Before today it would be hard to call Federer-Nadal a rivalry because Rafa owned a 6-1 record against Roger. That is owning him. Now it is full rivalry (even though is still 6-2 Nadal). 2 times they play in Slam finals and each wins one time. Whoever wins the US Open is the #1 for the year no matter what the computer says on the rankings. I hope they play again there. Is incredible tennis. Today, Federer was unbelievable in 1st set. Unbeatable.
But Nadal is incredible fighter. 2nd point of 2nd set he wins it and goes with his fist pumping big like it maybe was huge point. Was 2nd POINT OF SET ONLY!! This guy's mind is incredible. In the end, after tough fighting, lots of winners and very few errors Federer was too good on the grass. The surface definitely helped him but was not easy match.
Federer now has 8 majors. He is close to Sampras now. It's not easy for him with Nadal now playing tough on every surface. That is good. Should not be easy. Wasn't for Sampras. he had me, Agassi, Becker, Courier, Edberg, Rafter, Krajicek and many others. Right now, Federer just has Nadal. maybe Safin and Roddick can come back in there but for now is only Nadal.
I had lot of fun writing this for you tennis fans in Houston. I can't wait to come to River Oaks to play Stanford Cup in November. I hope you all come out to tournament to see me play, especially any Croatians who live there. I hope I win this year against McEnroe, Courier, all those guys. I will be ready.
For now, I go back home and play a few exhibitions in Europe and I will also come to US Open. Federer goes home now with 4th Wimbledon trophy. That's pretty good!
BYE! Goran
Courtesy of the Houston Chronicle
July 8, 2006
Xmas for Rafa-Roger
Tomorrow is a day Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal will never forget. Wimbledon final days happen a few times in life and every one is special. I remember everything from the times I played on those days. A lot of pain for me since I lost a few times but winning in 2001 almost makes me forget the bad times.
I remember what I had for breakfast, how the locker room was with just me, my coach and my opponent there, the warm up with my coach and no one else is playing at Wimbledon but us. I remember it all. It's harder to remember what happened after I won because my mind got so crazy happy and everything went fast. Feels almost like I won the match and then next thing I know I am standing in square in home with trophy and 100,000 people in square cheering. Before the match I remember everything.
Walking out through the doors onto the Center Court is an amazing feeling with the people in Royal Box waiting with everybody else. We used to bow to them which was weird but also cool in a way because so different. They don't bow anymore. That is little bit shame. I liked it.
Roger is playing unbelievable tennis. Beating guys bad, making them look like amatuers. Rafa is playing great too and will not be afraid of Roger.
This is also xmas for tennis fans to watch these guys. Lefty vs righty, big muscles in sleeveless shirt vs guy in old time jacket, two-hand backhand vs one hand. New school vs old school and the new school has won 6 out of 7 times they played. But they never played on grass.
My prediction. Old school wins in 4 sets for 4th straight Wimbledon title.
Courtesy of the Houston Chronicle
July 6, 2006
Rafa or Roger? It's crunch time.
Hey, it's me again. It's the good part of Wimbledon now when the locker rooms are getting quiet because not too many players are left playing. Most players are home on a beach now, trying to forget Wimbledon, but there is still tennis left and it will be great.
On the men's side, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal look like they will play final like they did in the French Open. I want to see that. Federer can't beat Nadal on clay this year (0-3), but they have never played on grass before. I think it is an unbelievable effort by Nadal to get to the semifinal after winning everything on clay season this year. He must be so tired in his body, but his head is strong and he shows it here by being tougher than the other guys. He should have lost in the second round against American player Robert Kendrick, but he fights and fights. That must scare Federer because all of the players are afraid of Roger except Rafael. He is afraid of nothing. I think Nadal makes the final in a tough match tomorrow against Marcos Baghdatis because he has more guts. Federer beats Jonas Bjorkman because he is the best player on grass by a kilometer. The problem for Federer is Nadal doesn't care if he is playing on grass or Mars, he just plays his opponent no matter what. Everyone thinks Federer wins because it's on grass but I think this match will be played in the mind and Nadal is stronger now. We will see, I hope, this final. It will be awesome.
On the women's side, Amelie Mauresmo plays Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final. This is great! Last time they played in a major final was Australia in January. Henin quit the match with an injury or the flu, something like that. I thought was strange at the time because Henin fights like Nadal: a crazy fighter. Now is the rematch. I think Henin wins this time because she has a better head. Mauresmo has better game for grass, but sometimes she is not strong in the head. If Henin wins, I think she will have won all four Slam titles in her career. That is awesome, too.
