ARTICLES:
- Nadal vs. Dimitrov Preview Analysis (via ATP)
… Dimitrov’s serving performance will be critical as Nadal’s return game is one of the best. Both players have dropped serve just four times in four rounds. Dimitrov will look to improve his return of serve statistics against the World No. 1. The Bulgarian has won just 44 percent of return points on second serve, compared to Nadal’s 62 percent.
… ”They are routines, but the point is they’re meant to try and control anxiety. It’s about getting a ‘just right’ feeling: ‘I can feel just right if I line my bottles up.’ It brings a sense of completion, and if you leave something incomplete, it creates a stress.” … ”[But] when it comes to Rafa himself, I don’t think he’s suffering from a disorder.”
- Nadal left fuming by time violations (via ESPN)
… “I accept that sometimes I was slow and I respect that,” Nadal said. “I don’t want to change any rule. The negative thing in my opinion is not the warning. The negative thing is the moment: 4-4, deuce. You can choose another moment to do it, not that one.
- Day 10 preview: Smashes, spines and superstars (via ausopen.com)
…. In the afternoon quarterfinal, Nadal plays budding superstar Grigor Dimitrov. He has won all three previous meetings but the Bulgarian has taken a set each time.
- Davis Cup: Feliciano, Bautista and Marrero on Moyá’s first team-sheet (via madrid-open.com)
… Neither world number 1 Rafael Nadal, number 3 David Ferrer or Nicolás Almagro, who is recovering from an injury, will be available to Carlos Moyá in the first playoff of World Group I, in which Spain face a tricky tie against Germany in Frankfurt.
- El doctor Cotorro confía en que la lesión de Rafa en la mano mejorará (via teinteresa.es)
… “Esta es una zona de apoyo típica de Rafa, en cuatro o cinco días si estás parado la piel coge otra consistencia con cremas, pero ahora la crema también lo reblandece un poco y hay que estar jugando cada día con esas circunstancias”, explicó. “Rebajamos cada día todo lo que se va estropeando. El problema es la poca defensa que tiene en esa zona, que es de asiento de sensaciones”
… «No es doloroso pero sí es difícil de cubrir, y si lo hago me impide sentir la bola y la raqueta. Si sigo así me la voy a destrozar», comentó. El número uno del mundo desveló que hace unos días se inflamó, pero ahora está «en carne viva» y que no puede permitirse el lujo de parar ni de dejar de entrenarse.
- An Interview with Grigor Dimitrov (via AO)
… “We all know that he has won tons of slams. He’s been a tremendous competitor. He’s Rafa. We all know him.”
- Advantage Rafa by BMD
- SIHH 2014: Richard Mille RM 35-01 Rafael Nadal (via blog.perpetuelle.com)
… This new hand-wound, Rafael Nadal-inspired watch from haute watchmaker Richard Mille combines the spirit of the legendary RM 027 (Rafa’s first watch from Mille) with a carbon case manufactured using the NTPT ® technology recently developed by Richard Mille.
VIDEOS:
- Nadal’s 4th Round v Nishikori rated by his fans – Australian Open 2014
- AO 2014: behind the scenes – 2014 Australian Open
PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal practices ahead of quarterfinal with Baby Federer in Melbourne
ICYMI: What time does Rafael Nadal play against Grigor Dimitrov, and where can you watch? Find out here. // ¿A qué hora juega Rafa Nadal? ¿Cómo ver el partido online? Compruébalo aquí.
Contest: “Tell us which player you are looking most forward to at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors, and one of you will WIN an ATP Media Guide 2014 signed by him, just for you!” (via PBZ Zagreb Indoors) Rafa on the cover 🙂
Vamos Rafa, a por Dimitrov, y por las semis.