May 2013
101 posts
2 tags
RG: Saturday practice pictures
Just a few pictures from today’s practice with Verdasco.
Photos by AP Photo/Christophe Ena, and REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/11hIgwQ
2 tags
RafaLint: May 24th
Photo by AP Photo/ Christophe Ena
Want to join the Nadal News Racquet Pool? Sign up! Pool Name: NadalNews; Password: allHaveR@FAtowin? (If that doesn’t work, try allHaveR@FAtowi) There’s a good chance you’ll get to point and laugh at me – I did my picks half asleep and super-fast.
Articles:
Nadal back for number eight – by Kate Battersby (rolandgarros.com). Includes some quotes from Rafa’s...
2 tags
RG: Draw photos
A few smallish photos from today’s draw.
Photos by AP Photo/Christophe Ena and EFE/Christophe Karaba
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/173RA0t
2 tags
Kings (and Queens) of Light
Video from the Nike promo event featuring Rafa, Roger, Serena and Maria.
Posted by niketennis.
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/10YHTeT
2 tags
RG: The draw
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
It’s 5am and I’m posting from bed. All I know for sure is that Rafa is in Djokovic’s half and will play Brands first round. More after a short nap (and the draw is actually posted).
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/16Zv491
2 tags
RafaLint: May 23rd
Photo by Beth Wilson Articles:
Brain Game: The Art of Nadal – by Craig O’Shannessy (tennis.com) (I thought I’d linked to this before, but I can’t find it now…so, better to link twice than not at all.)
News from the French, part III – by Guillaume Willecoq (rolandgarros.com)
Keys for Nadal, Sharapova in Paris – via espn.com
Nadal back in old routine and looking invincible – by Martyn Herman...
2 tags
RG: Practice and Nike Event photos
Rafa had a shortened practice session today. Shortened for two reasons: he was late; it started raining. Here’s a few pictures:
Photos by AFP PHOTO/MIGUEL MEDINA and EFE/CORINNE DUBREUIL.
Later in the day, he joined a few other career slam holders for a Nike event.
Photos by AFP PHOTO/KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/131dVWl
2 tags
RafaLint: May 22nd
Rafa interview and practice footage from today:
Posted by molvi1501.
Articles:
Rafatigue? Nadal’s dominance on clay never gets old; more mail – by Jon Wertheim (si.com)
The Rally: 2013 French Open – tennis.com pundits Tignor and Bodo be pundity.
Rafael Nadal ¡¡¡sorprendente!!!. Palma del Río, el mejor ITF Future de España. – Rafa praise and concern for the future of Spanish tennis from Toni...
2 tags
May 22nd – Rafa in Social Media
Storify by Nadal News
Wed, May 22 2013 19:18:29
May 22nd – Rafa in Social Media
Twitter bits gathered today.
Picture of a magazine article about Rafa’s mom – who is also the president of his foundation.
Sinceras palabras de Ana Maria Parera en @revistaAR Una buena forma de acercarse y conocer la labor de @frnadal pic.twitter.com/oHPIkODB
Fundación Rafa...
2 tags
Fancy going to Argentina this November?
Rafa wants you to come watch him play David Nalbandian in Buenos Aires on November 23rd. Learn more here (mangle).
(Video posted by Fenixproductora.)
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/12vSP1V
2 tags
Rafa has the noms
Warning: the amount of adorkableness going on at the end might cause you to fall into a cuteness induced coma. You stand forewarned!
Rafa comiendo Quelitas!!!
Posted by quelytv.
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/10RhoIh
2 tags
RafaLint: May 21st
AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino Articles:
Toni Nadal: “No me explico que Rafa sea 1 en la Race” – an interview with Toni via puntodebreak.com (mangle)
Return of Serve Analysis: Nadal Trounces Federer in Rome, But Return Numbers Tell Different Story – by Juan José (changeovertennis.com)
Federer-Nadal rivalry running on its last legs – by Bruce Jenkins (si.com)
ESPN / French Open Conference...
