Rafael Nadal - Foundation Receives ATP Grant

The ATP has announced the 12 inaugural recipients of its ATP ACES For Charity grant programme. Grants of $10,000 each will be awarded by the ATP on an annual basis to charitable causes nominated by ATP World Tour players and tournaments.

This year's recipients include The Rafa Nadal Foundation, the Bryan Brothers Foundation, the Japan Tennis Association's earthquake relief fund, and organisations supporting a range of causes, including healthcare for children in Memphis and Bucharest, relief for victims of natural disasters in Pakistan and Japan, sports and education programmes for disadvantaged youth in Washington DC and the Congo, and social services for the disabled in Argentina and China.

The ATP ACES For Charity programme, launched earlier this year, is a global initiative aimed at giving back to communities where ATP World Tour events are played, as well as recognising and supporting tournament and player charitable initiatives. Click here to learn more.

The recipients of the 2011 ATP ACES For Charity grants are:

Players

Bob & Mike Bryan: The Bryan Brothers Foundation is dedicated to supporting and developing the dreams of children in Ventura County, California and around the world, helping at-risk youth survive and thrive. It seeks out specific families and children in need, working with them directly to ensure that they have the opportunities they need to succeed. Its beneficiaries have included City Impact, Andre Agassi's Charter School and the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program.
Bryan Brothers Foundation

Ivan Ljubicic: Special Olympics Monaco, nominated by Ivan Ljubicic, focuses on the empowerment and acceptance of people with an intellectual disability through sport. The organisation provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults, giving them continuing opportunities to participate in their communities, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and have fun. Ljubicic has been the Ambassador for Special Olympics Monaco since 2009.
Special Olympics Monaco

Rafael Nadal: The Rafa Nadal Foundation, launched in February 2008, aims to provide opportunities for socially disadvantaged youth. The Foundation offers educational programmes using sport as a tool for personal and social integration, passing on values such as effort, self-improvement and respect.  It is currently affiliated with three projects: the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in Antapur, India; the Special Olympics; and the Aldeas Infantiles SOS.
Rafa Nadal Foundation

David Nalbandian: The David Nalbandian Foundation aspires to create positive conditions that help people with a disability lead better lives. It has equipped special needs schools and hospitals throughout the province of Cordoba in Argentina, and opened a community centre that integrates specially adapted technology. Later this month, the David Nalbandian Foundation will open a Rehabilitation Centre, which will provide healthcare programs and services for the community – reaching a population of 120,000 people – in a state-of-the-art facility. 
David Nalbandian Foundation

Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi: The Haq Foundation, established by Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, supports various charity and community welfare projects, such as scholarships for the poor and assistance for victims of natural disasters. In conjunction with his role as Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Development Programme, Qureshi is helping to create awareness of flood relief efforts in Pakistan and raise funds to construct houses for those displaced. 
United Nations Development Programme

Tommy Robredo: The Tommy Robredo Foundation organises activities which allow sports training for people with a disability, mainly wheelchair tennis. It also raises awareness of the importance of sport as beneficial to mental and physical health, and as a stimulant to personal growth and well being. The Foundation holds an international wheelchair tennis tournament, the Santi Silvas Open, which attracts the world's top male and female players. 
Tommy Robredo Foundation

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Attrap La Balle ("Catch the ball"), founded by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and a group of friends in 2009, provides underprivileged children in the Congo with access to sports activities. In addition to renovating existing facilities, the organisation has built a sports centre in Pointe Noire, which provides training for the most promising athletes. Attrap La Balle also aspires to improve hygiene and nutrition in schools. 
Attrap La Balle

Tournaments

China Open (Beijing): The Bethel China Foundation, nominated by the China Open, provides foster care, education and professional training for Chinese orphans who are blind or visually impaired. Key initiatives of the Bethel China Foundation include "The Love Is Blind Project", supporting 60 blind orphans on its 17-acre project site just south of Beijing, and "Project 555", offering training to other orphanages throughout China to better care for this community.
Bethel China Foundation

BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy (Bucharest): The Heart Of Children Association, a charity partner of the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy tournament, helps children with heart conditions and contributes to the development of cardiac surgery in Romania. In 2009, the Association successfully campaigned for the establishment of a pediatric cardiac surgery centre at the Marie Curie Children's Hospital in Bucharest – the first of its kind in the region.
The Heart Of Children Association

Regions Morgan Keegan Championships (Memphis): The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, affiliated with the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships since 1993, is internationally recognised as a premier pediatric cancer research centre and is the only one of its kind where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. In addition to childhood cancers, research and treatment at St. Jude includes sickle cell disease, influenza and pediatric HIV/AIDS.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships (Tokyo): The Japan Tennis Association, organiser of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships, aims to assist individuals affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Eastern Japan this past March. Proceeds from its charity fund go toward the Japan Red Cross and to local youth tennis groups through the Tohoku Tennis Association headquartered in Sendai, the nearest major city to the earthquake epicentre.
Japan Red Cross

Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington, DC): The Washington Tennis & Education Fund (WTEF), a beneficiary of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, combines tennis and education in three main programs – including its flagship Arthur Ashe Children's Program – that serve 1,500 children annually. It seeks to improve the life prospects of DC youth, particularly those from lower income communities, through academic, athletic and community-building activities that teach discipline, build confidence and improve academic performance.
Washington Tennis & Education Fund

Rafael Nadal - Bag Check

Rafael Nadal - On The Tiles In Ibiza

Via:: la-vie-est-un-secret.tumblr.com

Courtesy: Rafaholics

Rafael Nadal - Champions Bacardi Adverts

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Rafael Nadal - The Bartender

Watch Rafa make his Bacardi drink.

Rafael Nadal - On A Yacht In Ibiza - Photos

He might have lost his Wimbledon crown and his world No1 ranking, but Rafael Nadal seems to have found a way to cheer himself up.

The Spanish tennis pro is licking his wounds in Ibiza and Wimbledon appeared to be the last thing on his mind as he relaxed with friends on a luxury yacht.

The 25-year-old showed off his athletic figure in black shorts as he soaked up the sun and dived off the yacht into the Mediterranean Sea.

Luxury accommodation: Tennis pro Nadal might have been defeated at Wimbledon but he decided to pick himself up and enjoy a vacation on board a yacht in Ibiza

And in-between jumping in and out of the water, the Majorca-born star kept up his energy levels by snacking on a banana.

Nadal's holiday comes after he lost is world No1 ranking to Novac Djokvic on Centre Court in their four set final at Wimbledon.

 

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But his defeat might have had something to do with a hairline fracture in his left foot, that The Times reported.

He was left with the injury while competing against Juan Marin del Potro in the fourth round and may not play for six more weeks, according to reports.

Phwoar! Nadal showed off his athletic figure as he dived in and out of the Mediterranean Sea in Ibiza

Splashing about: Nadal dives into the ocean as his friends sits on the yacht and watches to pick up tips

But Nadal accepted his defeat graciously and can still be proud of being the world's second best in ranking terms.

He said: 'I lost because I am playing against the best player of the moment, the best player of the world tomorrow, and I am the second.'

But with his defeat in the past, Nadal jet off to Ibiza, the island of which he has always been a big fan.

Lads holiday: Nadal was joined by a group of his friends on the Spanish island and they all appeared to be enjoying the luxurious break

Healthy snack: Nadal grabbed a banana to keep his energy levels up after a long day of swimming and diving

Over here guys! Nadal calls out to his mates after taking a swim in the sea and jumping back on board the yacht

He has been visiting the island for years and In the summer of 2009 he hired construction workers to build him a luxurious holiday home on Ibiza's sought-after south-west corner.

The property on the Baleric island was estimated to cost him a whopping £6.5 million and is said to be an eco-villa that is solar powered.

Cheering himself up: Nadal's holiday comes after he lost is world No1 ranking to Novac Djokvic on Centre Court in their four set final at Wimbledon

And while on the party island, Nadal might bump into fellow celebrity holiday-makers such as Sarah Harding, who is also currently in Ibiza.

While newly-weds Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch also jet to the Spanish island on Sunday to celebrate their honeymoon there.

