ARTICLES:
- Match of the Day: Rafa’s early test (via Australian Open)
Rafael Nadal has won only four matches since Wimbledon. Mikhail Youzhny has beaten the Spaniard four times in his career. This spells trouble any way you slice it. Nadal will open his Australian Open campaign on Monday with one of the trickiest tests in the draw – against a former top 10 opponent with nothing to lose, who possesses a proven recipe to derail the Australian Open 2009 champion.
- Nadal “Working Big-time” To Return To Top Form (via ATP World Tour)
“Being here is a big motivation. This is a tournament I really like a lot. Even if I have a lot of injuries in my career, in this tournament, I always had a great feeling here. And I hope, I really hope, that this will be a good start of an important year for me. I am enjoying every day here. I hope to be here more days.”
- Las emociones de Nadal (via El Pais)
Ahora, Nadal entra en terreno desconocido. Pisa los cinco sets de un grande sin referencias. Como dijo él mismo: “No me considero favorito para ganar aquí (…). Vengo con la máxima ilusión de hacerlo lo mejor posible, pero sabiendo que puede pasar cualquier cosa desde el primer día”.
- Full House: Men’s Australian Open Preview (via tennis.com)
- Australian Open FAQs (via ESPN)
The secret to Nadal’s success? Match play: “Last week in Doha I did a very good thing in the first set, played very good first set. But then I lose the intensity on my game, I lose the rhythm, something that normally never happen to me when I am competing two weeks in a row. That is something you need when you didn’t play for a long time. I don’t know about in which part of my game I’m more happy. But I really know what I have to do to be happy with my game.
- Tennis Expert Picks – Australian Open (via ESPN)
PHOTOS:
- Australian Open 2015: Rafael Nadal practice session
- Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open 2015 IMG Players Party (+ VIDEO)
- Rafael Nadal graces the cover of TennisNow Magazine (Click here to read the magazine)
AUDIO: Australian Open: Rafael Nadal’s pre-tournament press conference (via Tennis Topic)
VIDEOS:
- The night before the AO 2015 (via Australian Open)
- Interview with Rafael Nadal – in Spanish (via rtve.es)
- Nadal practice from the side – AO 2015 (via YouTube/Ben B)
- AO Expert: Paul Annacone analyses the Men’s draw (via Australian Open)
- We’re ready for you (via Australian Open)
Reminder: Australian Open R1: Nadal vs. Youzhny – What time does Rafa play? Find out here. / A que hora juega Rafa en tu país? Descúbrelo aquí.
All the best my dear..I know God is gonna help you..Lets Pray for this humble guy..go for it Rafa..:-)..May God be with u always all the days of ur life..:-)..
Rafa needs to hit the ball deep to Youzhny’s one-handed backhand until he gets a short return, then hit it hard and deep to Youzhny’s forehand. He also needs to avoid risky sideline shots. The vast majority of Rafa’s errors are wide or into the net. He must focus on reducing those errors with proper shot selection. Ignore the naysayers, Rafa. You can do it. VAMOS!!!
All the best for the match Rafa. Vamos<3
Good Luck for you, Rafa!!! 🍀🍀🍀