The secret behind Rafa's golden Games - who wudda thunk it?

Rafael Nadal is sittin' on top of the world. After grabbing the gold medal in Beijing and rising to world no. 1 this week, the Spaniard is THE baller of the moment.

But Rafa wasn't feeling so great about his chances at the Olympics after arriving in the Chinese capital "incredibly tired" after a summer beyond his imagination. So how did he find the motivation to make the golden run? According to Rafa,

The only reason I was able to win was the lift I got from living in the Olympic village. Being among many other great athletes was fantastic. And the support I got from the rest of the Spanish team was amazing.

Although they don't know it, it was thanks to them that I somehow found the energy and mental strength to get the gold medal. I would not have been able to manage this from a hotel, however luxurious it was. The feeling at the end on the podium was indescribable. I am very happy to have made it to Olympic champion.

So surrounding yourself with the energy from people striving for the same, ultimate goal is more motivating than holing up in some 18-star hotel by yourself? It's genius!

(image via Getty)

Comment of the Week: Babz on Olympic tennis

Look, when athletes go to compete in an event, obviously they care enough about it to work at it. So as fans, should we not care? THEY are the ones playing with a passion. THEY are the ones giving us entertainment. Who are we to belittle their effort in any event?

- Babz on Wertheim + Tignor's apathy towards Olympic tennis

Agreed. I would also add: since when does the tennis media decide which tournaments are important to cover and which ones aren't worthy? Personal feelings aside, isn't it their job to cover the tourneys the ballers decide are important enough to play??

Like Babz said, the ballers are out there playing and competing so it's the media's responsibility to cover them. Can you imagine going to your job and deciding you're not interested in one aspect of your position so you don't complete the work? I wonder if you'd still have that job tomorrow.

What a strange (tennis) world we live in...

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PHOTO OP: A look back at the week that was Olympic tennis

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PHOTO OP: Olympic tennis concludes, Beijing ballers take the medal stand

Tennis' Beijing Olympic moment is history. Although it was a challenge (to say the least) to actually track down broadcasts or streaming of the matches, it was so worth the effort. Thanks to NBCOlympics.com and all the tennis bloggers out there who posted TV and online broadcast schedules - you rock!

Those of us who truly appreciate the Olympic experience know this week was a great showcase for the sport:

Rafael Nadal continued an incredible season by capturing the gold medal over Fernando Gonzalez; Russia swept the women's singles medals (the first country since 1908 to accomplish the feat) with Elena Dementieva adding gold to her 2000 silver medal after defeating Dinara Safina; Roger Federer finally earned the elusive Olympic medal grabbing gold with Stanislas Wawrinka in men's doubles; and Venus + Serena made it five total gold medals for the Williams' household when they won the women's doubles going 10-0 in Olympic doubles play.

Fantastic.

Fernando Gonalez (silver), Rafael Nadal (gold), Novak Djokovic (bronze)

Dinara Safina (silver), Elena Dementieva (gold), Vera Zvonareva (bronze)

Simon Aspelin + Tomas Johansson (silver), Roger Federer + Stanislas Wawrinka (gold), Bob + Mike Bryan (bronze)

Virginia Ruano Pascual + Anabel Medina Garrigues (silver) , Venus + Serena Williams (gold), Yan Zi + Zheng Jie (bronze)

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Quote of the Day: Tignor on Rafa + Nole

For the first time this week, I could see that the Olympics had upped the passions of both players. Finally, the sport seemed to belong at the Games—seeing Nadal and Djokovic referred to as Serbia and Spain on the scoreboard made tennis, at least temporarily, about more than individual glory.

- TENNIS mag's Steve Tignor on the titanic Olympic semifinal battle between Rafa + Nole

Really? You don't say.

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PHOTO OP: Swiss team shocks Bryan brothers, Fed's prayers may be answered

Roger Federer is praying at the temple of Wawrinka today after the pair pulled a huge upset in Beijing.

The Swiss stylist, who was stunned by James Blake in the quarterfinals, and his doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka ousted the top seeded Bryan brothers 7-6 (6), 6-4 in the Olympics semifinals. The dynamic duo will face the unseeded team of Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson for the gold medal.

Fed definitely needed some divine intervention here and it looks like he got some.

And boy does he look happy about it!!!



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Rafa's going for gold and living out Fed's dream season

Rafael Nadal continued his brilliant season today in Beijing.

The incoming no. 1 avenged his recent defeat to Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati knocking out the Serb 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. The Mallorcan Matador will now take on a controversial Fernando Gonzalez for the gold medal while Nole will battle James Blake for the bronze.

Does anyone else think Rafa's living out Roger Federer's dream season? I do, and I also think it'll be a cold day in hell before Fed offers Rafa another free ride on his private plane.

Boo hoo.

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THE LOW DOWN: Did James' ball nick Gonzo's stick? You decide.

What really happened during today's Olympic semifinal match between James Blake and Fernando Gonzalez?

