TennisToday

Rafael Nadal Serves Drinks and DJ's at Bacardi Event in Mallorca Last Night

Champions Drink Responsibly.

Nice to see him smile on grass again!

Make mine a Blonde Bombshell.

Anything but Ke$ha, ok bud?

Rafael Nadal Relaxes as Wimbledon Continues Without Him

The best way to forget a stinging first round loss at Wimbledon?

Grab some friends and float around Ibiza fishing and relaxing.

But damn, look at the tape on that knee...

Who knows when next we will see him play again.

Rafael Nadal Upset in 1st Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's First Round

Steve Darcis d 5 Rafael Nadal - 76(4) 76(8) 64

Well, Rafa had to come back to earth at some point.

But crashing down this bad was not something anybody expected.

I mean, who throught he could actually LOSE points after this fortnght???

This is his first loss at a Slam in the 1st round.

This was only Rafa's 3rd loss this year AND Steve's 2nd 2013 match win.

This loss may have also hurt Rafa's shot at year-end #1.

It's tough to finish on top of the pile with no points from 2 Slams.

Was it the knee? He refused to mention it in his presser. So probably.

UGH.

Post match: Two weeks ago I was in a fantastic situation,

winning a fantastic tournament [at Roland Garros]. Two weeks later,

I lost here in the first round. That's the positive and the negative

thing about this sport. It is tough losing in the first round.

Rafael Nadal is Seeded 5th for 2013 Wimbledon

The seedings have been released for the coming Championships and...

Rafael Nadal has been placed as the tournaments 5th seed.

Wimbledon ignored giving Rafa a deserving discretionary bump.

Most in the tennis world think he should at least be the 4th seed.

There is one word to use here: dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

Let's see... Rafa is a 2-time champ and 3-time runner-up.

4th seed David Ferrer has been a quarterfinalist exactly once.

Moreover, Rafa has beaten David all 4 times they've played this year.

AND - we don't even need to compare their 2013's. It's no contest.

Well, as payback I hope Rafa gets placed in Murray's quarter...

Only then will Wimby get that they've made a serious blunder.

It's worth repeating: dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.

***

Photo: Rafa's first practice yesterday at Wimby,

 

Rafael Nadal Wins 8th French Open Title

French Open - Men's Final

4 Rafael Nadal d 5 David Ferrer - 63 62 63

8.

Rafa moves up to 3rd with Roy Emerson on the Slam list with 12.

Only Pete Sampras with 14 and Roger Federer with 17 are ahead of him.

He improved his French Open record to 59-1. A sick winning percentage.

Rafa also notched his 20th win over Ferrer and 4th of the 2013 season.

He is also the 1st man to qualify for the season ending tournament.

In a rankings quirk the win actually saw his ranking fall back to #5.

But he is firmly atop the Race to London rankings by a mile.

With 90 points to defend the rest of the year - lookout Nole...

Hi8tory: No man has ever won 8 titles at any one Slam before.

History: And no man has ever won a Slam 9 years running.

Post match: Eight times here is a lot. I never thought about that.

But I will keep practising with the same passion and intensity to bring

my tennis to the highest level possible.

***

Rafa has played 9 tournaments this year and made the finals of all 9.

He's won 7 of them making him the tour leader.

Next up is Wimbledon where he's won it twice: '08 & '10.

It's also the place where he lost early in '12 & left the tour with an injury.

This year plan on Rafa hitting Wimby with a hunger for a big points gobble.

Rafael Nadal Defeats Novak Djokovic in Epic 5 Set Thriller in Semifinals at the French Open

French Open - Men's Semifinal

4 Rafael Nadal d 1 Novak Djokovic - 64 36 61 67(3) 9-7

Halfway thru the 5th set this was getting classified as an instant classic.

This baby was breathtakingly contested at an unreal high level.

And it should have been the final.

Rafa is going for an 8th French Open title.

