www.ambiente.us JUNE / JUNIO 2008
RAFAEL NADAL: Muscles from Mallorca
by Ambiente Staff
Will Rafael Nadal win a fourth consecutive
French Open crown and go undefeated in
four trips to Paris? After his recent wins,
most would say that's a rhetorical question.
The "muscles from Mallorca" may go down
as the best clay-court baller in history having
won 108 out of 110 matches on the terra
bateau since April 2005. He recently won in
Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Hamburg - all
important warm up tourneys for the year's
second major - and looks like a safe bet to
retain his crown. Moreover, he defeated
world no. 1 Roger Federer in two of those
finals (Monte Carlo, Hamburg).
Rafael Nadal, born in 1986, Spanish tennis
player noted for his outstanding game on
clay courts. Nadal uses his speed, agility,
and stamina to great advantage on clay, the
slowest surface in tennis, as he sprints and
lunges across the court to return shots. A
relentless opponent, he fights for every point
and adapts his game to the other player's
weaknesses. His signature outfit on court
"sleeveless shirt and calf-length pants”
reveals his muscular power.
Rafael Nadal Parera, known as Rafa to his
friends and fans, was born on June 3, 1986,
in Manacor on the island of Mallorca off the
coast of Spain. He began playing tennis at
the age of four, coached by his uncle Toni
Nadal. Although naturally right-handed, the
young Nadal learned to play tennis
left-handed at his uncle’s suggestion in
order to add power to his two-handed
backhand. In 2004 Nadal helped Spain win
the Davis Cup by defeating Andy Roddick of
the United States. In 2006, at the French Open, Nadal won his 54th straight victory on clay, breaking the
record for consecutive wins on clay set by Guillermo Vilas of Argentina in 1977.
Nadal's first grand slam championship came in 2005 at the French Open, where he defeated Mariano Puerto
of Argentina in the men's singles final. Nadal had already beaten top-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland in
the semifinal match. In July 2005 Nadal gained the number-two ranking in men's professional tennis.
The rivalry between the top two tennis players heated
up in 2006. In June Nadal defended his French Open
title and beat Federer in a much-anticipated
championship match. The next month Nadal
demonstrated that he posed a threat on grass courts
as well. To the surprise of everyone, including
himself, Nadal quickly adjusted to the faster (and
quirkier) bounce on the grass courts of Wimbledon
and reached the singles final. So did Federer, who
was playing on his favorite surface. Federer
demonstrated that he was still the number-one
player, at least on grass, by defeating Nadal in four
sets. Nadal, however, remained the only player to
have beaten Federer in 2006.
The tennis world rejoiced at the new rivalry, which
seemed to bring out the best in both players.
At only 21-years old Rafa's game and body are well
beyond his years.
Copyright © Getty images, gay.com, sportsillustrated.com & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this
source.
RAFAEL NADAL: Muscles from Mallorca
by Ambiente Staff
Will Rafael Nadal win a fourth consecutive
French Open crown and go undefeated in
four trips to Paris? After his recent wins,
most would say that's a rhetorical question.
The "muscles from Mallorca" may go down
as the best clay-court baller in history having
won 108 out of 110 matches on the terra
bateau since April 2005. He recently won in
Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Hamburg - all
important warm up tourneys for the year's
second major - and looks like a safe bet to
retain his crown. Moreover, he defeated
world no. 1 Roger Federer in two of those
finals (Monte Carlo, Hamburg).
Rafael Nadal, born in 1986, Spanish tennis
player noted for his outstanding game on
clay courts. Nadal uses his speed, agility,
and stamina to great advantage on clay, the
slowest surface in tennis, as he sprints and
lunges across the court to return shots. A
relentless opponent, he fights for every point
and adapts his game to the other player's
weaknesses. His signature outfit on court
"sleeveless shirt and calf-length pants”
reveals his muscular power.
Rafael Nadal Parera, known as Rafa to his
friends and fans, was born on June 3, 1986,
in Manacor on the island of Mallorca off the
coast of Spain. He began playing tennis at
the age of four, coached by his uncle Toni
Nadal. Although naturally right-handed, the
young Nadal learned to play tennis
left-handed at his uncle’s suggestion in
order to add power to his two-handed
backhand. In 2004 Nadal helped Spain win
the Davis Cup by defeating Andy Roddick of
the United States. In 2006, at the French Open, Nadal won his 54th straight victory on clay, breaking the
record for consecutive wins on clay set by Guillermo Vilas of Argentina in 1977.
Nadal's first grand slam championship came in 2005 at the French Open, where he defeated Mariano Puerto
of Argentina in the men's singles final. Nadal had already beaten top-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland in
the semifinal match. In July 2005 Nadal gained the number-two ranking in men's professional tennis.
The rivalry between the top two tennis players heated
up in 2006. In June Nadal defended his French Open
title and beat Federer in a much-anticipated
championship match. The next month Nadal
demonstrated that he posed a threat on grass courts
as well. To the surprise of everyone, including
himself, Nadal quickly adjusted to the faster (and
quirkier) bounce on the grass courts of Wimbledon
and reached the singles final. So did Federer, who
was playing on his favorite surface. Federer
demonstrated that he was still the number-one
player, at least on grass, by defeating Nadal in four
sets. Nadal, however, remained the only player to
have beaten Federer in 2006.
The tennis world rejoiced at the new rivalry, which
seemed to bring out the best in both players.
At only 21-years old Rafa's game and body are well
beyond his years.
Copyright © Getty images, gay.com, sportsillustrated.com & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this
source.
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