mercredi 30 juin 2010

L'Espagne ne pourra compter sur Nadal


Rafael Nadal (Photo PC)
Rafael Nadal (Photo PC)

MADRID - L'équipe d'Espagne contre la France en quart de finale de la Coupe Davis comprendra Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Nicola Almagro et Feliciano Lopez, a annoncé mardi son capitaine Albert Costa, confirmant l'absence du no 1 mondial Rafael Nadal.

Ce dernier avait annoncé samedi à Wimbledon qu'il ne participerait pas à cette rencontre, du 9 au 11 juillet à Clermond-Ferrand (centre de la France), afin de suivre un traitement au genou droit.

C'est un "contretemps" de ne pas disposer du numéro un mondial, mais les joueurs qui iront à Clermont-Ferrand sont "très bons et convaincus de gagner", a déclaré mardi Albert Costa.



Le forfait du no 1 mondial rééquilibre la rencontre même si l'Espagne, tenante du titre, possède encore beaucoup d'arguments avec les quatre joueurs annoncés.

Les Français ont prévu d'installer une surface extrêmement rapide, à l'intérieur, pour gêner les Espagnols, intouchables sur terre battue.

Nadal küsst schönes Mädchen

Rafa Nadal beim Volleytraining

mardi 29 juin 2010

Q & R avec Rafa: Nutella, my love for cookies - and my naughty cousins!

Rafael Nadal
2 hours ago


blog post photo


Hello Rafa, I saw the video with your cousin on facebook, it seems wonderful. Do you play with them often when you are in Mallorca? Do they understand that you are a very famous tennis player or do they only see you like their old cousin?
Kisses from Madrid, Rosi.


RN: Yes I see them all the time. I love being with them, they are a lot of fun. A bit naughty so that makes them funny for me but I guess not that much with my ant... I think they know a bit of what I do, but they see me like the elder cousin in the end.


I know you adore your beloved Balearic Islands, but have you ever thought of holidaying anywhere in Australia like our Ningaloo Reef Archipelago, where I am blessed enough to live.
Taryn Ford, Western Australia.


RN: I hear it is beautiful but to be honest I am not too much at home so it is nice to stay there for many reasons.


It's wonderful to see you back on grass in Wimbledon and playing so well, especially in your all whites :) When it comes to food, if you had to choose - sweet or salty? I know your favourite Quely cookies are neither :)
All the best for this week Rafa, xx Nicole.

RN: Salty more than sweet but with the exception of Nutella...

What are your favourite balls? My favourite balls are Slazenger, I hate HEAD ATP balls.
Mónika from Hungary


RN: That's a good question. Now they are all pretty similar, The important thing for us is that we play with the same balls for a whole swing. Not many changes.

I was wondering if Nike custom-make some of your clothing, as I particularly like the lilac velour traning top you were wearing last week, but it doesn't appear in your catalogued items.
Julie Tingle


RN: Yes, they are taylored but I believe everything is at the shops on different sizes.

In your blog from the French Open you said that you would try to go and see "Love Never Dies", the sequel to "Phantom of the Opera" when you were in London. Have you managed to do that, and if you did, what's the review?
Julie Tingle


RN: Didn't have the chance during Queens. Clearly during Wimbledon because of the distance, the time, etc. is more difficult. Maybe in NY if they play it there.

You say you take 100 packets of cookies to every tournament. Do you charter a plane for those? And are you worried that you will weigh about 150kgs when you stop playing tennis?
Love, Emma


RN: They actually send me some boxes. Not sure they are 100... No worries about my weight when I stop. I am sure I will stay fit since I am very active! The quely biscuits aren't bad for that.

As you're such a fair person I think you'd be a very good umpire (much better than that one that warned you the other day!) so if you could be an umpire for the day, who's match would you like to umpire and why?
Besos y abrazos, Juliette Westbrook-Finch


RN: Not possible since I would like to be playing not umpiring. But good question anyay.

