el mejor

Federer knows that the numbers favor him ... for now. The 16 Grand Slam crowns compared to nine of Nadal. The superlative praise than its rivals tend to spend.

Every time Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer get behind a microphone, someone always asks the question.

"Who do you consider the best tennis player ever?". With the rigor of modesty, sagacious in diplomacy, none is clothed with the mantle.

Federer knows that the numbers will favor ... for now. The 16 Grand Slam crowns compared to nine of Nadal. The superlative praise than its rivals tend to spend.

After raising four match points in the Paris Masters for his first win over Federer in six games, Gael Monfils essentially said as if he had conquered the peak of Mount Everest: "It's a tennis legend, The Legend ... The I will remember all my vine. "

But Federer has 29, pending of her adorable twins. So they began to believe that the timing of the decline is approaching the Swiss.

Nadal, meanwhile, only has 24 years, and when in early September, champion of the U.S. Open became the seventh man to complete the collection of Grand Slam titles.

No one missed the detail that Nadal had achieved its ninth largest one year in advance of what it took to Federer.


"I think about whether I am better or worse than Roger's stupid," he said in Spanish after his moment of glory in New York. "For the titles say it is much better than me, so that's the truth at this time. I think it's really all my life."

It was the year of resurgence for Nadal, after the previous was marred by injuries and problems within his family. Recaptured Roland Garros without dropping a set, regained the number one and found his best kick, so far the weakest part of his arsenal.

Yes, this is a unique moment for the men's game, its golden age, in which two pairs monopolize all (21 of the last 23 large) and discuss who is the best of all time.

The rivalry seemed to wane this year when Federer's armor was pierced with its "early" liquidation in French Open and Wimbledon. His loss to Robin Soderling in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros was the first that passed before the semifinals of a Slam in six years.

Perhaps the most alarming sign was that lost four games in which he had before that missed match points.

But Federer batteries recharged, hired Paul Annacone and beat Nadal in Masters Cup final, the fifth time he lifted the trophy of the season-ending tournament. This victory enabled him to 66 career titles, leaving the fourth on the career list of the circuit.

"I have no plans to retire, leave, leave or whatever you call it," said Federer after his consecration in London. "I hope to play many more years."

Much expectation begins to raise the upcoming Australia Open, where Federer will attempt to validate the crown.

Nadal will be in Melbourne where search complete their "Rafa Slam" and be flaunting the rod while the four major tournaments.

Nadal closed out the year firmly installed as the world number one, with an outer gap of 3.305 points over Federer.

No one seems able to intrude on the pulse between them.

In 2008, Novak Djokovic broke the monotony by winning the Australia Open, but Djokovic really is satisfied with having accomplished this year for his country its first Davis Cup. Andy Murray threat, but always falters.

And what was Juan Martin del Potro? The Argentinian U.S. Open champion 2009, played just six games in 2010 after wrist surgery. His ranking plummeted to 257 points and it evaporates unable to go to Flushing Meadows to defend the title.

With the barrel with the striker on the right, the giant Del Potro was the individual who had emerged to mediate between Nadal and Federer. It remains to see if you can yet again.

2010 was a year entertaining in every way.

The epic match was John Isner and starred Nicolas Mahut for second round of Wimbledon. It took three days to complete. 11 hours, 5 minutes and 183 games was the longest game in history. Moreover the fifth set (70-68 was the score) alone exceeded the length of any other game. The Frenchman Mahut won more points (502 of 478), but the American was the one who sang Isner victory.

While men go through an exceptional time, the keynote irregularity among women.

Caroline Wozniacki ended the year as number one, but Danish has yet to win a Slam. It is the virtue of knowing more points and Serena Williams has not played since winning Wimbledon because of the cuts on the foot he suffered when he stepped on glass in a restaurant in Munich.

Justine Henin's retirement came after a year and a half and the beginning seemed to repeat the example of his compatriot Kim Clijsters, who won the U.S. Open. But Henin lost the final to Serena Williams in Australia and had to quit after Wimbledon with a sore elbow.

Clijsters, meanwhile, repeated as champion at Flushing Meadows and won the female Masters.

