Archive for the ‘Tennis News’ Category
The Rafa Roadtrain Rolls On…
Another week, another victory for the maestro from Madrid – Rafael Nadal. I use the word maestro very loosely there, for with Nadal it tends more towards massacre over music, brut strength over sweet strategy.
But it does the job more effectively than any player since, well, Roger Federer just a couple of years ago when he was at his unstoppable best.
Nadal seems to be on such a winning streak at the moment that it must feel to the opposition that his knees need to buckle (literally) for them to be in with a chance of stealing a victory from under his nose.
This week it was the Rome Masters, a tournament Nadal had won on three previous occasions. Novak Djokovic was the defending champion, and he managed to live up to that billing by progressing through to meet the Spaniard in the final.
And his strong showing in the first set gave hope that he could be the man to break the Nadal streak.
The Serbian stayed in touch throughout the first set and took Nadal to a tie-break, which he then lost 7-2. From there it was a case of attempting to rein in a runaway train. Nadal stamped his authority and walked away with the second set 6-2, to claim his third clay court title in three weeks.
Nadal Looks Unbeatable For The French Open
The French Open kicks off on the 25th of May, and the rest of the field on the men’s side of the draw must be looking to the gods for answers to the question of how to break the Nadal stranglehold on the event.
He is more »
Australia Withdraws From Davis Cup
Australia is facing sanctions over its decision to withdraw from next months Davis Cup tie against India, due to be held in the city of Chennai from May 8-10.
Australian tennis officials in response to player unease had requested that the tie be moved from Chennai to a neutral venue, and when this request was denied they withdrew from the competition citing fears for player safety, especially with the elections to be run at that time.
Aussie Decision In Defiance Of ITF Ruling
The International Tennis Federation had undertaken its own assessment of the situation and had deemed the event to meet its safety guidelines, making the decision of Tennis Australia a direct challenge to that assessment.
As a result there is a chance that Australia may face a one year ban from the tournament, as well as a fine of up to $100,000.
Subcontinental Safety Fears Not New
The safety of sportsmen on the subcontinent has been a major talking point over the past few months, with the general opinion being that the situation is too volatile at present for anyone to adequately make guarantees about the safety of teams and individuals.
The terror attacks in Mumbai in November rasied the issues loud and clear, but it was the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore last month that really hammered home the realities of the situation in that region.
Granted Lahore is in Pakistan not India, and the poilitical instability in that country far more »
Nadal Loses On Clay…Just Kidding!
The 2009 clay court season has begun and Rafael Nadal has claimed yet another title at Monte Carlo – his fifth straight success at this particular event. He will be hoping this is an omen as he attempts to match his run of success here with his fifth straight title at Roland Garos a little later in the year.
Opposition players will be cluthing at straws but there was a glimmer of hope as Novak Djokoivic took the second set with ease – the first Nadal has lost at Monte Carlo since 2006.
Definitely clutching at straws.
Although Djokovic did manage to take the second set relatively easy, it seemed to be a minor blemish on an otherwise comfortable victory, with the Spaniard taking the title 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.
Nadal Demands More From Himself In The Weeks Ahead
Whilst Nadal did manage to claim victory on Sunday, he was his usual competitive self, demanding more and categorically stating there are facets of his game he will be working on before his defense of The French Open gets under way in a months time.
Nadal was particularly disappointed in his serve throughout the Monte Carlo Masters.
“This tournament I didn’t serve very well.” Nadal said “Especially the second serve was sometimes 120 kph (74 mph). So that’s (a) disaster. Yeah, I have to play more. Have to serve better.”
On a brighter note for the Spaniard he has now drawn level with Roger Federer as the winner of 14 Masters tournament titles. With the Barcelona and Rome Masters to be playe more »
Monte Carlo Masters and the Family Circle Cup
Just a roundup of who-is-winning-what and who-has-crashed-out-against-whom this week. Currently running is the Monte Carlo Masters for the men, and the Family Circle Cup in Charleston for the women. Two tournaments which both hold their place in tennis circles as interesting places to play.
Once again Monte Carlo has come up trumps to demonstrate that it’s the cream of men’s tennis. The photos that are coming from the tournament are certainly helping. Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Federer, Lopez and Verdasco pose with Prince Albert II at the launch party in their most stylish party gear; the clay courts sitting in an imposing fashion in front of the infinitively blue sea; photos of Andy Murray with what looks to be his first ever sun tan.
Rafael Nadal is in his element, now that the clay is back under those personalised trainers. He’s cruised past his opponents so far, his last being second-round opponent Juan Ignacio Chela who he brushed aside 6-2, 6-3. He’s currently leading Lapentti in his third round match after rain halted the match yesterday.
Sweden Punished by ITF
Malmo city and the Swedish tennis federation has felt the wrath of the ITF, with both being punished for the decision to have Davis Cup first round tie against Israel played behind closed doors. Sweden faced Israel on the 6-8th March, and the matches were feared to spark violence over Israel’s behaviour in Gaza, so there were no spectators at the stadium in Malmo.
The International Tennis Federation had a committee to look into the decision and it didn’t take long for them to make their own; they came down swift and hard. Their biggest problem was the fact that no-one was allowed to see the two nations compete. And therein lies a certain, albeit obvious problem. If there aren’t spectators, particularly in a tournament such as the Davis Cup, then what on earth is the point?
Still, the ITF have really done their all to punish the decision. For their troubles, the city of Malmo has been banned for five years from hosting the Davis Cup. And the Swedish Tennis Federation has been given a fine of $25000 and then an additional £15000 which would have been collected during the matches in the form of gate receipts. Sweden requested that th more »
