It seems as thought Arantxa is actually worth around 30 million euros. First, she accused her parents of taking all her 60 million dollars in earnings, but she forgot to tell everyone that she owns many buildings and a parking lot in Spain, as well as having overseas bank accounts in Switzerland and Andorra that contain millions.
I think this is the last time I believe anything Arantxa says!
There have been rumours going around the net that Rafael Nadal is in trouble with his tax. However, all these reports are false and this has been confirmed by Rafael on his website.
Basically, Rafael hired an accounting firm to create a new company to take advantage of a Rasque region tax break, which means he would pay a lot less tax on his image rights. It seems like the Basque tax authorities are investigating, but it all seems above board.
Maria Sharapova is actually going to play for her country in the Fed Cup next month against Spain. This is only the third time she will be playing for her country! How Sad! Its a real shame that tennis players dont seem to have national pride and want to play for their country any more.
If I was the Russian captain I probably wouldnt even want her to play, since she hasnt seemed to care in the past!
In a message announced via the social networks of Facebook and Twitter, RafalNadal today announced his withdrawal from the Paris Masters …
“Hi all. I won’t be playing this upcoming week the tournament in Paris Bercy. It’s been a difficult decision to take but I understand that it is what I need to do right now to prepare well for the end of this season and also for 2012. I hope I can be back in 2012 to that great event in the most beautiful city in the world, and hopefully try to win it once day.”
Interesting that there is no mention of a withdrawal for physical issues, so before going on to discuss whether he has made the correct decision, there’s one question which is needed to be explored first and that is … can he?
Rafa is perhaps one of the most vocal of the top players when it comes to the length of the schedule and the mandatory nature of the number of tournaments to play. For Masters 1000 series that number totals eight, and whilst he has already participated in that number to date, the Monte Carlo Masters as an optional event counts only towards to the required number of 500 series. Rafa needed to compete in Paris to complete the statutory number. So if he’s not citing injury, how can he possibly withdraw without incurring a penalty?
The ATP rules state that a player’s Masters 1000 commitment can be reduced by one tournament if (1) they have played 600 matches following 1st January of that commitment year; (2) they have 12 years of service; or (3) they are 31 years of age following 1st January of that commitment year. Well (2) and (3) are out for Rafa, and whilst I’ve known that the 600 match mark was coming, I did believe that he would only pass that milestone next year. Not so. It seems that Rafa has benefited from a little quirk in the rulings in that from 2010 onwards, only the ATP World Tour, World Tour Finals, Grand Slams, Davis Cup and Olympics count towards this commitment, but any Challenger or Futures matches played before 2010 do still count. As Rafa played Challengers and Futures pre-2010, he exceeds his 600 tally for this commitment tour.
Au revoir Paris!
So whilst its sad for those fans who will miss out on seeing that great Champion there, is it the right decision for Rafa? All things considered, for me its a resounding “yes”. Indoor tennis on fast hardcourts has never suited Rafa’s game and he is least successful on them. After a gruelling season where unlike his counterparts, Rafa has had to face the re-juvenated NovakDjokovic six (unsuccessful) times, a bit of additional time off to rest not only his body, but his spirit is perhaps called for. In fact, it is very refreshing to to find that at this stage of the season, Rafa doesn’t have any injury woes because as he approaches his 26th year and 8th season in the top flight, keeping fit and healthy is tantamount.
With all that Rafa has achieved in tennis, I’m sure that he can rest easy perhaps never having his hands on the ever increasingly bizarre piece of sculpture that is the Paris Bercy trophy. Working hard for 2012 is perhaps the best thing to do, along with positioning himself as best as possible for the World Tour Finals and perhaps the main singular personal goal that is left for Rafa this season … lifting the Davis Cup.
Rafael Nadal told DavisCup.com that he is tired in the lead up to the Davis Cup tie between Spain and France.
“I played very long match and for sure it is a challenge for me. I am trying for my country but it’s tough. For me it’s not a mental problem, it’s a physical problem. I am ready to play mentally, but physically two and a half weeks was hard.”
We just talked about Zhang being out with illness, now its David Ferrer’s turn. David Ferrer will be out for 2-3 weeks with a hairline fracture in his left hand. There aren’t too many details about the injury, but he will be fit in time for the US Open.
Expect him to be a tough player to beat at the US Open 2011.
Rafael Nadal has been living life to the full lately and relaxing on holiday. However, we have now been informed that he is back to training very hard at home in Mallorca.
“I’m back to training having a physical training session with Joan Forcades . My physical trainer. The next tournament Montreal ” Nadal posted on Facebook.
“After a long holiday I have to work hard to catch up and get fit,” he added.
It has been reported by La Marca that Rafael Nadal wont be playing the Davis Cup quarterfinal against the USA in Austin July 8-10. It seems as though Nadal expects to make the Wimbledon final and then doesnt want to jump on a plane the next day to travel to Texas. Dont blame him really!
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.
As we talked about a few days ago, the Davis Cup semifinals have been happening and there was no real upsets in the final results. Spain secured victory with a 4-1 win over the USA, while Argentina defeated Russia in the other semi.
The final is going to be very interesting Spain and Raphael Nadal vs Argentina with Nalbandian and Del Potro. Spain still have to be the favourites, but I can see Nadal winning both his singles matches but them losing 3-2 overall!
” 
