Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer confident before Wimbledon

Halle: Seventeen-time major champion Roger Federer says he feels fit and confident before the start of Wimbledon where he will be defending his men's single crown.

The Swiss Sunday won his 77th tour title and sixth crown at the Gerry Weber Open here, his first trophy since Cincinnati in August 2012.

"For me, it is great in terms of confidence. Winning solves everything really. It was good to fight as well in the last couple of matches," Federer was quoted as saying on atpworldtour.com after his 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 victory over Mikhail Youzhny in the final Sunday.

"I'm just very happy how I played this week and excited about what's to come now. Because I feel confident, I feel fit and fresh and that's very important at this point in the season."...more    

Nadal to play in China after four years

Beijing: China Open organisers have confirmed the participation of 12-time major champion Rafael Nadal of Spain at this year's tournament, making it his first appearance here in four years. "We are excited to present the best players in the world in Beijing for our fans. Rafael Nadal is a global superstar and his participation is a great way for the fans to celebrate the China Open's 10th anniversary," Alfred Zhang,...  

Rafael Nadal drops from fourth to fifth in ATP rankings

Paris: Eight-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal has dropped from No. 4 to No. 5 in the ATP rankings this week, swapping places with David Ferrer, the man he beat in the Roland Garros final. Nadal only retained the ranking points he earned by winning last year's French Open, while Ferrer gained points by reaching his first Grand Slam final. Ferrer joked after his straight-set loss to Nadal: "I prefer...  

Rafael Nadal first to qualify for ATP World Tour finals

London: Rafa Nadal has booked his place at the World Tour finals after winning a record eighth French Open title, the ATP said on Monday. Nadal has staged a spectacular comeback after being sidelined for seven months with a knee injury from June last year. Since returning in February, he has reached the final in all of the nine events he has played, winning seven titles including Indian Wells and...  

Nadal prefers to be left alone after creating history

Paris: Having achieved the glittering distinction of becoming the only man to win eight singles titles at the same grand slam tournament, French Open champion Rafa Nadal was soon dreaming of another priceless thing on Sunday - to be left alone. A 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 victory over fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the final extended his record at Roland Garros but the softly spoken Nadal was hoping to avoid any...  

Strange day in the office leaves Ferrer chuckling

Paris: A Roland Garros final against Rafa Nadal should have been the highlight of Spanish warrior David Ferrer's career. Instead what he got was a "strange" match featuring driving rain, invaded by "strange" people "without clothes on" and he will now "strangely" be ranked above Nadal despite finishing second best. At least it wasn't a dull day in the office for a man who was contesting his first grand slam...  

Factbox: French Open champion Rafael Nadal

Factbox on Rafael Nadal who won his eighth French Open tennis title on Sunday: MAKING HIS NAME - Born in Manacor, Mallorca, June 3, 1986. - His uncle Miguel Angel Nadal enjoyed a successful career as a professional footballer, notably for Barcelona and Spain. - The naturally right-handed Nadal switched to being a left-handed player after his coach and mentor Toni Nadal, also his uncle, noted that it would give...  

Protesters, one letting off a flare, interrupt French Open final

Paris: Four protesters, one letting off a flare, briefly interrupted the French Open tennis final between Rafa Nadal and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Sunday. Two bare-chested protesters stood up in one of the front rows behind the players' benches on court Philippe Chatrier at the end of the sixth game of the second set and one let off a flare. The protester with the flare, wearing a white mask,...  

Rafael Nadal defeats David Ferrer to win eighth French Open title

Paris: Rafael Nadal's final shot at the French Open was a typically ferocious fallaway forehand, and when it landed for a winner, his momentum and emotions sent him splaying backward onto the clay he loves. The champion quickly bounded to his feet and headed for the net at a trot. It was time to collect his latest Roland Garros trophy. Nadal became the first man to win eight titles at...  

Ferrer in way of Nadal's 8th French Open title

Paris: His words catching in his throat, Toni Nadal called it "really a miracle" that his nephew is back in the French Open final. Seriously? Miraculous? More like expected, given that Rafael Nadal is 58-1 for his career at Roland Garros, a seven-time champion who will become the only man with eight titles at one Grand Slam tournament if he beats David Ferrer in Sunday's all-Spanish final. Here is what...  

