Posted: 22.03.09 15:06. Post subject: Пресса знает всё! :)

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:06. Post subject: Пресса знает всё! :) (продолжение)

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:06. Post subject: Пресса знает всё! :) часть 2

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:06. Post subject: Пресса знает всё! :) часть 2

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:06. Post subject: Пресса знает всё! :) часть 2

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:10. Post subject: Сюда я перемещу неко..

Сюда я перемещу некоторые статьи с борды.

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:10. Post subject: Rafa Nadal: “I don&#..

Rafa Nadal: “I don't think I'm the best”

Sunday, February 8th, 2009
Miguel Luengo
Translated by babi to vamosbrigade.com

He is an awesome sportsman and showed to be someone very special, this is Rafael Nadal, the most important racquet in the world.

Rafael Nadal wished he had one more day to recover totally from the longest match in the history of Australian Open and meet Roger Federer in the final in better shape, but he has always known that meeting his biggest rival had a special motivation.

Now, just after be crowned as the champion of Australian Open, where he defeated Roger Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6 6-2, the 22 years old Spaniard tennis player is the world number 1 and collected his sixth victory on Grand Slams

The Spaniard, that had already won four times the French Open and once on Wimbledon, United Kingdom, only misses to win US Open and he is willing to do it. In this interview the 'golden Spaniard' talks about this triumph and his plans to the future.

You has won on 2008 Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the golden medal in the Olympic Games and has became the world #1. Are you used to win it all?

- No, the problem is that it is not easy to get used like people do. I'm aware how difficult is to earn such things and I value so much the fact that I've been first in the semifinals and then in the final. Every victory is special but sometimes people see you as the number one, they see you winning and they get used to this and do not value the difficulties to be there, but I do.

What do you remember of you first match against Federer, which feeling did you have?

- I'm aware that I'm playing the most complete player that I've seen since I'm in this world and it is always special. About this meeting, I remember I had an illusion and the highest motivation. This first time I've won and in the following I've lost after been two sets up.

In this occasion it was special for Federer because he is fighting to equal Sampras 14 GS record. Beating him in such circumstances gave you a special motivation?

- Personally, I'd wish he could make 14 or 15 and surpass Sampras because I think he deserves it, but it's not something that concerns me.

Have you ever felt pity for him any time you won him boldly?

- I've defeated him a few times like this, only one, in Paris, last year. This is how sport is like and he also made a 6-4, 6-1 over me in the semifinals of Shanghai. We know anything can happen, but to make me feel sorry, nothing. It is clear that when someone plays he gives his best and there are times he wins and others he loses.

Do you imagine yourself fighting to break Federer's record in GS in the future?

- Right now I'm very happy with my five (sic) and I don't think about anything else. He is the more complete for me to think about these records. I'm aware that I have a good progress and I good career and right now this is not something I am going after. I only want to give the best of me to win.


If you could have moved to anywhere to rest better and to make something additional to relax more for this match, where had you gone?

- I would have been here, for sure. I could simply recover with this one day if it haven't been so tough [the SF]. Though two days resting would have been better.

What is your goal now?

- It is an illusion more than a goal. Now there is no time to relax. I'd love to make a good run on Rotterdam and then Dubai, but my goal is Davis Cup, that last year I couldn't play. Win the DC is something I wish for this season.

What about USO?

- USO is a tournament that takes more to me. It was just a pity that last year I arrived there so tired, but my goal is to keep improving because that's the only way I could complete or try to win this last Grand Slam title that I miss.

What did you feel with this triumph? [AO]

- In the last set, with the pressure, you can lose the match. I think Federer climbed a mountain mentally and then he couldn't do it anymore, it can happen to anyone. I had to try to keep the concentration and be focused, keep the illusion that I could win and play well with my serve. This is what I thought when I sat in the bench at the end of the fourth set.
I couldn't enjoy the award presentation too much because seeing Federer like that after losing the final makes you a bit uncomfortable

Is there any special title for you?

- Wimbledon has always been special because it meant a lot, it was a breakthrough of Roland Garros clay and after being in the final for two years in a row it was an important goal. Winning there gave me confidence.
I'm making great in the last four seasons, getting important titles but no one knows when it will end. The only thing I know is that I need to be always alert and do not think I'm the best, I'm only the most regular but this comes and goes.

What are your plans for now?

- Rest, stay with my family and practice to leave to Rotterdam in the Saturday.

There are thousand of kids around the world dreaming to be Rafa Nadal, what would you say to them?

- There is nothing there to dream that much. But, well, thank all the kids that are supporting me from their houses and for me it is always very special to have children supporting me because when a child smiles for you when you are giving him an autograph or taking a picture with him is the real illusion of it all.

Why do you always bite the trophies? Is there a meaning?

- I've bitten the trophies I won every since Monte Carlo on 2005, the photographers always ask me to. I've always seen people kissing it but I bite.

What did you feel when you saw Federer crying?

- It was a tough and complicated moment. In the future it will be beautiful for him and for me to remember. In that moment Roger was emotional, I've tried to make what I could to cheer him up. I think the moment was hard, but he has showed to be a great human being who doesn't hide his emotions in the hard moments he has been through and I congratulate him for everything he is as a person and as a tennis player.

It seemed like you were about to cry as well

- It was a complicated moment when I saw him like that and everything he has passed through, in addition to this I have an amazing relationship with him and I know how important it was for him to win. These are complicated moments and you have to try to have tact and in that moment I almost cried because it was hard for him and I know that it is not easy to handle a situation like this, especially when there are 15000 people applauding you.

To see the best sportsman in the world to comfort Federer takes something else

- This is what I could do in that moment. I don't know if I did well or not, but it was what my heart told me to do in that moment, to embrace him and wish him all luck in the world to the rest of his season and for him to get 15 titles and surpass Sampras 14 record because I think he deserves and I would love for him to make it.


http://www.lostiempos.com/oh/08-02-09/0 ... lidad1.php

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:11. Post subject: Рафаэль Надаль: «По-..

