New York, August 31st 2009

Rafa Nadal's bid for the last Grand Slam tournament of the season will begin either on Tuesday or Wednesday against Richard Gasquet of France.

"He has the potential of one of the very best and if he has a good day it will be a very tough match," he said about one of his closest friends on the tour.

Before he jumps on court though, he’s been concentrating on getting his practice routine back to its pre-injury level. “[On Saturday] I practised for two hours and a half. [Today] I practised two hours, so I am feeling really well."

Rafa also spoke with international journalists about his current form. "When you come back after an injury, you start slow always," he said. "You have to be progressive, but I am like normal right now,” then he continued. "I came back with more energy than ever. Probably I need more time to be ready, to get the rhythm, to play your best tennis, but the energy and desire is 100%."

"I know that here (at the U.S. Open) a quarter-final or a semi would be a very good result but I am coming to win," added the six-times grand slam winner.

Vamos Rafa!

Video:Reuters

New York, August 30th 2009

Watch Pete Sampras on The Tennis Channel US Open preview below talking about Rafa and what he thinks about his changes to win the last Grand Slam of the season.

Rafa, also on the show, spoke in more detail about chasing a career Slam: "It's the dream to have four" Grand Slams, "but right now I'm just focused on trying to be ready physically to try to play good [at the] US Open".

Vamos Rafa!

Video courtesy of ‘The Tennis Channel’

New York, August 30th 2009

Rafa Nadal, a massive fan of musicals was invited to attend on Saturday night the famous Broadway musical Mamma Mia.

The production company and the theatre were delighted to have Rafa accept the invitation, especially knowing how busy he is, but also keeping in mind that it’s always in his plans to attend a musical every year. In 2008, he watched the famous Phantom of the Opera and this year, he was lucky enough to see Mamma Mia, one of the most popular musicals around the world.

Unfortunately for Rafa, he was late to the show given that he had to attend an ATP Player Council meeting. He only got there in time to watch the second act and was a bit disappointed for missing the rest of show, especially because he was really enjoying it. He will definitely try (if his schedule allows it) to watch the whole show again this week.

After a delightful evening, he was invited backstage to meet the singers and dancers of the prestigious and magnificent musical, giving him the opportunity to thank them for allowing him to come say hi, and also apologize for being late to their show.

New York, August 28 2009

Quotes courtesy of Reuters

Following his enforced break, the six-times grand slam champion made his comeback earlier this month in Montreal, where he sat down to have a chat with Reuters to discuss his rehabilitation, the crammed ATP schedule and his hopes for the U.S. Open, which begins at Flushing Meadows on Monday.

Speaking of the only Grand Slam tournament he has never won, Rafa thinks he will "have more options in the next few years. The important thing is to feel confident with my knees and when I do, I’m going to be able to  practice harder and find my best performance as soon as possible".

“It’s tough to say if I am going to be ready 100 percent for the U.S. Open. It’s normal, isn’t it, because after a long break and major injuries, it’s difficult to be ready. But I will try.”

In regards to the  ATP Tour, its schedule and how much of it is there to blame for what happened to the world No.3, he admitted that "it’s clear that the calendar can’t be perfect for everyone but I think that we—the players, the ATP—are working hard to try to develop the best possible calendar for the players and for the tournaments".

Three months ago he was the defending champion at three grand slam events and the world number one. Now you might think everything has changed, but not to Rafa: “My motivation and aspiration is the same, being number one or being number five. So that’s the truth. And my goal is the same—it’s to always be happy playing, it’s to enjoy the game and improve always."

Does he think about the possibility of winning the US Open and becoming only the seventh man ever to win all four grand slams? “Not right now, no. Right now I am only thinking of my knees and am trying to find my best performance as soon as possible,” he said.

It's the exact same when it comes to returning to the No.1 ranking, he feels it's too soon to be thinking of that, “No, not right now. I was very happy to be number one for almost a year. But, no my goal is to be competitive, to try and win important tournaments".

Read the full interview 

ARTHUR ASHE KIDS' DAY: Don't forget to watch Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, Kim Clijsters, James Blake and Novak Djokovic at this year's Arthur Ashe Kids' Day along with the latest music sensations this Saturday, August 29.

New York, August 27 2009

Earlier today Nike blocked off Broadway between 22nd and 23rd Streets and constructed a pop-up tennis court, where three of the sport’s top players — Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams — showed off their new U.S. Open ensembles and hit some balls with a few lucky kids from four different inner-city programs.

The reigning Australian Open champ, sported a exotic yellow polo shirt, matching wristbands and cool a fluro-blue head piece at the Nike event where he got to meantor/coach kids from the New York Junior Tennis League, Athletes for Charity, Mentoring USA and the New York City Parks Foundation, which each received $10,000 donations from Nike. Needless to say, the kids were psyched about their encounters with the gracious, and brightly dressed, tennis legends — not to mention all the free Nike gear. Love!

After the event, Rafa said he felt "more prepared" than he expected to be for the U.S. Open, which begins next Monday. "I think I came to New York much better than expected. I am very happy to be back competing in this city and will train [the best I can] so that I can [start the tournament] with the best possible preparations, then we'll see what happens."

"I am No.3 in the world. And the No.3 in the world should have a chance to win, no?" said Rafa, "But I don't know if I arrived in my best condition."

"After an injury, sure, you think about it a little bit," he continued,"But I am much better, I feel."

"It's a very special tournament. I've won the other three [Grand Slams], so if I win this one it's going to be a complete cycle," he said. "It [would] be amazing."

US DRAW: Will be revealed this Thursday, August 27 from 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET.

Vamos Rafa!