Tired Rafael Nadal pulls out of German tournament

Berlin: French Open finalist Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week's Wimbledon warm-up event at Halle in Germany, citing fatigue after a busy few weeks of tennis. The Spaniard will try to win his eighth crown on the Roland Garros clay courts in Paris on Sunday against compatriot David Ferrer. "It is a pity and unfortunate Rafael cannot come," said Halle tournament director Ralf Weber in a statement. "But...  

No player even closer to solving Rafa riddle on red dirt

Paris: An unassuming Swede and his hammerhead forehand is starting to gain mythical status at Roland Garros because in nine years Robin Soderling remains the only man to have beaten Rafael Nadal at the French Open. Over the seasons grand slam champions in the calibre of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Martin del Potro and Carlos Moya have all tried - and failed - to conquer...  

Nadal, Ferrer make up all-Spanish final at Roland Garros

Paris: Rafael Nadal won an epic semifinal against Novak Djokovic at the French Open to remain the King of Clay - for another couple of days, at least. The seven-time champion twice let a lead slip away in the fourth set Friday, then came from behind in the fifth to beat the No. 1-ranked Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 9-7. Djokovic blew an easy overhead on the opening point...  

Nadal crosses Djokovic hurdle to enter eighth final

Paris: Rafael Nadal won an epic semi-final against Novak Djokovic at the French Open to remain the King of Clay - for another couple of days, at least. The seven-time champion twice let a lead slip away in the fourth set on Friday, then came from behind in the fifth to beat the No. 1-ranked Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 9-7. Djokovic blew an easy overhead on the opening...  

Nadal and Djokovic renew hostilities a round early

Paris: The current best player in the world meets the greatest claycourt player of all time in a French Open blockbuster on Friday - but it is not even the final. Unusually no silverware will be at stake when Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Spaniard Rafa Nadal strut on to Philippe Chatrier court to face each other for the 35th time and whoever prevails will be favourite to lift the Musketeers'...  

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic to clash in French Open semifinals

Paris: The French Open showdown between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic might lack some sizzle because it's a semifinal and not the final. Still, they both have more than enough motivation to make the match a memorable one. Seven-time champion Nadal vs. No. 1-ranked Djokovic carries the heft of a final, even if both players need two more victories to claim the championship. Nadal bids to become the first man...  

Djokovic, Nadal win to set up semi-final clash at Paris

Paris: Turning in his finest performance yet at this year's French Open, seven-time champion Rafael Nadal reached the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 victory over ninth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka on Wednesday. Novak Djokovic too advanced to the semi-finals of the only Grand Slam tournament he is yet to win, beating Tommy Haas 6-3, 7-6 (5), 7-5. The No. 1-ranked Djokovic's opponent on Friday will be seven-time champion Nadal. After dropping...  

Wawrinka faces stern test against Nadal

Paris: Stanislas Wawrinka will draw on the advice and experience of the man who coached the only person to beat Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros when he meets the seven-times French Open champion in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. The Swiss ninth seed, who has never taken a set off Nadal in nine encounters, is now coached by Magnus Norman who was in charge of Swede Robin Soderling when he upset...  

Birthday boy Rafael Nadal reaches last eight at Roland Garros

Paris: Rafael Nadal earned his second straight sets victory in succession as his challenge for an eighth French Open title gathered pace with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Japan's Kei Nishikori to secure a quarter-final spot on Monday. Troubled in his first two rounds where he had to come from a set back, Nadal celebrated his 27th birthday in style with a brutal demolition of 13th seed Nishikori. Only...  

Nadal looks for renewed vigour against Nishikori

Paris: Seven-times champion Rafael Nadal has been showing signs of nerves at the French Open, but Monday's fourth-round match against Kei Nishikori could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Spanish third seed. Although Nadal, who will celebrate his 27th birthday on Monday, has dubbed the 13th seed a "fantastic player", the Japanese has lost all of his four matches against the claycourt machine. Nishikori is also a novice...