RAFAEL NADAL ~ EVEN WHEN HE LOSES HE TAKES A GOOD PICTURE
Rafa Nadal2nd day of his Semi-final
US Open September 7, 2008
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman
Photo credit: Getty
Above two photos credit: Nick Laham
two courts and with the benefit of wonderful fan support in the US Open 08
Semi-final
2-6, 6(5)-7(7), 6-4, 4-6
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Rafael Nadal Press Conference September 7, 2008
US Open Semi-Final - over two days due to Hurricane Hannah
Uploaded by USOPEN
Transcript of Press Conference:
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Q. How did you feel about the match being suspended yesterday and having to come back out today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, for me it was a little bit lucky, no? Yesterday I was not playing, so today I played a little bit more. So just accept, no?
Today was a different match. I played with a little bit more energy. It was later. Before I don't know where was the energy. Well, he played well, no? I have my chance in the fourth. I didn't convert. He beat me. Just congratulate him.
Q. What was the problem yesterday? You started too early? What was it?
RAFAEL NADAL: Probably more than 84 matches, no? It's difficult, no, every day be fresh, so I know one day going to happen something like yesterday.
Well, wasn't the best moment because it was a semifinals of the US Open, but at the same time never is a good moment, no?
If that happen one week ago in the Olympics going to be a terrible moment. If that happen two weeks ago or three weeks ago when I was fighting for be No. 1 in Toronto and Cincinnati going to be terrible moment, too.
Always is bad moment, but I'm very happy for everything. I tried my best during all the tournament. I wasn't very fresh during all the tournament. I did semifinals, so very happy for that.
Today I tried my best for try to come back to the match. I did well, it wasn't 100%, but I did well, so happy for everything.
Q. When you say that you didn't feel that fresh, it's normal, you're a human being. But how did you see? Do you think you're a little slower, or do you think you are not so mentally focused all the time? For instance, when you missed that volley you were 32 and 4030 and then 40All and you missed an easy drop volley when he was very far away on the fourth set.
RAFAEL NADAL: That's part of the game, no? He play better than me and he beat me. If you saw the match yesterday when I have to split and run, much slower than usual, no? That's the true.
Well, it was more difficult be all the time concentrate, no? That's it.
Q. You had that one game where you held off six, seven breakpoints, and then held serve and came back and broke him right away. Looked like things were changing there, but then he came right back. Were you surprised that he came back as strongly as he did, or did your level go down a little bit?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I had my chances. If you remember, I had 31, Love30, no? So I had a big chance in that moment of the match. I saw the match for sure not impossible. I was feeling better. He had some mistakes.
But at the same time, I had a little bit lucky for be in that moment, because I had a lot of breakpoints against me yesterday too in the second set. So he played well.
Later he served very well, and he played last game a little bit lucky for the two lets. But that's part of the game, you know. He beat me because he was better than me.
Q. How disappointed are you to only get this far, and how do you think he matches up against Federer?
RAFAEL NADAL: Disappointment for me?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I accept the loses with the same calm when I win. So I am disappointing? Yes. But at the same time, I am happy because I did good semifinals here.
Probably when I arrived here my situation wasn't the best situation for play a good tournament with too many tournaments and too many matches in my shoulders.
I fight well and I had a good tournament, so I go from the US Open with positive things, with a good tournament, no?
So tomorrow Andy has his chances. I think Federer going to be the favorite. That's for sure. But Andy is doing very well, no? He's having very good second part of the season, Toronto, Cincinnati, right now here the finals. So he's very, very good player. He can do it everything.
Q. You obviously have had a long season and played so many matches. Besides being tired, there are some injuries that you have to deal with coming into this tournament? And two, is it a consolation that last year you lost fourth round and this year you're in semifinals in terms of your ranking and your position in the...
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Injuries? What injuries?
Q. We know you're tired from playing so many matches, but do you have any injuries?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. Not one during all the season.
Q. You had talked about how you raised your energy level for today's match versus yesterday. Did Andy Murray do anything differently today than he was doing yesterday?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know, no? I didn't see probably Andy played well, but I think Andy I played against him in Toronto. The first set of Toronto, in my opinion, he was playing very well, too.
