Nadal Becomes Second Player To Qualify For 2011 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals



Rafael Nadal has qualified for the year-end finale seven straight years.

Following his win on Wednesday at the AEGON Championships at The Queen’s Club in London, Rafael Nadal, who captured his sixth Roland Garros crown in seven years on Sunday, has become the second player to qualify for the 2011 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Nadal’s 6-4, 6-4 win today over Australia’s Matthew Ebden at Queen’s means the Spaniard now counts sufficient South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings points to ensure himself a place among the world’s Top 8 singles players at the season finale in London. The 25-year-old Spaniard joins Serb Novak Djokovic as the first players to qualify for the event, to be held November 20-27 at The O2 in London.

“It’s always a pleasure to play in London. It’s a fantastic city and The O2 stadium is one of the nicest indoor stadiums in the world. It was a fantastic tournament last year for me, playing in the final, with very emotional matches. I’m very happy to be qualified and to come back again this year,” said the Mallorca native.

Nadal, who tied Bjorn Borg’s record of six Roland Garros titles, is the top seed in this week’s AEGON Championships at the Queen’s Club in London. The Spaniard has reached a career-best seven consecutive finals (3-4 mark) on the season heading into this week’s grass court event at The Queen’s Club.

This is the seventh straight year Nadal has qualified for the year-end finale. Last season he reached his first final, losing to rival Roger Federer in three sets.

Nadal has ranked No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings for 99 weeks, including the past 53. He first became No. 1 on Aug. 18, 2008 and he held the top spot for 46 weeks.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis … alify.aspx

Zdaje się, że w tym tygodniu stuknęła Rafie "setka"

Nadal eyes another Channel Slam

LONDON -- But for three days' difference, they were born exactly 30 years apart. They have won six French Opens apiece. After establishing awe-inspiring dominance on clay, both managed to buck the conventional wisdom and transfer their particular brand of tennis -- an impenetrable baseline game, mental toughness and physical fitness -- to other surfaces.

And if defending Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal can win the tournament again in two weeks' time, he and Bjorn Borg will have two more things in common: 11 Grand Slam titles and three "Channel Slams" -- the once-rare feat of winning the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. Borg won the double a remarkable three times in 1978-80, and it was not done again until Nadal pulled it off in 2008. Roger Federer then did it the following year, and Nadal repeated in 2010.

Borg sees his and Nadal's cross-Channel feats as all the more impressive because they have to go uphill, so to speak -- transition from their best surface to a less comfortable one in just two weeks.

"I always had problems the first couple rounds, my first or second round of Wimbledon," the Swedish legend observed a couple of years ago." If I survived those matches, then I started to play good tennis. I think it's a similarity to me and Nadal. He has a little bit more difficult [time] than Federer coming to Wimbledon.

"Federer has a different type of game, so he can get used to the courts, to the grass courts, much easier than Nadal, or for instance me, too. I had a lot of problem in the beginning."

Although their on-court personalities are very different, the career parallels between Borg and Nadal are still striking, and they have particular resonance at the moment because Nadal is pulling alongside Borg, poised to overtake the great Swede.

Should Nadal pull off the Channel Slam again this year, he will have matched just about every one of Borg's significant achievements except the Swede's five straight Wimbledons, and he can point to his U.S. and Australian Open crowns as substitutes -- two titles Borg never won, rarely playing the Australian and being continually thwarted at the U.S. Open.

There is also another, more negative subtext. This was also the period when Borg, frustrated by losses to John McEnroe at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, would start to lose his drive for the game, then abruptly quit at the age of 26.

Earlier this season, cracks began to show in Nadal's armor for the first time as he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in four consecutive finals -- including two on clay.

"I am almost 25, but seems like I am playing for 100 years here on the tour," he said at the French Open one day, quite out of nowhere. "You don't have the chance to stop, never, you know. I think for that situation, we have a shorter career." Later, in the press room, someone remarked, "He's sounding like Borg."

It was grounds for pause, even though Nadal improved his form and his mood and went on to win the French Open. As he hoisted the trophy for a record-tying sixth time, just two days after his 25th birthday, it was difficult to imagine its being his last. Yet few imagined that Borg's sixth title in 1981 would be his last.

But surely not. This is one parallel Nadal seems determined to avoid. "I feel 25," he was insisting by the end of the French Open.

