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Get Ready Miami for Semi’s Clash of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Mar 29th
Get Ready Miami for Semi’s Clash of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 at 1:14 pm , filed under Tennis News by Kevin Jones
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As the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open is just coming to end, the expectations of the favourite players is getting higher, as per the draws it could be possible for an another exciting semi-final clash with the top seeded players, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida.
This would be the first time in this season; the top seeded players will be clashing up between each other after a span of four months, the previous encounter between both the players was in Abu Dhabi last December, where the world no.1, Nadal defeated the Swiss maestro, Federer in the finals of the Mubadala World Tennis with a 7-6(4), 7-6(3) in a thrilling meet.
If both players win their quarter-finals clash with their competitors, it would be fascinating match in the semi-finals of the Miami Masters between the top seeded players. Federer, who has won all the matches against his competitors except against Novak Djokovic, who has stopped Federer in the semi-finals and finals clash this season, will have to work hard in order to achieve his third title Sony Ericsson Open.
While, Rafael Nadal, who is still waiting for his first tile at Miami, was also defeated by the Serbian in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open, if he overcomes against the world no.3 player, Federer, it would be tough job for him in the finals to face the dangerous Djokovic.
So guess who’s going to be the Champion this Year in the Sony Ericsson Open 2011?
Is it, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or the inform player, Novak Djokovic.
Ballot yourself, who is the champion of 2011 Miami Masters?
Tags: 2011 Miami Masters, Abu Dhabi, BNP Paribas open, Mubadala World Tennis, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sony Ericsson Open
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From www.livetennisguide.com
Novak Djokovic finds a secret to tennis success and a dent in Rafael Nadal’s armor
Mar 21st
The No. 1 men’s tennis player in the world has a weakness, it was learned Sunday at Indian Wells.
Rumors of the actual existence of flesh and blood in the tennis machine known as Rafael Nadal were confirmed in front of a crowd of 16,754, in a stadium that has a listed capacity of 16,100.
That made as much sense as the irrepressible Nadal going out with a whimper, which is what he did at the end of his 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss in the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
On this cool, overcast day of tennis magic, the instructor/architect of what took place was a Serb named Novak Djokovic, whose game has recently gone from super to sensational. Djokovic earned this title with the kind of performance that will keep them talking around the Southern California desert for years to come.
It wasn’t just that Djokovic won. Nor that he beat the almost-never-beatable Nadal.
It was that, by beating him as he did, he showed the rest of the tennis world how.
The match, and the show-and-tell, basically came down to the ninth game of the second set. Nadal had been his usual rock-solid self from the start, hitting hard and deep off both sides, his shots heavy and penetrating. That got him the 6-4 first set.
When Djokovic stepped to the service line for Game 9 of the second set, he led, 5-3. He had been broken in his previous service game and had also had his serve broken twice in the first set. So there were no guarantees. Quickly, he got to set point at 40-15, but the battle had just begun.
What a battle it was. The Serb squandered five set points before winning the sixth, and squaring the match. He also kept the game at deuce five times while facing only one break point.
His strategy at deuce was not only effective, but quite revealing. Almost without fail, the right-handed Djokovic spun his serve wide to the corner of the service box right of Nadal, to the left-hander’s backhand. Each time, Nadal either failed to return or did so weakly enough to allow Djokovic to dictate the point.
And when Nadal returned, Djokovic mostly pounded away on the same side, Nadal’s backhand, until he got an error.
There is a science to this, much deeper than the usual rule of thumb in club players’ strategy, which is to hit to the other person’s backhand. On the pro tours, the backhand is often a player’s strongest weapon. Nadal’s is excellent, but it is a two-hander, which shortens his reach to his right. In this sequence, Djokovic’s serves were not big boomers, even his first serves. Most were about 115 mph, kicking high and spinning to Nadal’s right.
Soon, Nadal was not Nadal. The ninth game of the second set had drained him, as well as everybody in the place. Except perhaps Djokovic. He won the first four games of the final set, running his streak to six straight, and said later, “I was on a roll.”
He also said, “In the third set, I was mostly trying to convince myself to take it one point at a time.”
There is really no confirmation of the existence of Djokovic’s tactics, other than observation. If Nadal admitted he had been taken to school on his backhand side, he would see 20,000 more in the next tournament in Miami, and every tournament after that. Other players certainly sense this is one usable tactic, but few have been able to exploit is as Djokovic did Sunday.
