Nadal encourages disaster victims fightback after US Open win

NEW YORK -- World number one Rafael Nadal encouraged the victims of recent natural disasters not to give up and to fight back after devastation to their lives and homes after his US Open final triumph Sunday.

The 31-year-old Spaniard won his 16th Grand Slam title and third US Open crown by defeating South African 28th seed Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to take a top prize of $3.7 million (3.07 million euros).

His victory came as Hurricane Irma was causing extensive damage across Florida, the home base for Anderson and many other top tennis stars, after the killer storm had devastated several Caribbean nations.

And in the wake of an earthquake in Mexico and flooding from another hurricane last week along the Texas coast that played out during the Flushing Meadows fortnight, Nadal used his moment in the spotlight to say his heart was with those in need.

"I just want to say sorry for all the victims and keep going for everybody," Nadal said.

"It's very sad moments for our world but keep fighting to come back."

Nadal, who won his 10th French Open crown in June, reflected on a year that followed two down seasons nagged by injuries that had some doubting he would ever regain Slam championship form.

"It's just unbelievable what happened this year," he said. "After a couple of years with a lot of trouble, I've been playing a very high level of tennis.

"To close the Grand Slam year winning at New York -- that's one of the events that's really high energy, the crowd -- makes me so so happy.

"Thanks to life for giving me that opportunity... this US Open I feel a little bit like home."

Nadal also took a moment to praise Anderson as "a great example for a lot of kids and the rest of the tour. You came back from a lot of injuries better than ever."

Anderson, 31, was in his first Slam final and while unable to even muster a break point against Nadal, he praised the Spaniard as one of his idols, saying, "I know we're the same age but I feel like I've been watching you my whole life.

"You're one of the toughest competitors in the game and one of the greatest ambassadors of our sport."

Anderson said he would work hard to try and reach more Slam finals.

"This isn't the result I always wanted but I'll keep fighting and I'll be back," said Anderson. "I'm going to keep working hard. Hopefully I'll keep giving myself opportunities."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Stephens beats Williams to reach U.S. Open final

A new grand slam champion will be crowned at the U.S. Open after Sloane Stephens beat fellow American Venus Williams 6-1 0-6 7-5 in a rollercoaster of a semi-final on Thursday.

Stephens, who returned to competition at Wimbledon after nearly a year off because of a foot injury, recovered from a second-set meltdown to end ninth seed Williams's hopes of reaching a third major final this year.

She will meet either CoCo Vandeweghe or Madison Keys, who face each other later on Thursday, in an all American final.

"I have no words to describe what I'm feeling what it took to get here. The journey I took. I have no words," said Stephens, who underwent foot surgery last February.

"If someone told me I'd make two semis and a grand slam final this year I would have passed out, which is what I feel like doing now.

"I don't know how I got here. Hard work, that's it."

The 24-year-old Stephens, 13 years younger than Williams, paid tribute to the seven-time grand slam champion.

"I'm honestly just honoured to play at the same time as her. One of the greatest to ever play our game. She's one of the greatest competitors and I'm honoured to share the court with her and glad to play at the same time as her.

"For American tennis there's no question marks. The proof is in the pudding. American tennis, here we are."

Despite her lack of match play this year, Stephens began confidently and broke for 3-1 when Williams netted a routine forehand and then went on to win the last three games of the set as the 37-year-old strangely appeared to struggle with serve.

Williams was in danger again on her first service game in the second set but she managed to hold and broke in the next game thanks to a Stephens double fault.

She then held to love to stamp her domination on the second set and moved 4-0 up with a lovely service return followed by a routine volley as Stephens showed she was clearly struggling and lost the set to love when she hit yet another unforced error.

The 24-year-old, however, got back on track in the decider, taking a 1-0 lead on Williams serve when she netted an easy volley.

She saved two break points in the following game but Williams levelled for 2-2 when Stephens's forehand sailed wide.

But at the end of a seven-minute game, Williams netted a routine volley again to give her opponent a break for 4-3.

Williams broke straight back with a service return winner and she saved a break point to hold for 5-4.

But as Williams struggled with her volley, Stephens broke for love in the 11th game and followed up on serve to close it out as Williams netted a backhand.