2 tags
RafaLint: May 20th
AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino
I’m so totally addicted to this site – it’s got so much of what I’d had envisioned doing with the database here, but have never gotten around too.
Articles:
Heroes and Zeros: Rafa, Serena Replay, Paire Powers, Jerzy Rips – by Chris Oddo (tennisnow.com)
10 Things We Learned in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome – by Chris Oddo (tennisnow.com)
Brain Game: Roger’s New...
2 tags
RafaLint: May 19th
AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
Articles:
Racquet Reaction: Nadal d. Federer – by Steve Tignor (tennis.com)
Nadal Masterclass Stuns Federer, Wins 24th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Crown – via atpworldtour.com
Rafael Nadal crushes Roger Federer to show clay supremacy in Rome final – by Kevin Mitchell (guardian.co.uk)
Rafael Nadal hammers Roger Federer in Italian Open final – via bbc.co.uk
Rafael...
2 tags
Rankings: May 20th
The post Rome rankings are up. Looks the seeding issue for Roland Garros is the total non-issue I’ve thought it was all along. Other than that, the only movement was with Wawrinka dropping back out of the top ten to be replaced by Tipsarevic.
Pos
Name
Points
Pos Moved
Tourns Played
1
Djokovic, Novak
12,310
0
19
2
Murray, Andy
8,670
0
18
3
Federer, Roger
8,000
0
20
4
Nadal,...
2 tags
Rome: Trophy photoshoot
All taken at crotch level…I guess to fit in with the XXX/69 theme.
Photos by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/10ewvf3
2 tags
Rome: Final videos
Here’s the full match:
Posted by TennisOnlineHD who has also posted a version with Spanish commentary.
Post match on court interview in Spanish. It’s also available on YouTube:
Posted by molvi1501.
Genny summed up a few of Rafa’s comments:
Rafa in Spanish TV: Rafa’d have rated as mad to anyone who would’ve told him 4 months ago that by now he’d have won 3 M1000, 2 M500 & 1 M250
—...
2 tags
Rome: Post final presser transcript
Photo by REUTERS/ Alessandro Bianchi
The transcript for Rafa’s post-final presser is up on the Italian Open’s website. It’s another impressive example of transcribing.
Q: First of all 7 wins in Rome and second somehow surprised when 1 all 30 all he you lost only 3 points – won 9 games in a row…
R. Nadal: Surprising …. I 61 and but that is what happened and the end is always surprising when you...
2 tags
Rome: Final photos
Photos from today’s Rome final.
Photos by Clive Mason/Getty Images, Clive Brunskill/Getty Images, and REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
via NadalNews.com http://www.nadalnews.com/2013/05/19/rome-final-photos-6/
2 tags
Rome: Dominance
Photo via AFP
Rafa met Federer for the 30th time in today’s Rome final. That’s XXX in Roman numerals. Everyone was hoping the match was as sporntastic as the title suggested. For Rafa fans, it certainly started that way. He was playing aggressively and broke Fed in two of his first three service games. And while dominance by your favorite is sexy in a way, it lacks the prolonged foreplay that...
2 tags
RafaLint: May 18th
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Articles:
Eight From Eight For Rafa – via atpworldtour.com
Rafael Nadal outclasses Tomas Berdych to reach Rome Masters final – by Kevin Mitchell (guardian.co.uk)
ATP semi-finals – as it happened – via internazionalibnlditalia.com
Return of Serve Analysis: Rafael Nadal Dominates at the Right Time – by Juan José (changeovertennis.com)
Rafael Nadal &...
2 tags
Rome: Post semifinal interviews
The in studio interview in English:
Posted by ATPWorldTour.
Rafa’s post match interview for Spanish TV. Also, available on YouTube:
Posted by molvi1501.