Nadal’s admitting it worked would open the floodgates. Djokovic’s admitting it would be giving away a strategy usable for years to come.
Nadal pointed to his serve’s crumbling in the second set as the reason for his loss.
“I think I was too worried about my serve to play my best level from the baseline,” he said. “My serve didn’t work.”
Everything worked for Djokovic, and has been working since he won two matches late last year for Serbia in the Davis Cup. Since then, he has won 18 more matches without a defeat, including the Australian Open title. Sunday, he pocketed $611,000 for winning, and Monday, he officially becomes No. 2 in the rankings, replacing Roger Federer, whom he beat in the semifinals.
“I want to keep on going and keep on playing good tennis,” said Djokovic, who says that he is playing the best tennis of his life.
Hard to argue. If it spoke, Nadal’s backhand could testify to that.
bill.dwyre@latimes.com
From www.latimes.com
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer have near stranglehold on majors
Mar 5th
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Call them the two-headed monster of men’s tennis.
In the past six years, any player attempting to win a Grand Slam tournament usually has found Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer barring the way. No two players in the Open era have dominated as they have in winning 21 of 24 Grand Slams dating back to the top-ranked Spaniard’s first win at the French Open in 2005.
While their rivalry atop the men’s game has captivated fans and produced indelible moments, it also has made it nearly impossible for other players to earn that career-defining win.
Just ask Andy Roddick or Andy Murray.
And now the monster might have sprouted a third head with Novak Djokovic winning his second Australian Open.
“There is respect, but there is frustration also,” said Gilles Simon, a former No. 6-ranked player who has never beaten Federer or Nadal in a Grand Slam. His latest setback came in a five-set loss to Federer in the second round of this year’s Australian Open.
“They stopped me every time I was playing my best tennis,” Simon said. “I lost three times to Nadal in slams, one time to Roger. Of course, it’s so boring. You know when you play against them you just have a little chance.”
Simon is just one of the top players who has failed to get past Nadal and the second-ranked Federer in a Grand Slam.
Former No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko has never beaten Federer in five meetings at the majors and has yet to face Nadal. Seventh-ranked Tomas Berdych also has struggled against the duo in majors, beating Federer once in five matchups and losing twice to Nadal.
Then there is Roddick. The American has lost all but two of his 20 meetings with Federer — and neither of the victories came in a Grand Slam.
The challenge, many of the players said, is that winning a Grand Slam title has meant beating both of them — and often in five sets. Berdych got close to winning his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2010, when he beat Federer in the quarterfinals and Djokovic in the semis before falling to Nadal in the final.
“If you want to win a Grand Slam, you have to beat at least three of the top guys,” Berdych said. “In Wimbledon, I beat Roger, I beat Novak, but in the final was still one more waiting. … So even if you want to do well on Grand Slam, still you need to beat at least three great players. That’s how it is. And it doesn’t matter who it is.”
Others said Federer and Nadal also have an edge, since they bring unbridled confidence into the Slams due to their past success and often face weaker competition in the earlier rounds. They also have played plenty of five-setters, giving them an edge over young, up-and-comers who may depend on one big weapon such as a serve, which may bring them wins in lesser tournaments but not in Grand Slams.
Take Federer. He had a run of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals snapped only last year when he lost in the quarterfinals of the French Open. He also has come from two sets down on six occasions, including his first-round win at Wimbledon last year and his fourth-round victory over Tommy Haas of Germany at the 2009 French Open.
“You have to win five matches to be there 23 times and you play good players. Sometimes he was close to losing 2 sets to love for the opponent,” Simon said, almost in awe.
“But at the end, they always win the match. I don’t know how I can explain it. I think it’s easier for them when it’s five sets,” he said. “You can play one amazing set against them and you win and you are one set closer to win the match. But it’s not about luck or playing one hour of your best tennis. You have to play four hours of your best tennis to win. I saw that against Roger this year. I was playing very good and couldn’t play better than that. I had an impression I could win the match but finally I lost.”
