Nadal chooses Federer in virtual tennis

There are times, Rafael Nadal admits, when he’d rather be like Roger Federer.

By (AP)

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Published: Sun 24 Jan 2010, 3:22 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 8:59 AM

But only on his Playstation.

While Nadal says he is very happy with his performance so far at the Australian Open this year, in the Playstation world he’d rather be Federer than himself.

Nadal said his own avatar on the Playstation game just didn’t have the winning moves.

In the game, says Nadal, “I am only the defensive guy, two meters behind the line. ... I don’t run. Better to choose another player.”

In real life, the 23-year-old Spaniard is the Australian Open defending champion after beating Federer in five sets in last year’s final.

Nadal is 13-7 against Federer, but has taken the top year-end ATP ranking from him only once. Besides that year, 2008, Federer has finished every year on top since 2004.

Nadal also enjoys playing Playstation football in his down time and bragged in a blog this week about his triumph alongside Juan Monaco while playing against two other players.

ISNER’S WIN STREAK ENDS: John Isner’s eight-match winning streak to start 2010 — including his first ATP tournament victory in Auckland — ended Sunday with a three-set loss to Andy Murray in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

But the 2.06-meter (6-foot-9) hard-serving American couldn’t be happier with the way he’s been playing.

“This is a great start to the year,” Isner said. “Obviously, I would have liked to have kept on going in this tournament, in the big one. To make the final 16 here, I won eight matches in a row at this level, it’s a great accomplishment.”

It will also give him confidence as he heads back to the U.S. to play some indoor tournaments and try to improve his fitness levels.

“I’m a lot fitter now than I was last year, and I’m going to continue to work on that,” Isner said. “Just to see how kind of fit Andy Murray is, is kind of something to strive for.”

Isner reiterated he would play Davis Cup if asked. Cup stalwarts Roddick and James Blake have already said they won’t play this year, so his chances are good.

The 24-year-old Isner said he went through some lean times after winning frequently in college in 2007.

“I kind of regressed in 2008, which is not unusual,” Isner said. “I kind of got ahead of my learning curve.

“Now I’m more professional about things. I know that I can make a living, and make a really, really nice living playing tennis. So I’m going to work hard ... and know that this is my career for the next 10 years. I’m not going to waste any opportunity.”

Isner’s loss Sunday came with his friend, NFL wide receiver Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers, in his players’ box. Also in the Rod Laver Arena crowd was Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens, who has been out to the tennis several times the first week of the tournament.

CHINA RISING: China’s Zheng Jie sees promise in the progression of two Chinese women’s players into the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Zheng defeated Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine on Sunday to reach the quarterfinals. A day earlier, compatriot Li Na overpowered Daniela Hantuchova to advance to the fourth round on the other side of the draw.

“I think we can go the far way,” Zheng said. “I hope we can be in the semifinal.”

The 26-year-old Zheng is chasing her previous best, a surprising run to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2008, becoming the first Chinese player to reach the semis at a major.

As a doubles player with Yan Zi, she won the Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles titles in 2006.

“I think Australia is lucky for me because I win the first Grand Slam doubles title in Australia,” Zheng said.

This year marks the first time two Chinese have reached the fourth round at the same Grand Slam tournament.

But while there were five Chinese women in the single’s tournament, there were no Chinese men.

Why?

“Is hard question,” Zheng said, smiling. “Everybody want know. Maybe men need more hard working. I don’t know.”

China has yet to produce a topflight male player. The highest-ranked Asian man is Taiwan’s Lu Yen-hsun at No. 101.


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