And the Roland Garros women threw an unexpected champion in the Italian Francesca Schiavone, who at age 29 had never even reached the semifinals of a Slam.

"Obviously, I do not think that is the best Spanish athlete in history. That is an outrage. I have no idea about it and would be of tremendous arrogance on my part to say."

After one of the biggest days of his career on Monday, the shooting happened on Tuesday in response to the press, leaving a photo to remember the New York Times Square. However, the U.S. Open champion, the fourth and final Grand Slam of the season, appeared during forty minutes in the press room at Terminal 4 of Madrid-Barajas airport just landed in Spain.

After the debate generated in Spain after the umpteenth tennis exploits of Mallorca, the first question he faced was whether Nadal is considered the best Spanish athlete in history. "No, not at all what I think. Indeed, I think it's obvious that I'm not. That is outrageous. I can not say I'm the best athlete in the history because I have no idea that and it would be of tremendous arrogance on my part. All athletes have their merits for what they have meaning in their sport. Fernando Alonso led the way in Formula 1, Gasol has done in the NBA, Contador is set for a great cycling ... For me to be in that group and is a great honor. "

Rafa Nadal admitted that his victory at the U.S. Open is a step forward in his career: "It is true that as a tennis player I've taken a step forward in my career with this U.S. Open because it's something and it had failed to complete the four major is unbelievable, they had only six players managed before. I'm happy for what happened to me. The truth is that these last six months have been unforgettable for me. "

However, the Spaniard did not lose motivation. "The desire for victory and to improve every day you do not know when it's over. I am more calm but not why I stopped having the same illusion get things done. Until then will have to continue taking advantage of it. Then when that finished, it will be time to accept it and focus on something else, that life is not all tennis. But for now I will continue working as usual and trying to win tournaments. My goal is to keep working to remain the best, "he said.

"The next day I got up very early because I had to make several television and an event with NIKE and final day was very long and I could not much sleep. But I do not need much time to assimilate what I have achieved. I do not think that it is attached to anything special (of course, on deck if fitted), and will not change anything. I just got something that months ago seemed impossible. I am very grateful to everyone for their support, especially here in Spain, "said Nadal.

Asked which of all his accomplishments has been more important, Nadal said: "Some victories are you more recorded than others, but all are important. The first Wimbledon was so special because I had always wanted to win there. The first Roland Garros was my first Grand Slam title, which is why I had worked all his life. Win in Australia was very exciting, because I played the final against Federer in five sets after a tough semifinal against Fernando Verdasco. And the U.S. Open has been very important as it means getting all big and he had always had a problem there. Al least in the last three years are when he could have some expectation of success. "

Nadal also spoke of the remarkable improvement of its service, its hitherto Achilles tendon. "It's hard to explain. The truth is that it was taking very well in Toronto and Cincinnati, tournaments before the U.S. Open. The truth is that I've worked hard the service because it was a pending matter. I decided to change the grip of the racket two days before the tournament to play anymore ball and run more, especially against the wind on center court in Flushing Meadows, where it is always quite windy. Well, it was a risk, but had to accept it and came out pretty well. Either way could have changed the former if it had not worked. "

"I have not had too many problems with the service while I've been playing very well from the bottom of the track. In which areas I can save it as better. But with some players and hard surface, if you take it you have to be perfect from the bottom to win games. On grass the service is better because it uses saved over the cut and the characteristics of the track, and you know clay is not so decisive. "However, the only improvement was experienced by his play in the recent times. "The track position is now better game closer to the bottom line when it had previously been far behind. And the reverse cut me allowed to add more options to my game. I've improved a lot and every time I feel more comfortable with it. I can not give much clue, cope better with some games ... "

Over its rivals, Nadal denied that his rivals have stopped in the evolution of his game. "I do not think Federer has stalled. We all like to have stagnation," he laughed. "She is 29 years, figures and some records that are almost unmatched and long at a high level. I've been six years and is also very difficult to stay at that level ... When I finished my semifinal match, I watched Federer's match against Djiokovic and people commented that I was playing and in life. He had the match in his hand with two match points and Djokovic played two amazing. Federer came to play well in Toronto and winning Cincinnati and was the favorite for the title in New York. I do not think Murray and Djokovic, and Soderling, have stalled. They long progress. Like me, I've always been improving, and although it will not always guarantee victory, so I remain where I am. "

