Where Does Nadal Go From Here?

From espn.com: Time for some Nadal perspective

Remember that brief but heady time last summer when sports fans were saying "Federer-Nadal?" Rafael Nadal (French Open) and Roger Federer (Wimbledon) had split back-to-back finals -- the only time that has happened in the Open era -- and seemed destined to become a twosome for the ages, like Borg and McEnroe or Pete and Andre. Tennis was back!

Six months later, no one is saying Federer-Nadal anymore. By winning his 10th (and third straight) Grand Slam, the Swiss god has left tennis beneath him. The comparisons are now with historic figures from other sports. These days, it's "Federer-Tiger," as in Woods. So where does that leave the Nadal half of our rivalry?

Nadal Says Injury is No Problem

From The Herald Sun: Nadal shrugs off injury scare

YOUNG Spanish ace Rafael Nadal is ready to give the Australian Open his best shot.

Nadal yesterday dispelled any fitness doubts after showing no discomfort during a final workout...

Nadal Retires from Match With Back Injury

I don't think this is the kind of preparation Rafael Nadal had in mind for the Australian Open.

From The Herald Sun: Open injury doubt again

WORLD No. 2 Rafael Nadal yesterday fell victim to an Australian Open injury curse that threatens to become an epidemic.

The French Open champion retired with a strained right thigh when trailing Australian giant-killer Chris Guccione, who the Spaniard described as having one of the best serves in the world.

Down 6-5 in the first set of his first-round Sydney International clash at Olympic Park, Nadal twice had treatment on court before withdrawing...

Nadal's Prospects in 2007?

So which Rafael Nadal will we see in 2007?  The one who defeated Roger Federer on hard courts?  Or the one who lost to Tomas Berdych and Mikhail Youzhny?

No shortage of contrasting opinions in this Tennis Week article: King Conquerer?  Can Nadal Outmuscle Federer in 2007?

How Rafael Nadal Spent His Off-Season

Here's another fun Rafael Nadal article.   He's such an unusual character - so tenacious and brimming with confidence on court and yet so normal off it.   I was expecting him to have developed a big head by now.

I suppose it comes from his never having left home.

From The Times: Nadal works on in quest for world domination

Rafael Nadal will visit both sets of grandparents on Christmas Day, much as he would most days when he is in Manacor, his Majorcan home from home, for the essence of the second-best tennis player in the world is that he acts like it only when he is on a court, and there he has never been content with second best. At home, and at rest, Nadal is a son and grandson to savour.

When it is put to Sebastián, his father, that it is not usual that his son has remained normal when so much is at stake — he has earned nearly $9 million (about £4.6 million) in prize-money alone — the look one gets is of incredulity. “What is normal is the way he is, no?” Nadal Sr says...

Federer Downs Nadal In Seoul Exhibition

Not a bad show...and now I'm beginning to wonder if Rafael Nadal will ever beat Roger Federer again:)

From Chosun: Federer, Nadal let rip in Seoul clash

It was a showdown of low, just-over-the-net strokes passed back and forth on a purple tinted court. At Tuesday¡¯s bout between reigning tennis king Roger Federer of Switzerland and young gun Rafael Nadal of Spain, the audience was treated to an exhibition of the world¡¯s greatest speed and power. The crowd was sending cheers the athlete¡¯s way every time they fired off one of their blazing 200 km/h-plus serves or broke out with the hard shots. In their final match of the season, they were not afraid to pull out all the stops.

The king kept his crown in the end. Federer put out his forehand attacks and serves to beat Nadal 2-1 (6-3, 3-6, 6-3). Shots aimed just a little off the line were particularly effective at goading Nadal into foul-ups...

Nadal Still Alive in Shanghai

And the ticketsellers breathe a sigh of relief...

From Eurosport: Nadal comes good with win

Rafael Nadal started tentatively against countryman Tommy Robredo in the Masters Cup Gold group but finished strongly to win 7-6 6-2 and reignite his semi-final hopes.

