Massu was elected the best sportsman of the year (by all the chilean sportsmen)
A hundred of national sportsmen, of all the disciplines, chose almost for unanimity Nicolás Massú as the best of 2004 in the survey realized by La Tercera. The success of the viñamarino dragged to the exploit of the Olympic medals of Athens as the sports achievement of the year and to the tennis as the most out-standing discipline. Of 100 voters, only two stopped mentioning the Olympic champion as the best of the year.
The majority emphasized that the achievement of the tennis player was " historical and heroic ". Nicolás Massú, while, he said that is " emotive and nice that my sports partners recognize me fondly. If in Athens I fought very much, it was because I saw the 20 ó 30 friends who were encouraging me and were helping me to go out of the weariness ".
All that hard work in training, sports psychologist, just really determined attitude is paying off!
And this will give him much needed confidence by coming back.
He should have won the 3rd set easier but there was a little scare. He was up a break 4-2 and Z was serving and on the last point he did something to his ankle. Must have freaked Nico out because he lost his serve easily. And I was ready to cry - I couldn't take another injury.
He kept playing though so everything must be alright, and he broke Z again, and served it out.
Nothing about his ankle so all must be fine! Phew...
And btw - tomorrow he will play the winner of Nalbandian and Meligeni.
From Radio Cooperativa:
The tennis player viñamarino conquered for 4-6, 6-4 and 6-4 to Mariano Zabaleta and returned to the courts with a triumph that permits him to gain confidence with a view toward the season 2006.
The Chilean Nicolas Massú (65º of the ATP) returned to the courts with a triumph on the Argentine Mariano Zabaleta (83º) for 4-6, 6-4 and 6-4 in a tournament of exhibition that is disputed in Uruguay, advancing to the end of the contest.
The national player gave samples of its recovery and he showed thirst of triumph, what was reflected in the two hours that he was in the court to fight a match without a dominating space, but that Massú inclined to its favor in an irregular end.
In the first one set, Zabaleta was more certain and in the sixth play achieved the first one break of the match to be put 5-2. Despite the resistance of the Chilean, the tennis player of Tandil managed to remain with the first set.
In the partial second, Massú began to fight each one of the balls that Zabaleta sent. With velocity and resistance, the Olympic champion showed signs of physical recovery and with certain blows complicated to the Argentine.
In the seventh one, the national one broke and was put 5-3 to sentence the set and to send all to the definition.
In the final chapter both players gave signs of the pre-season and they lit up erratic what signified a seguidilla of five break consecutive.
Massú was put 5-4 and with its service sentenced the fight after two hours and three minutes of play, what permits him to dispute the end of the contest.
"One always wants to win. I have not played two months ago with people, with the pressure of the points and is difficult, causes is erratic", the Chilean in its first impressions after the victory in Uruguayan courts said.
Massú added that still is lack of rhythm and that felt the pressure to play with a good tennis player.
"We cannot expect to be 10 years good. I can be healthy, but without confidencedoes not win and I need to win to have confidence", finalized. (Cooperative.cl)
Many congrats Nico :bigclap: I know it was only an exhibition - but Nico realy needed to get back into the "habit" of winning matches - so this is a good place to start. Winning a close match in the final set will be good for his confidence.
Many congrats Nico :bigclap: I know it was only an exhibition - but Nico realy needed to get back into the "habit" of winning matches - so this is a good place to start. Winning a close match in the final set will be good for his confidence.
Totally agree. Normally don't even watch exhibitions that closely but this one I did - he definitely needed to beat Z - it was a match that he should win, and he did. Should make him feel good about his game.
Not worried about the match with David tonight. Win or lose, it will be good for him to see how his game stacks up against David and see what he needs to work on - and he and Gaby can then work on them in time for Auckland and the Oz Open.
Totally agree. Normally don't even watch exhibitions that closely but this one I did - he definitely needed to beat Z - it was a match that he should win, and he did. Should make him feel good about his game.
Not worried about the match with David tonight. Win or lose, it will be good for him to see how his game stacks up against David and see what he needs to work on - and he and Gaby can then work on them in time for Auckland and the Oz Open.
Definately agree - David hasn't lost a match since his 1st match in Shanghai (against Roger) - he is the man to beat at the moment, and to lose to him would be no disgrace. I actually said the exact same thing about Juan Mónaco in the Copa Argentina recently - I was thrilled that he beat Mariano Z. because it was a match he should have won - but losing to David was almost to be expected, and I was just happy that he gave a good account of himself there and the match was reasonably close. Good Luck to Nico against David anyway
The Chilean tennis player supportes his Argentine colleagues, considering that in spite of the doping issues, "they are great players and none of this takes anything away from what they have gained". And he attacks the Europeans and North Americans.