So my feeling was Andy was playing better the first set of Toronto than today's match. That's my feeling.
Q. Was that unusual for you to try a dropshot on match point? Did it bother you that he stood that far behind the baseline to return serve?
RAFAEL NADAL: For sure both things. First thing, dropshot, well, I run a lot in the point before. I was against wind. The ball was difficult because with the backhand higher, so it was not many chances to do.
He was far away from the baseline, but that's good for me. If I am good I can serve outside and later have the control of the point with the forehand. That wasn't bad for me, for my game.
Q. Your shots seemed to fly on you a little today more than usual. Was that because of the wind or because of the lowness and the hardness of his shots?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) No. The true, I was happy how I was playing today, no? If you comparing yesterday, well, everything going to be good. I go on court only with calm. Just try to fight. I just go and fight as much as I can and go back home knowing I tried everything. So that's why I go today like this.
Q. You played so much this year. Is it possible that for next year you will change your schedule and reconsider it so maybe you can be fresh until the very end?
RAFAEL NADAL: Every year you guys ask me the same questions. But one time if I feel injury, one time if I feel tired, but the answer always is the same: If you want to be in the top positions you have any chance for play less or not. Do you think?
Q. No, no chance.
RAFAEL NADAL: Okay. So that's my answer.
Q. You've had an incredible run: Roland Garros Wimbledon, becoming No. 1, the gold. Could you talk about your feelings about this season? Are you thrilled with it? Is this something that you expected? What are your thoughts about this incredible run?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, almost perfect season, no? So I did incredible things for me. What I didn't expect was one season like this. When I started the season I started the season playing soso.
Without bad results in Australia, semifinals, but my level was soso. I have some tough loses because I have a good tournament, like semifinal. Losing one strange match against Seppi in Rotterdam.
Well, I did well, no, because I played semifinals in Indian Wells and final in Miami. But both tournaments I have very good results. When I lost I lost 62, 64 and 63, 62, so always I go to the next tournament with bad feeling, no, knowing I played a good tournament.
So after Miami everything change, no? I start playing my best tennis in my careera. I played MonteCarlo, Barcelona. The only problem I have in my season, physical problem, is the blister in Rome.
Link to Andy Murray interview after beating Rafa in US Open 2008 Semi-final
New York laments Rafael Nadal's US Open exitIf defeat can ever be a triumph then Rafael Nadal made it so with his magnificent exist from Flushing Meadows.
By Kevin Garside in New York
No complaints: Rafael Nadal was gracious as he faced defeat to Andy Murray in New York
Andy Murray was the better man, he said. No excuses. His words were those of a champion, a Spanish gallant. Win with honour, lose with grace.
It is fair to say New York did not get the final it wanted. Dear old Roger versus an anti-hero from Scotland. As much as we love Murray in Britain, you cannot hang an ad campaign on his shoulders this side of the Atlantic.
America likes its stars with bells on. A headband is the basic requirement. Federer drips brilliance. Murray has been a tennis tour de force in this tournament. But the neutral drum bangs for the boy from Majorca.
Goodness knows, Nadal has had his days this year: the French, Wimbledon, Olympic Gold, world No 1. He almost had another on Sunday when he wrenched the third set from Murray, after a leaden opening when his semi-final began the day before.
The crowd were jumping when he broke to lead 3-1 in the fourth and had Murray at 0-30 on the Scot's serve. It was not to be. Murray summoned his Mojo and broke 20-odd thousand hearts.
Nadal was probably back in Majorca when Murray and Federer took to the court last night. He left behind a vapour trail of stardust. His absence could not diminish a presence that pervades the game, much as Tiger Woods suffuses golf whether he plays or not.
Just as Woods will be the Ryder Cup reference point in Louisville next week, despite watching on TV, so Nadal coloured the atmosphere in Flushing Meadows.
When Michael Schumacher announced his retirement from Formula One in an emotional address at Monza three years ago this coming weekend, the organisers screened the press conference. The start-finish straight in the Royal Park, a red sea of celebrating tifosi, fell silent. It was like watching man walk on the moon; history happened in Monza's front room.