Рафаэль Надаль: «По-прежнему считаю Федерера лучшим»

Первая ракетка мира испанец Рафаэль Надаль, находящийся на турнире в Роттердаме, ответил на вопрос, считает ли он себя лучшим теннисистом мира после победы на Открытом чемпионате Австралии, рассказал о своем состоянии и о том, зачем он играл в паре.

«Я уже устал от этого вопроса. Если у человека 13 титулов «Большого шлема» и 14 «Мастерсов», то без обсуждений совершено понятно, кто лучший.

У меня не было времени на отдых, но так все же лучше, чем после поражения. Хотя после победы всегда трудно играть следующий турнир. Это еще зависит от того, как ты победил. Мои финал и полуфинал в Мельбурне были невероятными и очень сложными.

Я играл здесь пару просто для удовольствия, и чтобы привыкнуть к условиям. Еще я хотел помочь молодому парню с Мальорки. Я тренировался с ним в декабре, он помогал мне готовиться к Мельбурну. И здесь я пытался помочь ему», – приводит слова Надаля AFP.

Отметим, что Надаль выбыл из парного турнира в Роттердаме, где он играл вместе с 503-й ракеткой мира соотечественником Игнасио Колл-Риудавецем, в первом круге проиграв французскому дуэту Клеман/Ллодра.

http://www.sports.ru/tennis/6918887.html

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:13. Post subject: Sorry Roger, Nadal&#..

Sorry Roger, Nadal's now king of all courts

by Matt Cronin, FOXSports.com
Updated: February 1, 2009, 4:44 PM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia - The so-called soon-to-be-greatest player ever was out-fought by his most significant rival again, putting a long pause in the discussion of Roger Federer's place in history.

In a truly remarkable and gutsy performance, Rafael Nadal shook down Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday, grabbing his sixth Grand Slam title and becoming the first man since Andre Agassi in 1999 to win majors on three different surfaces.

"It's a dream win here, one Grand Slam on hard court," said Nadal, the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open. "I worked very hard all my life to improve the tennis outside of clay. I'm very happy for the title. Today was really a lot of emotions on court."

For the fifth straight time, the 22-year-old Spaniard proved that he has become a mentally stronger and physically more resilient player than Federer, beating down the normally cool-handed Swiss when the hours grew long and moments became tenser.

"There's huge collateral damage from this match," said the Tennis Channel's Justin Gimelstob. "Now he's beaten him on grass, clay and hard and there's no barrier that hasn't been broken. Hardcourts is the most fair surface, and there are harsh realities to be dealt with."

For all the talk of Federer's automatic ascension to the accolade of the greatest of all-time, it has been the much-improved Nadal who has been the more ambitious and resourceful player over the past 13 months.

"Roger can't be called the greatest ever yet," said U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe.

Since June, Nadal has won three of the last four majors as well as the Olympic gold medal. He torched Federer in the 2008 French Open final for his fourth straight Roland Garros crown, stopped Federer's five-title Wimbledon streak in a five-set classic for his first major off clay and then on Sunday, won his first major on the surface that has troubled him the most, hard courts, by contesting a near perfect fifth set, committing only two unforced errors to 14 from his worn down foe.

Other legends, such as John McEnroe and Stefan Edberg, have won marathon semifinals and went on to win Grand Slam finals, but Nadal's feat, a five-hour and 14-minute marathon victory over the red-hot Fernando Verdasco in the semis, followed up by a four-hour and 23-minute win over Federer — who went into the last day with a 8-0 record in hard-court major finals — owns a special place in the record books.

"It was the greatest physical achievement in the history of tennis," said Gimelstob. "People talk about Wimbledon because of the drama, but you take the level of players and that the surface is so equitable, it was the greatest tennis shotmaking ever. There has never been anything close to that, how they challenged each other to come up with great stuff, until the beginning of the fifth set when there was huge depreciation on Federer's side. It was sick."

Given that he had worn down at the hard-court Slams before and had trouble knocking off offensive players at the Australian Open and U.S. Opens in years prior (think Gonzalez, Tsonga, Murray), the left-handed Nadal still needed to show that he could successfully combine a defensive and offense posture and find a winning formula on hardcourts.

While his base is much the same — kick and slice serves into his foes' backhands, hammer away with his huge forehand and use his legs to run down even the most impossible balls — his improvements are obvious. His slapping, two-handed backhand has become more powerful, he's more sure-handed at the net, he changes the direction of his groundstrokes more intelligently, and his one-handed slice has improved, as has his use of drop shots.

While on the outside it appeared that Nadal might not pull up fresh and healthy for the final, his camp and those members of the Spanish press who follow him closely had little doubt that he would arrive on court doing the same boxer's split steps that he has done throughout his career.

Nadal is a Toro, with a capital T.

He gored through Federer in the first set, poking holes in his backhand with slice serves and hooking forehands.

The Swiss showed his champion's heart in the second set, steeping more gamely into his backhand and mixing up the pace and angles of his groundstrokes.

In the third set, there was a little reason for doubt, when after the seventh game and up 4-3, Nadal called for the trainer to have his right leg massaged as he was no longer getting a good enough push off that leg, the one that allows him to crush two-handed backhands from an open stance. But it loosened up again and he found the vast fathomless inner reserve where his hellfires burn deep.

He dug in his pitchfork and once again struck.

He fought off six break points in his next two service games, three with ball-bursting groundstrokes.

In the tiebreaker, a nervous Federer played sloppily, while Nadal shot off some multi-colored fireworks. At 5-3, in a rousing end-to-end rally, he stretched out for a rocket Federer crosscourt forehand and kissed a low backhand volley crosscourt for the winner. A stunned Fed then double-faulted to lose the set.

"Rafa believes in a different level than Federer does," said four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier. "I think Federer only believes in that level against other players."

The Swiss would not go away quietly and once again showed his champion's heart and lungs, winning the fourth set by punishing himself to fly more quickly to the ball, to make better use of his forehand and not to shy away from the net, even though Nadal was crushing hard-to-handle passing shots.

It was assumed by his large amount of supporters at Rod Laver Arena that Federer would once again rise to the occasion, or at least bring the battle to the highest mountaintop and perish taking one last heroic swing at the edge of the cliff.