Before making his debut in the Desafi'o Telmex in Uruguay, the Chilean tennis player Nicolas Massú endorses the Argentine tennis players affected by the cases of doping, assuring that "independently from the positive doping issues, they are great tennis players". Massú, who ended last year at Number 65 in the ATP ranking after a season of injuries and poor results, assured that the cases of Guillermo Cañas and Mariano Puerta "were a hard blow for South American tennis".
On this subject, he attacked the position taken by his European and North American colleagues: "I believe that they look at things in a different way and distrust those players. I saw that several criticised after the positives were confirmed ".
The Chilean said: "The Latin American players stand side by side, that is what we have to do". And in an nterview with the newspaper "Las Ultimas Noticias" he added, "I admire them like great tennis players, and independently of these positive issues they are still great tennis players. This does not dim them"
I love how he said that the LA players have to stand side by side.
I truly believe (my own humble opinion) that they are treated like second class citizens by the ATP and at tournaments. And I truly believe that they think so too.
Which is why I think many of their fans defend them so much and stand by them too.
About his match with David - Like you said, as long as he makes a good showing. I doubt that he can win either. But you never know - maybe David ate too many Christmas cookies over the holidays. :lol:
I love how he said that the LA players have to stand side by side.
I truly believe (my own humble opinion) that they are treated like second class citizens by the ATP and at tournaments. And I truly believe that they think so too.
Which is why I think many of their fans defend them so much and stand by them too.
About his match with David - Like you said, as long as he makes a good showing. I doubt that he can win either. But you never know - maybe David ate too many Christmas cookies over the holidays. :lol:
:haha: ....or drank too much champagne at one of these interminable awards ceremonies he seems to be winning lately! As to your comments about the "second class citizen" thing - well yes - from my observations on tour and talking to various people, I have to agree with you. Sadly, many of them do seem to feel they are looked at in this way so it is good that they always stick together and have each other for company and support in the bad times - a great "team" spirit!
Thanks Rosie for the translation of Nico's words. Yes, I agree Lynn that the powers that be in tennis, definitely treat the Latin Americans and may I also say Spanish players second class. The monicker clay court specialist is always hung on their neck.but you never hear a Roddick or a Ljubicic, for example being labeled as a hard court or indoor specialist being. no news report is free of this disparaging phrase:clay-court specialist, or dirt-baller, when a LA or spanish player wins a match. But you know what, despite this disparagement it is the "claycourters" who are doing well on hard courts and indoors while their favoured ones cannot even play on court in the best of times. Now that the the Latins are showing their competence and real talent by dominating unequivocally the upper echelons of the ranking, they are coming out with the excuses that their are too many clay tournaments, and those should be cut down. What makes me really,really angry is that the bulk of the fans and those genuinely interested in tennis comes from Latin America and Spain, and are by far holding up the fortunes of the tennis world. The fact that in North America and English speaking countries in general, tennis is way behind the other sports in popularity among the public.
Thanks Rosie, I agree that this forum, is really one of the friendliest and I always enjoy reading the posts here, and I really look forward to posting here when the season gets going next week.
Thanks Rosie for the translation of Nico's words. Yes, I agree Lynn that the powers that be in tennis, definitely treat the Latin Americans and may I also say Spanish players second class. The monicker clay court specialist is always hung on their neck.but you never hear a Roddick or a Ljubicic, for example being labeled as a hard court or indoor specialist being. no news report is free of this disparaging phrase:clay-court specialist, or dirt-baller, when a LA or spanish player wins a match. But you know what, despite this disparagement it is the "claycourters" who are doing well on hard courts and indoors while their favoured ones cannot even play on court in the best of times. Now that the the Latins are showing their competence and real talent by dominating unequivocally the upper echelons of the ranking, they are coming out with the excuses that their are too many clay tournaments, and those should be cut down. What makes me really,really angry is that the bulk of the fans and those genuinely interested in tennis comes from Latin America and Spain, and are by far holding up the fortunes of the tennis world. The fact that in North America and English speaking countries in general, tennis is way behind the other sports in popularity among the public.
Hey Ali!!! First, glad you're a Nico fan now!! He's the best! He can yell and scream on court at times, but he's got a good heart.
And you're right - while I like someone like say Andy, he can't play clay. But instead of people saying geez he should learn to play clay, they're like well its only clay. But the clay court players are dissed when they have trouble w/the hardcourts. But like you said, they do way better on the hardcourts than the hardcourt players do on clay. Its totally annoying. And you're right about the fans. Tennis is practically a non-sport in the States - though it hasn't always been like that, it is now.
