❧❧❧ 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 ❧❧❧
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
RAFA NADAL ~ AEGON CHAMPIONSHIPS ~ QUEENS 2011
Click on image to enlarge it
UPDATE: June 22, Wednesday, 2011, 12:18 a.m. USA EST
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)
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.
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
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
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
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.
Final Roland Garros The French Open Rafa Nadal defested Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
Caption for picture above ~ PARIS - JUNE 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy after winning the men's singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Robin Soderling of Sweden on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 6, 2010 in Paris, France. Photo credit: Getty Images
"Back where he belongs - on the podium" ~ I don't know who said this on Eurosports Live - but it is true.
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates as he defeats Sweden's Robin Soderling in the men's final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris today. (MICHEL SPINGLER/Associated Press)
Photo credit: AP
Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: AP
................................................... ................................................... Interview from TennisChannel—June 02, 2010 — Former French Open champion Rafael Nadal joins Bill Macatee on the set of French Open tonight.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a break of serve during the men's singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Robin Soderling of Sweden on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 6, 2010 in Paris, France. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Europe
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe
Rafael Nadal wins 5th French Open title By STEVEN WINE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS — Rafael Nadal has reclaimed his crown as the King of Clay. Chasing down shots all over the court, the relentless Spaniard won his fifth French Open title today and avenged his lone Roland Garros defeat, beating Robin Soderling (Soh’-der-ling) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
Nadal improved to 38-1 at Roland Garros, with the only loss to Soderling in the fourth round a year ago.
Seeded No. 2, Nadal won seven consecutive games midway through the match and held every serve, saving all eight break points he faced. He became the second man to win the French Open at least five times, and next year he’ll have a chance to match Bjorn Borg’s record of six titles.
Rafael Nadal produced another masterclass of clay-court tennis to win his fifth French Open title and avenge last year's defeat by Robin Soderling.
The Spaniard saved his best performance of the tournament - and arguably of the season - for the only man who had ever beaten him at Roland Garros.
The 24-year-old's 6-4 6-2 6-4 victory in two hours and 18 minutes ended any doubt over his status as the king of clay, gave him his seventh grand slam title and will see him overtake Roger Federer as world number one.
Time and again, Soderling thought he had Nadal where he wanted him on Philippe Chatrier Court.
But the second seed would almost inevitably make him play one more shot or produce a sensational winner as he emulated his 2008 feat of winning the title without dropping a set.
Much had been made in the build-up of the impact of the weather, and storms were forecast.
But the match began in bright sunshine, which would have pleased odds-on favourite Nadal.
Soderling, who avenged his own defeat in last year's final by beating Federer on Tuesday, made the more impressive start, holding his opening two service games - more than he managed at the same stage in 2009.
He failed to make the most of Nadal errors that gave him 30-40 in game four but had his opponent rattled when the Spaniard challenged a serve at 15-30 in the next, only for umpire Cedric Mourier to disagree.
Nadal nevertheless went on to fashion two break points, taking the second when Soderling left a crosscourt backhand which he thought was dropping long.
The Swede was playing a high-risk game but began hitting more errors than winners, summed up in game seven when he slumped from 40-0 and had to save two more break points.
A Nadal double-fault gave Soderling the first of two break-back points in the next but more mistakes from the fifth seed followed. The theme continued when he was serving to stay in the set, handing Nadal 0-40.
He served his way out of trouble but was not able to stop his opponent serving out the set.
Dark clouds had begun gathering towards the end of the first set but the rain held off.
There was a hint of a momentum change though when Soderling had four break points in game two of the second, the 25-year-old roared on by chants of 'Robin, Robin, Robin' from a crowd eager for more tennis.
But Nadal chased down the most forlorn of causes and was rewarded when he held.
For his second straight match, the Spaniard was made to wait when a spectator required attention in game four, but he kept his composure.
And he produced some incredible shot-making to break to love in the next, Soderling shaking his head in disbelief.
Nadal appeared to be everywhere at times but only had to stand still as a double-fault gave him the first of two double-break points in game seven.
Soderling netted on the second and Nadal duly held to win the second set.
Support for Soderling was now becoming more muted and he tossed away his serve in the opening game of the third set with the air of a beaten man.
He rallied to break-back point in the next but, once again, Nadal refused to yield.
The set then went with serve, Soderling avoiding what could have been a fatal double-break when 30-40 down in game seven.
But Nadal was serving imperiously and held his nerve to seal a 6-4 6-2 6-4 before sliding to the ground in delight.