Ibiza fan: He has been visiting the island for years and In the summer of 2009 he started plans to build a luxurious holiday home on the south-west corner

Board boy: Nadal kicked around in the sea with a water toy while wearing his goggles

Courtesy: Daily Mail

Rafael Nadal - Final Times Blog Round-up

Taking a well earned rest after sadness of defeat

Rafael NadalYesterday, 12:19PM

Good morning everyone and first of all thanks for all your support these past weeks.

I am already in Mallorca, back home. Now will be taking some time off, some holidays since I have practically been playing since the Davis Cup tie against Belgium, and that was back at the end of February!

I will be 2 weeks completely off, with my friends, enjoying the summer here in Mallorca.

I am obviously sad for Sunday's result but that's life. Sometimes you win and in tennis most of the times you lose. Novak was a better player that day and he is the winner.

Once again thanks, you can follow me on my Facebook page here.

Ask Rafa: Liam Broady could be a future star

Rafael NadalYesterday, 12:15PM

Why do you let your opponents serve first at the beginning of a match ? Don't you think it's really risky and it will be more secure to serve first ? Emmanuelle

I always did it like that since I start with a very high intensity of my game and if I break I have a big advantage. If not, things are the same and I have to win my serve on the 2nd game.

Has there been any occasion when you tried playing as a righty? Jacklyn

No, never. I don't think I could even beat my uncle Toni!

How will you motivate yourself after the disappointment of losing today? Angie

Kind if easy this one: Holidays in Mallorca with my friends!

Was your injury to blame or was Novak Djokovic just too good? Denise

Novak was just too good for me on Sunday. I have to keep working and improve things.

Djokovic seemed to target your backhand - was that crucial in him defeating you? Alex

I don't think it is only a backhand or playing to my backhand. I think at the important moments he played better than me, forehand, backhand or service.

You seemed very upset at losing today. Has it made you more determined to win back your title next year? David

One thing is for sure, I'll try my best to be back!

What did you think of Liam Broady when he practiced with you. Could he be as good as Andy Murray in the future? Sam

IT is difficult he say but he definitely has the tools!

Ask Rafa: a British player is helping me prepare for the final

Rafael NadalJuly 3 2011 12:13PM

Hi everyone,

I had a quite day at Wimbledon on Saturday. Practiced with the British junior I have been practicing with almost all week this week. I want to thank him (Evan Hoyt) for these days (today he is also warming me up before the match) and his coach for helping me.

I had some time with my team and my family and didn't do much. Stayed at the house focusing on today's match. Some talks with my team, with my family, some funny discussions about things that happened these past weeks.

I won't be able to write the final post after the match but I promise that Monday morning you will have the final recap. Thanks all for your support this weeks! It's been great no matter what happens today!

Rafa

Congratulations for the win against Murray.  Care to share with us your routine on the eve of finals? Do you do anything to de-stress? Jacklyn
Many thanks. I am doing the normal things I would do a day before a match. Had some dinner with my family and team here at Wimbledon. THen had some physio treatment as every night and now going to bed. It is half past midnight as I write this.

Looking at your game against Murray, which aspect of it you are least satisfied and need to improve when you play in the final? Sharon Lam
I think I played very well all the match. Andy played better than me the first set but I didn't play bad. He was simply better.

At the Champions ball do the two winners still have to have the first dance together? Judith Forde
Yes, we had that honour although immediately we are surrounded by people and that leaves us free....

In yesterday's match against Murray, you let go of what I personally thought were two very crucial challenges. I wonder if it was because you didn't really notice (which seems improbable to me), or was it for some other reason? Mohona
I maybe made a mistake and thought hey were good. Not a problem.

Has there been any occasion when you tried playing tennis with your right hand? Sarah
Not when I am playing seriously or even practicing. Only when I play against someone who doesn't play well, like a friend who is not a tennis player.

I know that you have an iPad. Have you played the game 'Angry Birds' before? If you did, do you like the game? Jacklyn
Yes I do. Banesto, my bank sponsor gave it to me. I don't usually play games in the iPad.

