RAFA NADAL - MIAMI 2012

UPDATED: Friday, March 30, 2012, 11:04 p.m.

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, serves to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, of France, during the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Wednesday, Photo - J. Pat Carter/AP

Miami 2012
Sony Ericsson Open
Singles

Semifinal

Rafa withdrew from the Semifinal match due to tendonitis
so the following match didn't happen and Andy will be in the Final.
Rafa Nadal(ESP) vs. Andy Murray(GBR)
(QF = Murray defeated Janko Tipsarevic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4)
Friday, March 30, 2012
First Men's Semifinal
Stadium Court
Not to start before 3:00 p.m. USA/EST

Online Live Streaming LIVE and Matches already played are available ~espn3

TV
The Tennis Channel through Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Tennis Channel reairs matches a couple of times usually.
ESPN2 began Wednesday, March 28, 2012
CBS

TV-Schedule

Online Live Streaming
espn3
sportlemon.tv

Nadal-resigns-as-vice-president-of-player-council-saying-he-cant-give-job-100-percent/2012/03/27

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Miami 2012
Sony Ericsson Open
Men's Singles

Round 1
Bye

Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Santiago Giraldo
6-2, 6-0
Friday, March 23, 2012

Round 3
Rafa Nadal vs. Radek Štěpánek
6-2, 6-2
Sunday, March 25, 2012

The Tennis Channel TV schedule

Round 4
Rafa Nadal(ESP) vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN)
6-4, 6-4
Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Quarterfinal
Rafa Nadal(ESP) defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
6-2, 5-7, 6-4
Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Murray and Nadal Set Blockbuster Semifinal


Rafa withdrew from the Semifinal match due to tendonitis
so the following match didn't happen and Andy will be in the Final.
Rafa Nadal(ESP) vs. Andy Murray(GBR)
(QF = Murray defeated Janko Tipsarevic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4)
Friday, March 30, 2012
First Men's Semifinal
Stadium Court
Not to start before 3:00 p.m. USA/EST

TV
The Tennis Channel through Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Tennis Channel reairs matches a couple of times usually.
ESPN2 began Wednesday, March 28, 2012
CBS

TV-Schedule

Online Live Streaming
espn3
sportlemon.tv

Live-Scores

Miami 2012

Men's Doubles

Round 1
Rafa Nadal and Marcel Granollers defeated Marin and Ivo Karlovic
6-1, 6-3
March 22, Thursday, 2012

Round 2
Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna defeated Rafa Nadal and Marcel Granollers
6-4, 6-3
Monday, March 26, 2012

Note: Rafa will be playing doubles in the Olympics with Marcel Granollers.

Pictures

Singles

Round 1 ~ Bye

Round 2

zimbio

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shotto Santiago Giraldo of Columbia during day five of the Sony Ericsson Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 23, 2012 in Key Biscayne, Florida. March 23, 2012 - Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America

Round 3

zimbio
uk.eurosport.yahoo
daylife
rafael-nadal-shirtless-at-the-sony-ericsson-open

Round 3 ~ Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Radek Stepanek of The Czech Republic during Day 7 at Crandon Park Tennis Center at the Sony Ericsson Open on March 25, 2012 in Key Biscayne, Florida. March 25, 2012 - Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images North America.

Round 4
zimbio
uk.eurosport.yahoo
More at uk.eurosport.yahoo
daylife

Round 4 -Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win against Kei Nishikori of Japan during Day 9 at Crandon Park Tennis Center at the Sony Ericsson Open on March 27, 2012 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Tuesday, March 27, 2012 - Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images North America

Quarterfinal
daylife
uk.eurosport.yahoo
zimbio

Quarterfinal - Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during a match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during Day 10 of the Sony Ericcson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 28, 2012 in Key Biscayne, Florida. March 28, 2012 - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America.

Quarterfinal - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to winning a match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during Day 10 of the Sony Ericcson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 28, 2012 in Key Biscayne, Florida. March 28, 2012 - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America.

Quarterfinal - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to winning a match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during Day 10 of the Sony Ericcson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 28, 2012 in Key Biscayne, Florida. March 28, 2012 - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America.

