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Nadal Says His Knee Hurts Again! Plus Sony Ericsson Notes
11 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
We all remember how Rafael Nadal claimed before this year’s Australian Open that shortly before the tournament began he was suffering “the worst knee pain I ever felt in my life.”
Of course, Nadal reached the finals and played and lost the epic five set marathon with Novak Djokovic on that supposedly weakened knee, despite not showing any signs of pain or even a limp during the fortnight.
Now in Miami, after defeating Kei Nishikori in the fourth round 64 64, the ATP world #2 is at it again talking about knee problems…
Q. In the first set you took a trainer break. New injury? Left knee? Is it okay?
RAFAEL NADAL: “Yeah, well, I had this since Indian Wells. During the week of Indian Wells, the knee was getting a little bit worse, so I arrive here so so, and happy I still play in quarterfinals. I am not probably at perfect condition today with the left knee, but important thing is try to win as many matches as possible. For me here is important tournament, and every victory have, you know, very, very big value for me, especially without being perfect.
But important thing after this is I have two weeks to recover for Monte Carlo. I’m happy to be in quarterfinals, and I will try my best for the next round, for sure.”
Nadal said his knee was fine in Indian Wells media transcripts last week.
After all the times Nadal has claimed to have knee injuries, yet continues to win matches without showing any signs of limps or immobility in the suspect knee, you have to begin to wonder if the Nadal knees are actually in physical decline – or could it be just a calculated hoax to deceive and soften opposition, while currying sympathies from the media and fans worldwide?
Whatever the truth, let’s all hope the great champion Rafael Nadal has no problems with his knees and will have many more years of successes on the ATP Tour.
Notes: Caroline Wozniacki responding to Serena’s claim that she was only playing 20% of her game during their match last night on stadium: “I don’t really, to be honest, I just play. You know, I play against an opponent and as long as I win, I really don’t mind, you know, what’s happening on the other side.”
Guess how many media reporters attended Serena’s post match press conference after losing to Wozniacki? A surprisingly paltry 11 plus two standing photographers. Serena’s sister (not Venus) was also there seated, after Serena spoke, the two sisters hugged before they departed out the side door. Serena clearly suffers after any loss.
How’s this for a cliched answer. How many times do you think you’ve heard a pro player say these words, a couple hundred? It’s Ferrer talking about meeting Djokovic today. “It’s gonna be difficult to beat Novak, no? But I will try to do my best. I have to do very good tennis. I have to play very solid. I need my first serve, good percentage with my first serve.”
Paes and Stepanek just defeated Verdasco and Marrero, who looked like a couple of McDonalds employees dressed in their red and yellow adidas, 76 64.
A couple of cool sightings yesterday – Corrado Barrazzutti, the man who was playing Jimmy Connors in the famous Forest Hills match where Jimbo came to his side of the court and erased with his foot, the ball mark. The Italian former #7 in the world was coaching Bracciali in doubles (with Cabal) against the Bryans yesterday on court one. Corrado gave me one of the funniest court stories I’ve ever heard, stay tuned for his Biofile which will be coming soon.
Lucas Arnold, the Argentine who played Roger Federer in his very first ATP singles match, was hanging near the player’s lounge outside area.
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Dan Markowitz · March 28, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Firstly, Nadal is with all respect, out of his mind. I saw him play doubles at IW against Paes/Stepanek and the guy was running like he had to catch a bus out of Schenectady. I mean, please, he might have tendinitis in his knees, but why is he playing doubles if his knees ache so much?
Second, I think Ferrer plays Djoko tomorrow not today. And what else is he going to say. Yes, you have to play very solid against Djokovic because quick-strike tennis is very hard to beat him with. Gasquet was doing it and then took the foot off the accelerator and that was that.
Third, I thought it was Adriano Panatta that Connors went across the net and wiped away the mark against.
Scoop Malinowski · March 28, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Amen brother. Nadal played doubles here too but lost with Granollers to Bopanna/Bhupathi in second round. I think Team Nadal needs to show some originality, they have been playing that knee card for years. If the knee is so perilously bad, why not tape it? Dan I thought the Ferrer quotes were your basic most cliched quotes that you can possibly get in tennis. Almost unbearably bland. Not sure but maybe Ferrer’s English is weak. Corrado Barrazzuti, not Panatta. Unless Corrado was faking too.
Scoop Malinowski · March 28, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Got to chat with Cliff Drysdale in the media dining area, also gave him my Rios book. We had a nice discussion about it and some other things. He says he lives down here on the Key. This place is probably the nicest place in America that I’ve ever been to. Honor to meet and chat with the great Cliff Drysdale. Watched Petrova/Kirilinko win in doubles vs. Pavluchenkova and Safarova, good match, two standout things from this match were Pavlu drilling Petrova twice at the net and some guy in the crowd saying “Come on Kiri lenko about every 15 minutes.” Also got to talk with Patrick McEnroe and gave him a copy, great to see the great Patrick McEnroe, also one of my favorite TV commentators.
