Novak Djokovic reportedly ready to play at the US Open but wants exemption to quarantine

Source: Adam Hunger/AP

World no.1 Novak Djokovic is reportedly set to take part in the US Open, but only if the officials agree to waive off the quarantine requirement upon returning to Europe.

Meanwhile players around the world are still in doubt whether to take part in the upcoming US Open after the organisers announced the Grand Slam would go ahead despite an ongoing pandemic. Officials decided to go ahead with the major tournament from 31 August to 13 September, with the Rome and Madrid Masters planned between the French Open a few weeks later. The issue with some players is missing the Madrid and Rome Masters could impact their ranking points more than missing the Grand Slam in New York. 

Players such as Australian Nick Kyrgios have also expressed concerns about holding the tournament in the current climate. Rafael Nadal is set to miss defending his US Open title to prepare for a 13th Roland Garros.

Source: Adria Tour

Serbian Djokovic has been seen practicing on hard courts after cleared of coronavirus. He was recently forced to apologise after the Adria Tour he organised was forced to be cancelled due to safety concerns around the virus. Staged in his hometown Serbia, as well as neighbouring Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the event was cancelled after Grigor Dimitrov confirmed he had tested positive for the virus. Since then, Viktor Troicki, Borna Coric, Djokovic and his wife Jelena and coach Goran Ivanisevic have also revealed positive COVID-19 tests. Dimitrov, Coric and Jelena announced they too recovered from COVID-19.

Rafael Nadal wins 18th Masters title in Madrid

We had the dream Fedal final showdown yesterday in Madrid and it looks like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will battle it out again in Roland Garros next week.

Hey, no tears... there's still Roland Garros...

After winning a record breaking 18th Masters title yesterday, beating top-ranked Roger Federer 6-4, 7-6 (5), the Spanish Matador will return to No. 2 in this week's rankings.

This is how you celebrate Victory!

Nadal also won titles in Monte Carlo and Rome recently, hence he becoming the first player to win all three titles in the same season. Vamos Rafa!~

Meanwhile, in the women’s final, Venus Williams was beaten 6-2, 7-5 by unseeded Aravane Rezai of France.

(Images via sports.sina.com.cn)

Watch history in the making

Rafael Nadal, who equaled the mark of 17 Masters wins set by Andre Agassi in Rome recently, is set to break the record at Madrid this week.

Malaysians can watch LIVE matches on Astro SuperSport and Eurosport.

ATP World Tour 1000's: Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open

(Channel 816)
10 May 2000 Day 1: 1st/ 2nd Round (Live)
11 May 2000 Day 2: 1st/ 2nd Round (Live)
12 May 2000 Day 3: 2nd Round (Live)
13 May 2000 Day 4: Last Round of 16 (Live)
14 May 1930 Day 5: Quarter Finals Session 1 (Live)
15 May 0330 Day 5: Quarter Finals Session 2 (Live)
15 May 2000 Day 6: Semi Finals Session 1 (Live)
16 May 0200 Day 6: Semi Finals Session 2 (Live)
17 May 0030 Day 7: Final (Live)

WTA Tournament in Madrid, Spain (Live)

(Channel 814)
10 May 1800 Day 1
10 May 2315 Day 1
11 May 0330 Day 1
11 May 1800 Day 1
11 May 2100 Day 1 (Delayed)
11 May 2300 Day 2
*no details for Day 3 to Day 7

For those who prefer to watch LIVE streaming, you may get your pass here.

The stamp collector is in Madrid

Maria Sharapova is ready to get back in court for the the Madrid Masters next week.

I guess she has fully recovered from a bone bruise on her right elbow last month.

Got balls?

She's scheduled to play in another Grand Slam warm-up in Strasbourg before the French Open.

(Images by Bauer Griffin)

Roger Federer & Mirka at Lenny Kravitz concert in Madrid

These are unseen before photos of Roger Federer and Mirka who attended Lenny Kravitz concert in Madrid recently.

Isn't she lovely?

Someone in the forum suggested that she still has strong legs especially for a heavily pregnant woman.

(Images via menstennisforums.com)

Roger Federer & Dinara Safina win at Madrid Open

Roger Federer finally got his confidence boost ahead of the French Open, beating clay favourite Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 yesterday to win his first title of the season at the Madrid Open.

This is Roger second victory against Nadal on clay, with the other coming at the Hamburg final two years ago.

The win also ended Federer’s five-match losing streak to Nadal, a stretch that included losses in the finals at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Australia.

Federer called his first win over Nadal since the 2007 Masters Cup “very satisfying".