Doubles

Round 1

sports.yahoo
zimbio

Round 2

zimbio

LIKE THIS at Facebook

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

These two fan sites are a great source of up-to-date information

Vamos Brigade

Rafa's Babolat-sponsored forum

This is the Nike Rafael Nadal website:

www.rafaelnadal.com

Join Us at Facebook

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

Rafa on facebook

RAFA NADAL IN DOHA ~ BEGINNING JANUARY 3, 2012

Qatar Tennis 2012

Final

between two French players

Tsonga defeated Monfils

7-5, 6-3

Semi Final

Gael Monfils defeated Rafa Nadal

6-3, 6-4

Friday, January 6, 2012

The Tennis Channel

LIve and reairings of this match.

NOTE: I noticed that now I can watch The Tennis Channel both on my high definition TV and on my TV that is not high definition.

Previously, it was only available on a high definition channel.

Round 1

Rafa Nadal defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber

6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Round 2

Rafa defeated Denis Gremelmayr

6-2, 6-2

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Round 3 ~ Quarter Final

Rafa Nadal defeated Mikhail Youzhny

6-4,-6-4

Thursday, January 5, 2012

TV LIve and reairings on The Tennis Channel

This match should be reairing around 10:30 p.m. USA EST,

if I correctly calculated the lengths of the matches

when they were played live.

Semi Final

Rafa Nadal vs. Gael Monfils

Friday, January 6, 2012

Second match on Center Court

The first match scheduled for 8:30 a.m. USA EST

TV
Starting Thursday, January 5, 2012 on The Tennis Channel

Live streaming:

atpworldtour.com/Media/DohaStream

Maybe at ~
aljazeerasport.tv/Live/channel/global

Roger Federer (Switzerland) and Rafael Nadal (Spain) launch the ATP World Tour 2012 in Doha, Qatar where they will be playing the first tournament of the season, the Doha ExxonMobil Open. To promote the event, they played few balls at the Katara Cultural Village Amphitheatre, where the court was illuminated by hundreds of candles.

Both pictures above ~ January 2, 2012 - Photo by Pacific Coast News.com

More pictures
zimbio Rafael Nadal

eurosport.yahoo.com

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Previous Tournament: Mubadala ~ Abu Dhabi
The Tennis Channel is reairing this tournament

David Ferrer defeated Rafa Nadal
Friday, Dec 30, 2011
Semi Final #2
6-3, 6-2

Rafa Nadal defeated Roger Federer
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011
6-1, 7-5

More on this previous tournament: mubadalawtc

Fun Video New Year's Eve

Rafa, Tsonga and Monfils

at Rafa's facebook

These two fan sites are a great source of up-to-date information ~

Vamos Brigade

Rafa's Babolat-sponsored forum

It is free to register at these sites and then you can read at your heart's content.

Join Us at Facebook

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

Rafa on facebook

RAFA NADAL - US OPEN 2011

UPDATED September 12, 2011, 10:30 p.m.

FINAL ~ US OPEN 2011
Novak Djokovic unfortunately defeated Rafa Nadal
6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1
Monday, September 12, 2011

Arthur Ashe Stadium
Various TV Carriers will carry the Final
For me it will be aired on Cox Cable's Channel 1015
Weather for NewYork

Final US Open 2011 Rafa Nadal Zimbio Pictures

LIVE Streaming Opportunities
u s open
espn3
fromsport

The US Open website states that CBS will air the final on Monday, September 12, 2011, but according to the crawl on CBS on Saturday September 9, 2011, THAT IS NOT TRUE...
TV Schedule for US Open

The Tennis Channel Schedule may re-air the FINAL match

Semi Final
Rafa Nadal defeated Andy Murray
6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Zimbio pictures of Rafael Nadal Semi Final

Semi Final
Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer
6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Arthur Ashe Stadium

U.S. Open 2011
Singles ~ Men
Round 1
Rafa Nadal defeated Andrey Golubev
6-3, 7-6(7-1), 7-5
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Nicolas Mahut
6-2, 6-2, Mahut retired
Friday, September 2, 2011

Round 3
Rafa Nadal defeated David Nalbandian
7-6(5), 6-1, 7-5
Sunday, September 4, 2011

Round 4 ~ Round of 16
Rafa Nadal defeated Gilles Muller
7-6(1), 6-1, 6-2
Thursday, September 7, 2011
At the link (quick before it's taken down), many uploads of Round 4 match...in case you were away, like me and didn't get to see Rafa on fire. Parts 3 - 13

