ARTICLES:
I’m going to work hard with the right attitude to play better than what I did today. I’m going to try. I will be happy if I finish the season, take one week and a half holidays, and to practise one month with perfect conditions to try to start the next season with positive feelings.
- Toni Nadal: “Mi adiós está cerca” (via planetatenis.es)
Tengo una edad que ya estoy cerca de ‘dejar las pistas’ se retire Rafael o no. Supongo que seguiré vinculado con el mundo del tenis. Rafael abre una academia en Manacor así que supongo que me dedicaré a trabajar allí.
- Nadal desafina ante Klizan (via El Pais)
El español dejó Pekín con un balance positivo de su primer torneo después de tres meses de parón por una lesión en la muñeca derecha: le falta ritmo de piernas y claridad de ideas, pero el general del juego no está resentido y parece listo para cuando el cuerpo le permita intentar imponer su velocidad de crucero.
- Return Game – What Rafa’s loss to Martin Klizan means, and doesn’t mean, to Steve Tignor (via tennis.com)
As a lefty, Klizan can take Rafa’s best shot, his cross-court forehand, and send it right back with his own forehand. Today in Beijing, he did that with interest, and finished with 33 winners to Nadal’s 21—his return of serve was especially devastating. Klizan, even when he was behind, never appeared to lose the belief that he had the game to beat Rafa. … For his career, he has won just three tournaments held after the U.S. Open, and two of those came in 2005. No wonder Nadal said today that he didn’t expect to win this one.
- Where have all the heart-throbs gone? (via The Daily Telegraph)
There’s not a footballer, cricket star or swimmer who deserves a universally hallowed spot on a bedroom wall. If they’re not roasting, it seems either they’re Botoxing or Stillnoxing. Rafael Nadal, the gentleman of gentleman’s tennis, would be the notable sporting exception. The man is a pure delight to watch, his exquisite manners unfurling in the most taxing of situations, such as a straight sets defeat. An insouciant shrug and a handshake as the Spaniard leaves the court and all the ladies in the grandstand topple like dreamy dominoes.
PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal out of Beijing
VIDEOS:
Every opponent ups their game when they face an opponent with the reputation NADAL BRINGS ON COURT EVERY TIME. THEY ALL KNOW THEY’LL HAVE TO PLAY THEIR BEST GAME EVEN TO LIVE ON COURT WITH NADAL.. sOMETIMES THIS DETERMINATIONS ALLOWS THEM TO WILL
BUT RAFA BRINGS THE SAME “BEST TENNIS TO EVERY GAME. WHO ELSE IS ABLE TO DO THAT.?
Heavy is the heart that wares the crown…
I agree with you
It means Nada. Rafa never dwells on the past. That’s why he has such a body of work
and so many titles and championships to his name. Any athlete no matter what the sport
doesn’t win every single match, game or tournament. These sportscasters always over-analyze everything. Right now he is testing the waters after his absence. They should
be glad he is back! I am! Klizan played well but now he has to back it up against Berdych! Consistency is always the hard part in tennis. Hopefully the balls will be of better quality
in Shanghai! Look forward to Rafa’s next tournament! Vamos as always, Rafa!
I am so sorry, sweet Rafa. I love you dearly. I love to watch you play tennis. I love your gentlemanly manners. I love your wonderful sportsmanship. I love your kindness to children, your respect for your parents, your gratitude to your fans. Will be eagerly waiting for your next challenge and keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck.
How do I read the occasional article written in Spanish to English. Can you offer a “click” to do that for just that particular article. For example: Uncle Toni’s remarks. I can never read…they are usually all in Spanish. Can you offer it in English as well.
Rafa is thinking about Shanghai now. He doesn’t waste time thinking, “What if”. VAMOS, RAFA!!! ERES EL NUMERO UNO SIEMPRE!!!