The Miami Draw is Out!
Seeded players in Rafa's quarter are: Juan Ignacio Chela, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Nicolas Almagro, Albert Montanes, Ernests Gulbis and Tomas Berdych.
Seeded players in his half are: Roger Federer, Juan Monaco, Marcos Baghdatis, Mikhail Youzhny, Jurgen Melzer, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon, and Andy Roddick.
should be great just hope Rafa isnt too tired with all these exhibitions...
vamos RAFA!
According to Jon Wertheim's mailbag, Rafa Nadal & other players will combine efforts once again to raise funds to help the needy in Latin America in Miami the day after the Colombian exhibition!!
In an effort to eliminate extreme poverty in Latin America, Un Techo Para Mi País (UTPMP) will host "Break Point: Let's win the match against poverty", an event that will help raise funds to help needy families throughout Latin America. The event will feature world renowned tennis stars who will gather in Miami during the Sony Ericsson Open. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Feliciano López, Fernando Verdasco, David Nalbandian and Juan Martin Del Potro are among the players who will participate. It will be held at the Novecento Brickell on March 22 at 8:30 p.m.
What do you all think?
Rafa leads the field of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami from March 21st to April 3rd. He reached the semi-finals last year before falling to eventual champion Andy Roddick.
The 2011 Sony Ericsson Open men’s and women’s player fields were announced today and the tournament will host a field worthy of a Grand Slam event with each of the top 77 ranked men’s players and 74 of the top 75 ranked women’s players in the world attending.
Once again the world’s best players including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki will come together at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park, March 21-April 3 to compete for one of the most prestigious titles in tennis.
Tickets to the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open are on sale now and can be purchased by phone (305-442-3367) or via internet atwww.sonyericssonopen.com. An electrifying two weeks of tennis conclude with the women’s final on Saturday, April 2 and the men’s final on Sunday, April 3.
The qualifying rounds will be played March 21-22 and will determine 12 more slots in each singles draw, while the tournament will award five men’s wildcards and eight women’s wildcards. Women’s main draw play will begin Tuesday, March 22 with the men’s main draw starting on Wednesday, March 23.
Clijsters, the defending Sony Ericsson Open women’s champion, and Djokovic, the Sony Ericsson Open men’s champion in 2007, are coming off victories at the Australian Open and will certainly be considered two of the favorites to win in Miami this year.
But the contenders to claim the Sony Ericsson Open’s Butch Buchholz trophy in 2011 are numerous indeed.
Rafael Nadal, a two-time Sony Ericsson Open finalist, will look build upon his incredible 2010 season which saw the Spanish star claim three Grand Slam titles and reclaim the World No. 1 ranking. Roger Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, will return to Miami looking to claim his third Sony Ericsson Open title and his first since 2006. Andy Murray, the 2009 Sony Ericsson Open champion, is already playing in mid-season form having reached the Australian Open final and you can’t overlook defending Sony Ericsson Open champion Andy Roddick who always seems to play his best tennis on the purple courts at Crandon Park.
