Rafael Nadal criticized Roger Federer for being mum about the tough tour schedule of the ATP and letting other players like him to speak out and burn themselves.

From ESPN website

Come on Rafa. Really now?!

I believe that in the past, Federer spoke of being amenable to a reduced tour calendar. And if I remember correctly, he even agreed to re-scheduling the Australian Open to give way to longer off season.

Calling out someone to join your cause is not the smartest way to go about it.

Nadal can not be faulted for asking the greatest of all time to be more vocal about the schedule. Tour officials will surely take notice if Federer does. But to point out how the older Federer manages the physical demands of the tour better than other players speaks of jealousy.

I researched Rafa's and Fed's results for 2011. Rafa had a 69 - 15 record while Federer had 64 - 12 last year. A difference of 8 games. 6 of those are because Rafa represented Spain in the Davis Cup. Not counting the Davis Cup & Grand Slams, Rafa entered (13) just two more tournaments than Federer (11).

Tennis is an extremely strenous sport. Nadal's style of play is punishing to the body. Novak Djokovic had his share of injuries in the latter part of 2011, too. Nadal's body also broke down early in 2009 because of a hectic 2008 that includes the Olympics. But I can not remember him going this route (calling out Federer). Why? because he's winning then?

A message to Rafa. It is a matter of taking care of your body and better schedule management to be consistent on tour and prolonging one's career. Also, if you want Federer to side with any of your advocacy or initiatives, calling him out in public is also "ungentlemanly". Rather it paints a picture of a sourgrape or worse a cry baby.

I sure hope that Federer will be motivated by this criticism for the Australian Open. Given that Fed and Rafa are on the same bracket, it would be good to at least deny Rafa of advancing to the finals.

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The undisputed number one on the tennis court, Novak Djokovic, this year is now assured of taking the top ranking over 2012 as Nadal's latest loss will make him unable to surpass Djokovic on men's world rankings for the rest of 2011. If anything, it is a testament how difficult it is to be a top dog in men's tennis. And, all apologies, a further testament to the greatness of Roger Federer. But coming 2012, I hope Federer will still challenge Djokovic and Nadal. Perhaps, one grand slam more, for the road?

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Novak Djokovic IS Wimbledon champion and along with that comes the much deserved validation - being the no. 1 rated men's tennis player in the world today and in 2011.

First wimbledon singles title
2nd Australian Open title
Eight Titles (total in 2011 so far)
48 - 1 record in 2011 (so far)
41 wins to start 2011 season

2011 Wimbledon Men's Singles Champion
Novak Djokovic
Image grabbed from Busted Racquet Photo Gallery

New wimbledon champ, Novak Djokovic of Serbia (SRB) dethroned defending champ and former no. 1, Rafael Nadal of Spain (ESP) 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.

The newly-crowned champ, tasted wimbledon grass and gave away Novak Djokovic rackets as part of his celebration for his most recent triumph.

Djokovic's recent victory is his fifth against the great Nadal. Djokovic has turned to become the wall to Nadal's success this year, denying the spaniard 5 titles. Djokovic now owns Nadal as Nadal has owned my Federer in their head-to-head match-ups.

Now, that Djokovic tasted a wimbledon men single's title, and the wimbledon grass for that matter, he would surely be hungry for more.

Congrats, Nole!

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I feel like I'm warming up to Novak Djokovic.

In part because my favorite Roger Federer stopped - The Streak - at the 2011 French Open Semis. More so because of remembering some things I saw watching him play and a an old video of him I saw recently.

Now, I'm remembering that Djokovic applauds great shots of his opponents during games, apologizes for points won on luck and lastly, because of this video.

Granted that videos like this may only be for publicity or promotional purposes, Djokovic vibrates a genuine feeling of being loose, enjoying the moment and having fun.

Ate Gigie, would sure enjoy Novak's I Will Survive video. *wink*wink*

Unlike, Federer's very demure turn. In fact, I even liked Rafael Nadal's turn more. [BTW, Ana Ivanovic is hot in here.]

Hat tip to Ms.JessicaZafra.

*****

Apologies for not being able to blog about the 2011 French Open Tennis Championhsips. It coincided with an important family affair.

Congrats, Rafa!

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There seems to be no stopping Novak Djokovic on his sublime season start as he added the Rome Masters/Italian Open to his streak of 37 straight victories.

The Italian Open/Rome Masters is played on clay and Djokovic once again beat world no. 1 and clay court king Rafael Nadal for the title via 6-4, 6-4 straight sets win. Along with the amazing streak is 4 consecutive finals win over Nadal, the last two on clay.

The ultimate test will be the upcoming French Open where the stakes are much higher. Right now, Djokovic appears ready to challenge Nadal's stranglehold of that grand slam.

But the French open being the most unpredictable grand slam event in tennis and produced the most surprising winners, someone may crash and spoil a Rafa - Nole finals.

[Yes, I'm calling out Roger Federer. Let's go, Fed!]



*****

On the women's side, Maria Sharapova won. Women's tennis is looking for a recognizable face or dominant player to market their tour. Well, Sharapova can really help in that department minus the annoying sounds she makes on the court.

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Rafael Nadal said this about Novak Djokovic moments after Djokovic beat him at the 2011 Madrid Open final.

"I came up against a great player obviously -- he's having a monster year,".