Blog de Rafa : Spain pass their test, now it's my turn against Soderling

Rafael Nadal
2 hours ago


blog post photo


Hi everyone,

Had a good day today in general. Lot's of expectation at Aorangi park. Clearly it was not for me (only). At 1 pm I was hitting, Roger was there too and Andy Murray who started a bit later but was already warming up. Then when we finished I saw Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling come to practice. So a lot of expectation there. Media, fans, great atmosphere.

I personally had a great practice with a British Junior. They are very helpful. On this second week they all practice and play so it is great to have them around. I remember those days when I was a junior here. I remember where we use to stay and specially that I didn't like the food so was always eating cookies and chips... not the best to become a great tennis player...


On Wednesday it will be a very difficult and different match with Soderling compared to the final in Roland Garros. I have been asked a lot about it and the reasons why it is different. For those of you who know tennis it is easy to understand what I am saying. For those less familiar to our sport, let me just say that the way Soderling can serve, doesn't allow that much time to return and be able to play. He is a big server and a hard hitter. Very difficult.

But that will be on Wednesday. Now, I just got back to the house I am renting here in Wimbledon after watching Spain's win over Portugal. This is great news for me since I love football and I am a big fan of our national team. Very happy.


Many thanks


Rafa

Q & R avec Rafa: I feel sorry for those players who cheat

Rafael Nadal
2 hours ago


blog post photo


Hello Rafa, congrats to your win on Saturday and I really hope that your fine now. Now that England is out of the World Cup, you could cheer for Brazil. What do you think?
Love, Mayara - Brazil

RN: I like the Brazilian team but I am going to be diplomatic here and say that I only want Spain to win at this point...


One of the most noticeable things about you is the importance you attach to fair play and correct behaviour, so what do you think when you see sportsmen cheating or behaving badly? Vamos campeon! I saw you on Centre Court on Saturday and you are incredible!!
Love, Emma

RN:
I think that I have proven during all these years how important is to be fair in and off the court. I just couldn't cheat, not the way I have been brought up so I am sorry for those who cheat and I also feel we have to be strong as a sport against those who cheat.

Do you ever imagine what it would be like to play tennis 40 years ago? Do you think you would be able to be a great player with a wooden racket, and would you have enjoyed travelling without your coaching team?
Claire

RN:
Many thanks. I suppose there are also many other factors that make it different and clearly not something we want to do. Imagine also travelling. Now it is easy even to get to Australia. In those days it must have taken them for ages to get there! Nowadays we lose and we can go home easily and quickly!

I grew up watching Borg, Agassi and Enberg winning on grass by making hardly any aces. Do you think big servers are ruining the beauty of the grass game which should consists of passing, volleys and lobs and occasionally some aces? Sometimes I feel big servers are playing baseball instead of tennis.
Thanks, Shirlee, New York City

RN:
Clearly the big servers have an advantage here on grass but that's the way it is.

What I wanted to ask please is: what gives you the most satisfaction in your tennis career to date, regaining the world number one ranking this year or simply playing the best tennis you can as consistently as possible? You really are a credit to tennis, on and off-court!
Amanda, West London

RN
: Playing the best tennis and specially winning tournaments, big tournaments like Wimbledon gets you to that world ranking...


Congratulations on your best match yet at Wimbledon. At changeover, doesn't it bother you having a huge camera lens filming you during your private moments of thought and concentration, or are you able to just forget that they are there? It just seems so intrusive. ¡Bona sort! Claudia, Penyes Rotjes, Mallorca

RN:
I suppose we have gotten used to it. No worries.

Congratulations on your commanding performance! When you have a day off during a grand slam second week, when do you practise and for how long? A die-hard fan, Abbie

RN: I am hitting today for an hour. But it also depends on how the previous match went. I feel I need that good hour of practice today.


You played great against Mathieu, but is it going be more difficult against Soderling?
Axèle

RN: They are different matches. Mathieu is a very good and talented player. I am sure that Soderling's match will be, as always, very difficult.


