RAFA NADAL ~ AEGON CHAMPIONSHIPS ~ QUEENS 2011

Click on image to enlarge it

UPDATE: June 22, Wednesday, 2011, 12:18 a.m. USA EST

Aegon Championships ~ Queens Tournament

June 4 - 12, 2011
AEGON-Championships
or for more
Queens Club Website

TV
The tennis Channel
Starts Friday, June 10, 2011

LIVE Streaming
www.fromsportcom

Live Score Window

Tournament Draw

Order Of Play


Singles
Round 1
Rafa Nadal had a bye

Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Matthew Ebden
6-4, 6-4
Centre Court

Singles

Round 3
Rafa Nadal defeated Radek Štěpánek
6-3, 5-7, 6-1
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Centre Court

The first match begins at 7:30 a.m. USA EST
(Rafa and Marc Lopez's Round 2 Doubles match is the fifth match on the Centre Court)

Quarter Finals
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Rafa
Friday, June 10, 2011
7-6, 4-6, 1-6

Doubles

Round 1
Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez defeated Thomaz Bellucci and Andre Sa
7-6(6), 6-2

Round 2
[7] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Centre Court
Rafa and Marc Lopez's match is the fifth match on the Centre Court

To be honest I am not sure what happened about the doubles match. I am guessing Rafa pulled out of this match. I couldn't find it at the Aegon - Queens Tournament site in the scores section.

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Who Won? Who Lost? EGON-Championships Match-Centre

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Pictures Aegon Championships ~ Queens Tournament

Singles
Rafa practicing
zimbio pictures

Rafael Nadal of Spain on the practice court on day two of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 7, 2011 in London, England.Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Rafa practicing on day 2 ~ June 6, Monday , 2011

zimbio pictures

Round 2
Singles Pictures of Rafa

Round 2 ~ Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men's Singles second round match against Matthew Ebden of Australia on day three of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 8, 2011 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney

More Round 2 Singles Pictures

zimbio pictures

daylife pictures

Doubles Pictures

Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain during their Men's Doubles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci and Andre Sa of Brazil on day two of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 7, 2011 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill

More Doubles Pictures
Round 1 zimbio pictures

LIVE Streaming
www.fromsportcom


Fan Support Sites ~ Great sources of information

Vamos Brigade

Rafa's Babolat-sponsored Forum

Facebook RAFA-NADAL-BRING-BACK-LONG-PANTS-SLEEVELESS-TOPS

Rafa's Facebook
www.facebook.com/Nadal

Rafa's Website
rafaelnadal.com

Steve Flink: Rafa Greatest Ever on Clay

6/5/2011

by Steve Flink

PARIS—The way I see it, the debate is now over: Rafael Nadal is indisputably the greatest men’s player ever on clay. I have immense respect for Bjorn Borg, and saw him capture his six French Open crowns with style, grace, and an unshakable demeanor that set him apart from all of his rivals. Borg was magnificent on the dirt, imperturbable to his core, machinelike with his groundstroke accuracy, and an astonishing athlete and sportsman who could beat his rivals to a pulp with his uncanny consistency and ball control that seemed at times to be out of this world.

But Rafael Nadal has taken the clay court game to another level, and I believe simply by tying Borg here at Roland Garros with six championships he deserves the honor of being considered the best player ever on his favorite surface. Nadal has lost only one match in seven years on the red clay of Roland Garros, and it is hard to imagine that he won’t win this tournament at least two more times. It is the place he most loves to do his work, the tournament that seems to inspire him the most, the setting he prefers beyond all others. He is a champion through and through and a man of immense character, which he demonstrated again today with a hard fought 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 triumph over Roger Federer in a contest that lasted three hours and 39 minutes, on a day when the Spaniard was not at the top of his game.

Read the full article at www.tennischannel.com

RAFA SLID VICTORIOUSLY THROUGH THE CLAY SEASON AND LANDS ON THE GRASS

NOTE: If Rafa wins his Quarter Final single,
my next post regarding Rafa will be a brand new post
and not an update to this post.

UPDATE
June 11, 2010
6:15 p.m.

