Rafael Nadal will miss Spain’s Davis Cup final against Argentina because of a knee injury.
The top-ranked Nadal said Monday he was still struggling with tendinitis in his right knee following a week of treatment.
“The knee said no,” the 22-year-old said.
Spain team doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro said Nadal would need three to six weeks to recover from the injury.
“These are very difficult moments, but I have done all that I could to be ready for the final,” he said. “It was a huge objective, and I’m used to playing with pain, but this is a distinct, new pain that I couldn’t control.”
Nadal’s absence deals a big blow to Spain’s bid for a third Davis Cup title since 2000. Spain captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario has until Tuesday to name his team.
Spain plays Argentina on indoor hard court at Mar del Plata from Nov. 21-23.
“We’re sorry for him, but it’s good news. Spain is one thing with Nadal and another thing without him,” Argentine captain Alberto Mancini told Buenos Aires-based radio station Continental.
Back home in Australia we have an airline called Virgin Blue which states they have the best looking stewardesses in the world, but at the Madrid Masters they take it one step further, by hiring models to be ball girls.
Feminism, whats that? I think most females probably don’t like the idea, however it seems to be having a great promotional affect for the tournament. It is kinda portraying a more fun side of tennis.
I still really believe that the ATP and WTA tour are doing such a poor job at marketing and building the sport. Models as ball girls is probably not the best idea in the world, but at least it is giving tennis and tournament a bit more press and stands them out from the rest of the crowd. These types of ideas are only going to help give tennis more exposure and obviously more exposure means more money for everyone involved.
Roger Federer is now the US Open 2008 Mens singles champion. Yesterday Roger defeated Andy Murray in straight sets 6-2 7-5 6-2, to take the title. Federer is the first man since Bill Tilden in the 1920s to win five consecutive US Open titles.
Murray was never really in the match from the outset. Federer was quick to gain an early break in the first set and then never looked back. At one stage it was 2-2 in the first set, then Federer won 6 quick games to lead 6-2 2-0. Murray didn’t really bring his game to the court today, and Federer just seemed to have all the answers to whatever he did.
It was always going to be tough on Murray, his first Grand Slam final, and it was against one of the most professional and experienced players on tour. Federer was never going to lose this match, even though Murray did lead 2-1 in head to heads.
Congratulation Roger Federer!
Tonight is the night for British tennis. Andy Murray has beaten some great players in the last two weeks, including Raphael Nadal, but is it time that he stepped forward and took a Grand Slam title?
Murray will be facing Roger Federer in about two hours time and of course Murray will be the underdog, but we will see if there is fight still left in the dog.
Andy played some of the best tennis he has ever played, in the semi final against Raphael Nadal. It will be a big tasks for him to back it up again against Roger in the final, but I’m not too sure he can!
Over the last six months to a year Murray has made a lot of progress on his fitness and this is starting to show in his tournament results. Somehow, according to the rankings he is already the number 4 player in the world (which I don’t think is entirely correct), but he has earned his spot in the top ten, and this could be the night a Brit proves something to critics.
You can watch live stats here.
Congratulations Serena Williams on winning the 2008 US Open Womens Final. This win became Serenas 3rd US Open Win and ninth Grand Slam Title. Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007. French Open 2002. Wimbledon 2002, 2003 and US Open 1999, 2002 and 2008.
Serena Williams from the USA defeated Jelana Jankovic from Serbia 6-4 7-5. This win also places Serena as the number 1 player in the world again (since 2003).
It has been rumoured that Ana Ivanovic will be wearing a specially designed Adidas shoes at this years US Open. It has been rumoured that it will be a unique feminine version of the Barricade V. In addition, the shoes will have this playful graphic of the world No.1, pearlized white on white, which stretches across the upper side of the shoe.
Will this shoes make the difference for Ivanovic to actually challenge for the 2008 US Open title? Doubt it!
