The Scores Report - The National Sports Blog » Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon

Gerardo Orlando — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 04:07:29 +0000

Things are getting pretty interesting in men’s tennis with Novak Djokovic’s victory over Rafael Nadal to win Wimbledon. Nadal has now lost five times to Djokovic this year, and here’s his quote after today’s loss:

Today my game don’t bother him a lot,” Nadal told reporters. “He’s playing better than my level. And find solutions, that’s what I have to try. When I was healthy, I only lost against him. Probably the mental part is little bit dangerous for me. To win these kind of matches, I have to play well these kind of points [that] can change the match. I didn’t play well these moments. That’s what happened in Indian Wells, that’s what happened in Miami, and that’s what happened here. I don’t want to count in Madrid and Rome because he played much better than me. And to change to be little bit less nervous than these times, play more aggressive, and all the time be confident with myself. That’s what I gonna try next time. If not, I gonna be here explaining the sixth [loss].

Nadal handles Federer to win the French Open

Gerardo Orlando — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:09:46 +0000

Rafael Nadal has defeated Roger Federer, again, to win the French Open. It’s his sixth French Open championship. Many consider Federer to be the best player of all time, but surface means everything in tennis, and Nadal has owned him on clay.

This is also Nadal’s tenth grand slam title, so who knows what people will be saying about the all-time greats in a couple of years if he keeps this up.

Did ESPN do anything wrong in cutting away from the U.S. Open trophy ceremony? [video]

John Paulsen — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:00:55 +0000

The person who posted this video on YouTube calls ESPN’s actions ‘disgraceful.’

What do you think?

Nadal back in top form, takes Wimbledon

Christopher Glotfelty — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:27:50 +0000

While Nadal’s recent French Open title again solidified himself as the top clay court player of his era, doubts remained whether or not another Wimbledon was in the cards. It was. Facing 12th-seeded Thomas Berdych, Nadal defeated the Czech today 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to claim his second Wimbledon championship.

From ESPN.com:

Nadal broke Berdych four times and never lost serve in 15 service games.

It’s the second time Nadal has won the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. He is now 5-0 in his last Grand Slam finals.

With eight Grand Slam titles, Nadal joins a list of greats that includes Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall. He also has five French Open championships and one Australian Open title.

After ripping a crosscourt forehand passing shot on match point, Nadal collapsed on his back on the turf at the baseline and covered his face with his hands. After congratulating Berdych, Nadal leaped out of his chair and did a front somersault on the grass, rising to his feet with both fists clenched.

I’m skeptical to call Nadal the dominant player in men’s tennis, not because all of you will rip on me (I’m fine with that), but because we still need him to beat Roger Federer one more time in a Grand Slam. When Nadal and Federer squared off at Wimbledon in 2008, Nadal’s breakthrough victory alerted the world of his talent and justifiably shook Federer. Flash forward to January of 2009 and Nadal is defeating Federer in the Australian Open final, driving the point home further.

But directly after that, everything seemed to collapse. Nadal’s knees started to crumble and, even more surprising, Federer got better. After falling in the fourth round to Robin Soderling at the 2009 French Open, Nadal took heed of health concerns and withdrew from the upcoming Wimbledon. Federer, on the other hand, won both of those tournaments, surpassing Pete Sampras on the all-time Grand Slam list in the process.

Now Nadal is mowin’ em down once again, and his Wimbledon win today proves that he’s deserving of the world No. 1 recognition. What’s interesting to me is that Berdych beat Federer in the quarterfinals, but was thwarted in straight sets by Nadal in the final. Is there something we can glean from this about the stages of Federer and Nadal’s careers? You might not think so. I do. But like anyone else I think Nadal needs to win one more epic Grand Slam final between the two if he wants to deserve that extra praise.

Photo from fOTOGLIF

Nadal wins French Open, regains world No. 1

Christopher Glotfelty — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:43:51 +0000

Rafael Nadal has just captured his fifth French Open title, defeating Robin Soderling in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. In edging Soderling, the quirky Swede who surprisingly ousted the Spaniard last year in Paris, Nadal also seizes the world No. 1 from Roger Federer.