From news.bostonherald.com
Rafael Nadal set for Return – The Friday Five
Feb 18th
Home Sweet Home
In an announcement that had to come as no surprise to many, it was decided that the French Open can remain known as Roland Garros, as it will continue to be staged at its current location. The decision comes with the caveat that many updates will be made to the present site over the course of the next few years, including the construction of new courts, a new press center, and a retractable roof over center court, which would allow for the potential of night matches. This will all be made possible by expanding the site by approximately 12 acres, which should hopefully also give fans a bit more elbow room. But these changes for some, such as former World No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, are not enough. As Mauresmo and other opponents have argued, the decision means that the French Open will remain the smallest of the four majors, and it will still be limited in the renovations that can made in order to compete with the other three Grand Slam events. These arguments are all valid points, and it’s possible that this current vote may only be delaying the inevitable. But personally, it was nice to see it stay at home. It is a beautiful venue, and it also has a great history (check out the 1928 Davis Cup France vs. United States tie, and be sure to check out the history behind flying ace Roland Garros).
Added Incentive 
Rafael Nadal set for return
For the third consecutive time, the ITF and WTA have worked out an agreement stating that ranking points will be awarded to those women who compete at the 2012 Olympics, with the ATP expected to once again also follow suit. The thought process behind this decision is that it should help guarantee the headliners compete in London, but this decision should also be raising the question as to whether or not tennis even belongs in the Olympics in the first place. It hasn’t always been a staple of the Games. It was missing from the docket for more than 60 years following the 1924 Olympics before returning as a full medal sport in Seoul in 1988. But the fact that ranking points are needed to entice the players to compete is further proof that merely representing one’s country is not enough to convince them to participate. This is nothing against the players. Many have freely admitted that while winning an Olympic gold medal would be wonderful, winning a major would still mean more. It’s also a long season, and it’s understandable that if a player can’t add to his or her ranking, he or she might opt to take that week off. Tennis is also one of the few Olympic sports that allows professionals to compete, and given the nature of the sport, it’s not as if these players don’t already compete against one another on many large international stages week in and week out. It’s a tough call, but maybe it really is time to consider pulling tennis from the Olympics or revamping it to remain true to the Olympic spirit by only allowing amateurs to play.
Brief Hiatus
Perhaps after his stumble in Rotterdam, Andy Murray is learning from last year’s disaster. The young Scot has opted to pull out of Dubai citing a wrist injury. There seems to be some speculation as to the real severity of the injury, but all are in agreement that his withdrawal was the right move. Last year he angered Dubai tournament organizers by admitting he was ill prepared and merely tinkering with his game after his early exit. It’s good to see that this time around, Murray now appears to be taking a step back and mentally preparing himself for the long season ahead. He isn’t scheduled to play again until tennis’ “March madness” when Indian Wells and Miami are contested back-to-back. He might still be smarting from his poor performance in the Netherlands, but hopefully Murray will be ready to step it up once again.
Return Set
It’s official. Rafael Nadal will be well enough to represent his native Spain in the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Belgium, and Captain Albert Costa has named him to the team that will also include David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, and Feliciano Lopez. Costa noted that having the luxury of fielding Nadal would bring “certain tranquility” to the team. Hard saying how “tranquil” his multitude of fans will feel, however. Presumably Nadal wouldn’t play unless he’s 100%, but he’s generally shown a very strong commitment to Davis Cup and might be tempted to play even if not quite top notch. All eyes will be looking to see how he covers the court as an indicator of what we can expect from him this coming spring.
New Coach
The young Frenchman Richard Gasquet is now working with Italian Riccardo Piatti, though he will continue to employ the services of countryman Sebastien Grosjean. Tennis fans will remember seeing Piatti in Croat Ivan Ljubicic’s corner when Ljubicic reached a career high ranking of No. 3. Gasquet is currently suffering from shoulder injuries, but fans will be holding their breath to see if Piatti will prove to be the coach who can finally help Gasquet put it all together and realize his true potential. It hasn’t been fair the amount of pressure that has been put on Gasquet since before he was ten years old, but it would be an absolute travesty if he were never able to maximize his game and get the most out of his career.
From www.tennisgrandstand.com
Rafael Nadal could join prestigious club at Australian Open
Jan 16th
Rafael Nadal could join prestigious club at Australian Open Published: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 6:00 AM 
By Michael J. Fensom/The Star-Ledger
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Paul Crocker/Getty ImagesRafael Nadal practices in Melbourne Saturday to prepare for the upcoming Australian Open.
Rod Laver ruled tennis in 1969, and by one measure, he still reigns over the sport.