Genny translated parts of the Spanish interview for us:
Rafa in the Spanish TV: He’s said that he’s started the match really strong, w/a lot of energy. He thinks that 1st set has been 1 of best…
— Genny SS (@genny_ss) May 18, 2013
...
2 tags
Rome: Semifinal presser transcript
Photo by AP Photo/ Andrew Medichini
A transcript (such as it is) of Rafa’s post semifinal presser is up on the tournament’s site.
Q: You feel you played your best match of the week
R. Nadal: I am sure about the first set – I need to see in the TV as your thoughts are not 100% exact but the first set was fantastic and I played a high level and everything well and no mistakes and changing...
2 tags
Rome: Semifinal photos
Photos from today’s semifinal against Berdych.
Photos by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images, Clive Mason/Getty Images, and REUTERS/Tony Gentile
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/12JV9ml
2 tags
Rome: Semifinal match video
Here’s the full match video from today’s victory over Berdych:
Posted by TennisOnlineHD.
Highlights: Part 1; Part 2.
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/15WyER1
2 tags
Rome: Berdych’s number
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
In the first of the Italian Open’s semifinals, Rafa played #6 Tomas Berdych. At first, it looked like Rafa had an appointment to get to – he was on fire and took the first set in just 31 minutes. The second set was much more competative as Rafa’s level dropped and Berdych’s went up. Neither of these changed enough to cause the upset, though. Rafa scores his 13th...
2 tags
RafaLint: May 17th
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Articles:
Racquet Reaction: Nadal d. Ferrer – by Steve Tignor (tennis.com)
Nadal Grinds out Ferrer – via atpworldtour.com
Rafa Edges Novak In Year-End No. 1 Battle – via atpworldtour.com
Return Of Serve Analysis: Rafael Nadal Barely Survives Ernests Gulbis – by Juan José (changeovertennis.com)
French Open 2013 – Rafael Nadal looking sharp ahead of Roland...
2 tags
Rome: Quarterfinal photos
Photos from Rafa’s quarterfinal win over Ferrer.
Photos by Clive Mason/Getty Images, Clive Brunskill/Getty Images, and REUTERS/Tony Gentile
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/1875ZWY
2 tags
Rome: Quarterfinal presser transcript
AP Photo/Riccardo De LucaThe transcript from Rafa’s post quarterfinal presser is up on the tournament site:
Q: Which part of your game are you more satisfied with today
R. Nadal: I think almost everything and I played a great match against a difficult opponent and I played my best and the worst moment in the third I played my best tennis and I an happy. He is a fantastic player and a big example...
2 tags
Rome: Quarterfinal videos
Full match:
Posted by TennisOnlineHD.
Post match on court interview in Spanish. It’s also available on YouTube:
Posted by molvi1501.
Post match in studio interview in English:
Posted by ATPWorldTour.
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/16EX1lS
2 tags
Rome: Gladiators
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
In the second quarterfinal of the day in Rome, Rafa played #4 David Ferrer. I admire both guys and always find matches between them to be difficult to watch. No matter what, I’m going to be a bit heartbroken by the end of it. In the Acapulco final, I was heartbroken by how tame Ferrer seemed in his loss; in Madrid by how close he came to winning only to not be...
2 tags
RafaLint: May 16th
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Articles:
Racquet Reaction: Nadal d. Gulbis – by Steve Tignor (tennis.com)
Nadal Keeps His Nerve To Beat Gulbis; Paire Upsets Del Potro – via atpworldtour.com
Rafael Nadal overcomes shaky start – AP via espn.com
Nadal claims he deserved to win thriller – via internazionalibnlditalia.com
Should Rafael Nadal be bumped up the Roland Garros seedings? – via...
2 tags
Rome: 3rd round photos
These photos of Rafa’s victory over Gulbis are brought to you by guys named Clive.
