Tennis Grand Slams 2011

Updated: September 23, 2010, 5:12 PM ET

Sampras: Rafael Nadal can top record

NEW YORK -- Pete Sampras says Rafael Nadal can break Roger Federer's record of 16 Grand Slam titles if he stays healthy and maintains a smart playing schedule.

The 24-year-old Nadal, known for his grinding style, recently won his ninth major at the U.S. Open to complete a career Grand Slam.

"If he's smart with his schedule and the fact that he has so many at such a young age, he could very well do it," Sampras said in a conference call Thursday for the BNP Paribas Showdown.

Sampras will meet former rival Andre Agassi for a best-of-three sets match Feb. 28 at Madison Square Garden. John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, rivals from the 1980s and '90s, will play one set.

Sampras called Nadal "a beast" on the court and thinks Nadal can chase Federer's record. Federer surpassed Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slams in 2009.

"The only question with Rafa is physically how much his body can handle the pounding with how hard he works for every point," he said of Nadal, who has been sidelined with knee injuries and a pulled abdominal muscle in the last few years.

Federer was 25 when he earned his ninth Grand Slam at the 2006 U.S. Open. Since then, the 29-year-old Federer has won seven major titles.

Nadal also won the French Open and Wimbledon this year. "(Nadal's) in the middle of his career, so he could do a lot more great things," Sampras said of the top-ranked Spaniard.

But the former No. 1 player added that Nadal doesn't need to break the Grand Slam record to prove himself.

"He's won all the majors, won the Olympics and has a winning record against Roger," Sampras said of the 14-7 career edge.

He also predicts Federer "is going to win a few more majors." Sampras said he had dinner with former coach Paul Annacone, who now coaches Federer.

"They're implementing coming in and being a little more unpredictable," Sampras said. Sampras last played an exhibition at the Garden against Federer in 2008.

 

Updated: October 1, 2010, 6:23 PM ET
Research shows grunt advantage

Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and other tennis players might gain something by grunting.

That's according to researchers at the University of British Columbia and University of Hawaii, who say that tennis players who grunt during points might be getting an advantage over their opponents.

Their study, posted online Friday by the Public Library of Science, looks at the effects of noise on how people perceive where shots are going and says: "The presence of an extraneous sound interfered with a participant's performance, making their responses both slower and less accurate."

One of the study's authors, Scott Sinnett, says he plans further research on the subject.

Occasionally, professional players complain about opponents' grunting during rallies.

 

Love Match indeed!

 

She is nearly 6'3'' actually. Men's tennis player have gone a lot taller too with more and more 6'4''s save the exception of Isner, Karlovic and the likes.

 

Alas! Elena Dementieva had to call it...it's sad but that's the way it is.

The Williamses bodies are finally breaking down...so they're definitely on the decline. With their power game and little finesse, they got nothing else to tide them over to hang around for GSes glories. The sisters are pretty much done with their careers as well!

 

Federer out-lasts Nadal to take Tour Finals crown



- Switzerland's Roger Federer holds his trophy after beating Spain's Rafael Nadal during their …

by Steve Griffiths Steve Griffiths – Sun Nov 28, 3:10 pm ET

LONDON (AFP) – Roger Federer won the ATP World Tour Finals for the fifth time after beating 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in Sunday's final at the O2 Arena in London.

Federer takes home a cheque for 1.63 million dollars as well as 1,500 ranking points but, far more importantly, he ended the year by scoring a significant victory over his biggest rival and, in the process, emphasised that he is still as hungry for success as ever.

It was Federer's first triumph in the prestigious end-of-season event since 2007 and his dominant form in the English capital this week suggests Nadal will face a renewed challenge for the sport's top prizes next year.

Nadal has enjoyed the best season of his career over the last 12 months and he shone again this week, but even he had no answer to Federer, the world number two, at his breath-taking best.

