image: Zuma Press

After pointing out the fact that Federer skipped the Shanghai Masters due to fatigue, Roddick added:  “It’s ridiculous to think that you have a professional sport that doesn’t have a legitimate off-season to rest, get healthy, and then train.  I just feel sooner or later that common sense has to prevail.”

He continued: “I certainly don’t see any other sporting leagues or federations following our lead as far as not being individually represented. I don’t know that it’s up to the players to be making business decisions about the schedule. At a certain point, I wish our input would be.  It’s got to be someone’s job to figure that out, right?”

I can’t help but agree with them.  I am an avid hockey fan and there are times when I’m grateful that the players will have a few months to manage injuries, get surgeries that they’ve put off, spend time with family, rest and even give fans a break.  Hopefully, the ATP will look at Nadal and Roddick’s comments and reconsider the schedule.

Post from: EveryJoe

Nadal and Roddick Say Tennis Season Too Long

image: TSN

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic both advanced to the next round.  Nadal took on James Blake and walked away with a 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 victory on the hardcourts at Qi Zhong Tennis Center.  This was a virtual repeat of the pair’s meeting in Beijing last week.  Nadal will next face fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

Meanwhile, Djokovic easily beat Fabio Fognoni 6-3, 6-1.   Other winners from the day include:

• Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
• Robin Soderling
• Ivan Ljubicic
• Gilles Simon
• Gael Monfils

The winner of this event will take home $616,500.

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Del Potro Eliminated in Shanghai

image: Zuma Press

Federer doesn’t normally play in the event whereas Nadal prefers to represent his country when he can.  Spain won the title last year and beat Israel 4-1 last weekend during the semifinals but they did it without their star player who is currently battling an abdominal injury.

Meanwhile, the United States will face Serbia which means that a match-up between Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick is very possible.

“It’s certainly a huge match, and certainly Djokovic playing in his home country will be tough,” United States Tennis Association coach and former Davis Cup captain Tom Gullikson said. “But Roddick actually had some very good success against him this year and hopefully that’ll continue into the first round of Davis Cup next year.”

Here are the other first-round pairings:

• Belgium vs. Czech Republic
• Germany vs. France
• Argentina vs. Sweden
• Russia vs. India
• Ecuador vs. Croatia
• Chile vs Israel

The United States will have to travel to Serbia to compete and, while it’s true that it’s less fun to play away from home, the Americans have won a record 32 Davis Cup titless.

The Americans have used Roddick and 24th-ranked James Blake as their two singles players for several years, but 25th-ranked Sam Querrey is now another option for captain Patrick McEnroe.

“He’s a rising young American star and he would certainly be competing for the No. 2 spot,” Gullikson said. “Blake didn’t have the best year this year, up to his standards, but I think we’ll still be a very formidable team.”

I’m really looking forward to the Davis Cup.  Even though Federer often opts out of the event, I think it’s possible that he will want to compete if it means going head-to-head with Nadal.

Post from: EveryJoe

Spain vs. Switzerland at 2010 Davis Cup

image: TSN

Nadal had planned on arriving early and taking a vacation on the Thai island of Krabi but has had to scrap his plans.  He was injured during his semifinal match against eventual U.S. Open winner, Juan Martin del Potro.

He also sat out from the Davis Cup in his native Spain over the weekend and earlier this year skipped defending his title at Wimbledon because of sore knees.

The Thailand Open opens on September 26, 2009 and runs through October 4, 2009.

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Rafael Nadal Reveals New Injury

image: TSN

I would have COMPLETELY freaked out but Nadal acted like a true gentleman after he realized what was going on.  He not only smiled at the man who was blowing kisses and making “you’re #1” signs with his hands, but he tried to stop security by saying “it’s okay” when they practically tackled the fan.

After the incident, Nadal said: “For me, it wasn’t a problem. The guy was really nice. He said, ‘I love you,’ and he kissed me.”

image: Zuma Press

The fan has been identified as 23-year-old Noam Aorta of New York City.  He has been charged with trespassing and faces one year in prison and a $5,000 for rushing the court.

