Rafael Nadal was in fine form in Doha on Tuesday, taking out Simone Bolelli in a crisp straight sets victory: 6-3, 6-3. He’ll play another cute Italian, Potito Starace, in the second round.
Now on to the important stuff. FreakyFritters and I are engaged in an ongoing debate about Rafa’s overall look. I prefer the current, more mature Rafa, with his sleeves and above the knee shorts, and I’m even warming up to the candy colored shirts Nike insists on dressing him in (just please, keep the checked shorts in the closet!) I’m also a fan of his Roger-when-he-needs-a-haircut-length hair. Fritters, like many of Rafa’s die hard fans, misses the days of Superboy Rafa with his clam diggers, exposed biceps and shoulder length tresses.
Rafa, ca. 2010:
Rafa, ca. 2005:
So I was excited to read Rafa’s personal views on this all-important issue front and center in the “Ask Him” section of his website today (which is going through it’s own redesign!):
Q: Hiz RAFA , I really enjoy watching you playing ! you’re really an awsome player, my question is why did you change your style in the clothes and your hair , sorry but the old one suites you better and I believe they bring you good luck too ! thank you hope to see you reclaiming the world nomber one , because you really deserve that!
A:
Hello. I am involved in the process of selecting my clothing and 100% on the hair style… I like the new style, and it does brings me luck too. Come on! I won the OZ Open, Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome with the long sleeves! Thanks in any case for caring!
Oh, Rafa, how I love that last sentence of yours – the classiest way to say “Ef off!” ever.
Sooooo. . .how’s everyone else feeling about Rafa’s look?
Loading ...Tags: ATP, Bolelli, doha, Nadal, Nike, Qatar Open, tennis
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i’m with mrs. ff on this. even peter pan eventually grew up. at least i’d like to think he did. this is a much better look for a growing up rafa. people change.
lets keep the florida 60yr. old mens bermuda shorts in the closet tho. i like the ones he has on now.
can’t there be a mix? like, polos and t-shirts and regular shorts combined with the colours of the “old” look? because seriously, this outfit is hideous, even without the checkered shorts (shudder). orange and pink? …um.
i’m not a rafa fan, but please nike, give him a break. or, maybe alternatively, please rafa, develop a sense of style.
Well, if we’re taking matrimonial sides, I’m with the Mr, I miss Superboy Rafa. Sleeves ain’t bad, but I don’t see why he gave up on a look that he pioneered. It was so quintessentially Rafa!
But agree about the checkered shorts though. KSwiss is doing them this season too. That’s one trend no one should follow.
Hi dootsiez!
I’m remembering a bit of you personal history – you used to be a hard core Rafanatic, right? Did your switch to Fed Fandom coincide with Rafa’s wardrobe change, even subconsciously????
Suddenly I feel like a psychotherapist. . .
I prefer the new style although i don’t like the weird-eccentric colours and designs as of late (checkers shorts are just awful). I think as he got older the teenager look got also old. Don’t forget that there is a representative of the teen look (aka Del Potro) with the sleeveless, even though he lacks the star quality of Rafa.
FF, *ahem* I don’t usually discuss Rafashion but since you asked…
To start things off: you know I love you girl, but how could you have a “both make me want to puke…” option! That is impossible, no?
I LOVED Rafa’s sleeveless/capris look. Why are people so into him “growing up”, what’s the hurry? It was his signature look that NO ONE else had or can pull off with the hottness that is Rafa’s charisma, swagger and tanned arms. I think Nike made a big mistake by taking that away. The response from fans says it all. I mean, who else on tour gets that kind of attention for their outfits? Who else has people care so much about what they wear? There were posters people, POSTERS asking to bring sleeveless back!
I think Rafa looks drop dead gorgeous in anything he wears, but the sleeveless is just too awesome! He wore sleeveless during his comeback last year in Montreal especially for his fans during the doubles and practices. He knew just how much we all missed him and he wore the outfit as an added gesture (he’s such a thoughtful sweetie, he looks after us
)
I think that if Rafa wants to wear sleeveless then he should be able to wear sleeveless. All of this “take away his signature look it’s time to move on” business is just as sick as a parent forcing their child to give up Teddy.
I FLOVED his AO 09 outfit, his lime green shirt, and his Yellow striped shirt he wore at Indian Wells and Miami. I think they looked good on him (though I prefer collarless.)
As long as he’s playing Kick A** tennis and his happy and healthy then I’m all good. He could wear a potato sack for all I care (and he’d probably STILL look Hott.)
I agree on not liking the checkered shorts and I think the idea alternating with wearing T-shirts on tourney and sleevless the next is a great one! In fact, Nike might just be planning that! I saw picks of his summer outfits and they were sleeveless!