Quarter Final
Feliciano Lopez defeated Rafa Nadal
6-7(5), 4-6

Pictures of Quarter Final match at Zimbio

Rafa withdrew from the doubles

Result of Round 3
Rafa Nadal defeated Denis Istomin
Thursday, June 10, 2010
7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4

Order of play for Friday, June 11, 2010

Doubles
Friday, June 11, 2010
Court 1
Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez versus Robert Linstedt and Horia Tecau
Second match
The first match begins at 7:30 a.m. USA EDT

MY GUESS is that Rafa will pull out of the doubles.
I hope his injury isn't going to halt him once again.

AEGON Championships at The Queens Club

For online viewing try
www.atdhe.net
www.fromsport.com
In my opinion the best is atdhe

The Tennis Channel
Quarter finals will be aired live on Friday, June 11
http://www.tennischannel.com/schedule/

June 7 - 13, 2010

Queens Club.

Follow on twitter for AEGON Champs

UPDATE Thursday, June 10, 2010
Daylife on Rafael Nadal

Daylife photos of Round 3 June 10,2 010- Rafael Nadal

Zimbio pictures at AEGON of Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles during his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. hoto by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe


Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain is treated by his physio during his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain is treated by his physio during his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win after his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win after his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan on Day 4 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Europe

Playing catch up.... June 9, 2010 Press questions to Rafa: www.asapsports.com

The following quote is from news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis

Nadal, who faces Feliciano Lopez in the quarter-finals at the Aegon Championships, said: "I'm going to have the leg tested. The pain started slowly and then I felt it more.

"I'm not thinking about pulling out of the tournament. I'm sure I'll play Friday. I'll be very careful but should be OK."

Nadal suffers injury scare at Queen’s

Martyn Herman

Source: uk.reuters.com

LONDON June 10 (Reuters) - One year after he was struck down by a knee injury and denied the chance to defend his Wimbledon crown, the sight of Rafael Nadal flat out on Queen's Club's centre court on Thursday was a worrying moment.

The Spaniard needed a three-minute injury time-out after losing the second set of his third round match against Denis Istomin, the 24-year-old, face down on the turf and grimacing as an ATP physio massaged his backside.

A packed centre court watched on anxiously but thankfully the French Open champion got back to his feet to complete a 7-6 4-6 6-4 victory over the Uzbekistan player.

Afterwards he said he was confident that he would be able to face compatriot Feliciano Lopez for a place in the semi-finals.

"I called the physio to check how my leg was," world number one Nadal told reporters. "I'm still doing some tests and they are going to do more to know how I am.

"I felt something after he handled it," Nadal added, standing up and pointing to his posterior to explain exactly where it hurt. "I have to be sure that's it's nothing dangerous. If something happened this week, it's difficult to be ready (for Wimbledon) in one week.

Nadal's visit to London last year was a brief one. He did not play at Queen's where he was also defending champion and after a warm-up at an exhibition event in the week before Wimbledon he pulled out of the grasscourt grand slam.

Thursday's weather conditions hardly helped Nadal's cause. Under grey skies and spits of drizzle, the ball skidded low and fast and he was clearly relieved to survive.

"That was not the best conditions for the body," he said. "It was a big change for me, a big change to play two months on clay then come to grass.

"Days like this make everything a little more difficult."

(Editing by Alison Wildey

Nadal battles past Istomin

Rafael Nadal was pushed all the way by brave Uzbekistani Denis Istomin

Source: www.lta.org.uk/watch/AEGON-British-Tennis-Series/AEGON-Championships

The 2008 champion at The Queen's Club, Rafael Nadal, came through a very entertaining and close encounter with Uzbekistani Denis Istomin to proceed to the quarter-finals with a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 victory.

Facing the world No. 1 Istomin showed no signs of nerves as he matched the Spaniard game for game until 6-6 and an inevitable first set tie break.

It took a couple of classic Nadal forehand winners and an unreturnable serve to give the No. 1 seed the first set, capturing the tie break 7-4.

Istomin refused to follow the script though and quickly stunned Nadal by breaking his serve in the first game of the second set.

Once the break was secured, there were very few chances for either player and when Istomin stepped up to serve at 5-4 it was crunch time for the world number 72.

Despite a remarkable retrieving winner by Nadal from a drop shot at 30-15 Istomin kept his cool and the crowd cheered and clapped the underdog as he squared the match at one set all.