Nadal tonight revealed all the frustrations of the past year came pouring out as he sobbed into his towel after sealing a fifth French Open title. Nadal ended more than 16 months without a grand slam today with another clay-court masterclass on Philippe...
"I am sorry for today but I played my best match against you, if I didn't I would have been impossible to beat you." Soderling said Nadal, who did not lose a set all fortnight, could go on to add to his five French Open titles. "Five victories here is...
Following his seventh career Grand Slam title, Nadal also becomes the first player to qualify for the season-ending 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 21-28 November. Only the world’s Top 8 players at the end of the season qualify for the showpiece event in London.
“When you qualify for the World Tour Finals you have to be very happy because it proves you have had a very good season. Last year the crowd and the stadium were unbelievable. Playing in London is always a special feeling. I have amazing memories of London,” said the World No.1.
Nadal’s triumph at Roland Garros completes an incredible 22-match winning streak during the clay-court season, in which he became the first player in history to win all three clay-court ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events in the same year. The Spaniard also became just the second man in history to win five Roland Garros titles, with only Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg ahead on six titles.
Nadal last held the No.1 ranking on 29 June, 2009, when he was surpassed by Federer. The Spaniard now overtakes the Swiss again, with Federer just one week shy of equalling Pete Sampras’ all-time record of 286 weeks at No.1.
Nadal leads the ATP World Tour with four titles in 2010. Fans can now look forward to seeing Nadal compete 3 times in the UK during the season. He is due to compete at next week’s AEGON Championships at The Queen’s Club in London, before playing Wimbledon for the first time since his dramatic triumph at The Championships in 2008.
Nadal will then return to London in November for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals where fans will have a chance to see him play three matches across the group stages as he battles for a place in the knockout semi-finals. With some sessions already sold out, fans should act fast to secure their seats. Tickets are available through www.BarclaysATPWorldTourFinals.com.
Date: 06 June 2010 Rafael Nadal took the first set of today's French Open final against Robin Soderling 6-4 thanks to a glaring misjudgment from his opponent. Seeking his fifth Roland Garros title, Nadal weathered a confident start from the Swede and...
The Swede, who was seeded fifth and upset Federer in the quarterfinals, again came up short in his 26th Grand Slam tournament. Nadal improved to 22-0 this year on clay and now switches to grass, where he'll seek a second Wimbledon title after missing... Full Article at Fort Worth Star-Telegram
06 June 2010 Rafael Nadal produced another masterclass of clay-court tennis to win his fifth French Open title and avenge last year's defeat by Robin Soderling. The Spaniard saved his best performance of the tournament - and arguably of the season - for... Full Article at Arbroath Herald
16:31:42 Rafael Nadal today produced another masterclass of clay-court tennis to win his fifth French Open title and avenge last year's defeat by Robin Soderling. The Spaniard saved his best performance of the tournament - and arguably of the season -... Full Article at BreakingNews.ie
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On Rafa's Skipping Barcelona in 2010 (this article was posted following Rafa's pulling out of Barcelona....but I had to post it.)
AT LAST, NADAL SEES SENSE
By Andy Schooler
There would have been plenty of disappointed people in Barcelona this week when they heard Rafael Nadal had pulled out of the city's ATP tournament, but for Nadal's army of fans I suspect many actually cracked a little smile.
I did and I won't have been the only one thinking 'about time too'.
Many have put Nadal's hectic - some would say brutal - claycourt schedule at the heart of his injury problems over the years.
Take last season when the Spaniard hopped from Monte Carlo to Barcelona. From there it was straight to Rome and finally Madrid.
After four tournaments in five weeks, he'd played 18 matches (it would have been 20 but for two walkovers) before he even got to Roland Garros.
And 2009 was far from unique, Nadal's schedule of the previous four years being almost identical.
While all was good as Nadal was winning match after match on his favourite surface, there's no doubt his early-season efforts have taken their toll year after year since he emerged as a teenage star.
Almost every season on the tour, Nadal's second half of the year has been largely disappointing by his high standards - and more importantly injuries (in particular his troublesome knee problems) have often come to the fore during this period.
Finally, it seems, he's decided to do something about it.
"I have to do everything that I can to ensure that every time I go on court I am at 100 per cent, in the best condition possible," he said, as he explained his decision to withdraw on Tuesday. "I don't think that three weeks of tennis without stopping is the most adequate way to prepare myself."
That's what many of us tennis followers have been saying for years.