The Spaniards are good friends and seemed willing to give one another points early on, unforced errors making up a fair percentage of those gained...

Rafael Nadal Interview

Nothing new or terribly profound here, but don't you love how the BBC feels obliged to ask Rafael Nadal about Andy Murray?

From the BBC: Sportsround meets Rafael Nadal

When you're playing tennis you're travelling all over the world, that must be tiring?

Sometimes it is difficult. Every week you travel to a different place, a different city. For example I have to fly to Chennai in India for a tournament on 28 December.

That is difficult sometimes, but I enjoy it and I have some very good friends on the tour and that's very important.

Talking of friends, how do you get on with world number one Roger Federer?

My English is not the best, but I have good relations with him. I wouldn't say we are friends as he is from Switzerland and I am from Spain, but we get on okay.

My friends on the tour speak Spanish, like Argentines or Spanish players.

WOW. YOUZHNY DEF NADAL 6-1 in the 4th!

Mikhail Youzhny played out of his f-ing mind and broke Rafa's spirit. Incredible. Extremely well played.

Nice Nadal Article in the NY Times

Choice quote: Nadal [broke down in tears] inside the All England Club after beating Marcos Baghdatis to reach the Wimbledon final. “I don’t think it’s good to control it too much sometimes; I think if you need to cry, you should cry,” he said.

How can you not love this kid?

I love that Federer and Nadal are such crybabies and not afraid to show that emotion. Have there been other criers in tennis? I can't really think of any right now, except for Sampras' teary farewell a few years ago. Hmm.

Read 'Nadal Returns to NY with Big Goal'

Fedal Exhibition Pictures; Video of Nadal's Media Blitz

Nadal and Federer played an exhibition this morning in NYC; did anyone go? Here are pictures, here are some more, and here are some more. ETA: Here are even more.

Also, the ATP's put together a video of Rafa's press engagements--TIME, Sports Illustrated, People, to name a few. Sure the video has got training wheels on, but still nice to see Rafa. I'm very excited for all the coverage he's going to be getting. I'm hoping they book him on some TV, too. Watch the video.

Juanqui KOs Rafa 7-6 7-6

Well, yet another shocker. After 4 straight losses to Rafael Nadal, who thought Juan Carlos Ferrero had it in him? VAMOS, Juanqui. Nadal was making an uncharacteristic amount of errors--looked liked his timing was off; and Juanqui was just solid as a rock in the tiebreaks. ETA: Here are post match interview audio clips and a match review.

Crazy amount of Spaniards in the quarters. Let's see if Tommy Robredo and/or David Ferrer can join Juanqui in the semis. ETA: Robredo's through. Vamos Espagna!

This has got to be the most WTF week of tennis.

ps. Ana Ivanovic v. Dinara Safina tomorrow!

*Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Berdych Upsets Rafa

Berdych was just AMAZING. AMAZING. Beautiful play ( and eyes! damn), particularly in the first and third sets...I hope you had the opportunity to watch it.  Links to come.

Poor Rafa...

Read 'Nadal Bounced from Rogers Cup'

Also:

"I think when they (Nadal and Federer) go on court many opponents think they are already down a set because they fear them, they think they are Gods or whoever," said Berdych.

"I know him (Nadal) well because we are a similar age and we played matches in junior so I have no reason to be afraid of him.

Read 'Rusty Nadal suffers Toronto Upset'

Fedal: The Saga Continues

Rafa reaches Borgian levels of teen girl adulation in Toronto; Federer on his more expansive fan base:

“The way he acts, the way he dresses is more toward the younger generation,” Federer said about their respective fan bases. “I'm more all the way through the group of ages. When I look I have so many fans from different age groups it's unbelievable.”

Read 'Federer, Nadal would make an ideal final for Rogers Cup'

Rafa and Roger in Toronto

We've waited long enough for Fedal to re-enter the scene. I, for one, am shitting myself. They both practiced today and even some players watched. Now that's respect. The draw ceremony is at 2pm Saturday.

