Tennis Tour Tidbits

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 7th November 2013

Tennis Tour Tidbits

epa03938311 Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka returns the ball against Spain's Rafael Nadal during their group A singles match in the round robin stage on the third day at Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 06 November 2013. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA |

Stanislas Wawrinka was less than thrilled with Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni allegedly coaching his nephew during his loss to the Spaniard in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. “It’s nothing personal against Rafa or against [Nadal uncle and coach] Toni. We all know, players and umpire, that Toni is always trying to help Rafa. That’s normal. That’s part of the game. But when it’s too much, it’s too much. Today I didn’t agree with the umpire that he didn’t tell him something or he didn’t give him second warning just because it was Rafa. We all see. I was there. Before every point, he was trying to coach him.That just what happened. Again, it’s nothing against Rafa or Toni. That’s in the rules. Normally the umpire should have done something.” . . .

Rafael Nadal on why he quit ATP politics: “At the end I am a guy that when I do things, I do the things with everything that I have. I feel that me and another guys tried hard for a few years to make things that can improve the tennis in general and can make the careers longer and can make the life a little bit easier for the players and can make a difference at the end of our careers…I am just one more player, one more career. There are a lot of careers that probably will have the same problem, and is not nice I am out because I feel with the structure of today, there is nothing to do.” . . .Nadal does have opinions on Victor Troicki’s now 12-month suspension for missing a blood test “I am very sorry for Viktor because I believe 100% on him. Probably the doctor make the mistake. But he knows that he has to pass the doping. He knows that he has to do the control when, you know, the authorities required. So was a big mistake.” . . . Tony Nadal is proud of his No. 1 nephew: “I don’t know what else he can achieve never know what more he can do. When we are in Majorca building to the next year, we don’t know if we are going to be at the top or not good enough. I hope he can be there more years and to be, if not the best player, one of them in a line for some more tournaments “When I watch Rafael it is not the same when I watch anyone else play. I don’t like the word ‘proud’ but when it is announced what he has won in his career the emotions are profound. . . There are 900 coaches in Cancun for the ITF coaches conference. . .

Laura Robson went on vacation to Argentina, and visited the Perito Moreno glacier and Iguazu Falls. . . Tomas Berdych says that he will buy Rafael Nadal a round of champagne for reaching No.1, and maybe more before their match on Friday.