Now, his body having told him to ease off so much over the past 12 months, he is listening .
"With everything that has happened to me, to play for three consecutive weeks, taking into account that we are on clay and the matches tend to last a little longer, would be almost impossible," he added.
"(The withdrawal) was a preventative measure. Luckily last week I played very well. I feel fine right now, but I have had many problems in this last year and can't afford to take any risks if I want to be in my best possible condition on court. That's my main objective."
There's steely determination and much truth in those words - and that's bad news for the rest of the tour.
Looking long term, Nadal wants a US Open title on his CV - and given that tournament is played on his most difficult surface, hardcourts, to win it he will have to arrive in New York in tip-top condition.
His decision this week is a small move in that big picture but will surely help. Remember, should he win at Flushing Meadows, Nadal will become only the seventh man in history to complete the career Grannd Slam.
Before then though he has a more immediate goal. You can bet your bottom dollar that the Mallorcan desperately wants his French Open crown back.
A fifth title in Paris this year would take him to within one of Bjorn Borg's record of six.
Until he reaches that mark, the title of 'greatest claycourter of all time' will surely elude him in some eyes.
Frankly regaining the famous trophy shouldn't be too much trouble if what he showed us in Monte Carlo last week is anything to go by.
Anyone who saw Nadal in Indian Wells and Miami (he suffered narrow semi-final defeats in both events) could see his game was getting back to its best. So when he arrived back on the 'terre battue' it really shouldn't have been much of a surprise to witness the dominance that unfolded.
In becoming the first man in the Open era to win the same title in six successive years, the world number three lost just 14 games - a miserly amount.
Had his bewildered opponents been fighting an election they would have lost their deposits. Fernando Verdasco, the world number 12 no less, claimed just a single game in the final.
Some of Nadal's defensive shots have to be seen to be believed and the knee problems don't appear to have slowed him down at all - he remains as difficult as ever to get the ball past on the red dirt.
Some will point out Roger Federer was not in attendance; he will be in Rome. Expect Nadal to start proving there that he has only lent the French Open title to the Swiss.
And if he then goes on to nail that elusive US title, think back to this week's decision. It could be a great one.
Do you agree with Andy? Is Nadal doing the right thing, or should players stick by their commitments to play? Send your feedback to: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
(Front row) Spain's Queen Sofia (2L), France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon (C), President of the French tennis federation Jean Gachassin (2R), Paris' mayor Bertrand Delanoe (R), (2nd row), Patrick De Carolis, (L) president of France Televisions, French actress Isabelle Adjani (3R), (back row) FIA president Jean Todt (R) and Chinese actress Michelle Yeoh (2R) watch the men's final match between Sweden's Robin Soderling and Spain's Rafael Nadal in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 6, 2010, in Paris. Photo credit: Getty
........................................................ ........................................................ Rafa off court Uploaded June 6, 2010 by cbtweety77
Roland Garros Day 8 - 30/05/10. Behind the scenes video and interview of Rafael Nadal as he relaxes during his day off. He also took the time to watch a bit of the Federer vs Wawrinka match. Uploaded June 6, 2010 by cbtweety77
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning championship point during the men's singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Robin Soderling of Sweden on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 6, 2010 in Paris, France. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe
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Archived matches of The French Open 2010 I don't know how long these matches are available online. I couldn't find the match with Mina today listed, so maybe it has been removed.
Rafa has a Round 1 Bye - meaning he doesn't play Round 1 Round 2 ~ Rafa will play Marcos Daniel 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
Rafa plays doubles Rafa will play doubles with friend Marc Lopez -playing Tuesday June 8, 2010 fifth match on Centre Court The first match begins at 7:30 s.m. USA EDT Draw
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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
AFP:S.Sudan army says nine dead in clashes with insurgents. Nine people were killed on Wednesday in clashes between south Sudan army forces and insurgents, a southern army official said accusing Khartoum of instigating the violence. Clashes had occurred on Tuesday in the oil-producing Unity state between the former southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army and men loyal to renegade commander Galwak Gai. The southern army accused the men of acting on behalf of Khartoum in a bid to destablise southern Sudan ahead of a referendum on independence scheduled for January next year, which the Khartoum army denies.
AFP: UN chief urges support for war crimes prosecution. UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for greater global support for war crimes prosecutions at the start of a conference aimed at bolstering the International Criminal Court. Since the court began working in 2002, The Hague-based tribunal has spearheaded global efforts to punish genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It has issued the world's first war crimes warrant for a sitting leader, against Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir over atrocities in Darfur. "We want to send a strong message that atrocities and heinous crimes cannot go unpunished," the UN secretary general said. "We want to bolster the court's deterrent effect and make potential perpetrators think twice before they act."