New York, August 27 2009

The officially US Open draw has revealed on Thursday that Rafa Nadal will begin his bid to win the only GS title missing in his trophy cabinet against talented Frenchman Richard Gasquet when the season-ending Grand Slam starts on Monday.

Rafa, who comes into this year’s Open with only two-tournaments worth of practice after two months away from competition could face the winner of the match between Nicolas Keifer and Michael Llodra in the second round and countryman Nicolas Almagro in the third.

Looking ahead, Frenchman Gael Monfils and David Ferrer are probable fourth-round opponents, while Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Tomas Berdych and Fernando Gonzalez could meet Rafa in the quarterfinals.

Hypothetically, Andy Murray is the most likely opponent for the semifinals, however in-form Juan Martin del Potro should never be counted out. 

RAFA INTERVIEW: This Friday, Rafa Nadal and Reuters TV producer Sreya Banerjee sit down for an interview to discuss his rehabilitation, the crammed ATP schedule and his hopes for the U.S. Open. The interview is scheduled to air at 0300 GMT and once again at 1200.

In other news, professional Spanish golfer and "huge tennis fan” Sergio Garcia stopped by the Omega store in New York City yesterday to donate his personal Omega wristwatch for display and said in an interwiew that he was "definitely going to the Open” to support Rafa because "he's an incredible player. I have to keep it local.”

Vamos Rafa!

New York, August 25th 2009

Tennis greats, Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams, Roger Federer and John McEnroe will gather Wednesday, August 26, in the heart of New York City to challenge local youth tennis players and the general public to try their hand at experiencing what it’s like to return a pro serve.

Hundreds of tennis fans and youth from New York Parks and Rec, Athletes for Charity, and Mentoring USA will be treated to inspirational tennis tips and guidance from Federer, Nadal, Williams, and McEnroe.

Three youth, representing each organization in attendance, will also have a chance to win a donation for their group by returning serves from a tennis serve-simulator set to mimic the powerful shots of the pros. In addition, Nike, for the first time will unveil each athletes look for the 2009 U.S. Open.

TIMES ONLINE BLOG: Stay up to date with daily notes on how he's feeling, what he's doing and what he thinks of his eagerly-anticipated return to grand-slam tennis at the US Open starting on Monday. Rafa will also answer those pressing questions that you've always wanted to ask.

Vamos Rafa!

Video: US Open 2008 Flashback

New York, August 24th 2009

This year's Ashe Kids' Day will feature your favorite tennis stars along with the latest music sensations together on one stage this Saturday, August 29.

This year's lineup is guaranteed to rock the house with some of today's hot young new talent. Fans will see funnyman Will Ferrell and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks singing her new hit "Battlefield." Also performing are rising star boy band Honor Society and Usher protégé Justin Bieber. Plus see exciting tennis matches and contests with former US Open champions Serena Williams, Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova plus Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters, James Blake and Novak Djokovic. 

From: www.usopen.org

RAFA'S SCHEDULE: Rafa travelled to New York this Sunday and will begin training today. We will let you know more about his plans and schedule for the week very soon.

Cincinnati, August 22nd 2009

After an amazing week of tennis, Rafa’s run at the last hardcourt tournament before the US Open starts has come to an end.

The anticipated semifinal encounter against Novak Djokovic tonight was as difficult as it could get, giving Rafa very little room for error and eventually finishing a lot faster than one would have wanted: 6-1 6-4 was the final score.

"He played really good with very good intensity during all the match. In the last games I think he decrease a little bit more than the rest,” said Rafa at the press conference.

There is no doubt that a significant progress has been made since returning to competition two weeks ago in Monteal, and with more time on court Rafa will continue to gain more confidence and speed.  In the meantime, he can look back at these last couple of days and feel very proud of himself for beating the likes of Paul-Henri Mathieu, and world No.18 Tomas Berdych on his way to the semis.

In regards to the last Grand Slam of the season, Rafa said that he was happy with his preparation, "It's another step.  Physically and mentally it's difficult for me to be ready.  But I think this match is gonna be a good experience for me right now to try to be in this step in the US Open.

"I expect to play really well and try to win. But tennis is difficult, and all the players are very close and gonna be really tough in one tournament like the US Open. Five sets, so we will see how I am physically to play the five set matches. These two weeks, winning three matches here and two matches there [Montreal], [playing] seven matches in total, so it's enough matches I think."

UPDATE: Rafa will travel to New York this Sunday where he will begin training this week. On Monday we will let you know more about his plans and schedule for the rest of the week.

Vamos Rafa!

Cincinnati, August 22nd, 2009

Rafa Nadal earned a spot in the semifinals of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati with an impressive 6-4, 7-5 victory over Czech, Tomas Berdych yesterday evening.

"I think I improved every day a little bit more, so today I played very good match," said Rafa after the match, "Winning against Tomas on this surface is a very good win for me, so I'm very happy for that. When I arrived here, I didn't expect to be in this round... anything can happen right now.

"After two months outside, the second tournament, playing two matches like this, like against Mathieu last night and against Berdych today, it's very good news. In normal conditions I am coming here with the goal play a good tournament and try to win the tournament.  But in this conditions, being in semi-finals is perfect for me, because I think that's more confidence for the US Open. For sure it's very important, this tournament."

Today, at 7:00pm (local time) on Center Court, Rafa will be going head to head against the 4th ranked player on tour, Novak Djokovic.  Their total head to head history favors Rafa with a 14-4 record, however, all 4 of Djokovic's wins over Rafa have come on the hardcourt surface and that is from a total of 7 matches. 

While Rafa has shown lots of positive signs of strength in this tournament, Djokovic is the first top 5 player that he will play since coming back from injury, so it will be a very difficult match for our Spanish champ.  

Vamos Rafa!

Video: ATP Tennis Youtube Channel