Roger Federer: Yes, Rafael Nadal Could Beat My Slam Total, But I Want To Add More Titles
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 23rd, 2014 @ 10:06 am
Speaking to the press in his second home of Dubai, Roger Federer admitted that 14 13-time winner Rafael Nadal could overtake his 17 record haul.
“Could Rafa [Nadal] eclipse my [Grand Slam] record?” Federer told the Gulf News during a presser earlier today. “Yeah, absolutely. But the good thing is I am still playing and my goal is to add more titles to my count — and not just …
Venus Williams Gets Family Revenge Winning WTA Dubai Title
Posted by Staff on February 22nd, 2014 @ 7:15 pm
Former No. 1 Venus Williams did something her current world No. 1 sister Serena was unable to do this week in Dubai — defeat Alize Cornet, and in impressive style, steamrolling the Frenchwoman 6-3, 6-0 in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Cornet entering the event had an 0-28 streak against Top 10 players before toppling Top 10er Simona Halep in the first round. She then snapped her …
Nadal Steamrolls Ahead In Rio; Serena Stunned In Dubai, Leaves Venus As The Favorite
Posted by Sean Randall on February 21st, 2014 @ 10:29 pm
Rafael Nadal’s back is so bad that he managed to lose just one single sloppy game tonight in a 6-1, 6-0 destruction over Joao Sousa in the Rio quarterfinals.
Last night, Nadal complained that this back injury he sustained in the Australian Open final was still a “bothering” him. Well, imagine how good he’ll be once the back is 100%? Sheesh.
Nadal now plays Pablo Andujar in the semis while second …
Rafael Nadal Admits His Back Is Still Bothering Him A Little Bit
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 21st, 2014 @ 12:07 am
Rafael Nadal won tonight convincingly over countryman Albert Montanes 61, 62 in the second round at the Rio Open. But afterward, Nadal once again made mention of injuries that continue to plague him, specially the back he first hurt during the Australian Open final loss to Stanislas Wawrinka.
“When you get injured in the final of a Grand Slam and stop for 2 1/2 weeks it’s not easy to come back,” …
Watch Rafael Nadal And Gustavo Kuerten Meet On Court In Rio [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 20th, 2014 @ 11:51 pm
Kings of Clay Rafael Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten shared a few moments together tonight at the Rio Open. Following Nadal’s easy win over Albert Montanes in the second round, Kuerten, arguably the greatest tennis player ever in Brazil, was honored on the court.
“I have just thought about exchanging a few rallies with him, but I was very emotional and forgot to ask him,” Guga said about Nadal. “It is amazing …
Uncle Toni Nadal: Rafa’s Body Isn’t That Great, Ferrer’s Is Better!
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 20th, 2014 @ 11:18 am
In an interview with welovetennis.fr, Uncle Toni Nadal offered his thoughts (via translation) on a myriad of topics about his nephew and World No. 1 Rafael Nadal.
Toni said Rafa’s worst losses were the 2012 Australian Open final when Novak Djokovic beat him and the French Open in 2009 when Robin Soderling stunned the King of Clay.
On the French match with Soderling, Uncle Toni wasn’t pleased with how …
Serena Williams: I’m A Complete Perfectionist
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 20th, 2014 @ 10:48 am
Top seed and World No. 1 Serena Williams admitted earlier this week that the fact that she’s never won the Dubai title add any extra motivation.
“There is no extra motivation,” Serena said after beating Ekaterina Makarova on Tuesday. “I couldn’t have any more motivation than what I already have. I don’t think it’s humanly possible. I’m always so motivated every time I play. I’m a complete perfectionist. I just …
Pete Sampras Says Roger Federer Can Win Another Slam (But What’s He Suppose To Say?)
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 20th, 2014 @ 10:32 am
Pete Sampras was available to the media yesterday as a pre-tournament buildup to a match with Andre Agassi in London next month.
Sampras, who retired at age 31 after winning his 14th major at the US Open, remains in awe of what Federer, now 32, can still do.