James, who lost to Gonzo in a thrilling 4-6, 7-5, 11-9 match, accused the Chilean of unfair play for an incident that occurred in the final set. At 8-9 and with Gonzo serving, James hit a back hand passing shot that landed long but he claimed it ticked the Chilean's racquet. Upon TV review the ball was shown to have clipped the edge of his racquet but Gonzo didn't concede the point.

The 2004 silver medalist doesn't believe the ball touched his racquet telling the press,

I didn't feel anything. I mean, it's just one point. There is an umpire. If I'm 100 percent sure about it, I mean, I will give it. But I'm not sure.

James felt, in the spirit of the Games, the Chilean should have conceded the point saying,

I've spoken all week about how much I've enjoyed the Olympic experience, how much I love the spirit of it. That's a disappointing way to exit the tournament, when you not only lose the match, but you lose a little faith in your fellow competitor.

Whatever he wants to say is fine. Whatever is going to get him to have some sleep tonight, then that's fine.

I tracked down a YouTube clip of the point in question and around the 2:05 minute mark you can see a close-up of the incident:



Did it clip Gonzo's Babolat stick or is James seeing things? Based on this video and seeing it on TV it looks like the ball did touch his racquet and he would have felt it. C'mon, ballers are so sensitive to their equipment including the slightest changes of tension in their racquets so how did he not feel a ball nick his stick?

I do hope he's telling the truth. Otherwise, it's bad sportsmanship and worse at the Olympics - happy sleeping tonight Gonzo.

Rafa + Nole reach semis in Beijing - who'll be gunning for gold?

Here we go again!

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will face each other for the sixth time this season after both ballers won their respective quarterfinal matches at the Olympics today.

Rafa dismissed Austrian Juergen Melzer 6-0, 6-4 in their first meeting and Nole needed three sets to subdue flashy Frenchie Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Nole, of course, just defeated Rafa at the Cincinnati Masters after the Spaniard clinched the no. 1 ranking. The winner will be gunning for gold while the loser will battle for bronze.

So who'll come out on top here people? Do tell!

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Venus falls to Li, will be flying coach-class back home

Tennis' Olympic Omen was on overdrive today.

Roger + Serena were already shown the Beijing exit door and now Venus Williams can start booking her coach-class ticket home as she likes to do when she loses. The Wimbledon champ was thumped 7-5, 7-5 by homegirl Li Na, who survived despite hitting 12 double faults...that's right people, 12 DOUBLE FAULTS.

V must be kicking herself for not taking her opportunities, but what can you do when you hit 59 unforced errors of your own?

Not...gonna...cut it.

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Tennis' Olympic Omen strikes again, Fed + Serena latest victims

Tennis' Olympic Omen has already grabbed the scalps of Andy Murray, David Ferrer, and Nikolay Davydenko on the men's side and Svetlana Kuznetsova on the ladies'. You can now add Roger Federer and Serena Williams to the growing list and end all talk of a Wimbledon sequel (drats!).

Fed's quest for a first medal of any kind at the Olympics came to an abrupt end today when he was shocked by American James Blake 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the quarterfinals. James had only won a single set in their previous eight matches but came up big denying Fed another career goal and continuing the Swiss' misery this season.

I'd say Fed's US Open defense is looking pretty awful right now.


ReRe's quest for her first singles gold medal was stopped cold today by "that" Elena Dementiva. The 8-time Grand Slammer gave up a one set lead and fell to the surging Russian 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a match that saw a combined 122 unforced errors against 25 winners - ick.

But I guess well all know which Elena came to play today.

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THE LOW DOWN: Wertheim + Tignor don't care about Olympic tennis - do you?

SI's Jon Wertheim and TENNIS mag's Steve Tignor can't seem to understand why we should care about tennis in the Olympics.

When a reader asked Wertheim recently if he'll be including an Olympic-size version of his weekly "Tennis Mailbag" he says he's "passing" on the Games. Why? I'll let him explain:

Beijing messes everything up. Injuries are rampant, as players don't have time to recover after the Slams. The Masters Series events are moved two weeks ahead in the calendar. Players are wary of taxing themselves too much before Beijing so we have unfortunate situations such the now-infamous Montreal doubles session. The U.S. Open Series is more or less a fragmented mess, characterized by weak draws. (If this is the "Greatest Road Trip" in sports, maybe we should go on a cruise.)

He ends his response by saying, "I suppose we should simply resign ourselves to the unfortunate fact that once every four years, the summer calendar will be a mess." Right, as if the tennis schedule is such a gem normally.

In his ESPN.com blog Tignor whines (and I mean that in the worst sense) that tennis is "diminished by the Olympic surroundings" and the only way its fans (and apparently its mainstream media) can truly appreciate the sport is on its "home turfs" such as Arthur Ashe or Rod Laver Stadium or even Wimbledon's Centre Court (which Tignor believes won't help Olympic tennis when it's played there in 2012 because it won't be called "Wimbledon".)