I once read that you said it was a mistake to have bought your Aston Martin car....why was it a mistake?  Niamh
I had some problems with it.

Petra Kvitova just won the women's title. She's a lefty like you and she's very young, what do you think of her? Also, who are your favourite female players and why? Tom
I didn't have the chance to see the final to be honest since I was doing some TV interviews and then had lunch with my team and my family.

Ask Rafa: I'm thinking about joining Twitter, but I won't tell you when yet!

Rafael NadalJuly 2 2011 11:30AM

Q&A: Get your questions into Rafa by e-mailing rafa@timesonline.co.uk and follow his progress in his own words.

Hello Rafa! Next year when you come back to Wimbledon for Olympic Games, will you be staying at the Olympic village with all other sportsmen or at the apartment same as during the regular tournament? Best wishes from all your fans in Bangladesh. Upoma & Paroma, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Yes, I am really looking forward to coming back here next year twice at least. The Olympics is something special. I will be staying during Wimbledon at the house I rent, but during the games at the Olympic village with all the athletes. I loved that atmosphere and would like to live it again!

 
Why do you call Maymo "Tin Tin"? Is it because he looks like the Belgian detective cartoon? Atch
Hahahahahah. We started like that one day and now we all call him like that. He didn't like it much at the beginning, but now it's OK.

 
Hi Rafa. Which of your Nike kits in recent years would you say is your favourite? Mine was the one you wore at Roland Garros when you won last year. Great colours and design. Nicole
I actually love all their designs. I love the fact that they always have live colors, except here the white of Wimbledon, which I also think is special and like it.


There is a lot of talk on Twitter that you will be joining after Wimbledon, is this true? And if you are, can you tell us when exactly? Looking forward to your tweets! Sofie from NYC
Yes, I am thinking about it. Not sure if it will be right after Wimbledon or when we go to Montreal.

 
Wimbledon is the only tournament where the winner is not taken to some famous city sight to be photographed with the trophy the next day, as is the practice in New York, Paris and Melbourne. If you could choose a famous sight in London to go to for an official photograph, where would it be and why? Julie (Woofs)
True. I suppose that the picture at that gorgeous stadium is strong enough for them. Maybe the first one would be in front of the Big Ben I suppose. Will have to ask Benito Perez-Barbadillo, my publicist.

 
What's your second favourite European country (Spain being the first, I assume)? Have you ever been to Hungary? Edina
I have never ben to Hungary, but I hear it is beautiful, especially the capital, Budapest. I love many things of many countries, especially cities like Paris, Rome, London and many others.

Novak Djokovic deserves to replace me as world No 1

Rafael NadalJuly 2 2011 11:00AM

Hello everybody,

My first words go to Andy Murray, he is a very talented player, a really good one, best of best and yesterday during the first set he proved it once again. What a first set, there was no way I could keep up with his shots! I always say it but it will be sooner than later that he will win a Grand Slam. And I also think that even if he hasn't won a major yet, he is much better than some players that have won one! 

And my next thing is to thank the crowds! Once again they proved how respectful, fair and knowledgeable are. These are arguably the best crowd in the World since they have always been very supportive with their local player but also with the rival. Every time I've played here they have been like this! Really feel good here!

And to finalize, wanted to congratulate Novak for being number one. He has been the best player so far this year and deserves to be the ATP World number 1.

As you can imagine I am very happy for being again on the final of Wimbledon. If anyone would have told me when I was 15, or 16 or 19 years old that I would have played 5 finals at Wimbledon I would have not believed it. But I am very fortunate and tomorrow I will be playing my fifth final here. Very excited and looking forward to that. I am sure it will be difficult for me to sleep well tonight....

Q&A: Get your questions into Rafa by e-mailing rafa@timesonline.co.uk and follow his progress in his own words. 

Hello everyone. We are back at Wimbledon semis against a great player. I have always said that Andy is one of the best and here you go he is again at a Grand Slam semi-final. We have always played great matches and I am sure this will not be an exception. 

I have had a lot of questions about the crowds and I have to say that I have always seen this crowd like the most respectful of all with all opponents.
 

