príncipe de asturias

null

The jury of the Prince of Asturias Award County this morning the most important prize in the sports world

Rafa Nadal was aware that he was competing "with great athletes. And it is a prize to the trajectory so this quiet because I hope, if not this year, will be the next ". These were the words of Manacor before knowing that the Prince of Asturias Sport can move on to swell their trophy cabinets.

It is a recognition not only to this extraordinary 2008 but also has to be seen as a reward for the record, the tenacity, when, as well said his close friend Carlos Moyà, "not to lay down their arms ever" ... When any other would have stopped running, he would have forgotten the number one and would have been contented with beating another kind of records.

But it is Nadal, the Spanish athlete more relevant today. And is that Rafa reflects everything that is rewarded with the Prince of Asturias. In the first instead, their deeds sports: four consecutive Roland Garros, with the double Wimbledon this year (for the first time since 1980) after two late missed, the best streak in history on any surface (81 consecutive wins on clay), the better number two in history (160 consecutive weeks in that post) and, finally, world number one ... Without forgetting that also looks with pride and Olympic gold that was in 2004, 18, the youngest champion in Davis Cup the full story.

A second requirement is his most human side. Rafa remains the same the first day, according to media with a smile and responding to the maximum possible number of requests from fans. There is nothing strange to see him twenty minutes signing autographs at the conclusion of their training sessions. His behavior has not been altered by his ascension to the top. On the contrary.

And the third alternative: its contribution sport. The contribution of the tennis Nadal no doubt because it has become one of the most popular athletes in the world and their presence on the circuit has meant one of the greatest rivalries in history and has brought, as identifies two legends like Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, the most that has ever seen in the final of Wimbledon.

Rafa is at a higher level. Any recognition, as highlighted his own comrades circuit, is more than deserved.

Lleyton Hewitt, Nadal rival in 2 nd round. Federer begins with a victory over Tursunov. Ferrer, Almagro and Robredo, eliminated in first round.

Rafael Nadal suffered to overcome its debut at the Olympic Games before the Italian Potito Starace, who took him beyond two hours on the runway. In the last part, a 'break' in the sixth game was enough for the Spanish (6-2, 3-6 and 6-2), which closed the match outburst service back to his rival. It is the only joy of the day in the men's table. David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Nicolas Almagro have been eliminated.

The Mallorcan's rival in the second round will be Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who broke the Swedish Jonas Bjorkman by 7-5 and 7-6 (2) in just under two hours party.

There was a comfortable appearance for the world number one. The humidity, very high despite a dramatic drop in temperature in Beijing today, is something that does not finish like. Neither time (10.30) was good. However stormed into the match with a desire to solve it through quickly, and thus resolved the first sleeve. But suddenly, Nadal faded.

A partial 3-0 at the start of the second set allowed the Italian equalize the match. Starace was also growing in the heat of the public who wanted to see more tennis, did not want a fast game. Not served as a lever the arrival of the Prince of Asturias tier. Nadal not find ways to curb the countless left it came across the network. Almost all lost.

Except one. For front in the last part (1-0) and 30-15 down, Potito tried the nth. It is not known how, Nadal pulled out from under the ground, nearly hitting the network, and that point it stopped thrown on the floor celebrating. It was not until the sixth game for the 'break' final, but was meridian that the party had changed since that point. />
The one that had not been so lucky Carla Suarez. His party, interrupted on Sunday, left out of the Games after losing (7-5 and 7-6 (2)) compared to china Peng Shuai.