At Queen's last week, Nadal was clearly tired but was cheerful with the media. Erratic with exhaustion, he lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals, then headed home to Mallorca for a few days of relaxation and fishing -- first calling the tournament director on his way home to apologize for not doing better. Nadal and Borg have the same rigid professional discipline, but off the court, Nadal's lifestyle is far more sedate than Borg's.

In any case, concerns about the length of Nadal's career have never centered on his desire but on his physical health. Apart from a badly timed injury at the Australian Open, the Spaniard has been strikingly healthy for the past 12 months. He seems to have found a technique that keeps the chronic tendinitis in his knees at bay. There have been no reports of the problem since last spring and summer, when he underwent PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment on his knees, a process that involves injecting the patient's blood into the injured area to hasten healing.

This long stretch of fitness has allowed Nadal to rack up majors at a quick pace. Coming into the French Open last year, he was tied for 21st on the all-time list with six Slam victories. After winning four in the past 13 months, he has leaped to No. 6, and his next victory would put him tied at No. 4 with Borg and Rod Laver. Federer, on top of the list with 16 Grand Slams, will then be in sight.

But even as his legend grows, Nadal does not have quite the same aura of invincibility he did a year ago. Like Borg with McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, he has one rival, Djokovic, breathing down his neck and another, Federer, who refuses to be fully left behind. If he fails to defend his Wimbledon title, Nadal will lose his No. 1 ranking to Djokovic.

Yet instead of feeling more pressure as history beckons and the pack moves closer, Nadal believes the French Open victory will allow him to relax for the rest of the season -- one major is in the bag.

And finally, after 10 major wins, the stubbornly modest champion is prepared to acknowledge that he is one of the giants of the sport. "[One] should be humble, but not silly," he told Spanish newspaper El Pais. "With 10 titles, are you among the best in history? Yes. It's a big personal satisfaction."

Still, that was as far as he would go. "I am not the best player in history," he told reporters after the French Open. "I am one of the best. That's true. That's enough for me."

But if Nadal can carry on where Borg left off, the conversation will not stop there.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis … id=6671943

No more pressure for Nadal



Rafael Nadal is probably feeling a bit mentally tired at the moment. He had to conjure something special to win the French Open, and that effort may have cost him something in the short term. Going from Paris straight to Queen's is inhuman - never more so than when you've won at Roland Garros.

He urgently needed a break from competition. As soon as he feels fresh again mentally, he will begin to realise how much he has accomplished, and that will fill him with confidence.

The French Open is the biggest goal of his season, and Nadal was rocked by the idea that the tournament could get away from him this year. By winning it, a weight has been lifted.

I think he dealt with the pressure pretty well. By telling the media he was playing badly and wouldn't be able to win the event he managed to drag expectations back to a reasonable level - and of course, in the end he won.

Come Wimbledon, Nadal will find his aggression, his length, and his touch once again.

The only obstacle remaining for him is Novak Djokovic. I'm not talking in terms of the world ranking - the Spaniard is already convinced that he'll lose that top spot - and mathematically it's almost sure to happen in the next couple of months. The real issue is that despite the French Open win, he hasn't solved the issue of how to beat the Serb in a match.

The feeling of helplessness, the sense that he cannot find a way to victory - it's a problem Rafa has never had against any opponent before.

Djokovic has the answer to Nadal's best weapon - he can prevent Rafa from causing mayhem with the forehand. In contrast to Roger Federer, Nole is not troubled on the backhand when he has to play from above-shoulder height, and when Nadal is refusing to trade diagonally (his backhand against Djokovic's forehand) he goes for a neutral shot and more often than not Djokovic's power punishes him.

I've pointed it out before, but by taking balls so early Djokovic also doesn't suffer against Nadal's topspin, and because he's prepared to play a little further forward in the court he deprives Rafa of time. Novak's forehand is neutralising Rafa's forehand - and his backhand neturalises Nadal's.

That leaves Nadal at a tactical dead-end - and with Djokovic possessing very few flaws, Nadal's search for an answer is harder than ever.