Do you get annoyed with fans who ask for your autograph several times, or do you just accept it?
Kim, London

RN:
I try to be as nice as possible with everyone and try to sign as much autographs as possible. It is true that I see many times the same person asking for autographs and that's kind of unfair for the other fans... So I sign to the others in that case....

Blog de Rafa : My knees will need treatment after Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal
16 hours ago

Hello everyone

Running out of what to say... I suppose, I actually know, I am much better on the tennis court, with or without pain! So talking about that, I have to say I felt well yesterday. My team did a good job trying to recover me and the doctors help was also important. I know this is a momentarily situation and that I need to take that full treatment when I am done here at Wimbledon but definitely yesterday I felt much better than the previous round and I believe I also played great tennis. I suppose the fact that I didn't get to the fifth set helped my knees and helped me mentally.

Anyway, a good day of rest today, some practice now (I am actually writing at 100kph!!!) and then just rest, more rest and a bit of focus... focus on the football match this afternoon since Spain is playing against Portugal for a place in the quarterfinals. I believe on this team, and I trust we can do well. And as I said the other day I also mentioned it in my press conference yesterday when asked about the referee and the technology not used in football. I think it would be good and that each team should have 2/3 times where they can stop a match and ask for a replay.

Many thanks to all and see you tomorrow!

Rafa.

Rafa en photos








Rafa en photos





















LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28:Rafael Nadal of Spain during his match against Paul-Henri Mathieu on Day Seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

Rafa en photos







LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain practises during Day Eight of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 29, 2010 in London, England. Murray will meet Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in the quarter-finals on June 30. (Photo by Toby Melville-Pool/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal vu par Toni, son oncle et coach

Depuis vingt-et-un ans, Rafael et Toni Nadal, neveu et oncle dans la vie, sont liés par une relation coach-joueur. Tranquillement installé sur la terrasse des joueurs à Wimbledon, Toni s'est confié à LEXPRESS.fr.

Rafael Nadal vu par Toni, son oncle et coach

REUTERS

Toni et Rafael Nadal entretiennent une relation à la fois professionnelle et familiale. "Très facile à gérer"!, jure Toni.

Est-ce compliqué, parfois, d'entraîner son neveu? Non, c'est même très facile! Parce que j'ai la possibilité de dire tout ce que je pense, bien plus qu'un coach normal. Vraiment (sourire). À mon avis un coach classique qui dirait à son joueur ce que je dis parfois à mon neveu n'aurait plus de job! (rires). Mais d'un autre côté, je pense que j'ai aussi plus d'égard pour mon joueur. C'est comme si j'entraînais mon fils. Rafael a joué toute sa vie avec moi, nous avons cette relation depuis qu'il a trois ans, alors c'est complètement naturel.

Cela n'arrive jamais que "Rafa" vous dise: Toni, tu exagères, tu es trop dur avec moi! C'est arrivé dans le passé oui, mais plus maintenant. Je suis habitué à dire ce que je veux, alors maintenant, c'est normal pour lui. Parfois, il souffle puis il passe directement à autre chose (sourire). Mais dans ce monde du tennis, beaucoup de fois, le coach reste sur la retenue, il n'ose pas dire ce qu'il pense réellement. Avec moi, c'est différent, parce que je suis l'oncle, vous comprenez.

Quand il était petit, avez-vous jamais pensé que Rafael pourrait un jour devenir n°1 mondial et gagner des tournois du Grand Chelem? Oui, depuis qu'il est tout jeune. J'ai voulu penser comme cela parce que cela m'a poussé à travailler beaucoup plus et beaucoup mieux. Si tu n'as pas le rêve de devenir très bon, tu ne travailles pas avec la même intensité. Ça ne voulait pas dire que j'étais fou. Ça voulait dire que je voulais penser comme ça car au fond de moi, je pense que n'importe quelle personne peut devenir meilleure. Rafael était déjà très bon quand il était jeune, il était l'un des meilleurs du monde avec Gasquet, alors on pouvait légitimement penser qu'il pouvait devenir bon chez les grands. Mais "bon" comment? N°1?N°40? Ça, je ne le savais pas, mais je savais qu'il avait une bonne attitude sur le court, une bonne coordination, et qu'il possédait un certain nombre de qualités prometteuses.

