Posted: 28.02.13 21:59. Post subject: Тони дал интервью те..
Тони дал интервью телеканалу IB3, об этом в Твиттере написал Давид Надаль, а на английский перевела nou.amic c VB.com
quote:
"If his knee is OK, we'll go to Indian Wells. There should be no problem playing there. The surface is not the problem. The doctors tell us the problem is in playing a lot of tournaments one after another... and Rafel will have had a week's rest before Indian Wells. What worries us is the level of our opponents. If you are not 100%.. it's difficult to compete on hardcourts with top level players.
For the moment it's going well and it looks as if we'll go. But Rafel prefers to wait until the end of the week to decide. It also suits us to play in Indian Wells to avoid being a month without playing before the clay court season begins."
Toni Nadal spoke about how Rafa looked to him in Acapulco:
"I think Rafa looked considerably better than in the two previous tournaments.. and most importantly, it looks as if his knee is on the right road now. We had more doubts in Sao Paulo, Rafel had more problems with his body there. But now it looks as if it's OK."
"When I got up to watch the match, he was already 4-0 up and I saw the end of the set. It looked as if he had been playing at a good level."
"The normal thing is that as the knee responds, Rafel will gain confidence and mobility, and his game will improve too. Like today."
"If Rafa is well, he's obviously the favourite against Mayer. But in his present state, it'll be a complicated match."
"If we beat Mayer, we could meet Almagro. That would be a good test indeed, one of very high calibre."
Posted: 01.03.13 11:46. Post subject: В интервью на корте ..
В интервью на корте после четвертьфинального матча и на ПК Рафа сказал: - он мог бегать почти на 100% - он снова получает огромное удовольствие от тенниса - "вы не представляете себе, что значит не думать о колене во время игры - это фантастика" - в 2005 он здесь начинал, сейчас он снова здесь начинает и он так же взволнован этим - вчера уровень его игры понизился во 2-м сете, сегодня это было не так, соперник начал подавать очень хорошо и провел отличный 2 сет - во время тренировок в солнечную погоду он не так потеет, как вечером, вечером очень высокая влажность - в полуфинале он не фаворит после 7 месяцев простоя, но ему нечего терять и он постарается - при любом исходе матча он будет счастлив - завтра будет хороший тест, но для него каждый матч сейчас - это тест, такова сейчас его жизнь
Перевод твитов журналиста Juan Ceballos (malimeda c VB.com)
quote:
Nadal: "I've been running almost normally. It was a very difficult match. Leonardo played a great second set." Nadal: "Nico is one of the most difficult opponents in the world on clay. He arrives excellently prepared. I'll have to fight to be in the final." Nadal: "I don't think I'm the favourite tomorrow, after 7 months without competing. I'm going to try. I have nothing to lose." Nadal: "Whatever happens tommorow, I'm going to be happy." Nadal: "I'm enjoying myself playing tennis again. I fell free to run almost at 100%." Nadal: "Tomorrow it will be a good test. But now, there are good tests every day. This is my life today." Nadal: "Each victory has a significance. The one today has a huge significance. I made into the semis at three tournaments that I've played." Nadal: "Today I was able to isolate myself for one short hour and a half playing golf." Nadal: "Yesterday in the second set I dropped my level. Today that was not the case. Mayer served very well." Nadal: "I'm loving Acapulco. Clay helps. But I'm open to coming back. Let's see what happens." Nadal: "The excitement is the same. In Acapulco 2005 I was starting. And now I'm starting again." Nadal: "I've been sweating less practicing by day than playing by night. Humidity takes its toll. It's leaving you drained." Nadal: "I couldn't test myself against an opponent of such level. I hope to be competitive and create problems for him. I'm going to enjoy the match." Nadal: "I've never regarded tennis as work. Ever. Work is something else, much harder. I've always enjoyed competition." Nadal: "You have no idea how fantastic it is not having to think about your knee."
Posted: 03.03.13 09:38. Post subject: Мексиканский журнали..
Мексиканский журналист Juan Ceballos в Твиттере, перевод malimeda c VB.com
quote:
It's not even news anymore: for the 3rd consecutive day, Rafa practicing now without a bandage under his left knee. His sparring partner: Eduardo Peralta, Mexico. Here comes loads of photos of Rafael Nadal practicing for minutes now in Acapulco. Here comes the last match ever on clay in Acapulco. Nadal-Ferrer. Couldn't be better. A small detail: Ferrer came rushing in. He didn't even wait for the official announcement to burst out onto the court. Nadal's knee? Nadal's FOREHAND. Brutal. Eight years ago, here in Acapulco, he has started being Nadal. Today, also here, he's becoming Rafa again. Yes, The Bull. Mexican Eduardo Peralta was Nadal's punching ball for the last 4 days of practicing. Now, Ferrer is a punching bag. And Nadal is punching and punching. Nadal wants to go away quickly to the beach party. When the rest of us arrive, he'll be there waiting for us... It's a privilege to be watching this fabulous return of Rafael Nadal to his own level. Tennis was missing him. A correct time violation: Nadal took 43 seconds before serving. However, the same happened in previous matches and nobody got punished. Ferrer: "I'm glad he's back, although he has burnt me down." Great in defeat. Nadal: "Sorry about today. It was one of the best matches that I played in a very long time." Nadal: "Competing in Acapulco again has been an unforgettable experience. I've been feeling as a player again, competitive." What a fabulous night in Acapulco. Unforgettable. Later on, more about Rafa, the champion of the Mexican Open.
Posted: 03.03.13 11:52. Post subject: Nadal Dethrones Ferr..