But maybe the fact that Nadal already has the prize he wants - the French Open - he might just find that answer without the pressure on his shoulders.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/tennis/pa … icle/1956/

Wimbledon 2011 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 1 rundzie

R. Nadal bt M. Russell 6 4, 6 2, 6 2

Q. You never got to defend your first Wimbledon title. You finally got that moment of walking out first on Centre Court as defending champion. How did it feel?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, fantastic. Seriously, I never played in a court like this. Was a big emotion be the first player to play in this fabulous court. So seriously was a very, very exciting feeling.

Fantastic how see the court in the really, really perfect conditions. So, yes, very, very happy for everything.

Q. Your final in 2008 against Federer is remembered as one of the greatest games ever. But this year there's a lot of talk about the top four seeds all being very equal, Murray, Djokovic and Federer. Who do you see as your biggest opponent?

RAFAEL NADAL: My biggest opponent is Sweeting now. I am focused on my part of the draw. I'm focused on myself. To play against Andy or Djokovic or Federer only can be in the final, against Andy in the semi-finals.

So remain a lot for that. So let's talk about today. Let's talk about tomorrow. Not let's talk about in 10 days or 12 days, because I don't know if I am here or I am fishing in Mallorca. You never know what's going on in a tournament like this.

So happy about the victory in the first round. Especially happy how I played in the second and the third set.

Q. You responded to his breaking your serve in the first set very vigorously. Were you surprised that he took that game?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think he started playing very well, I think aggressive, having good returns. I started, in my opinion, trying to play too fast in the beginning probably. I had few mistakes with the backhand, with the forehand. So he had the break.

But after that I started to change a little bit more the rhythm with the slice, trying to play a little bit longer points, try to hit the forehand when I had the chance. I think I did well after that first moment of the first set.

My level in general I think was very positive, no?

Q. What opportunity did you have yesterday to watch the U.S. Open golf, and have you had any communications with Rory since he won?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. I for sure text him a message. You know how when you win a tournament like this how many messages you have on the phone.

Anyway, he did amazing. He played solid yesterday, doing what he had to do all the time, no mistakes. So mentally, we talk about the level of the golf, well, only Tiger a few times. Saw one player play like this.

Was perfect, in my opinion, round of golf, every day, yesterday. Because after the nine holes, he played solid all the time with no mistakes. Is tough when you have to be solid and you don't have to do mistakes.

When you have to play aggressive, you know what you have to do is probably sometimes easier, but when you have to defend the advantage, you start to play a little bit more defensive. Sometimes can be dangerous. And he did perfect. He managed the moments perfect, in my opinion.

Q. He said he's going to be here next Monday. What are your thoughts on him being here and being in the Royal Box?

RAFAEL NADAL: Hopefully have the chance to congratulate him in person.

Q. In the last eight years you're the only player to win Queen's and then go on and win Wimbledon. How important do you think it is to get a win on grass before you come here, or is it not that important?

RAFAEL NADAL: For sure is important. I did in 2008. I won in Queen's and after I won here in Wimbledon. But I heard before that was a long time without a player. How many years?

Q. 2002, Lleyton Hewitt.

RAFAEL NADAL: Oh, 2002 Lleyton Hewitt did it. I thought it was more.

No, for sure I prefer to win a tournament before I start Wimbledon than don't win a tournament. If not, is stupid say another thing.

Different tournaments. But for sure if you win in Queen's, you have chance to win here for sure, little bit more because the confidence, because everything.

Q. How nice was it for you to see your mother and father sitting in the Royal Box in the front row?

RAFAEL NADAL: Too many beautiful things to saw my mom and my dad in the Royal Box. For sure can just say thanks to Wimbledon, to the people who organize this fantastic tournament to invite my mother and father to the Royal Box. I think for them was a great experience. So, yeah, everything in general was very, very nice today.

Q. You have two free nights before your next match. Will you stay in your apartment, or do you think you'll go out in London?

RAFAEL NADAL: Two free nights?

Q. Two nights before your next match.

RAFAEL NADAL: Like always. Always is the same. Is a Grand Slam. Always you have two nights before your next match, no?

Q. But will you stay in your apartment or go out?

RAFAEL NADAL: I didn't have time to plan what I gonna do. I don't know. I will talk with my team. If they want to go out not for a party, if they want to go out for the dinner in London or they want to stay at home, for me doesn't matter. Everything is fine for me.

Q. What are your thoughts on your next opponent? You mentioned that's the only match you're thinking about now.

RAFAEL NADAL: I played against him two times this year, one time in Australia, one time in Indian Wells. He had a fantastic comeback today, so probably he arrives to the match with good confidence.