En finale de Roland-Garros, on a vu toute la famille, et vous en particulier, l'encourager comme jamais. Vous sentiez-qu'il en avait plus besoin que d'habitude? Oui, c'est vrai. Pour Rafael, c'était le match le plus important de l'année. Beaucoup plus que les matchs qu'il vient de gagner à Wimbledon. Parce que l'année dernière, après l'Australie, même s'il a continué à gagner pendant quelques semaines, cela a été une période difficile. Il a perdu à Roland-Garros, il n'a pas pu jouer Wimbledon à cause de sa blessure, et ensuite, il a enchaîné les défaites sur plusieurs joueurs du top, avant de très mal finir au Masters, à Londres. Alors, gagner de nouveau un Grand Chelem, c'était très important.

Ici, à Wimbledon, il dit qu'il n'a pas la pression, mais les gens l'attendent... Pas de pression? Mais si. On a toujours la pression de gagner, c'est normal. Même Roger Federer, même s'il a gagné six fois ici. Mais pour Rafael, je crois qu'il y a quand même plus de pression à Roland-Garros qu'ici. Parce qu'à Paris, c'est là qu'il a le plus de chances de gagner un Grand Chelem et puis comme cette année, il avait gagné Monte-Carlo, Rome et Madrid, alors il devait gagner Roland pour faire une très bonne saison, non? (sourire). Parce que la vérité c'est que c'est très bien de gagner les tournois préparatoires sur terre, mais si ensuite tu perds à Roland Garros, alors c'est une grosse déception.

Reste que cette année, il n'a pas de points à défendre à Wimbledon. Ça, ce n'est pas important. D'abord, parce que pour lui, comme pour les tous meilleurs du monde, tout ce qui compte en arrivant dans un tournoi, c'est d'y jouer bien et d'essayer de le gagner. Federer, ce qui l'intéresse, c'est de gagner, pas de défendre les points. Pareil pour Tsonga ou Murray. Ensuite parce que si on parle de points et de classement, eh bien une personne comme Rafael, c'est la Race (le classement ATP, ndlr) qu'elle doit regarder, parce que ce qui compte, c'est le classement à la fin de l'année. Mais défendre ses points? Non...

Rafael a eu des débuts compliqués à Wimbledon cette année. Quelles sont ses chances selon vous? Ce sera difficile. Mais ça, on le sait depuis qu'on a vu le tableau (pause). Pfff, il est très mauvais. Rafael doit affronter beaucoup de joueurs contre qui il n'est pas possible de jouer parce qu'ils ont un service tellement puissant. Bon, Nishikori au premier tour, ça allait, car contre lui, tu peux faire des échanges. Mais contre Haas... Quand il sert bien, c'est pratiquement impossible de jouer. Samedi, Petzschner, c'était le même! Mathieu, maintenant, c'est mieux, car contre lui, tu peux jouer, ce n'est pas seulement le service. Mais après, normalement, Rafael pouvait en principe retrouver des gars comme Gulbis, Isner... et eux, quand ils servent bien, tu es mort! Mais attention, je ne dis pas que contre Mathieu, ce sera facile. Je l'ai vu jouer contre Youzhny et De Bakker, et je trouve qu'il joue très bien en ce moment. Alors, on verra bien (sourire).

Rafael Nadal écope d'une amende


Rafael Nadal (Photo Getty)
Rafael Nadal (Photo Getty)


LONDRES - Rafael Nadal a écopé d'une amende de 2000 $ US pour avoir reçu des directives de son entraîneur pendant son match de troisième ronde au tournoi de Wimbledon.