But he did not, and in the first time off clay, he completely folded, playing a soft, directionless set where he was broken to 3-1 on three consecutive unforced errors and was broken again to lose the match on an oddly missed forehand.

Nadal soaked in the applause while later, when accepting the runner-up trophy, Federer cried a good three minutes and then cried again going into the locker room.

"God, it's killing me," he said to the crowd.

It must be. Federer has sunk deep into the spongy clay at Roland Garros after being smashed by Nadal, but he had never been so thoroughly beaten in a final set of a major off dirt.

"Roger basically folded in the fifth," McEnroe said. "He succumbed to the pressure. Chasing the record 14 is tough and obviously the guy is in his head. It's going to be difficult for Roger to come back from this."

McEnroe believes that Federer plays Nadal all wrong, that he could make simple tactical adjustments that would allow him to grab victories rather than play on the Spaniard's terms. Federer does not do enough in his return games, rarely attempting to step around and hit forehands and allowing Nadal to go into his backhand 90 percent of the time with his serves, even when those serves aren't always of the high qualities.

"He needs a coach," McEnroe said. "He's never had to adjust to something because he's been so talented he could go out there and figure it out. All of sudden he's playing a guy he can't do it against. He's so stubborn."

Federer still sits one Grand Slam title from tying Pete Sampras' all-time Grand Slam mark of 14 majors, and as motivated and as talented as he is, it's hard to imagine him not breaking the record.

"I love this game," Federer said. "It means the world to me, so it hurts when you lose."

But even if he does do it this year, Sampras will retain one major edge over him — that he owned winning records against his greatest rivals. Federer, who is now 6-13 against Nadal, cannot claim that very important distinction.

"It's a huge tipping point in the greatest-ever debate," said Gimelstob. "I think Roger will surpass Pete, but if Nadal plays 6-10 more years, there's endless opportunities for him to rewrite the record books. I don't care how far Federer goes over Sampras, Nadal is still a threat. It all depends on his body. He's getting better and he's a physical beast. There's no one comparable."

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:14. Post subject: Nadal In Denial By T..

Nadal In Denial
By Tennis Week
Monday, February 09, 2009

Rafael Nadal is in denial.

Forget the fact Nadal wears the World No. 1 ranking as comfortably as Superman carries the "S" on chest, set aside the reality Nadal has scored five consecutive wins over second-ranked Roger Federer and holds a 13-6 edge in their rivalry and don't even think about raising Nadal's status as the first man to hold three different Grand Slam championships on three different surfaces plus the Olympic gold medal simultaneously.

No matter how highly you think of Nadal, it won't change what he thinks: the muscular Mallorcan is adamant that regardless of what the rankings say he's still second to one: Federer, according to Nadal, remains the premier player in the sport. End of discussion.

"I'm getting tired of this question," Nadal told the media in Rotterdam today. "When someone has 13 grand slams and 14 Masters titles, there is no discussion about who is the best."

Nadal is the top seed at this week's ABN AMRO 500 Series event in Rotterdam and appears intent on erasing the memory of last year's second-round loss to Andreas Seppi in Rotterdam. He faces Simone Bolelli in the first round of singles with a possible quarterfinal clash looming with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who swept Nadal in the 2008 Australian Open semifinals.

Nadal and fellow Mallorcan Ignacio Coll-Riudavets lost in doubles today to France's Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra, the 2008 Rotterdam singles champion.

The six-time Grand Slam champion reports he took about a week off after dispatching Federer in five sets to win the Melbourne major. Nadal celebrated his first career major hard-court championship with a family feast before flying to Rotterdam to practice on the indoor hard court at the Ahoy Arena.

"I didn't have much time off but it's worse when you have lost," Nadal said. "After a win it is always difficult to play the next event," Nadal said. "But it also depends how you won. My semifinals and the final in Melbourne were incredible and very tough. In tennis, when you lose you have the opportunity to win the next week but when you win, you don't have any time to rest."

While Nadal insists Federer is still the best, Federer himself may not necessarily agree.

Nadal handed Federer all four of his final losses last season and before last month's Australian Open when Federer was asked today to name his Oz Open favorite, excluding himself, he did not hesitate in selecting the man he looks up to in the rankings.

"I would always pick Rafael," Federer said. "He had an incredible season last year. I think he won the Olympics pretty comfortably, you know, crushed almost everybody on the way, and I thought he was playing well and at the US Open as well, and I thought what I saw of him playing in Doha as well he was playing that well as well. Just came up a few more, played well — best of three sets, it's over in a hurry. Let's not forget he didn't play the Masters, so he couldn't really show there."

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:14. Post subject: Елена Янкович: «Не п..

Елена Янкович: «Не понимаю, почему Федерер высказывается в адрес других спортсменов»

Третья ракетка мира сербка Елена Янкович ответила на вопрос по поводу критики Федерера в адрес рейтинговой системе, которая позволяет стать первой ракеткой мира игроку без титулов «Большого шлема» в его активе.

«Если честно, я не очень люблю говорить о других игроках, предпочитаю сосредотачиваться на себе. Вообще, какое ему дело? Я не сую свой нос в чужие дела.

Что мне нравится в Надале, так это то, что такой великий чемпион так скромен, у него всегда есть добрые слова для всех. Поэтому он образец для подражания.

Федерер – великий спортсмен, не хочу воевать с ним, но я действительно не понимаю, почему он об этом говорит. Зачем ему все это?».

Также Янкович отреагировала на критику Федерера в адрес Новака Джоковича, снявшегося с четвертьфинального матча Australian Open.

«Если он снялся, значит, у него на то были причины, он лучше знает. Не надо критиковать других, если у тебя нет доказательств. Нет причин обижать человека подобным образом», – приводит слова теннисистки Reuters.

http://www.sports.ru/tennis/6923170.html

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:15. Post subject: Пит Сампрас: «Рафа п..

Пит Сампрас: «Рафа просто зверь»

Прославленный американский теннисист, обладатель 14 титулов «Большого шлема» Пит Сампрас прокомментировал недавно прошедший финальный матч Australian Open между Рафаэлем Надалем и Роджером Федерером.

