Not-so-fit Nadal eyes elusive US Open title
Source: Agencies |
August 28, 2009, Friday
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Print Edition
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RAFAEL Nadal concedes he probably isn't in peak condition heading into the US Open.
The Spanish star returned to competition this month after taking more than two months off because of tendinitis in both knees. Now he's seeking the one major title he hasn't won.
"Well, I am No. 3 in the world. And the No. 3 in the world should have a chance to win, no?" Nadal said on Wednesday. "But I don't know if I arrive in the best condition."
Nadal and Serena Williams hit tennis balls for charity on a makeshift court on Broadway in the middle of Manhattan. They showed off the Nike outfits they'll wear during the day at the Open: a hot pink dress for Williams, a bright yellow shirt with teal headband for Nadal.
One of the reasons Nadal decided not to defend his Wimbledon title was that he found himself thinking too much about his knees.
Nadal made his comeback two weeks ago at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the quarterfinals. He then fell to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at the Cincinnati Masters.
Nadal had rested his knees since a fourth-round defeat to Robin Soderling at the French Open on May 31 ended his streak of four consecutive championships at Roland Garros. He lost his No. 1 ranking to Roger Federer and later dropped to No. 3 behind Andy Murray.
Nadal has never advanced beyond the semifinals at the US Open. "It's very special. I've won the other three, so if I win that it's going to be a complete cycle," the Spaniard said. "It will be amazing."
The Spanish star returned to competition this month after taking more than two months off because of tendinitis in both knees. Now he's seeking the one major title he hasn't won.
"Well, I am No. 3 in the world. And the No. 3 in the world should have a chance to win, no?" Nadal said on Wednesday. "But I don't know if I arrive in the best condition."
Nadal and Serena Williams hit tennis balls for charity on a makeshift court on Broadway in the middle of Manhattan. They showed off the Nike outfits they'll wear during the day at the Open: a hot pink dress for Williams, a bright yellow shirt with teal headband for Nadal.
One of the reasons Nadal decided not to defend his Wimbledon title was that he found himself thinking too much about his knees.
Nadal made his comeback two weeks ago at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the quarterfinals. He then fell to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at the Cincinnati Masters.
Nadal had rested his knees since a fourth-round defeat to Robin Soderling at the French Open on May 31 ended his streak of four consecutive championships at Roland Garros. He lost his No. 1 ranking to Roger Federer and later dropped to No. 3 behind Andy Murray.
Nadal has never advanced beyond the semifinals at the US Open. "It's very special. I've won the other three, so if I win that it's going to be a complete cycle," the Spaniard said. "It will be amazing."
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