Thanks to all 

Rafa

When you are practicing with junior players during a tournament, what advice do they ask from you? Is it about how to handle themselves on court and off the court? Or on specific techniques? Or something else? Atch
It all depends on the player. Some are more keen in asking questions about matches and technical things but most of them they just hit and we talk about our lives. It is normally the coaches the ones that ask more.

With regards to the anaesthetic on your foot, was it a team decision or your decision? I hope this works out well for you Rafa. Jackly
We work as a team but in the end it is my decision based on the advices and opinions of the team.

What did you think about the Federer-Tsonga match? Harry
I didn't see it all since I had to play. It did surprise me that Roger lost since he was playing great, probably the best tennis of all at this tournament and he was two sets up. 

Tell us about Andy Murray's strengths? Does it include the crowd? Wan Li
I am sure the crowd will be as supportive with him as always but as respectful as always with the opponent. I really think they are very fair here. And regarding his strengths, he's got it all. He is a very talented player.

Do you think that your injury gives Andy Murray extra confidence? Fez
I don't think so.

There is something that has been bugging me - who is the man with the cowboy hat that sits on the end of your players box?  I also noticed him sitting in the exact same place when you won that fantastic final against Federer in 2008. Debbie
Hahahhaaha. He is the gentleman that accommodates guests at both players box. He's been there for years and actually lives in Abu dhabi.

Whilst watching your game against Fish, I noticed you were standing quite far at the back of the court when receiving serve,which you hadn't done during the previous matches. What aspects of Fish's game made you do that?  In what way does that enhance your game? Sharon
He is a great server and had only lost one service game before our match. So it was a dangerous match and as a matter of fact you saw the last 2 sets.

How difficult is it for you to eat enough of the correct foods before a match to keep you going if you do not know exactly what time you will be going on court? Do you ever feel hungry when playing a long match? Karen
We are used to it and not that I don't eat well or things i  don't like. I tend to eat 2 hours before the match normally. I also eat some bananas or things like that during a match.

What tactics will you use to beat Andy Murray?Jenny
Play. Try to play! He is very good!

How much is your foot hampering you? If it is dead than it must impact on your game surely?Greg C
We'll see tomorrow.

Rafael Nadal - Uncle Toni's Comments

This is an article that appears on a tennis forum I use everyday. Please have a look at the article here. 

Below is the content

www.20minutos.es/noticia/1101565/0/nadal/imitador/djokovic/ Was doing my daily Spanish press reading and found this interesting article where Toni makes some comments. On Nadal: "Something similar is happening to Rafel with Novak as what happened to Federer with my nephew. The problem is mental and with his game." "It's clear that when you lose 5 times in a row to a player it affects your state of mind and this influences your game. Rafel has to be tighter with his serve and be more confident with his forehand." "In the final of Wimbledon there was not the same fight that, for example, there was in the semis against Murray, nor did he play his best. All of this makes you lose against a player that everything is going right for." On Djokovic: "The difficult thing is not reaching number one but staying there. We'll see what he's like when everything is not going perfectly and he has to defend the points". Courtesy: My Tennis Lounge

Rafael Nadal - The Foot Is NOT Broken

Reports emerged early this morning suggesting that Rafael Nadal had fractured his left during his match with Juan Martin Del Potro at Wimbledon last week.
Stories said the injury, which Nadal apparently played with through the weekend subsequently losing to Novak Djokovic in a four-set final Sunday, would sideline the Spanish star for up to six weeks.

However, earlier today via twitter, Nadal’s chief PR man Benito Perez-Barbadillo said Nadal is fine and any stories citing a Nadal having a fractured left foot are erroneous.

“Just to be clear: Rafa doesn’t have a fracture and he won’t be off 6 weeks. holidays & July 16th will play a golf tournament in Mallorca”, Perez-Barbadillo tweeted.

Benito also tweeted that Nadal would resume practice for the hardcourt season on July 17 before his first tournament on August 8 in Montreal and then Cincinnati.

The now-No. 2 ranked Rafa will defend his US Open title starting August 30. Nadal has won three titles this season but has lost five finals to Djokovic.