Djokovic Desperate to Hang onto Top Spot

Djokovic Desperate to Hang onto Top Spot

Novak Djokovic has warned the in-form Rafael Nadal that he will not give up the number-one spot in the rankings without a fight. The pair headline the men's draw at the ATP China Open, with defending champion, Djokovic, desperate to finish 2013 at the top of the rankings.

Nadal, a perennial favourite in the Betfair odds, is just 260 ranking points behind the Serb and could replace him for the first time since July 2011 with a strong week in Beijing.

The Spaniard has been in incredible form since returning from a seven-month injury break, collecting 10 titles since his return to action - including a record eighth French Open crown - before going on to beat Djokovic in the final of the US Open earlier this month.

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Rafa helps Spain back into the Davis Cup World Group

Rafa helps Spain back into the Davis Cup World Group

Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez gave Spain an unassailable 3-0 lead over Ukraine in the Davis Cup World Group play-off after defeating Denys Molchanov and Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-4.

It was Rafa's third best-of-five sets match since his 13th Grand Slam title in New York on Monday.

But the Majorcan said that having made the effort to come and play in Spain after the rigours of his US Open campaign, it was only a small extra demand to play in the doubles.

Nadal said: "We had the match under control, but at the start of the second set I had a bit of a slump. But we got the breaks in the third and fourth sets at the right moment and were able to finish the match off. We are still in the World Group and I think that a country with so many players in the top 100 deserves it."

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Rafael Nadal wins 2013 US Open title

Rafa wins 2013 US Open title

Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to win the 2013 US Open title.

Just eight months after there was speculation as to whether he would ever play again because of his troublesome knees, he is even poised to reclaim the world No 1 ranking before the end of the season.

Rafa has now won four on hard courts, he played 22 matches on hard courts this year and won them all.

This was a record 37 meeting between Rafa and Nole as senior professionals and for periods of the match the quality of tennis they provided was arguably better than ever, although Djokovic was unable to sustain that level in the closing stages.

During this final, the two men were both wonderful athletes and they treated the crowd to a succession of stunning rallies, repeatedly retrieving shots which had looked certain to be winners.

Nadal has been at the peak of his powers throughout the north American hard-court campaign and again played with consistent brilliance. Nobody gets out of difficult situations more effectively than the world No 2, who can turn defence into attack with the flick of his wrist.

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Watch US Open Final Nadal Vs. Djokovic Free Live Stream Online

Watch US Open Final Nadal Vs. Djokovic Free Live Stream Online

Fans can watch men's final action on US Open Live Streaming available to U.S. residents on USOpen.org.

Arthur Ashe Stadium 5:00 pm

Men's Singles - Final
Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]

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Rafa Nadal US Open Semifial Interview | 9/7/2013

Rafa Nadal US Open Semifial Interview | 9/7/2013

Q. Each of the remaining men and women have won one Grand Slam this year. What would winning a second title mean towards determining who had the most successful 2013 season?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. Well, at the end, you know, not everything is about Grand Slams. That's the first thing. Not all the tennis depends only on the Grand Slams, so we have to look not only at the four Grand Slams to see how the season goes. For me, I was able to play three Grand Slam this season. I won one; I lost in the third round in another. That's a great result for me. Happy the way that I played since I came back. I gonna try my best to win on Monday. But be the second will not make the difference. What makes the difference is win the US Open. That's most important and win one or second, no? Either one for me means the same. That match means the same if I already had one or doesn't matter. At the end, for me the only important thing is the US Open. That's the most important thing.

Q. I asked you earlier in the tournament about wins in Montreal and Cincinnati, and I phrased it in such a way as, are they great confidence builders for this. You very clearly said, They're more than that. They're great accomplishments in their own right. Then I just heard what you were saying here. So do you think that too many times we make greatness all about Grand Slams and maybe put too much emphasis on the Grand Slams?

RAFAEL NADAL: I am nobody to say what you are doing or if it's right or if it's not right.

Q. What's your opinion?

RAFAEL NADAL: But my opinion is at the end, no doubt that the Grand Slams are the bigger tournaments that we have on the tour. But at the same time, is no doubt that in the other tournaments all best players are playing too in the Masters 1000s. Is more important to win Grand Slam? Yes. 100 percent. Is fair says, for example I will say I don't know. I don't know how to say. Let's say if Richard is having a great season, but if Richard beat me today and win the final tomorrow and this year I won five Masters 1000s, three more tournaments and I don't win not one Grand Slam, you will say that he had a better season than my one? I don't think so (smiling). So that's what I mean when I say Grand Slams are important, yes, but are not everything, no? For me, what makes me happy is for sure be in the final of a US Open. Makes me very happy. Is big result for me. Very happy for everything the way that I am playing. But what really makes me happy is be competitive in every tournament that I am playing, and that's why I am very happy today, because in this season I was able to play all finals and one first round. That means I was very competitive in every tournament, and makes me more happy have the chance to win every time that win one Grand Slam and then lose in early rounds the rest of the tournaments.