Rafa has the kind of look that gives him so many options. He can wear primary colors, or exciting bright colors, or pastels. He can wear shorts or capris. He can wear headband or baseball cap. He can wear sleeves or sleeveless. He can wear pull off anything (so to speak ladies ;D )
I’m sort of the paranoid type. I think that those who are dead-set on getting rid of sleeveless are *lowers voice* ….jealous of Rafa and don’t want him to show-off his awesomeness to such an extent.
But I know that you don’t apply to this case FF.
VAMOS RAFA! You played great today! Good luck in your match against Starace!
Hi LP! Sorry about the poll – I actually added that on at the end, realizing there might be one or two people out there who just don’t like Rafa in anything (meaning pro-nudists or anti-Nadal fans, whichever!)
I love this line of yours: “It was his signature look that NO ONE else had or can pull off with the hottness that is Rafa’s charisma, swagger and tanned arms.”
It’s true, Rafa really could pull it off. Looking at the photos from 2005 made me realize that! So maybe I’m a little bit on the fence now. . .
*hugs* I realize that you have to accommodate the “pro-nudists” (LOL!)and *sigh* the meanies too *pokes out lip*.
Thanks for actually reading through my post! I kind of feel good knowing that you had patience to to that. *luves*
Hmm, now that I have you on the fence, may I attempt to nudge you over?
How about this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9TFw8icPzw&feature=related (an example of Rafa in sleevless, with his swagger and hottness – still existent today in sleeves – in all of its glory)
Or how about these pics?
http://www.tubuscas.com/rafa-nadal/foto-rafa-nadal-4.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GWJatwb-WlI/R6s2EWQGbvI/AAAAAAAACFI/HJpp13o3wgw/s400/RafaelNadal07_Wimbledon1-1.jpg
http://www.twitpic.com/h5sf1
My favorite thing was how different clothes-wise Rafa and Fed looked in their pics, for example:
http://www.starblogs.net/archives/fedrafa.jpg
http://rajster.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/nadal-federer.jpg
Just awesome. ^_^
LP, you make me laugh! Your the Roger to my Rafa, I guess (love the photo you posted of Roger making Rafa crack up, btw!)
Okay, there are many photos where Rafa looks good with long or short hair, sleeves or no sleeves (or no shirt and even pants in one case!) I agree that Rafa had a distinctive look going before and now he has to wear crazy, sometimes unflattering, colors just to set himself apart. Lord knows, I don’t want him in the plain old blue polo and white shorts combo that Roger now rocks on a daily basis. That would just be boring.
I guess my personal tastes for men run to shorter hair and sleeves (I have an aversion to sweaty, drippy armpit hair.) But perhaps my personal tastes are not really that important in this case. Like you, Dootsiez and others have pointed out, why mess with a good thing?
Of course maybe Rafa really means it when he says that he likes the change! Maybe he and I have similar personal tastes
Wonder if he’ll every try out a whole new look – shaved head and unitard, perhaps?
Here’s a clip of 23 year old Rafa in sleeveless (at around 1:35 in the vid) during his doubles match in Montreal.
He looks GREAT! The look still totally suits him. That’s one thing (of many things
) that’s makes Rafa an exception. I might have agreed that it’s “time to move on” with any other player.
But….JUST LOOK AT HIM!
Heee, in my frenzy I forgot to actually post the clip, here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Faye0B-Nw&feature=channel
siiiiiigh…*stares*
The hot colors suit Rafa, because he plays with such obvious passion. I’m a big fan of pink-red-orange on anyone strong enough to carry it off. I’m on the fence about the sleeveless issue, though: sleeveless shows off Rafa’s biceps, but sleeved seems better for someone who’s a champion rather than a challenger. Finally, the hair. Sorry, Rafa fans, but he does not have the kind of hair that looks good when long — too stringy. Fed has a big advantage in the hair department (although he loses on biceps).
Iker28, the one thing I don’t mind changing is his hair.
I loved it when he had long hair (all long hair looks stringy when sweaty, my hair can get as big as a house when dry, but when wet? It has a completely different look.)
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs078.snc3/14538_1179874624562_1459050348_30472075_1072029_n.jpg
But I think he also looks great with a short-fuzzy mane!
)
He has complete opposite hair than mine (mine is thick, wiry and curly – his is baby soft, wavy and thin like a my friend’s. I hope he uses a baby brush like she does if and when he decides to actually BRUSH is hair XD The one thing our hair has in common? It does whatever the hell it wants!
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs167.snc3/19455_104259212927316_100000297123674_112553_5840567_n.jpg
I can go either way on his hair. *squeals* He just has all the options. He can do what he wants. But of course the most important thing (like I said before) is that he is happy, healthy and -
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs114.snc3/16157_191310186263_671246263_3902387_3931435_n.jpg
Vamos!
Boy, I’m a Rafanatic and I have waaay too much time on my hands at the moment. *points a Freaky Frites* It’s her fault! SHE’s the one who gave me this excuse to fangirl!