Nadal Dethrones Ferrer For Acapulco Trophy
Acapulco, Mexico by ATP Staff
Second seed Rafael Nadal crafted his most impressive performance of the season Saturday evening in Acapulco, dethroning three-time defending champion David Ferrer 6-0, 6-2 to win the Abierto Mexicano Telcel title.
Since returning from a seven-month absence with a left knee injury in February, Nadal has won 12 of his 13 matches to open his comeback season. He began by finishing runner-up at the VTR Open in Vina del Mar (l. to Zeballos) before triumphing at the Brasil Open 2013 in Sao Paulo (d. Nalbandian). Saturday’s victory over Ferrer marked Nadal's 38th clay-court trophy, with seven coming against Ferrer. The Mallorcan also won the Acapulco crown on his event debut in 2005.
"This was a great week for me and today I played exceptionally well, I dominated the game against the world No. 4 and couldn't be happier, especially when I think where I am coming from," said Nadal. "Perhaps the conditions were in my favour but I feel it was maybe one of the best matches of my career."
Nadal never allowed Ferrer to get involved in the highly anticipated final, as he claimed the first eight games. The 11-time major champion broke his countryman five times from eight opportunities, winning 58 per cent of his return points. He closed out the victory in just 65 minutes to improve his FedEX ATP Head2Head series with Ferrer to a 17-4 mark.
The left-hander will play an exhibition match against Juan Martin del Potro on Monday before contesting the season's first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells. "It's a tournament that I love and one of the best events in the year. My knee responded well this week and I really hope it will continue this way," said Nadal.
Ferrer was aiming to retain a trophy for the third time in 2013. The 30 year old successfully defended titles at the Heineken Open in Auckland (d. Kohlschreiber) and the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires (d. Wawrinka). He dropped to a 20-16 record in tour-level finals.
"I wish I could have played a better match but I never found my rhythm. You have good days and bad days," mused the right-hander. "Rafa played really well and I couldn't do much, and never had any chance [but] I leave with a positive feeling," Ferrer added.
Posted: 03.03.13 11:59. Post subject: Rafael Nadal beats D..
Rafael Nadal beats David Ferrer to win Mexican Open title in Acapulco
Rafael Nadal comfortably beat David Ferrer in the Mexican Open final to win his second tournament since recovering from a serious injury to his left knee. The Spaniard spent seven months out of tennis but has now won two events in three weeks after also claiming the Brazil Open title in February. Nadal, 26, defeated 30-year-old countryman Ferrer 6-0 6-2 in Acapulco.
"I've had some difficult months, especially during my time away from tennis, but I feel good," said Nadal. "I have to thank my family and everyone involved in my rehabilitation. It has been a difficult time over the last few months." Former world number one Nadal, now fifth in the rankings, needed only 65 minutes to claim his 38th clay court tournament victory and 52nd ATP Tour title. He won 81% of his first-serve points against Ferrer and saved both break points he faced. Nadal has now won 12 of his 13 matches since returning to the sport after recovering from a torn tendon and maintained his record of never losing against a Spanish player in a final. "I want to congratulate Rafa. He is not an easy player to beat," said world number four Ferrer. "If I have to lose I am happy to lose to Rafa." Nadal also confirmed he would play in next week's Indian Wells hard-court tournament in America, despite speculation he might miss the event to protect his knee. "My heart tells me I should continue competing, that I need to move on to the next tournament," he said.
Rafael Nadal's return to tennis
February - Chile Open (runner-up) February - Brazil Open (winner) March - Mexican Open (winner)
Posted: 04.03.13 15:20. Post subject: The hurt is over at ..
The hurt is over at last for Nadal
Rafael Nadal's fist-pumping comeback reached a new high with his victory at the Mexican Open on Sunday, giving tennis fans hope the 11-times grand slam champion can return to the top of the game.
In an unexpectedly one-sided match, Nadal blew away three-times defending champion David Ferrer 6-0 6-2 in little over an hour.
But the relatively minor claycourt event in the picturesque Pacific resort city of Acapulco took on far greater significance as the sport's attention focused like a laser on Nadal's left knee and the injury that had forced him to take a seven-month hiatus from the tour.
Few top players have taken that much time off and been able to reclaim their former glory, but Nadal was not focusing on the history books following his latest win.
"I don't know if it's happened before, but what I do know is this has been the most emotional week of my career after such a difficult time," the world number five said in an interview with Reuters.
While there were moments during the week when Nadal visibly limped, he said his knee fared much better than during his earlier comeback events at the VTR Open in Chile and the Brazil Open, both last month.
'NO LIMITATIONS'
"There were days in Brazil when it was really bad, and in Chile, during one match as well. But here, it didn't hurt. It just bothered me some," he said. "This was the first week where I could run with complete freedom and no limitations."
Nadal, 26, suffers from chronic knee tendinitis and last September discovered he had a partially torn left patella tendon. He had been absent from tournament tennis since his upset loss in the second round of Wimbledon last year to little-known Czech Lukas Rosol.
Former American tennis pro Brad Gilbert noted that Nadal's latest victory came on the heels of wins over some of the sport's top competitors, including world number four Ferrer.
"Ferrer is playing arguably the best tennis of his career," said Gilbert. "I mean, the guy has been on fire."
Gilbert is perhaps best known for coaching top players Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, and Andre Agassi. He adds that dealing with injuries can be very tricky.
"Andre used to tell me that if you are nursing something that's sore, and you try to play through it, that's the easiest way to hurt something else," he said.
Fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo, who also was forced to take seven months off the tour following a thigh injury last year, emphasises the physical strain of top flight tennis.
"You have to push your limits every week, every match, for so many weeks back to back," said Robredo, a former top-five player who lost in the Acapulco second round.
"We always have something hurting here or there."