No man in tennis history has 8 titles at any one given Slam.

A win would also put his Slam total at an amazing 12.

Today he also tied the record for most match wins at the French Open: 58.

Remember: Rafa has lost ONE match in 9 years at Roland Garros.

20's: At Rome a couple weeks ago he reached 20 wins over Federer.

Today he reached the same level over Nole - H2H: 20-15.

A win in Sunday's final would put him at 20 wins over Ferrer.

Post match: You need to love the game. You [need to] appreciate what

you are doing in every moment. I learned during all my career to

enjoy suffering, and these kind of matches are very special.

You don't have the chance to play these kind of matches every day.

So when these kind of matches happen you suffer,

but I really enjoy these moments.

Rafael Nadal Thru to Semifinals at French Open

French Open - Men's Quarterfinal

3 Rafael Nadal d 9 Stanislas Wawrinka - 62 63 61

Rafa won this match on the 8th anniversary of his 1st title (above).

Rafa is into his 8th French Open Sf: 7-0.

He'll face his main rival these days, Novak Djokovic - H2H 19-15/Rafa.

On clay: 12-3/Rafa. At the French Open: 4-0/Rafa. In finals: 8-8.

However... Since 2011 their H2H is 8-3/Nole.

And they've played once this year. On clay. Monte-Carlo final. Nole won.

So I'm going to say that Rafa is a bit of an underdog in this one.

Post match: So now I am in semi-finals, three matches in a row without

losing a set. The last two matches, I only lost one [game on] serve.

That's starting to be very positive numbers. Only numbers, but most

important thing at the end is the feeling, and the feeling is

completely different.  If I was not happy five days ago about my level,

today I say I am happy that I am in semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic Thru to Semifinals at French Open

French Open - Men's Quarterfinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 12 Tommy Haas - 63 76(5) 75

Nole has stated that this is the title he wants this year.

He is 2 wins away.

And it's kind of fitting that he'll have to go thru Rafa to get it too.

Seems tragically unfiiting that it's at the semifinal stage.

Post match: Now I have a big challenge in front of me & I'm ready for it.

I have been playing well. I know that this is the biggest challenge for me

in Roland Garros, no question about it,

and I'm sure that it's going to be quite a good match.

Rafael Nadal Celebrates 27th Birthday with $th Round Win at French Open

French Open - Men's Fourth Round

3 Rafael Nadal d 13 Kei Nishikori - 64 61 63

Rafa finally got a comfortable win in his 4 matches at Roland-Garros.

Rafa: Today I played a bit better than in the previous days.

He'll still needs to improve his level if he's to bite an 8th trophy.

Anyway after the match the tourney presented him a towering cake...

As the crowd serenaded him with a French version of Happy Birthday.

He is 5-0 on his actual birthday and improves his RG record to 56-1.

Rafa'll face Wawrinka in the Qf's - Stan hasn't won a set in 9 matches.

He is on course to play Novak in a blockbuster Sf match on Friday.

Most agree that the winner of that match will likely take the title.

Few Sf's have ever been so weighty - but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Rafa and Nole still have another match to win to get us there.

But they will. Of that I have no doubt.

Rafael Nadal Thru to 4th Round at French Open

French Open - Men's Third Round

3 Rafael Nadal d 27 Fabio Fognini - 76(5) 64 64

Rafa got his own Pocoyo doll - I have no idea what that means. LOL.

One thing I do know: Rafa needs to up his level to get an 8th title at RG.

Ain't no way he's getting past Nole with what he's bringing now.

Rafa agrees: I have to play better. If I want to have any chance,

I really need to play better. But it is always the same story.

When you win without playing your best, you have the chance to

play better. If you don't fight when you have tough days or

negative days, then you don't have all the chances for the future.

So it's important to stay humble these kind of days, stay with

the right mentality, be positive, and accept in every moment all the

difficulties that comes and try to win.

***

And that's his own analysis of his game after a straight set win.