In the 42 years since the Australian superstar accomplished the elusive Grand Slam – winning all four of tennis’ major tournaments in one year — no men’s player has duplicated the feat, or even won four consecutive majors over two years.
Rafael Nadal has a chance to change that at this year’s Australian Open. The Spaniard captured the final three majors of 2010, after withdrawing in the quarterfinals of last year’s Australian Open against Andy Murray with knee pain. If Nadal grounds his competition in Melbourne, he will join Laver, Fred Perry and Don Budge as the only players to win four consecutive slams, and do so on the court that bears Laver’s name.
Would a “Rafa Slam” — not accomplished during a calendar year — equate to a true Grand Slam? Last week, Laver said no, and it will be up to pundits and the public to decide for themselves the weight of Nadal’s accomplishment, should it happen. But such a feat would indisputably solidify Nadal as the men’s tennis king of the moment.
While the men’s draw revolves around Nadal, Roger Federer and a cadre of possible contenders, searching for order, or a presumptive champion, in the women’s draw is like trying to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar: Substantially difficult and frustrating.
The task is harder this year with defending champion Serena Williams, a hoarder of Grand Slam trophies, absent with a lingering foot injury. Her void is filled by contenders young (20-year-old Caroline Wozniacki) and old (Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters), but no locks for a trophy.
Men’s Draw
Favorite: Rafael Nadal
At 24, Nadal has won all four majors during his career and more than $37 million in prize money. The Grand Slam is one of the few career hurdles left to clear and its within his reach, but he will be challenged in Melbourne. Big hitters, the likes of Robin Soderling and Andy Murray, occupy his half of the draw, and the likelihood is strong that Federer or Novak Djokovic will await the world No. 1 in the final.
Contenders
Roger Federer: The Swiss has won four titles Down Under, but the emergence of Nadal as an all-surface force has pushed Federer from favorite to contender. Nevertheless, Federer topped Nadal in the Barclays World Finals to conclude 2010 and is his biggest rival in this event.
Novak Djokovic: Gauging what you will get from Djokovic is difficult — the Serb’s game ranges from spectacular to suspect — but he has become a presence down the stretch at the majors. Djokovic has reached at least the quarters in 13 of the past 15 major events.
Robin Soderling: The fourth-seeded Swede has never made it to the third round in Melbourne, but since a runner-up appearance in the 2009 French Open, his profile has risen with his steady play. He made the quarters or better at the final three majors in 2010. The hard hitter could menace Nadal in the semis.
Darkhorse
Mikhail Youzhny: An Aussie quarterfinalist in 2008, Youzhny’s game is suited for hard courts. He can pound the ball from the baseline and is quick enough to pounce on opponents’ mistakes. His best majors results have come on hard courts, including a semifinal appearance in last year’s U.S. Open.
Early Exit
Tomas Berdych: The tall Czech finally cashed in on his potential midway through 2010, making the semis at the French Open and losing to Nadal in the Wimbledon final. But since then, Berdych has tumbled, losing in the first round of the U.S. Open to Michael Llodra and fringe players such as Michael Barrer and Tobias Kamke at the end of 2010.
Women’s Draw
Favorite: Venus Williams
Despite her commanding serve and powerful ground strokes, Williams has never won the Australian Open. With sister Serena, the woman who beat her in the 2003 final, absent, and a favorable draw lying ahead of her, Williams’ primary obstacle to the semifinals is nemesis Maria Sharapova in the fourth round. Williams would relish a victory here as her career enters its latter stages.
Contenders
Caroline Wozniacki: The Justin Bieber of the women’s tour: Young, popular and stylish but debatable as to whether she has substance. Wozniacki’s potential is great, but in 2010 she lacked the conviction and moxie to overcome the likes of Li Na, Francesca Shiavone and Petra Kvitova in the slams. A loss to Dominika Cibulkova to open the year doesn’t inspire confidence.
Kim Clijsters: The third-seeded Clijsters can hit with the big girls and has the experience and savvy that is invaluable in the slams. A crowd favorite, she has never won in Australia, but her game suits the surface well. Since unretiring, Clijsters has won the U.S. Open twice.
Justine Henin: The former No. 1 returned from a brief retirement in 2009 to electrify last year’s Open before falling to Serena in the final. Her ground strokes are compact and deceptively powerful, the reason why she has seven Grand Slam titles.