ATP World Tour Acceptance List
1 Nadal, Rafael ESP
2 Federer, Roger SUI
3 Djokovic, Novak SRB
4 Soderling, Robin SWE
5 Murray, Andy GBR
6 Ferrer, David ESP
7 Berdych, Tomas CZE
8 Roddick, Andy USA
9 Verdasco, Fernando ESP
10 Youzhny, Mikhail RUS
11 Melzer, Jurgen AUT
12 Monfils, Gael FRA
13 Almagro, Nicolas ESP
14 Wawrinka, Stanislas SUI
15 Ljubicic, Ivan CRO
16 Fish, Mardy USA
17 Querrey, Sam USA
18 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried FRA
19 Nalbandian, David ARG
20 Baghdatis, Marcos CYP
21 Gulbis, Ernests LAT
22 Llodra, Michael FRA
23 Isner, John USA
24 Troicki, Viktor SRB
25 Montanes, Albert ESP
26 Garcia-Lopez, Guillermo ESP
27 Ferrero, Juan Carlos ESP
28 Cilic, Marin CRO
29 Monaco, Juan ARG
30 Gasquet, Richard FRA
31 Robredo, Tommy ESP
32 Dolgopolov, Alexandr UKR
33 Simon, Gilles FRA
34 Davydenko, Nikolay RUS
35 Mayer, Florian GER
36 Kohlschreiber, Philipp GER
37 Bellucci, Thomaz BRA
38 Lu, Yen-Hsun TPE
39 Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG
40 Anderson, Kevin RSA
41 Golubev, Andrey KAZ
42 Stakhovsky, Sergiy UKR
43 Nieminen, Jarkko FIN
44 Lopez, Feliciano ESP
45 Malisse, Xavier BEL
46 Starace, Potito ITA
47 Giraldo, Santiago COL
48 Chardy, Jeremy FRA
49 Istomin, Denis UZB
50 de Bakker, Thiemo NED
51 Seppi, Andreas ITA
52 Tipsarevic, Janko SRB
53 Granollers, Marcel ESP
54 Fognini, Fabio ITA
55 Haase, Robin NED
56 Hanescu, Victor ROU
57 Becker, Benjamin GER
58 Gimeno-Traver, Daniel ESP
59 Benneteau, Julien FRA
60 Dodig, Ivan CRO
61 Mannarino, Adrian FRA
62 Kukushkin, Mikhail KAZ
63 Cuevas, Pablo URU
64 Petzschner, Philipp GER
65 Stepanek, Radek CZE
66 Berlocq, Carlos ARG
67 Berrer, Michael GER
68 Kamke, Tobias GER
69 Andujar, Pablo ESP
70 Hewitt, Lleyton AUS
71 Riba, Pere ESP
72 Nishikori, Kei JPN
73 Andreev, Igor RUS
74 Berankis, Richard LTU
75 Serra, Florent FRA
76 Gabashvili, Teymuraz RUS
77 Brands, Daniel GER
1 Nadal, Rafael ESP
2 Federer, Roger SUI
3 Djokovic, Novak SRB
4 Soderling, Robin SWE
5 Murray, Andy GBR
6 Ferrer, David ESP
7 Berdych, Tomas CZE
8 Roddick, Andy USA
9 Verdasco, Fernando ESP
10 Youzhny, Mikhail RUS
11 Melzer, Jurgen AUT
12 Monfils, Gael FRA
13 Almagro, Nicolas ESP
14 Wawrinka, Stanislas SUI
15 Ljubicic, Ivan CRO
16 Fish, Mardy USA
17 Querrey, Sam USA
18 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried FRA
19 Nalbandian, David ARG
20 Baghdatis, Marcos CYP
21 Gulbis, Ernests LAT
22 Llodra, Michael FRA
23 Isner, John USA
24 Troicki, Viktor SRB
25 Montanes, Albert ESP
26 Garcia-Lopez, Guillermo ESP
27 Ferrero, Juan Carlos ESP
28 Cilic, Marin CRO
29 Monaco, Juan ARG
30 Gasquet, Richard FRA
31 Robredo, Tommy ESP
32 Dolgopolov, Alexandr UKR
33 Simon, Gilles FRA
34 Davydenko, Nikolay RUS
35 Mayer, Florian GER
36 Kohlschreiber, Philipp GER
37 Bellucci, Thomaz BRA
38 Lu, Yen-Hsun TPE
39 Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG
40 Anderson, Kevin RSA
41 Golubev, Andrey KAZ
42 Stakhovsky, Sergiy UKR
43 Nieminen, Jarkko FIN
44 Lopez, Feliciano ESP
45 Malisse, Xavier BEL
46 Starace, Potito ITA
47 Giraldo, Santiago COL
48 Chardy, Jeremy FRA
49 Istomin, Denis UZB
50 de Bakker, Thiemo NED
51 Seppi, Andreas ITA
52 Tipsarevic, Janko SRB
53 Granollers, Marcel ESP
54 Fognini, Fabio ITA
55 Haase, Robin NED
56 Hanescu, Victor ROU
57 Becker, Benjamin GER
58 Gimeno-Traver, Daniel ESP
59 Benneteau, Julien FRA
60 Dodig, Ivan CRO
61 Mannarino, Adrian FRA
62 Kukushkin, Mikhail KAZ
63 Cuevas, Pablo URU
64 Petzschner, Philipp GER
65 Stepanek, Radek CZE
66 Berlocq, Carlos ARG
67 Berrer, Michael GER
68 Kamke, Tobias GER
69 Andujar, Pablo ESP
70 Hewitt, Lleyton AUS
71 Riba, Pere ESP
72 Nishikori, Kei JPN
73 Andreev, Igor RUS
74 Berankis, Richard LTU
75 Serra, Florent FRA
76 Gabashvili, Teymuraz RUS
77 Brands, Daniel GER
thenotsoplainjane
Mallorcan news report on youtube is claiming [translated] "The Alarms Sound: Now it's Rafa Nadal's left knee"
The poster of the news clip, vamosrafaelnadal, added a notation (seen in screenshot above) that says that Rafa was saying [translated] "..I can't! ..the knee! ..the knee!"