Rafa fields questions from Press people

Quarter Final
Rafa Nadal defeated Andy Roddick
6-2, 6-1, 6-3
on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Friday, September 9, 2011

Semi Final
Rafa Nadal defeated Andy Murray
6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Arthur Ashe Stadium

Semi Final
Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer
6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Arthur Ashe Stadium

FINAL ~ US OPEN 2011
Novak Djokovic unfortunately defeated Rafa Nadal
6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-1
Monday, September 12, 2011

LIVE Streaming Opportunities
u s open
espn3
fromsport

TV USA
ESPN2 and The Tennis Channel
TV Schedule for US Open

Great Links at the US Open site
Click the link and check out all the options at the tab Video and Radio
interactive video

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain talks to the media during previews at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2011 in New York City.

My previous post ~
Rafa Nadal days before US Open - 2011

Draws

Schedule

Completed match scores

Live scores

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Rafael Nadal attends the 12th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis at W New York Hotel on August 25, 2011 in New York City.

Pictures

Zimbio ~ Rafael Nadal Unveils New Armani Jeans Campaign

Daylife

U.S. Open pictures of Rafa

U.S. Open website photos

Round 1 pictures at Zimbio

Round 2 - Better than Round 1's outfit, for sure

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Nicolas Mahut of France during Day Five of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Nick Laham

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Nicolas Mahut of France during Day Five of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Nicolas Mahut of France during Day Five of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America

More Round 2 at Zimbio

Round 3

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against David Nalbandian of Argentina during Day Seven of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 4, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America

More Round 3 Zimbio Pictures of Rafael Nadal

Round 4 - Round of 16 Zimbio Pictures of Rafael Nadal

Quarter Final Zimbio Pictures Rafael Nadal

Semi Final Pictures

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after he won his match point against Andy Murray of Great Britain during Day Thirteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (September 9, 2011 - Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after he won his match point against Andy Murray of Great Britain during Day Thirteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Andy Murray of Great Britain during Day Thirteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images North America

Rafael Nadal of Spain reaches for a return against Andy Murray of Great Britain during Day Thirteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images North America

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return against Andy Murray of Great Britain during Day Thirteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images North America

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after he won his match point against Andy Murray of Great Britain during Day Thirteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after he won match point against Andy Murray of Great Britain during Day Thirteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. September 9, 2011 - Photo by Al Bello

More Semi Final Zimbio Pictures of Rafael Nadal

Final US Open 2011 Rafa Nadal Zimbio Pictures

Davis Cup.com
Davis Cup Spain/ESP

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

Rafael Nadal (R) unveils his new Armani Jeans campaign at Macy's Herald Square on August 25, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images North America

TAKING A LESSON FROM RAFA NADAL IN HANDLING DISAPPOINTMENT

Thanks everybody for stopping by. I have watched my numbers soar for viewings/viewers, although no one leaves me a comment. I know you come here because you admire Rafa. Admire on.

Click on image to enlarge.

Rafael Nadal of Spain sits during a break between games in the final set against David Ferrer of Spain in their quarter-final men's singles match on the tenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2011. Ferrer won 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
AFP PHOTO / Torsten Blackwood.

Rafa Quarter Final pictures at sports.yahoo. and daylife and uk.eurosport and zimbio

Australian Open 2011
Quarter Final
David Ferrer defeated Rafa Nadal
6-4, 6-2, 6-3
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
There is a very brief video australianopen

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By yerangell
at 00:46 I am curious what Rafa means about what David told him at the net
14:49

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By maggybeee

Rafael Nadal of Spain holds his face in his hands as he sits between games in the final set against David Ferrer of Spain in their quarter-final men's singles match on the tenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2011. Ferrer won 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. Photo credit: Getty Images

Spain's Rafael Nadal sits in his chair and wipes his eyes during a break in his quarterfinal against compatriot David Ferrer at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. Photo credit: Getty



Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd after defeat in his men's singles quarter-final match against David Ferrer of Spain on the tenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2011. Ferrer won 6-4. 6-2. 6-3. Photo credit: Getty Images