At the beginning of the deciding set it was clear that the new French Open champion wasn't at his best and he had been forced to call the trainer at the end of the second set. He sent out a scream of frustration in the fourth game as he made yet another unforced error.

The crowd, the majority of whom were wrapped in coats and blankets as the cold London evening set in, did their best to encourage Nadal as the usual cries of "Come on Rafa!" echoed around the stands, but these were matched by enthusiastic "Come on Denis!" cries.

At 3-3 Nadal saved two break points and just one game later, after a world class forehand passing shot and a failed hawk eye challenge by Istomin, Nadal had the crucial break.

The matched look to be all but over until Istomin miraculously saved two match points and broke straight back. The crowd could hardly believe their eyes as Nadal missed a smash on match point.

Champions though are made of sturdy stuff and at 5-4 up with Istomin serving Nadal showed his fighting qualities as he wrapped up the tie in front of an appreciative crowd.

"I finished the match playing better" said the world No. 1 afterwards, "he has a good game for grass, good backhand, serves good, myself [played] worse than last few times."

The top seed will now face his fellow Spaniard, eighth seed Feliciano Lopez, in the quarter-finals tomorrow and Nadal commented on his next opponent and friend, saying, "he is a very good player on grass, good serve."

On the other courts it was a bad day for Marin Cilic, who followed Andy Roddick in becoming another high profile name to exit the tournament, as the Croatian fifth seed lost 7-6, 6-2 to French twelfth seed Michael Llodra. Llodra will now go on to play the winner of Fish and Murray.

Llodra, partnering compatriot Julien Benneteau, then did the double over Cilic by beating the Croatian, and his partner Andre Sa, in straight sets in the doubles event, winning 6-1, 6-4.

There was more French doubles success as Clement & Mahut beat Granollers & Lopez 6-3, 6-4 on Court Two to reach the second round in a game delayed since Monday.

See the order of play, draws and results in the AEGON Championships Match Centre

Follow the AEGON Championships 'As It Happens'

UPDATE
June 10, 12:15 a.m. 2010

Singles
Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Marcos Daniel
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
6-2, 6-2
Pictures

Round 3
Rafa Nadal versus Denis Istomin
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Centre Court
2nd match
The first match scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. USA EDT

Doubles
Round 1
Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez defeated Rainer Schuettler and Janko Tipsarevi
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
6-4, 6-3

Round 2
Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez versis Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Court 1

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a backhand during his second round match against Marcos Daniel of Brazilon Day 3 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 9, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his second round match against Marcos Daniel of Brazilon Day 3 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 9, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Next Tourament is
AEGON Championships at The Queens Club
The grass court tournament Rafa uses as a warm-up to Wimbledon

For online viewing try
www.atdhe.net
www.fromsport.com
Both showing Rd 2 match
the best is atdhe

The Tennis Channel
It looks like the quarterfinals will be aired live on Friday, June 11
and through the final on Sunday
http://www.tennischannel.com/schedule/

June 7 - 13, 2010

Queens Club.

Follow on twitter for AEGON Champs

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Uploaded by Midnightsnack09

The text by the Midnightsnack09

I always wanted to make documentary kind of video as a tribute to Rafas success especially on clay. With hindered skill and Rafas unexpected early exit in RG in 2009, my one last year ended on a sad note. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."

Isn't this year's Clay Court absolute domination proof that Rafa is not only a giant on the court but a dreamer who stretches himself to the edge of infinity until his dreams are fulfilled?

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And now.....
Next Tournament is
AEGON Championships at The Queens Club
The grass court tournament Rafa uses as a warm-up to Wimbledon

For online viewing try
www.atdhe.net
www.fromsport.com
Both showing Rd 2 match
the best is atdhe

I am a confused about TV...

The Tennis Channel
It looks like the quarterfinals will be aired live on Friday, June 11
and through the final on Sunday
http://www.tennischannel.com/schedule/

June 7 - 13, 2010

Queens Club.

Follow on twitter for AEGON Champs

Rafa has a Round 1 Bye - meaning he doesn't play Round 1


Singles
Round 2
Rafa Nadal versus Marcos Daniel
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Centre Court
2nd Match
The first match begins at 7:30 a.m. USA EDT

The first match is scheduled to begin 6:30 a.m. USA EDT
NOTE: Maybe, the time will change.
Rafa is scheduled to play both singles and doubles Wednesday -
a little tight on the schedule

Order of play

Rafa and Andy Murray are in the same half of the draw
Roddick and Djokovic are in the bottom half.
Verdasco and Tsonga withdrew.