What have they been up to post-Wimbledon? Rafa's been fishing, riding rollercoasters and hanging out on the beach with Xisca; Roger's been...doing something else.

Video: Xisca and Rafa at the Gym

Hola.com hassles interviews Rafa Nadal as he leaves the gym with his girlfriend Xisca. Watch the video.

Nadal OK for Toronto; Frolicks on Beach

All those rumors of Rafael Nadal pulling out of the Toronto Masters seem to be just that; word is he'll be there. Roger-Rafa in the Rogers Cup Final? Yum.

Rafa's fine. He's apparently been hanging out with his adorable girlfirend Xisca on the beach in Mallorca. And no, he doesn't swim in piratas. Here are pictures.  And here are some other pictures, and some more. Ogle away!

Nadal Skipping Toronto? Rumors are Flying

Remember how last year Rafael Nadal lost in the 1st round of the Cincinnati Masters after winning the Rogers Cup, and then lost to James Blake in the 3rd round of the US Open? Well, he'd like to avoid that this year. Granted he's already pulled out of Bastad and then Stuttgart (with a hand injury, reportedly) to refresh and focus on the hardcourt season, so this talk of pulling out could amount to nothing.

Read 'Nadal Now Doubtful for Toronto Event'

Nadal's Out of Stuttgart

He's out with an injury to his left hand--though there has been speculation that he would pull out to focus on the hard court season. Read the article.

Nadal in Car Accident

He hit an electricity pylon, but is ok. Small wonder, really; his driving is atrocious. Wonder if that good Samaritan tried to slip him some rufees in that drink she gave him.

All kidding aside, thankfully he wasn't hurt. Here's the longer Spanish report (Thanks, Antonio) and what Rafa had to say.

Nadal v. Federer on Hardcourts

Now that Nadal and Federer have defended their respective turfs, they move to neutral ground this summer on American hard courts. Nadal has the edge 2-1 on the surface, but do you think Federer's finally over the hump with Nadal? Fed's had sooo many lopsided "rivalries" that he's turned around (Hewitt, Henman, Nalbandian) that it will be very interesting to see if the Wimbledon win over Rafa is the beginning of a seismic shift in their head-to-head.

Anyway, we'll all be watching--and so will a lot more people! It seems the rivalry has caught the attention of non-tennis fans, like those beefy, big-mouthed and bonehead-y ESPN commentators, lol.

Federer, Nadal Take Rivalry to Hardcourts / Also, here's what must be the first article to compare Federer to a 'knitting lady.' and ETA: Sampras' 14 Slams No Longer a Lock for Federer / Roche on the Rivalry

Wimbledon Video: Men's Final

Too cheap to get Wimbledon Live? Watch the final on YouTube: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 (Match point) from Chinese TV (MP from German TV).

Also: Here's NBC's coverage of the awards ceremony and its aftermath, complete with Rafa whistles, the Nadal-Fed low-five, the post-trophy victory laps,and Bud Collins' post-match interviews--with Bud's cringeworthy Spanish and Fed's admission of Rafitis. John McEnroe commentating.

Federer's Pre-Final interview / Rafa's GREAT Pre-Match interview (BBC, John McEnroe, Stich) / Rafa's Post-Final Interview /Federer interview with French TV. Fed's full video press conference is available here.

Roger Wins Wimbledon

A great win for Roger and wonderful news for tennis fans. The rivalry's on! The American hard court swing is gonna be very, very interesting. Well, I am extremely satisfied with that Wimbledon. I'm gonna watch the ESPN Wimbledon wrap up at 3, and then not think about tennis for a few hours, lol, before posting thoughts on the fortnight.

Here are a match report / Federer's interview /  Nadal's interview / Federer headlines / Nadal headlines /audio excerpts of the interviews.