«Теперь я видел, как они играют на всех поверхностях, и мне было очень любопытно посмотреть этот матч.

На месте Роджера я бы больше входил в корт, особенно, на своей подаче – Рафа играет так далеко за задней линией. Немного serve-and- volley время от времени, просто чтобы он держал это в уме. Они вступали в долгие розыгрыши, и как только Рафа бил Роджеру под бэкхенд, он начинал контролировать розыгрыш, и Роджеру было сложно.

Даже при том, как Роджер играл, он был близок к победе. Он был в нескольких очках от выигрыша, так что понятно, что он расстроен. Он отлично играет, но Рафа просто зверь. Он может играть целый день, часами показывать высочайший уровень игры. То, что он сделал в Австралии, сыграв пять часов накануне и выиграв финал, невероятно. Просто снимаю шляпу», – приводит слова американца TENNIS.com.

http://www.sports.ru/tennis/6921712.html

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:15. Post subject: Andy Murray tips Nad..

Andy Murray tips Nadal to become best ever tennis player - and wreck Federer's dream

Feb 10 2009 By Simon Cambers

ANDY MURRAY reckons Rafael Nadal could ruin Roger Federer's chances of becoming the greatest player of all time.

The Scot is on a collision course with world No.1 Nadal at the ABN/AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam this week, with the pair at opposite ends of the draw.

Nadal's epic win over Federer in the Final of the Australian Open at the beginning of this month prevented the Swiss star equalling the record of 14 Grand Slam singles titles, held by American Pete Sampras.

The 22-year-old Spaniard already has six Grand Slam trophies and Murray believes he could yet surpass the achievements of both Federer and Sampras.

Murray said: "It's possible. At the same age I think Federer had two and Nadal's got six and he's won on every surface.

"I can't see many people beating him on clay so I'm guessing he is going to have at least two or three more French Opens.

Then obviously it depends how he does in the others, but he's going to be very close.

"Nadal could go on to be the best of all time. For sure he's going to be one of the best and Federer's very close to becoming the best of all time, so there's two unbelievable players."

Murray watched the Nadal-Federer Australian Open Final on television and described it as an intriguing encounter.

The Scot said: "I thought the situation made it a great match but there were a lot of mistakes, especially in the fifth set.

"Federer didn't serve particularly well throughout the match and there were parts when Nadal looked tired and missed some shots he wouldn't normally miss but there were some incredible points.

"I thought if Nadal could win the first set it would mentally make a big difference. Because of it being Federer's possible 14th Grand Slam it was probably always going to go the wire."

Murray has beaten both Nadal and Federer this year, on his way to the title in Doha. But the strength of the two means his chances of winning Grand Slam titles and moving higher than his present ranking of four is not going to be easy.

The Scot said: "I don't know if I'll get to No.1 but I want to try to give it my best shot. Right now with Nadal and Federer it is not easy. I'm just focusing on trying to win my first Grand Slam."

Murray's first singles match in Rotterdam is against former world No.3 Ivan Ljubicic. The Croat has slipped to 48 in the rankings but boasts two wins over Murray from three previous meetings.

However, the British No.1 is ready to level the score. He said: "I feel like I'm hitting the ball well in practice, so hopefully it will be okay."

Murray will be hoping for a better result than in his first-round doubles match when he and James Auckland lost 6-3 6-4 to France's Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis-news/2009/02/10/rafa-s-risk-to-record-86908-21111224/

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:16. Post subject: The greatest ever? ..

The greatest ever?

According to Mark Starr, Nadal will go down as the greatest tennis player in history.

Following the spectacular final to the Australian Open, sportswriters finished analyzing Roger Federer's crying and resumed debating: Who is the greatest tennis player ever?

Federer shed copious tears after losing the final in five sets to Rafael Nadal. And who could blame him? He had come to Melbourne hoping to capture his 14th career Grand Slam title, which would have tied Pete Sampras’ career record, and everything seemed to be pointing his way.

Sure he would have to beat his nemesis, the standout young Spaniard Nadal, who beat him in finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon last year and wrested away the number-one ranking that Federer had held for almost five years. But while Nadal has dominated Federer on clay and broke through on grass in their epic, five-set Wimbledon final, Federer had ruled the hardcourts.

Moreover, Federer, 27, had breezed through his semi-final against the always disappointing Yank, Andy Roddick, and had been gifted by the schedule with an extra day of rest; Nadal, though five years younger, had endured five sets and an Open record-setting long match to slip past his countryman, Fernando Verdasco, in the other semi. In the wee hours after midnight when Nadal lay prostrate on the court in victory, nobody would have been surprised if he had to be carried off.

So in the final, even with the stadium roof closed to protect the players from 100 degree-plus temperatures, the heat was definitely on. But if anyone felt it, if anyone’s legs wilted just a bit, it was Federer. His service was erratic throughout the match and, in the fifth set, he was simply swept away on a string of uncharacteristic, unforced errors.

When the match was over — 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 to Nadal — the usually stolid, Swiss superstar played against stereotype. At the trophy presentation, Federer couldn’t hold back his emotions amid a torrent of tears. With rare candor for any athlete in defeat, he admitted, “God, it’s killing me.”

The classy Nadal tried to soothe his rival with a gracious salute. But his choice of words — “remember you’re a great champion…one of the best in history” — may have only compounded the sting. Until recently, Federer was most often acclaimed as very likely the “best ever,” not just “one of the best.”

And while that distinction will always be subjective, fodder for barroom debate (especially Down Under where Rod Laver remains the king), Federer had the ultimate measure dead in his sights: He needed just one more Grand Slam title to join Pete Sampras on the game’s highest pedestal.

Passing Sampras certainly seemed his destiny after Federer took three out of four Grand Slam titles in both 2006 and 2007. And again after he won his 13th at the U.S. Open last September, escaping a match-up with Nadal when the Spaniard was upset in the semi-finals. But as Federer approaches tennis antiquity — he will turn 28 just before the U.S. Open this summer — the chase looms as a struggle.