Rafa also referred to the break for rain in the final and the fact of having to play it on Monday. "I wanted to play the final on Sunday because it had the advantage as Djokovic had played a lot of wear semi-final the previous day. With one more day of rest the thing is equal, but in reality is more fair. The halt in rain did not come to me in the best time because Djokovic had gotten me a beating in the second set from 1-1 to 4-1 and I had managed to trace it. "

There will be no major changes in your calendar

The golden boy of Manacor said that its schedule for the coming seasons will not be reduced dramatically to focus primarily on Grand Slam tournaments. "Tennis is much more than the big four. Furthermore, to play them well, you have to have played other tournaments that allow you to get well prepared to win. My schedule does not vary too much. "Upon the coming tournaments added:" I will go on tour Bangkok-Tokyo-Shanghai and try to win. I do not get out on the track without looking to win. All tournaments are important but perhaps Shanghai, being outdoors is easier for me. The Masters will be more difficult to win because I faced the best in the world and it is played on hard courts and indoor. But is the big goal remaining this season. "

A grueling season

"We all know that the timetable is too long. Starting January 1 and ending December 5 is an outrage. All players agree on reducing the season, but it is difficult to carry out because many tournaments have their week and not easily remove it. invest in tennis and thanks to them we have a circuit like the one we have. It will be difficult but we will succeed. I do not think the year next, but I hope we get to 2012, "said the tennis player in New York met with the ATP to address the issue.

The family, its major pillar

Asked about the delicate health of his grandfather and the importance of family in his life, Nadal brought out his human side. "I could not even talk with my grandparents. My grandfather is a music fan, is a director, but neither the children nor the grandchildren have gone down that road. But he remains the sport and is always awaiting my results. For my family is very important. I was always the first nephew, the first grandchild and that has shaped my life. Without them it would have been impossible to get everything I've achieved, "he said.

Nadal is why he only wants health and his request when a dream. "A dream? Health course for me, for I have at hand and the whole world if possible. Without health there is no happiness. If your people are well, you're better. I very happy with everything I've achieved and with what I have, so I can not ask for anything more. "

Said that he did not celebrate the victory over La Poste out of respect for Federer

Rafa Nadal had to contain the euphoria of the journalists who questioned him amazed by the great feat he achieved in the final of Roland Garros before the Swiss Roger Federer. "I'm not the best in the world, I'm number two, that is what we feel. I also think that I am closer to the three that one. But it matters little, the important thing is to improve your tennis," he said.

"In recent years I have been the best player on clay. I am a humble, modest, but my prize speaks for itself. Be respectful of the adversary. Whenever I go into a track I think I may lose, "he said.

The Spanish multiplied samples of respect for his rival, recognized that Federer had to be tough to fall that way and said why did not hold the victory on the track. "I did not have an outcome adjusted, there was no tension. I have great respect for Federer, is a great champion and had to feel something really hard. That is why I have not concluded. Losing a final Grand Slam is always hard, I lost at Wimbledon and I know, "he said.

Cree that Federer can win Roland Garros
Nadal acknowledged that Federer did not make a good game, but noted that this does not mean that the Swiss can not win Roland Garros. "The distance between us is small, depends on who is best moment so that's what decanta who felt that this edition of Roland Garros was "more aggressive" on track.

In the end the key was, according to Nadal in the sixth game of the second set, when Federer had a ball to break the service. "It served with the wind against and then I could keep my serve. I think it has been the key," he said. balance, "he said." Although always play like today I will not always well to beat the world number one, "he said.

The Spanish feel reassured "personal satisfaction at having won a major rivals" and for having led the fourth Roland Garros. "It's the Grand Slam that I have more options to win, unless I win here it is difficult for a big win, because the others are harder for me. He completed a nearly perfect match, I played better than last year," said tennis,