Six-time Wimbledon winner Federer has never played Queen's.
Federer plays Halle instead of Queens Club, as will Hewitt

UPDATE
Rafa plays doubles
Rafa will play doubles with friend Marc Lopez
Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez vs. Rainer Schuettler and Janko Tipsarevi
Rescheduled for Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Court 1
Fourth Match

Draw

Rafa must love being at The Queens Club tournament...he seems to take the most relaxed and beautiful smile pictures when there...

Rafael Nadal of Spain laughs during his practice session during Day 1 of the the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club on June 7, 2010 in London, England.

Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images Europe

Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images Europe

Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images Europe

Rafa at Queens Club Pictures

Click the post title for the video from the tournament's website:
The Tournament Begins (the first day)

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ninzninz3
has a youtube video of her trip to
Queen's / Stella Artois Championships to see Rafa
(before he changed from on-court longer pants and from sleeveless attire)
2008

French Open champion Rafael Nadal has returned to No 1 in the ATP rankings and is seen celebrating his victory in L'Arc Restaurant. Photo by Bauer Griffin

Photo by Bauer Griffin

Photo by Bauer Griffin

more pictures
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Uploaded by meko1686

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Uploaded by ITNSportsNews

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Uploaded by ACETennisMagazine


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The Last Survivor (Extended Trailer) from The Last Survivor on Vimeo.

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Uploaded by The Last Survivor
righteouspictures.com
This film is coming to Providence, Rhode Island
August 10-15, 2010
The Rhode Island International Film Festival

401-861-4445

www.film-festival.org

Great discounts for AAA, 6 tickets, $150 tax deductible pass, etc.

Check out all the ticket purchase options:
www.film-festival.org/ticketspasses

Flicker Pass (full week pass)
$150 ($300 Value)

Be treated like a visiting filmmaker and have access to all screenings during the festival. No vouchers to redeem or limits on which films you can attend.

Includes: ~

• Access to film screenings, August 10-15th
• Opening Night Film & Soiree
• Closing Night Film & Celebration

Additionally, this pass entitles the bearer to the following:
• Priority Ticket Selection prior to individual tickets going on sale
• Priority Seating via the Badge Holders line.
• Priority Seating expires 15 minute prior to show time.

** This pass is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law

NOTE: I get nothing for this free advertising, just passing on the information.

A GRAY DAY IN LONDON - AND IN OUR RAFA-LOVING HEARTS AS HE WITHDRAWS FROM WIMBLEDON 09

RAFA NADAL LISTENS TO HIS BODY
WITHDRAWS FROM WIMBLEDON 09

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June 19, 2009
1:46
Uploaded by tnnews

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Rafael Nadal interview with BBC news
after announcing his withdrawal from Wimbledon 09
2:55
Uploaded by merikob

There are many youtube videos with Rafa announcing his Wimbledon 09 withdrawal.
Above are just two of many.

REPORT - June 19th, 2009.

Rafael Nadal has announced he will not defend his Wimbledon title.

The world number one and top seed had said after the French Open that he would not play Wimbledon if he was not 100% and so it has come to pass.

"Im here and I'm just not 100%. I'm better than what I was a couple of weeks ago but I dont feel right," Nadal told a packed press conference on Friday evening at the All England Club.

"To not play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career."

After suffering a shock defeat in the French Open to Robin Soderling, Nadal received treatment on his knees in Barcelona and skipped the traditional Wimbledon warm-up at Queens in an effort to be fit for The Championships. He was diagnosed with tendinitis in both quadriceps tendons as well as a small amount of fluid on the kneecaps.

"I tried everything. I didn't feel terrible but also not close to my best. When I enter a tournament my goal is winning and my feeling right now is I'm not ready to win.

"It's very painful for me but I can't play at the tournament this year. It's tough but it is what it is."

Nadal's absence will cause a reshuffle in the mens singles draw. Nadal's place will be taken by fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro's place will be taken by the 17th seed James Blake. Blake's place will be taken by Jose Arguso of Argentina and a lucky loser will fill Arguso's spot.