L'arbitre français Cédric Mourier lui a servi un avertissement, samedi, pour avoir reçu des consignes de son entraîneur qui est aussi son oncle, Toni Nadal, pendant son match en cinq sets contre Philipp Petzschener.

Les deux avaient alors prétendu que Toni ne faisait qu'encourager le joueur.

L'amende lui a été imposée lundi.

Nadal a confié, "Les règlements sont les règlements."

dimanche 27 juin 2010

Une entrevue de...

R Nadal - 26 June
Saturday, 26 June 2010

Q. Was it fair to be warned about coaching? You looked very angry.

RAFAEL NADAL: Sometimes, yes. Not today, in my opinion. But, yes, sometimes in the past Toni talk maybe too much. And when it happened, and the referee or the umpire give me an advice, and if it is continuing, later a warning.

But not today, in my opinion. Yeah, no.

Q. After your incredible clay court season, now 13 sets in one week in Wimbledon, how are you feeling right now emotionally and physically?

RAFAEL NADAL: Emotionally perfect. I fighted a lot last two matches. I think I played very good tennis. But I told before the tournament, the draw gonna be difficult. That's what happen when you play against these player that they have very good serve. So all decide in a few points and everything is very difficult, no?

Physical, I have a little bit problem on the right knee. But, you know, I have one day and a half to get recovered. I happy to be in the fourth round. For me it very good news, having very tough matches and in the end winning. So that's a very positive thing mentally.

Q. Do you think it's taken you longer to settle in because it's been two years since you've been on grass?

RAFAEL NADAL: No.

Q. You were saying something from the baseline to the umpire, shouting at him, gesturing at him. What were you saying to him?

RAFAEL NADAL: I was saying, We gonna talk with the supervisor later.

Q. And did you?

RAFAEL NADAL: Not yet.

Q. Will you?

RAFAEL NADAL: I will, yeah. I will because today for me wasn't ‑‑ Toni wasn't give me any tip. He was only supporting me. When he put me warning, he said positive, you know.

Q. How much are you worried about your knee? Is there a risk you should skip the Davis Cup tie after Wimbledon?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Well, sure, I am a little bit scared about the knee. But, you know, it happen. I had a treatment after Monte‑Carlo. So I had the problem. I didn't say nothing before, but you know, guys, how is everything. I had the problem against Roddick in the semifinals of Miami.

I don't like to say nothing in that moment because when you lose, always looks like an excuse. But I can say now I had the problem after I played in Monte‑Carlo with a little bit of pain on the knee, on the left knee, because that's what happened there.

After Monte‑Carlo, I didn't play Barcelona because I had to do a treatment, new treatment. You know, I tried to play the clay season perfect because in that moment the right knee was better than the left. But at the same time I know the knees are not hundred percent recovered. But playing on clay and maybe on grass, if is not very long matches, can work well.

But the last treatments I did between Monte‑Carlo and Rome was perfect. I didn't have no one more problem on the left knee. But just I did one time, and I need to do three times.

I didn't have time to do it at the right knee before because I had to play. The clay season was my main goal of the season. After here I gonna do it another time, no? My goals for me is a big disappointment not be in the Davis Cup on France, you know. Some confrontations, if you play at home against some country, maybe you cannot play this one. But playing in France for me is a very special confrontation and a very big motivation for me.

But I talked with the captain, I talked with the president of the Federation a few days ago, and I said, Guys, I never arrive to the US Open with my hundred percent of conditions. I had last year broken abdominal, two years ago playing crazy here. After Olympics, I did arrive very tired. And I really want to try to go there with my best chances, no, to play, to play my hundred percent.

So I need to do this treatment after here. If I play Davis Cup, I don't have enough time to recover and play tournaments, Cincinnati. Everything was perfect for me last few months, and I need to be ready to finish the season well. My goal is try to keep having the chance to be No. 1 for the rest of the season. That's gonna be difficult. But if you are not in hundred percent of condition, is going to be impossible.