Nadal's parting words ring out across the ether via YouTube. They should have been broadcast live at Flushing Meadows.
The crowd love Nadal for the razzmatazz he brings to a tennis court, for the rapier flourish he unloads on the forehand side, for the wins that result. On Sunday he won big in defeat.
"It's part of the game, no? He play better than me and he beat me. I had my chances. If you remember I had 3-1, love-30, no? So I had a big chance in that moment of the match. I saw the match for sure, not impossible.
"He had some mistakes. But at the same time I was a little bit lucky to be in that moment because I had a lot of break points against me yesterday, too, in the second set.
''So he played well. Later he served very well. And he played the last game a little bit lucky for the two lets. But that's part of the game, you know. He beat me because he was better than me."
For parents guiding children through the peaks and troughs of their formative sporting years, that last sentence is a gift. It should be wrapped in tinsel and placed under the tree at Christmas. They will never receive a more valuable present.
In the mind of the champion it is acceptable to lose. The point is to give it all you have. If you are good enough, that will be enough most days. On the odd occasion when your opponent is better, salute him. Nadal finished second on Sunday. First of the losers? Not in New York.
Already his sights are set on the next campaign. "The season is not over. I have semi-finals of Davis Cup. I hope I can recover for this important confrontation against the US and later try to be good for the Masters Series of Madrid, Paris and Shanghai. I always try my best, every day, with my practice and my matches. I try to fight in every moment. The goal is always the same: improve, no?"
Nadal's last words were for the man who put him away, Murray, contesting a grand slam final for the first time. Regardless of the result Nadal believes Murray came of age in New York and was worthy of the top-four billing he assumed yesterday. "Andy has very good potential. He serves well and has very good talent. When he is playing aggressive he can beat anybody, no?"
Yes.
~ Murray was better - no excuses
http://timesonline.typepad.com/rafael_nadal/2008/09/murray-was-bett.html
Rafa answers questions from fans while at the US Open 2008:
http://timesonline.typepad.com/rafael_nadal/2008/09/questions-for-4.html
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Slideshow of photos of Rafa from day two of US Open 08 Semi-Final
Photo credits: Getty, Matthew Stockman, Nick Laham, Chris McGrath, Abaca Press, Mary from The Forum at www.rafaelnadal.com and unknown
Link to 23 pictures of the second day - Sunday, September 7, 2008 of Rafa's Semi-Final match v Andy Murray
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Vintage Rafa
Roland Garros 2005
Rafa's English has improved so much...but so adorable in his attempt here.
Uploaded by LILCOOLBADBOY
The US Open 2008 And the winner is....
Roger Federer.
End of Murray's New York fairy tale
Source:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/end-of-murrays-new-york-fairy-tale-923590.html
Murray falls in straight sets as Federer retains US Open title with vintage performance
By Paul Newman at Flushing Meadows
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Murray found himself unable to find the strength he displayed against Nadal
It was not to be. Andy Murray had never played seven times in a tournament before and his final outing here at the US Open last night proved a match too far. The 21-year-old Scot's first appearance in a Grand Slam final ended in acute disappointment, but at least he had the consolation of knowing he had lost to the player he regards as the greatest the game has ever seen.
Roger Federer, who won 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 in an hour and 51 minutes, has had his most difficult season since winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon five years ago, but the former world No 1 had been showing signs over the last fortnight that he is rediscovering the form that once gave him such an aura of invincibility.
He never had to hit the heights he had scaled in beating Novak Djokovic in his previous match, but Federer was too good for Murray, who appeared to pay for his efforts in having to play his semi-final against Rafael Nadal over the previous two days. The 21-year-old Scot also seemed to have a problem with the congenital condition in his right knee that has troubled him in the past.
Murray never played with the panache he had shown in beating Nadal and never moved with the same freedom, but Federer had gone into the match with a distinct advantage. Not only had he spent four hours less on court in winning his previous six matches but he had also enjoyed the luxury of preparing for the final with a day's rest, having completed his semi-final victory over Djokovic on Saturday.
Murray joins Greg Rusedski, who lost here in 1997, and John Lloyd, who lost in Melbourne in 1977, as the only British men to have reached a Grand Slam final in the Open era, while Fred Perry remains the last British man have won a major, 72 years ago.
