Leicester_H Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Hi Is it only me that finds Rafa Nadal's superstitious rituals SO annoying that I'm starting not to watch him. Before EVERY serve he 1. adjusts his underpants at he back (surely with his money he could find some that fit?!) 2. adjusts left shoulder of his shirt 3. adjusts right shoulder of his shirt 4. touches left temple 5. touches right temple 6. touches nose sometimes repeats 4-6. I know sports wo/men are superstitious but he takes it to a whole new level. Grumpy old lady, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I hadn't realised he did that before every point That's going to wind me up no end now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 There's some YouTube footage devoted to the fact that he adjusts his pants, then sniffs his hand ETA: it's obvious that u just started watching tennis, because EVERYONE in the tennis world knows about Nadal's rituals: *He has to have two bottles of water, one chilled and the other containing normal water. *After every game he lines up the bottles with their labels facing the baseline he plays from. *His socks have to be short, no longer than 15cm up his shins – and must always be the same height. The sponsor’s logo must be parallel to the ground. *Rafa’s headband is pulled out of his kitbag an hour before play, but he doesn’t put it on until just before he takes to the court. *He towels his face and left arm after each point ends. *He's always the last one to arrive to the coin toss *He has a way of arranging his towels *He always puts his racket in the exact same position at his side *He pushes his hair behind his ears (which is not necessary as u said) with his right hand, starting with the left side. *He bounces the ball a lot, sometimes he stops and u think he's gonna serve but then he starts bouncing it again. * BUT the pant's picking thing, it's NOT a part of his rituals, he does it all the time, before serve, between points, during practice, he did it once when he was signing an autoragh for a fan, it's a habit he couldn't break and not one of his on court rituals,he just can't help doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Adjust pants and sniffs hand - GROSS - wouldnt want to hold hands with him. I wonder if he is OCD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I won't hear a word against him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I was watching him earlier and they were commenting that he takes I think it was 28 secs to play shot which is in breach of the rules.It doesn't put me off watching him either! That rather cute derrière is worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Had to google him - nooooot bad. Will have to put specs on and watch the derriere more closely. Hes probably got pants that are too small hense the fiddling about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I knew he took his time between points but I'd never paid much attention to the order of rituals! Interesting thought that he might be OCD... Sir David of Beckham is OCD and I wonder if it all ties into that 'practice makes perfect' mentality? I'm going to be watching him like a hawk now, although that pants fiddling- hand sniffing is a bit off putting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I am a big tennis fan, but I find Nadal almost impossible to watch in some ways I feel for him because OCD is not a nice way to live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 I noticed this about him last year and by the end of Wimbledon I could hardly bear to watch him. Now you've reminded me I will try not to watch his matches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Another shock early exit, that is four years running I think, grass doesn't seem to be a surface he is comfortable on any more. Great match though. James Ward did well today and I am really rooting for Heather Watson against Serena tomorrow. Love Wimbledon, I am a big tennis fan anyway but this is definitely my favourite grand slam event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Yes, wasn't it a brilliant match - really good old fashioned Wimbledon that you can come to sit and watch after work. I thought the atmosphere in the crowd sounded fantastic And the winner was so articulate afterwards, in a 2nd language When I read the thread title I thought it might be referring to me - if a player who I like is doing well without me watching, then I switch on and they start to play less well, I stop watching as I feel I am hexing them, stupid I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...