May 16th, 2012
Serena Williams: If Djokovic Completes “Novak Slam”, He Can Join My Club And We’ll Be Best Friends
Serena Williams was all smiles after a tough 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Nadia Petrova. The scoreline was the same for the third straight time between the two players.
Afterward, Serena, who completed her “Serena Slam” in 2003, was asked about what it would mean for Novak Djokovic to finish his “Novak Slam” at the French Open this year.
“It would be unbelievable,” Serena quipped. “I don’t even think Roger did it. If Novak does it then he can join my club …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 3:55 pm in Rome | 6 Comments »
May 16th, 2012
Roger Federer Man In Black? “I’m Not A Very Good Actor But I Think I’m A Good Tennis Player”
It was a good start for Swiss tennis great Roger Federer who steamrolled past Carlos Berlocq 6-4, 6-3 in the second round at the Rome Tennis Masters.
Federer’s win was his sixth in a row following his big title at Madrid on Sunday. After the match, Federer met the Rome press for the first time to discuss he near withdrawal, the windy conditions, the blue courts in Madrid and the possibility of him becoming a future movie actor.
Q: Roger, did you …
Posted by Staff @ 3:34 pm in Rome | 10 Comments »
May 16th, 2012
Is Robin Soderling’s 2012 Tennis Season Over?
Robin Soderling’s tennis season may be in joepardy if reports are to be believed. Some Swedish news outlets have written that Soderling may miss the remained of the 2012 calendar as he continues his battle against mono.
In response to the rumors, Soderling took to twitter to set the facts straight. Though he admits it’s unlikely he’ll play this summer.
“I have NOT taken any decision to end this season. But it will probably be difficult to get back in shape …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 10:38 am in Injuries | 6 Comments »
May 16th, 2012
Andy Murray Admits: “I Swear On Court Regularly”
Andy Murray admitted yesterday that he often swears on court during matches, and he can’t help it!
“I mean I swear on court regularly,” Murray said. “I try not to, but sometimes you forget where you are, and what’s on you. I know it’s a mistake.”
During his 61, 46, 75 win over David Nalbandian at the Rome Masters 1000, Murray was issued a verbal warning for cursing. But the Scot contends that Nalbandian was the one offering up the harsher verbal …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 9:57 am in Rome | 1 Comment »
May 15th, 2012
Nadal Tries To Get On Track, Federer Looks To Remain Hot In Rome; Williams Sisters In Action
The battle for the No. 2 seeding at the French Open resumes Wednesday in Rome. Roger Federer, who just won Madrid to pass Nadal, seeks to remain in form against Carlos Berlocq.
Meanwhile, Nadal’s clay court dominance was interuppted on the blue clay of Madrid last week at the hands of countryman Fernando Verdasco. In his opener, Nadal meets German Florian Mayer who upset Canadian Milos Raonic on Sunday.
“I lost him in Shanghai last year and so let me think about …
Posted by Staff @ 10:42 pm in Rome | 73 Comments »
May 15th, 2012
Roger Federer Will Play In Rome!
Roger Federer has put and end to the speculation that he would skip the Rome Masters 1000 at the Foro Italico. After his big title Sunday in Madrid, Federer hinted that his body may not allow him to compete in Rome.
Tennis.com also reported that Federer was on medication during Madrid for an undisclosed ailment.
But according to this Blick story filed today, Federer will be playing his second round match tomorrow against Carlos Berlocq.
Federer, who has twice finished …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 10:35 am in Rome | 42 Comments »
May 14th, 2012
Djokovic Opens Rome Title Defense; Birthday Boy Murray, Serena, Sharapova Also In Action Tuesday
Now back on the familiar red clay, Novak Djokovic begins his Rome title defense Tuesday against young Australian Bernard Tomic. The 19-year-old Tomic eased past Santiago Giraldo in three windy sets to set up a second meeting with the Serb.
Last year en route to his maiden Wimbledon title Djokovic beat the teen in four sets. Almost 10 months later Tomic is 126 ranking sports higher at No. 32 while Djokovic is just 2-2 in his last four matches.
“Every year …
Posted by Staff @ 10:27 pm in Rome | 140 Comments »
May 14th, 2012
Andy Murray: My Back Is Fine, I Feel Pretty Good, The Next 4 Months Will Determine No. 1
After a brief rest period for a back injury, Andy Murray says he feels now on the eve of the Rome Tennis Masters. The Scot bypassed the Madrid blue clay masters so he could better prepare for the French Open.
“It was my decision to stop,” Murray answered Sunday when asked if Madrid was a good week to miss. “Everyone has been plodding on. People have been saying that I was much smarter than they were and so – Yes.
“Obviously the …
Posted by Staff @ 2:58 pm in Rome | 26 Comments »
May 14th, 2012
Rafael Nadal: The Blue Clay Is In The Past, My Goal Is Now Rome!
After a controversial week in Madrid, Rafael Nadal met the press at the Rome Tennis Masters on Monday. Nadal, who lost the 2011 final to rival Novak Djokovic, discussed a wide range of topics including his fishing, the blue courts last week in Madrid and his ranking/seeding thoughts.
Nadal will play Florian Mayer in his first match.
His unedited transcript from Rome below:
Q: Rafa, how was your fishing day the other day.
NADAL: Good. I had a day off in Majorca the …
Posted by Staff @ 2:28 pm in Rome | 33 Comments »
May 14th, 2012
For The First Time In Nearly Two Years, Roger Federer Ranks Ahead Of Rafael Nadal
He may be closing in on 31, but Roger Federer seems to be getting better with age. After defeating Tomas Berdych yesterday for the Madrid Masters 1000 title, the Swiss great moved ahead of rival Rafael Nadal in the ATP Rankings.
Nadal had been ranked higher than Federer every day dating back to June 7, 2010 when Rafa replaced Roger at No. 1.
Since turning 30 last August, Federer has won seven ATP titles and this year he leads all players with …
Posted by Staff @ 10:24 am in ATP | 38 Comments »