I clearly hear Rafa saying No puedo la rodilla la rodilla & that is the translation...I can't! ..the knee! ..the knee!"
I do not need anyone to reassure me.. that is the translation.. Just very horrible to see Rafa like this frustrated to the point of hitting himself..
(Thanks Steven for bringing this to my attention)
 |
| Transcript after the Jump |
April 2, 2010
A. RODDICK/R. Nadal
4 6, 6 3, 6 3
An interview with:
RAFAEL NADAL
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. What do you think made the difference out there in today's match?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think I started the match playing pretty well in the beginning. Later I had the match, well, under control in the first set with my serve.
Later in the second set Andy was serving well. No, I didn't have a lot of chances on the return. He play very aggressive game and started to play more aggressive in the game where he did me the break. It was a change, and it was surprise foe me.
After that, in the third, you know, he put more pressure on my serve, attacking more. He was serving very regular, pretty well the third, second. Just congratulate him. He's playing really well. Yeah.
Q. Did you expect him to play serve and volley so much on his second serve?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, he can do it well, no? Well, yeah, I didn't return very well today, but he did well. He played well.
Q. Now when you look back, what would you do? Would you do something different?
RAFAEL NADAL: You can always do. You can always do different things, no? But you never know. It's very early to say what I had to do it.
Yes, just keep working like this, keep improving. You know, two semifinals in a row, first two Masters 1000 of the season for me is positive. Positive American hardcourt season, first part. So, yeah, happy for that.
I am playing well. I had very good matches in these two tournaments. That's the positive things. Worst thing I lost two semifinals in three sets. That's it.
Just if you are there, you gonna have your day. You're gonna win one day. I am happy how I am doing.
Q. Did you feel the match turned a little bit in the second set when he got the break after the defensive lob and then offensive lob? Did you feel the momentum switch there?
RAFAEL NADAL: You know, the match change. He attacked he has put more pression with his forehand on my serve.
I wasn't ready to play better in that moment, and that's makes the difference.
Q. Did you feel your forehand was a little bit off as the match went on?
RAFAEL NADAL: I was playing well with the forehand. I had few mistakes in the last games, but, you know, when you are break down in the third and against Roddick, you feel pressure. That's it, no?
No, I am feeling great.
Q. Are you happy to be getting back on the clay?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. I am feeling really well playing in all the surfaces, and I hope the clay help me a little bit more.
But, I don't I am happy for everything. I started the season well. I am playing well. You know, clay gonna have probably if I am playing well more chances.
Q. Yeah, but you've talked about how the clay is better for your body I meant more.
RAFAEL NADAL: That's much better, sure.
Q. Is it harder or easier to go and play against a guy who you know is always gonna put you under pressure and is a very good competitor? Does that make you mentally sharper, or is there a fear factor?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, when you play against the best was world players like Andy. Anything can happen. I won against him few times. In Indian Wells, two semifinals. No, I was ready to win, no?
