❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
As you probably know, Rafa lost the final to Andy Murray in Rotterdam 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 February 15, 2009 Rafa had injury which prohibited him from playing his Rafa-best I don't have the photo credits for the above pictures, but they are probably Hamish Blair's of Getty Images
"I am very disappointed not to be able to compete in Dubai but the doctor has advised me to stay home and rest after the pain on my knee in Rotterdam last week. Nothing to be worried about but it needs some rest. I ask my fans and the tournament organizers to understand and I am sorry for this. Dubai is one of my favorite tournaments and I have always played there. The field is always great and more important the crowds are always supportive. I expect to be back in competition the following week for the Davis Cup tie in Benidorm against Serbia and then traveling to Indian Wells and Miami ."
MADRID (AFP) Spain's world number one Rafael Nadal said Monday he was not concerned about an injury to his right knee suffered during his loss to Briton Andy Murray in the final of the Rotterdam Open.
"It's muscular fatigue," he said in Madrid. "It's not a pain that concerns me. Really, I feel fine."
Nadal lost 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 to world number four Murray in Rotterdam on Sunday.
The Spaniard suffered the knee problem from the second set and took a treatment break after the third game.
He was loathe to discuss the injury after the match, saying he "tired from the Australian Open... I have to look at the positive. This was a good week for me, especially to reach this final."
* I'm calling to ask President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and Ambassador Rice to protect innocent civilians in Darfur in the wake of Bashir's arrest warrant. Please issue immediate warnings to Bashir and the government of Sudan specifying consequences of attacks on civilians. Please also prepare an emergency response plan to address further violence and appoint a full-time senior level envoy. Lastly, please stand firm in support of the ICC indictment and veto any delay in the prosecution of Bashir.
Above pictures at 2008 PRINCE OF ASTURIAS AWARD FOR SPORTS interview Photo credits: unknown
Asturias is a region of Spain, not a province.
It's in the North of Spain in the Cantabric Sea.
Rafael Nadal at Gijón .............................................................
............................................................. October 23, 2008 Rafael Nadal in Asturias takes part in a question and answer session with children in Gijon on October 23, 2008
............................................................. Apparently this is an interview regarding Rafael Nadal's Asturias award. In Spanish Both above youtubes uploaded by vamosrafel
Rafa Nadal and the golfer Sergio Garcia played golf in the Club de Campo del Mediterráneo de Borriol, prior to the Castelló Master Series Costa de Azahar, a competition that is part of the PGA Tour that starts next Thursday.
Sergio Garcia affirmed that already he is accustomed to play with Rafa Nadal, as much to tennis as to golf today. "We already know how Rafa plays tennis, but he's also good at golf" , Garcia explained. They played in "pro-am" of the match with the bullfighter Enrique Ponce and the president of the Bank of Santander, Ana Booty.
When it comes to golf, Tiger is probably my idol," Rafa said. "I never have an idol but he is probably the sportsman who I admire more because I like a lot his mentality.
"I like a lot his eyes when he's going to have the important shot. He is always playing with unbelievable determination in important moments. The last part of the fourth day, only one guy with unbelievable concentration, unbelievable determination and big confidence in yourself. Only Tiger can do something like this".
"I know how tough it is playing having pain, and it is very difficult to have very good concentration when you are, in my case, running or touching the ball and you feel pain. That's unbelievable to win a US Open like this.
Rafael Nadal is the Number one tennis player in the world and is considered the best Spanish player of all time. This season, the four-time winner of the French Open, also won the men's singles title at Wimbledon and was the gold medallist at the Beijing Olympic Games. Committed to the noblest values of sport on and off the court, his sense of social responsibility led him to establish a foundation focussing on social work among disadvantaged groups and cooperation for development.
Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor (Majorca) in 1986 and started practising tennis at the age of five. After setting a record of 160 consecutive weeks as second seed, he seized the Number 1 ranking from Roger Federer (Switzerland) on 18th August this year in a season in which he also successfully defended his titles at the Masters Series Monte Carlo -for the fourth year running- and at the Conde de Godó Championship, as well as winning his first titles at Hamburg and in Canada.
He began his successful career in the lower categories and in 1999 became Spanish junior doubles champion as well as winning the Nike Junior Tour International Masters Tournament in Barcelona, in the under-14 category. A professional player since 2001, he was one of the members of the Spanish team that won the Winter Cup in Montecatini (Italy).
He reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in the junior category in 2002 and that same year became Junior Davis Cup champion in a tournament in which he won two of the three points that gave Spain its victory over the USA. His rise to fame on the international scene commenced in 2003, the year in which he began to face up to the world's top seeds. He reached the third round at Montecarlo and was ranked for the first time among the top 100 seeds, a record in ranking and age only previously achieved by Michael Chang (USA).
An elbow injury stopped him from competing at French Open in 2003, where he was expected after winning the Prix Burgeon as the tennis player revelation of the year. He made his debut at Wimbledon in June 2003, winning his first Grand Slam title. His rapid progress as a professional won him the Tennis Player Newcomer Award conferred by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) that same year.
