Category: Articles

Twitter reacts to Rafael Nadal’s wonderful display of sportsmanship

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Rafael Nadal is one of the nicest and classiest players in tennis, and he again showed why on Monday. Despite fourth round loss, he was waiting patiently for Gilles Muller to gather his gear so they can exit the arena side by side after a classic match.

The packed crowd on Court One noticed Rafa’s gracious act and rose to their feet, arguably cheering louder for Rafa than Muller. Rafa also stopped to sign some autographs.

Tennis fans, media and players worldwide also took to social media to praise our champ!

Continue reading “Twitter reacts to Rafael Nadal’s wonderful display of sportsmanship” →

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VIDEO: Rafael Nadal signs fan’s prosthetic leg after beating Donald Young | Wimbledon 2017

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Rafael Nadal defeated Donald Young to reach the third round at Wimbledon – and celebrated by signing a supporter’s prosthetic leg. He told reporters that it wasn’t the strangest thing he’d ever signed. Watch!

Wimbledon 2017: Rafael Nadal answers questions about his knees

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Here are a few quotes from Rafael Nadal’s July 3rd post-match press conference.

I always expect to go on court and compete well, try my best. Things sometimes goes better, and things sometimes goes worst.

But, no, I don’t know, was a very positive match for me, a good start. That’s doesn’t mean a lot. The only thing that means was today was a very positive start. I am through to the second round. That’s a very important thing for me.

And I’m happy because I didn’t win a lot of matches last couple of years here in Wimbledon. Today I win one, and I am looking forward to play the second one.

My knees are ready for the second round probably, that’s all. And I am happy that I am here playing again in Wimbledon and with positive feelings in terms of health. That’s the most important thing.

It’s true that after 2012 what happened with my knees has made it tougher for me to compete on grass. I love grass. It’s a surface I really enjoy playing on. I missed playing Wimbledon again [last year], so I hope my knees will hold up well and that I can have the preparation that I really need. If I have pain in my knees, then I know it’s almost impossible. I need to have strong and powerful legs to play well at Wimbledon.

Sources: Wimbledon, Metro, Express

Rafael Nadal likely to be seeded 4th for Wimbledon

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Rafael Nadal is ranked second in the latest ATP rankings, but he will likely to be the fourth seed at the Wimbledon due to seeding formula. With his win in Halle, Roger Federer has moved ahead of Rafa into third place in the seedings.

The significance of the seeding shift means that Rafa will avoid any potential meeting with Federer until the final, while he will only have to face one of Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

 Roger Allen – Pool/AELTC/Getty Images

Wimbledon Men’s Singles top 8 seeds:

  1. Murray
  2. Djokovic
  3. Federer
  4. Nadal
  5. Wawrinka
  6. Raonic
  7. Cilic
  8. Thiem

Unlike the other three Slams, Wimbledon is not bound to follow the ATP rankings when it comes to seeding its own tournament by virtue of its status as a private club.

Since 2001, the All England Club has applied a seeding formula that takes into account a player’s historical success on grass.

The formula is:
– Take the Emirates ATP Ranking points at 26 June 2017
– Add 100% of the points earned for all grass court tournaments in the past 12 months
– Add 75% of the points earned for the best grass court tournament in the 12 months before that

Rafael Nadal to prepare for Wimbledon with two exhibition matches

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Rafael Nadal is to warm up for Wimbledon with two exhibition matches at the Aspall Tennis Classic at Hurlingham. The event runs from Tuesday 27th – Friday 30th June 2017 and is the perfect warm-up to Wimbledon.

Getty Images

Other ATP players included in the line-up are World No. 1 Andy Murray, World No. 6 Milos Raonic, World No. 13 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, World No 14 Tomas Berdych, World No. 17 Lucas Pouille and World No. 252 Tommy Haas.

Joining them will be some of the sport’s favourite legends – former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski, two-time grand slam finalist Mark Philippoussis, former World No. 4 Thomas Enqvist, 1986 French Open finalist Mikael Pernfors and Mansour Bahrami.

UPDATED: Rafa will play two singles matches across the week; taking on Tomas Berdych on Wednesday 28th June and then Tommy Haas on Friday 30th June in his preparations for a third Wimbledon title.  His last appearance at The Hurlingham Club was in 2014.

Rafa:

The Aspall Tennis Classic at The Hurlingham Club is a lot of fun and it’s always exciting to play in front of the UK fans, so I can’t wait to return this week. I’m working hard and enjoying every week as it comes, so this is the perfect way to get ready for Wimbledon.

Tired Rafael Nadal needs rest before Wimbledon

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Rafael Nadal says he will miss next week’s tournament at Queen’s Club as he needs to rest ahead of Wimbledon.

Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 

Our champ posted on his Facebook page:

I am very sorry to say that I am not going to be able play Queen’s next week. I am sad to make this decision because I love Queen’s, I won the tournament in 2008 and every time I reached the Wimbledon final it was after playing Queen’s.

I was hoping to take some days off and then be ready, but at 31, and after a long clay court season with all of the emotions of Roland Garros, and after speaking to my team and doctors, I have decided my body needs to rest if I am going to be ready to play Wimbledon.

Sorry to all the great fans in Britain and to the tournament organisers. I hope to see you at Queen’s next year.

Rest well, Rafa!

Rafael Nadal qualifies for Tour Finals already

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Rafael Nadal has become the first player to book his place at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London in November after he won a record 10th French Open title in Paris on Sunday.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

He has claimed four titles on the tour this year, winning 46 matches and losing just six in a stellar 2017.

Rafa:

I’ve had a great season so far and I am happy to have already qualified for London.

I could not play last year because of injury so I look forward to returning in November.

Our champ has never won the event, but finished runner-up in 2010 and 2013, losing out to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, respectively.

The ATP World Tour Finals, which features the world’s top eight singles players and top eight doubles pairs, will be held at London’s O2 Arena from Nov. 12-19.

Source: Reuters