Spain's Rafael Nadal receives treatment from a trainer during his quarterfinal loss to compatriot David Ferrer at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. Photo credit: AP


Rafael Nadal of Spain sits during a break during his men's singles quarter-final match against David Ferrer of Spain on the tenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2011. Ferrer won 6-4. 6-2. 6-3. Photo by Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal of Spain walks on court during his men's singles quarter-final match against David Ferrer of Spain on the tenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2011. Photo by Paul Crock/pool/AFP/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal of Spain talks during a press conference after his loss to David Ferrer of Spain in their quarter-final men's singles match on the tenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2011. Injury-hit world number one Nadal was sensationally dumped from the quarter-finals 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 by compatriot Ferrer. Photo credit: Greg Wood, Getty/AFP

More Quarter Final pictures at sports.yahoo. and daylife and uk.eurosport and zimbio

AO '11 Semi Finals
Roger Federer versus Novak Djokovic
January 27, 2011 3:30 a.m. USA EST
David Ferrer versus Andy Murray
Probably January 28, 2011 same time as Federer and Djokovic's Semi Final

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in the final set against David Ferrer of Spain in their quarter-final men's singles match on the tenth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2011. Ferrer won 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. Photo credit: TORSTEN BLACKWOOD, AFP Getty

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Although I know I am crossing the line to post these articles here, albeit with links to the actual articles, I do it because many times, articles are only available for a limited amount of time. There are articles that I like and can be found at the links provided.
Tennis-Nadal walks precipice in search of perfection

By Martyn Herman of uk.reuters

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Nadal loses to Ferrer in Quarters

Read at sportsillustrated

Part of the article

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Rafael Nadal wiped the tears from his eyes with his taped-up fingers.

His Rafa Slam was evaporating. The 25-match winning streak in Grand Slams and his bid to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major titles at once was three games from ending.

He was hurt. He was down two sets and a break. It was the same court, and the same round where he retired in the Australian Open last year. Yet the idea of packing it in didn't even enter his mind.

"I hate the retirements,'' he said, "This wasn't the day. I did last year. I hate that moment. ... Didn't want to repeat that.''

Six games later, Nadal was out of the tournament, losing 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Wednesday night in Rod Laver Arena, the center court at Melbourne Park named after the Australian great whose four consecutive majors he was trying to match.

"It's a victory for me. But it's not a victory really,'' Ferrer said.

Thanks everybody for stopping by. I have watched my numbers soar for viewers, although no one leaves me a comment. I know you come here because you admire Rafa. Admire on.

Laver, the Australian great who lives in Carlsbad, Calif., was surprised to hear of Nadal's loss.

"I'll be darned,'' Laver said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "I thought he'd come all the way through but he didn't. They were all counting that he was going to be the defending champion in all four tournaments.

"That's disappointing for him, really,'' Laver said. "In a way, that was an effort to put all those tournaments together through last year. It really was a good performance. I had him as being favored, even to beat Federer, the way he was playing. He just has got a game that's difficult for Roger.''

Laver is the last man to win a true Grand Slam, made up of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in a calendar year. He did it twice, as an amateur in 1962 and again in 1969.

Again, it was Australia Day. Again, Nadal's match was interrupted by fireworks for the national day celebrations. Again, the match was a dud.

Nadal received treatment to his upper left thigh after the third game. He had the thigh heavily strapped. He needed treatment again after the first set.

"I can say nothing about the injury,'' he said after the match. "Seriously, I would prefer don't talk a lot about the injury.''

"Tonight, first of all, I don't know nothing. Second thing, for respect to the winner and to a friend, I prefer to talk about the match. I think he played at a very high level. I just congratulate him and wish him all the best for the semifinal.''

He was later quoted in Spanish as saying he had a small tear in a muscle in his upper left leg.

Read the entire article at: sportsillustrated

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Injury sidelines Nadal's quest for Grand Slam

Read at Montrealgazette

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - The headlines Down Under were predictably cruel.

"Rafa Slammed." "Rafa Slam-Dunked."

Rafael Nadal's quest for the Australian Open title was snuffed out by injury for the second straight year on Australia Day Wednesday night, after a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 loss to countryman David Ferrer in the quarterfinals.

