Well, my trip certainly ended on a high note with Rafaàs victory today.  I ran into my Italian journalist friend today and he told me that todayàs match could be tricky for Rafa.  I told him that Rafa is a fighter and will give it all he has.  And he certainly did.It did help that Gonzalez was off a bit.  Gonzo said in his press conference that Rafa was responsible for his mistakes.  He said Rafa was forcing the errors.  He said the only way he could try to win was to “go for” his shots, and it did not work today.  He said, basically, that the only way that someone can beat Rafa on clay is to get him on a day when he is not playing his best tennis.As you can imagine, Rafa was upbeat in his press conference.  He was glad to win his third title, but basically said this one is not as memorable as his other two, especially the final against Coria two years ago.  He does seem destined to play memorable matches in Rome, because the final against Roger last year was amazing and the Davydenko match was terrific as well.Rafa said he was tired today, especially in practice.  He said he usually warms up for an hour before a match, and he only warmed up for 15 minutes today.  He said his plan today was to be aggressive, more than he was yesterday, and to try to take control of the points.  His strategy worked.  Personally, I think he is more comfortable with Gonzalezàs game style on clay.  It is more what he is used to.  I think Davydenko took him out of his rhythm, and that Davydenko was right — that Gonzo had the best chance if he slowed down play.  But he did not do so.  He played right into Rafaàs hands.Rafa is leaving for Hamburg in the morning and said he has looked at the draw.  We must assume that he is going to play, but if he pulls out, I wonàt be surprised.  All the journalists were saying that he seemed tired from the start of the event — I cannot imagine how he will be in Hamburg.  He does not want to be too tired going into RG.  But we shall see.Iàm going to get a final pasta dinner, and then start packing.  I leave tomorrow.  I have had a wonderful trip, and it really was a treat watching the worldàs best claycourter play a tournament on his best surface.  I also think I was watching the guy who will go down in history as the best claycourt player ever — and will be one of the best players in history as well.  It is no small feat for him to be accomplishing this during the Federer era.

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From Susan: It was another great day in Rome, partly because I was able to avoid continuing to line the City’s cab drivers’ pockets with Euros.

I started the day by walking to the Vatican. I had heard the queue would be horrendous, and it was. But I avoided it by taking a private tour. It cost an extra 10 Euros, but was well worth it, especially when compared to all the money I’ve spent on cab fare. The Vatican was crowded, but it didn’t diminish the effect of the art works there. The Sistine Chapel is exactly what you would expect it to be, unbelievably beautiful and powerful at the same time. I especially enjoyed touring the Sanzio rooms, as I became a fan of Rafaello after reading a book about him last year. I was very moved by his works as well. (more…)

I made it back to Rome, after a terrific trip to Florence.  I was tempted to stay in Florence a day longer, but when I saw that Rafa was playing doubles with Carlos Moya, and then were playing Federer/Wawrinka on Monday, the race to Roma was on. 

Luckily I had done the train thing before, so I ran around Florence finishing a few errands and then took a taxi to the train station. I raced to the ticket machine, bought a ticket and then . . . waited. The train was late. But not too late, as I got to Rome about 1 p.m. I figured the doubles match would be at about 3 p.m., and hoped Henman would delay things a bit. I got a cab and was quoted another exhorbitant rate. And I wouldn’t have paid it if I wasn’t running late and there wasn’t a huge line in the taxi queue. So I got to the hotel, checked in and although there’s public transport, I decided on another cab. I believe I am singlehandedly keeping the taxi drivers of this City rich. This ride cost me just an arm, rather than an arm and a leg, but he dropped me off about a half mile from the venue. I guess I should have thrown in the leg, too. The Foro Italico isn’t THAT close to the Olympic Stadium. After some more running around, I got my credential and got into the press lounge just as Henman finished his match. What timing!!! (more…)

I’m typing this on the train from Rome to Florence. I arrived in Rome yesterday, after a long flight from Los Angeles. I thought I’d save some money (45 Euros for a cab) and take the train from the airport into Rome. It was a good idea in theory, but didn’t work in practice.

I did well to find the train to the Roma Termini and, even more amazingly, to purchase a ticket to get on it. It was a 30-minute ride into Rome, and then I got in line to take a cab to my hotel. Now I understand why the travel guide emphatically advises foreigners not to try to drive in Rome. The traffic makes New York City look like a suburb on a Sunday. The cab driver spoke only Italian, and I speak only English; nonetheless, I understood that traffic was even worse than normal because of a demonstration which caused them to close down certain streets. As he navigated the car into spaces I didn’t think would fit a bicycle, I began to question my decision to take a cab to the hotel instead of to walk. It wasn’t that far, but you wouldn’t have known it by the route he chose. At one point, he was racing under a tunnel when he started complaining about the traffic and yelling “Mama Mia.” He eventually got me to my hotel, charging me a whopping 25 Euros for a 10-Euro ride. I knew I was being “taken,” but there wasn’t much I could do. I was exhausted and within minutes of a hotel bed, so I chalked it up to experience. Next time I come to Rome, I’ll take a cab from the airport. (more…)