Nadal Pulls Out

Rafael Nadal pulled out of the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai, citing fatigue and the need to prepare for the Davis Cup final. The world’s top-ranked player made the announcement on his Web site, describing his withdrawal as “one of the most difficult decisions in my career.”

Here's what he said:
“It has been a long and difficult year where I managed to obtain great results, both on a professional and on a personal level,” he said. “I have mentioned on various occasions that the tennis calendar has been extremely hard with practically all weeks playing and where it forces players to compete week in, week out, making it impossible for a top level player to be 100 percent” for each event.

Wednesday's Aces

Nadal, Federer, Nalbandian, Davydenko, Andy Murray, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Gilles Simon and James Blake all posted wins today in Paris.

With his win today over Igor Andreev, Gilles Simon now has one foot in the door of next week’s Masters Cup in Shanghai, while Wawrinka and Ferrer’s losses put them out of the running. Blake and Tsonga need to reach the final here if they are to overtake Simon.

Who'd a Thunk it? #1 and #2 out of Madrid.

Murray vs. Simon in Final

























I didn't think Andy Murray would pull this one out but he kept his cool and overcame a lop-sided first set to take Federer in 3. Murray won the match 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Looks like Federer is extremely vulnerable these days. That being said, you can't win everything all the time and maybe not being #1 will take some of the pressure off. He's still the man to beat in my opinion.

Possibly the next PHENOM, Gilles Simon played a brilliant 2nd and 3rd set to get past a tired looking Nadal 3-6, 7-5, 7-6. Simon served for the match at 6-5 but was broken by Nadal to send it to the breaker.

Not too many can hang with the "never-say-die" Nadal but Simon did just that. Match point came when Nadal sent a forehand long which was called good, but overruled by Simon's challenge, clinching the victory. Thank God for Shot Spot!

I'm gonna give the final to Murray but it should be an entertaining matchup.
(AFP /Getty Images)

Nadal Drinking Game

I made up a new drinking game and it’s super simple.

Step 1: Fill a shot glass with your favorite adult beverage. Jack Daniels works good.

Step 2: Drink a shot every time Nadal picks his butt.

Try this tomorrow during the Gasquet match. You’ll be loaded in no time. Bottoms up!

Bite Me!



























Here goes Raphael Nadal biting another trophy. This one symbolizes his ranking as World No. 1 since August 18, 2008 and was presented at a ceremony celebrated during the Masters Series of Madrid.

I know it's his "thing" but does anyone else out there secretly wish one of these trophies would break off and start choking this guy. Sinister, I know.

Hasta la Vista

















Rafael Nadal guaranteed Spain’s berth in its sixth Davis Cup final, crushing Andy Roddick in a 6-4, 6-0, 6-4 ass-kicking for an unbeatable 3-1 lead over the 2007 champion United States. Nuff' said.

Spain will play either Argentina or Russia.
(AFP/Getty Images)