The Scot leaves Flushing Meadows, however, with plenty of reasons to feel positive. He climbs to No 4 in the world rankings, equalling the highest position achieved by Tim Henman and Rusedski, and $1m (about £570,000) richer after receiving a bonus of $250,000 for finishing runner-up in the summer's US Open series as well as his prize money here.
Murray said the last fortnight had been "the best time of my life". He added: "I had a great tournament. I came up against the man who in my mind is the best player ever to play the game. I got the better of him the last two times we played and he definitely set the record straight today."
Federer paid tribute to Murray – "He's played great over the last two weeks and I'm sure we're going to see much more of him" – and added: "This is a very special moment in my career. I've had a difficult time at a couple of Grand Slams this year and to win this is incredible."
Having lost his Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns and his world No 1 ranking, Federer was thrilled to claim his 13th Grand Slam title, just one short of Pete Sampras' all-time record. He also became the first man since Bill Tilden in 1924 to win the US Open five years in succession. Remarkably, it is only his third title of a year in which the glandular fever he suffered in January clearly took a toll.
There had not been many Scots in evidence at Flushing Meadows over the previous fortnight, but for the finale they made their presence felt. There were a number of saltire flags dotted around the 23,000-capacity Arthur Ashe Stadium, although the majority of the fans were clearly behind Federer.
Murray is one of the quickest players, but Federer is no slouch either and looked the faster man from the outset. When Murray throws in softly-struck half-court balls it flummoxes some opponents, who are then rocked back as the Scot then ups the pace of his shots. Federer and flummoxing, however, do not go together. Whenever Murray played the ball short the Swiss stepped in to drive big ground strokes and hurry the Scot into his next shot.
Federer came out with all the swagger of a man who had won his previous 33 matches on these courts. Murray put the ball back in court on only one of Federer's first six service points and had already saved a break point at 1-2 when he dropped his serve for the first time to trail 2-4. Two games later Federer broke again to take the set, repeatedly stretching Murray with the sheer pace of his game.
Murray had won only five points against serve in the first set and when he was broken at the start of the second his task was looking immense. You learn, however, always to expected the unexpected from the Scot and from 0-2 down he won 11 of the next 12 points. With Federer starting to misfire on his serve, Murray broke the Swiss to love and had him at 0-40 in his next service game. At 15-40 Murray thought a Federer backhand had gone long but continued the point, which he lost. Hawk-Eye's cameras confirmed the ball was well out, but the chance to challenge had gone – you can call for a video review only on the last shot of a rally or immediately after the shot in question – and Federer went on to hold serve.
In the middle of the second set Murray landed awkwardly and appeared to twist his right knee. The Scot has a weakness there – his kneecap bone is in two parts, which is not a common condition – and for the rest of the match he appeared to be in some discomfort. At 5-6 Federer broke to love to take the second set. On his first set point Murray played a poor drop shot and Federer pounced to drive a forehand winner down the line. The Swiss leapt into the air and roared in celebration, sensing that he had taken a decisive lead.
With Murray clearly struggling with his knee, Federer stormed into a 5-0 lead in the final set. Typically, however, the Scot did not go down without a fight. He won the next two games and saved the first match point with two brave volleys. On the second he returned two Federer smashes, but not the third and the Swiss sank to his knees in delight.
The disappointment of not being able to show what he is capable of in the biggest match of his life may linger, but Murray can take consolation from the experience of his contemporary, Djokovic, here 12 months ago. The Serb also lost to Federer in straight sets in the final, but went on to beat the Swiss en route to his first Grand Slam title in the Australian Open four months later. Murray will be back.
Link to video of US Open 08 Final - Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray 1 of 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwCDdK1iEuo
from alfonso1402
Labels: Andy Murray, ilovemylife, Mallorca, New York, Number 1, Pictures of Rafa Nadal, Quarter Final, Rafael Nadal, Round 2, Sam Querrey, Sandra Hammel, Spain, Tennis, US Open, USA, Vamos Rafa, Video
posted by ilovemylife @ 9:25 PM
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