Scoop Malinowski · March 29, 2012 at 1:37 am
I think I figured out why Nadal plays the knee injury card. It deflects the emphasis of questions about losing to Djokovic seven finals in a row. By playing the knee card, the media takes the bait and focuses on the knee and not Rafa losing seven times in a row to Djok. Media manipulation at it’s best. I first remember this tactic being used when Sampras was attempting to win Wimbledon to break the record for total slams held by Emerson. Before the tournament Pete said he had some kind of foot injury and it deflected the media to ask about the foot after every match, rather than constantly asking about and adding additional pressure about going for the record. Of course, Pete’s foot looked fine for the entire tournament and he broke the record of Emerson. Could Nadal be using the knee injury as his deflection? Very possible, no?
Harold · March 29, 2012 at 1:58 am
PMac just mentioned Scoop and the Rios book on the air. Said” his friend Scoop wrote it” they were talking about guys that jump on the BH
Andrew Miller · March 29, 2012 at 2:20 am
I like both Woz + Ferrer’s responses. Caro Woz looked pretty fierce in her match – as if she was ready to take out Serena in Miami. I caught a few games and I thought this was not the #1 Woz, this was a hungry Woz. I will take a hungry Woz any day over a top ranked Woz.
I take that back. I just support Woz. I like that she plays practical jokes and attends more pressers than most journalists. She is basically almost, through her jokes, teaching some journalist (SOME – not all!) that first, respect the game and its players. Then you can ask whatever you want.
Dan’s comment on Nadal’s running is pretty funny – like he’s trying to get a bus outta there!
As for Ferrer – I mean what should he say? I think the response reminds him he has another match to play, that it won’t be easy. It’s basically the Nadal response against any player until the match is over. I think Nadal always takes credit for his wins after them and I think he and Federer are actually pretty accurate about players – after they win against them!
Michael · March 29, 2012 at 9:57 am
I’ve said it before. If he’s healthy I’m selling. If he’s complaining about one thing or the other, I’m buying. So I’m buying Nadal these days.
If I see him taped up I’ll expect him to run over Murray and Joker.
Steve · March 29, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Off-topic but Gasquet played a good first set against Djoker. Seemed like he was really into it. I would like to see a few more fist pumps after good points and maybe even play with some more intensity/fire.
Dan Markowitz · March 29, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Nice catch, Harold. That is pretty cool if PMac paid Scoop and the Rios book tribute on air at ESPN. Gasquet is a beautiful player to watch. That one-hander of his, because he’s so strong, is just a fascinating shot. He lacks the grit and basic of big forehand and big serve, but he’s a very enjoyable player to watch.
Hey, how come I wasn’t invited to Justin Gimelstob’s wedding? I don’t merit? Agassi’s there and I’m not. I got to call Vince and see if he was invited. Scoop, did you get an invo?
Gimel supposedly bought into the Tennis Channel. I guess that’s why he’s a ubiquitous presence in the telecast. When the dude has a joke he repeats it a few times. The other night when the schedule was loaded with great players, I heard him say a few times, “We’re sorry here at TC that we can’t bring you a better schedule of players.” He knows the game, though. No doubt about that. Just a little nauseating how he over-analyzes sometimes. Mary C was trying to loosen him up a bit.
Scoop Malinowski · March 29, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Steve, that’s the way Gasquet is, very little emotion or passion or interaction with fans. He just plays tennis. But to be the best, you have to do more than play tennis. I think Gasquet is just too shy and too introverted and that inhibits him from playing his very best tennis. Nadal, Djok, McEnroe, Connors, Pancho, even Federer use(d) emotional adrenaline to raise their games, Gasquet does not.
Michael · March 29, 2012 at 11:06 pm
“Gasquet is a beautiful player to watch. That one-hander of his, because he’s so strong, is just a fascinating shot.”
Maybe it’s fascinating but I don’t get why so many including you find it beautiful.
His backhand is a full eastern, stiff looking shot to me. And I’ve looked at it a lot. Both video and countless times shooting stills of it. For me it doesn’t compare aesthetically to Federer’s. Or Almagro’s. Or Dancevic’s. To name three with really nice looking OHB.
The forehand is not a good looking shot at all. He has a huge, odd looking hitch. It’s downright awkward. Especially when he has to hit it crosscourt.
Of all the French players — and French players usually have great looking stokes — I find him one of the least graceful.