Q. Philipp said you were running exactly the same before and after the timeout. He said you could have played another two or three sets. He said it was a clever timeout because it broke his concentration. What do you think about that?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, everything is fair to think what they want. I never call a treatment ‑‑ I never call the physio when I don't have nothing, not one time in my career. If I call the physio today, it was because it was bothering me a lot, the knee, no?

The last day, it starts a little bit, and I didn't call the physio because I can't resist that. But today I needed to take little bit time. I have the quadriceps muscle very tight and I need to relax it a little bit. Maybe with this relaxation, the knee works a little bit better.

That's why I called the physio.

Q. How bad is your knee right now? You said you're scared. What are you scared of?

RAFAEL NADAL: My knee is like this. I don't know how bad is my knee. My knee, I can finish the match. We will see how is going the next day. But, you know, I am here to try my best and to try to keep in the tournament and playing well, no? I am not thinking about scared or retired or something like this. That's not going to happen.

Q. You did say a little while ago you were scared. What does scare you about the knee, maybe long term if not for this moment?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, I not scared, because I know what I have on the knee, is not something new, is something from the past. I know what I have to do to recover the knee. I didn't have time to do it before here. But after, I have the new treatment.

With the new treatment, the left knee works perfect. So when I going to do that to the right, hopefully that's going to be the same.

Q. What special treatment?

RAFAEL NADAL: For me I can't explain now, especially in English. Sorry.

Q. Can you finish the tournament? Do you feel physically strong enough you can really mount a challenge and beat Roger if the occasion comes?

RAFAEL NADAL: I play against Mathieu. Roger in the other part of the draw. I am focused on my part. I won a very important match for me today and I am focused on the next match against Mathieu and playing well. But Mathieu going to be very difficult match.

Q. Was there something with your arm as well that the trainer was looking at?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yes. I called the physio because after one serve I felt something here. But I told the physio I don't want to take out the medical treatment. So Petzschner must know that, too.

I didn't want to have the treatment because I feel it a little bit better after the game. I feel something after one serve. I said to the umpire, Please call the trainer for the next changeover. I can finish the game playing well. When I finish the game, I feel it well, so I don't need the trainer.

Q. Even the best players are involved in tough battles early on. Is this because it's very hot and it's hard to break serve? Is there any other reason the best players are having trouble?

RAFAEL NADAL: It's because we are playing in a very difficult tournament. We're playing in a Grand Slam, the fastest Grand Slam of the world.

If you play against players when they have very good serve, is very difficult to break, break the serve of these players. After that, if you have two bad points with your serve, the match will be very difficult.

Q. We know you're a big football fan, looking forward to Spain and Portugal. What do you think about England and Germany tomorrow?

RAFAEL NADAL: Close. Going to be close. Going to be very nice match, I think. Disappointing for the World Cup have these very strong teams at the Round of 16. But that's the sport. We will see what's happen. But I going to be in front of the TV.

Q. With all the ways your game depends on your legs, the power you get from your legs, with all these problems with your knees, does that affect you at all on court? Do you think about it?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. I was perfect mentally for all the year, no? I think that doesn't affect to my mind. Sometimes in the past, yes, when I don't know exactly what happen. I know right now exactly what happen and what I have to do to pull out this pain.

So I gonna do it after this tournament and try my best on this tournament. I definitely going to have a break to change that I hope for a long time.

Q. The player you played today said there are a lot of players coming up here better than they used to be. They give you a good chase at the moment. Is that what you feel? Are the players that challenge you now at the moment, are they better than they used to be?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. Philipp has very good potential, very good serve, very good forehand, very good slice backhand. He served well all the time, and especially in the difficult moments.

So, no, I think the players are playing similar like always. But on grass, especially everything is more difficult.

