ARTICLES:
- UPDATED: Defending Champion Rafael Nadal Withdraws Due to Wrist Injury (via cincytennis.com)
“Unfortunately I injured my right wrist yesterday during practice and after the tests I have undergone today in Spain, including an MRI, and checking with my doctors, I will have to stay out of competition for at least 2-3 weeks. I am sorry and wish the best to the tournament and thank all of the fans for their support,” said Nadal.
“I’m extremely disappointed that I am unable to defend my titles and compete in Toronto and Cincinnati this year. I was looking forward to coming and playing again after my great results last year.”
“It is very unfortunate that Rafa is unable to defend his title. He is a great champion, and his run to the title last year electrified our fans. We will miss him, and we wish him a very speedy recovery,” said tournament director Vince Cicero.”
- UPDATED: Nadal eyes return at U.S. Open (via ESPN)
Nadal’s manager, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, wrote in an emailed release that the Spaniard was hurt in practice on his home island of Mallorca while getting ready for the North American hard-court circuit. Perez-Barbadillo said that doctors determined Wednesday that Nadal will need to wear a cast on his wrist for two to three weeks and the initial prognosis is for him to be able to return to action at the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 25. But doctors will keep tabs on the injury, including with MRI exams, and then decide when Nadal can play again.
- Nadal and Djokovic back in control: ‘I wouldn’t say it’s really open’ says Berdych (via The National)
“There are three guys staying up there,” Berdych said. “There was one change with Stan getting up there by winning the Slam at the beginning of the year. You really need to win a Slam to get there. Stan had a great run in Australia. “Then Rafa and Novak. Nothing really changed after that. I wouldn’t say it’s really open there. It was just the moment Stan jumped up and took it. I think it’s back to the old lines like it was before.”
- Rafael Nadal: I Am Not The Favorite To Finish The Year No. 1 (via tennis-x.com)
Nadal told reporters that despite his strong standing in the rankings, that Novak Djokovic, not him, is the favorite to finish the year No. 1. Nadal also added that his happiness doesn’t depend on being No. 1 or No. 2. However when he is healthy he is happy.
“No voy a pelear para volver a ser el número uno, ya lo dije cuando volví de mi lesión de rodilla en 2013”. “El número uno ya dije que nunca más quizá volvería a ser un objetivo para mí y no lo va a ser. No voy a hacer nada que vaya en contra de que me pueda quitar meses o algún año de carrera para intentar pelear el número uno”, ha indicado el mallorquín que asegura que le hace más feliz “poder ver que estoy sano”.
- Mason is giving tennis his best shot (via dailytelegraph.com.au)
This talented 11-year-old tennis player has dreams of taking on the world’s number one, but first he needs to practice, practice, practice. … The mental work is just as important as physical, as it helps players get out of a slump. His idol Rafael Nadal, whom he hopes to challenge one day, has a similar mentality. “He (Rafael) can be down two sets and come back to win,” Mason said. “To play against him would be the ultimate feeling.”
- Q&A with Marin Cilic (via SI.com)
SI.com: If you could improve your game physically, mentally, or tactically, which one would you choose? Cilic: Physically, I think. Tactically and mentally, I think I’m good. In today’s game, the quickest guys have the advantage. And in general in sports, if you’re fast you have a much bigger chance to succeed. I’m trying to improve, but it’s tough against natural athletes who are amazingly fast like Rafa [Nadal] or Roger [Federer] or Novak.
- El deporte nos junta y los valores nos unen (via Rafa Nadal Fundacion)
PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal practices in Manacor
VIDEOS:
- ATP World Tour Uncovered Emirates Airline US Open Series Preview
- Manacor homenajea a Nadal
- Rafel Nadal descobreix una nova imatge seva al Club de Tennis de Manacor
REMINDER: Tennis Tuesday: Which player has the greatest fan base? Vote for Rafa!
I am so sorry for Rafa. Yeah, I said the same thing as Mitch, Roger Federer is the luckiest guy in the tennis circuit with very min. injury over the years. Hope Rafa get well soon in time for US Open. Really hope he stays healthy to win more matches. Tennis is so boring without him. Vamos Rafa!
Quelle nouvelle ,on pouvait pas avoir pire que ça :/
Rafa get well soon, we will miss your game…se are waiting for the U.S. Open!! VAMOS RAFA ✌️💪
Hopefully, Rafa will recover as quickly as Djokovic did from his wrist injury a few months ago, and will be 100% healthy for the US Open. Missing Toronto and Cincinnati is nothing to lose any sleep over. But missing another slam would be a major blow to Rafa and his fans.
Funny how Federer stays so healthy, even at his advanced age, while so many other players get sick or injured over and over and over again. Not even a rolled ankle, an upset stomach, a blister, or a runny nose for the man from Basel. He’s got to be the luckiest guy on the ATP tour, if not the entire planet. He should play the lottery. He’d probably hit the jackpot every time.
Get well soon, Rafa. The ATP tour won’t be the same without you. Not even close. VAMOS!!!
Roger is lucky but he has been hurt don’t forget his back was hurt for a while, and he had Mono.
I am gutted and sad.How can someone has so much bad luck.it’s sickening to see him (and Del Potro for that matter) injured and missing the best (last) years of his career.
Rafa & rafans,stay positive !!!
Was looking forward to watching you play. Never mind. Will pray for you. Get well soon . God bless you. Love you rafa. Come back for the US open.
Hope you´ll get well soon takecares will miss you……..VAMOS RAFA
I, along with many, many others, am disappointed that Rafa has injured his wrist. However, I hope he recovers fully, and better still, he’ll recover FULLY and we will see him win the US OPEN!!! VAMOS, RAFA!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Already have tickets to see you in Cincy Wednesday thru Sunday. So very sorry you are injured. Get well soon, and the tournament won’t be the same without you. :((((
I am so sorry to hear about Rafa’s injury but realize playing at such a high level for so many years does takes it’s toll on the body. Wishing Rafa a speedy recovery.
I hope to see him play at the US Open. Better to be 100% healthy than to play when physically compromised. Although I always love watching Rafa play tennis, he’ll have many more opportunities in the future. Rest and relax!
I am so sorry for u rafa I kinda had a bad feeling looking at the practice photos today when I read the article about mardy and Andy I said it is so easy to get injured especially during the break and rafa came to mind I feel so bad for rafa
Rafa , je suis très malheureuse pour toi . J’avais hâte de te voir jouer sur la tournée américaine . Mais bon, Ca ne changera rien . Pauvre Rafa , soigne toi bien et reviens nous en force
So sorry Rafa.. I have tickets to Cincy finals and was hoping to see you there, but alas. Hope you recover well in time to give US Open a good shot.
Poor Nadal, so so sad 🙁
I’m absolutely gutted that Rafa is injured and will miss the next 2 / 3 weeks ,get well soon Rafa,hope you will be fit to. Play in the US OPEN,
so sorry for My guy Rafa. man I will miss him he is my very favorite Tennis pro ever, makes me sad that he his hurt and cant compete.he is the sweetest Guy t just love him. heal fast Rafa be ready for the US. Open.
you will be soso mssed rafa soooo sorry for you