But the second set was closer than the score sounds - he almost broke David to make it 4 all but couldn't quite do it.
I hope he doesn't get discouraged, because he did well this weekend. It takes him time to get acclimated to hardcourts and he did so well against Z. Didn't give up and fought hard in both matches.
And I know Gaby was taking mental notes, and he and Nico after the new year will work on whatever needs improving.
Very proud of you NICO!
[Plus again, he looked totally HOT in that outfit, and that has to count for something. ]
I was hoping for comments from Nico - maybe tomorrow.
From Radio Cooperativa:
The Chilean tennis player succumbed before the superiority of the from cordoba tennis player and he fell for 6-1 and 6-3 in the end of the Uruguay exhibition tournament.
After conquering to Mariano Zabaleta in three sets Thursday, Nicolas Massú (65º of the ATP) he felt the effort and he fell abrumadoramente before the Argentine David Nalbandian (6º) in the end of the exhibition tournament.
The national tennis player, nevertheless, managed to maintain an acceptable level along the party, what permits him to think about taking up again its better level along 2006, year that begins for the viñamarino in Auckland next January 9.
Since a beginning the problems of the Olympic champion were noted. The Chilean had serious objections with service along all he scrambles it and practically abandonment that Nalbandian took the reins of the match since a beginning.
So much it was the superiority of the Argentine that in the third play already broke the service of Massú and from there on was shown unstoppable.
Nalbandian was a waterspout and resolved the first sleeve with a more efficient tennis than bright, being remained with the triumph for 6-1 in only 34 minutes of scarce fight.
In the second chapter, the tennis of Massú was elevated. He gained in velocity and tenacious resistance opposed Nalbandian.
Although Nalbandian broke of entrance and was put quickly 3-0, maintaining the tonic of the first partial one, the pupilo of Gabriel Markus recovered and was put 2-3 thanks to a breaking in the fifth one game.
The Chilean endeavored too much and added exhaustion accumulated in the match before Zabaleta, he felt the severity of two days with matches in the body.
Nalbandian took advantage of the moment and broke of return to be put 4-2. From there on, all was for the Argentine that after 48 minutes achieved the triumph for 6-3.
For the Chilean remains the consolation of to have returned to the maximum competition with a triumph and a rout, and the to begin to take up again the sports and physical level that expects. (Cooperative.cl)
Sorry that Nico lost - but as we said earlier - David IS the form player at the moment - so it really isn't any disgrace to lose to him. Plus Nico must have been really tired after the hard 3-setter against MZ. It will take time for him to regain full strength - both emotional and physical - but the Zabaleta match was definately a step in the right direction. Happy New Year Nico (and everyone else here of course!) and good luck in 2006!
Wishing our NICO a very happy and successful 2006!!!!!
It was a very tough time for him from the end of 2004 through all of 2005 with injuries and a difficult comeback. Wishing him all the luck in 2006, and I know that he has the determination to comeback as well as now having an awesome team around him. I know that he'll do everything possible to make it back to the top tier of players.
To all those who remained faithful to Nico through it all as well as to all his new fans - wishing you the very best in 2006!!!
Thanks Rosie for the translation of Nico's words. Yes, I agree Lynn that the powers that be in tennis, definitely treat the Latin Americans and may I also say Spanish players second class. The monicker clay court specialist is always hung on their neck.but you never hear a Roddick or a Ljubicic, for example being labeled as a hard court or indoor specialist being. no news report is free of this disparaging phrase:clay-court specialist, or dirt-baller, when a LA or spanish player wins a match. But you know what, despite this disparagement it is the "claycourters" who are doing well on hard courts and indoors while their favoured ones cannot even play on court in the best of times. Now that the the Latins are showing their competence and real talent by dominating unequivocally the upper echelons of the ranking, they are coming out with the excuses that their are too many clay tournaments, and those should be cut down. What makes me really,really angry is that the bulk of the fans and those genuinely interested in tennis comes from Latin America and Spain, and are by far holding up the fortunes of the tennis world. The fact that in North America and English speaking countries in general, tennis is way behind the other sports in popularity among the public.
Wow Ali...couldn't agree more with you,Lynn and Rosie. I thought perhaps it was just my imagination that this went on but its good to know I'm not the only one to feel that way. I thought I was possibly just overprotective of my favorites-who are almost all LAs or Spanish. But it doesn't matter what the rest of the tennis world thinks because as you said they are dominating and not just on the claycourt. VAMOS to all the so called "claycourters".
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