In 2004 he formed part of the team that won the second Davis Cup for Spain, becoming the youngest player ever to have won this competition. His good results on clay situated him as favourite in his first French Open, in 2005, where his victory in the final gave him his first Grand Slam title. That same season he won eleven individual titles.
In 2006 he also won the French Open and broke the record held by Guillermo Vilas (Argentina) by winning more than 54 consecutive matches on clay during the first round, as well as becoming the only tennis player to beat the World Number 1 at the time, Roger Federer (Switzerland), in a final.
By the end of the tournament, he had been unbeaten in 60 consecutive matches, becoming the best player in history on clay. When he lost the final in Hamburg in 2007, his record stood at 81 consecutive victories. He won the French Open again in 2007 and 2008, making him the only player, alongside Borg (Switzerland), to hold four consecutive Roland Garros titles.
In 2008 he created the Rafael Nadal Foundation, a charitable organisation focussing on social work among disadvantaged groups and cooperation for development.The acknowledgements he has received include the Barón de Güell Cup at the 2004 Spanish National Sports Awards as part of the Spanish Davis Cup team; the 2006 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Prize; and the 2006 National Sports Prize, awarded by the Spanish Council for Sports.
In 2008 he received the ESPY Best Male International Athlete Award (USA) and was bestowed with the Gold Medal by Majorca Chamber of Commerce.The Prince of Asturias Foundation's statutes establish that the aim of the Awards is to acknowledge and extol "scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanistic work carried out by individuals, groups or institutions worldwide". Consonant with this spirit, the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports "will be bestowed upon the individual, group or institution whose lives are not only examples to others, but who have also reached new heights in mankind's struggle for excellence, and who have contributed by their efforts to perfecting, nurturing, promoting and disseminating sport".
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Above pictures practicing while at ASTURIAS tribute
Rafa Nadal in Madrid Photo credit: Clive Brunskill
Rafa has won 80 matches this season. Mr. Nadal is only the third tennis player to do this since 2000. The other players are Pete Sampras and Lletyton Hewitt.
..................................................................... Rafael Nadal and Giles Simon October 18, 2008 Madrid Masters Semi-Final Uploaded by sharapovabiggestfan
MADRID, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal was knocked out of the Madrid Masters on Saturday, as Gilles Simon of France rallied to win 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) and advance to the final against Andy Murray.
Simon saved 17 break point chances — including seven in the final set — to reach his fourth final of the year after a match lasting nearly 3 1/2 hours.
The fourth-ranked Murray had earlier beaten Roger Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a rematch of last month's U.S. Open final. That meant Nadal will become the first Spanish player in the Open era to end the year as No. 1.
The slideshows of Rafa in Round 3, Quarter Final and Semi Final of Madrid Masters: .....................................................................
..................................................................... Round 3 Rafael Nadal defeated Richard Gasquet Photo credits: Clive Brunskill, Jasper Juninen and unknown
..................................................................... Quarter Final Madrid Masters Oct 17, 08 Rafael Nadal d Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4 Photo credits: Clive Brunskill and unknown
Oct 16, Thursday Third Round Gilles Simon (Fra) d Roby Ginepri (USA) 6-7 (6), 6-4 y 7-6 (6) Juan Martín del Potro (Arg/N.9) d David Nalbandian (Arg/N.7) 6-4 6-2 Andy Murray (UK/N.4) d Marin Cilic (Cro) 7-5, 7-6(2) Gael Monfils (Fra) d Andy Roddick (USA/N.8) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 Feliciano López (Spa) d Stanislas Wawrinka (Sui/N.10) 6-4, 6-4 Rafael Nadal (Spa/N.1) d Richard Gasquet (Fra/N.15) 6-4, 6-2 Roger Federer (Sui/N.2) d Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(Fra/N.16) 6-4 6-1 Ivo Karlovic (Cro/n.14) d Novak Djokovic (Srb/N.3) 7-6 (4) 7-6 (5)
Oct 17, Friday Quarterfinal Andy Murray (UK/N.4) d Gael Monfils (Fra) 6-2, 6-2 Roger Federer (Sui/N.2) d Juan Martín del Potro (Arg/N.9) 6-3, 6-3 Rafael Nadal (Spa/N.1) d Feliciano López (Spa) 6-4, 6-4 Gilles Simon (Fra) d Ivo Karlovic (Cro/N.14) 7-6 (1), 4-6, 7-6 (2)
Oct 18, Saturday Semifinal Andy Murray (UK/N.4) d Roger Federer (Sui/N.2) 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 Giles Simon (Fra) d Rafael Nadal (Spn/N.1) 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6)
Oct 19, 2008 ~ Sunday Final Andy Murray (UK/N.4) vs. Gilles Simon (Fra) Doubles Match 1:30 PM Singles Match 4:00 PM Madrid Time 6 hours ahead of USA EST
October 24, Friday, 2008 Rafael Nadal will be on TV in Europe receiving thePríncipe de Asturias award of sport.