Sampras won only two Grand Slams after turning 28, one that year and a last-gasp triumph at the U.S. Open when he was 31 and headed for retirement. And Sampras did not have a player of Nadal’s transcendent gifts standing in his way. Even if Federer does ultimately catch Sampras, he must already sense the possibility that his claim on “the greatest” in tennis history may be short-lived.

Nadal, of course, is not only standing in Federer’s way, but now clearly chasing him as well. Federer won his first Grand Slam title at age 21 and, by his 23rd birthday, had won two more. Sampras had won four by that age. Nadal is well ahead of that pace, having won his first Grand Slam at the precocious age of 18. The Australian was Nadal's sixth and he will be a prohibitive favorite to capture his fifth consecutive French Open just a few days after he turns 23 in June.

We sportswriters are a notoriously impatient lot. We always want to play well ahead of the day’s game. In a fashion we flatter ourselves by elevating those we are privileged to witness. It is hardly a phenomenon restricted to tennis. Is there a sportswriter alive who has resisted the temptation to pronounce Tiger Woods a mortal lock to surpass Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major golf titles?

Tiger, at 33 and with 14 majors already in his bag, may still be odds-on in that chase, especially after the 2008 U.S. Open where he demonstrated that he is capable of winning on one good leg. But with Woods having now undergone three knee surgeries in five years, we must wonder if his mortal body will hold up to his immortal talent.

Still, sober restraint has never been much fun or, frankly, all that rewarding for sportswriters. Nobody is likely to remember if I am wrong, especially about the distant future. But I will remember — and remind my readers relentlessly — if I happen to be right.

So let me now say it unequivocally: Rafael Nadal is certain to break Sampras’/Federer’s record for career Grand Slam titles. He will go down as the greatest tennis player in history. You heard it here first.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/sports/090206/the-greatest-ever

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:17. Post subject: On Tennis: Fed's..

On Tennis: Fed's losses are net gains for Rafa

By RAVI UBHA
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

Roger Federer got a ton of headlines last week.

He failed to match Pete Sampras' record haul of 14 majors and sobbed uncontrollably after losing yet again to nemesis Rafael Nadal, in the Australian Open final. Nadal sadly became a supporting actor as the Swiss' tears fell and, the class act he is, apologized for sending his victim into such a state.

It's about time Nadal gets the attention he deserves.

We all know by now the Mallorcan can't match Federer's effortless groundstrokes and variety, but the name of the game is winning. Sampras wasn't exactly the most watchable and excitable player -- and didn't mind one bit.

As the dust settled on their five-set thriller Down Under, Nadal's feat becomes more impressive. Playing more than five hours in his semifinal and having a day less to prepare than Federer, Nadal stayed focused barring a minor blip in the second set. He routinely peppered Federer's backhand using his heavy, lefty forehand and directed serves away from Federer's preferred wing, the forehand.

More aggressive at the end of the fourth set, and with success, Federer sagged mentally, reverting to conservative mode early in the fifth, a point not lost on commentators calling the epic tussle. If Nadal hadn't been drained following his exertions against Fernando Verdasco in the semis, he probably would have beaten Federer in three sets.

Nadal has won six majors already, and he is 22 years and about eight months old; Federer collected two at the same stage. And while Nadal won't have a longer shelf life than Federer due to his physical style, let's not forget the improvements he has made to his backhand, serve, positioning and net play since bursting onto the scene as a predominantly counterpunching clay courter.

If he can stand on one leg, Nadal wins a fifth straight French Open in June, and that gives him a real shot of becoming the first man since Aussie Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Grand Slam titles in a season.

There's no way he'd avoid the spotlight then.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/399293_ravi09.html

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:17. Post subject: Federer still trying..

Federer still trying to break the Rafa code

Updated: February 10, 2009

Roger Federer is addicted to being the best. He certainly didn't hide this proclivity during the year-end Tennis Masters Cup, explaining that when he hears himself introduced as the world No. 2, it sounds foreign.

The elegant Federer had an impregnable game. That was, until Rafael Nadal evolved into a powerhouse and began exposing weaknesses in Federer's artillery, both physical and mental. Now Federer is palpably nervous as to whether he can break the Nadal code and capture a record-tying 14th Grand Slam title.

Here are 10 essential ingredients Rafael Nadal has that Roger Federer doesn't. Is the inequity between them driving Federer crazy? Well, we know for sure he has shed a few tears.

1. Six Grand Slam titles at age 22: Nadal owns trophies from four French Opens, one Wimbledon and an Australian Open. In comparison, Federer's majors tally by age 22 was only half as large as Nadal's: two consecutive Wimbledon trophies and a lone Australian Open crown.

2. French Open champion: If not for Nadal, Federer might own three French Open titles: He has been the runner-up at Roland Garros the past three years. But it is Nadal who owns the clay. He will arrive in Paris in May as the four-time French Open champion, and there isn't a hint that his reign is likely to end.

3. Olympic singles gold medal: Playing in three Olympic Games (Sydney, Athens and Beijing), the closest Federer came to a medal in singles was a losing performance in the bronze-medal match at the 2000 Sydney games. It's hard not to imagine it galls Federer -- a gold-star candidate in the sportsmanship department -- that he went home from Beijing this summer with doubles gold while Nadal won the singles title in his first Olympics.

4. Davis Cup champion: Nadal has always considered playing Davis Cup an honor and a top priority. His teenage-hero role in the 2004 final against the U.S. made him front-page news across Spain. An injury kept him out of this year's final win over Argentina, but he was still an integral part of the team. Meanwhile, Federer has cherry-picked his Davis Cup outings, often missing the first round, which often left Switzerland out of contention. Take notice, though, that Federer is now acting with Davis Cup urgency: He has made himself available for first-round action against the U.S. next month.

5. World No. 1: Federer wants the ranking back, but Nadal's Australian Open victory widened the point gap between the two. Nadal is now a comfortable 3,260 points ahead of Federer.

6. Grand Slam titles on three surfaces: Nadal is the first player since Andre Agassi -- who is one of five men to capture all four Grand Slam trophies -- to win majors on all three surfaces: clay, grass and hard court. Federer's 13 Slams have come on grass and hard courts.