Nadal revealed that he had been playing with considerable pain and he didn't know how long he would be out of tennis. But he said he expected to fully recover from his knee problems and that he would have a "long career".

"I played with some problems on the knee for the last few months. I've been making efforts to play week after week. The truth is that sportsmen always play with pain and don't know where the limit is, where you can get to. I think I reached that limit now.

"I will work very hard to comeback as soon as possible. One of the problems is Im thinking more about the knees than what is happening on court and its very difficult to play like that."

When Nadal was asked about his many fans and how disappointed they would be that he was not appearing at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old replied: "no more than me".

Nadal also said he was not concerned that his absence would open the door for Roger Federer to reclaim the number one world ranking. "If I lose the number one ranking Im going to accept it like the four years I was number two and work hard to improve and recover."

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The Times

June 20, 2009

Rafael Nadal pulls out of Wimbledon with knee problems

Rafael Nadal will not be able to defend his crown

By Neil Harman, Tennis Correspondent

Beneath the surface of the toughest decision of Rafael Nadals career was the realisation that for all the staggering bravado of his tennis and the many honours that it has brought him, the world No 1 and Wimbledon champion has long been asking more of his body than it was able to give in return.

The moment that Nadal, a six-times grand-slam champion, walked into the Wimbledon press room last night with a stern-looking Ian Ritchie, the All England Club chief executive, we knew that the game was up. For only the second time in the modern era, after the retirement from deep-seated shoulder problems of Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 champion, the mens singles title will not be defended by its holder. Nadal tried to put a brave face on it.

Although the 23-year-old Spaniard long contended that those who believe his style of play and remarkable on-court attitude would be his physical undoing were seriously misjudging his fortitude, even he had to admit yesterday that he had made mistakes.

Asked to elaborate, he said: Maybe I played too much, you never know. The truth is that sportsmen always play in pain, you dont know where the limit is and where you can get to. I think I have reached that limit right now. I need to reset and come back stronger.

The enduring wish of those who follow this sport must be that with a period of rest, with the right treatment he is in brilliant hands and with tons of patience, Nadal can do just that.

But we return to the dilemma faced by all players, that racket technology has advanced beyond all recognition that new strings are coming on to the market that will induce yet more spin and that unless a halt is called soon, the choice that the best player in the world has had to make will become a disastrous norm. If Nadals broken heart stands for anything, it is that the tennis authorities must make a stand now.

The Wimbledon Championships have been dealt a shattering blow. When the champion arrived in London on Tuesday, he was fighting an uphill battle to be fit. Tests in Barcelona after his premature exit from the French Open, where he lost to Robin Söderling in the fourth round, had shown that he was suffering from oedemas in both knees. Nadal was not his usual upbeat self and Toni Nadal, his coach and uncle, cut a resigned figure. Two matches at Hurlingham, both of which he lost, only added to his anxiety.

I tried everything, I worked hard in the last week, I tried to arrive here in my best condition, he said. It is my nature to start a tournament like this one, one that is one of the most special in my heart, only if I have a chance to win. This is one of the toughest decisions of my career and the situation makes me sad. There was no option.

I have arrived at one of the most important moments of my year with the worst feelings. I had physical problems at Roland Garros and now I have to miss Wimbledon, too. It is tough to accept. I have amazing memories of this tournament, last year was one of the best moments of my life, this is one of the most special tournaments always. I want to come back with 100 per cent mentality and physically because it is very difficult to play well like this.

The most immediate beneficiary is Andy Murray, the British No 1, who becomes the highest-ranked player in the top half of the draw. One by one as the names were drawn into his section, we ticked them into the box marked very beatable. Robert Kendrick, the American ranked No 76, comes first, then either Ernests Gulbis, of Latvia, or Riccardo Ghedin, an Italian qualifier, while Taylor Dent, an American and his probable third-round foe, has spent much of the past couple of years in a body brace, unable to move, the effect of back surgery.

For the most part, rational commentators do not look beyond the first round of any tennis tournament, and as for peering into the second week, that is asking for a poke in the eye. But with Murray on the verge of this Wimbledon, now that he has become a figure of such genuine respect, the urge is irresistible and there was a real feeling of OK, bring it on when the draw was completed.

