UNITED KINGDOM: TENNIS - Rafael Nadal eager to carry on at Wimbledon where he left off, while Venus Williams shows no signs of slowing down

Record ID: 837797

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: TENNIS - Rafael Nadal eager to carry on at Wimbledon where he left off, while Venus Williams shows no signs of slowing down
  • Date: 18th June 2010
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (JUNE 19, 2010) (REUTERS) PHOTOGRAPHERS VARIOUS OF NADAL PRACTISING (SOUNDBITE) (English) RAFAEL NADAL SAYING: "Well, win the title like Wimbledon probably is one of the more emotional moments in my career because I worked all my life hard to improve my tennis in the rest of the surfaces than clay, in clay, too, but is a little bit more easier for me." ANDY MURRAY PRACTISING VARIOUS OF MURRAY'S NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 2010 13:00
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  • Location: United Kingdom
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  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVABSF2UOO2Q2TAX17R6JTNWJHDQ
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  • Story Text: Rafael Nadal crushed all in his path as he bulldozed through the claycourt season but only a full-tilt Wimbledon challenge next week will provide unequivocal proof that the Spaniard is back at the peak of his powers.
    From the moment he turned professional Nadal has been too good for pretty much everybody on red dirt but it was his breathtaking ascent to Wimbledon champion in 2008 that marked him down as a player ready to end Roger Federer's domination.
    The 24-year-old Mallorcan is just glad to be back at the scene of arguably his greatest career moment -- the intense five-set cliffhanger of a final in 2008 when he brought Federer to his knees.
    "For me always was a special illusion to play well in this court as I did for three years. Finally I won. So always be here is very nice memories and is always a pleasure be in this very beautiful club," Nadal, who faces Japanese 20-year-old Kei Nishikori in the Tuesday's first round told reporters on Saturday (June 19).
    "Well, win the title like Wimbledon probably is one of the more emotional moments in my career because I worked all my life hard to improve my tennis in the rest of the surfaces than clay. In clay, too. But is a little bit more easier for me," he added.
    After a bad 2009 season, Nadal is now firing on all cylinders and has set his sights on reclaiming the title he was unable to defend 12 months ago through injury.
    Six-times champion Roger Federer stands in his way, so too do American powerhouse Andy Roddick and Britain's Andy Murray, not to mention several other dangerous grasscourt grazers.
    Murray will once again whip up British hype as he begins the annual quest of trying to end the constant repetition of the fact that Fred Perry was the last British man to win at Wimbledon, in 1936.
    Since losing to Federer in the Australian Open final, world number four Murray has under-achieved.
    The 23-year-old, who was stopped in the semi-finals last year by Roddick, has been touted by all and sundry as a grand slam champion waiting to happen but so far he has not delivered.
    "When I played in the past, there's obviously pressure on you to do well, but not necessarily win the event. Now, you know, that's where I feel like I'm at, you know, trying to win the tournament. And last year would have helped me with that because obviously played well, had a good tournament, but still obviously learnt a few things I could have done better. You just get used to playing, you know, when you're at home in front of your home crowd, dealing with sort of the surroundings, everything that goes on with the tournament," the Brit told reporters.
    "There's been a lot of people that have come close the last few years, last 10 or 15 years with Tim, and myself last year. You know, we just need, yeah, the support. If we get that, hopefully one day we'll be able to change it," he added.
    Roddick, who lost a 30-game fifth set to Federer in last year's final, has many fans in London and will once again bring his heavy weaponry, chiefly his serve, to the party.
    "I've proven that I know how to kind of navigate my way to the later rounds of this tournament. It's a place that I feel comfortable. It's a surface that I feel good on. So you know as for the names on the list, that's for you to decide. But you know I feel comfortable with where I'm at here," the 27-year-old American said.
    In the women's draw Williams sisters will be the one to beat. The American siblings have grabbed the silverware at the All England Club in eight of the past 10 years.
    Venus has just celebrated her 30th birthday and is about to embark on her 50th grand slam tournament but she says she is still addicted to tennis.
    The imposing American is clearly at home at Wimbledon where she has won the title on five occasions, only one less than compatriot Billie Jean King.
    The challenges are expected to come from some of the Tour's more seasoned players, the likes of Belgium duo Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin or even Italy's Francesca Schiavone who won the French Open this month.
    Of the top seeds only Caroline Wozniacki is still a teenager and Williams believes the balance of power is shifting.
    "Well I think people are just able to accept that you can play tennis a lot longer. I think before people didn't go past 27. But I think at this time, you know, it's when you really most understand the game. It's actually an advantage to be out here at this stage in the career," she said.
    Schiavone lit up Roland Garros with her joyful celebrations earlier this month but she certainly felt no inclination to kiss the grass this week after she struggled to make the transition from clay, losing her opening match at Eastbourne in straight sets.
    She said she didn't have any problems going back to the practice courts after winning her maiden Grand Slam.
    "If you win one Grand Slam, 10 Grand Slam, or if you are 100 in the world, is the same history: you have to practice and be in the court, give the best," the Italian said.
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