Sudan Tribune:Darfur JEM claims shooting down a Sudanese army helicopter. The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said on Wednesday that they had shot down a Sudanese Apache army helicopter near South Darfur capital town of Nyala yesterday killing five of its crew. The frequency of clashes between JEM and Sudanese government forces have increased dramatically particularly after breakdown in Qatari-sponsored peace talks between the two sides. The rebel group accused Khartoum of violating a framework agreement signed earlier this year calling for a cessation of hostilities.
Radio Netherlands Worldwide: Darfuris press Rome Statute states parties to zero in on Bashir. A grouping of over 40 Darfuri and other western Sudan indigenous groups based in North America and Europe want state parties to strengthen the International Criminal Court so it carries its mandate effectively. In a statement distributed at the ongoing ICC review conference in Kampala, Uganda, the Darfuris call for"clear and effective mechanisms for the execution of arrest warrants," singling out Sudanese President Omar al Bashir and Uganda's Joseph Kony as key suspects who must be brought to book. Niemat Ahmadi, the Darfuri liaison officer for Washington-based Save Darfur Coalition, said while they appreciate the work of the ICC so far, member states should take up the responsibility to help the ICC to fulfil its mandate. "If there is no cooperation pending arrest warrants may discourage the court," said Niemat. "We know the ICC has no police but state parties and groupings like NATO and the African Union should make sure that justice is done."
Reuters: Sudanese security forces beat doctors in protest march. Sudanese doctors said they were going on strike on Thursday after security forces attacked a peaceful protest march through Khartoum by hundreds of medical personnel. In what was seen as crackdown on dissent following national elections, security officials armed with sticks attacked the doctors, injuring many of the more than 500 who had joined Wednesday's demonstration to protest at the arrest of their leaders, witnesses said.
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Vice President Joe Biden is traveling to Egypt, Kenya and South Africa for meetings with key African leaders this week.
The vice president will discuss a range of issues during his trip, but the situation in Sudan needs to be at the top of his agenda.
This is an important opportunity for the United States to demonstrate leadership on the issues facing Sudan and engage important regional players in solving the country's interlocking crises.
The vice president's first stop is in Egypt - Sudan's northern neighbor and home to tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees. Egypt has allowed refugees to remain within its borders, but the Sudanese living there are increasingly facing harassment and possible deportation.
Decades of conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees, and the United States must insist that Egypt and all of Sudan's neighbors treat these displaced people fairly and humanely. On this issue, our leadership is critical.
If the final stages of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement are not implemented and post-referendum negotiations between the NCP/SPLM do not lay out a peaceful path forward, the referendum scheduled for January 2011 could return the country to war. Egypt, Kenya and South Africa all played a key role in the creation of the CPA and their cooperation is essential to building a lasting peace in Sudan.
The problems of Sudan will ultimately be resolved by Sudanese. But, international cooperation and increased U.S. leadership will facilitate the process of tackling the interlocking political crises and challenges without a resort to deadly violence.
Rafa Nadal has confirmed today that he will travel to London next Tuesday, June 16th. For the past 36 hours, Rafa Nadal, has been undergoing in-depth medical tests under the supervision of Doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro. Rafa Nadal: "I have been playing with pain on my knees for some months now and I simply can't go on like this. The pain was limiting certain movements in my body, which affected me mentally as well."
"After the tests and with the appropriate treatment, we have decided to travel to London next Tuesday, June 16th."
"I am going to give my 200% to be ready for the most important tournament in the world. The tournament that I always dream about. I will not go out and play, especially on the Wimbledon Centre Court, if I am not 100% ready to play."
"I have 2 difficult weeks ahead of me, especially because I won't be doing what I like doing most, which is to play tennis, but I will be working on my recovery through physiotherapy treatments as well as recovery work on the specific muscular area."
Doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, Spanish Federation doctor and Managing Director of the Mapfre Medical Tennis Center: "After the appropriate tests (MRI, Ultrasound scans and gammagraphy) Mr. Rafael Nadal suffers from insertion tendonitis in the superior end of both kneecaps with a light osseous edema.
His treatment will involve oral anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy as well as progressive muscular exercises for both quadriceps.
Following the 48-hour treatment, Mr. Nadal will progressively get back into training progressively."
There will be no further comments or statements today.
