Lessons on graciousness and humility. Or at least sounding gracious and humble.
What do players say after they win/lose?
19-year-old Rafael Nadal beat world #1 Roger Federer in the finals of the ATP Masters in Rome on Sunday. Here's what he said:
I think Federer was maybe tougher to beat. He's more aggressive and serves very well. If he hits a good serve and he comes in with his forehand, there is nothing you can do.
In fact, I was lucky when he had match point he made a mistake with two forehands.
I was lucky, says Nadal. Nadal who, with that win, equalled the great Guillermo Vilas' record 53-match winning streak on clay (done in 1977). Nadal who, with that win, equalled the rather great Bjorn Borg's record of 16 championship titles won as a teenager.
Nadal's post-match interview here.
As for Federer, this is what he says:
I should have won. He caught me right at the finish line...
He hardly passed me today, which was a good feeling.
Wah, cannot tahan. Don't know how to say, 'This guy Nadal, he's really good on clay.'
And his compatriot Martina Hingis, back in the ladies' circuit after laying off for 3 years, follows in his footsteps:
A lot of these young girls, they don't even know what the game is about. They have never seen a drop shot, a slice and all the mixture and variety I have.
Cannot tahan either.
What do players say after they win/lose?
19-year-old Rafael Nadal beat world #1 Roger Federer in the finals of the ATP Masters in Rome on Sunday. Here's what he said:
I think Federer was maybe tougher to beat. He's more aggressive and serves very well. If he hits a good serve and he comes in with his forehand, there is nothing you can do.
In fact, I was lucky when he had match point he made a mistake with two forehands.
I was lucky, says Nadal. Nadal who, with that win, equalled the great Guillermo Vilas' record 53-match winning streak on clay (done in 1977). Nadal who, with that win, equalled the rather great Bjorn Borg's record of 16 championship titles won as a teenager.
Nadal's post-match interview here.
As for Federer, this is what he says:
I should have won. He caught me right at the finish line...
He hardly passed me today, which was a good feeling.
Wah, cannot tahan. Don't know how to say, 'This guy Nadal, he's really good on clay.'
And his compatriot Martina Hingis, back in the ladies' circuit after laying off for 3 years, follows in his footsteps:
A lot of these young girls, they don't even know what the game is about. They have never seen a drop shot, a slice and all the mixture and variety I have.
Cannot tahan either.
Comments
dee from http://royalleisure.wordpress.com/
I must admit that, like you, I always hope that the other guy will beat him. He's so talented but I wish he would stop talking about how his skills surpass everyone else's.