ETA: ESPN's got video of Roger's press conference/his Sportscenter interview with Chris Fowler Interview, and more / Jimmy Connors on the Final / Christopher Clarey on the Final

Roger v. Rafa: Wimbledon Showdown

An hour and fifteen minutes to go. I did my absolute best to wake up late enough so that I wouldn't have to suffer the rabid pre-match jitters that I'm feeling now. Music, lots of wine, and a late night out...what more does a girl have to do?

Here are a good match preview, Federer's pre-match interview, and Nadal's pre-match interview. Here's a (Spanish) video discussion between Nadal and Spain's only Wimbledon Champ, Manuel Santana (plus beer gut). More stuff on the Federer news page, the Nadal news page, and in this post here.

I think all of us Fed fans out there know that this is a must win for Roger. If Rafa wins, more people than Mats Wilander will be questioning the size of his balls, and the value of his recent dominance--over a field that will seem diminished by Rafa's owning of the guy who owns them. The most important person doing the questioning will be Roger himself.

And imagine the humiliation of walking off-court with that cream blazer--which reads like royal robes tailor-made for a victory lap--with the following pounding in your ears: that you may not be the best of all time, nor even of your generation. That you've swindled the whole world with your elegant strokes and aristocratic manner just like an impoverished prince mesmerizing New Money. Watching Federer is a pleasure of course--and tennis is truly The Beautiful Game (sorry, Soccer fans)--but at the end of the day, you play to win. And it's the win that matters in the long run, no matter how ugly.

But what a huge, huge victory for Nadal if he takes it, and he will begin his own Greatest-Ever arc for entirely different reasons from Roger, because Nadal would have proved that he can complete the Grand Slam--and more.

Enjoy the match, and may the best man (on the day) win!

ps. Some shameless self-promotion, check out my Team Roger and Team Rafa t-shirts, etc.

ETA: Santana on Nadal. Really nice piece.

It's Federer v. Nadal for Wimbledon. Stop Drooling.

Federer d. Bjorkman 6-2 6-0 6-2
Roger massacred Bjorkman beautifully, as expected. Bjorkman maybe said it best in his pre-match interview: "we'll see how long it's gonna last." Well, just 77 minutes of whoop-ass, as Brad Gilbert might say.

Here are a match report / Federer's interview / Bjorkman's interview.

Nadal d. Baghdatis 6-1 7-5 6-3
Baghdatis fought the good fight after swallowing his nerves (it took most of the first set). But wow, what a match we will have Sunday. Federer v. Nadal for a shinier spot in the history books. Bravo, Nadal.

Here are a match summary / Baghdatis' interview / Nadal's interview.

This will be the match of the year. So who's your pick to win?

From the Wash. Post: Federer v. Nadal in the Wimbledon Final

ETA: Connors on the dream final / Grass acts go head to head / Nadal transformed from king of clay to genius on grass / the NY Times on Fed v. Nadal /Keys to Victory on Sunday

Wimbledon Semis: The Men

1. Nadal v. Baghdatis
Who would have thought these 2 would make it this far this year? This match marks a real changing of the guard in tennis, as the old grass court elite struggles or retires. Despite Rafa's 7-5 6-0 demolition of Baghdatis on the fast courts at Indian Wells this spring, I think they both have a really good shot. This could be a classic!

2. Federer v. Bjorkman
Though it's nearly impossible to imagine Roger Federer losing to Jonas Bjorkman, I still think that Bjorkman's doubles-enhanced net play and match experience will serve to make this a tougher win for Roger than those over his previous more highly touted opponents. Bjorkman is also under absolutely no pressure and that can always spell trouble.

Here are a couple of articles about the match ups:
Federer, First-timers seek final place / Nadal Eyes Maiden Wimbledon Final / Cyprus looks forward to heroics from Baghdatis / Nadal makes light of surface tension

Federer v. Nadal at Wimbledon

It looks like it'll happen. Marcos Baghdatis (News/Posts), of course, could very likely crash the party, but I think Rafael Nadal (News/Posts) is incredibly eager to face Federer (News/Posts) in the final this year. And usually if Nadal wants it, he finds a way to get it. Roger, watch out!