EXCEPTIONAL NATURE
Tennis historian Steve Flink points to past comeback efforts of top players to stress the exceptional nature of Nadal's current run.
"The example I think of is John McEnroe after the 1985 season," said Flink. "He decided to go on a sabbatical. He was gone closer to six months and frankly it did not work out. He was really never the same player he had been when he left."
Flink notes that McEnroe won all of his major titles prior to taking the time off, and he was only in his mid-20s.
Agassi was also sidelined from the tour for several months at the end of 1993 due to wrist surgery, Flink adds, but his absence was not as long as Nadal's.
"His was quite a successful comeback," said Flink, pointing to Agassi's triumphs at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon.
Whether or not Nadal, follows the example of McEnroe or Agassi remains to be seen, but early reviews are encouraging.
"If his knee isn't hurting, if it's solid, I think we have Nadal back in the hunt for everything," said Miguel Angel Zubiarrain, a tennis analyst for Spain's Cadena SER radio network.
Nadal is scheduled to play an exhibition match against Juan Martin del Potro at New York's Madison Square Garden on Monday, and will then test his knee further at the California's Indian Wells hard-court tournament.
"In a sense he's reminiscent of Jimmy Connors in the 70s and 80s," said Flink. "It's not necessarily his game that wins the public over, although his game is electrifying at times, but it's his professionalism and his fighting spirit," said Flink.
"It doesn't matter whether its Acapulco or Wimbledon," he added, "he gives it absolutely everything he's got."
Asked what keeps him going, Nadal smiled and paused.
"My motivation is tomorrow, just one day at a time, right?" he said. "I've just got to keep working to be able to do what I enjoy, which is play."
Posted: 04.03.13 22:02. Post subject: Рафа вернулся! Патр..
Рафа вернулся!
Патрик Муратоглу
Наконец-то! Теннисный мир настолько соскучился по Надалю за время его долгого отсутствия, что сейчас действительно ощущаешь, какое же это счастье – вновь лицезреть испанца с ракеткой в руках.
Рафа уже успел принять участие в трех турнирах, два из которых выиграл (в Сан-Паулу и Акапулько), а в самом первом (Вилья-дель-Мар) проиграл лишь в финале. Играет он пока на любимом грунте, да и соперники как минимум в Вилья-дель-Мар и Сан-Паулу были весьма скромные, однако уже сейчас можно утверждать, что Надаль стремительно приближается к своему прежнему уровню. То с какой легкостью он обыграл в Акапулько двух своих соотечественников Альмагро и Феррера, явно не последних людей в туре – этому лучшее подтверждение.
ПРЕВОЗМОГАЯ БОЛЬ
Несмотря на столь оптимистичный старт, очевидно, Надаль и сам чувствует, что не готов на сто процентов, а со стороны это заметно еще сильнее.
Рафа, прежде хладнокровный и невозмутимый, пока слишком часто поддается эмоциям и действует неровно. Особенно это сказывается на и без того не самом стабильном компоненте его игры – подаче. За прошедшие три недели он практически не делал эйсов, а количество двойных порой было просто чудовищным (к примеру, три только в одном гейме в матче против Шарди). Конечно, это выводит Надаля из себя, и, как следствие, он начинает ошибаться еще чаще.
Другой важный аспект полноценного возвращения – способность преодолеть страх перед возможной новой травмой. Пока Рафа перемещается по корту с определенной опаской и, видимо, чувствуя некий дискомфорт и неуверенность, избегает длинных розыгрышей.
ЗАТО ЕСТЬ ХАРАКТЕР
Даже будучи не в лучшем что физическом, что ментальном состоянии, Надаль по-прежнему остается грандиозным бойцом. Да, в его действиях еще нет автоматизма и над многим предстоит работать, да, он понимает, что, возможно, пока не способен доминировать в каждом матче, и поэтому пытается приспосабливаться под соперников, но уже сейчас Рафа побеждает, находя в себе силы преодолевать эти объективные сложности. Сегодня испанец играет, словно голодный до успехов юниор, стремящийся доказать, чего он стоит.
ВЕРНУТЬСЯ СРАЗУ НА ВЕРШИНУ
Много ли вы знаете теннисистов, возвращавшихся после 8-месячного отсутствия, и сразу доходивших до трех финалов, обыгрывая при этом весьма сильных соперников (имеются ввиду Альмагро и Феррер)? Я удивлен, что большинство обозревателей не придаёт этому значения, воспринимая успехи Рафы как само собой разумеющееся. Уровень конкуренции в мужском теннисе за последние годы вырос настолько, что оставлять сей факт без внимания неправильно.
ЧТО В ИТОГЕ?
Рафа, безусловно, показал, что по-прежнему конкурентоспособен, и главным для него сейчас становится фактор времени. В этой связи интересно, каким будет его личный календарь в нынешнем сезоне.
Уже стало известно, что Надаль, скорее всего, сыграет на турнирах в Индиан-Уэллсе и Майами.
Таким образом, после трех недель турниров на грунте ему почти без перерыва предстоит играть на харде. Как это скажется на его коленях? Не лучше ли было не лететь в Америку и не рисковать здоровьем всего за месяц до начала грунтового сезона? Эти вопросы остаются открытыми.
Posted: 04.03.13 22:19. Post subject: Странная статья, при..
Странная статья, при всем уважении к автору.
quote:
Рафа, прежде хладнокровный и невозмутимый, пока слишком часто поддается эмоциям и действует неровно
Может быть, Рафа действует неровно по другим причинам? Долгого отсутствия, например. Дальше про подачи и про то, как Рафа выходит из себя - вообще как будто о ком-то другом написано.
quote:
да, он понимает, что, возможно, пока не способен доминировать в каждом матче, и поэтому пытается приспосабливаться под соперников
Под кого конкретно он приспосабливался? Как в теннисе можно "приспособиться"? С Альмагро и Феррером Рафа продолжал приспосабливаться? Если так, то пусть приспосабливается и дальше.
quote:
Сегодня испанец играет, словно голодный до успехов юниор, стремящийся доказать, чего он стоит.