Dark Horse
Li Na: Four letters that no contender wants to see next to theirs in the draw. Li Na has the power game required for success here (she has a semifinalist in 2010) but her greatest asset is mental. She will maintain composure and aggression in the face of the most accomplished names in the sport. She beat Svetlana Kuznetsova and Clijsters to win the Medibank International already this year.
Early Exit
Vera Zvonereva: The Russian is coming off her best season on tour: She reached the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and reached No. 2 in the WTA rankings. But she lost convincingly in those finals to savvier, more skilled players (Serena Williams and Clijsters). A strong all-around talent, the No. 2 seed is better suited to being an underdog than a frontrunner.
Michael J. Fensom: mfensom@starledger.com
From www.nj.com
Rafael Nadal: I’m Feeling Better But Not Perfect Yet
Jan 15th
Rafael Nadal goes for a fourth straight Grand Slam title starting Monday at the Australian Open. Will Nadal get his “Rafa Slam” and make history?
In Melbourne today, a less than 100% Nadal spoke about his health, history and more to the assembled press in Melbourne:
Q. Could you let us know how you feel and how much practice you’ve been able to get in since you arrived in Melbourne?
RAFAEL NADAL: I’m feeling better. I think not perfect yet. But, yeah, seems like after what I had in Doha, when I practicing, I feel a little bit more tired than usual and sweating more than ever.
But the true is I’m better than few days ago. So that’s very positive. I hope not going to be a problem for next Monday or Tuesday. I don’t know yet.
So happy I am able to practice every day normal time. So is nothing special. I practiced like I did all my life.
Q. You said you didn’t have a long break. Does it feel like the beginning or the end of the season, this tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: For sure the beginning. We’re in 2011. 2010 is past. For me is the beginning for sure, no? I didn’t stop. But this year everything starts another time. So very happy to be here in Australia another time. Always very good news be here.
Yeah, is true, I didn’t have a break. So hopefully if I have a good result here, I gonna have a few weeks after here.
Q. Do you feel any extra pressure going for the four slams in a row?
RAFAEL NADAL: For sure, no. That’s true, maybe I only going to have this opportunity in my career. But not for that reason I going have the pression. The pression is like every Grand Slam, you want to play well in the important tournaments. And for me, have the fourth or not is something that is not in my mind.
What is in my mind is try to play well, try to start the season playing well another time, and we will see what’s going on. It’s very difficult to think about that when we didn’t start the tournament, playing a very difficult tournament like this one.
Q. How do you explain that it hasn’t happened for such a long time?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think is almost impossible. Is very, very difficult, no? The tennis is a very competitive sport and is not a lot of difference between players. So a lot of matches decides in a few balls. So for that reason is very difficult to have one player winning everything. That’s the true.
So I think that’s the reason.
Q. Can you tell us how special it would be, regardless, to be able to take out the four?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think is better if we continue with another questions because for me, seriously, I can’t answer this question because I didn’t imagine (laughter).
I think if that’s happen, for sure for me I gonna be more happy to win in Australia because is the Australian Open more than is because the fourth in a row. That’s hundred percent true.
Q. When Federer was in here earlier, he said you should be the favorite for the tournament because you won the last three Grand Slams. Do you feel the same way?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. For sure no. Yeah, every tournament is completely different. I gonna try my best to play well. And we will see what’s going on, no?
But I feel if I play at my best level, I can have a chance to be in the second week, and there we will see what’s happen, no? Every match will be really difficult, so I have to be ready for everything.
But I for sure am feeling less favorite than him and not more favorite than Djokovic, Murray, Soderling, these kind of players, no? So that’s true. That’s what I think.
Q. How is it possible that two players are dominating the circuit as you and Roger have the last years?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I don’t know. Well, he made a little bit more than me. That’s the true. But I don’t know. I think that’s difficult. That’s something gonna be not easy to repeat, but I don’t know how is the tournaments. But in more than 20 Grand Slams, only two or three players won a Grand Slams, I think that’s impossible to continue like this. I think that’s not going to continue like this. We will see what’s happen, no?
But there is a lot of good players, a lot of young players, and every year is more and more difficult.