............................................................. Pictures of Rafa from 2008 Queens Club tournament Rafa defeated Andy Roddick in the Semi Final 7-5, 6-4 Rafa defeated Novak Djokovic in the Final 7-6, 7-5 .............................................................
Nadal won't defend at Queen's Club Posted June 5, 2009, Friday
Deposed French Open king Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week's Wimbledon tuneup at the Queen's Club because of a knee injury.
Nadal, stunningly eliminated at the French Open last weekend in the fourth round by Sweden's Robin Soderling, has been advised by doctors to rest. He won last year's title at the Queen's Club and went on to capture his first Wimbledon crown a few weeks later.
"I am very disappointed to not be able to come this year to Queen's [and] defend the title I won last year," said Nadal in a statement. "To play in London has always been special for me, to play at the Queen's Club is an honor and the fans in the UK are among the best I have ever seen, always supporting me since the first time I played there.
"I have been having some problems in the past months with my knees, that's no secret, that did not allow me to compete always at 100 percent. I need to work with my team to recover well, work on my physical condition to be at my top form and get ready for the grass to play at Wimbledon. I hope I can be ready to compete by then. I am really sorry and I hope that the people at the tournament will still want me to come next year."
Nadal has won five titles this year, including the Australian Open. He also captured the prestigious Indian Wells event before taking clay crowns at Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome. A loss to Roger Federer in the final at the French Open tuneup in Madrid preceded his first-ever loss at Roland Garros.
State of Play
"I'm lucky enough to do what I like for work—not everyone's that fortunate," says Nadal. Nike white polo. Tommy Hilfiger khaki pants.
In this story: sittings editor, Phyllis Posnick; hair, Thom Priano for Garren New York Salon; grooming, Regine Thorre at Marek & Associates. Shot on location at the Four Seasons Hotel, Miami.
Match Point
"He gives 100 percent in every match," Costa says. "Others are relaxed at first, and tension kicks in later, whereas Rafa plays tensely from day one." Ralph Lauren Purple Label white linen suit.
It was Andre Agassi who produced one of his better one-liners back in 2005 when he was asked to assess the playing style of a then teenage Rafael Nadal.
'He's writing cheques you only hope his body can cash,' said the former world No 1 when asked about the hard-running, hard-hitting style of the future Wimbledon winner.
Less than two weeks from now we will have found out if Nadal's latest down payment has bounced, his hopes of mounting a serious defence of the title still clouded in uncertainty.
This appears to be the case after the Spaniard released a statement about the chances of him being able to walk out onto Centre Court for his first match on June 22, exercising his champion's privilege.
He sounded less than convinced and, while stating that he will definitely travel to London, admitted that there is some hard treatment ahead.
'I have been playing with pain in my knees for some time now and I simply can't go on like this,' said Nadal. 'I am going to give my 200 per cent to be ready for the most important tournament in the world. I will not go out and play, especially on the Centre Court, if I am not 100 per cent ready to play.
'I have two difficult weeks ahead of me, especially because I won't be able to do what I like doing most, which is playing tennis.'
Nadal's injury is said to be a relatively straightforward one, with the tendons in the area above both knees suffering constant inflamation.
The reasons behind it are more complex and a combination of the way he hits the ball, the manner in which he wins matches, and the sheer amount he plays in what is often an eleven-month season for the top players.
This year he has already played 49 singles matches alone — he also enjoys sporadically turning out in doubles — while last season he played 93 before skipping the Masters Cup and Davis Cup final, which might have taken him to three figures.
In all these contests his method tends to involve grinding out long points with lots of running. He puts enormous revs on the ball with an effort-filled, super quick racket swing that ends going all the way up around his ears in an upward trajectory.
Most shots are hit with open stance using plenty of body rotation that starts from the ankles and works up through the legs into his trunk.
Small wonder that British Davis Cup captain John Lloyd was moved to remark on Tuesday: 'It takes a lot more work for Rafa to win a match 6-2, 6-3 than it does someone like Roger Federer. That's not a criticism, it's just how it works for him.'
It has been working this way for Nadal since he started winning junior tournaments aged eight, going on to reach the world's top 50 at 16.
So it is the mileage, rather than the registration year, that is more if an issue, and it is a major threat to his hopes of getting up to the kind of Grand Slam tally that Roger Federer has just achieved.
The Swiss predictably pulled out of the ATP event in Halle yesterday, citing exhaustion, while Nadal is out of this week's AEGON Championships at West London's Queen's Club.