The world No. 1 was trying to become the first man since Australia's Rod Laver won the Grand Slam in 1969 - all four majors in the same season - to hold all four titles at once after Nadal won the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last season.

Exactly a year ago, Nadal retired in his quarterfinal match against Scotland's Andy Murray after two-plus sets of the most brilliant tennis you will ever see. Until Wednesday night, it was the last time he had lost at a Grand Slam tournament.

But it was the knee a year ago - an ongoing, career-threatening concern for Nadal and one about which he wanted to take no chances.

This time, it reportedly was a muscle tear in his left thigh suffered in his first service game of the match. Nadal could endure it, but he was a shadow of the player who under normal circumstances usually withstands the charge from the bulldog Ferrer.

Had it been the knee again, he may very well have quit. But he said there wasn't the same concern this time, the pain wasn't at a level where he couldn't bear it. He chose to carry on. "I hate the retirements, so this wasn't the day. I did last year. I hate that moment. I didn't want to repeat that," he said.

A No. 1 player has never retired in a Grand Slam match. A year ago against Murray, Nadal was ranked No. 2.

He came into his post-match news conference looking nearly as devastated as he had for most of his two and a half hours on court against Ferrer. There were times during changeovers late in the third set when it appeared he had tears welling up in his eyes.

There were constant conversations with the members of his entourage, much grimacing, constant shaking of his head as if to say, "Oh, this doesn't look good."

He fought with his trademark full-out effort, because the competitive animal in Nadal won't allow him to do otherwise. But Ferrer had to know that if he just held on, a semifinal birth would be his.

At first, once it was over, Nadal just wanted to congratulate his opponent and asked that reporters not ask him about the injury. At first, he said he didn't even know what it was, although he later told the Spanish media he knew exactly where it was located.

Eventually his pride kicked in, and he stated the obvious. "I don't have to tell you about what I felt on the court because I tried my best all the time. But is obvious that I didn't feel at my best. I had a problem during the match, in the very beginning. After that, the match was almost over. So that's what I can say," he said. "In Doha I wasn't healthy (a virus put him on antibiotics and weakened him considerably in a semifinal loss to Nikolay Davydenko). Today I have another problem. Seems like I always have problems when I lose, and I don't want to have this image, no? I prefer not to talk about that today."

Part of it was the large crowd in Rod Laver Arena to see him. Part of it was out of respect for his good friend and countryman Ferrer, who deserved "Ferrer wins" headlines but, given his opponent on the day, won't get them.

But as Nadal said in Spanish, it was mostly about walking out with his head held high, knowing he did the right thing.

He did. Ferrer was almost as stunned for his friend as he was pleased about the win.

There's a reason why there hasn't been a Grand Slam winner since Laver. Beyond the competition at the highest level, you have to be healthy. You have to be lucky. You can't afford to have a single bad day at the office for 28 consecutive best-of-five-set matches.

Nadal's quest seemed doomed from the start, even if his early rounds were a breeze.

He took 11 straight games from Marcos Daniel in the first round before the Brazilian retired with injury. He ceded only four to American qualifier Ryan Sweeting in the second round.

But against Aussie teenager Bernard Tomic, all wasn't right. Despite the straight-sets win, Nadal was sweating as profusely as he had in Qatar.

He swapped his Nike top for one several sizes larger. And against Marin Cilic of Croatia in the fourth round, he seemed to be old self. He was finally playing well, and feeling well.

Then, this.

On the plus side, it's not the knee. Nadal will be back.

"I think he can win the next four Grand Slams, no? Rafael is (one of) the best three players of the history of tennis. He is a young player. He will, can do it," Ferrer said.

Credit: Montrealgazette

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Nadal Is Noble in Defeat

Read at nytimes

By LYNN ZINSER

So, Rafael Nadal won’t win four Grand Slam tournaments in a row, which saves us from the ridiculous debate over that accomplishment compared to a real Grand Slam, accomplished in one calendar year, but his departure from the Australian Open on Wednesday gave tennis something else altogether: a touch of nobility.

Because not only would Nadal not drop out of his quarterfinal against his fellow Spaniard David Ferrer (“I hate retirements,” he said), he wouldn’t talk about the injury that so clearly hampered him. And to respect Ferrer’s victory, Nadal asked reporters not to ask him about it. He lamented his string of injuries because they sound like excuses. This was all worth marveling at and appreciating, writes Greg Couch on Fanhouse.com, because it’s something so beautiful and so rare. In sports, we’re talking spotted owl rare.