When you've just beaten the top ranked tennis player in the men's tour, the greatest clay court tennis player in history, in straight sets and in his home soil, that clinches it. Djokovic is looking like a monster on the tennis court.

[Thanks, Rafa. I'm running out of apt adjectives for blog titles about Djokovic.]

Novak Djokovic's season remained perfect but beating Rafael Nadal for a title on the clay surface is the better headline. Djokovic won the Madrid Open title by dealing a rare loss to Nadal on clay, 7-5, 6-4.

Image from AP, Yahoo Sports/Tennis Gallery

The way he's playing and the confidence of beating Nadal on their last 3 finals clash, augurs well for Djokovic' chances at this year's French Open. The way I see it, Djokovic has better chance of toppling Nadal on his favorite grand slam tourmanent than Federer had on his prime.

Djokovic remains unbeaten in 2011 (30-0). He defeated Nadal for the third straight time in a finals. The Madrid Open is his 6th title of the year including the Australian Open, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, BNP Paribas Open, Sony Ericsson Open and the Serbia Open. It includes three straight wins against Nadal and Federer.

Tennis fans should look forward to Djokovic matching or breaking John McEnroe's record of 42 straight wins at the start of the 1980 tennis tour.

To match the record, Djokovic should capture his next tournament, Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, and reach the semifinals of the French Open. Coincidentally, Djokovic can break it by winning the French Open.

By then, I need to come up with another adjective.



* Somewhere out there, I know that Ate Gigie is smiling pretty because she's a big Novak Djokovic fan.

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Last time I blogged about tennis, I wrote Novak Djokovic is on fire. After his magnificent 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) comeback win against world no.1 Rafael Nadal, I'd say he is more like a super nova.

Running out of description of Novak Djokovic's winning the 2011 Sony Ericsson Men's Tennis title versus Rafael Nadal in Key Biscayne, Miami is understandable.

Novak Djokovic's latest win meant he remained undefeated for the year; his fourth straight tournament title; his 26th consecutive match win; his second straight comeback finals win vs. Nadal; he's 8 - 0 against top-10-ranked opponents and that he is in serious contention for the number one ranking in men's tennis this year.

Wow and all of those isn't hyperbole! That, incidentally rhymes with Djokovic's nickname - Nole. :D

On a sad note, Djokovic win is an affirmation that my favorite Roger Federer is indeed, only just the third best tennis player in the world today.

The way Djokovic came back and won a tie break for the Sony Ericson title says a lot. Had Rafael Nadal won, I can think that the gap between world no. 2 Djokovic and Federer is not that wide. And that Federer's loss to Djokovic could be attributed to an out-of-this world streak. Federer did not even won a set or forced a set tiebreak against Nadal in their semis encounter.

Still I'm a Federer fan. It would be gargantuan task to climb back to the top of the tennis world for him given his age. But that would be the stuff to add to his legend. I just want him to disrupt this budding tennis rivalry, Rafa-Nole, every now and then especially in the grand slam events.

The current development in men's tennis isn't good for Federer's fans like me but it's good for tennis in general.

I wouldn't mind blogging about Novak Djokovic if he continues with this kind of tennis excellence. Or for that matter, any other tennis players who can treat fans to a thrilling tennis match.

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Novak Djokovic is, in basketball parlance, on fire.

2011 is shaping out to be Djokovic' year, seemingly at the expense of Roger Federer, to the gloom of die hard fans like me.

Novak Djokovic on Fire
Image from tennis-wallpapers.net

Over last week, I was keeping tab on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. I fought the urge to blog about it because Roger Federer is playing & I do not want to jinx him.

I was doing my regular online sports browsing this morning when I learned that Novak just won the BNP Paribas Open championship over world no. 1 Rafael Nadal, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.


2011 is heaven for Djokovic.

• 2011 Australian Open
  
• Dubai Duty Free Tournament Championship
  
• BNP Paribas Open
  
• 18 consecutive wins in 2011
  
• 3 Semis win over Federer
  
• 3 - 0 in finals (so far)
  

To the sadness of Federer, die hard fans like me, Novak now seemed to have Federer's number.

Federer, my good ol' great Federer. I don't think he suffers a dip. It is just that his opponents improved over the times he was giving them a beating on the tennis court.

If these achievements come down to Novak's confidence, it probably came from leading Serbia to the Davis cup title at the end of last year.

Well, the good thing. Roger Federer will playing for Switzerland in the Davis Cup July this year. :)

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Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-4, at the Australian Open semis, dethroning the defending champ and gave himself a chance of repeating in this tennis grand slam event.

Novak Djokovic at the 2011 Australian Open
Image via flickr - Mo 8910

I was foregoing on blogging about this year's Australian Open for fear of jinxing (again) Roger Federer. But now that it happened, I'm typing this entry with a heavy heart.

After world no. 1 Rafael Nadal was eliminated by compatriot David Ferrer, I was itching to blog that the grand slam is Federer's for the taking.

But Novak Djokovic have plans of his own.

Probably more confident after defeating Federer in the US Open semis last year, Djokovic was steadier in the key moments of their match, defeating Federer in straight sets. In 2008, Djokovic also eliminated Roger enroute to winning the tournament, his only singles grand slam title, so far.

He now awaits the winner of the other semis pitting Andy Murray and David Ferrer.

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