Q. Can you clarify about how your arm feels now?

RAFAEL NADAL: The arm is perfect. Work perfect. Perfect. Perfect is perfect.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

Source: http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-26/201006261277586139921.html

'' Silence Toni''

Blog de Rafa : So sorry about your unfortunate World Cup exit. Me? The knees are fine

Rafael Nadal
3 hours ago


blog post photo


Hi everyone,


Hope you guys are OK. I am sorry (I really am) for England's defeat at the World Cup. I did mention here and at Wimbledon that I really likes this team. I think it has been very unfortunate what happened today. I mean that mistake from the linesman and the referee is something unbelievable. I don't understand why there is no way in football to have the 4th referee looking at a screen and saying to the main one what is going on. Just like the Hawk-Eye in tennis. Very simple, very easy.

With a mistake like this you are out of the World Cup, just like that! I don't think that's fair. The match could have changed a lot with that goal. Then Germany played better but thats a different story. Then later in the day Mexico was also affected by a mistake that everyone saw, even at the stadium itself! Unbelievable.


Anyway let's talk about tennis because as I say I am here to play tennis and to play at Wimbledon. Got some questions today after my practice about my knee. It's feeling better and I expect to be ready to play tomorrow.

I have always been a very fair player and yesterday when I called the trainer I really needed him since I was in pain. I know there has been some controversy because of that but I don't think it is fair. Like it was not fair the way the umpire gave me a warning for coaching. Toni was only saying to me to be positive and I don't think that's giving me any advice. So there you go. I am normally not commenting these things but I feel it was important to tell you about it.


Many thanks and I expect to answer your questions tomorrow.


Rafa

Q & R avec Rafa: is Uncle Toni always strict?

Rafael Nadal
14 hours ago

Dear Rafa, congrats to your tough win against Haase. But I wasn't too nervous during the match, as I knew you were going to win! I saw the video on your site taken when your little cousins were visiting you. They're cute! But I wonder if Uncle Toni is as strict to your cousins as he was with you? You seemed to be the disciplinarian there ;-) I look forward to seeing a whole week of Rafa tennis at Wimbledon next week! Hugs, Natalie


RN: Many thanks. My uncle was kind of tough with me but on the sports education. He is tough, or shall I say strict with his sons but a bit less with his daughter...


Rafa, Do you athletes at Wimbledon act or talk more patriotically than usual because the World Cup is going on? Chris
RN: Some do, but not that much. It is normal. The World Cup is something great and you really support your country so it is kind of... I don't know.


Hola Rafa! Have you thought about joining Twitter as another method of connecting with your fans? Kim, London
RN: No, for the moment I have a lot to do with my Facebook page. Not really interested in Twitter for the moment.


Hi Rafa, Unlike the big server from my country you met in the 2nd round, my serve is the worst part of my play. I know you have been working on your serve a lot, and it has paid off! Can you give me any tips on how to work to improve my own serve? Myra, The Netherlands
RN: Hhahahahahahaha. I haven't seen you so you need to check wit your coach!


Hi Rafa, Thanks for taking the time to do this blog; you are a great champion and role model. Your fans really appreciate it and love to hear about the "real life" during competitions. I am a Mum with two lovely sons. Mums keep all sorts of memorable stuff - school certificates, pictures etc. I am running out of space and they haven't reached 18 yet! You are an outstanding and popular tennis player that the media loves to follow so there are so many pictures and articles about you. Your Mum must want to keep some of those memories. How does she decide what to keep? Does she have help with this task? Where does she keep it all? Hoping to see you bite that trophy at Wimbledon. Debra John, Kent

RN: She keeps a lot of stuff but not everything. I do keep everything that I play with, I mean at least one model. Shoes, shirts, racquets... One day I will have them all exposed.

Blog de Rafa : No pasta for me after yesterday's long match

Rafael Nadal14 hours ago
Hi everyone,

Sorry but last night I could not post anything since I got back to my house and we decided to go out for dinner to the city. I had not done it all week so my team was kind of tired of eating always my pasta... So we went almost straight from the end of the work with media etc to my favorite restaurant in London. You have heard many times about it, El Cambio de Tercio. I was so happy for yesterday's win that I just said, OK, let's go wherever you guys want!