Yeah, I know him. He's a very good player, very good competitor. If you go down a little bit like I did today in the second and in the third, he beat me, no?
So just congratulate him and wish him the best of the luck for the final.
Q. Did he play any differently than the matches before? Did you notice anything different, or was he the same Andy?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I didn't feel.
Q. Do you feel like you're getting closer and closer to winning a tournament again?
RAFAEL NADAL: 7 6 in the third last week in semifinals; 6 4 in the third right now this week, or 6 3. Doha I have the chance. Too match points. I am there.
Q. Have you been working on anything specifically during this hardcourt season that you want to improve in your game?
RAFAEL NADAL: I try to play more aggressive with my forehand, going to the net more times, and trying to play with rhythm all the time. Trying to go more inside than usual, and I did well.
I had a lot of very good matches. Today wasn't the best, and last week's semifinals was the worst. But for the rest, I can feel this is very positive.
Q. Is Andy one of the better thinkers that you play against, Rafa? Obviously you dominated the first set with the forehand. He seemed to be more aggressive with his forehand and return of serve. Is he a good thinker out there?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, yeah, sure. But at the same time he was more aggressive in the second set because I played a little bit shorter and I serve a little bit worse.
Always is like this. I think if I played more aggressive he didn't have his chance to go, to play like he did in the second set, more aggressive in that moments, no?
Q. You're very well known for your fighting ability. People admire and love that about you. Then you have this break and some issues and problems. Are you completely back in terms of how your spirit feels going out to play the matches, the hunger to win matches? Are you completely back now?
RAFAEL NADAL: Completely sure. I'm very happy how I am doing. You know, today was a lose, but my motivation is full.
I worked a lot to be where I am, and I am feeling I told you before the tournament, and I will tell you another time right now I am ready to do everything, no? I think I am ready to play my best, and I did for moments.
That's the way. Just gonna try my best in Monte Carlo now.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
some pics for now..
images via daylife
vamos rafa!
Also Two caps of Rafa with Senior Sebastien watching the Verdasco Berdych match..
R. NADAL/J. TSONGA
6 3, 6 2
Q. Look ahead to Andy. You guys played quite a few times?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, you know, when you play against Andy always is a big challenge. His serve, and he's a very good competitor. He's a winner. Gonna be very tough match, no? I think I have to play my best tennis to try to win.
That's what I gonna try, and I think being in semifinals another time is very good new for me. Sure, right now remains a little bit more, and gonna try my best to win this title?
Q. Ian Tiriac said this week that he doesn't understand why you don't play Madrid. The tournament will continue to be a great tournament without you. What's your opinion?
RAFAEL NADAL: Ian Tiriac probably doesn't know if I play Madrid, or not because it's in my schedule, so...
Q. When you take a decision if you played Madrid or not?
RAFAEL NADAL: I play Madrid. I told you before. I said Madrid is in my schedule. Probably or Ian Tiriac don't know about my schedule, or you understand bad from him.
Q. Does playing Andy seem more like a final than a semifinal?
RAFAEL NADAL: A final? Looks like semifinal. Semifinal. You know, we're in semifinals here.
Every match is difficult. No one anticipate final in this tournament. It's very difficult tournament; and the matches are difficult.
You know, the other side of the draw is still very hard, too. It's a semifinal. It's a very difficult semifinal. I think it's a good semifinal against two of the best players of the world.
Post Match ATP Interview with Rafa found HERE
6 3, 6 2
Q. Were you checking the soccer about Barcelona?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I saw the match. I saw the match, yeah.
Q. How did to feel out there tonight?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's amazing going on court with this atmosphere. Full court. Crowd was always very emotional here.It's very, very I'm very happy to play at this level tonight against very difficult opponent like Jo.It's very important victory for me. I'm very happy for that.
Q. Look ahead to Andy. You guys played quite a few times?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, you know, when you play against Andy always is a big challenge. His serve, and he's a very good competitor. He's a winner. Gonna be very tough match, no? I think I have to play my best tennis to try to win.