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Videos: Rafael Nadal US Open Semifinal Highlights and Press Conference

Videos: Rafael Nadal US Open Semifinal Highlights and Press Conference

Watch highlights from the semifinals match between Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet at US OPEN 2013...



Rafa's interview...

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Watch US Open semis Nadal Vs. Gasquet Free Live Stream Online

Watch US Open semis Nadal Vs. Gasquet Free Live Stream Online

Fans can watch men's semifinal action on US Open Live Streaming available to U.S. residents on USOpen.org.

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Rafael Nadal Tshirts | Support Rafa All the way all the time

Rafael Nadal Tshirts | Support Rafa All the way all the time

Are you a Rafa Nadal fan??? Check out what I found.... T-shirts (and more products) to support the former world number 1 on tournaments or everyday!!!

You can choose the product you what with a design and the color of the T-shirt too!!!! isn´t it cool??

RAFA SHIRT by designdivastuff
See other Rafa T-Shirts

RAFA Dark T Shirt by designdivastuff
Build your own t-shirt at zazzle.com

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Rafael Nadal Wimbledon 2013 Interview | Video and Transcrip

Rafael Nadal Wimbledon 2013 Interview | Video and Transcrip



Rafa Nadal was upset by Steve Darcis in the first round of Wimbledon 2013 last Monday... Let's remember what he said about this match during the press conference...

Rafael Nadal gives his Wimbledon press conference following his 7-6(4) 7-6(8) 6-4 first round loss to Steve Darcis.

Q. What would you say went wrong today and what went right, if anything? What happened?

RAFAEL NADAL: Happen that is sport. And sometimes you play well and you have the chance to win. Sometimes you play worst and the opponent play well and you lose.

That's the good thing about the sport. That's all.

Good things today for me was not a lot of things good. But, you know, just congratulate Darcis. I think he played with the right decision, played well, and that's all.

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Videos: Wimbledon latest finals to remember

Videos: Wimbledon finals to remember

Let's remember the latest Wimbledon finals shall we???...

Wimbledon 2012

Roger Federer gets past Andy Murray por 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 y 6-4 | Full match

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Rafa Nadal wins 8th French Open title

Rafa Nadal wins 8th French Open title

Is this unbelievable or what??? Rafael Nadal won his eighth singles title at the French Open after crushing David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in the final.

Rafa has an amazing 59-1 record at Roland Garros and it looks like as long as he is healthy noone will take this title away from him.

“That’s just amazing … That’s more than I can even dream about,” Nadal said, “but here we are today. [As a kid wanting to be a professional tennis player,] I never thought about something like this. I can’t say thank you enough to everyone who supported me throughout my career. Without them I would not be here today.”

"I never like to compare years, but it's true that this year means something very special for me," Nadal added. "When you have a period of time like I had (7 month out of the tour due to knee injuries), you realize that you don't know if you will have the chance to be back here with this trophy another time."

"Rafael was better than me," said Ferrer. "He didn't make mistakes."

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Can Rafael Nadal Rule at Roland Garros and Wimbledon Again?

Can Rafael Nadal Rule at Roland Garros and Wimbledon Again?

While Novak Djokovic is the undisputed number one in men's tennis, there is no doubt that he is the second favorite going into the Roland Garros grand slam. The French Open is, and has always been, Rafael Nadal's home court. He may be from Spain, but Nadal has made the clay of Paris the court where he feels most comfortable. He has only lost ONE match at Roland Garros during his entire career. That is an incredible run, spanning close to a decade. His only loss came when he was half injured, so what chance does Djokovic, or anyone for that matter, have of beating Nadal?

The greatest threat to Nadal will come from the world number one, and the two are set to meet in the semi final stage. This will be a monumental clash, with Novak Djokovic determined to break Nadal's stranglehold at Roland Garros. Interestingly, Djokovic has never had the best record in the French Open. So he has two reasons for wanting to do very well there this season. The two will give everything in their semi final, which could play into the hands of another tennis great. Roger Federer will most likely be the one waiting for the outcome of the Nadal/Djokovic semi final, with his route to the final considerably easier.

Federer does not have Murray to deal with this time, as Andy suffered an injury before this tournament. In addition, Gael Monfis just took care of the seventh seed, Tomas Berdych. If Federer plays anywhere close to his best tennis, he is a shoe in for the final. In addition, the fatigue of Nadal and Djokovic could play into his hands as he bids to win this grand slam. Those two will end up playing a three to five hour semi final, while Federer's match should be a lot shorter.

Tennis tickets are available for this year's French Open.

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The French Open is here, who dares to bet against Nadal?

The French Open is here, who dares to bet against Nadal?

