Australian Open - Nadal overcomes injury scare

Eurosport - Sun, 01 Feb 17:56:00 2009

Rafael Nadal feared his hopes of winning his first Australian Open title were slipping when he felt a sudden pain in his hamstring during the final with Roger Federer.

TENNIS 2009 Australian Open Final - Rafa Nadal / Foto EFE - 0

Nadal won the match 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2 but not before a mighty scare from his Swiss opponent and his own weary body.

The Spanish world number one was already worried about his fitness after spending more than five hours on court during his semi-final win over fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco on Friday night.

But his concerns increased when his leg started to hurt during the third set and he called for a trainer to help him out.

"I ended the match against Verdasco with the right leg, the quadriceps and hamstring very tight," Nadal said.

"In the third set it started to (hurt)... I wasn't cramping but it was scary."

Nadal asked the trainer to massage his leg during the change of ends but was reluctant to call for a medical timeout incase he needed it later in the match.

The powerful lefthander said the pain never went away but he was able to fight through it to seal an epic victory.

"I was a little bit tired. I was little bit worried about my physical performance because (when) I trained, it was tough to keep up the concentration.

"I spoke with my coach before the match and he told me to go out there and fight all the time and believe in the victory."

Nadal's win earned him a sixth Grand Slam title after his four consecutive wins at the French Open and his 2008 success at Wimbledon.

He became the first man since Andre Agassi to win Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces and at 22, he still has plenty of time left to win the only major that has eluded him, the US Open.

"This is very special, it's a dream to win here, a Grand Slam on hard court," Nadal said.

"I have worked very hard... all my life to improve my tennis outside of clay.

"I have six right now, I'm happy with my six.

"Every title is tough to win. I don't know if I'm gonna win more, but for sure I'm gonna continue trying.

"When I won my first one I didn't know if I would win any more. You never know when that will stop so you have to be cautious and be humble."

While Federer was reduced to tears after the match, Nadal said he was also overcome with emotion after receiving the winner's trophy and a cheque for A$2 million from the only person to have twice completed the Grand Slam.

"My uncle always told me Rod Laver was the best because he won the whole grand slam, the four in a row, two times," Nadal said.

"Everything was very special. I was sorry it was a tough moment for Rog today... but he's a great champion.

"He's the best... and a very important person for our sport."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. If Nadal was selfish,he would have skipped the olympics to give himself more time to prepare for the US open.But he slogged it out at the olympics and won the gold medal for Spain and was too tired before the US open.He did not even play the cash rich Masters tournament because of his injury and he must have tried his best to regain fitness before the Davis cup final but unfortunately couldn't do so.SO OBVIOUSLY NADAL IS HONEST TO HIS SPORT AND HONEST TO HIS COUNTRY AND SHAME ON ANYONE WHO CALLS NADAL A LIAR.

    From jaskaran, on Tue 3 Feb 1:43PM

  2. If Nadal was selfish,he would have skipped the olympics to give himself more time to prepare for the US open.But he slogged it out at the olympics and won the gold medal for Spain and was too tired before the US open.He did not even play the cash rich Masters tournament because of his injury and he must have tried his best to regain fitness before the Davis cup final but unfortunately couldn't do so.SO OBVIOUSLY NADAL IS HONEST TO HIS SPORT AND HONEST TO HIS COUNTRY AND SHAME ON ANYONE WHO CALLS NADAL A LIAR.

    From jaskaran, on Tue 3 Feb 1:41PM

  3. "10" here is about tennis not prostitution!Go to hell b l o o d y w h o r e!!!!

    From Jeremy, on Mon 2 Feb 2:07PM

  4. I just love Serena and Rafa at the top! I's something special!

    From Vic M, on Mon 2 Feb 1:23PM

  5. I have met a lot of ri ch singles and celebrities on -- Meet Wealthy co m --, where you can find many, Curvy, Classy Women, open minded rich couples, rich guys, also nice wealthy admirers, even some celebs.

    From Summy L, on Mon 2 Feb 1:19PM

  6. stormtt u sad character, nadal was most definitely injured at the end of last season anyone could see that by the way he moved and how dare u insult him by saying he missed the davis cup final on purpose, educate yourself watch spanish tv and see what a great guy rafa is in interviews, but then again u wont do that because u like to dwell on the negative so carry on with your bitterness it will make for a very fruitfull life.

    From ralph, on Mon 2 Feb 11:22AM

  7. Nadal lied all the media's when he told that he has injury in the end of last year, he didn't play for Spain in Davis Cup, he didn't play MAster tour just to start to train for Australia hundred months earlier than others, he just neeeeeeed more training than Roger or Djokovic because he has no that tehnics and talent like those two players. Training, training and just training.pffffffff

    From stormtt, on Mon 2 Feb 10:46AM

  8. Congratulation RAFA!!! ^_^

    From riekekurama, on Mon 2 Feb 4:24AM

  9. rafa is so perfect and endurable that he can beat federer, some @#$%' fans and injuries at the same time!!!

    From gunaxel88, on Sun 1 Feb 11:27PM

  10. It REAT was an enthralling Final. Had a premonition that the inimitable,indefatigable Rafa would beat the Great Roger. I could'nt stomach Fed's tears. Fed, cheer up.Regard failure as a fertiliser for success.Rafa u 're wonderful and a great gentleman. U r magnanimous in ur victory. KEEP IT UP. gOOD luck. Vish

    From vishsrirao, on Sun 1 Feb 7:31PM

  11. respect to rafa hope he smashes all the existing records although winning 2 grand slams will be a tall order even though rod laver never played on hard courts so the comparison shouldnt even be made. the times have changed nobody has managed the full slam (in 1 year) in the modern era since the introduction of hard courts but my money is on rafa doing it either this year or next. vamossss

    From ralph, on Sun 1 Feb 7:05PM

  12. take care Rafa!!!!!!:):):):):):)

    From ganguryanmary, on Sun 1 Feb 6:31PM

  13. Rafa is great but for all his hard work and fanatic play it will cost him his knees once a day. Hope he can still win more titles and be healthy.

    From aus11123, on Sun 1 Feb 6:15PM
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