Rafa won today in his 1st match as Round 2 over Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Madrid, Spain
Doubles for Rafa tomorrow October 15, 2008 : Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya vs Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) and Mark Knowles (BAH) Wednesday, October 15, 2008 not before 3:00 p.m. Madrid, Spain time which is 9:00 a.m. USA EST
........................................................ ........................................................ Delivery of the Trophy award for Number 1 for the ATP to Rafael Nadal in the Masters Series Madrid Telefonica Arena in Madrid, Spain on Sunday October 12, 2008. 7:30 minutes
MADRID, Spain (AP)—Rafael Nadal moved within two wins of clinching the year-end No. 1 ranking, defeating Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Tuesday to reach the third round of the Madrid Masters.
Next up for Nadal, the 2005 Madrid champion, will be 15th-ranked Richard Gasquet. Gasquet overcame 23 aces by Mardy Fish to win 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3.
Nadal was taken to four sets by Gulbis en route to the Wimbledon title, and Tuesday’s match was similarly troubling for the Spaniard.
Nadal has never been a fan of the Spanish capital’s high altitude and the extra speed it brings to the hard court. He had a difficult time keeping up with the Latvian as he stuck his shots, including a backhand down the line to break for 2-0 in the second.
In the deciding set, Gulbis had a break opportunity in the third game. But Nadal held and broke in the next game as Gulbis smashed a forehand long. Nadal served out and pumped his fists in relief at the end of his 2-hour, 22-minute opening match.
Murray moved on when Simone Bolelli of Italy retired with an apparent shoulder injury while trailing 6-0, 2-1. Murray will next play Croatia’s Marin Cilic, who beat Verdasco 6-2, 6-3.
“I’ve been playing really, really well in practice the last few weeks, better than I was playing throughout the summer,” said Murray, who won his first Masters Series title in Cincinnati in August. “I’m probably mentally fresher now than the U.S. Open.”
Gilles Simon of France won 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to keep Blake winless in five appearances at the tournament. Simon saved four break points in the second set and converted two of his own before dominating the final set.
Blake has only a few tournaments left to qualify for the Masters Cup. He’s in ninth place in the standings for the top-eight event.
Llaneras and Nadal proved to be great friends Photo: Cati Cladera
Between laughter and a lot of heat, Nadal displayed his good humor during a tribute to the Balearic Olympians held in Bellver Castle. Rafa tied his sports jacket at the waist after checking that his trousers he had been ripped. Photo: Cati Cladera
The Balearic medalists: Joan Llaneras, Rafa Nadal, Toni Tauler and Rudy Fernandez Photo: Cati Cladera
The Governor brought all athletes islanders who participated in the Olympic Games in a heartfelt tribute at Bellver Castle Photo: Cati Cladera
....................................................... September 10, 2008 four Spaniards were honored for their Olympic medal wins in Spain. Rafael Nadal apparently had a tear in his inner pant seam. Cute the way Rafa handles it. Uploaded by vamosrafel
Tribute to Olympic balearic athletes Nadal laughs off Olympic tribute trouser malfunction Source: www.thinkspain.com Thursday, September 11, 2008
Rafael Nadal's propensity to wear trousers at least one size too small for him caused a degree of hilarity at a tribute to the Balearic Islands' Olympic medal winners in Palma last night when his inner seams burst open during a press photo shoot.
Covering his dignity by tying his jacket around his waist, the new Olympic tennis champion (photo, second left) at least seemed able to share the joke.
Also honoured at last night's gala were (photo, left to right) fellow gold medal winner, Joan Llaneras (cycling), and silver medal winners, Toni Tauler (cycling) and Rudy Fernández (basketball).
Rafael Nadal Semi-Final US Open 08 September 7, the 2nd day of the match Rafa lost to Andy Murray Photo credit: Unknown
Above 6 photos credit: Virgine Bouyer DPPI
Rafael Nadal at the airport ...........................................................
........................................................... Uploaded by vamosrafel
I translated the title given to the Youtube by the poster at Google http://translate.google.com/translate_t#: Rafa Nadal vuelve a casa y ya piensa en la Davis which translation came out as: Rafa Nadal returns home and already thinking about the Davis
and at the youtube page the "more info" states: Regreso de Rafa a Mallorca para pasar unos días de descanso antes de afrontar la Copa Davis con EE.UU.
Which google translated means: Return of Mallorca for Rafa to spend a few days rest before the Davis Cup deal with U.S.
Rafa Nadal 2nd day of his Semi-final US Open September 7, 2008 Photo credit: Matthew Stockman
Photo credit: Getty
Above two photos credit: Matthew Stockman
Above two photos credit: Nick Laham
Rafa lost to Scotsman Andy Murray over the course of two days, 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 ..........................................................
.......................................................... 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.
New York laments Rafael Nadal's US Open exit If defeat can ever be a triumph then Rafael Nadal made it so with his magnificent exist from Flushing Meadows.
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?"
.......................................................... 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
.......................................................... Vintage Rafa Roland Garros 2005 Rafa's English has improved so much...but so adorable in his attempt here. Uploaded by LILCOOLBADBOY
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.
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
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RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
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Genocide is not only a word,
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Rafael Nadal's propensity to wear trousers at least one size too small for him caused a degree of hilarity at a tribute to the Balearic Islands' Olympic medal winners in Palma last night when his inner seams burst open during a press photo shoot. 