Q. Your fellow No. 1 on the women’s tour, Caroline Wozniacki, is coming into her first tournament as No. 1. Can you talk about the pressures coming into the first Grand Slam as No. 1?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t think she need my advice, no? But at the same time, seriously, for me doesn’t matter if I’m No. 1, No. 2 or No. 5. When you arrive for play a tournament, the goal is to play well and try to play a good tournament, have a good result, and if is possible win. Doesn’t matter if you are No. 1 or No. 5, the pressure is the same because in the end your goal is the same if you are No. 1 or if you are No. 5.
Q. Do you see her winning a Grand Slam in the very near future?
RAFAEL NADAL: I thought he [sic] will have a very good chance last year in the US Open. Was playing really well. Finally he [sic] lost in semifinals. Well see.
She is No. 1 of the world. For sure the No. 1 of the world has chances to win the important tournaments.
Q. You’ve won the US Open. Can you talk a little bit about the difference in conditions between this hard court tournament to the US Open and how do you play it differently tactically, or are they the same?
RAFAEL NADAL: I play what I can. Every tournament is different. In every tournament you have different feelings. Even during the tournament you can change a little bit because your feelings are changing, no? So US Open was a really special tournament for me last year.
In general, the conditions of Australia are a little bit more easy for me than US Open. The history says me that. The ball here is getting little bit more topspin, is a little bit slower. But seriously I start to think for me is better have faster courts or slower courts?
Q. A couple of quite famous players this year have changed their racquet, have gone to a new company. You’ve always been with the same racquet people. How big a gamble is it to change your racquet?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I have the option to do it a few years ago. But seriously I think is something difficult to do and is important decision because, yeah, maybe you win more money with another things, with a company, but if you lose little bit of your feeling and you lose little bit more than before, you are less happy than before. And is more important be happy than the money in general. That’s what I feel.
Q. Rafa, Novak said after the US Open last year that he was really impressed how much you improved your serve. Is there a particular area in your game you look to improve this year?
RAFAEL NADAL: Always everything. But the serve, still to improve a lot. I think I am serving better, but never going to be enough, my serve.
Everything. You can play more aggressive. You can play more inside the court. You can go more times to the net. You can return little bit more aggressive. You can play longer. You can play more close to the lines.
In tennis you can improve all your career. So is something that I always tried when I wake up every morning and I go to practice. My goal is improve, not go to practice. That’s why I am here, no? If someday I lost this feeling, maybe I don’t gonna come back to this tournament.
Q. Rafael, away from the tennis, not at the tennis courts, what is different about the Australian Open for you, outside the tennis?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think the Australian Open probably is the easier Grand Slam for the players. The facilities are better than the rest of the tournament because you have everything very close, the hotel. The tournament always is improving, is creating new areas for the players. That’s fantastic, no?
I think is a tournament is improving more every year. So just we can say thanks to the tournament. Seriously, for me, with me, the organization, the director of tournament was always fantastic. Just can say thanks very much because the support, they make me feel like home. Is one of the tournaments that I am always very happy to be back.
Q. You mentioned about your desire to keep improving all the time. Do you think because you and Roger have that mentality, you are taking men’s tennis higher with you as well, that everybody now has to improve to even get close to you?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I think every player improves normally because the player practice and the player keep improving I think all the career. So is important to know what you need to improve and how you gonna improve.
So I think the important thing is keep focus, keeping have the right illusion and motivation to improve your tennis even if you are on the top. And I think that’s why Roger is on the top for long, long time, no? Is almost 10 years in the top of the rankings. That’s why I think he improved a lot these years.
And myself I think, too. I can lose much more, and I can play a bad season this year. But I don’t have any doubt because, win or lose, not depends only about how you play, depends about how you are mentally. Is a lot of facts can change between win or lose, no?
But I (indiscernible) I am better player this one than three or four years ago. So that’s something that is important personal satisfaction. That’s why I am practicing every day.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Also Check Out:
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Federer Upbeat Ahead of 900th Match, Calls a Calendar Slam “Far-Fetched” [Video]
Federer Too Perfect; Lopez Ready for Main Stage
Haas Shocks Djokovic for Grasscourt Halle Title
Gasquet Eliminates Djokovic from Tennis Masters Cup; Ferrer Beats Nadal
Filed under: Australian Open
Tags: Rafael Nadal
From www.tennis-x.com
Wimbledon hospitality news: Rafael Nadal lands BBC gong
Dec 20th
Tennis fans looking for Wimbledon hospitality in 2011 may be hoping Rafael Nadal continues the form that has won him a BBC award.