Here's a GREAT Sports Illustrated piece on the potential match up: Read 'Head Games'

Style & Fashion at Wimbledon

On and off the court, the Men Rule
Nice bits on Federer's Prada-Nike jacket, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray's style.

Wimbledon Quarterfinals: The Men

1. Federer v. Ancic:  This is supposed to be a date with destiny--can Federer vanquish the last man who defeated him at Wimbledon? Sure, Super Mario's a serious fighter and has a monster serve, but I think we all know the answer here. (Sorry, ancicfan!)

2. Nadal v. Nieminen: Can Rafael Nadal make the finals of Wimbledon? It sure as hell looks like it. I think Rafa really announced himself as a comer on grass at Queen's Club, when he split sets with eventual champ Lleyton Hewitt and then retired with shoulder strain. The most important thing for Rafa at Wimbledon is confidence, and by making the quarters--even with a pretty unintimidating draw, despite Agassi in the 3rd--he's certainly earned some. I think Finland will have to settle for an historic quarterfinal.

3. Hewitt v. Baghdatis: The young upstart or the resurgent veteran? I'm going with Marcos just for the storyline.

4. Bjorkman v. Stepanek. I'll just be watching to see if Hingis shows up in the players' box. Good luck to them both.

Here's Covers.com's odds-based picks.

Wimbledon Video: Lots and Lots of It

Google Video has got a TREASURE TROVE of free player interviews, match reviews, and match previews from Wimbledon 2006. Here it is. DO NOT MISS THIS.

Nalbandian's Exit and Nadal on beating Agassi are classics.

Paper Accuses Nadal of Doping; Nadal Responds

Nadal condemns Doping 'Lies'
The 20-year-old was furious that a French Sunday newspaper had claimed his name was on a list which also included five Real Madrid players. Read 'Lies'

ETA: Nadal may sue / Spanish Government Condemns Allegations

ETA: Here's video of Nadal's response.

Wimbledon Round of 16 Review: The Men

Biggest Letdown: Murray v. Baghdatis didn't live up to its billing: Murray (News/Posts) played like a loose cannon; Baghdatis (News/Posts) was solid and won in straight sets. Here are Baghdatis' interview / Murray's interview /Jimmy Connors' breakdown of the match.

Closest Shave: Nieminen v. Tursunov. Finn Jarkko Nieminen took the first two sets; an extremely surly Tursunov (News/Posts) almost willed deja vu, coming back from 2 sets down as he did against Ljubicic in the 3rd round. Nieminen finally closed it out 9-7 in the 5th. Here are a match summary / Nieminen's interview / Tursunov's interview.

Roger Federer (News/Posts) had a routine win over Tomas Berdych, and Rafael Nadal (News/Posts) took out Irakli Labadze and his beer gut in straight sets.

Federer Match Review / Federer Interview / Nadal Match Review

Lleyton Hewitt (News/Posts) took out Spaniard David Ferrer in 4 tough, clay courtish sets; Mario Ancic (News/Posts) edged Novak Djokovic (News/Posts) in 5; Jonas Bjorkman took out his doubles partner Max Mirnyi in 5, and Hingis' boy toy Radek Stepanek took out Fernando Verdasco in 5. Here's a round up of all of these.

Some great tennis on the men's side today!

Nadal's Girlfriend, Dementieva's Boyfriend

Here is a scan of an article from Spanish tabloid Semana with a few pictures of Rafael Nadal with his girlfriend Francesca "Xisca" Perello: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4.

ETA: More pictures of Rafa's lady.

Also, nice picture of  Perello with Uncle Tony and tidbits about Dementieva's hockey-player boyfriend, Hantuchova, Shuai Peng and more in TennisReports.net's Off Court Chatter column.