P.S. Fed does have gorgeous hair! <3 Another favorite Rafa-Fed pic: http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs106.snc3/15360_103696696316901_100000297123674_97370_3960152_n.jpg
Iker28, the one thing I don’t mind changing is his hair.
I loved it when he had long hair (all long hair looks stringy when sweaty, my hair can get as big as a house when dry, but when wet? It has a completely different look.)
But I think he also looks great with a short-fuzzy mane!
)
He has complete opposite hair than mine (mine is thick, wiry and curly – his is baby soft, wavy and thin like a my friend’s. I hope he uses a baby brush like she does if and when he decides to actually BRUSH is hair XD The one thing our hair has in common? It does whatever the hell it wants!
I can go either way on his hair. *squeals* He just has all the options. He can do what he wants. But of course the most important thing (like I said before) is that he is happy, healthy and -
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs114.snc3/16157_191310186263_671246263_3902387_3931435_n.jpg
Vamos!
Boy, I’m a Rafanatic and I have waaay too much time on my hands at the moment. *points a Freaky Frites* It’s her fault! SHE’s the one who gave me this excuse to fangirl!
Oh LilyPop, I love a crazed, madly-in-love fan!Because of my advanced years I try to keep my Rafa crush under control, lest I seem like a creepy Mrs. Robinson, so I’ll let you do the swooning. To business:
The capris were dumb. I’m glad he lost them.
I prefer the new hair.
And sleeveless works for me.
Absolutely a fan of his current style!
The old sleeveless-and-capris style has always looked ‘invented’, if not rightout ‘fake’, to me, an image designed for marketing purposes to the kids. And, surprise, surprise, completely different from the rather classy stuff Rafa has always been wearing in private, even at that young age. His current style is much more like I suspect he likes himself, and the quote in your article surely hints in that direction.
Keep it this way, Rafa – including the candy colours. Ditch that horrible short designed for the AO though (know what, I think he isn’t going to wear that!).
Initially I was upset when he changed to shirts with sleeves; I felt he sold out to pressure of Nike, my perception of course. Now I generally like the shirts from 2009 and really like the orange/sherbet for Doha and Oz. He looks good in many different colors, and the sherbet is a passionate, high energy color and seems perfect for Rafa. I liked the pirate pants but current shorts are ok. The brown plaid for Oz hopefully are in the closet, but prob not; I prefer the solid color shorts. However I think Rafa likes plaid shorts. Anyway, most tennis players (except Roger and Rafa) don’t seem to pay too much attention to “kits” – and Roger and Rafa tend to get a lot of grief from media. I liked the rose/pink shirt from RG but now it has sad connotations for me.
I liked Rafa’s hair longer truthfully; but the shorter style is cute too. I prefer guys with long hair for some reason.
I think it is safe to say his style is distinctive, from teenager to present. He likes to roll around in the dirt. He has the charisma to wear strong colors and styles; they are just window dressing to his underlying persona. I think he just has fun with it.
Rafa’s outfit is as beautiful as his game! he’s charming in pink, green, yellow, blue, orange, red, stripes, you name it and he can wear it! his smile compliments the bright colors. tall, tan, and gorgeous! in a class all by himself!
Looks best without anything on… (not an option?), ok, whatever is good on him, even that funny checked shorts.
Lets face it with a bod like Rafa’s just about looks good in anything, but I love him in brights, this is what Rafa is about, vitalitly, atheletism, passion and relentless will. Bring it on! I loved the pirates Rafa look and at first was upset when he appeared with the shorts and sleeves however lately he is looking fine and sexier than ever, the energy that Rafa has brought to tennis is once in a lifetime, so what he wears is fine by me, just keep on giving us more great momemts Rafa.! Will there ever be anyone quite like him? doubt it..
Well said Fae, I don’t think there will ever be anyone quit like him!!!He brings a new dimension to the world of tennis!!!!A few weeks ago I was the only person who liked Rafas’ outfits and new once he got to wear them, people will like it!!!Rafa is unique and will always try somethig new!!!!He approaches his tennis the same way!!!Guys think about it, almost everyone (Roger included) looks the same!!!Same old boring blue, black, grey and white!!!Booooooringgggg!!!!Wish Rafa could stay with us for the next 20 years!!!!
Rafa is more daring when it comes to his clothing choices. It comes with age maybe and even though he’s move to a more “subdued” look I think the color choices suits his personality well.
Federer is more on the slick and classic style. No offense to all Fed fans but sometimes it gets a bit boring though.
^^ None taken. But I’d take boring over tacky any day.
^^A man makes the unfortunate decision to wear a Sarge Pepper jacket and the conscious choice to carry a golden man-purse and the world won’t let it go! Give the guy a break already! Sheesh! You don’t have to be all harsh and label him as “tacky” for the rest of his existence!
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