“I’m amazed that he is up for more tennis,” Sampras said. “He has done everything in the game and he could walk away tomorrow …
Playing In 800th Career Match, Rafael Nadal Wins In Rio Debut Upping Clay Win Streak To 24
Posted by Staff on February 19th, 2014 @ 9:34 am
Rafael Nadal made the most of his 800th career match dispatching countryman Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3, 7-5 in the first round of the inaugural Rio Open.
The match was also Nadal’s first since having to withdraw from Buenos Aires last week with a back/stomach issues.
“I’m happy to be back in competition,” said Nadal who was down a break 2-0 in the second. “I had to face a player that’s been playing for …
Rafael Nadal Was Honored At A Football Game In Rio On Sunday [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 17th, 2014 @ 6:45 pm
Rafael Nadal was a special guest of honor Sunday at a football game in Rio de Janeiro. Nadal and good friend Juan Monaco made use of the day off by visiting Maracanã stadium to watch Flamengo play Vasco. And before the game, Nadal was the center of attention.
“I think it was a very special experience,” Nadal said. “I’m a big fan of sports, of football, and this is one of …
Roger Federer And Andy Murray Are Both Ranked Outside Of The Top 6!
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 17th, 2014 @ 6:37 pm
For the first time since they’ve been together on Tour, the last two Wimbledon champions Roger Federer and Andy Murray are both outside of the Top 6 in the last ATP rankings.
As of today, February 17, Murray ranks No. 7, Federer No. 8. That after Tomas Berdych lifted his first title in over a year yesterday in Rotterdam.
Neither player has won a title since the grass season. Murray, who …
Watch Andy Roddick Take A Serve To The Man Region [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 17th, 2014 @ 6:22 pm
Playing in the Champions Series can be hazardous to health. Just ask Andy Roddick. Facing a fellow ferocious server in Mark Philippoussis last week in Birmingham, the Scud scorched a serve right into Roddick man zone. And down went Roddick.
“It was awkward,” said Roddick who was making his senior tour debut at the event. “That hurt. It really did.”
Roddick, though, got the better of Philippoussis in the end defeating the …
Weekend Wrap: Halep, Ferrer, Berdych, Nishikori Win Tennis Titles
Posted by Staff on February 17th, 2014 @ 12:28 am
Halep Shocks Top Field for WTA Qatar Title
Out of a sterling WTA field, No. 7 seed Simona Halep of Romania won the biggest title of her career on Sunday, defeating No. 6 seed Angie Kerber 6-2, 6-3 for the Premier-level Qatar Total Open championship.
“It’s amazing for me, because when I came here I didn’t think I could reach the final, or win even,” said Halep, who improved to 7-3 in …
Previews: Serena Williams, Nadal Lead WTA/ATP Events This Week
Posted by Staff on February 16th, 2014 @ 4:18 pm
2014 Dubai Tennis Championships
Dubai, U.A.E; Surface: hard
Seeds: Serena Williams, Aggie Radwanska, Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani, Jelena Jankovic, Angie Kerber, Simona Halep, Caroline Wozniacki
Floaters: Ana Ivanovic, Venus Williams, Alisa Kleybanova, Ekaterina Makarova, Sloane Stephens, Lucie Safarova, Carla Suarez Navarro, Nadia Petrova, Alize Cornet, Sabine Lisicki, Sam Stosur, Kaia Kanepi
Notes: One of the toughest 28-draw fields of the year with seven Top 10 players among the seeds, and more dangerous floaters …
The Many Faces Of Roger Federer
Posted by Tom Gainey on February 16th, 2014 @ 9:48 am
Roger Federer had some fun earlier this week on social media. To commemorate his first ATP final in Marseille back on February 13, 2000, the Swiss legend tweeted, or retweeted, a series pictures of his ever-evolving appearance.
Enjoy.
“@Ksag1991: @rogerfederer #HappyRoger pic.twitter.com/IwyglKbzsw” back in the day #hihi
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) February 13, 2014
“@RimaRoben: @rogerfederer What do you
…