Я бы хотела понять, что это за образ такой - "голодный до успехов юниор" и как он соотносится с нынешним достаточно осторожным и осмотрительным Рафой. Было бы гораздо интереснее прочитать мнение уважаемого специалиста о том, каков прогресс в игре Рафы за последние недели. Но создается впечатление, что он посмотрел лишь матч с Шарди (это СП вроде бы) и больше ничего не видел.
Posted: 05.03.13 19:08. Post subject: Тони в интервью сказ..
Тони в интервью сказал, что, как видно из матчей против Альмагро и Феррера, Рафа играл очень агрессивно. По этому пути Рафа будет стараться идти и впредь, т.к. другого выбора, чтобы сохранить ноги, у него нет.
Posted: 05.03.13 19:36. Post subject: Сейчас случайно заст..
Сейчас случайно застала кусочек Новостей по каналу НТВ+Теннис. Это что-то! Слышу такой текст: "Сегодня у Серены был шанс поквитаться с Викторией А. за поражение в Дохе и она этим шансом воспользовалась". Ну, думаю, прикалываются. Нет, на полном серьезе говорят! Дальше: "Свой матч сыграли Надаль и Дель Потро. В этом матче Дель Потро одержал легкую победу 76, 64". Что-то еще в этом духе говорили загробным голосом, и на этом фоне идет видеоряд: Рафа и Дельпо валяют дурака, кидают друг другу свечки, Дельпо делает твинер, Рафа выигрывает розыгрыш, отбивая мяч головой с лета. Дураки, штоле?
Posted: 05.03.13 19:54. Post subject: Nadia0808 пишет: Я ..
Nadia0808 пишет:
quote:
Я после победы всё ждала, что скажет "главнокомандующий" нашего бойца
Вот и перевод статьи подоспел (nou.amic c VB.com)
quote:
Transformed by his knee
"He's adapted to not putting so much trust in his legs," says Toni Nadal, before Indian Wells
By Juan José Mateo
When last night, at the mythical Madison Square Garden, Rafael Nadal came out to play an exhibition to prepare him for the Indian Wells Masters 1000 (his first tournament on outdoor hardcourt in a year), Toni Nadal, his uncle and coach, had already remembered a conversation that took place during the seven months the eleven-time Grand Slam champion was sidelined.
- "Mats Wilander says it'll be difficult for Rafael to reach the level he had before the injury," Toni was informed by a journalist.
- "I hope he's mistaken," replied the coach, who has always admired the Swedish ex champion. "If his body responds, logic makes me think Rafael will maintain his former level."
However, when Nadal makes his debut in Indian Wells on Saturday or Sunday spurred on by his marvellous win on the clay of Acapulco (6-0 6-2 over David Ferrer, #4), it will be as a sharper version of himself than the one that took him to the top. Decisive shots and decisions like a shot. That is what Nicolas Almagro and Ferrer saw from Nadal in their Mexican face offs. The Mallorcan does not ask before he shoots now. He fires off the shot without any previous interchange. He, who has always dominated through rhythm and consistency, is now fighting with his gloves off, transformed by the pain in his knee.
"Rafael served pretty well during the clay swing," commented Toni. "From the situations I've experienced, I know this is less wearing on the knees and that helps him mentally to serve better: he has no other choice," he went on. "As was seen against Ferrer and Almagro, he's definitely playing much more aggressively," he added. "Let's see if that's the path we'll follow. We've no other choice. The conception has to change. The fact he had problems with his knee and less mobility in Chile and Sao Paulo (the first two tournaments after his injury), has meant he's gradually been adapting his game as he doesn't trust his legs so much. Finding himself in this position against Almagro and Ferrer, he knew he had to be aggressive, and he was," he said. "Rafa has done this on different occasions before now. When running is enough, he runs; when he really needs to, he gets down to taking more risks and serving better. He has been doing this for quite some time."
This capacity to decide, reflected in his transformation and in the choices he is making - hitting a winner instead of defending; taking risks instead of always playing to a rhythm; going for a big serve instead of one that simply controls the start of the play - , now moves on to be tested on hard courts. Nadal has not lifted a trophy on this surface since the autumn of 2010 (Tokyo). He has not played a match on cement since deciding not to play the semifinals in Miami 2012, precisely because his left knee was hurting him. He knows more players give him more problems on these courts and needs his best version to face those at the top.
"The first hard court tournament won't be easy, of course," admitted Toni. "This year is an unknown quantity. We've spent many months without playing. Anyone can appear and anyone can easily surprise you," he went on. "I know how difficult it is. Rafael has won on the surface he adapts best to. On hardcourt, we'll see."
Before all this, Nadal boarded a plane to New York, the city where he had his most glorious moment, where he completed the Grand Slam, winning all four slam tournaments, there in 2010, by defeating Djokovic in the US Open final. Amid the flashes yesterday, Nadal hugged Serena Williams, smiled at Victoria Azarenka and looked Juan Martin del Potro, his rival both on the tour and at the exhibition, in the eye. The Argentinian was much more than his opponent in a friendly match. He was the first touchstone, the first notched up on cement in a year, the first step towards rejoining the tour completely: "I have to listen to my heart," Nadal argued, "and it's telling me I have to go on competing, that I need to go to the next tournament."
Posted: 05.03.13 23:04. Post subject: "Acapulco gives ..