On Nadal's girlfriend:

For the first time, Rafael Nadal is being accompanied to a tournament with a girlfriend, Francesca "Xisca" Perello. The 18-year-old from Manacor and is a friend of one his sisters.  Read the column

Here's a recent article about Dementieva and her boyfriend, hockey star Maxim Afinogenov.

Wimbledon Day 6 Super Saturday

Agassi (News/Blog Posts) v. Nadal (News/Blog Posts) and the battle of the Andys on Center Court.

You really can't ask for much more.

Nadal and Agassi have only met once before--Rafael egded Andre in (best 2 out of) 3 for the Masters Shield in Toronto last summer. You can bet that Agassi will have some extra motivation to get revenge before it's too late. Here's a short video recap of their first match up, with interviews.

Andy M. (News/Blog Posts) vs. Andy R. (News/Blog Posts) should be a classic... Roddick's got extra incentive to win it, almost as a point of honor, but also because of those, oh, 700 points he's defending from last year's final. This is Murray's opportunity to really declare himself as a comer and with all the hometown support (despite the World Cup debacle, which has escalated quite ridiculously; nice to see non-Americans acting the fool), this is his best shot to date--no matter what he says about his game being more suited to other surfaces.

I'm really looking forward to Lleyton Hewitt (News/Blog Posts) v. little Ollie Rochus (News, Blog Posts), Seb Grosjean v. Marcos Baghdatis (News/Blog Posts)and the battle of the big hitters Dinara Safina (News/Blog Posts) v. Ana Ivanovic (News/Blog Posts), too.

Agassi v Nadal: Passing the Bandanna

Nice article about how Nadal is Agassi's successor as the next great charismatic star in tennis. But how disturbing is this:

Replica versions of Nadal's trademark pirate pants are being bought by the children of fans who once dreamed of having denim shorts like those Agassi wore. Read 'Nadal or Bust'

Here's a nice video vignette on Agassi's transformation.

And speaking of passing torches, here's Bolletieri on Sampras v. Federer (in the second column).

Video: Vijay Amritraj on Agassi-Nadal

Legendary Indian tennis Player Vijay Amritraj breaks down Nadal-Agassi. This video's also got  interview segments with Nadal and Roddick. Watch the video.

Nadal 'Whining' about Time Violations?

Nadal too good barely, for whiny antics

Get over the conspiracy theories, Rafael Nadal. If Andre Agassi beats you Saturday in the most anticipated match of Wimbledon's first week, it will not be because the umpire is out to get you by warning you to hurry up between points. Read On...

I don't know, but it does seem weird that the time violations just started snowballing recently, no?

Wimbledon Day 4: Great Losses

Rafael Nadal d. Robert Kendrick
6-7(4) 3-6  7-6(2) 7-5  6-4

No doubt this was a great, tenacious win for Rafa, but Robert Kendrick, the 26 year old veteran journeyman who has been solidly challenger-tier his whole career, had the match of his life--Wimbledon, Center Court, spanking Rafa's big ass soundly on tennis' biggest stage for 2 and a half sets. Kendrick's super-sized serving for the first 2 sets (and most of the next 2) was just flawless.

The turning point came late in the 3rd when Kendrik was just 2 points away from the win. He had another close call in the next set, but you just knew the ending was written in stone once he missed his first chance.

Of course, Nadal's "sheer cussedness" (and Kendrick's creeping fatigue--not so many 5-setters on the challenger level) won the day, but Kendrick gained some face time on ESPN, advice and props from Brad Gilbert (who had picked him to win), and a legion of new fans. Hopefully we'll see a lot more of Kendrick; 26 doesn't seem so old anymore in tennis years these days.

