Australian Summer of Tennis

[RustyCage]

Tomic currently playing Haas in the Hopman Cup, won the first game on serve

[RustyCage]

Nadal pulls out of Australian Open over stomach virus

RAFAEL Nadal, one of the biggest drawcards of the Australian Open each summer, has withdrawn from next month's tournament because he cannot train hard due to a stomach virus.

The Spanish champion has not played since his second round loss at Wimbledon in June because of knee tendonitis that forced surgery.

But just as the knee was strong enough to take the pounding needed on the blue Plexicushion courts of Melbourne Park, Nadal contracted a serious virus.

It floored him with fever and aches and he's been unable to keep up the intensity necessary in training. Last week he withdrew from an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi and his plans to play an ATP tournament next week in Doha had a big question mark around them.

But the news came out today that Nadal will not be fit enough to tackle seven rounds of a grand slam - the number needed to reach the final.

He has been a regular fixture in Melbourne - he made the quarter-finals at least for the last six years in a row; was champion in 2009 after beating Roger Federer and runner-up last January to Novak Djokovik in a five-hour classic.

“I am sorry and very sad to announce that I will not play in the Australian Open,” Nadal said in a statement. “My knee is coming along okay, but a stomach virus has left me unable to get ready in time to tackle the rigours of a Grand Slam.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/tennis/nadal-pulls-out-of-australian-open/story-fnbe6xeb-1226544925441

[Jim05]

Unfortunately Rafa's body is stuffed and the end is almost near for him.

[RustyCage]

Unfortunately Rafa's body is stuffed and the end is almost near for him.

agreed, hasn't played since Wimbledon

[RustyCage]

first set to Tomic

[RustyCage]

Tomic wins 2 sets to 1, Australia go 1-0 up against Germany

[RustyCage]

Australia win the tie over Germany after Petkovic retires with a knee injury. Ashleigh Barty was playing well though.

[geppscrossrams]

Bernard Tomic defeats Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4

[Sky Pilot]

Tomic - the bad boy of Australian tennis - is poised to become the new hero and at 19 he will generate a huge following if he keeps winning and keeps his nose clean. Australian tennis is in a slump on the world stage and Tomic could lead the revival. All power to him

[woodublieve12]

Tomic - the bad boy of Australian tennis - is poised to become the new hero and at 19 he will generate a huge following if he keeps winning and keeps his nose clean. Australian tennis is in a slump on the world stage and Tomic could lead the revival. All power to him

still a douche!!!

[Jim05]

Tomic - the bad boy of Australian tennis - is poised to become the new hero and at 19 he will generate a huge following if he keeps winning and keeps his nose clean. Australian tennis is in a slump on the world stage and Tomic could lead the revival. All power to him

He beat the Djok in an exhibition match, wouldnt get too excited just yet.
Has the potential but reminds me a lot of the Scud

[Sky Pilot]

Tomic - the bad boy of Australian tennis - is poised to become the new hero and at 19 he will generate a huge following if he keeps winning and keeps his nose clean. Australian tennis is in a slump on the world stage and Tomic could lead the revival. All power to him

He beat the Djok in an exhibition match, wouldnt get too excited just yet.
Has the potential but reminds me a lot of the Scud

Oh yeah I agree that's why I said "could lead the revival."

[RustyCage]

He could be a very good player for many years to come, just depends if he gets his head screwed on right and stops acting like a knob.

Was easy to tell last night which team was taking it seriously and which team was using it as a hit around before something more important in the coming weeks.

[Brodlach]

I think it is funny that people say he is acting like a knob....he has been acting like most teenagers/early 20's that I know but it gets reported in the media. I reckon everyone of us would have been the same at that age with $$$$$ in the bank. I understand that most young lads that are sportsmen dont act like that but some do. Many dont get reported in the media because they are in team sports. He is arrogant but so have many of the past greats of tennis.

[RustyCage]

I think it is funny that people say he is acting like a knob....he has been acting like most teenagers/early 20's that I know but it gets reported in the media. I reckon everyone of us would have been the same at that age with $$$$$ in the bank. I understand that most young lads that are sportsmen dont act like that but some do. Many dont get reported in the media because they are in team sports. He is arrogant but so have many of the past greats of tennis.

arrogance is fine, but his poor attitude to training and preparation, and regularly giving up in games are the things that need to change

[whufc]

Doesnt need its own thread so ill put in here, feel free to move it if you dont think its appropriate.

Live in the northern suburbs and wanna have a casual hit with a work mate, what public tennis courts are available these days, cant say i have seen any in a long time.

[RustyCage]

Hewitt is absolutely flogging del Potro in the final at Kooyong, won the first set 6-1, is up a break at 2-0 in the second, about to hold serve to go 3-0 up

[mighty hounds]

I think it is funny that people say he is acting like a knob....he has been acting like most teenagers/early 20's that I know but it gets reported in the media. I reckon everyone of us would have been the same at that age with $$$$$ in the bank. I understand that most young lads that are sportsmen dont act like that but some do. Many dont get reported in the media because they are in team sports. He is arrogant but so have many of the past greats of tennis.

arrogance is fine, but his poor attitude to training and preparation, and regularly giving up in games are the things that need to change

How do you know what his attitude is like to training? Are you present when he trains? If you've paid any attention he's worked on his serve and has more power in his shots not bad for someone with a poor attitude to his training. Media shit me to tears

[RustyCage]

Hewitt wins 6-1 6-4

[the joker]

I hope Hewitt backs up his form at rod laver arena. Because his first round is gunna be hard