"It was definitely a contrast of play," Williams said of the roller-coaster match.

"You know, I continued to play aggressive and continued to play the kind of match that it takes to win. Just made too many errors there at the end."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Serena, Wozniacki react to Sharapova's positive drug test

Five-times grand slam champion Maria Sharapova's failed drug test at this year's Australian Open provoked a flurry of reaction from athletes, on social media and beyond.

While most expressed shock and some sympathy for the Russian tennis player, others were less charitable.

WORLD NO. 1 SERENA WILLIAMS

 

"Most people were surprised and shocked by Maria, but at the same time, most people were happy that she was upfront and very honest. It showed a lot of courage to admit to what she had done and what she had neglected to look at in terms of the list (of banned drugs) at the end of the year."

When asked if Sharapova was being punished more harshly than male athletes who have faced scandals, and if that suggested a double standard, Williams said:

"In sport and in life, there's always a double standard, always, and I think that's something that everyone knows. Whether it's a race thing or a sex thing, there's always been a double standard.

"However, this is a different thing and I think that, as Maria said, she's ready to take full responsibility and I think that showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart."

CURRENT DANISH PLAYER CAROLINE WOZNIACKI

"When we take any medication, I think we double and triple and quadruple check. Sometimes, even things like cough drops or nasal sprays can be on the list. So I think, as athletes, we always make sure there's nothing in it that can put us in a bad situation."

AMERICAN SPRINTER AND OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST ARIES MERRITT AT THE USOC MEDIA SUMMIT IN BEVERLY HILLS

"As an athlete it is your responsibility to always know what's being placed on the banned list. Period. We are informed through USADA or the USTAF what's on the banned list. They send us an email.

"I can't speak for USA Tennis, I can't speak for USA Golf but I know in my sport we are sent emails that tell us what is on the banned list and every year we have to take a USADA course and that course gives us the link to everything that is banned.

"There is no excuse."

SEVEN-TIME GRAND SLAM SINGLES CHAMPION JUSTINE HENIN

"Some questions still have to be asked and it's very difficult at the moment to give an opinion. What I can say is it's not good for the game.

"Rules are important, rules have to be respected so that's the thing we can say today. But I am still a little bit sad about all of this."

RUSSIAN FORMER WORLD NO. 1 MARAT SAFIN

"The situation is pretty difficult but I think there is a lot we still have to understand. It can be a mistake. But it depends how they (investigators) take it and how they feel about the situation."

FORMER WORLD NO.1 JENNIFER CAPRIATI ON TWITTER

"I'm extremely angry and disappointed. I had to lose my career and never opted to cheat no matter what. I had to throw in the towel and suffer.

"I didn't have the high priced team of drs that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science to catch up. The responses are exactly what i am talking about. Everything based on illusion and lie driven by the media for over 20 yrs. Beyond unfair."

TENNIS GREAT MARTINA NAVRATILOVA ON TWITTER

"Hold your horses everyone - about Maria - I don't have all the facts, I hope it's an honest mistake, stuff was legal as far as I know till 2015."

FORMER PLAYER JAMES BLAKE ON TWITTER

"Wow. Classy of @MariaSharapova to hold a press conference for this and admit making a mistake. Definitely agree that have to be aware though."

CURRENT AMERICAN PLAYER RYAN HARRISON on TWITTER

"Maria handled that so well. In my opinion, honest mistake from a great champion"

FORMER TOP 10 PLAYER AND COACH BRAD GILBERT

"Still stunned that nobody on Shazza team checked new list from WADA, players are responsible but this is big time oversight on team as well."

AUSTRALIAN PLAYER MATT EBDEN

"Doesn't look that innocent for Sharapova or whoever else took it, this Meldonium stuff but who knows?"

BRITISH OLYMPIC HEPTATHLON BRONZE MEDALLIST KELLY SOTHERTON

"I'm pretty sure if this was a track and field athlete they'd be getting a much rawer deal than Sharapova.
 However it is what it is. #Sharapova"

(Compiled by Martyn Herman in London, Frank Pingue in Toronto and Gina Cherelus in New York)

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