Second seed Andy Roddick, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Belgium's Kristof Vliegen, does not believe his knee condition will have much bearing on whether he can win Wimbledon again, and was bordering on the dismissive.
'I've had tendinitis for years and years and years, it's kind of a fancy term for overuse,' said the American world No 6.
'It's uncomfortable and painful, but in my mind I never thought his Wimbledon defence was in jeopardy. He's had knee tendinitis for a long time and he's won Grand Slams while he's had it. I'm not going to understimate Rafa, I think he's going to be there and I think he's going to be fine.'
Roddick now faces the likely prospect of taking on Lleyton Hewitt in the third round, a match featuring two players who have won this title eight times between them.
After the particularly dismal efforts of his compatriots in this tournament's qualifying and first round proper, Andy Murray today tackles Italy's Andrea Seppi after receiving a bye through the first round.
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Rafa's long battle with injury
2004: Out for two months with stress fracture of his left foot.
2005: Misses season-ending Masters Cup and Australian Open (January 2006) with strained ligaments in his left foot.
2007: Played less in latter part of the season to manage tendinitis in his knees.
2008: Out of Davis Cup final and Masters Cup with tendinitis.
MONTREAL — We’ve seen those tears before, the ones that welled up in Roger Federer’s eyes before 15,000 people inside Court Philippe Chatrier, and millions more watching around the world on TV or online.
This time, the tears came after Federer held his serve to lead 5-3 in the third set of the French Open final, just four points away from a title he thought would never be his.
They were happy tears, at last, as the emotions he had kept under control throughout a routinely Roger performance against an overwhelmed Robin Soderling became too much.
But he still had four more points to win.
After a few missteps, he won them. And now he has a French Open title, the only one that had gone missing in his Grand Slam collection.
They say champions have to have almost equal measures of talent and luck. And Federer, who suddenly is back in the conversation for No. 1, had plenty of both in Paris.
When he said he was happy to see a different face across the net in the final, that was understating the case.
Federer’s battle was just making it there, doing what he was expected to do, should do, after Rafael Nadal’s shocking loss to Soderling a week prior.
What’s lost in the noise of the crowds of hopping back on the Federer bandwagon is this: his fortune comes as a result of Nadal’s misfortune.
Federer admitted himself that he hardly played his best in Paris, and he doesn’t deny that his days of dominating the sport are over.
While he puts a positive spin on that, saying it’s a motivating, new way to win, he won’t break his current all-time Grand Slam singles titles deadlock with Pete Sampras without Nadal’s help.
He won’t win Wimbledon this year without Nadal’s help — without Rafa’s absence, more than anything else. And he can’t get back to No. 1 without Nadal’s help.
If Nadal is 100 per cent fit at Roland Garros, he surely doesn’t lose to Soderling — and he almost surely doesn’t lose to Federer, either.
Federer said Monday he didn’t think Nadal’s knee injury will keep him out of Wimbledon, no matter what doom-and-gloom coach Toni Nadal says, and even though Nadal was in Barcelona Monday for two days of tests on his knee.
He pointed out Nadal’s knees weren’t wrapped in Paris — but they haven’t been wrapped all season.
Perhaps Federer didn’t notice; when he’s on court with his rival, he’s looking a lot higher up — at the heavily-top-spinned balls Nadal puts nearly out of reach, far above his left shoulder.
Nadal’s knee issues are hardly news; the one question mark people have always had, when they try to project just how much history the man from Majorca will make, is the how his body will hold up.
Usually the knees wear down in late summer, during the North American hard-court season. It’s the biggest reason Nadal has never been competitive at the U.S. Open.
This year, he’s having issues in May.
Federer could reclaim the No. 1 spot this summer. If he plays on grass in Germany this week (he’ll decide Tuesday, after a pit stop at home in Switzerland), and he wins Wimbledon, he’d be at most 1,000 points behind Nadal after trailing him by 5,000 points just a few weeks ago.
Federer could close the gap this summer, maybe even in Montreal — where he had his first chance to become No. 1 in 2003, but blew it by losing to American Andy Roddick.
But there’s that brand-new baby coming at some point, so who knows how much Federer will play? No wonder he says he’s focusing on the majors, not on who’s No. 1.
So in the renewed debate about whether Federer is the greatest ever, don’t forget to factor in his greatest rival.
Nadal took Federer’s No. 1 ranking away. Only he, ultimately, can hand it back — no matter how good, or how lucky, Federer may be.
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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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
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
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
Spain's 