7. Winning record against the top eight players: If the coveted year-end Tennis Masters Cup event, which features the top eight players in the world, were played this week, Nadal would head into the event with a winning record against each of the other seven guys: Federer (13-6), Novak Djokovic (10-4), Andy Murray (5-1), Nikolay Davydenko (3-2), Andy Roddick(4-2), Juan Martin del Potro (3-0) and Gilles Simon (3-1). Federer currently has a losing record against Nadal as well as Murray (2-5) and Simon (0-2).

8. Stable coaching relationship: Rafa has Uncle Toni, a mentor who has been by his side from the outset and who has toughened him into the ultimate competitor. Federer stubbornly insists he understands his game better than anyone, so a full-time coach is unnecessary. He terminated the last brief, semi-permanent coaching relationship with Tony Roche in May 2007. Unheralded Swiss Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi has been with Federer at the past few majors.

9. The French-Queens-Wimbledon trifecta: Nadal constantly proves to be an Energizer bunny: No man before Nadal had ever won successive titles at the French Open (clay), Queen's Club (grass) and Wimbledon (grass), which he achieved in 2008. Federer has played Queen's only once, in 1999, choosing in subsequent years to play the Halle, Germany, tournament, which doesn't attract as weighty a field.

10. Southpaw advantage: Nadal is blessed with being a lefty, which allows him a distinct edge over many opponents not as comfortable with the spin of the ball off of a southpaw's racket. Though Federer has a 61-23 record against lefties in his career, 13 of his 23 losses were posted against Nadal.

Sandra Harwitt is a freelance tennis writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis ... is02102009

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:22. Post subject: Рафа глазами Карлоса..

Рафа глазами Карлоса Косты. Перевод на английский - Moondancer c VB.com.

You feel the "buzz" in Ahoy when Nadal plays

Tennis, from our correspondent, Robert Misset,
Published on February 9, 2009
De Volkskrant

Rotterdam - Even when Rafael Nadal, together with his Spanish sparring partner Ignacio Coll-Ruidavets, was losing in the doubles on Monday afternoon; tournament director Richard Krajicek still feels the "buzz" in the sports stadium Ahoy. The world number one gives something extra to the tournament in every way. We are even selling standing tickets for Wednesday because everybody wants to see Nadal playing tennis.

It was a deliberate decision by Nadal to play in Rotterdam, so shortly after winning his first Grand Slam title in the Australian Open, says his manager Carlos Costa. Last year, we considered to let him play the South-African clay tour after the Australian Open. But we would have been playing it safe. Federer lost his number one spot precisely because of the competition on hardcourt.

His swift defeats in Rotterdam and Doha in 2008 underlined that idea. Costa: When Rafa loses, he has the feeling that his arm is chopped off. But he dares to look himself in the mirror during the toughest moments. A lot of players run away from that confrontation after a defeat.

He was distraught to having let Federer escape in the 2007 Wimbledon final. It was probably the worst moment of his career. But he already started to analyse the match in the dressing room with his coach, his uncle Toni. And he probably laid the foundation there for his victory in 2008.

After his triumph in Wimbledon, Nadal's career accelerated, according to Costa. Wimbledon changed his life. There, Rafa finally put an end to the prejudice that he can only win on clay. It was a mental breakthrough."

As a former top ten player, Costa knows what seperates Nadal from the competition. He plays his best tennis on the big points. He has the ability to dig even deeper than his opponent to help tip over the balance of the match in his advantage, just like he did in the Australian Open semi-final against Verdasco.

The secret is to be found in a different strategy, says Costa. The old Rafa no longer exists. Until two years ago, he ran after every ball. He was the player who used to run a marathon to win a match.

Until he beat Murray in five exhausting sets in the Australian Open 2007 after which he couldn't run the next day. Then, Rafa realized that he had to adapt his game. He started to dominate the game more from behind to let his opponent run.

You need courage to leave your safe zone, says Costa. Pete Sampras knew that he could only win Roland Garros by running in every rally. Mentally, he could never make the switch. It is the power of Nadal that he was willing, being the number two, to adapt his game to make the last move.
Manager Costa and coach Toni Nadal take up prominent positions in Team Nadal. Costa: Uncle Toni is his tennis father. He is the most important link. But Rafa listens to everybody, to his parents as well. And if his team concludes that he should jump from the fifth floor of his hotel, he'll do it. (Карлос Коста, а вы часом не заговариваетесь? )

Costa is also encouraging Nadal to change his image. It's been a natural procedure. His broad torso and his sturdy hips define his charisma. It makes Nadal into who he is. He doesn't need to put on an extra-large T-shirt, because that hurts his appeal. But after six years, I started to grow tired of seeing those bundles of muscles in that sleeveless shirt." (Вот паразит! )

"Nadal will soon be 23 years old and he is the world number one. This demands another image and Nike has done a great job in picking up on that with his new outfit."

Never will it be evident for Nadal to win grand slam titles, says Costa. According to him, the tears of Federer were a sign of surrender. I still think that he is capable of winning two slams and break the record of Sampras. The rivalry between Federer and Nadal has reached another dimension. They'll play many more finals against each other."

http://www.volkskrant.nl/sport/article1146057.ece/Je_voelt_de_buzz_in_Ahoy_als_Nadal_speelt

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:30. Post subject: Reactions to the Raf..

Reactions to the Rafael Nadal - Roger Federer Australian Open final:

Pete Sampras: "I've seen them play on every surface now, and I was really curious to see this hard court match.

"If I were Roger I would try to come in a little bit more, especially on my serve -- Rafa stays so far back. Just serve volley every now and again, just to put it at the back of his mind. [They] get into these rallies and as soon as Rafa hits the ball to his backhand, he's in control of the point and it's tough for Roger to keep up. And he came in and mixed it up less than what I thought he was going to try to do.

"He's close just the way he's doing it, he's a few points way from winning these matches, but I'm sure he's frustrated. He's playing fine, Rafa's just an animal. He guy can play all day, he can play at a high level for hours. To do what he did in Australia, play five hours two days before and come back and win the finals is incredible. You've got to tip your hat."