"Acapulco gives me confidence" : Rafael Nadal
By Ricardo Coello
ACAPULCO, 4th March- When it comes to the natural abilities required to stand out at tennis, they say it is 8o% mental and 20% physical, and Rafael Nadal's convincing win at the Mexican Open in Acapulco possibly takes him very close to the level he wants to be at for tackling the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami and for heading into the clay court swing in Europe after that.
The tennis player from Manacor spoke to Excélsior about the significance of his win and also about other personal subjects such as his Rafa Nadal Foundation and how much he missed tennis during the seven months he was away from it because of his knee injury:
"At the moment what helps me a great deal is returning to competition and to tell the truth today (Saturday) has rounded off a beautiful week for me after suffering in Chile and Brazil. Despite the results being very good," said Nadal, "my knee made me suffer a lot and this week I've been able to compete, although there was some pain, without any limitation on being able to run and that gives me energy and tremendous optimism after many months suffering a great deal and obviously it's been one of the most emotional victories in my career because of everything that happened these past months and, of course, winning Acapulco, which is a big tournament, gives me confidence."
- You were starting out on your career in 2005 when you won your first big tournament in Acapulco, now you've won it again as you're making your comeback after a long absence...
- "Yes, obviously in 2005, after the success in the Davis Cup in Seville, I went to Brazil and then Acapulco gave me a good start and hopefully it'll be the same now, it's a similar feeling although it's a completely different situation.
Returning to the Latin American swing after so much time, I managed to win in Brazil and win again here in Acapulco beating two of the toughest opponents you can meet on clay (Nicolas Almagro and David Ferrer), a more than satisfactory result for me, almost unexpected, and I hope it can become a good starting point for what could be some good years to come."
- How much have these seven months you were sidelined helped you mature as a tennis player?
- "To tell the truth, unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, you never know, because I had to stop maybe when I was enjoying playing tennis most, was most appreciating everything that was happening to me, which was all very positive. The first half of 2012 was unforgettable, one of the best in my career, and I had to stop. These have been difficult months.
I've always tried to appreciate everything that happens to me because I've never had things easy. I've had to fight, to work and I know that it's thanks to very many people that have helped me that I'm able to be here.
I think that when you're not playing you long for and miss many feelings you have and perhaps don't appreciate when you experience them every day, like the simple act of walking out on to a tennis court in a stadium packed full of people cheering for you.
When you're competing week in week out, there are things you think are routine, but right now every time I walk out on court it's almost a new feeling."
- About the Rafa Nadal Foundation, when did the idea occur to you, how does it work and what gave you the idea of setting up this foundation?
- "The foundation works well, it's young, only three or four years old, and needs to keep on growing, but we can't complain. We already have plenty of projects, one in India together with the Vicente Ferrer Foundation and three projects in Spain where we help or give an opportunity to discapacitated children and children with problems of social integration, we have a centre in Barcelona, one in Aragon and another in Andalusia. These are centres where children with problems at home or a discapacity have the chance to go after school to play sport, study and obviously continue their education and detach themselves from the problems they may have to experience every day at home.
We also work with the Special Olympics, which is a nice project. I think the foundation is on the right path and I have people that work very hard so that the foundation will keep growing and achieve it's objective, which is to help children more and more. The idea simply grew from what one sees around the world and also from all those events I've been able to do in the past to raise funds for other foundations, so in the end I decided to create my own and hand out those funds where I thought it was necessary, where I think they should go.
I've always had a special sensibility and a special feeling for children and we work with them."
- What are you going to do so as not to lose this silver "Guaje"?
Posted: 10.03.13 11:13. Post subject: Indian Wells: Nadal ..
Indian Wells: Nadal d. Harrison
SATURDAY, MARCH 09, 2013 /BY STEVE TIGNOR
For the first five games, and the final seven, Rafael Nadal’s second-round win over Ryan Harrison went by the book. The fifth seed was far the superior player and physical presence, while the overmatched American was forced to try things he normally doesn’t try. During those stretches, Rafa looked much like the Rafa who has won this tournament twice.
Nadal yanked the ball, and his opponent, from corner to corner with his forehand, and he hit his backhand with flat authority. He stretched Harrison wide with his serve and forced him to hit the ball from above his shoulder on the baseline. Best were Nadal's passing shots. He broke Harrison with a sparkling pair of passes, one forehand, one backhand, to take command of the second set. For these periods of his 7-6 (3), 6-2 win, you wouldn’t have known it had been nearly 350 days since Rafa had played a match on a hard court.
But for the other seven games, from the time Nadal was up 4-1 to the time when the two players started the first-set tiebreaker, you might have had an inkling that something wasn't quite right. A combination of wind and nerves and surprising play from Harrison kept Rafa from running away with this match much earlier than he did. He wasn’t consistent enough to take a lead and step on the gas. Serving at 4-2 in the first set, he played a tentative, herky-jerky, error-filled game, letting the ball dance in the wind and smothering it in the net—later he called it with obvious sarcasm, a “fantastic game.” From that point to the breaker, the set was a scrap.
Harrison, whose early experiments with serving and volleying had been dismal failures, now made some inroads with the tactic. He knocked off a couple of volleys and bluffed Rafa into return misses on second serves. Harrison got to 15-30 on Nadal’s serve at 4-4, and had a break point at 5-5. Each time, Nadal used his hook serve to Ryan’s backhand to escape. By the tiebreaker, Nadal was back in control. When he punctuated a rally with a high forehand volley winner for 4-1, the packed house got to its feet. The crisis had passed.
