Rafael Nadal Helps Kick-Off Rogers Cup Atop CN Tower

Rafael Nadal made his return to Toronto and helped kick-off the Rogers Cup by taking part in the official draw for the tournament high atop the CN Tower on Friday afternoon.

 

Qualifying matches will take place today and tomorrow at the Rexall Centre at York University. First round matches will begin on Monday with the tournament wrapping up on Sunday, August 15. The tournament will feature most of the top-ranked players on the ATP World Tour, including two-time Rogers Cup winners Nadal and Roger Federer as well as 2007 champ Novak Djokovic and reigning title-holder Andy Murray.

 

“It’s always an amazing event,” said Nadal, who recently re-gained the No.1 spot from Federer.

 

“The top players in the world are here and that makes it a unique event. The tournament improves year by year, it’s better for the players and the crowd too. For me it’s very nice to be back here, very nice memories from two years ago and I hope everybody enjoys the tournament.”

 

The tournament has the potential to feature great big-name matches –something that has been a concern for Rogers Cup organizers in years past. With so many great men’s players present in Toronto, the tournament has the opportunity to not only increase its profile on the world stage but also increase the exposure of tennis in Canada.

 

“It is absolutely huge to have the top players in the world here to promote the sport,” said Tournament Director Karl Hale. “He’s (Nadal) just a great ambassador to have here in Canada to promote tennis with us.”

 

With Federer now ranked No. 3, many fans didn’t have much hope for a possible face-off between him and Nadal in the final. However, the draw saw the Spaniard place in the top half, while Federer will play in the bottom half – leaving some hope for a showdown next Sunday. The rivalry between the two tennis stars has been intense over the years and has produced some of the finest tennis ever seen.

 

 

Nadal has erased any doubt about his health since pulling out of the quarter-finals due to bad knees in the Australian Open. After taking time off to rehabilitate his knees, the King of Clay has racked up victories in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid as well as two Grand Slam championships – The French Open in June and Wimbledon last month.

 

This stretch of dominant play allowed Nadal to overtake Federer and re-claim the No.1 spot for the first time since June 2009. Since winning Wimbledon, he has had almost a month off to rest and prepare for the remainder of the season which will take place primarily on hard court surfaces.

 

“I feel good,” said Nadal. “I had a very good grass court season, clay court season and before I had a very good hard court season too, playing two semi-finals in Indian Wells and Miami. My knees I had a little bit of trouble in Miami but for the rest I’m feeling confident with my body.”

 

“Second thing, I’m not thinking about my body, I’m thinking about my tennis, something happen we’re going to think about the body, right now I’m in perfect condition, so it’s enough. I have enough work to think about tennis.”

 

In order to avoid the chaotic Friday afternoon traffic in Toronto, after the press conference Nadal was whisked away in a private helicopter from Ontario Place back to the Rexall Centre for an evening practice session.

 

The extra practice will come in handy as Nadal shakes off the cobwebs and prepares to shoulder a tough workload in the tournament. He will also participate in doubles play, teaming up with No. 2 ranked Djokovic – which should produce some thrilling tennis.

 

“I’m excited to play with him,” said Nadal. “I think he’s one of the most talented players of the world and to have him with me in the half part of the court will be a very nice experience.

 

“It’s always a pleasure for me to play doubles because it’s an important part of the game…you can learn a lot from playing doubles.

 

 

With the fourth and final Grand Slam event, the US Open, coming so close to the Rogers Cup every year, players can often make the mistake of looking ahead and losing their focus in the Canadian tournament. Despite the US Open being the only Grand Slam to elude Nadal, the primary goal for him is to concentrate on the Rogers Cup and to not look any further than his first match.