Federer and Nadal were chatty and joked after receiving their trophies in a scene that contrasted with the one in Melbourne when Federer was in tears after losing to Nadal in the Australian Open final.

Earlier, WTA world no.1 Dinara Safina won her second straight title on clay by beating Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4 in the women’s final.

“Since I became no. 1 I’m playing better and better,” the 23-year-old said.

Wozniacki will become the first Dane to crack the top-10 in next week’s rankings after reaching her third final of the season.

Safina is 14-1 on clay this season and will go into Roland Garros with the hope to earn her first Grand Slam.

In the men's doubles final, Nenad Zimonjic and Daniel Nestor clinched their fifth ATP World Tour title of the season with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Simon Aspelin and Wesley Moodie.

The women's doubles final was won by Cara Black and Liezel Huber who beat Kveta Peschke and Lisa Raymond 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.

Here are more photos at the Madrid finals.

What rivalry? The top two players in the world are chatty and happy.

Not no.1 in the world but first title this season.

What is Hilary Swank doing in Madrid Open?

Safina is admiring the no.1 player in the world because others don't.

Real Madrid stars like Raul and Arjen Robben appreciate tennis too.

I would like to file an official complaint against Madrid Open because of the lack of hot ball girls compare to previous years.

(Via AP; Images by Predo Armestre/Jasper Juinen/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Nadal-Federer rivalry and Nadal-Djokovic rivalry - Which is better?

Rafael Nadal saved three match points before beating Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (9) in the longest three-set match in Masters Series history of 4 hours and 3 minutes yesterday to reach the Madrid Open final.

Nadal now reached an incredible seventh final this season after a 33rd straight win on clay!

This was his fifth straight win over Djokovic who had also lost to Nadal at the Olympics, the Davis Cup, and finals at Monte Carlo and Rome.

Nadal will now face his biggest rival Roger Federer for the championship.

Federer has lost his last five matches against Nadal, including the finals at the French Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open earlier this year, when the former world no.1 was in tears after the defeat.

"What's important for me is to get past that semifinal hurdle that I haven't been able to get past in the last couple of months," Federer said ahead of their 16th meeting in a final.

"I feel like playing him anywhere is a challenge. The extra flair here is that it's in Spain."

Could Nadal and Federer pull off another epic here at the Magic Box after an awesome match between Nadal and Djokovic last nite?

Let's see who's the second best clay court player in the world.

For those who don't get to see the live coverage on TV, you can check out TennisTV.com or atdhe.

(Via AP; Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Juan Martin del Potro: The silent assassin who spoils Andy Murray's birthday

I'm not sure if you realised that Juan Martin del Potro is already ranked at no. 5.

It's okay if you don't because at times I thought this Argentine talent was still in the top 20.

After defeating birthday boy Andy Murray 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 at the Madrid Masters yesterday, there were two things on my mind: Andy Murray still has a long way to go before he can master the clay court or del Potro is on the surge to become one of the top 3 players in the world.

The slow and steady del Potro will now try to end a four-match losing streak against Roger Federer.

“I hope I have a good start against Roger tomorrow," said del Potro, who was bageled twice by Federer at this year's Australian Open quarterfinal match.

In another semifinal match, Rafael Nadal will face off with Novak Djokovic.

(Images by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal owns the stage; A magical Madrid Masters final is not very far

He works hard on the court. And at times he's quite lucky too..

Rafael Nadal was handed a walkover into the quartersfinals at the Madrid Masters yesterday when his third-round opponent Philipp Kohlschreiber was forced out of the claycourt event with a left leg injury.

Nadal is now bidding for a sixth title of the season and a fourth on clay.

Seriously, there's no better place to make it happen that at the Magic Box!

(Images by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal: The crowd-puller who didn't pull the ball girl to safety

If you're a Rafael Nadal, then you'll be guaranteed a sold-out crowd.

Playing in front of his homecrowd in his opening match in Madrid, Nadal had quite a number of VIPs who came to watch him play - Spanish Queen Sofia, Madrid mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon, former Spanish tennis player Manolo Santana, football star Raul, Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos and film director Pedro Almodovar.

Rafael Nadal powered into the third round of the Madrid Open after a convincing 6-3, 6-1 win over Jurgen Melzer.

During the match, one of the Madrid ball girl fainted and was brought to safety by a security guard.

I bet she was in shock because her rescuer didn't turn out to be Nadal :D

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Rafael Nadal is 17 again, never too young to pen a memoir

Madrid Masters favourite Rafael Nadal was spotted with a new shorter hairstyle during a practice on court.

Doesn't he look young, like 17 again?