Harrison lost his 17th straight match to a Top 10 opponent, but he’ll have to feel better about this performance than he did after his blitz loss to Novak Djokovic in Australia. Harrison was effective with the serve and volley, and he held his own in all departments for much of the first set—it wasn’t just Rafa’s bad play that made it close. But he also went bigger on his forehand than he normally would, and it cost him. He gave up the first mini-break of the tiebreaker with a slapped forehand that caught the tape. Nadal never trailed from there.
Rafa is back on hard courts, and the crowd at Indian Wells, where he is as popular as he is anywhere else, welcomed him by filling even the top rows of seats. He was shaky at times, and a few times he lost his range as soon as he had found it, but he didn’t appear to be limited physically. He’ll play Leonardo Mayer next.
Posted: 10.03.13 13:39. Post subject: На ПК Рафа произнес ..
На ПК Рафа произнес гневную речь относительно правила 25 секунд:
quote:
“I played much faster, no?, he said. “And I am doing because somebody very smart puts a new rule that is a disaster, in my opinion. Not in places like here that is dry, you know, not very humid place, but is completely disaster when we are playing in tournaments like Acapulco, Brazil, or Chile.”
“Sorry,” Nadal continued. “I cannot support that, because for so many facts in my opinion the rule is wrong. First thing, because the rules go against the great points of tennis.
“Because if you see the highlights of the end of the season, I didn’t see not one highlight, the best points of the season, I did not see not one ace.
The best points of the season are long rallies and amazing points. With this 25 seconds, you play a long rally and you think you can play another long rally next point? No. So go against the good tennis.
“So the guy who really accepted this rule was not very smart, in my opinion. Even if you don’t have time for the TV to repeat a good point, and then the referee, I don’t know what he’s doing on his chair. We can play without referee 100%. The lines on every line, Hawk‑Eye, now 25 seconds. He don’t have to analyze nothing. He just have to put the clock and that’s it. Then we can play. Put the clock on court and play without umpire, because it’s not necessary anymore because the umpire is not enough good to analyze if the match is being hard, if somebody is losing time, penalize him with a warning.
“If both players are going the same way because you are playing a great point and you need to rest 40 seconds after the point, we don’t need anymore umpire. That’s my feeling. You know what I did? Maybe somebody ‑‑ maybe nobody did at the ATP, but I went back to my matches, great matches, in Grand Slams, playing long rallies in big tournaments, and when you play like a 30 points, you know, 30‑shots rally, 40‑shots rally like final of Roland Garros, like final of Australia, like final of any good tournament, you know, how much time we rested?
“You have to see the third set of the US Open 2011 against Djokovic, and you tell me if the crowd was very happy about what happened in that set or not, and tell me if with this new rule that can happen again. Please.”
Posted: 11.03.13 21:45. Post subject: BNP PARIBAS OPEN Ma..
BNP PARIBAS OPEN
March 9, 2013
Rafael Nadal
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
R. NADAL/R. Harrison 7‑6, 6‑2
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How satisfied were you by the way you played and obviously the outcome? RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I am satisfied to be in the next round. That's the most important thing. I am satisfied to be here playing at Indian Wells. Two weeks ago, two weeks before, I didn't really know if I would be here playing. I am happy to be here. I am happy to be in the third round. Good victory for me today against a good opponent. I felt that I had the match more or less, you know, ‑‑you never have control of the matches, no? But with this 4‑1 and few breakpoints, I feel that I was playing okay. Nothing, you know, special, but okay. And after that I lost that game, and I played fantastic game in the 4‑2 with one double fault, three forehands outside of the stadium. (Laughter.) You know, after that the set became very tricky.
Q. How do you feel after the match? Do you feel good? RAFAEL NADAL: I am fine, yeah. My physical performance needs to improve. My movements need to improve. Matches like this help me, for sure, no? Today more than any result, any victory is important for me because that gives me the chance to play another day. That's what I need, play matches. I need to compete. I really, you know, want to compete, and I need. So that's the only way to win matches without playing fantastic. That's the only way to play very well in a short period of time.
Q. Were you able to go out there and say, I'm going to run as much as I can? I don't care what my knees feel like, I'm just going to play? Or is it sometimes in your mind? RAFAEL NADAL: No, I try my best in every moment, no? After seven months I'm not gonna take crazy risks. But I am here. When I am playing a tournament, if you know myself, my mentality is try my best in every moment. I really don't think about my knee, but is true that for me today after seven months out of competition is easier to start and play on clay more than grass. Is true that we have the clay court season not very far.
Q. Here in America it's hard court, hard court, hard court. Do you think there should be more clay court tournaments? RAFAEL NADAL: I don't want to say that, because anything that I will say not gonna affect in my career. That's not going to change during the years that I will be playing, no? I think it's more medical things than players think. Hard courts are aggressive for the body. If for the next generations wants to have longer careers and want to finish his careers with better conditions physically, that's my humble opinion. ATP have to find a solution and not continue playing more and more tournaments on this surface that is the harder one for the joints and for the knees, for the foot, for the ankles, for the back, for everything.
Q. You're the main one who talks about hard courts and wanting to have more tournaments not on hard courts. Not as many as the other top players discuss that. Do you think that a lot of players discuss your opinion, or do you think it's more your personal experience, more you than other people? RAFAEL NADAL: Depends. If you will ask a player who plays fantastic on this court is a thing that‑‑ sorry. At the end, we are here. At the end, it's an individual game. At the end, everybody thinks for himself. And if somebody plays great on this surface, it's difficult to go against this surface, no? Is normal that if the volume of the tournaments on hard are more than in the rest of the surfaces, is normal than like the top players of the world, best players of the world, are specialists on hard courts. So they not gonna go against the hard court. That's why I say is not another players' thing, it's a medical thing. Somebody have to think not for today. I repeat: I'm not talking about my career. My career is done. We gonna finish my career playing on the same or more tournaments on hard, because that's the dynamic. But, yes, no, my opinion is for the next generations that something have to change.