Federer is now level with and Pete Sampras on a joint-record five Tour Finals titles and he said: "I've really enjoyed playing here this week, it's been a wonderful atmosphere once again.

"I haven't spoilt Rafa's vacation! He's had an amazing year, one any player dreams of."

Nadal added: "I want to congratulate Roger. He played unbelievable throughout the whole week. It was a fantastic year for me, probably the most emotional of my career."

The old rivals' showdown here was the perfect way to end a season in which Nadal had dethroned Federer as world number one and also regained the French Open and from the Swiss star.

Nadal had won 14 of their previous 21 meetings, of which 18 had been finals, and the most famous of those was also their last in London, back in 2008, when Nadal triumphed in five sets to win his first title in a match widely regarded as the best of all time.

But Federer has played all week like a man with a point to prove and he looked in the mood as he held serve to love in the opening game.

He had promised to take the attack to Nadal and the 29-year-old's forehand was proving an impossible weapon to subdue. He used it to finish off the best rally of the first set in emphatic fashion in the fifth game.

Nadal recovered from the loss of that point to hold serve but he was broken in the eighth game as Federer finally shattered the resistance.

Once again it was Federer's forehand that caused the problems as he unloaded another winner to bring up break point before converting the chance with a perfect backhand that left Nadal groping in vain for a return.

But Nadal hasn't enjoyed so much success without a ferocious will to win and he responded in impressive fashion after being pushed around for much of the first set.

In the fourth game of the second set, the Spaniard earned two break points and he took the second as Federer, looking harried for the first time, drove a forehand wide.

That lapse in concentration from Federer was all the encouragement Nadal needed and the world number one delivered a masterclass in relentless aggression to draw level.

Federer was being stretched by Nadal's top-spun groundstrokes and he took a tumble at the back of the court on one point as the Spaniard served out the set.

The final set swung back the other way in dramatic fashion, with Federer refocused and on the front foot again.

There was a real steely determination about Federer now. He kept coming at Nadal and broke for a 3-1 lead when the Spaniard sent a pair of forehands wide.

A fortunate net-cord in the next game ensured Federer held serve and suddenly Nadal looked drained of energy and inspiration.

Federer scented blood and went for the kill. He broke again after a tame Nadal backhand flopped into the net and then held serve to take the title on his second match point.

 

Clement and Llodra did good. They just have to do it one more time!

 

The heat is on Down Under. Rafa slam in the offing? Hmmm, I guess Roger and Novak perhaps are the most viable candidates to take away from the charging bull! Again, another slam-chance for the Scotsman to carve his name among the greats. I figured Andy Murray should be happy even with a one and done slam! On the other hand, Andy Roddick seems to be one and done already, along time ago!

Women's? Without Serena, I bet it's a three-way race between the Belgians and Woz. Maybe Sharpie when (although inconsistent of late) her shoulder is good...can be a surprise everyone! But then, it wouldn't be surprising if she wins considering that she's already a multiple GS winner and still young enough.

Vera Z is there and thereabouts too, just like Sharpie. Kuznetsova definitely can figure in.

 

The semis looks likely to be between Rafa vs Murray and Roger vs Novak while the women's are between Caroline Wozniacki vs. li na and kim vs Vera Z! Any finals pairings and eventual champion shouldn't disappoint. Rafa on course for a sweep, Murray aiming for his first, Novak adding to his lone slam and Roger maintaining his (at least) one-slam a year record since his first wimbledon. Girls, ...go Kim go! Oh, Carol!

 

I hope it doesn't end in a whimper for Murray, specially he's proven he's capable of beating Rafa.

Noles is in-form...

I hope it is a Rafa vs Roger or Murray vs Djokovic championship BUT not a Rafa vs Djokovic or Roger vs Murray championship. So, either the world's number 1 & 2 goes out in the semis or they meet in the finals.

Li Na trumping Woz? I don't think so. Carol vs Kim, please!

 

Hamstring hampered Rafa this time...no more Rafa-slam.