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Sports Odyssey

For Nadal, its all about keeping calm and collective

July 8th 2008 23:33

It's time to relax - Nadal is eager for rest

Rafael Nadal is, without doubt, the sports icon of the week.

His astonishing triumph against Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final made him a hit.

Beating the world no.1 in a tournament that kept him on top for five consecutive years was an achievement worthy of attention to detail.

The Spaniard however knows he must maintain the humility and tranquility to obtain his primary goal: claim the world no.1 ranking on the ATP charts, in doing so ending Federer's four year reign on top.

Now is the time for rest and Nadal is eager to reload his cannons and aim high for the second fase of the year.

"I don't believe my life will change because of the title i recieved in Wimbledon" Nadal said.

"I've realised that winning the tournament has given me extra confidence because i have achieved what i realistically dreamed to do for a long time".

In an interview with Spanish tabloid 'El Pais', the world no.2 made his objectives clear for the remainder of 2008. A year which has seen the Mallorcan win two Grand Slam titles.

"I have to maintain both the tranquility and humility in all moments. My next objective is to be world no.1" he confesses.

"The Masters of Toronto and Cincinnati are approaching, so are the Olympics and the US Open."

"The Olympic Games are special but my aim now is to maintain my form, rest for a few days and then train hard".

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Posted By: Alan - Category: Tennis

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Nadal closer to Federer than ever

July 8th 2008 01:33

Nadal is closing in on Federer's dominance

Flamboyant king of Wimbledon Rafael Nadal has closed the gap between him and Roger Federer in the fight to claim the world no.1 ranking.

The Spaniard is 545 points behind Federer, who has been at the summit of the ATP rankings for four years.

Nadal, who will not participate in Stuggart this week, also amplified the difference between him and world no.3 Novak Djokovic - eliminated from Wimbledon in the second round.

The 22 year old Mallorcan reached 6000 points for the first time in his illustrious career, which has yielded four French Open titles and a maiden Wimbledon crown.

Nadal's Wimbledon triumph gave the Spaniard 300 points and is now closer to claiming Federer's vice-like grip on the no.1 ranking.

Serb Novak Djokovic has been left behind in the fight for the world no.1 tag as he exited Wimbledon at the hands of Russian Marat Safin in just the second round.

Djokovic is firmly placed in third position on 4945 points. Over 1000 points behind Nadal.

• 1. (1) Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6600 points
2. (2) Rafael Nadal (Spain) 6055
3. (3) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 4945
4. (5) David Ferrer (Spain) 3045
5. (4) Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) 2970
6. (6) Andy Roddick (U.S.) 2065
7. (7) David Nalbandian (Argentina) 2030
8. (8) James Blake (U.S.) 1975
9. (11) Andy Murray (Britain) 1805
10. (9) Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 1760
11. (12) Nicolas Almagro (Spain) 1515
12. (15) Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) 1430
13. (18) Fernando Verdasco (Spain) 1375
14. (14) Fernando Gonzalez (Chile) 1365
15. (10) Richard Gasquet (France) 1310
16. (17) Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) 1305
17. (19) Tommy Robredo (Spain) 1300
18. (16) Paul-Henri Mathieu (France) 1270
19. (13) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 1265
20. (21) Juan Monaco (Argentina) 1240

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Posted By: Alan - Category: Tennis

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Nadal accepts his crown

July 7th 2008 00:21

Look to the heavens - Nadal realises his moment of glory

Nadal has achieved what was thought to be impossible - beating Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 in a final more time consuming than ever experienced on the surfaces of Wimbledon.

Now, the Spaniard has a won his first grand slam on grass and is the more closer to reaching the summit of men's tennis by claiming the world No.1 tag. A tag in which Federer has had on his back for over 231 weeks.

It was the longest final in Wimbledon no doubt. Four hours and fifty minutes to be exact. It was a final that captivated all who watched. Two of the greatest players of the modern era going head to head. A battle worthy of rememberance.

Nadal - who hails from Mallorca and at just 22 years of age has claimed five grand slams, was a site to behold.

After winning the French Open four times in succession, Nadal knew this was his time. A time to finally wrestle a crown away from one of the true superstars of world sport. A crown which has allowed Federer to win 12 Grand Slams, including five straight Wimbledon titles.

But no more.

Nadal became the first player to achieve both the French and Wimbledon titles since Bjorn Borg in 1980. Federer on the other hand was left wondering.

Wondering how a player that has won the past five Wimbledon titles, including 65 consecutive victories on grass, be on the runners-up podium for the first time since, well, ever.

For Nadal, he became the first Spaniard to achieve a Wimbledon crown in the open era since 1968, and the second in history to win the tournament since Manuel Santana in 1966.

"It is a dream to win here" Nadal said, emotional at the end of a gruelling encounter. He was quick to praise his nemesis in Roger Federer. A nemesis on court but a true ally of it.

"Roger is still the best, he has demonstrated that he is a champion and for me, this is very important".

As classic finals tend to do, the game did not go according to script.

Nadal was the dominant force out there, thanks to both his precision of play and his determination to win the big points. The Spaniard was on fire and Federer looked all washed out. Nadal was leading the final by two sets to love.

But like a true epic worthy of an academy award, the rain poured. A key factor in washing Nadal's fire away. A key break for Federer to re- assert order in a final many predicted would go his way.

Play resumes and Federer's best is in action. two sets down and the world No.1 reacted and conquered the third set to stay in touch.

In the fourth, emotional and brilliant at the same time, the Swiss maestro saves two match points. Thanks to his spectacular reaction, Federer wins a tiebreak when obscurity was near. Rain falls once again.

At the start of the fifth, the crowd saw the best tennis in a final with more twists than hurricane Catrina.

Both players at the peak of their powers, concentrated with the task at hand. The finale was coming to an end. Another tiebreak would ultimately decide the 2008 Wimbledon champion.

The tiebreak was 7-7 when Nadal took the decisive steps to immortality. The Spaniard broke the Federer serve and the match was his for the taking.

The certificate was now near. Nadal had to hold serve and he did with Federer hitting a drive too error prone for his liking. The match was over.

Nadal fell to the floor, withstanding all history against him to claim a scalp that has had its fair shair of Wimbledon successes.

Like a true champion, Nadal gained his composure and congratulated his rival.

Calm and collected, Nadal rose infront of all that watched and celebrated his maiden Wimbledon crown, basking in the ovation that Federer once experienced five times in succession.

A fitting finale to say the least.

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Posted By: Alan - Category: Tennis

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United want 100 million for Ronaldo

July 6th 2008 01:00

Give me a sign - Ronaldo's future is in limbo

English champions Manchester United confirmed Real Madrid will have to loft out a record breaking offer for Portugese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in order to secure his services

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Posted By: Alan - Category: Soccer

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Federer Vs Nadal preview

July 5th 2008 01:29

sprinting to the finish line - Federer's sixth Wimbledon crown is in sight

The Lowdown
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Posted By: Alan - Category: Tennis

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Wimbledon ladies final - Serena Vs Venus

July 4th 2008 00:24

Serena (left) and Venus will play out another Wimbledon decider

The Lowdown
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Posted By: Alan - Category: Tennis

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Ronaldo and United divided

July 3rd 2008 00:05

Better days - Ronaldo and Ferguson look on the verge of seperation

Portugese superstar Christiano Ronaldo is on holiday in the USA and will not re-unite with manager Sir Alex Ferguson to discuss his future at the club

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Posted By: Alan - Category: Soccer

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