Q. You have recently launched the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy. Can you talk about that and what you hope tennis fans will take away from it? RAFAEL NADAL: I think it's a great application, no? Somebody, normal people can compare his shots with professional tennis players. I think it's a great idea. I support it. I love that. I really think that it's a good thing, and I hope the people enjoy it.
Q. Is it kind of amazing how healthy Roger has stayed throughout his career, considering all the hard court tennis he's played? RAFAEL NADAL: No. It's amazing? I don't think so. I think, you know, he's very good. Don't take my words because my English is not perfect, no? But I think he's very lucky to have this talent, no? The talent of Roger is amazing, and the things that he's able to do it, you know, the rest of the‑‑ all the players, we are not able to play this way. He win a lot of matches with, you know, short points; win a lot of matches with the serve, with one forehand. So, you know, that's why he's able to keep having big, you know, big career and very long. That's amazing thing that's have a lot of value. No, nothing to say about that. He's great, and for many reason he's the best of the history, no?
Q. At this stage of your comeback, is it more important to win matches even if you don't feel like you're playing well, you're not moving well, or is it more important even if you lose to feel like you're hitting the ball well, you're moving better? Which is more important? RAFAEL NADAL: Seven months away, a lot. I will repeat the same answer than before: If you win, you have more chances. If you have more chances, you will compete more and you will practice more and you will be ready to put yourself in 100% conditions in a short period of time. If you are losing very early it's tough because you can practice a lot, but at the end, it's not enough, the practice, no? Important thing is compete. I'm very happy about what I did in Latin America clay court season. Was very important for me, and I really came here because it's one of my favorite tournaments. I really want to keep competing. But for the first tournament on hard and with the conditions, I don't expect big result, but just be here, practice with the other players, compete like tonight I did, have another chance after tomorrow. That's very positive for me. And seriously, I happy, and I don't expect a lot. I take everything like positive thing. For me, today, every victory playing great, playing bad, have a lot of value, no? If I can play fantastic like I did in Acapulco, very happy because I was playing one of my, you know, top levels that I played ever on clay. But if I played not well like I did in Brazil and I was able to go to the final and win it, that's a very positive thing. These things help me, like the things in Brazil helped me to play much better in Acapulco.
Q. You have many fans. It's been said that really no one was quite missed like the way you were missed these last months. Has there been one moment, one comment, that has been particularly touching to you and that you reflect on as a nice moment of appreciation for people's sense of your absence? RAFAEL NADAL: For me I think will be not good to say anyone, no? For me, my feeling was I feel the love of the people during all this time. Because when you are winning and when you are playing is great to have all this support, because, you know, you feel important; you feel great on court. But when you are off, when you are not having your best moment receive as many messages as I did, I receive, you know, in my personal phone and in the Twitter and Facebook, you know, is something very important. And seriously, you know, that's give me a lot of energy, no, to keep doing, keep trying hard every day. When I was back and I played in South America and Brazil and Chile and in Mexico, the support more than ever was really, really amazing. When you feel that support of the people, when you go on court, when you are walking around outside of the court, is something that, you know, you cannot appreciate sometimes when you are doing, you know, when you are having that every week. But when you come back after seven months, you know how ‑‑ you really understand how much I miss it, all of this, no?
Q. Just back to hard courts, you have won US Open, Australia, here, Canada, Cincinnati. RAFAEL NADAL: Madrid. Cincinnati didn't play well there. Never (Laughter.)
Q. But you have won a lot of big tournaments on hard courts. RAFAEL NADAL: You know what? I am saying that today about the hard courts, because if I had to answer that question in 2005, 2006, maybe I will not answer that question, because seems like I am just having this opinion because I prefer to play on clay because I am much better on clay than hard. But today, after winning, you know, a lot of tournaments on hard and having a fantastic career, if we pull out all my clay court titles and just analyze my career outside of clay, I had, you know, much better career that I ever dreamed. That's why I feel that I have the chance to have my opinion, and, you know, to express my opinion, because I was able to play very well on hard for a long time. I win a lot of important tournaments on hard, and that's give me the confidence to say that to you.
Q. So in a sense, though, you're saying maybe you sacrificed maybe too much of your body to win those tournaments on hard courts? RAFAEL NADAL: No. I did what I had to do to be happy. I did what I had to do to convert my goals. I did. Seems stupid say like if I will be back on time I will not change nothing, because I will change things for sure, 100%. But I tried hard to win the US Open; I tried hard to win Australia; I tried very hard no win in the Olympic Games. That was very important for me. I work very hard to be better player on every surface. Finally I think I did, because I played great on Wimbledon a lot of times; I played great in US Open; great in Australia. I think since‑‑ I don't know how my career gonna come back now, but before I stop in 2012 I was able to compete. I had the chance to win in every tournament I played, on hard, clay, grass. That's a lot. Means a lot to me.
Q. Tonight's was a very quick match. His attitude was to come at you, to come to the net, to make you play your shots quickly, but you seem to be playing a little quicker than normal. Are you having to just change your attitude a little bit knowing that there is a bit more pressure on you to play the points? RAFAEL NADAL: That's true. I played much faster, no? And I am doing because somebody very smart puts a new rule that is a disaster, in my opinion. Not in places like here that is dry, you know, not very humid place, but is completely disaster when we are playing in tournaments like Acapulco, Brazil, or Chile.
