Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will meet for the eighth time in a Grand Slam final when they contest the Roland Garros championship match on Sunday in Paris. Nadal has won five of those matches and leads their overall FedEx ATP Head2Head 16-8.

“I am happy to play against [Federer], because it is always an honour to play against the best player in history. Playing against him always represents something very special,” declared Nadal in his pre-final press conference on Saturday. “I know I have to play at my highest level to have chances to win, because he is playing fantastic. After the victory of yesterday he must feel very confident.”
“It always seems to me that Rafa needs to be in a French Open final to make it special, and I got the match I guess I was hoping for,” said Federer after his extraordinary semi-final win over Novak Djokovic on Friday evening. “After beating Novak, it's in a way a gift that I get the chance, and I'm looking forward to it.”

It will be the pair’s first meeting in a major final since the 2009 Australian Open, when Nadal prevailed in five sets. They will clash in the Roland Garros title match for the fourth time after Nadal defeated Federer in three successive finals from 2006-2008. In 2008 Federer was handed his worst ever defeat, in terms of games won, as Nadal triumphed 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 in the most one-sided Roland Garros final since 1977.
“I'm happy I never got sort of a letdown just because he has beaten me here and just that I never stopped believing,” said Federer. “That's why I got the Roland Garros [title] in 2009, which remains one of my most special wins, really, in my career. And I have another opportunity to beat Rafa here and get the French Open title. I've got to play some extraordinarily special tennis.  I'm aware of that.”
The 29-year-old Federer is chasing his 17th Grand Slam championship and his first since the 2010 Australian Open (d. Murray).

At the age of 25, Nadal is bidding to equal Bjorn Borg’s record and become just the second man in history to win six titles on the Parisian clay. The Spaniard has a staggering 44-1 record at Roland Garros, winning titles from 2005-2008 and again in 2010; his lone loss came at the hands of Robin Soderling in the 2009 fourth round.


“All I know is that I need to play my tennis; to play very well, to strike perfect shots each time, so that I can have all possible opportunities to win and make him realise that it's not going to be easy to play against me.”
Despite Federer’s victory over Djokovic in the semi-finals, Nadal’s position atop the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings remains on the line in Sunday’s final. Nadal will retain the No. 1 spot if he wins, but will be usurped by Djokovic should Federer triumph.


Nadal vs. Federer: The Rivalry

Sunday against Roger Federer, starting at 3 PM CEST, 2 PM BST, 9 AM EDT on Court Philippe Chatrier.

SOURCE:Atp


Video:
IB3 program pre final
Practice via ib3

 Rafa won today defeating Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4, a very easy straight sets win.


I started out this morning feeling very calm & poised for the win today. I visualized Red Dirt all over Rafa & how he must of felt knowing that he was once again creating, rewriting, & dominating. Did I think it would be that easy? No, I did think Rafa would win in straight sets or possibly lose at least one due to the crowd or Sod's big serve or at least Rafa getting a little tight .. But Rafa came out poised, calm & ready for anything..

How can anyone think that Rafa would lose to Soderling in a final, on the red clay? I don't think Soderling even had a chance. Rafa was prepared & he played an excellent match. Vamos Rafa!


some pics ..







many more at daylife

BELIEVE!!! He believed in himself and we in him. We walked along side him through the adversity that was 2009...and now he has come full circle! He has regained his Roland Garros crown, he has regained his #1 ATP ranking, he has regained his confidence, and he is now ready to look forward to Wimbledon and in his words...the US Open. Rafael didn't lose a set in the French...determination was his guide and will continue to be. I think I can speak for all of us "Rafaholics" that we are so proud of the tennis player for his accomplishments today and previous...but are even more proud of THE MAN. You worked extremely hard, driven, and it paid off...Congratulations Our Champion!!! Enjoy this moment...because WE ARE!!!

Here are some vids for you...more to come as they become available...


Trophy Speeches

Courtesy of: LMMSLIVE0

Highlights

Courtesy of: streetguy1234

YouTube is blocking embedding (copyright) on alot of these videos...so here are some links...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_CKEoerazQ

(Dont hate on Brad's Fro.. he looks adorable)

 French Open Men's Final Preview


Brad Gilbert gives h is professional opinion & says "RAFA" in 4.



also some quick stats to show leading into the French on previous years how Rafa faired..

Games lost before the FO final for Rafa:

2005: 61 games

2006: 69 games

2007: 51 games

2008: 37 games

2010: 61 games


Rafa lost as many games before the final as in 2005.

ATP Teaser/Preview of upcoming Barclays Year End Finals

Courtesy of: ATPWorldTour

Rafael Nadal defeated today the reigning champion at the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open in straight sets. 6-4 7-6. Three consecutive Masters 1000 trophies, he now has 18 btw & he's only 23..Only Nadal has achieved this. With the clay season brings all this, and he also gained his number 2 ranking back as well..  I think more than that though Rafa has proved how important the values of putting in the effort and hard work to improve as an athlete.

Roger has yet to find a solution I mean the guy tried today how many drop shots did he play? What about his shortening of points trying to get to net? I'm really not into recording stats & to be honest I just care about the W, like most fans, I just enjoy watching Roger grovel at Rafa's clay dusted feet...

This win; I think it's sends a clear message to Roger & to all of the other players, Rafa is back, claiming what is rightfully his, making records, breaking records, rewriting history.. This year we don't have a Rafa trying to push his body to the limits, we have a Rafa that's being careful with his scheduling, a Rafa with no real injury, a healthy mind & body.. Something to be feared nonetheless, 7 more days until Roland Garros, I have a feeling this will be one for the ages..I'm so honored to have the privilege, of being able to experience these times.. with clearly 2 of the best players to ever play the game..& definitely the King Of Clay..





alot more images here