Here's a match summary / Rafa's Interview /  Kendrick's Interview

Fernando Gonzalez d. Marat Safin
6-4 7-6 (4) 6-4 6-4 6-4

Safin was ornery and so was Gonzalez; both got warned--Safin for audible obscenity and Gonzo for racquet abuse. This one was a see-saw, but Safin won the first two sets and had chances to close it out. Gonzo gets his second consecutive grand slam win over Marat, and Marat gets another body blow to his self-esteem.

Article: Safin shows Jekyll and Hyde nature in defeat

Some Nadal Bits & Video

Nadal on his drive: "I have never played for money . . . I play because I love to win. I'm not interested in buying things and you won't ever see me driving a Ferrari." Read the Article

Also, here's a wrap of the Nadal-Bogdanovich match.

VIDEO: Nadal in: NBC's Wimbledon Preview / the BBC Wimbledon Preview / Match Point v. Bogdanovich

Nadal's Girlfriend at Wimbledon

She (Xisca Perelló, supposedly) is watching Rafa play his first round match against Bogdanovich and is a pretty, petite brunette for the curious. Here are paparazzi pictures of them canoodling.

The Nadal Butt Pick: Charming or Gross?

I like all of Nadal's idiosyncracies: the full-tilt sprint to the corner, the trophy biting, the leaping kicks, the OCD placement of his bottles court side, the pre-serve sock adjustments, the deliberate pre-serve bounces, and of course the dependable wedgie pick. (Not to mention the glories of Raflish,no?) Where are you on all of them?

Nadal Talks about Grass, Girls and Losing

Nadal has all of a sudden been branded "handsome," "heartthrob," and "sexy" this year. I don't recall those sorts of accolades being thrown his way last year (at least not in the non-Spanish press). Did they think he was too baby-faced or barely legal back then to be lusted after? (Never a problem with the girls, of course.)

Anyway, great profile from the Times UK.

When his eyes turn black, you’re a dead man
He has the guile of John McEnroe, the film star appeal of Ilie Nastase and the all-conquering promise of the young Boris Becker. Rafael Nadal is a handsome killer who threatens Roger Federer’s reign as the world’s top tennis player and tomorrow he will bring a dangerous crackle of electricity to Wimbledon. Read the Nadal profile

Wimbledon: Wear Whites or Talk to the Hand

Wimbledon's getting very serious about its dress code: violators will be defaulted. Ouch.

Choice quote:

Andrew Jarrett, the tournament’s new referee, said last week: “There have been various outfits over the years that have caused everything from huge enjoyment to huge outrage, depending on your viewpoint. A lot of people wondered what the reaction would be to Nadal’s pirate shorts last year. We were very relaxed about it. He turned up in a beautiful white pair and they are now part of his persona.

“We have accepted the bare midriff because when virtually every player serves I defy any of them not to show their midriff when they are stretching up."

I defy anyone to deem piratas "beautful," white or otherwise. Read the 'Wimbledon whites' article

ps. Adidas is German? Where have I been.

Wimbledon Draws are Out!: The Men

And ouch, what a draw it is. Federer's basically got most of the high-end grass courters in his quarter. Gasquet in the first round, or for all you Gasquet fans (myself included), Gasquet's got Federer. Roger could face Timmy Henman in the second round, and Tommy Haas, who just gave Roger trouble in Halle, in the 4th round. Red hot Mario Ancic and iron-serve Ivo Karlovic are at the bottom of Federer's quarter. Nalbandian or Blake in the semis. Sure, you can't bet against Roger, but wow, this is a tough draw.

Nalbandian's draw looks pretty straightforward until Blake in the quarters, but Poor Andy Roddick (and Marat Safin) are in Lleyton Hewitt's section. Andy Murray's in there, too.

Agassi's in Nadal's portion of the draw, so is Feliciano Lopez, his buddy and Wimbledon housemate who made the quarters last year (first Spaniard in 33 years to do so). F-Lo has been having a dismal year and drawing Ivan Ljubicic in the opening round won't necessarily help matters.

ETA: Player Reaction to the Draw