Roger Federer Says He’s Not Sure If He’ll Play Rome
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 18th, 2015 @ 8:53 am
Following a loss Thursday to Gael Monfils, Roger Federer admitted he didn’t know if he’d play the Rome Masters next month starting May 10.
“I’m going to go back to Switzerland and practice really hard, you know, from whatever the plan’s going to be from tonight on until Istanbul,” Federer said. “That’s, again, a good time I should utilize in the right way. I’m looking forward to that. I’m playing …
Fed Cup: Hingis Returns To Singles Joining Serena, Radwanska And Kvitova In Action This Weekend
Posted by Staff on April 17th, 2015 @ 11:47 pm
The big news out of the Fed Cup this weekend is the return of former No. 1 Martina Hingis to singles competition. With Belina Bencic opting out of the team, Switzerland has turned to the 34-year-old Swiss Miss for its match at Poland in a World Group Play-off. Hingis hasn’t played a singles match since 2007 Beijing.
“The comfort zone is there for me to play doubles,” Hingis said. “Obviously, I’ve …
Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic It Is In The Monte Carlo SFs, Who’s The Pick?
Posted by Sean Randall on April 17th, 2015 @ 1:57 pm
And here we go! I’ll happily take a so-so day of tennis if it means we get our first Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic collision in 10 months Saturday. That’s how things went today in Monte Carlo with Tomas Berdych, Gael Monfils and Djokovic all cruising into the semis before Nadal needed three to oust David Ferrer.
First up was Berdych who advanced when Milos Raonic withdrew with a foot injury down 5-2. …
Federer Still Can’t Win In Monte Carlo; Nadal, Djokovic Move Closer To Saturday SF
Posted by Sean Randall on April 16th, 2015 @ 8:52 pm
After four days of relatively in-form results, things were turned upside down a little today in the Monte Carlo third round as the top two Swiss players and last year’s finalists Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer were both sent home consecutively in straight sets on center court.
It’s hard to say which was the bigger surprise because, Wawrinka, who won this title a year ago, was absolutely destroyed by Grigor Dimitrov …
Rafael Nadal: Physicality In Tennis Isn’t Preventing Young Guys From Breaking Through, It’s Because They Are Not Good Enough
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 16th, 2015 @ 11:31 am
On Wednesday in Monte Carlo, Rafael Nadal blasted youngster Lucas Pouille running his record to 27-3 against players born in the 1990s. So Nadal was asked what is holding back the younger generation and those before them from winning big titles.
Many of have said the reason is because tennis has become so much more physical over the years. But Nadal disagrees.
“I am not agree,” Nadal said. “When I arrived …
Rafael Nadal Says He Changed Racquets So He Could Get Even More Spin On The Ball!
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 16th, 2015 @ 11:07 am
Before his three set win today over John Isner, Rafael Nadal talked Wednesday about his recent switch to a new Babolat prototype racquet, the PLAY Aeropro Drive.
“We were thinking about before the season start,” Nadal said of the change. But was not enough time to prepare the racquet for before the season start. So now the racquets are ready. I practiced with them in Mallorca since I came back …
Nadal v Isner, Federer v Monfils Headline Blockbuster Thursday In Monte Carlo
Posted by Sean Randall on April 15th, 2015 @ 6:42 pm
With only one of the 16 seeds failing to reach the third round, it promises to be one of the best line-ups for any Thursday this tennis season. Former champions Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka plus Roger Federer headline a day featuring 12 of the Top 14 players on court, fighting for their life in the first Masters clay event of the season in Monte Carlo.
As for today, …
Novak Djokovic Wins Second Laureus Sportsman Of The Year
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 15th, 2015 @ 11:08 am
In a ceremony at Shanghai Grand Theatre, tennis World No. 1 Novak Djokovic took home the prestigious honor of being named Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year earlier today.
The Serb beat out other hopefuls including Lewis Hamilton (Motor Racing), Renaud Lavillenie (Athletics), Rory McIlroy (Golf), Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) and Marc Marquez (Motorcycling).
It’s the second time Djokovic has won the award after his 2011 season.
“The past season was one of …
With A New Racquet, Rafael Nadal Began His Clay Campaign By Playing What He Called His Best Match Of The Year
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 15th, 2015 @ 10:57 am
After a tough start to the season, maybe Rafael Nadal really is finding his footing on his favorite red clay. Nadal, who has just won title since the French Open, began this European clay season with a crushing 62, 61 win over Lucas Pouille, calling the win one his of best performances of the year.
“Today, I played solidly,” said Nadal. “Today, I played with no mistakes in a row. I …
Novak Djokovic Jokes He Doesn’t Miss Playing Rafael Nadal
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 15th, 2015 @ 10:34 am
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played 42 times but not once since their French Open battle in the final a year. And Djokovic doesn’t mind that he hasn’t faced off against his main rival who he trails 23-19.
“Well, not so much, honestly,” Djokovic joked about missing RAfa. “We have played over 40 times. I’m sure that I’m going to play him more. Maybe it happens this week, maybe not. …
Nadal, Federer On Tap Wednesday In Monte Carlo; Djokovic Dominates In Opener
Posted by Staff on April 14th, 2015 @ 5:55 pm
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic upped his Masters win streak to 17 following a 6-1, 6-4 win today over Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the second round at the Monte Carlo Open.
Playing his first clay match since his 4-set French Open loss to Rafael Nadal in the final, Djokovic was pleased with his performance.
“I felt very good,” the 2013 Monte Carlo champ said. “I thought, considering the amount of months that I …
8-Time Monte Carlo Champion Rafael Nadal Says He’s Not The Favorite To Win Anything
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 14th, 2015 @ 11:18 am
Rafael Nadal returns to his European red dirt this week in Monte Carlo, but the King of Clay doesn’t think he’s the favorite to win much less anything.
“I’m not the favorite for anything,” Nadal said. “I have been playing worse than the rest of the rivals of mine. The pressure is not for me.
“I am arriving here with the motivation to do something better than what I am doing.”
Nadal is …
Novak Djokovic Opens Clay Campaign Tuesday In Monte Carlo; Gulbis Wins One Game
Posted by Staff on April 13th, 2015 @ 11:00 pm
With an eye toward winning the French Ope, Novak Djokovic opens his 2015 clay season Tuesday in Monte Carlo. The World No. 1, who has won his last 16 Masters 1000 matches, will take on qualifier Alberto Ramos-Vinolas in the second round at the tournament he won in 2013.
Also in action are French favorites Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. David Ferrer is also on court along with US Open champion …
Roger Federer: I’ve Done The Right Things To Prepare For This Clay Season
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 13th, 2015 @ 9:51 am
A well-rested Roger Federer met the media Sunday in Monte Carlo. The Swiss, who has never won the Monte Carlo title, came close a year ago but was done in by fatigue, a cold and by good friend Stan Wawrinka in three sets.
“I got quite tired in the third set and also had a horrible cold,” Federer said of 2014. “I was not feeling like my absolute best, but …
Peaking Novak Djokovic Passes Rafael Nadal In Weeks At No. 1, Is The Goal To Reach Roger?
Posted by Tom Gainey on April 13th, 2015 @ 9:33 am
Novak Djokovic officially passed Rafael Nadal in terms of weeks at No. 1 today. This week marks the Serb’s 142nd week on top of the ATP rankings, just ahead of Nadal’s 141.
Djokovic’s next target is John McEnroe at 170 weeks. He could reach McnEnroe if he stays on top at the end of October. Roger Federer leads all players at 302. To reach Roger, Djokovic would have to hold No. …