Kendrick has won a single set from Murray in their three meetings in the first round of the 2006 US Open and on grass a month before that, when he was a genuine novice, the Scot beat him 6-0, 6-0 in Newport, Rhode Island. It was said, perhaps, that Kendrick had turned up at the Newport Casino, which is the tournaments home, expecting to indulge in a game of craps and, well, thats how his game turned out. Murray clearly has his number.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6538282.ece

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www.wimbledon.org/en_GB

Link to many articles about Rafa's Withdrawal from Wimbledon 09:
http://news.google.com/news/story - Rafael+Nadal+Withdraws+Wimbledon

Emotional-Rafael-Nadal-pulls-Wimbledon-title-defence-knee-injury

Nadal-takes-toughest-decision by pulling out of Wimbledon defence

Nadal-will-bouce-back-after-break

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On June 16, I took my tennis racket and camera to the International Tennis Hall of Fame to take a picture of myself biting my racket to enter the Babolat contest where Rafa Nadal will choose 10 winning pictures.


You can enter too. Send your picture to mordstaraquette@babolat.com by July 15, 2009.

See the entries at http://www.flickr.com/photos/babolatvs/page1/

Here are some pictures I took while at International Tennis Hall of Fame. To enlarge the photos, click on them. ITHoF is about 10 minutes from my house. All photo credits should read: Sandra Hammel.

International Tennis Hall of Fame
Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island
June 16, 2009
Photo credit should read: Sandra Hammel

International Tennis Hall of Fame
Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island
June 16, 2009
Photo credit should read: Sandra Hammel

International Tennis Hall of Fame
Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island
June 16, 2009
Photo credit should read: Sandra Hammel

This is the plaque that is below the statue pictured above.
at the
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island
June 16, 2009
Photo credit should read: Sandra Hammel

International Tennis Hall of Fame
Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island
June 16, 2009
Photo credit should read: Sandra Hammel

International Tennis Hall of Fame
Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island
June 16, 2009
Photo credit should read: Sandra Hammel

International Tennis Hall of Fame
Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island
June 16, 2009
Photo credit should read: Sandra Hammel

Website of
International Tennis Hall of Fame

http://www.tennisfame.com/

July 6 - 12, 2009 Campbells Hall of Fame Tennis Championships

Link to Tournament:

www.tennisfame.com/ithof.aspx?pgID=966

The Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, scheduled for July 6-12, 2009 will host 32 of the top players in the world on the legendary grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The first American stop on the ATP World Tour following Wimbledon, Newport is the only professional grass court tournament in North America.

Some History

The Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino, site of the first U.S. National Championships in 1881, was founded by tennis innovator James Van Alen in 1954 as "a shrine to the ideals of the game." The Tennis Hall of Fame was officially sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association in 1954 and was recognized by the International Tennis Federation in 1986. Over the last ten years, the Hall of Fame complex and Museum have been restored to their original splendor with the 1997 completion of a five year, $7.5 million renovation and endowment project.

YOU CAN PLAY TENNIS ON THE GRASS COURTS AT THE
INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME

Front Lawn Courts at the Hall of Fame

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is truly unique in that it is one of the only Hall of Fame sporting venues where the public can actually play tennis on Hall of Fame grounds! Players of every age and any ability level have the opportunity to play tennis on the Hall of Fame’s legendary grass courts, where the first U.S. National Tennis Championships were held in 1881. Tennis champions past and present have graced the Hall of Fame’s grass courts including Billie Jean King, Rod Laver, Bill Tilden, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Tony Trabert, Virginia Wade, Tracy Austin, Chris Evert, John Newcombe, Stan Smith -- just to name a few.

The grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame are America's only competitive grass courts which open to the public for play during season May through September. The Hall of Fame offers 13 grass courts, one clay court and three indoor award-winning hard courts. The courts are open to the public via reservations, and we also offer outdoor and indoor club memberships; USPTA/PTR certified instruction for juniors and adults of all ages and ability levels - private and group; adult and junior tennis camps and programming; daily clinics; CardioTennis; and a full service Pro Shop.

To make a reservation or to sign up for one of our programs, contact our professional tennis staff directly by calling 401-846-0642.

