A winning smile from Rafael Nadal

The world’s number one tennis player Rafael Nadal is scary good. On Sunday, the Spanish hottie beat countryman David Ferrer to win the Monte Carlo tournament for the fifth straight year. That is just ridiculous! This guy is the reigning Wimbledon, Olympic and Australian Open champion and next month, will be seeking his fifth straight French Open crown. The Paris tournament is played on a red dirt called clay and on that surface, Rafa has lost only three times in his past 133 matches. He also has never lost a single match at the French Open.

We are seeing history being made right before our eyes and it is a thrill. Making it all the more interesting is the fine crop of players looking to trip Rafa up the first chance the get: the world number two Roger Federer who remains a force; the rising young stars Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic; and the resurgent American Andy Roddick.

I will be reporting on Rafa’s progress from time to time and, of course, including photos of this fine specimen any chance I get!