He ends by saying,

No matter how long tennis remains in the Olympics or how many of the top players compete, "gold medal" will never be synonymous with the sport the way "Grand Slam" is. For that reason alone, we won't need to watch it.

P-P-P-lease. Are we so close-minded and self-involved that we can't appreciate the sport in any and all contexts, from the Olympics to a city park? Or is it that the mainstream tennis media feels encroached upon, that "others" are co-opting coverage of the sport they should own??

Maybe that's why they feel the need to render Olympic tennis meaningless and unimportant.

(image via Getty)

Quote of the Day: Serena on Elena

Hopefully I won't have to play that Dementieva. But if so, I'll be ready.

- Serena Williams on facing Elena Dementieva in the Olympic quarterfinals

I wonder if ReRe is talking about the Elena who stunned her in the Moscow final last year or the one with super powers?

Either way she may be in troubllllle...

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PHOTO OP: Serena survives, reveals secret love to the world

Well, well. It looks like Serena Williams has been keeping a secret love from us.

The former no. 1, who survived a fierce 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 battle with up-and-coming Frenchie Alize Cornet in Beijing today, is sporting a heart-shaped tattoo on the nape of her neck.

Hmmm - wonder who that sexy surprise is for? Any guesses??

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PHOTO OP: Fed roars to win over Berdych, avenges '04 Athens loss

How badly do you think Roger Federer wanted this win?

The Swiss styist avenged his heartbreaking 2004 Athens loss today defeating Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-6 (4) to make the quarterfinals in Beijing. Fed's quarterfinal opponent will be American James Blake who defeated Frenchie baller Gilles Simon 6-4, 6-2.

Apparently, he traded his tearful 'o4 cry for an emphatic '08 "Yes!" after hitting a service winner on match point.

This tourney is gettin' good people!

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THE LOW DOWN: Could we be headed for a Wimbledon sequel? Maybe so...

Are we headed for a repeat of this year's historic Wimbledon at the Olympics?

It's sure looking good especially if the champs and finalists from that fortnight - Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Venus Williams, Serena Williams - keep their stellar form.

Here are the number of games these ballers have lost through two rounds:

Rafa - 13
Fed - 12

V - 10
ReRe - 6

Not bad...not bad at all.

Elizabeth Merrill for ESPN.com believes a Rafa-Fed gold medal match could legitimize Olympic tennis in the eyes of its own community and would most certainly pull the sport out from Olympic obscurity:

Federer and Nadal have a unique opportunity this week to help the Olympic cause. If the sport's two most dominant players can advance to Sunday's final, on the heels of their breathtaking match at Wimbledon, it would most certainly be a showcase event in Beijing.

My mouth is watering. And, even though a Venus-Serena gold medal match doesn't garner the same excitement and anticipation, the sisters could reign in three medals themselves since they're also competing in doubles. Nothing to argue about there.

Although it's too early in the tourney to say, I think it could be an incredible moment for the sport of tennis. Let's keep everything crossed.

(images via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Elena confuses balls + boobs in Beijing

Like Rafael Nadal and Jelena Jankovic before her, Elena Dementieva was spotted getting crafty with a tennis ball at the Olympic Green Tennis Center in Beijing recently.

Boy, she can't serve worth a lick (watch it) but she sure is talented. I bet she'd give "Marky" Mark Wahlberg a run for his infamous third nipple.

Anyway, I'd love to see Elena's new move battle JJ's "half-moon volley". Who'd come out on top (watch it, again)?

Let the visuals begin...

(image via eng.dementieva.ru)

PHOTO OP: Lebron knows tennis, meets-and-greets Fed

NBA superstar Lebron James was spotted in the stands checking out Roger Federer's opening round win against Dmitry Tursunov in Beijing and then behind-the-scenes to meet the 12-time Grand Slammer.

Priceless.

(image via GOTOTENNIS.com)

FASHION FIX: JJ should be milking cows in her Reebok wear

As you know, I usually like to discuss a baller's match before getting to the good stuff. So here's Jelena Jankovic's Beijing first round recap: she won.

Now let's get straight to the point: what the fuck did Reebok give JJ, the new top lady baller, to wear on the biggest stage in sports? Is this their version of a sexed-up Swiss milkmaid or something?? It's an awful, homemade, "sew by numbers" piece of crap.

Phew - needed to get that off my chest! Blogging really is like therapy sometimes...


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FASHION FIX: Warrior Rafa wears tribal markings in Beijing

Rafael Nadal battled through less than impeccable form to make the second round in Beijing. The incoming world no. 1 needed 3 sets to defeat Potito Starace of Italy 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 and will face Lleyton Hewitt in the second round (DVR alert!).

So when I previewed Rafa's Nike duds for the Olympics I didn't see the back and missed this great design. Check out the interesting graphics on Rafa's shirt - does it remind anyone else of tribal markings or battle scars?

A warrior motif for Rafa - nice touch Nike.

(image via Getty)