I am playing with Henri Leconte in over 35 doubles here. We have won two matches and lost one, but we are having the most fun of any team for sure. Leconte is a crazy guy, but we have a great time on the court. It doesn't matter if we win anyway, it's just exhibition. Today, we won against Slobodan "Bobo" Zivojinovic and Gary Donnelly. It has been great to be back as a member and champion and to play relaxed tennis.
It's also fun to be here in the locker room with all of the guys. Guys are playing cards, backgammon together. It's a fun atmosphere even though it's the biggest tournament of the year. It's just players like me, the few guys left in main tournament singles and doubles and their coaches. People are friendly. You must think we hate each other because we have to play all the time, but we don't. Well, sometimes after you lose, you might hate, but that goes away. At least you pretend it does! OK, I will write more after the men's semifinals. Bye!
Courtesy of the Houston Chronicle
July 1, 2006
Andre's off.
I am back finally to Wimbledon today. Agassi played Nadal now here today in his last match at Wimbledon. I am glad Andre at least won two matches here and lost to a great player like Nadal on Center Court. I know he is sad to lose but at least it was on the big court to a big player. Agassi beat me here in 92 final but I still think he's great guy. I have forgiven him now that I won here too! It's sort of sad day for tennis here at Wimbledon. Andre cried on court after but I think all of the tennis world cried a little with him.
I missed this place. It is great to be back and walk around to see everything. I wasn't here last year. I've been practicing so I will play good in the masters doubles tournament at Wimbledon. People think I am retired but I am playing a lot, on the Outback Champions Series in America and in Europe in exhibitions. I love to play the champions tennis. I still get to compete but I get more weeks off! I am coming to play in Houston again in November at Stanford Cup. I played last year at this tournament and had really good time in Houston. Maybe too good! They tell me we play at River Oaks this year, a nice club with historic stadium little bit like Wimbledon. That's good if that is true. I did not play great last year at Stanford Cup but Houston is fun town, great tennis fans. I think this year I try not to stay out so late so maybe I play better and win against those guys like McEnroe, Courier and Cash. Johnny Mac and Cash are here so I will tell I plan to kick their...this year in Houston.
Lots of people are talking about the clothes the players are wearing here. Federer is wearing something like sport jacket when he walks to the court. Looks cool on him. He is old school player so looks normal on him. Would look like crap on other players I think though. I saw American girl Mattiak dressed like a soccer player playing Venus Williams the other day. I love soccer but this is too much! The world cup is huge but the soccer players don't dress like tennis players! I think she just wanted to be noticed. I don't want to be noticed like that! The news here was going crazy with pictures of her!! If you can't win maybe it is a good idea to wear crazy clothes. At least now we talk of her.
OK, I play soon and will write more later. Maybe I should not stay out late here too? Well, this is just doubles!
Courtesy of the Houston Chronicle
April 29, 2006
This has been a very exciting week at the Champions Cup Boston. I flew in on Tuesday from Zagreb to some extremely competitive tennis against some of the biggest names in the sport. My first match was against Pat Cash. The Boston crowd was really involved and many of the kids in the audience were wearing checkered headbands, just like Pat. I was able to pull the win 6-2, 6-2. On Friday morning I went with John McEnroe to visit Fenway Park. Our matches are being aired on the same network as the Red Sox games, NESN, and I was curious to see one of America’s most famous baseball stadiums. The stadium was remarkable and is usually filled with many of the most passionate sports fans in the United States. John and I both want to come back for a Red Sox Game very soon---maybe for the Yankees game on Monday.
Boston has been so receptive to Champions Cup tennis. There is a great buzz around town. I saw a few taxis driving around town with video screens displaying images of the Champions Cup players. It is also thrilling to see the fans get so engaged in the tennis. The energetic crowd has made this week really special. I am very happy that the Champions Cup Boston will be regular stop on the Outback Champions Series and hope to come back and play here again next year.
Today I played against the legendary John McEnroe. Growing up, John has been one of my idols and I was very excited to compete against him in front of the Boston crowd. The match was really tough and it is amazing that he is in such incredible shape. The fans were cheering for every point and there was a great energy in the stadium at Bosse Sports. John won the first set 6-3. In the second set, I came back and won 6-4 but lost the champions tie-break 10-8. I was really disappointed to lose when I was so close.
It is very hard to believe that John is 47 years old and playing and moving so well. Even though I am upset about the loss, it is very inspirational to see John play at such a high level at this point in his career. John’s performance is great for the Outback Champions Series and the ATP tour, as well as for the game of tennis. I continue to look up to my childhood role model as he continues to inspire me.
Tomorrow I will play Jim Courier. I played him at the Stanford Financial Champions Cup Houston where he won in a third set tie-break so I am up for a bit of revenge.
Looking forward to that match.
Now I’m headed for a quick workout before I go back to the Nine Zero hotel.