Is this time of the year again, the time when Rafael Nadal makes history and breaks records at the French Open.  

The defending champion has won  the major in Paris 7 times and has a 52-1 record which makes it very difficult to think that another  tennis player can take this title away from him if he is healthy and playing the way he has being playing lately.

Rafa played eight tennis tournaments in 2013, has claimed the trophy in six occasions with a 36-2 match record.

 He lost the final of Viña del Mar to Horacio Zeballos in his first tournament of the season after 7 month out the ATP Tour because of injury, and was beaten by Novak Djokovic at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters final in April.

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2013 French Open Photo Gallery | Part 1

2013 French Open Photo Gallery | Part 1

The French Open in underway and here we have the first photo gallery... Pics from day 1 action, practice and qualy :) Enjoy...

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Video: Rafa into Acapulco 2013 2nd round

Video: Rafa into Acapulco 2013 2nd round

Rafa Nadal beat Diego Schwartzman 62 62 in his opening match in Acapulco...

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Video: Nadal vs Chardy Semi Higlights Vina del Mar 2013

Video: Nadal vs Chardy Semi Higlights Vina del Mar 2013

Watch highlights of Rafael Nadal's semi-final victory over Jeremy Chardy at the VTR Open in Vina del Mar on Saturday.

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Nadal return could shake rivals

Nadal return could shake rivals

All eyes will be on the returning Rafael Nadal at the start of the 2013 men's tennis season, the player the others most fear on the circuit.

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray have intriguing individual rivalries and produce some classic encounters, with the balance of power shifting one way and then the other. However, none of the present big three could lay claim to having the wood on Nadal.

World number one Djokovic beat the Spaniard at Wimbledon and US Open finals during an exceptional 2011, before starting this year with an epic victory over the left-hander at the Australian Open (you can check out the latest Australian Open 2013 odds with Paddy Power tennis betting. Nadal bounced back with three tour final wins on clay to take a 19 to 14 lead in head-to-head matches.

Federer has 17 Grand Slam titles to his name but has struggled to assert his authorityover Nadal, particularly at majors. Nadal has beaten the Swiss eight times in Grand Slams and leads 18-10 overall.

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Rafa Nadal out of Australian Open 2013

Rafa Nadal out of Australian Open 2013

Rafael Nadal suffered a stomach virus that will forced him to miss the 2013 Australian Open and probably won't play again until the end of February.

The Spaniard said he needs time to recover from the virus that already prevented him from coming back this week at Abu Dhabi.

"We just hope he gets better quickly and we see him back on the tour as soon as possible," Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said. "Tennis fans across the world have been missing him."

While he is expected to recover from the virus in time for the year's first Grand Slam tournament, Nadal and his team said he wouldn't have the proper preparation for a five-set event.

"My knee is much better and the rehabilitation process has gone well as predicted by the doctors," Nadal said in a statement. "But this virus didn't allow me to practice this past week and therefore I am sorry to announce that I will not play in Doha and the Australian Open."

"As my team and doctors say, the safest thing to do is to do things well and this virus has delayed my plans of playing these weeks," Nadal said. "I always said that my return to competition will be when I am in the right conditions to play and after all this time away from the courts I'd rather not accelerate the comeback and prefer to do things well."

Nadal's doctor, Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, said in the same statement that the player needed at least a week to recover from the virus. That ruled him out for the Qatar Open, which starts Jan. 2.

Nadal's coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, said going straight to a five-set tournament after being sidelined so long was "not appropriate."

"It is simply not conceivable that his first event is a best-of-five sets event," he said in a statement. "He wouldn't be ready for that."


Source AP
Photo AP Photo/David Vincent

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Nadal out of Abu Dhabi with illness

Nadal out of Abu Dhabi with illness

Rafael Nadal withdrew from Abu Dhabi tennis exhibition due to illness.

"Rafael Nadal has been forced to make a last minute withdrawal from the 2012 event due to a stomach virus," organizers said in a statement released on Tuesday.

"Nadal, who has competed in all four previous tournaments, was advised by doctors not to travel or compete due to the illness."

"I am very disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year in Abu Dhabi," Nadal said in Facebook.

"I was really excited about returning to play and I always have a wonderful experience at the event and this is the first time I will miss the tournament.

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Rafa Nadal confirms return to tennis in Abu Dhabi

Rafa Nadal confirms return to tennis in Abu Dhabi

Rafael Nadal will return to tennis at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi at the end of December after six months out with a knee injury.

Rafa has not played since Wimbledon because of a partial tear of the patella tendon and an inflammation in his left knee.

"Can't wait to get back on court in Abu Dhabi at the end of the month," He wrote on his Facebook page.

"I won the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in 2010 and 2011," he added. "Would love to get my hands on the trophy again this year!"

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Janko Tipsarevic, David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych will be there too.

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