Latest Rafael Nadal News

Djokovic follows Nadal to early exit at Italian Open in first match after being hit by water bottle

May. 12, 2024 17:58 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — Novak Djokovic's performance was so poor on Sunday that even the 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted it was “concerning.” Djokovic put on one of his worst displays at one of his favorite tournaments as he was upset by 29th-seeded Alejandro Tabilo in the third round...

Rafael Nadal reconsidering his status for the French Open after a lopsided loss in Rome

May. 11, 2024 11:10 AM EDT

ROME (AP) — Fifteen days before he is scheduled to play in what will likely be his final French Open, Rafael Nadal is so unsatisfied with his level of tennis that he's still debating whether or not to go to Roland Garros. Nadal’s surgically repaired hip and his 37-year-old legs...

Rafael Nadal shows he's not quite ready for retirement in a comeback win at the Italian Open

May. 09, 2024 17:12 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — For a brief stretch on Thursday, Rafael Nadal looked every bit of a weary 37-year-old player nearing retirement. Struggling to produce pace off both sides with his groundstrokes, committing an uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors and unable to stay in...

Nadal's clay game is rounding into form just in time for the French Open. 'Things are happening.'

May. 08, 2024 12:51 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s clay-court form is slowly rounding into shape. Not that nearly invincible shape that the tennis world grew accustomed to over the past two decades. But a shape that the 22-time Grand Slam champion is starting to feel good about as he prepares to play...

Nadal tested in 3-hour win over Cachin in Madrid and Swiatek reaches women's quarters

Apr. 29, 2024 17:49 PM EDT

MADRID (AP) — After spending more than three hours on the court and earning a hard-fought victory, Rafael Nadal was feeling optimistic again. Nadal's body withstood its toughest test yet at the Madrid Open as he needed three sets to get past 91st-ranked Pedro Cachin on Monday. ...

Nadal cruises to straight-set win over American teenager in first round of Madrid Open

Apr. 25, 2024 14:36 PM EDT

MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal didn't need much effort as he cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over American teenager Darwin Blanch in the first round of the Madrid Open on Thursday. Nadal looked in good form for just his third competitive match since returning from his latest injury...

French Open to reveal second retractable roof court at Roland Garros ahead of Olympics

Apr. 25, 2024 10:46 AM EDT

PARIS (AP) — The second retractable roof at Roland Garros will be inaugurated on the opening day of the French Open next month, organizers said on Thursday about a project planned with the Paris Olympics in mind. A ceremony for the roof over the 10,000-seat Suzanne Lenglen court...

The Paris Games' grandiose opening ceremony is being squeezed by security and transport issues

Apr. 16, 2024 07:50 AM EDT

PARIS (AP) — The talk before the opening ceremony of the Paris Games ideally should be about its grandiose backdrop: a summer sun setting on the Seine River as athletes drift by in boats and wave to cheering crowds. But behind the romantic veneer that Paris has long curated,...

Netflix's recent forays into live sports programming not expected to create any big waves soon

Mar. 21, 2024 14:50 PM EDT

After being on the sidelines, Netflix has started dipping into live sports. Over the past few months, the streaming giant has aired exhibition events in golf and tennis. It is also slated to air the July 20 bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. Beginning next year, Netflix will...

Djokovic wins in return to Indian Wells after 5-year absence; Coco Gauff rallies to avoid early exit

Mar. 10, 2024 01:51 AM EST

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Novak Djokovic made a winning return to the desert, beating Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday in his first match at the BNP Paribas Open in five years. The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion joined Rafael Nadal as the only players to win 400...