Need more of a visual.  The incident is around the 1 minute mark in this recap of the match:

Post from: EveryJoe

Rafael Nadal Gets Kissed By Fan

image: Zuma Press

While Isner celebrated upsetting Roddick, his ride came to an end when he was beaten by Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.  This is big news because this is the first time in U.S. Open history that an American man failed to make the quarterfinals. Verdasco will next battle against Novak Djokovic.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal continued to make progress after celebrating a 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Nicolas Almagro.  The match took two hours and 39 minutes to be decided and even Nadal had to concede that it wasn’t his easiest win.  “I didn’t serve very well,” Nadal said. “So he had more chances to attack me on the return. But, anyway, he was playing very hard, very aggressive. [It] was difficult for me to have the control of the point.”  Nadal’s next opponent will be Gael Monfils.

Andy Murray also advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Taylor Dent 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and a half.  “He doesn’t miss. He really doesn’t miss,” Dent said of Murray. “I don’t think that I served, you know, great tonight, but I don’t think I served poorly either. I think I served, you know, probably below average for me, but he made it look and feel like I served…underhanded out there at times.”

Murray played against Federer in the U.S. Open final last year but ultimately lost to the Swedish five-time tournament champion.

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Federer, Nadal Advance at U.S. Open

Nike also unveiled the looks Federer, Nadal and Williams will be sporting at the 2009 U.S. Open which begins next Monday, August 31, 2009.  I always love the vibrant colors that Nadal wears, especially since he’s always got on that headband.   Click on the images to get a closer look.

images used with permission

Post from: EveryJoe

Federer, Williams, & Nadal Play Fans in NYC

image: TSN

Not only was it sad to see a player bow out in pain, it was a letdown for the crowd who were waiting to see how Nadal’s return would end.  The spectators all groaned when the ump announced the end of the match with Nadal leading 4-3 in the set.

“It’s always a pleasure to come back,” said Nadal.  It’s only been (two) months and a half, it’s not three years outside of tennis. I’m happy to come back and play in Canada again, but the feeling is normal, like always. But when you have some time off competition, when you come back, it’s a little more exciting.  I never expected this from David.  I’m sorry for him.”

I wouldn’t want to win that way but I’m assuming Nadal is taking whatever he can get since he added: “For me, it was nice to have a victory like this. I’m here to improve every day, to enjoy very game, every point. Sure, it was a bit strange. The first movements are tough and it’s hard to move well and to feel confident when you touch the ball. But that’s normal. I must be happy because I didn’t play terrible. Next round, I have another chance to continue to improve.”

Nadal will face Philipp Petzschner of Germany in the third round later today.

Post from: EveryJoe

Nadal Match Ends Early Over Sore Knee

image: Newscom

I hate when people get all jittery during a player’s first day back at a major event following an injury – it puts too much pressure on them.  Rafa could have been jet-lagged and his regular coach (and uncle), Toni Nadal, is not with him.

Apparently, he seemed a little agitated but his knees weren’t taped which, I guess, doesn’t mean too much since he reportedly stayed stationary for the majority of the practice.  Either way, I think it’s great to see him back on the court for the first time since the French Open when many were shocked to see him ousted by Robin Soderling.

Meanwhile, tournament officials are practically drooling over the fact that Roger Federer will be playing in the Roger’s Cup.  With Nadal winning this thing last year and being hampered by his achy knees, Federer might because to put some more distance between him and his biggest rival.

Needless to say, it’s going to be a very interesting tournament, no matter what happens.

Post from: EveryJoe

Nadal Looks Rusty, Federer Arrives in Montreal

I’m happy that he’s been trying to take it slow and is giving his body time to heal.  Nothing is worse than rushing a comeback and then getting reinjured and having to be sidelined for even longer.

It was really disappointing when he had to pull out of Wimbledon last month (a decision that caused his ranking to slide to the No. 2 spot) since we didn’t get to see a rematch between him and Roger Federer, who went on to win the championship after a very close match with Andy Roddick.

image: TSN

Post from: EveryJoe

Rafael Nadal Will Play in Montreal