Article

  • Nadal far from fatigued after his 2009 injury absences

    11/26/09 3:15 PM | Johan Lindahl
    Nadal far from fatigued after his 2009 injury absences Rafael Nadal's World Tour Finals chances may have been ended by a loss to Nikolay Davydenko in London, but the Spaniard will now turn his attention to one of his prime goals of the season, next week's Davis Cup final.

    The home date in Barcelona against the Czech Republic can be expected to attract crowds approaching the UK-record 17,500 who packed out matches at the ATP year-end classic which wraps up Sunday.

    Nadal, who missed his Wimbledon title defence last summer due to the knee injury which also contributed to his career-first French Open loss a few weeks earlier to Swede Robin Söderling, said that he's certainly not tired since for him it has not been a particularly long season.

    "I've had enough breaks this year - too many, in my opinion."

    The Davis Cup challenge is a huge matter of pride after the world No. 2 missed his nation's title a year ago over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

    "I'm ready to practice hard. I have motivation to play my best tennis. When you have this goal and you have this motivation, doesn't matter if you are tired or not.

    "So I'm ready to start practicing and to start playing in 2010. I'm going to to have a break after Rotterdam (mid-February). Later, after Wimbledon, I hope."

    During his enforced absence, which was also complicated by a groin strain, Nadal lost his No. 1 ranking as Roger Federer seized it back on the strength of a first-ever Roland Garros crown and his sixth Wimbledon trophy from seven years.

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Comments

why does he play that stupid tournament rotterdam.

attackingtennisrulez , 11/27/09 7:05 AM


ATR you and all the other "why does Rafa play Rotterdam questioners", should go and read up on what the rules are pertaining to compulsatory tournaments.

smr , 11/27/09 8:39 AM


compulsory ... its late.

smr , 11/27/09 9:23 AM


Yeah, it is really dam to play the tournament in Rotterdam! By the time he gets there he will be exhausted. Very intimidating, though, to read all the articles in the press these days (especially today) in which Rafa?s subject is thoroughly explored touching based on his fitness issues, his emotional and mental weaknesses, his inferiority to top 10 players...in some of his responses to those insulting speculations and questions by the press in which they tend to humiliate him by pointing out how he was not able to win a single set to top ten opponents, Rafa showed frustration:
?I don?t think I have to show anyone that I can win sets against the top eight players of the world,? he said. ?I?ll just work hard to change the situation. When I?m ready to win one set against the top 10 I?m going to be ready to win important tournaments.?
Gosh, it hurts so much to read those words, I am not used to that...Rafa spoiled us his fans with perfect tennis and success and it is so heartbreaking to get into analysis which discredit Rafa?s accomplishments so far... Rafa needs support and encouragement more than ever! I hope he knows how much we love him and how we believe in him! He just needs to stay healthy and enjoys playing tennis...the best is yet to come...

natashao , 11/27/09 10:29 AM



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