Trop fort ce Nadal !

Rafael Nadal était trop fort pour Richard Gasquet ce mercredi Crédits photo : Reuters

Malgré tout son courage et son envie, Richard Gasquet n'avait pas les moyens de lutter ce mercredi face à un Rafael Nadal proche de son meilleur niveau et qui s'impose en toute sérénité (6/2 6/2 6/3).

Après une longue période d'inactivité liée à sa suspension et avec les seules qualifications du tournoi de New Haven dans les jambes, Richard Gasquet savait qu'il ne se présentait pas dans les meilleures dispositions à l'US Open. Et avec un tirage au sort qui lui proposait au 1er tour Rafael Nadal, contre qui il s'était toujours incliné en 6 confrontations, la tâche n'en devenait que plus difficile. Pourtant, trop heureux de rejouer à ce niveau, le Gascon voulait contre mauvaise fortune faire bon cœur. En vain néanmoins, l'ancien numéro 1 mondial se chargeant bien vite de mettre en exergue ses limites et lacunes du moment. Ainsi, d'entrée de match, le Taureau de Manacor se ruait sur sa personne pour lui dérober son service et s'envoler précocement (0-3). Revenir d'un tel handicap contre Nadal relevait alors du miracle, surtout pour un Gasquet mal réglé (6 coups gagnants pour 13 fautes directes dans le premier set) et qui ne remportait que 4 malheureux points de tout le set sur le service de l'Ibère. Résultat, le Majorquin décrochait aisément cette manche initiale (2/6). Mais la deuxième partait sur de bien meilleures bases pour le Biterrois…

Nadal intouchable au service
Tout du moins dans son entame, puisque les deux hommes demeuraient au coude à coude jusqu'à 2-2. Peut-être Nadal prenait-il le temps de souffler avant de porter une nouvelle banderille. En tout cas, la suite virait au cauchemar pour Gasquet, qui encaissait d'abord un jeu blanc sur le service de l'Espagnol, avant de perdre le sien puis de couler corps et âme pour perdre au final quatre jeux d'affilée dans ce deuxième set (2/6). Les espoirs de victoire venaient de péricliter pour le Tricolore, car il est bien connu qu'on ne remonte pas deux sets de handicap face à Nadal. Pourtant, au courage, Gasquet ne baissait pas pavillon. Après tout, se mesurer au Majorquin pour son retour sur le circuit principal ne pouvait que lui servir pour la suite. Alors autant en profiter. Jusqu'à 3-3, il tenait ainsi la dragée haute à son adversaire, sans pour autant se procurer la moindre balle de break, Nadal gagnant même 33 des 35 points disputés derrière sa première balle. Et quand l'ancien numéro 1 mondial décida d'accélérer, la belle résistance du Gascon vola en éclat. Pour de bon cette fois (6/2 6/2 6/3). Principal soutien dans la tourmente de son contrôle positif à la cocaïne, Nadal n'aura pas été plus loin dans son amitié pour Gasquet.

Rafa en photos

Rafael Nadal from Spain against Richard Gasquet of France during their 1st round US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 2, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

Rafa a remporter son match de 1er tour en trois sets de 6-2, 6-2, 6-3, VAMOS RAFA!!

Toni Nadal : "Nous y croyons"

Aussi expansif que son neveu est discret, Toni Nadal continue de s’exprimer grandement dans les médias espagnols depuis son retour auprès de son champion. Dans le quotidien espagnol Marca, l'oncle de Rafa a donné quelques indications, qui se veulent rassurantes, sur l'état physique et tennistique du numéro 3 mondial. "Il n’y a plus de douleurs. Elles ont disparu" a assuré Toni. "Nous ne pensons pas qu’il sera gêné. Il est sorti rassuré de ses entraînements. La concentration est revenue au point. Les rotules vont bien. Physiquement aussi. Nous y croyons."

Nadal s'est entraîné avec Marat Safin pour préparer son match contre Richard Gasquet au premier tour de cet US Open. "Je pense que son niveau est bon, mais nous faisons attention chaque matin, parce que les entraînements nous donnent des indications pour savoir exactement où nous en sommes. Le match dira à quel niveau il se situe. Nous ne le savons pas encore exactement. Mais je pense qu’il est bien." Finalement, le discours de Toni laisse transparaître des incertitudes sous le flot de nouvelles rassurantes.

Q&R avec Rafa/ Mercredi 2 septembre, 2009

Questions for Rafa: My personality changes when I step on court

I read that you will cut some tournaments out of your schedule next year, is this true? If so I hopefully Queens will not be one of them. The British fans really missed you there this year. Cedrine
RN: No, not really. I am still working in the calendar plan with my agent Carlos Costa and my uncle. The mandatory events are there and not much we can change. I didn't really play many other events this year either apart from the time I was injured.

Do you and Uncle Toni ever fight? Mary Robinson
RN: Let's say we disagree on things sometimes.

What do you think of Real Madrid signing Cristiano Ronaldo? Do you think this year they can beat Barcelona and win La Liga and/or the Champions League? Kim
RN: I think it is great. He is a great player and I am sure he'll play very good this year. Barcelona is a very strong team and the favourites.