(Avoid gratuitous comparisons to Bears quarterback Jay Cutler because their situations are not at all comparable, other than suggesting Cutler could take a few lessons in public relations from the gracious Nadal.)

Ferrer was nearly as gracious in victory, saying a healthy Nadal wins that match in straight sets. But injuries, it seems, are the price Nadal pays for his relentless game. As Ravi Ubha writes on ESPN.com, they keep interrupting whatever momentum he creates. Right now, they are costing tennis another showdown between Nadal and Roger Federer, who maintains his role as the healthy half of the rivalry.

Rivalries are healthy and thriving in college basketball these days as the season races toward tournament season. On a serious upswing is No. 1 Ohio State, which has people like Paul Daugherty of SI.com starting to consider the Buckeyes unbeatable. (Wait, wasn’t Duke unbeatable up until getting beat?) Jeff Goodman of Foxsports.com sees comparisons to the back-to-back national champion Florida team. The real unstoppable force this season, though, seems to be Brigham Young’s Jimmer Fredette, although Luke Winn of SI.com proposes some ways to slow him down.

On the downswing side of things, Syracuse finds its confidence reeling after a third straight loss, writes Bud Poliquin of The Syracuse Post Standard, and Michigan State is descending into something resembling chaos after kicking Korie Lucious off the team. Last year’s N.C.A.A. tournament underdog for the ages, Butler, is having a much tougher time of it this season, too.

None of that approaches the real-life heartbreaking story of Kansas’s Thomas Robinson, who is mourning the death of his mother and two grandparents.

Real life interrupted some Iowa football workouts, with 12 Hawkeyes landing in the hospital with what The Cedar Rapids Gazette called “an exertional condition.”

There is a more uplifting football story by Jon Wertheim of SI.com on Terry Harrington, whose 25-year wrongful imprisonment did not dampen his love for the sport and he now coaches children in Omaha.

Hockey pauses today to notice that Wayne Gretzky is turning 50, as good a reason as any to look back at his remarkable career. And you might notice some remarkable feats by a rookie in Philadelphia, the 22-year-old goalie Sergei Bobrovski, but as Nicholas Cotsonika writes on Yahoo.com, you can just call him Bob.

As for Rafael Nadal, you can just call him Rafa and hope a little of him rubs off on everyone else.

Credit: nytimes

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Rafa Slammed, Hurt, Goes Down Fighting

By Greg Couch

Read at tennis.fanhouse.com

Click post title for one of my favorite fan videos of Rafa

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~ Updated Friday, January 29, 2011 ~

AO '11 Finals
Novak Djokovic versus Andy Murray
Sunday, January 30, 2011 3:30 a.m. USA EST
Time converter

AO '11 Semi Finals
Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer
7-6(3), 7-5, 6-4
Andy Murray defeated David Ferrer
4-6, 7-6(2), 6-1, 7-6(2)

RAFAEL NADAL ~ AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2011 ~ VAMOS RAFA

Thanks everybody for stopping by. I have watched my numbers soar for viewers of this post, although no one leaves a comment. I know you come here because you admire Rafa. Admire on. I have a separate post ~ Taking a lesson from Rafa Nadal ~ for Rafa's exit from the Australian Open 2011. We will never know what might have been had Rafa not had the hamstring injury. But those of us Rafa-watchers, know his heart and know he will be back if at all possible. I expect him to return to the court and give us more pleasure. Get better Rafa and continue to reach for your hopes and dreams. It does our hearts good to watch you do so.

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By NadalFan

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A collection of pictures that I made of Rafa
in his signature on-court look of days gone by.