And he's right.

Ana Ivanovic Thru to 4th Round at French Open

French Open - Women's Third Round

14 Ana Ivanovic d Virginie Razzano - 63 62

The '08 champ is thru to the 4th round for the first time since '09.

Of note: Ana has only been to the Qf's once since her French Open win.

Oh and she agrees with Rafa that his scheduling was a 'joke':

When he has to play day after day, I think he’s right. They should play early.

I think it’s fair that they play first so they can get more time to recover.

And that's a true story.

Rafael Nadal Thru to 3rd Round at French Open

French Open - Men's Second Round

3 Rafael Nadal d Martin Klizan - 46 63 63 63

This is the 2nd straight match Rafa's lost the 1st set and won in 4.

Overcast and damp are famously not the conditions Rafa likes.

And he was too thrilled about the schedule: Yesterday the supervisor

made a big mistake with me because my opponent already played

yesterday... And so it is something in my opinion that is not fair.

Seriously... A 2nd round match played on the 1st Friday?

When this Slam has an extra day on the opening Sunday? Kinda ridiculous.

Rafa will turn-around and face Fabio Fognini tomorrow.

I'm thinking Rafa will get his first straight-setter tomorrow.

Shopping cures the blues perhaps?

 

Rafael Nadal Gets Tested in 1st Round Win at French Open

French Open - Men's First Round

3 Rafael Nadal d Daniel Brands - 46 76(5) 64 63

So for the better part of 2 sets that was too close for comfort.

I mean, commentators even started using the word 'upset.'

For shame!

Post match: He was playing unbelievable. I just tried to find my game and

tried to resist his fantastic shots. He played a fantastic match and

put me in a very difficult situation. I'm very happy to be through.

Rafa is now 53-1 at Roland Garros.

Rafa has a potential 3rd rounder with Rosol who upset him at Wimby '12.

That would be an interesting match - if Rosol can get past Fognini.

And if Rafa can get past Klizan. LOL.

The 2013 French Open Draws are Set

Defending champions Rafa & Maria helped make the draw.

Maria kind of spoiled the party as she put Rafa in Nole's half.

So what should be a final can only happen in a semifinal.

Boo.

You can check the men's draw HERE.

The men's quarterfinals are seeded to look like this:

Nole/Tipsy; Rafa/Gasquet; Ferrer/Berdy; Roger/Jo-W.

The top 3 really got decent draws. I'm thinking they'll all be Sf-ists.

Hell, I'll go as far as to say all 4 top seeds will all make it.

You can check the women's draw HERE.

Really? Ain't nobody beating Serena this year. Nobody.

But for shits and giggles this is the quarterfinal projections:

Serena/Kerber; Aga/Sara; Vika/Na; Maria/Petra.

***

I don't like predictions much but here goes.

Serena will storm to the title.

And to wuss out I'll just say the winner of Rafa/Nole takes it.

But I think I'll hedge toward Rafa.

 

 

Rafael Nadal Wins 7th Title at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's Final

5 Rafael Nadal d 2 Roger Federer - 61 63

I think we can stop calling this a comeback already. He's beyond back.

In 8 tournaments this year he's gone to all 8 finals and won 6 of them.

Including 3 Masters 1000's (IW, Madrid & Rome) and 2 500 events.

After his Sf win he moved to #1 in points earned in 2013.

This is Rafa's 7th time biting the trophy at Rome.

This is his 56th ATP title and 24th at the Masters 1000 level.

Of his 56 titles a whopping 30 have come from 4 tournaments:

Monte-Carlo 8; Barelona 8; Rome 7 & French Open 7.

And he's a good and safe bet to make it 8 in Paris.

And the win moved Rafa up to #4 and rightfully Spain's #1.

He also improved his H2H against Federer to 20-10.

Post match: If you told me four or five months ago that after eight

tournaments I would have won six titles from eight finals,

I would say you are crazy. To win three Master 1000 and two 500

tournaments is more than I ever dreamed.