The match ends a marvelous run for Nadal at this year’s French Open, where he didn’t drop a single set the entire tournament — the second time he’s done so at Roland Garros. Although Soderling posed a significant challenge considering their history, Nadal’s dominance on clay, particularly at this event, was on display from the start.

Next up: Wimbledon. What Roland Garros is to Nadal, the All England Lawn and Croquet Club is to Federer. Curiously, Nadal is not optimistic about his chances at the event. Today, in a post-match interview with John McEnroe, Nadal told Mac the next he would him see would be the U.S. Open. Hopefully Nadal is just being coy.

Photo from fOTOGLIF

Nadal endorses watch company, shows up late to press conference

Christopher Glotfelty — Sat, 22 May 2010 17:55:07 +0000

I’ll spare you the obligatory pun, as no doubt dozens of other publications have used one in reference to this story. (Nevertheless, I did have plenty rattling around in my head, but I knew putting one down would only satisfy myself.)

Nadal, who recently teamed with Swiss watch manufacturer Richard Mille, scheduled a press conference in Paris to promote the brand’s new product: a lightweight watch, limited to 50, that will go for $535,000. Unfortunately, the tennis star got caught up in doing things infinitely more exciting than attending a press conference (even his own), and was an hour late.

“I’m sorry for the delay but for once it wasn’t my fault,” a sheepish Nadal said following the late arrival of his flight from Majorca.

Few players wear watches during matches – although plenty put them on before they leave the court in order to satisfy sponsors – but Nadal has worked with Richard Mille to produce an ultra lightweight model. The watch weighs just 20 grams, including the strap. The Spaniard, who is naturally right-handed but plays left-handed, will wear it on his right wrist during matches and on his left away from the court.

Both Nadal and his entourage deny there has been a conscious decision to rebrand him, but the image of the ordinary young man who lives at home with his family, plays golf with his friends and shuns a celebrity lifestyle appears to be changing rapidly.

You know, even though Nadal was late, and it’s an unprofessional move, it’s not like the press doesn’t have a choice whether or not to leave. Of course, they stay, because they are the mercy of the athlete, their editor and their readership, and the story is always more important than showing up with nothing. I’m glad nobody is making a big stink about it, but I’m amazed that they would wait around just to listen to Nadal talk about watches. Well, the watch does use “aerospace technology,” so I guess it would be funny to hear Nadal try to pronounce a few difficult words.

Photo from fOTOGLIF

Nadal to take on Verdasco in Monte Carlo final

Christopher Glotfelty — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:24:21 +0000

Rafael Nadal is playing his typical best during the clay court portion of the ATP Tour. He embarrassed David Ferrer in straight sets today in Monaco and hasn’t been bothered by his knees. He will compete for a sixth straight Monte Carlo Masters title tomorrow against Fernando Verdasco.

From ESPN.com:

It will be the first all-Spanish final at Monte Carlo since Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Carlos Moya in 2002. Verdasco has lost all nine matches against Nadal, who will be aiming for his first title since beating Djokovic on clay last May at the Rome Masters.

Nadal has won 31 successive matches in Monaco. Verdasco has won four titles in his career to 36 for Nadal.

“This year I think I am playing much better because I am running a little bit better,” Nadal said. “I am playing more aggressive. That’s very important.”

Nadal had lost his two previous semifinals, to Andy Roddick and Ivan Ljubicic on hard courts in Masters events at the Sony Ericsson Open and BNP Paribas Open.

“It’s very important for me to be in this final,” Nadal said. “I played a very good match today. I was a little bit more nervous than usual because I lost two semifinals in a row.

“Verdasco has always had amazing potential. If he is focused mentally, his shots are unbelievable.”

I wish the Tour had better coverage so I could catch this match. The Tennis Channel is carrying it, and while I’d love to see how Rafa looks in the weeks leading up the French Open, I’ll save my money in this instance. Plus, it’s nearly a forgone conclusion that Nadal nabs the title as he holds a 9-0 record against Verdasco and is playing on his favorite surface.