Photos by Clive Mason/Getty Images and Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/YNtzoG
2 tags
Video: Rafa and Mats talk Roland Garros
Rafa talks with Mats Wilander about his memories and experiences at Roland Garros on Eurosport. For thoe who aren’t region blocked, check out the video on Eurosport. If you are blocked, there’s a YouTube version:
(Posted by molvi1501.)
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/10vvkaH
2 tags
Rome: 3rd round presser transcript
Photo by AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
The transcript from Rafa’s 3rd round presser is up on the tournament’s site:
Q: About the draw – this time you had Gulbis next time Ferrer, Djokovic or Federer and going into the Roland Garros as 5th seed is a problem
R. Nadal: I can be 4th seed. Is there no chance for me. The draws are tough and if you are fifth then you can have tougher draws but being 7...
2 tags
Rome: 3rd round videos
Full match video:
Posted by TennisOnlineHD.
Post match on court interview (Spanish):
Posted by molvi1501.
Post match in studio interview (English):
Posted by ATPWorldTour.
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/16CtOYE
2 tags
Rome: Into the quarters
Photo by AP Photo/Riccardo De LucaHelloeverybodyguys! Sorry I missed today’s match, but I’ve been in (and am still in) a meeting at work – we are taking a short break. So, let’s make this quick: Rafa defeated Ernests Gulbis in his third round match today: 1-6, 7-5, 6-4. For those who saw it, how nerve-wracking was it? Stats:
Nadal
Gulbis
Statistics on Serve
Aces
0
15
Double Faults
1
3
1st Serve...
2 tags
RafaLint: May 15th
Photo by Clive Brunskill/ Getty Images
Articles:
Why Rafael Nadal is the man to beat — and not just at the French Open – by Douglas Perry (oregonlive.com) As someone who just watched the last set of the 2008 Wimbledon final, I can attest to the fact Rafa’s game is ever evolving. It’s so odd to me that people mention him tinkering all the time, but then always write about him as if he’s never...
2 tags
Rome: 2nd round presser transcript
Photo by AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
A transcript of what appears to be a very short 2nd round presser is up on the tournament site.
Q: Just an assessment of your performance
R. Nadal: I think I played the right match to go through and I played well and the beginning Fabio had more mistakes but I prefer to talk about myself and aggressive when I had the chance.
Because if he had to talk about...
2 tags
Rome: 2nd round photos
Photos from Rafa’s victory over Fognini.
Photos by REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini and Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/16i3Ie0
2 tags
Rome: 2nd round videos
Full match:
Posted by TennisOnlineHD.
Post match on court interview:
Posted by molvi1501.
Post match in studio interview:
Posted by .
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/12vJCrX
2 tags
Rome: A strong start
AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
Rafa started his Madrid campaign by playing #25 Fabio Fognini in today’s night session. Though they seemed very willing, Fabio gave the local crowd little to cheer about. He quickly went down a break in each set. They got to make a little bit of noise when he broke Rafa to put the second set back on serve, but that didn’t last long. Rafa broke again and continued to...
2 tags
RafaLint: May 14th
Those who are lucky enough to get Eurosport, can watch a Roland Garros preview on Wednesday.
Today’s Recommended Reading: Rafa Nadal: «Después de la lesión, me tomo la vida con más calma» – Enrique Yunta. This is a good read even in mangle form.
We have some tweet translations via Genny:
@rafaelnadal 2 @abc_es:”It’s impressive the love I get through social networks,sms mobile,phone calls. It...
2 tags
Rome: Pre-tournament presser transcript & photos
The transcript from Rafa’s pre-tournament presser is up on the tournament’s site.
Q: Hello. Could you talk about the adjustment form clay to Madrid to Rome in terms of conditions
R. Nadal: Well it just something it fells a little bit different with the altitude and sea level and that the only thing… it is true to play 2 Master 1000 back to back is difficult when you are in the final rounds and...
2 tags
Rome: Pre-tournament interview video
Rafa’s pre-tournament interview:
Posted by ATPWorldTour.
via NadalNews.com http://bit.ly/13joLWi