'He was a better player I think in important moments.'
It was always going to be a tough task for Rafa Benitez to replace his popular, Champions League winning predecessor Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and Saturday's woeful 4-0 home defeat to Barcelona has turned the pressure up a notch.
Rafael Nadal has decided not to participate in the US Open due to concerns about his fitness
Dominic Xavier salutes the three incomparable masters of the modern era: Roger Federer. Rafael Nadal. Novak Djokovic.
A nostalgic Rafa Nadal reminisced about his freewheeling teenage days after charging into the Australian Open third round on Thursday and forecast a visit to a local aquarium ahead of the next battle in his bid for a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title.
World number one Rafa Nadal withstood a barrage of power serving by Croat Ivo Karlovic to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Wells ATP tournament with a thrilling 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 victory on Thursday.
Rafa Nadal suffered a setback in his Paris 2024 Olympics preparations on Sunday as he was beaten 6-3 6-2 in the Swedish Open final by Portuguese seventh seed Nuno Borges.
A tearful Rafa Nadal was stunned 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 by fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, ending his quest to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once.
Dubbed the 'King of Clay' for his jaw-dropping 112-4 win-loss record at the Paris major, Rafael Nadal's last Roland Garros triumph came in 2022.
'I've never been of the thought that Rafa needs rhythm because he's too good for that. But now the situation is different.'
There is a reason why Rafa Nadal is called 'the Boss' by Nicolas Almagro and on Wednesday the ruthless claycourt king fired his fellow-Spaniard in his pursuit of a record seventh Roland Garros title.
World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz will pair up with 22-times Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the doubles at the Paris Olympics.
Wimbledon will naturally miss an old favourite with Rafael Nadal sidelined by injury yet Garbine Muguruza, armed with her sunny demeanour and blistering talent, seems perfectly happy and equipped to fill the void left by her great Spanish compatriot.
Jannik Sinner overpowered American Taylor Fritz in the final to become the first Italian man to win the US Open singles title.
Nadal had previously said this year could be his final one on the tour.
As Rafael Nadal prepares to ride off into the sunset after a stellar career, his fellow professionals from eras old and new agree on one thing - the Spaniard remains an inspirational role model whose legacy has shaped tennis over the last 23 years.
Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has made it to the semi-finals on his Olympic Games debut.
Real Madrid captain and centre back Sergio Ramos is "100 percent committed" to the club, new coach Rafa Benitez said on Thursday, amid continued speculation the Spain defender could be on his way to Manchester United.
Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final to win his fourth Grand Slam title.
Nadal aims to play at French Open, Olympics
Factbox on Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Alexander Zverev
Rafa Nadal's coach's mood changed when he found out the World No 1 was scheduled to play on uncovered Court One for his quarter-final against Mardy Fish on Wednesday.
Alcaraz's triumph on the Parisian red dirt was the third Grand Slam trophy of his young career and followed the Spanish world number three's breakthrough title at the 2022 U.S. Open and epic Wimbledon victory 12 months ago.
'It has been unforgettable, and I can only say 'thank you'. It has been an incredible journey. It's very difficult, but life and my body have been sending signals to me for a long time.'
Thousands of athletes and staff roamed the Olympic village freely, mingling at cafes and swapping souvenir pins.
Andy Murray's illustrious career finally came to an end as he and doubles partner Dan Evans were beaten 6-2, 6-4 by American pair Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul in the Olympics quarter-finals at Roland Garros on Thursday.
Swiatek's dominance on clay that the top seed from Poland has won her last 20 matches at Roland Garros, as she bids for a third successive trophy to add to her maiden Grand Slam triumph in Paris four years ago
Novak Djokovic etched his name into Olympic history, capturing the gold medal in a thrilling victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
Wimbledon's grass is slower than when Sampras and all the classic serve-volley specialists ruled the roost and, though it still offers a lower bounce than clay or the hard courts that dominate the circuit, it seems that the difference is becoming marginal.
Although Nadal has revealed that he has seen improvements in his hip injury after trying a new treatment, the question still remains: Will Rafa defend his title at the French Open?
Novak Djokovic described Carlos Alcaraz as like facing a blend of the big three -- himself, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer.
Images from the Olympics tennis action at the Roland Garros, Paris, on Wednesday.
Robert Lewandowski's brace earned depleted Barcelona a 2-1 comeback win at Valencia
Spain's World Cup winning midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the Sportswoman of the Year, while Serbia's Novak Djokovic captured the top men's honour at the Laureus awards ceremony on Monday.
Rafa Nadal returned to action for the first time since January at the Brisbane International on Sunday, losing his doubles match but overall showing no obvious after-effects of the hip injury that ruined his year.
Xavi played for Barcelona for 17 years, making 767 appearances and winning 25 trophies, including four Champions League titles and eight LaLiga crowns.
24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic looked completely powerless as he was pummeled into submission by Spain's Carlos Alcaraz.
Rafael Nadal has not played a competitive match since bowing out in the second round of this year's Australian Open.
Nadal, a Real fan despite his uncle Miguel Angel making over 200 appearances for arch-rivals Barcelona, was seen speaking to umpire Mohamed Lahyani about his team's 0-0 home draw with Real Betis on Saturday and was less than impressed with what he saw.