Tiger Woods (to ESPN radio): "I was watching the whole thing. I got up at 3:30 and watched the match. And I was glued to the TV just like everyone else to see those two go at it.

"I wasn't around to watch Borg and McEnroe and and McEnroe and Connors, I was a little bit young to remember that. But I grew up watching Agassi and Sampras go at it and to watch these two go at it, I think it's at a different level. The way they play, it's pretty fun to see how they adjust their games through an entire match and then try to one-up one another. Plus they know each other so well, they've played against each other so many times on a big stage that it's hard to one-up one another, it's just about whoever plays better on that particular day.

"I really wish they were more comparable ages so you could see it go on for a longer period of time, because obviously Rafa's much younger than Fed in tennis years."

Andy Roddick (on Federer's emotional post-match reaction): "I think in sports you can certainly, you know, everyone can relate to being disappointed. I think the thing about, you know, kind of having to stay on for an awards ceremony and from what I read, I think Roger touched on it. Kind of going after a match, taking a shower, stretching, that's kind of all part of your routine to kind of cool down and to kind of almost try to grab a sense of perspective and get away from everybody watching for a second.
"When you have to go straight into the awards ceremony, you know, it's not easy especially after losing a Grand Slam final. I've been on the other end of that with Roger a couple of times. So I don't think it's surprising or out of the ordinary."

TENNIS.com

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:31. Post subject: Григор Димитров: «У ..

Григор Димитров: «У Надаля сумасшедшие тренировки»

Болгарин Григор Димитров, обыгравший в первом круге турнира в Роттердаме чеха Томаша Бердыха со счетом 4:6, 6:3, 6:4, выразил уверенность в том, что в следующем круге ему предстоит встретиться с первой ракеткой мира испанцем Рафаэлем Надалем.

«Будет замечательно сыграть с ним. Я много тренировался вместе с Рафаэлем.
Он никогда не давал мне советов, но просто работать с ним, смотреть за его игрой уже достаточно, это уже совет. Его тренировки просто сумасшедшие», – приводит слова теннисиста AFP.

Отметим, что 487-ракетка мира, обладатель юниорских трофеев на «Уимблдоне» и US Open в дальнейшем будет работать под руководством бывшего тренера Роджера Федерера – Петера Лундгрена.

http://www.sports.ru/tennis/6929067.html

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:32. Post subject: Перевод на английски..

Перевод на английский интервью Рафы в Роттердаме (Moondancer c VB.com)

"I’m often demolished mentally as well as physically"

Published: 10 February 2009
NRC Handelsblad
By Danielle Pinedo

The world’s best tennis player is a just another man who still regularly sleeps at home in his boyhood bedroom. Interview with the Spaniard.

Rotterdam, 10th Febr. His facial expression draws your attention first. Rafael Nadal may appear like a young god, but the look in that eyes betrays the torment of somebody who has had to go beyond his own limits too often. “I’m almost always tired” sighs the Spaniard after his lost doubles match with his compatriot Ignacio Coll-Ruidavets on the opening day of the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. “My intensive playing style is demanding. I’m often demolished mentally as well as physically.”

Lounging in the bunker-like press room of the Ahoy sports palace, he looks back on his experiences earlier this month in the Australian Open in an interview with this newspaper. “My final against Roger Federer is an emotional story – like almost all my matches against him are. We have a long history together. And after that match, I felt pretty rotten. But I know that both he and I will look back at it positively. And many sports fans with us: what happened there was good for tennis.”

Eight days ago, Rafel won the trophy in Melbourne in a much talked about five-setter against Roger Federer. Holding his breath, Nadal looked how his Swiss rival burst into tears during the trophy ceremony. Then, he said that he expected that Federer will win that 14th grand slam title one day (to equal the record of Pete Sampras). He just needs to be patient. “Roger is one of the best tennis players in the history”, Rafael Nadal said after he had thrown his arm around the former number one. “Let’s not forget that this is a great champion”.

False humility.

Words coming straight from his heart, says Nadal about his sixth grand slam victory in eight years time. “People always think that I’m pushing Federer forwards out of some sort of false humility. But nothing is further from the truth. This guy has already collected 57 titles. He has been the leader of the world ranking for more than 4 years and he’s still chasing the record of Pete Sampras. Isn’t it a logical conclusion that he’s the best player in the world?”

He was brief about the much talked about tears in Melbourne: “It’s a recognizable reaction. After I had lost the Wimbledon final against him two years ago, I also shed plenty of tears in the locker room.” The Spaniard doesn’t believe that Federer cried because he realized that he had lost his last opportunity to ever beat his rival. “I’m sure that it’s not”, he says resolutely. “Roger’s role is not done yet. He wil have plenty of chances to beat me.”

Rafael Nadal Parera talks just like he lives: without much fuss. The Spaniard may have gathered a lot of money – 17 million euro in prize money alone – but his living style is sober. While his colleagues are getting mansions build in tax havens, the 22-year old still lives in his parent’s home on the holiday island Mallorca. Father Sebastian runs a glass factory, mother Ana Maria is a house wife. “I still sleep in the same room where I slept as a 12-year old”, he says without showing any sign of embarrassment. “My younger sister sleeps on the same floor. My grandparents live in the same building.”

Family man

The paparazzi don’t get a lot of fun from the leader of the ranking, who has a relationship with his girlfriend Francisca Perello since two years now. The couple were to be seen on the covers of the gossip magazines for a few months, but besides the fact that she gives priority to her economy studies over his career, there’s not much to report. Nadal drives around the island in a Kia, he loves fishing, he spends the few spare time he has with his youth friends and he asks his parents for advice before he buys something big. “I’m a family man”, he says in the bare press room of Ahoy, the sports palace of Rotterdam. “Nothing makes me happier.”

Of course, he knows that a lot of people view him as the muscle man. A Don Juan who lets the hearts of men and women beat faster. “But that’s only an image”, the Spaniard confides. The fact that others have a hard time comprehending those two sides of him is something he understands very well: even after all those years, it still takes his mother quite some time to get used to those facial expressions on court. The transformation from innocent child into a merciless Rambo seems unreal. It’s one of the reasons why she rarely watches him in the stands.