I saw the shots you did for Vogue, and I was wondering if you had a favourite designer, and do you have a favourite outfit? Siobhan
RN: No, not really. I use a lot of different designers.

I heard you are actually right-handed but you were taught to play with your left to make you more difficult to play against. Can you also play with your right hand? Chris
RN: No, I can't. I mean, I can't play at high level.

Your mother once said that she doesn’t recognise you on court – do you feel like a different person when you’re on court than when you’re off it? Emma
RN: I think I am different. I have been told I look very agressive on court but I am very quiet outside the court.

Has Maymo ever accidentally let go of the elastic bands (during your warm-up routine)? Karen
RN: Maymo no, but I have done it once by mistake... :-)

Have you played Andy Murray at tennis football? Are you better than him? Louise
RN: Yes, I have played with him in Paris Bercy. He is good, I have to say.

You are a fan of singer David Bisbal right? He was also in New York. Did you meet him? Guis
RN: No, I didn't meet him, didn't know he was here. I like his music.

Blog de Rafa/ 2 septembre, 2009

Ready to meet my friend Richard on court

Hi everyone,

This is my first blog from the US Open. There was a bit of a confusion since I have been answering your questions but not doing this post with actual words of my life and what I do here. Sorry about that.

Let me tell you first that I am very happy to be doing this again. I was going to do this from Wimbledon but you all know what happened. I have talked about this a lot lately but once more you should know how sad I was for not being able to compete this year at the Championships. No one more than me suffered for not being there.

But now I am back, I am in NY ready to go tomorrow against my friend Gasquet and feeling good physically and mentally. Maybe it is not the best first round I could have, actually it is the worst or one of the worst since Richard is a great player and one of the best out of the seeded players. I have been in NYC since Sunday after Cincinnati, that's more than a week and as I always say always looking forward to the start of the competition.

Many thanks to all of you for the support and for following me. Let's hope tomorrow I am back with more.

Thanks

Rafa

Rafa en photos

Rafael Nadal of Spain answers questions at a news conference ahead at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, August 30, 2009.

Ordre de jeux/ Mardi 2 septembre, 2009

Rafa jouera sur le stade Arthur Ashe juste après le match de l'américaine V Williams.

Arthur Ashe Stadium11:00 Start

Men's Singles - 1st Round
Richard Gasquet(FRA)	vs.	Rafael Nadal(ESP)[3]

Rafa en photos

Q&R avec Rafa/ Mardi 1er septembre, 2009

Questions for Rafa: I want to win every tournament I play in

Great to see you back playing tennis, you’ve been missed. Looking forward to see you play at US Open and will be cheering and supporting you all the way.Do you have any routines to relieve the anxiety, on the night before a match, to ensure a good night sleep and rest? Anne Buchanan
RN: No, I have no routines at all. I sleep well.

You have been greatly missed. I wanted to ask you about playing doubles with Francis in Montreal - how did it feel to be playing with your coach? From the little we saw it looked like a fun experience. Is Francis still with you in New York now that Toni is there? Buena suerte. Belinda Shaw
RN: I thought it as a lot of fun to play with Francis and it also helped me to get more rhythm of competition and prepare Montreal. Very good experience.

Muchas Gracias for writing a Digital Diary from New York and for replying to our questions....you are very lovely. I would really love to know your reply to this question, Rafa....Muchas Gracias!!! Last night I had a really exciting dream about you, Feliciano Lopez, David Ferrer and me....it was really great....lol!!! Rafa, you said in reply to a question, that you normally don't dream about playing tennis.....do you ever have great dreams when you are asleep....and if you do, what was your favourite one....or do you want to keep that a secret.....lol?!!! Muchas Gracias y Buena Suerte. Niamh, Ireland
RN: I have had more than one dream, but to be honest I don't remember one in particular.

You've said your music taste is Spanish and Latin songs, but were you also a fan of Michael Jackson? Cedrine.
RN: I did like his songs but I was not a real fan that went crazy with his songs

If your ipod broke down and all but three songs were erased, which songs would you hope were left? Carin, Brighton
RN: Back to you - Bryan Adams; Bon Jovi - In these arms; Julio Iglesias - Vuela amigo,vuela alto

Great to see you back. Having now won three of the four Grand Slams, do you intend to focus your schedule around the US Open for the next few years until you win it to give yourself the best chance to complete the career slam? Matthew Huart, Hull.
RN: Absolutely not. My focus is the year, the whole calendar and every tournament that I play is important for me.

I'm so glad to see you back! These two months that you'd been away, tennis became bland and boring...I was wondering if you'd lost some weight in these two months, because you're looking slimmer now... Here's hoping you'll do really well in USO. All the best! VAMOS! Love you always and forever. Mohona
RN: Many people have asked me that and said it. The truth is that unless all the balances in the world are wrong, I have not lost any weight. I am the same.

You've said before how much you like F1 - what do you think about Fernando possibly driving for Ferrari next year? Michelle UK
RN: I wish him all the best and would like to see him again become World Champion. If that's his choice I am happy for him