So we had a great dinner last night. Now I just woke up and I am going to go and hit a bit. Not much, since yesterday's match was long and I also had the problem on my knee. I want to go and see how it feels today. I am not too worried, but it is there and I need to get the treatment once I finish this tournament. I would love to win it and then go for that treatment. We'll see.

Many thanks

Rafa

Le genou de Nadal se porte bien


Rafael Nadal (Photo Getty)
Rafael Nadal (Photo Getty)

Après une séance d'entraînement de 40 minutes au All England club, Rafael Nadal a fait savoir dimanche que son genou se portait bien.

« L'état de son genou est vraiment meilleur qu'il ne l'était samedi. Pour l'instant, ce qui nous inquiète, ce n'est pas le genou, mais notre prochain adversaire », a déclaré Toni Nadal, entraîneur et oncle du champion de Wimbledon en 2008.

Samedi, dans un match qu'il a difficilement gagné en cinq manches face au puissant serveur allemand Philipp Petzschner, Nadal a reçu deux traitements pendant les changements de côté.

En 2009, l'Espagnol avait déclaré forfait du tournoi de Wimbledon en raison de tendinites présentes dans chacun de ses genoux. Lundi, Nadal affrontera en 8e de finale le Français Paul-Henri Mathieu.

samedi 26 juin 2010

Rafa vs Petzschner wimbly (last game and post match interview)

Nadal a eu chaud


Rafael Nadal

Photo: AFP/Glyn Kirk

Rafael Nadal

L'Espagnol Rafael Nadal a failli subir l'élimination à Wimbledon avant même les huitièmes de finale.

L'Allemand Philipp Petzschner, 33e tête de série, a poussé Nadal au bout de ses forces en enlevant le deuxième et le troisième set.

L'Espagnol a retrouvé son aplomb pour s'imposer en cinq sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3.

Le Suédois Robin Soderling rencontrera l'Espagnol David Ferrer en huitièmes de finale à Wimbledon après que les deux se soient aussi qualifiés.

Soderling n'a pris que trois manches pour parvenir à ses fins. La 6e tête de série a battu le Brésilien Thomaz Bellucci 6-4, 6-2, 7-5.

Bellucci (no 25) a offert peu de résistance. Il s'est fait briser quatre fois sans jamais rendre la pareille.

Ferrer (no 9) est quant à lui passé près de l'élimination.

David Ferrer l'emporte face à Jérémy Chardy.

Photo: AFP/Adrian Dennis

David Ferrer l'emporte face à Jérémy Chardy.

Son adversaire, le Français Jérémy Chardy, servait pour le match en cinquième manche. Mais, incapable de conclure, Chardy a laissé l'Espagnol se relever et enlever l'engagement ultime 7-5.

Ferrer l'a finalement emporté 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 7-5.

De son côté, le Français Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (no 10) s'est qualifié pour les huitièmes de finale avec une victoire de 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) sur l'Allemand Tobias Kamke.

Il croisera le fer avec son compatriote Julien Benneteau (no 32).

Nestor éliminé

En double, le Canadien Daniel Nestor et son partenaire serbe Nenad Zimonjic n'ont pas franchi le 2e tour.

En quête d'un troisième titre de suite à Wimbledon, ils ont baissé pavillon devant les Britanniques Chris Eaton et Dominic Inglot en 5 manches de 5-7, 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3) et 6-8.

Nestor et Zimonjic (no 1) affrontaient pourtant deux joueurs qui en étaient à leur deuxième match seulement ensemble.

Autre résultat de 3e tour :

  • Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) bat Thiemo de Bakker (NED) 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (8/10), 6-4

Rafa en photos








































LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Rafael Nadal during his match against Philip Petzschner of Germany on Day Six of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)