I think he's a good player, no? I saw him winning matches around the tournaments. He's playing better and better every time.

We will see. I have to play my tennis. I have to play aggressive like every day. That hopefully will be enough. If not, congratulate the opponent.

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/int … 88234.html

Nadal Reaches Out To Golf Young Gun McIlroy


Nadal opened his Wimbledon title defence in front of his parents, who sat in the Royal
Box Monday.

Roger Federer and Tiger Woods have had a long-standing friendship, but there’s a new tennis-golf comradeship on the block. World No. 1 Rafael Nadal reached out to young golf sensation Rory McIlroy, who roared to his first major title on Sunday, claiming the US Open by eight strokes. “I texted him a message,” the defending Wimbledon champion said Monday. “He did amazing. He played solid yesterday, doing what he had to do all the time, [with] no mistakes.”

The Mallorcan met McIlroy at last year’s US Open and the two have forged a great companionship. An avid golfer and regular follower of the sport, Nadal has a standing invitation from McIlroy to play at St. Andrews whenever their schedules permit.

The budding friendship isn’t surprising, as the two share similar trajectories in their sports; both were highly touted during their junior/amateur days and broke through for their first major titles at considerably young ages. Nadal was 19 when he won his first Roland Garros crown and McIlroy, who recently turned 22, is the youngest major golf champion since Woods won the 1997 Masters at Augusta National at 21 years of age.

Nadal, one of the most resolute athletes on the planet, praised the Northern Ireland native’s ability to remain steadfast throughout his final round of play. “When you have to play aggressive, you know what you have to do is probably sometimes easier, but when you have to defend the advantage, you start to play a little bit more defensive,” explained Nadal. “Sometimes it can be dangerous. He managed the moments perfectly, in my opinion.”

A two-time winner at Wimbledon, Nadal had his first opportunity to open the tournament as the defending champion Monday after missing out in 2009 with a knee injury. Both his parents were present in the Royal Box for the occasion, something the 10-time major champion cherished. “Too many beautiful things to say [about] my mom and my dad [being] in the Royal Box,” the 25 year old said. “Thanks to Wimbledon, to the people who organise this fantastic tournament to invite my mother and father to the Royal Box. I think for them it was a great experience. Everything in general was very, very nice today.”

McIlroy plans to be at Wimbledon next Monday, and like Nadal’s parents, has been invited to sit in the Royal Box. “Hopefully I will have the chance to congratulate him in person,” Nadal said.

The top seed will next play Ryan Sweeting, a player he’s defeated twice this season, dropping just eight games in five sets of play. The American overcame a two-sets-to-love deficit against Pablo Andjuar to notch his first win at the All England Club. “He had a fantastic comeback today, so probably he arrives to the match with good confidence,” assessed Nadal. “I saw him winning matches around the tournaments. He's playing better and better every time… I have to play my tennis, play aggressive like every day. That hopefully will be enough.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis … Ilroy.aspx

Dobra wiadomość dla Amerykanów

Tired Nadal cuts out Davis date in order to rest

Rest will take top priority for Rafael Nadal, with the Spaniard deciding to skip the July 8-10 Davis Cup quarter-final against the US in Andy Roddick's hometown of Austin, Texas.

Nadal informed Spanish newspaper AS that there is no way he can make it to central Texas for the date and will rest for up to three weeks at home in Mallorca to regain strength for the second half of the long ATP season.

Nadal has long been an outspoken critic of what many top players consider an overly crowded schedule. "The ITF is making a mistake to insist on this format and Davis calendar," said the Spaniard. "There is zero sensitivity to players."

The Wimbledon top seed has played nearly nonstop since March and is desperate for a decent break from the game. The Davis Cup date, which would require him to leave London only hours after any potential Wiimbledon final, will just have to be struck from his calendar.

"I will not be against the United States. The first thing is to be healthy, and now I have to stop," Nadal told the paper. "I can't be everywhere. Now, after finishing the first half of the season, I need rest. I need 15 or 20 days to get ready for the second part of the season."

Nadal said that his problematic knees are not the cause of the decision, saying he want to be ready for the US Open, the final major of the season from August 29.

http://tennistalk.com/en/news/20110627/ … er_to_rest