That's what I gonna try, and I think being in semifinals another time is very good new for me. Sure, right now remains a little bit more, and gonna try my best to win this title?
Q. Ian Tiriac said this week that he doesn't understand why you don't play Madrid. The tournament will continue to be a great tournament without you. What's your opinion?
RAFAEL NADAL: Ian Tiriac probably doesn't know if I play Madrid, or not because it's in my schedule, so...
Q. When you take a decision if you played Madrid or not?
RAFAEL NADAL: I play Madrid. I told you before. I said Madrid is in my schedule. Probably or Ian Tiriac don't know about my schedule, or you understand bad from him.
Q. Does playing Andy seem more like a final than a semifinal?
RAFAEL NADAL: A final? Looks like semifinal. Semifinal. You know, we're in semifinals here.
Every match is difficult. No one anticipate final in this tournament. It's very difficult tournament; and the matches are difficult.
You know, the other side of the draw is still very hard, too. It's a semifinal. It's a very difficult semifinal. I think it's a good semifinal against two of the best players of the world.
Post Match ATP Interview with Rafa found HERE
That Tsonga from 2008 is so long ago...Rafa will never get bullied like that by him again & he proves it ever since...Tsonga hasn't answered the Rafa riddle.. Rafa remains having the upper hand! He dismisses Tsonga in straight set 6-3 6-2, where Andy Roddick is awaiting him in the semi-finals .. Bring it Andy cause your gonna need to!
Ok in about 30 minutes will be my Birthday so.. Thanks Rafa for winning on my BDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me!
click 4 pics
Translation of the Spanish On Court Interview after the Ferrer match after the Jump.. Courtesy of Ines from the Official Fourm!
Xavi Diaz: Congratulations champ, because you've played even much better
Rafa: Well, I think I have .. I started a little stand, no?, I've felt a bit of lack of strength and the first set for moments, I think he deserved more than me the set, but well, I think I've known to hold out there, I've lost the 2-1 game, when I've made the break, he broke me back immediately, and that it was a blow, but well, the second set I think from 3-0 to 3-3 , the first three games had been pretty good to me, I've played 3 disastrous games, then the positive is that I have accepted it and I kept fighting to the end and at last i've got the victory that is the most important and for me one very important thing is that I've ended up with a return winner, who always cost me and today I've tried it and I've got it
Xavi Diaz, Do you keep perhaps, with the tiebreak and the second game of the second set that has been a festival?
Rafa: Well, above all the tiebreak, a very important moment of the match, it could have fallen anywhere, I think, we. have both been good in the tiebreaker and finally the last ball of David was gone by millimeters and this has given me a breath
Alberto Berasategui(a former pro player): Rafa, congratulations, I guess that you are happy, the las two matches very tough the first against David Nalbandian, an awkward match, a player who makes you give yourself the best, today, against David Ferrer, a friend of yours, a gladiator's match, very impressive the level that both have given , how you've run and fight, I guess is a match, that despite the joy, it gives you a big confidence for the next rounds, right?
Rafa; Well, the last two matches have been complicated, ehh, Nalbandian, always, ehh, pff, is a very difficult opponent for me and David of course too, David Ferrer I mean, well, I think at times today he has been good, for other hand it has been more errors than of usual ... and for me, every match gives me confidence, I'm, I think, in a very good line since I started the year, apart of the problem I had in Australia and the terrible match I did in the semifinals last week, everything else I think is pretty good and the fact of being again in the quarterfinals here in a fast court tournament where the best in the world are , it is a very good news and happy about it and now to keep fighting and try to be back in semifinals
Xavi Diaz: Rafa thank you very much, you still have Tsonga, have luck and hopefully we can interview you tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, especially Sunday, thanks and good luck Rafa
Rafa: Many thanks, I need it (smiling)....
Non RAFA NEWS: well not directly..The almighty Federer FAILS once again..Tomas Berdych def. Federer 6-4 6-7 7-6 ..
adios Federer..sorry just couldnt resist. just look at those unf. errors..