Q. Or Rome. RAFAEL NADAL: Sorry. I cannot support that, because for so many facts in my opinion the rule is wrong. First thing, because the rules go against the great points of tennis. Because if you see the highlights of the end of the season, I didn't see not one highlight, the best points of the season, I did not see not one ace. The best points of the season are long rallies and amazing points. With this 25 seconds, you play a long rally and you think you can play another long rally next point? No. So go against the good tennis. So the guy who really accepted this rule was not very smart, in my opinion. Even if you don't have time for the TV to repeat a good point, and then the referee, I don't know what he's doing on his chair. We can play without referee 100%. The lines on every line, Hawk‑Eye, now 25 seconds. He don't have to analyze nothing. He just have to put the clock and that's it. Then we can play. Put the clock on court and play without umpire, because it's not necessary anymore because the umpire is not enough good to analyze if the match is being hard, if somebody is losing time, penalize him with a warning. If both players are going the same way because you are playing a great point and you need to rest 40 seconds after the point, we don't need anymore umpire. That's my feeling. You know what I did? Maybe somebody‑‑ maybe nobody did at the ATP, but I went back to my matches, great matches, in Grand Slams, playing long rallies in big tournaments, and when you play like a 30 points, you know, 30‑shots rally, 40‑shots rally like final of Roland Garros, like final of Australia, like final of any good tournament, you know, how much time we rested? You have to see the third set of the US Open 2011 against Djokovic, and you tell me if the crowd was very happy about what happened in that set or not, and tell me if with this new rule that can happen again. Please.
Posted: 12.03.13 11:32. Post subject: An interview with RA..
An interview with RAFAEL NADAL (March 11, 2013)
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Is it kind of a letdown? How close were you to the match when you found out? RAFAEL NADAL: I was ready. I was doing my fingers tape. Yes. That’s bad news, for sure, especially for the fans and for the opponent, and for Mayer, especially. I talked with him. It seemed like it’s nothing very, very bad. Just typical, you know, back problem just beginning when he was warming up his serve. But I really hope you know, physio says maybe in four days, five days will be ready. That’s most important thing that nothing serious.
Q. Did he say anything to you, I’m sorry, or tell you he couldn’t play, or did you guys not talk? RAFAEL NADAL: No, I am sorry, not. How he can say sorry, no? He in the worst position, so sorry for him especially. I talked with him just one minute, two minutes. No, he was with calm and no. Sad situation. Happened the same to him in São Paulo this year, so that’s negative and frustrating sometimes. But that’s the sport, and when you bring our body to the limit conditions, these kind of things can happen. No, I repeat: Important thing in the end is nothing serious, and he will be able to be playing very soon.
Q. Will you practice extra today? RAFAEL NADAL: I gonna go a little bit to the gym, I gonna go practice a little bit more later, but no match. I am not practicing a lot.
Q. I saw on social media you were maybe having a hit with Larry Ellison. I just want to know your thoughts on him and his contribution to the sport and this tournament. RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, is great, no? I played with him last year. I had the chance to play again yesterday a little bit with him. Always it’s a really honor. He’s improving a lot. His backhand improve especially a lot from last year, so that’s great. He changed to Babolat racquet, so… (Laughter.) No, this tournament is a really pleasure. It means a lot for me, and especially for the tennis, have somebody like Larry who is supporting like this our sport. I think is very important. He’s great, one of the most important person of the world. He loves tennis and support one of the best tournaments of the world. It’s great what he’s doing for tennis and especially for this tournament, no? I think this tournament I saw all around every day more and more people, more fans. For next year gonna be fantastic stadium. I think gonna be one of the best, best tournaments around the world without any doubt. The players can say thank you for all his support.
Q. Did you talk to about tennis or business… RAFAEL NADAL: He knows more tennis I think than me. (Smiling.) No, yeah, we talked a lot about tennis, about many things. Both of us, we have a passion for the water, no, and we were able to talk for a while and to practice and we have new relationship. I really enjoy and say thank you very much to him personally from me what he did for his hospitality, for everything. Great. Every time that I am coming back here, have somebody like him here is great. Thank you for everything.
Q. Did you feel the earthquake this morning? RAFAEL NADAL: I was very scared. First time in my life. Yeah.
Q. What were you doing at the time? RAFAEL NADAL: I was doing I was on the massage table preparing for my warmup. I think the massage table moves even worse more. (Smiling.) I really get I finish the earthquake, and I was my legs were like this. (Indicating wobbling.)
Q. It’s supposed to be very hot, 90, I don’t know, 32, 33. RAFAEL NADAL: Here?
Q. Yeah, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Do you like that? RAFAEL NADAL: No, not a secret that I love the hot. I hate the cold weather, no? For me, for my knee, for my foot, for everything is better when the conditions are warmer, no? Anyway, I love practicing and playing in days like today: no wind, fantastic weather, good, hot temperature. So I enjoy a lot the practice. Sorry I couldn’t play the match, but I have the day to keep doing things. Indian Wells is the right place to be.
Q. Just when the earthquake hit, how long did it take you to figure out since this was your first one what was going on? When you’re preparing and all of a sudden the ground starts shaking, how long did it take you to figure out it was an earthquake? RAFAEL NADAL: Probably in half second. (Laughter.)
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Слышу такой текст: "Сегодня у Серены был шанс поквитаться с Викторией А. за поражение в Дохе и она этим шансом воспользовалась". Ну, думаю, прикалываются. Нет, на полном серьезе говорят! Дальше: "Свой матч сыграли Надаль и Дель Потро. В этом матче Дель Потро одержал легкую победу 76, 64". Что-то еще в этом духе говорили загробным голосом, и на этом фоне идет видеоряд: Рафа и Дельпо валяют дурака, кидают друг другу свечки, Дельпо делает твинер, Рафа выигрывает розыгрыш, отбивая мяч головой с лета. Дураки, штоле? 
"Убедительную победу" - вроде так было 
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