Rafael Nadal does not believe he is in the mix for being considered the greatest player ever, giving the nod to either Roger Federer or Rod Laver. “I believe is 100% fair that people say [Federer is still the best ever] because he is today, and will be very difficult to any player to improve his numbers,” Nadal said. “Always say the same: is not fair to analyze the history of any player only for the Grand Slams. Everyone who is around this world knows that the tennis is not only the Grand Slams. There are a lot of things outside the Grand Slams. Roger has an unbelievable records outside of Grand Slams. For sure, in Grand Slams, he the player who win more. But I never saw play Rod Laver, but I know his history. He was able to win all four [majors as an amateur] and all four [as a professional]. So today the question is not about me or Roger, will be more about Rod Laver or Roger.” . . . Federer says that Nadal is vastly improved since the first time that they met at 2004 Miami. “I think he definitely starts to play naturally better, on the quicker courts,” Federer said. “There was no way around that because usually 70% of the tour you play is on hard court. So he just had to get used to that more. How old was he when I played him first, 18? That is still young. The improvement you’re going to make from 18 to 22 is always going to be an extreme one, especially in his situation, because he’s a quick learner. Everybody played to his weakness. Everybody played the backhand, like everybody played at my backhand at first. That becomes more consistent. Then they go harder to your forehand. Then you improve that. Eventually you become that well‑molded player he is today.” . . .
Richard Gasquet’s coach, Riccardo Piatti, left the ATP Finals before Gasquet’s final match as he decided to end their partnership. Piatti told him he was leaving after more than two years just before his loss to Novak Djokovic. Gasquet will keep working with part-time coach Sebastien Grosjean and says it’s up to Piatti to explain what happened. . . . ATP board member and commentator Justin Gimelstob has written a letter of support for Nick Bollettieri induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. . .
The workmanlike David Ferrer says that playing seven tournaments in seven weeks prior to the ATP Finals was a mistake. He went 0-3 in his round robin group. “I know is a lot of tournaments,” he said. “Well, I did final in Stockholm, final Valencia, final Paris, and three matches here. Is too much. But now I know it’s too much. Before, I never knows it. I did three finals in three weeks, no?”
We Hear—
—That Richard Gasquet’s coach, Riccardo Piatti, left the ATP Finals before Gasquet’s final match as he decided to end their partnership. Piatti told him he was leaving after more than two years just before his loss to Novak Djokovic. Gasquet will keep working with part-time coach Sebastien Grosjean and says it’s up to Piatti to explain what happened.
Topics: 10sballs, Atp, David Ferrer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Rod Laver, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News