His Rafanatics can say that too.

***

Rafa also got some dopey GQ style award this week too:

Rafael Nadal Dips Deep to Reach Rome Semifinals

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's Quarterfinal

5 Rafael Nadal d 4 David Ferrer - 64 46 62

That photo says one thing and one thing only: RELIEF.

Rafa'll play his 8th Sf at Rome: 7-0. In fact he's only had 2 losses at Rome.

If memory serves I think a commentator said Rafa's never lost a Sf on clay.

Today's win moves him to #1 on the Race to London rankings.

That's stunning considering he didn't play the Australian Open.

Spare a thought for Ferrer - the guy has suffered 3 losses to Rafa this year.

And these last 2 were oh-so close. And to add insult-to-injury...

A title at Rome will move Rafa ahead of David to #4 in the rankings.

Seriously, who saw any of this coming?

Rafael Nadal Begins Title Defence at Rome with Win

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

5 Rafael Nadal d Fabio Fognini - 61 63

It's still odd to type the 5 next to Rafa's name.

That will change if he takes the title as he'll move past Ferrer to #4.

That would be his 7th. But that's getting WAY ahead of ourselves.

He's got a tough draw to get to the final: possible Ferrer Qf & Nole Sf.

With Andy & Jo-W going out today Roger is the best bet to be in the final.

Round 3: Rafa will next face Q Ernests Gulbis - H2H: 5-0/Rafa.

The photo above is from a kid's clinic held yesterday.

 

Rafael Nadal Wins Masters Series 1000 Title at Madrid

Madrid ATP Masters Series 1000 - Men's Final

5 Rafael Nadal d 15 Stanislas Wawrinka - 62 64

Rafa saved his best tennis for Sunday.

This is Rafa's 3rd title at Madrid, 23rd Masters 1000 and 55th overall.

It also moves him to a tie for 2nd most clay titles with Muster with 40.

He needs 6 more to tie Vilas at 46 - which should happen by next year.

This is also the first time he's won Barcelona & Madrid in the same year.

Post match: I'm very happy for everything that has happened.

Forty titles on clay are far more than I ever dreamed of [winning].

***

Rafa will head to Rome as the 5th seed and is in #4 Ferrer's quarter.

So if Rafa takes the title (his 7th at Rome) he will move up to #4.

Meaning the French Open seeding thing will solve itself.

I'm hoping it happens. Nobody wants a Rafa/Nole quarterfinal. Nobody.

***

Rafa is also prominent in the Madrid 2020 Olympic campaign bid:

Rafael Nadal Digs Deep to Gain Semifinals at Madrid

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Men's Quarterfinal

5 Rafael Nadal d 4 David Ferrer - 46 76(3) 60

Boy this one is gonna sting Ferrer for a while. He so had this one.

But Rafa just refused to lose. And once he got into the 3rd set: lights out.

After the win he helped celebrate Spanish legend Manolo Santana's bday.

Post match: To win matches like today is always important.

For me physically these matches help me [as] these are the kind of

matches that ask the most of you physically. I think I played well.

I had some highs and lows. Some moments I played aggressively.

Rafael Nadal into Quarterfinals at Madrid

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Men's 3rd Round

5 Rafael Nadal d Mikhail Youzhny - 62 63

Well the King of Clay's road to the title just got easier today.

Roger was sent out & is joining Novak in Rome sooner than he'd have liked.

This is Rafa's 7th tourney since returning.

He's been to the finals of all 6 so far - winning 4 of them.

It is a dream return to the tour but you won't hear that from him:

Since I've been back, I haven't had the security that I am

in my perfect moment. I just have to try and feel that I am

getting better and better day after day.

So, I have to have my feet on the ground. I made it to the

quarter-finals of Madrid. For me, it's lovely to be able to say that today.

I'll try to enjoy the quarter-final match tomorrow.