Nadal added the BBC overseas sports personality of the year prize last night (December 19th 2010) to his fine list of achievements, after impressing fans of the game with some dazzling performances throughout 2010.
The Spaniard was recently honoured by the International Tennis Federation, which gave him the World Champion award for 2010.
This latest accolade for the 24-year-old comes after he landed three Grand Slams at Wimbledon, the US Open and French Open.
Rival Roger Federer paid tribute to the man that he recently defeated at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
“I think what Rafa has done at such a young age, so consistently, is quite phenomenal really and he’s the best player by far in 2010,” he told the broadcaster.
Fans hoping to see the star in action at Wimbledon in 2011 can secure a range of corporate hospitality packages for the highly-anticipated event from Keith Prowse.
By Liz Johnstone
Wimbledon hospitality news: Rafael Nadal scoops award
Dec 16th
Rafael Nadal’s fine performances in front of Wimbledon corporate hospitality guests in 2010 have contributed to the star’s latest accolade.
The Spaniard has won the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) World Champion award, following a string of sublime outings in 2010.
Nadal won the Wimbledon crown back in July after disposing of Czech Tomas Berdych in the final.
He also claimed the French Open title and the US Open to complete a trio of high-profile successes throughout the course of the year.
This is the second time that Nadal has landed the ITF prize and he told the organisation’s official website that he was “honoured” to win it again.
“After a difficult year in 2009, it was an amazing feeling to regain the number one ranking and finally win the US Open,” he remarked.
An influx of Spanish fans are expected to descend on Wimbledon in 2011 to roar on their hero and people wishing to join them can book tennis packages through Keith Prowse.
By Sandie Banwait
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Becoming Greater Than Tennis Itself
Dec 3rd
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have had another great year filled with history. Their rivalry has continued where they met in two important finals, each winning one. They have both equaled or broken records and they have both finished the year in the No.1 and No.2 positions for the sixth consecutive year.
However all this will not last forever. Nadal, because of the physicality of his game will always cause him injury problems, while Federer, even if he is still playing at the highest level, is 29 years old; even his most beloved fans will agree that The Might Fed is in his last stages of his career.
So what happens to tennis when these two greats leave? They are by far the biggest tennis attraction and two of the most popular sportsmen in the world. Just take a look at their fan numbers on their twitter and facebook accounts. They have built so much momentum for the sport that when they leave their presence will be sorely missed. Tennis popularity will fade and the game will suffer.
True tennis lovers will always follow the game; however Nadal and Federer have done what very few ever manage to do in their respective sports: break down barriers and borders.
Think of it this way. When you watch an individual sport, like tennis, you usually back the person who is from your country. It becomes more of an act of patriotism.
In the 90’s there was a very clear indication of this. Sampras and Agassi had the biggest fan bases, and everywhere they went, especially the United States, they were cheered on in full effect. But when they came to Europe to face the likes of Edberg, Becker, Henman or even Ivanisevic, it all changed. The fans of Sampras and Agassi became like two peas in a soup.
The huge fan bases of Nadal and Federer do not contain only people from Spain and Switzerland, but literally from all over the world. Even if they are playing in a foreign country against a local lad, they still get vast amounts of support.
And how have they done this? Is it from being notorious, stuck up, controversial and connote like most superstars? No. they have done it by being the exact opposite of all those things and massively talented in the process.
Have you ever seen such sort of ambassadors in any other sport? Wherever they go they are respected, and no one ever has anything bad to say about them. Their rivalry, character and talent have managed to make tennis arguably the second or third biggest sport globally, trailing only Football and maybe Formula One.
They have managed to integrate themselves into other sports and into folklore. There are many athletes from other sports who have often talked about the Nadal and Federer rivalry, whilst they have also attended many of their games. Roger Federer has had his face put on a Swiss stamp, while Rafael Nadal has given his name to an asteroid.
Tennis, for quite a few years now, has revolved around these two athletes. In 90% of tennis discussions one or both of their names will be mentioned, and many times tennis becomes secondary. Instead of focusing on their games or talents, fans focus on their character and nuances.
When these giants of the game leave, so will the audiences, until someone else carries the fire. Sadly there does not seem to be anyone who can do that at the moment.
It has already happened in the WTA. When Justin Henin retired from tennis three years ago women’s tennis suffered. Add this to the fact that Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters only play a few tournaments a year and you understand why most stadiums they play in are half empty (even if Henin has returned to the tour).