Rafa began to play tennis when he was 4, under the guidance of his uncle Toni who still coaches him today. He has won his first ATP title in Mallorca and at the age of 15, he reached the semi-final of the Wimbledon junior tournament. As a pro in 2003, he was the youngest player (17) to have reached the third round of the grass tournament since Boris Becker in 1984. He ended that same year in the top 50. Since August of last year, he’s the leader of the ranking.

Equals

“A lot of what I have achieved, I owe to my uncle”, says Nadal. “He has kept me focused all those years. And when it gets too much for me after a defeat – like two years ago in Wimbledon – he’s the one he helps me get over that. On the court, Toni is my coach and we talk about nothing else but tennis. Outside of that, he’s a family member I respect a lot.” When hearing a quote from Toni Nadal in this newspaper last year - that he receives no salary at all from his nephew to underline that they’re equals - the tennis player’s eyebrows go up. “I leave what he said for what it is…but it’s true that we treat each other as equals.”

Uncle Toni was also the one who forced Rafa to pick between tennis and his big love for football (According to his uncle Miguel Angel, who played for Barcelona for 8 years, he has a good right (!) foot). And Toni was the man who told him that fits of rage on a court were not only a waste of energy but also a sign of arrogance. “he told me that it would be over if he would see me throw a racquet. ‘There are many people who can’t afford a tennis racquet’ was his reasoning. Since then, I always managed to keep my anger hidden.”

Especially in the last month did Toni Nadal tweak his nephew’s game. A lot of attention was given to his serve that’s well placed but without being very fast. And also his topspin forehand – which according to American research reaches 3.200 rotations per minute, 700 more than Roger Federer’s – was carefully investigated. “The underlying idea was to put more aggression into my game”; says the player who is defensive by nature. “My uncle figures that I can still gain a lot in that department.”

Verdasco

Physically, Nadal is head and shoulders above his colleagues – even though the gap becomes more and more narrow, as was proven by the powerful Fernando Verdasco in the semi-final in Melbourne. Asked how he keeps fit, the world number one replies: “by following a hard program in December. Mostly, I’ll wake up at 8 a.m., I will do one hour of fitness training before I hit the court for about 3 to 4 hours after which I will do power training for two hours. During the season, I will be more on court in comparison. But I always make sure that I keep my body in top shape.”

However, Nadal is convinced that it was not his good physical shape that brought him the victory after that more than 4 hour lasting final against Federer. “My mental force made the difference. After my marathon match against Verdasco, I could hardly stand on my feet. But my uncle gave me a good pep talk before the final battle. He told me ‘fight for it, believe in it’, and that’s what I did.” According to Nadal, if a player is mentally strong, he can win every match despite his physical condition. “Perhaps that’s the most important lesson I have learned from Australia.”

In Rotterdam, the Spaniard hopes to get revenge from his mediocre performance in 2008 when he lost in the second round against the Italian Andreas Seppi – much to the disappointment of the tournament director Richard Krajicek.

Nadal speaks highly of the good organization of the tournament and he jokes once again about the fact that they had to take special measures in the players’ hotel so that he could see his beloved Real Madrid in action in the Champions League.

“Sometimes, I get a bit tired of always having to say the same things over and over”, he softly smiles. “But I do my best to remain the same person I always was. I will never do something that goes against my own ethics. Or to adopt an image that does not match the reality. Authenticity is very important to me.”

NRC Handelsblad - Zowel mentaal als fysiek ben ik vaak gesloopt.

 Posted: 22.03.09 15:32. Post subject: Nadal's graceful..

Nadal's gracefulness, Henin's viewpoint and Roger's toxins

Jon Wertheim

Does Nadal have the best PR person, or does this all come naturally to him? The guy seems to handle himself in a way that I don't think we've seen from some of these younger players. The respect he continues to show to Federer seems genuine. How does he do it?
-- Erin, Sudbury, Mass.

• A good first question on the day Jelena Jankovic (?) bashes Roger Federer but claims to admire Nadal for his modesty. For the record, Nadal does have a PR rep on the payroll, who does right by him. But clearly this "comes naturally" to him as well. As we discussed last week: anyone can spew a few slick talking points into a microphone. Yet when your rival unexpectedly breaks down in tears and you have the wherewithal to step up and console him, you're revealing much more about your nature.

What's the source of this authentic good-guy-ness? Nadal was clearly "raised right" by a mom and dad who don't exactly cut the figure of stage parents. While Nadal's island of Majorca has a reputation as a trendy Euro-destination, Nadal's hometown of Manacors is an unassuming, close-knit place where class distinctions are fuzzy and folks go to great lengths to conceal their wealth. Nadal's uncle, Miguel Angel, the former pro soccer player, was the proverbial "role model," who offered an example of how a pro athlete ought to conduct himself. Give some credit to Federer, too, for demonstrating the top player can win everything in sight and still show grace and humility.

But I think the biggest influence is Uncle Nadal, or "Uncle Hard Ass," as Pete Bodo and I have taken to calling him. I think the Republic of Tennis has grown skeptical of the relative-cum-coach. But in this case, the player's uncle not only possesses a first rate tennis cortex, but also is one of the coaches who shapes lives. At an early age, he impressed upon Nadal that "just because you can hit a tennis ball well doesn't mean you're better than anyone else."

As Nadal ascended the org chart, there was uncle to make sure the kid stayed humble. A promoter offers to fly Nadal and his camp to a tournament. No thanks, says Toni, we already bought train tickets. Nadal goes to the practice courts at the 2008 U.S. Open and realizes he's forgotten his water bottles in the locker room. Never mind the eager volunteer happy to assist the tournament's top seed; Uncle T. (Raffa = Christopher Moltisanti?) makes his nephew run back and get it. A doctor offers to see Nadal immediately; no, says uncle, he'll take a seat in the waiting room like every one else.

You could write an entire chapter about Nadal's pleasant off-court personality and how jarringly at odds it is with on-court ferocity. But give the kid his due. He not only challenges Federer's skill but also gives him a run in the mensch department.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_wertheim/02/11/nadal/