ARTICLES:
- Wimbledon 2015: Rafael Nadal and Dustin Brown second round preview with Heather Watson (via The Telegraph)
It will be an interesting clash of styles. On the one hand you have Dustin, who likes to serve big and then race to the net – even on second serves – against Rafa, who is more a builder of points but with big weapons off the ground. Perhaps, after what happened last year in Halle, Rafa will be mindful of that, and will change up his game accordingly. On the basis of the confidence he showed in the first round I think Rafa will advance, though Dustin will give it his best shot and the crowd will certainly be entertained.
The flashy German with a stylish grass court game has beaten Nadal on the surface before. That win came last year in Halle. Brown, a qualifier ranked No. 102, now gets a chance to show the world what he can do on Centre Court against the Spaniard (third match).
- Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal maintain friendship with regular games of FIFA, the Scot’s mother reveals (via Daily Mail)
The pair, just 11 months apart in age, are close pals by the standards of the leading tennis players and Andy’s mum Judy has revealed they regularly compete at football simulation games like FIFA 15. ‘I remember on one occasion I was sitting on the sofa at Andy’s house and he started laughing and cheering out of nowhere,’ said Judy. ‘I was a bit taken aback so I asked him what it was, and he said he was playing FIFA with Rafa who was in Mallorca.‘ Both Murray and Nadal are big football fans with the Scotsman supporting Arsenal and the Spaniard following Real Madrid.
- Rafael Nadal: No-coaching rule during matches absurd (via Sport360)
“It was logical many years ago because some players had coaches, and others didn’t, so this was protection for those who didn’t have coaches,” explained Nadal. “But now everybody has a coach so today I don’t see any player in this circuit who doesn’t have a coach so it’s rather absurd that everyone pays for a coach to help him and then when you need him the most you can’t talk to him. But rules are rules. But if you ask me my opinion, I’ve given you my opinion now.”
- Wimbledon 2015: Rafael Nadal’s coach says it’s good to talk during play (via The Guardian)
“You pay a coach to watch the game. It’s unbelievable that all the other people [in the stadium] can say what they want and the coach can say nothing. It’s unbelievable. You pay a coach to go all the way to Australia, then all the crowd can say what they want and the coach has to sit four hours silent. I say things like pay attention, come on, move your legs, but nothing else. It’s impossible [to say nothing]. In our federation in Mallorca they had rules where coaches could say nothing to the kids. I said it’s a problem because it’s difficult for them to learn when they are young.”
- Q&A: Toni Nadal (via Wimbledon)
Q. If you could take one shot from any player, past or present what would it be? Toni: Nadal’s mental strength, McEnroe’s volley, Federer’s forehand, and Djokovic’s backhand.
VIDEOS:
- Digital Serve: Day 4 preview (via ESPN)
- Federer on rivalry with king of clay Rafael Nadal (via CNN)
- Toni Nadal: Rafa is a favourite (via Sky Sports)
- Rafael Nadal Stars In New Nike Advert
- Coaching Corner: Rafael Nadal’s forehand (via Wimbledon)
- Wimbledon (01/07/2015): Crónica Nadal (via Canal+)
- Wimbledon (30/06/2015): “Este Año Está Siendo Complicado A Nivel De Estabilidad” (via Canal+)
Great to see that Rafa and Andy have good relationchip. Vamos Rafa, good luck for today <3 <3 <3