LOL what the heck am I talking about, Nadal is only 22 going to 23!

Recently Crain's New York Business reported that Nadal might be on the verge of writing a book about his career.

The report said literary agent Larry Kirshbaum has been speaking with publishers about a book from Nadal, an Olympic and multiple Grand Slams champion who has overtaken Swiss star Roger Federer for the top spot in the global tennis rankings.

Well, you're never be too young to write a memoir, especially for someone who has great achievement like Nadal.

(Via AFP; Images via menstennisforums.com)

Now HCFoo takes Serena Williams seriously

Serena Williams really mean it this time.

After blasted the WTA Tour over its policy for dealing with players who pull out of tournaments through injury, Serena Williams 'had no choice' but to play at the Madrid Open Tennis only to retire after the first set citing a right leg injury.

Francesca Schiavone was leading 6-4.

Although her participation was cut short, at least Serena had fun yesterday hanging out with Juan Martin del Potro test-driving a new Toyota Lexus.

Serena likes blogging, twittering and now fangirling.

Serena is no.1. Del Potro gives a cynical smile.

Take it easy, Serena!

(Images by Photo Agency via zimbio.com)

Andy Murray celebrates Madrid success with an ice bath

After a successful run at the Madrid Masters, Andy Murray made a short trip back to UK before heading off to another tournament at St Petersburg.

There was no glamourous celebration awaited him unless you think an ice bath is one.

Murray warned that the ice bath is not for the faint of heart.

He said with Neoprene boots or not, nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you have to put your body - up to your waist - into the water. Brrrrrrr..........

Here are some tips from Murray:

There's a few clearly identifiable phases in the ice bath. Somewhere after getting in (phase 1) and screaming things like "will someone please say something funny to take my mind off this (phase 2), comes phase 3, which can be best described as trying to look like it's not really a big deal.

So what do you get from an ice bath? Murray explained:

The science of it all is that the cold forces the blood vessels to constrict, draining away the blood. Likewise, when they get out, their legs fill up with 'fresh' blood, helping to invigorate the muscles.

The next thing you know, Murray's ready for his next tournament and is now at St Petersburg.

(Via andymurray.com)

Andy Murray clinches Madrid Masters; Marcin Matkowski & Mariusz Fyrstenberg win dubs title

World no. 4 Andy Murray beat Gilles Simon of France 6-4, 7-6 (6) on Sunday to win the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Masters.

The U.S. Open finalist became the first Briton to win four titles in a season.

He will be the first Briton in the Open era since Fred Perry in 1936 to finish the year at No. 4.

“Gilles was hitting much better from behind the baseline, but I got a lot of free points from my serve,” Murray said.

“That was probably the key to my win today.”

Simon had previously won five straight three-set matches at Madrid.

“I couldn’t move like I’m used to and Andy knew it, so he tried to kill me by making me run,” said Simon, barely able to walk the step up to the microphone.

“Often I missed two easy shots, one after another. That’s why I lost today; I couldn’t focus on every point. It was too much effort for me.”

Murray beat Roger Federer in the semifinals, while Simon defeated top-ranked Rafael Nadal to reach his fourth final this year.

Their victories denied a fifth Nadal-Federer final of 2008.

I know you guys would have liked to have seen a Roger-Rafa final but you brought a great atmosphere, so thanks for coming,” Murray told the crowd at the Madrid Arena, which hosted the tournament for the final time as it moves to the newly built “Caja Magica” (Magic Box) next year.

The 23-year-old Simon is ninth in the race to qualify for the season-ending tournament—seven points behind No. 7 David Ferrer and six back of Juan Martin del Potro and the eighth and final qualifying spot.

“It won’t be easy because there are one or two tournaments left. I don’t know if I play in Lyon because right now I just want to rest,” Simon said.

In the doubles final, 7th-seeded Poles Marcin Matkowski and Mariusz Fyrstenberg won their second ATP title of the season on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over 4th seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles at the Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid.

It is the first ATP Masters Series title for the Poles, who finished runners-up to Bob and Mike Bryan in the Madrid final last season.

In the quarterfinals this week they knocked out second seeds and Wimbledon champions Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic and they saved three match points in their semifinal win over Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie.

The Poles began the week at No. 9 in the Stanford ATP Doubles Race with 307 points, 17 points behind Marcelo Melo and Andre Sa in eighth position.

They won their first ATP title of the season at Warsaw, and have also finished runners-up at Barcelona, Bucharest and Metz; this is their seventh career team title. They now have a 33-23 match record on the season.

(Via AP, ATP official website, Images via Yahoo! Sport)