But Nadal still won Grand Slams at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows and finished the year as the world No.1 after recovering from a knee injury which sidelined him for seven months.
Nadal battled all the way but was well beaten by Djokovic (Picture: Reuters)
Generous in defeat, he said: ‘First thing, I want to say is congratulations to a super player like Novak. I wish you the best of luck in the Davis Cup, you deserve it.
‘This is probably one of the best seasons of my career and playing this match in this stadium is just fantastic for me.
‘Thanks to all the crowd for all the support, not only today but around the week and all the crowd that supported me. See you next year.’
(Credit; The Metro)
Michael Carrick injury clears path for Jordan Henderson England experiment.
Injured: Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has cleared the way for Roy Hodgson to experiment with his midfield options after reportedly withdrawing from the England squad to face Chile and Germany.
The Manchester United midfielder played the full 90 minutes of the 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday, but reportedly left Old Trafford in discomfort.
He said: ‘I have been carrying the injury for a few weeks now.
‘I was a bit patched up to play. I got through it but it doesn’t look too good.’
Jordan Henderson is likely to get a run out in Carrick’s absence, but his Liverpool team-mates Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge are also struggling to be fit.
Impressed: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool (Picture: Getty Images)
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, said: ‘It is something they are going to have a look at.
‘Daniel hurt his foot and I just have to see how he is with the medical guys. Steven was a wee bit stiff around his hip. Again, he needs to be assessed.’
Gerrard said: ‘I’ve got a bit of a niggle. It’s nothing major and I’ll get it seen to over the next couple of days and hopefully I can pull through for the England games.’
Both could miss out against Chile, but return for the friendly against Germany on November 19.
(Credit; The Metro)
Ashes 2013-14: Mitchell Johnson and George Bailey in Australia squad for first Test in Brisbane.
Australia’s Mitchell Johnson celebrates (Picture: PA)
Mitchell Johnson and George Bailey have been named in Australia’s 12-man squad for next week’s Ashes opener in Brisbane.
Johnson, the 32-year-old fast bowler, was dropped for his side’s 3-0 defeat in England last summer but looks certain to start the first Test at The Gabba on Thursday week.
Uncapped batsman Bailey, 31, is also in the party named in Brisbane on Tuesday and Australia’s T20 captain is set to make his Test debut at No.6 after a string of impressive performances in limited-overs international cricket these past few months.
There were no surprises in Australia’s squad, with the other ten names all playing the final Test of the English summer at The Oval in August.
However, it is the inclusion of Johnson which will most please England fans.
The erratic pace bowler can be devastating on his day. The problem is those days are few and far between.
Yet impressive displays for Australia in the recent one-day series in England and India saw him push his way back into contention for a recall in red-ball cricket.
Despite his problems, Johnson still has a good Test record, with 205 wickets at an average of 30.93 from the 51 matches he has played.
He last faced England in Test cricket during Australia’s traumatic home Ashes series defeat in 2010-11 – their first to England in 24 years.
The 3-1 reverse was also excruciating for Johnson, who, after a match-winning spell in Perth, lost his radar spectacularly in the final two Tests and became a figure of fun for the travelling Barmy Army, who taunted him mercilessly.
But recent work with Aussie fast-bowling great Denis Lillee has seen his pace and consistency increase and has been a major factor in his recall.
Australia’s national selector John Inverarity said: ‘Ten players who represented Australia in its most recent Test match have been retained in this squad.
‘Mitchell Starc is unavailable due to injury and he has been replaced by Mitchell Johnson.
Bailey has been hugely impressive in one-day cricket (Picture: PA)
‘We have included George Bailey in this line-up and are excited by what he can offer at Test level. George has shown outstanding international form over the past 20 months, including the recent limited-overs series in India. He is calm and composed and comes into the squad full of confidence.
‘Mitchell Johnson has been bowling impressively in recent times. He has good rhythm and is generating good pace.