Hopefully men’s tennis will not follow in the path of the WTA. The men’s game has always managed to replenish itself throughout the years; however it will be a huge ask to fill the shoes that Nadal and Federer will leave behind, when they finally decide to call it quits.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer: They Seem Friendly But Their Fans Are Not
Dec 1st
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
The Nadal-Federer rivalry is the most talked about rivalry in tennis history with the head to head statistic being a popular topic of discussion. An unusual feature of this rivalry is that while the champions seem friendly with each other, their fans are at daggers drawn.
Some of the Federer fans seem to hate Nadal, some accuse him of cheating and state it as a certainty that his career will be brought to an end soon because of his knees. Some even go to the extent of speculating on the possibility of his dying in an accident!
Most of the Nadal fans do not hate Federer but prefer their idol. The only criticism they level against Federer is his admiration for himself and his seeming lack of grace sometimes in acknowledging his rivals’ strengths.
When Roger Federer was dominating the tennis world, he seemed to dominate his opponents effortlessly and completely. He steamrollered the other players and crushed them so completely that when he praised Fish because he took a set off him at Wimbledon 2003, it was seen as a compliment not just by Federer but also by his millions of adoring fans. Who knows, even Fish might have seen it as a compliment.
With Nadal however, the domination is of a different kind. With him, we have to go through emotional rollercoasters while he endeavors to get the better of his opponents in his epic battles.
The two champions also have a different approach to their victories. Federer, possibly because he could crush his opponents, is absorbed in his victory and has little or no sympathy for the vanquished. He is loathe to share credit for his victories with anyone, not even his coaches, as seen in his almost casual reference to Annacone after his WTF victory. When he wins, he says it is because he is hugely talented. When he loses, it is because he did not play well.
Nadal, on the other hand, having fought every point, knows he could well have been on the losing side and so feels the pain of the player he finally brought to his knees.
So, with their contrasting styles of play and approach to victory and defeat, it is not surprising that they have attracted different types of fans.
The Federer style attracts two types of fans: those who admire totalitarianism (a style which brooks no opposition) and those who admire effortless grace and beauty in tennis.
The first type hates Nadal because he punctured their idol’s invincibility. Had he been as ruthless as Federer in his elimination of his opponents, they might have switched loyalties to him but they cannot admire him because he is too human. He struggles. His victories are not effortless. He is so obviously not a God.
In short, this type of Federer fan is the sort that is attracted to an all-powerful God who can crush his challengers like an elephant crushes ants. As Federer is a God to this fan, any criticism of him is seen as blasphemy and there is no mercy shown to dissenters.
Usually, instead of countering “unwelcome” opinions or facts, the “totalitarian” fan prefers to attack the person who stated the opinion or presented the facts. The “offending” person is vilified as a hater and accused of being “sick in mind.”
Even reminders of Federer’s age and predictions of impact this could have on his performance are dismissed as “garbage” and this type of fan fully expects Federer to continue to dominate the tennis world forever.
However, the other type of Federer fan is attracted by the beauty of Federer’s style and appreciation of his genius rather than by his dominance or ruthless crushing of the opponents. These fans constitute the tolerant part of his fan base—while they prefer Federer, they do not hate Nadal. They also see their idol as a human. They accept some criticism of him and are generally prepared to listen to reason instead of joining the “totalitarian” mob in its blood lust for the “dissenters.” While this reasonable type may constitute the majority or at least half of the fan base, it is not as vocal as the totalitarian group.
The Nadal style attracts those who are admirers of the human spirit: the constant endeavor to overcome obstacles and to accept new challenges.
The Nadal fans do not hate Federer. Many of them, in fact, are admirers of Federer for his undoubted genius and fluid grace, but they have given their hearts to Nadal.
Nadal fans are attracted by their hero’s display of his emotions as he battles, his struggles against his injuries, his modesty, his empathetic compassion for those he defeats and above all by his champion’s heart.
They are more tolerant of dissent and endeavor to convince rather than bulldoze others into acceptance of their views.
If there had been only the “beauty and genius” fans of Federer to contend with, the fans of the two rivals would probably have got along as well as the champions themselves. But the “totalitarian” fan, with his penchant for steamrollering all opposition has introduced vitriol into what should have been friendly debates.
