ARTICLES:
Roger Federer hopes to see his rival Rafael Nadal back on tour soon, but he won’t deny that the Spaniard’s absence from the U.S. Open creates an opportunity. Nadal announced last week that he would not defend his U.S. Open title due to a right wrist injury he sustained during training, meaning the Spaniard’s stronghold over Federer — he owns a 23-10 advantage in their career head-to-head — won’t be getting any worse in New York City. “For us, the players, I mean, we hope he gets well and he feels better quickly and all these things and he’s back on tour soon,” Federer told reporters on Saturday. “But at the same time, I think what stands out is the opportunity to try to take advantage of him, the fact that he’s not here. It’s one less really difficult player to beat maybe.”
- Djokovic “Extremely Motivated And Inspired” In New York (via ATP World Tour)
“Rafa obviously has a serious injury, otherwise he wouldn’t be here. I’m sure about that. I’ve known him for many years. He’s a great competitor. He’s somebody that doesn’t give up so easily. If he had the chance to play the US Open, he’d be here. Obviously not having Nadal in any tournament is a loss…”
Q. Does tennis need a shot clock? Patrick McEnroe: “I think they should enforce the rule…I think that the players get away with murder, okay? The fact that the officials too much in my opinion let the players run the asylum…I love Rafael Nadal, don’t get me wrong. If I’m Rafael Nadal, everybody knows when they call the match, he’s going to sit there for five minutes and not come out of the locker room. You know what, last time I checked, when the Super Bowl is going to kick off, at 6:42, guess what, it kicks off at 6:42.”
- Roger Federer’s longevity or Rafael Nadal’s high point? Think carefully (U.S. Open) (via oregonlive.com)
Right now Roger Federer holds the record with 17, but his nearly-five-years-younger rival Rafael Nadal is coming on strong, with 14. Starting next week at the U.S. Open, the 33-year-old Federer will get a chance to add to his record, while the 28-year-old Nadal is on the shelf with a wrist injury. Tennis correspondent Simon Briggs of London’s Daily Telegraph puts the longevity question thusly: “we can probably agree that Nadal at his best would beat a fit and firing Federer on the majority of surfaces. Even on grass, judging by the epoch-defining Wimbledon final of 2008. But could Nadal ever be as great, for as long, as Federer has been? Not a chance.”
- “Nadal no necesita ningún tipo de cirugía en la muñeca” (via puntodebreak.com)
Benito Pérez Barbadillo, jefe de prensa de Rafael Nadal, charló en la radio de la BBC sobre la lesión del actual número dos del mundo. “De ninguna manera necesita cirugía en la muñeca. Es una lesión completamente diferente a la de Juan Martín Del Potro, el tendón no está afectado. … No sé y tampoco quiero decir una fecha porque luego todo el mundo se va a ‘tirar encima’ de lo que diga… pero no debería tardar mucho. Ojalá podamos verlo en Asia y por qué no en la Copa Davis, pero no estoy diciendo que sea el caso. No es el momento para hablar de esto”.
- Andy Murray’s New Tennis Partner (via The Wall Street Journal)
“There’s a lot of coaches out there, male coaches, that Amélie could comfortably beat at tennis,” Murray said. “I’m sure if Amélie played tennis against Toni Nadal [Rafael Nadal’s uncle and coach] it would be a pretty comfortable win for Amélie.“
- In case you are going to the US Open have a look at Mel’s Tennis Fans Guide to Going to the US Open (via grandslamgal.com)
PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal soaks up the sun on yacht with his girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello
VIDEOS:
since rafa is not playing , i have not seen a single match so far at u.s. open
Nothing fires up a tennis court like a Nadal/Federer or a Nadal/Djokovic, or a Nadal/_____battle!!!! It’s disingenuous to think otherwise. With due respect to all, Rafa lights the fires! All of us look forward to seeing our champion battle on the tennis courts, but we want to know he is physically able to do so without fear of re-injury. So, Rafa, come back when you’re really ready and not a moment too soon. VAMOS RAFA!!! Eres el Numero Uno!!
I LOVE THE PASSION FO ALL THE ABOVE ABOUT RAFA, AND AGREE, I GET REALLY ANGRY WHEN THESE SO CALLED EXPERTS ,, KNOW IT ALL,, WELL YOU DONT SO SIT DOWN BACK IN YOUR BOX AND BE QUIET
Rafa will be greatly missed at U.S. Open I personally will not look at tennis only when Rafa play I enjoy otherwise it’s very boring,Rafa is a very exciting player on court then Monfils! When Rafa comes back I believe he will win AO, French,Wimby and U.S.Open and then he may retire
I thought the same thung minus the retirement. We don’t want Rafa retiring now
Patrick McEnroe is full of crap. There are plenty of players who violate the 25-second time rule, not just Rafa. For him to single out Rafa on this issue shows where he’s coming from.
He and his brother John, as well as most of their fellow announcers, openly root for Federer and against Rafa whenever they’re on the court – playing each other or not. You’d have to be deaf, dumb & blind not to notice it.
Whenever Federer loses a match, it’s because he “had an off day”, “was injured”, or “wasn’t trying that hard.” But whenever Rafa loses, it’s because “his opponent was simply better than him.”
Notice how many of these announcers are picking Federer to win the US Open this year, even though Djokovic has OWNED Federer at this event in recent years, and is clearly the best outdoor hard-court player in the world, with the possible exception of Rafa. Federer hasn’t reached a US Open final since 2009, while Djokovic has reached the final the last 4 years.
It’s all-Roger-all-the-time with these biased announcers. There’s a few exceptions, such as Darren Cahill & Jim Courier. Even Federer’s former coach, Paul Annacone, is far more objective & fair in his analysis than McEnroe and these other clowns are.
Of course these biased announcers will always insist that they are not biased. But, as Mark Twain famously said, “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.”
Rafa may not have the longevity to Federer that makes it even greater his accomplishment in a shoter span. That makes him the GREASTEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME. End of conversation
If everyone could just leave Rafa alone he is his own person and just STOP comparing him becuse guess what there will never be another player like him. He is good for Tennis because when Rafa is out tennis is BORING. And to mr McInroe he is not the only one who takes time and wait until he is done you all will be wishing he was still there. Vamos Rafa get well on your own time even though we miss you terribly
no estoy de acuerdo con desiree. rafa tomate el tiempo necesario para curarte y no volver a sufrir lesiones. son ls medicos los que deben decidir cual es el tiempo delreposo. sanate y luego vuelve al ruedo. lo hiciciste antes lo podras hacer en el futuro. deseo que te sanes pronto. se extraña muchotu espectacular juego de efectos que le imprimes a la bola. eres unico en ese estilo. el rey del top spin.
Rafa missing you badly please heal quickly so we can see you on the tour again . No Rafa No Tennis ❤️❤️❤️😘😘👍
I agree with you without Rafa tennis is boring…vamos Rafa get well soon.
Roger not afraid to tell the truth I like that about him rafa will be back so enjoy it now Mr.fed love u rafa