^{Horseshoe Court and Clocktower Horseshoe Piazza and Horseshoe Court}

^{Front Lawn Courts and Horseshoe Piazza}

FUN FACTS

1. The Newport Casino building -- designed in 1880 by the then fledgling architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White -- was Stanford White's first major commission.
2. The Newport Casino was built as a social and recreational club, not as a place for gambling. In fact, "casina" is an Italian word for farmstead or "little house."
3. The Casino structure had no American architectural precedent and only one possible precursor in England. The concept of renting the building's first floor to local merchants and using space on the second floor for the club was unique.
4. In its heyday, the Casino offered archery, billiards, bowling, concerts, dancing, dining, horse shows, lawn bowling, reading, tea parties and theatricals in addition to the staples of its present day offerings -- lawn tennis and court tennis.
5. In 1881, the Newport Casino hosted the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships. At that time, the championships consisted only of men's singles and doubles. The Casino continued to host the event until 1915, when it moved to Forest Hills, N.Y. The tournament is now known as the U.S. Open.
6. The Casino's historic courts are the world's oldest continuously used competition grass courts and the only competition grass courts open to the public for play.
7. The concept of putting a Tennis Hall of Fame at this site originated with Casino president James Van Alen, who would later invent the tennis tiebreaker and other innovative scoring systems.
8. The International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum is the world's largest tennis museum and owns the world's largest collection of tennis memorabilia.
9. Today, the Hall of Fame hosts the last remaining professional tennis events played on grass in North America.
10. The Tennis Hall of Fame presently hosts the opening night concert of Newport's JVC Jazz Festival. The Casino was the site of the first Newport Jazz Festival in 1954.

Rafa Websites:

http://www.babolat.com/#/tennis/en

Fan Forums
www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=84197&p=1

www.vamosbrigade.com/

www.babolat.com

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You've seen the reports from Iran.

See this under-reported news from the Darfuris...

Live from a Darfuri

refugee camp

Saturday, June 20, 2009

I will be tuning in to watch between 9:00 am and 9:00 p.m.

The live feed will feature I-ACT just over the border from Sudan in Chad from a Darfuri refugee camp - Camp Djabal.

Below is information.

World Refugee Day is a time of celebration. To honor the survivors who were forced from their homes and sought refuge and safety from violence. To recognize them as human beings and not statistics, or worse, an ignored story. World Refugee Day is also a time to reflect on the root causes of mass atrocities and solutions to allow those who were forced to run, back to their homeland in Darfur.

It should be a day of action, as action is the very best way to honor and celebrate the sorrows and triumphs of humanity. We can do this by connecting with humanity, person to person.

World Refugee Day

Saturday June 20th

www.refugeedaylive.org

9am EST
(Right now, there is video up from June 19th's live feed to Washington, D.C. )

Experience the camp, online live
June 20th, 2009

Then contact President Obama and ask him to lead on this vital issue.

Write to President Obama
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

You can also write to the President at:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

President Obama can be called:

202-456-1111
or
1-800-GENOCIDE

The White House comment line is available
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. weekdays

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Find USA elected politicians contact information at this link:
www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

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www.stopgenocidenow.org


www.enoughproject.org
www.savedarfur.org
www.eyesondarfur.org

whilewewaitsudan.blogspot.com

Humanity Before Politics.

RAFAEL NADAL PICTURED AT ARTOIS - QUEENS JUNE 2008

Rafael Nadal defeats Novak Djokovic on Grass Court - Final Artois - Queen's 7-6(6) and 7-5

All slideshow pictures are of Artois - Queens Grass Court Tournament 2008
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The Final at Artois - Queens June 15, 2008
Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic

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Rafa working out at practice training during Artois - Queens
Uploaded by ninzninzz
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Uploaded by nadalistas
Rafael Nadal entering the Artois Final in London June 15, 2008
Length: 6:19
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Rafael Nadal defeats Novak Djokovic at the Artois Grass Tournament June 15, 2008
Uploaded by nadalistas

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Rafa d Novak at the Artois Grass Tournament June 15, 2008
Uploaded by nadalistas
Length: 8:27
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Winning Point and the Celebration of Nadal Winning the Final Artois Queen's
Uploaded by 15walsham15

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Another video of the Nadal d Djokovic Queen's Final Match June 15, 2008
Uploaded by tennis24gr

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The French Open - Roland Garros Semi-Final 08
Nadal defeats Djokovic 6-4 / 6-2 / 7-6 (3)

For the Best Information on Rafael Nadal - go to The Forum at
www.rafaelnadal.com