‘James Faulkner has retained his place in the squad and his all-round development over the past five months has been most noticeable and pleasing.’
Faulkner is likely 12th man for The Gabba, with Johnson completing a bowling attack of Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris and spinner Nathan Lyon.
Chris Rogers and David Warner will open for Australia, Shane Watson will be back at No.3, with captain Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and Bailey completing the batting line-up.
(Credit; The Metro)
Monday, 11 November 2013
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho tips ‘fighter’ Ashley Cole to find top form.
Jose Mourinho has labelled Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole a fighter and is confident the England international will soon be back in top form.
Cole was on the bench again on Saturday as the Blues struggled to overcome West Brom in their Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
The England international missed the World Cup qualifiers with Montenegro and Poland with a rib injury and has seen Chelsea team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta slip comfortably into his defensive role while on the sidelines.
However, while Mourinho has been more than happy with Azpilicueta’s contribution he has no doubts that Cole will soon be pushing for a return.
‘I can make mistakes, I can be unfair, for sure I am and for sure I do that, but I always give a lot of thought to my decisions,’ said Cheslea boss Mourinho.
‘I decided for Azpilicueta to play against Schalke [in the Champions League] and he was fantastic. On Saturday he was very good again.
‘Ashley is a top professional, he is a fighter. He has to work hard, to fight hard because the place [in the team] is his place.
‘Of course it is not Azpilicueta’s best position, and it is not a position where Ashley can think that he is in trouble now.
‘No, he has to work and fight and the position is there waiting for him, no problem.’
(Credit; Metro)
Sam Tomkins backs call to name Man of Steel award after Steve Prescott.
England full-back Sam Tomkins has thrown his weight behind a call to name the Super League Man of Steel award after the late Steve Prescott.
Tomkins, the 2012 Man of Steel, believes it would be a fitting tribute to the former St Helens, Hull and Wakefield full-back who on Saturday lost his seven-year battle with cancer.
"A few people have tweeted about changing the 'Man of Steel' award to the 'Steve Prescott Award'," Tomkins said himself on Twitter.
"Great idea! I would be behind that 100%!"
Another former Man of Steel, Paul Sculthorpe, who took part in a series of gruelling fund-raising activities with his former team-mate in aid of the Steve Prescott Foundation, described the former England and Ireland international as a "true icon".
"The world lost a true icon yesterday," Sculthorpe said. "Words can't do him justice. Will miss you my friend."
St Helens on Sunday opened a book of condolence at Langtree Park and say it will remain open for a week.
(Credit; Sky Sports)
Tiger Woods confident of capturing a 15th major championship in 2014.
Tiger Woods believes next year's host venues give him a great chance to end his five-year major championship drought.
The 37-year-old was the last player to win a major at both Hoylake and Valhalla - the courses set to host the Open and USPGA respectively in 2014 - while he has finished third and second in the last two US Opens held at Pinehurst No. 2.
Speaking after finishing tied for third at the Turkish Airlines Open, Woods said: "Next year is a really good one.
"Pinehurst, I've had a third and a second, and hopefully it will keep improving like it has.
"I'm looking forward to the four venues - I like them and I've obviously played well on them."
Although he has been unable to add to his tally of 14 Majors in 2013, Woods feels his game is in much better shape having collected five victories this year, including two World Golf Championships.
"A couple of years ago there were a lot of guys saying I could never win again," he added.
"I've got eight wins since then, so it's been good and I'm very happy with the progress I've made.
"I've won on some venues that were very tough this year, and obviously winning the Presidents Cup with Freddie (Couples, the US captain) was another special moment."
(Credit; Sky Sports)
Friday, 8 November 2013
ATP Tour Finals: Roger Federer beats Richard Gasquet.
With both players having lost their opening match, the straight-sets loss eliminates the Frenchman - who qualified in place of the injured Andy Murray.
Federer faces Juan Martin Del Potro in his final group game, with the winner progressing to the semi-finals along with Novak Djokovic.
