affect his tournament schedule.
AWWWW! Poor Rafa! We fellow-Fedophiles understand your need to worship and adore your tennis hero!
Click here for more information on the Prince of Asturias Awards.
Sources: Sports Ya and Tages-Anzeiger
“Don’t cry, Roger, I have the perfect consolation prize in mind.” AP Photo via Brisbane Times.
Tags: Federer, Federer baby, Nadal, Prince of Asturias Award, tennis
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Now he begins to annoy me…
“maybe next year…” Seriously? The answer would have been ok without the last line but, as usual, Roger’s mouth seems to be faster than his good sense.
here we go again…a bunch of pro nadal’s really “listening” hard for what Roger Has to say….damn pathetic fools!Come on…He is playing mind games against ass picking Nadal…Seriously, Nadal’s nomination seems a little suspect….Im getting tired of Nadal’s sucking up to Federer.He should have enough balls to accept full responsibility on being the new world nos 1 and that includes stepping up to the plate and having to stop being a tactician.
tactician at Federer’s expense!Too bad , Roger saw it for what it was and so did I…..
I agree, Nadal was very clever with that nomination, it did put Federer in a difficult situation – if it happened, it would seem like ‘charity’.
I have nothing against the “Thanks, but no thanks”. That was the right move, I believe. But the “maybe next year”, now that was silly. I adore the Fed, but he must learn that he always should stop talking at least two sentences before he thinks he’s said enough. He always gets in trouble because his answers are usually way too long.
Wow…I can’t believe he turned down the nomination and said maybe next year. This award is a huge honor. I don’t see anything suspect at all. I think this speaks to Fed’s arrogance.
I think is too late for this, when he’s not having his best time and he’s been as #1 for years. I understand his excuses, no time, too busy, etc.
But that “maybe next year” thing? what the f*ck is that?
Come on. Do you really think that Rafa is Federer’s biggest fan? He is only playing mind games with him -as to me you are the best tennis player ever, but I keep winning all our matches – . This is a great strategy, Rafa, you are destined to become the greatest ever, period¡
Hey y’all! One thing about the “maybe next year” comment – it’s hard to know from the sources I’ve read if he was joking or not. Perhaps he was laughing when he said it. Of course, he could just be acting arrogant, I love Fed but he has his share of verbal gaffes. It’s fun to debate it!
And I really DO think that Rafa admires Roger. If you’ve ever seen them hanging on the practice courts at the same time there is no doubt that they really like each other. It’s almost strange how giggly they get when they’re together.
Rafa’s intentions were good – but I think it’s interesting how Roger is really thinking so hard about his schedule going forward. We won’t be seeing much of him after the U.S. Open – even if he says right now that his tournament schedule won’t be effected. Perhaps part of the reason he played Monte Carlo is so he can drop an indoor masters in the fall.
Time magazine had Nadal as one of 100 most influential people…. and Serena wrote that article.
So why is he still so ‘polite’ and ‘may be next year’? That’s getting to me now.
yes he was included in the 100 most influential people.why so ?idk because he sure hasn’t influenced me in anyway at all….oh well, there are on that list who shouldnt be on that list after all so i wouldnt think that its credible…..
Maybe he said “next year” because of his schedule!dont jump into conclusions unless you understood what he really meant!
how damn arrogant!…i used to think of federer as a classy, humble champion but the things that now come out of his mouth clearly shows otherwise…
mmm yah…fed can be arrogant, but at least he can back it up.
Rafa on the other hand, needs to stop playing mr.humble/nice guy. its getting old and a bit fake. at least fed’s arrogance is honest.
I think both players are pretty honest with their emotions. But Rafa does sometimes jump through hoops to avoid being called the favorite. I think it’s just superstition, not fakeness. Grrrrr!
Fake? I think Rafa is not playing anything, he’s just like that. Don’t you know the guy already?
He might be the best clay player ever but still, it’s in his nature to think others could beat him, even random guy out of the top 100.
It’s just the way he is and more important, the way his family has taught him to be. I think he can’t help it.
Does anyone else get the idea that Rafa is just buttering him up for the kill? I do.
Picturing Rafa, Fed and a big tub of margarine! Thanks, JFk!
^ Hahaha most likely.
Rafa:
YAY I won the Oz Open. Hoorah!
…
Awww, Roger cried. Now I feel bad.
…
I know! I’ll just nominate him for an award so he feels better. Hoorah!
Ha! Yes! And then Roger: “But I don’t want that stinky award – I want the Wimbledon trophy! WAHHHH!”
I think Nadal has a shared respect with Federer even we RF fans cannot deny. that It’s been great sportsmanship best put on display by Nadal at 2009 Austrailian Open Mens Finals.
It’s clear he has a ton of respect for Federer – and who shouldn’t be in awe of Federer? – b/c he’s simply amazing in tennis.
Nadal just simply worked harder and smarter than Federer has and that is why he is holding Federer’s rightful place as #1 at this time. If he keeps up his improvement Roger won’t be able to catch him and regain the title. Which Federer is allowing to happen.
Yeah…Fake thats what he is….and i sure do hope that he wont last in the field…you see Roger as Arrogant?Well, maybe because he is and was the best for the longest time and he earned that bragging rights and Majority of the Players respected him for that….If he isnt Humble as some of you here thinks then why his fellow players nominated and voted for him for 5 or six consecutive times?why didnt they nominate Rafa or Djokovic or Murray for that honor huh?thats because they have known the guy for so long and that they see whats real and whats not unlike Us who just see him from afar and of course that give us varying degrees of opinions and assumptions right?I prefer arrogance anyday than having a multiple personality….