Australian Open 2011
Videos of Rafa at espn

Quarter Final
David Ferrer defeated Rafa Nadal
6-4, 6-2, 6-3
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
There is a very brief video australianopen

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Uploaded by yerangell
at 00:46 I am curious what Rafa means about what David told him at the net
14:49


AO '11 Finals
Novak Djokovic versus Andy Murray
Sunday, January 30, 2011 3:30 a.m. USA EST
Time converter

AO '11 Semi Finals
Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer
7-6(3), 7-5, 6-4
Andy Murray defeated David Ferrer
4-6, 7-6(2), 6-1, 7-6(2)

Time and date

Schedule

Time and date conversion
See sidebar for clock with Melbourne, Australian time

Read post about Rafa Open-Spaniard-Rafael-Nadal-feels-the-heat

Round of 16 - Round 4
Rafa Nadal defeated Marin Cilic
6-2, 6-4, 6-3
Monday, January 24, 2011

Round 3
Rafa Nadal defeated Bernard Tomic
6-2, 7-5, 6-3
Press video after the match

Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Ryan Sweeting
6-2, 6-1, 6-1

Round 1

Rafa Nadal defeated Marcos Daniel
6-0, 5-0, then Marcos Daniel retired after 46 minutes

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia

Note: I will do my best to keep this post updated, but "real life" may prevent this sometimes. But you can always find information at the two fan sites with links below.

USA TV

Channel in USA ESPN2

Check the guide at sports.espn

Click ESPN2 to find tennis

The Tennis Channel

The Tennis Channel schedule
Sometimes live and also delayed airing

Watch online at

ESPN3
This is great because you can see the match you want with no break aways to other matches, as well as no commercials, includes the after-match interview and autograph signing.

ESPN3 streaming link can also be accessed by clicking the post title.

I will be updating this post after the Quarter Final

Other free online watching

www.atdhe.net

www.fromsport.com

These two fan sites are a great source of up-to-date information ~

Vamos Brigade

Rafa's Babolat-sponsored forum

It is free to register at these sites and then you can read at your heart's content.

Join Us at Facebook

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

Rafa on facebook

Online viewing at this website is not available in the USA, but there is information ~

atp world tour

Press conference videos at the link ~ australianopentv

Round 4 Pictures...

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his fourth round match against Marin Cilic of Croatia during day eight of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Mark Dadswell of Getty Images AsiaPac

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point in his fourth round match against Marin Cilic of Croatia during day eight of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images AsiaPac

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates beating Marin Cilic of Croatia during their round four men's singles match on the eighth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2011. Nadal won 6-2, 6-4, 6-3. Photo credit: Getty Images

More Pictures Round 4 zimbio and daylife

Round 3 Pictures...

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point in his third round match against Bernard Tomic of Australia during day six of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia.Photo by Clive Brunskill of Getty Images AsiaPac

Rafael Nadal of Spain selects a ball to serve against Bernard Tomic of Australia during their round three men's singles match on the sixth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2011. Nadal won the match 6-2, 7-5, 6-3. Photo credit: Getty Images

More Pictures Round 3 daylife and zimbio

Round 2 Pictures...

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a stroke during his second round men's singles match against Ryan Sweeting of the US on the fourth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2011. Nadal is two sets to nil up as play continues.

More Pictures
Round 2
daylife
and
zimbio

Round 1 Pictures...

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18, 2011 ~ Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his first round match against Marcos Daniel of Brazil during day two of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo credit: Getty Images

More Pictures
Round 1
daylife
and
zimbio

UPDATED TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2011 at 11:00 p.m. USA EST
Rafa AO '11 Promo Video

Rally for Relief video (for the recent floods in Australia) australianopentv

Click Video tab when at the Australian Open website.

Another place to view the Rally for Relief match with Rafa in them ~

1 of 4

2 of 4

3 of 4

4 of 4

Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland enjoy the day during the "Rally For Relief" charity exhibition match ahead of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. January 15, 2011 - Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images AsiaPac.

Rally for Relief ~ More photos at zimbio

Links to more pictures of Rafa before the first match are included below each picture ~

Rafael Nadal of Spain rests on the net during a practice session ahead of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 12, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. January 11, 2011. Photo by Mark Dadswell of Getty Images AsiaPac. More zimbio pictures.

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand during a practice session ahead of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. January 12, 2011. Photo by Mark Dadswell of Getty Images AsiaPac. More zimbio pictures.

Rafael Nadal of Spain stretches during a practice session ahead of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Mark Dadswell of Getty Images AsiaPac. More zimbio pictures.

Rafael Nadal press conference at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. January 16, 2011 - Photo by Photo Agency. More zimbio pictures.