Rafael Nadal US Open 2011: Federer's Comments on Injuries a Subtle Shot at Nadal
The veteran is using his full arsenal of tricks.
Roger Federer is attempting to win his first Grand Slam of the year and is using all of the tactics in the book to get there.
His arch-nemesis for the last half-decade, Rafael Nadal, had a very painful few minutes in his post match interview on Sunday. He couldn’t even move as cramps engulfed his body.
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Yet he claims to be ok and will continue to play on in the final major of the year.
He’s just the latest player to be dealing with some sort of injury. With 12 players having to bow out before losing at this year’s US Open, it has set a new record. It’s disturbing when you consider the weather has been cooler than normal and the hot, sweltering heat that plagues players is non-existent.
Federer sent a subliminal message to Nadal when asked about the alarming amount of injuries taking place in the sport:
"It comes out in best-of-five-set tennis. You can't hide it, in my opinion. Could some guys finish the matches? I'm sure, but they didn't decide to.
For me, it doesn't matter how bad I'm feeling, I will be out there and giving it a try, because you never know what's going to happen. Every player feels different. It's unfortunate it happens for the fans, I guess.
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Is Federer egging Nadal on to gut out this tournament?
He makes sure to remind everyone that he would never do something like that. It’s all mind games at this point at Flushing Meadows and Federer is playing it masterfully.
He is dominating his opponents on the court and now he’s trying to get into Nadal’s head.
It’s a great move.
Nadal has struggled with injuries all year and I’m sure has contemplated calling it quits at the US Open. But now that Federer is making comments like that…how could Nadal ever give on?
He needs to use this as motivation. Only Nadal knows his own pain tolerance and that is going to be the major factor for his fate in the tournament.
If nothing else…I’m certainly rooting for a Federer-Nadal final.
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