Friday Tennis Blog: ATP Finals SF Scenarios; Fla. Rocking League Nationals

FLORIDA ROCKING USTA LEAGUE NATIONALS — Florida USTA League teams have captured four national titles, placing (finishing 1st-4th) overall seven times in roughly a three-week span in October-November. Teams bringing home national championships were the Ocala 55 & Over 6.0 men AND women (Ft. King Tennis Center), the Palm City 55 & Over 8.0 women (Monarch Country Club), and the Tampa 18 & Over 4.5 women (Harbour Island Tennis Center). Finishing in third place nationally were the Port St. Lucie 55 & Over 7.0 women (Magnolia Lakes), and finishing fourth were the Ocala 18 & Over 2.5 men (Ft. King Tennis Center) and the Doral 18 & Over 4.0 men (Doral Park Country Club). Congrats to all teams!

Rafael Nadal during happier times

NADAL TO UNDERGO ANOTHER SURGERY — Rafael Nadal fans saw the Spaniard sidelined for the ATP World Finals this week, the second time he has missed the year-end championships in the last three years, due to appendix surgery. Later it was revealed Rafa has been dealing with a back injury all year, and will next week undergo surgery to have stem cells implanted in a joint in his spine. “He has a problem typical in tennis with a back joint, he had it at the Australian Open, and we have decided to treat it with stem cells,” Nadal’s doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told the AP. Knee and wrist injuries have also been recent for the Spaniard — nevertheless the 28-year-old looks to be practicing again by December and ready for the January Australian Open.

Former military pilot Stu Contant

TENNIS VETERAN HONORED; NEW WHEELCHAIR APP — Wheelchair tennis is in the spotlight this week with Veteran’s Day and the introduction of the USTA Wheelchair Tennis Community mobile app. The Official USTA Florida Blog this week featured a profile of Stu Contant, former army helicopter pilot and military chief warrant officer who has quickly shot up the U.S. wheelchair rankings. “The Air Medal with Valor recipient learned wheelchair tennis in 2012 in Gainesville under the tutelage of Vietnam vet Johnny Johnston, who coached him in the intricacies of the sport that’s played like regular tennis except two bounces are permitted,” writes Cary Bayer. Stu’s profile is also featured on the USTA Wheelchair Tennis Community mobile app, which connects players, tennis coaches, organizers, family members and fans, either disabled or able-bodied. Download the app for free here.

Federer, Nishikori Await Semifinal Opponents at ATP World Tour Finals

Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori clinched spots in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday when the Swiss former No. 1 rolled past Andy Murray 6-0, 6-1, eliminating Murray from semifinal contention, and Nishikori ground out a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over David Ferrer.

Federer’s and Nishikori’s semifinal opponents will be determined on Friday when Novak Djokovic meets Tomas Berdych, and Stan Wawrinka faces Marin Cilic. Only one player, Djokovic, holds his fate in his own hands and will advance into the semifinals with a win.

If Djokovic beats Berdych, Wawrinka with a win over Cilic would also advance to the semifinals. If Berdych and Wawrinka both lose, a three-way tie between Berdych, Wawrinka and Cilic would be determined by sets/games won.

Likewise if Berdych beats Djokovic in straight sets and Wawrinka beats Cilic on Friday, a three-way tie between Djokovic, Wawrinka and Berdych would have to be broken by sets/games won to determine which two players advanced into the semifinals.

Confused?

Easier to catch the action live on Friday on Tennis Channel to see which final two players emerge into the semifinals.

They Said It

“Desperately. My time will come.”
— Serena Williams when asked if she ever wants to settle down and have kids

“Top-ranked Serena Williams is undefeated in Fed Cup competition but has played only 13 matches in the last 15 years. No. 2 Maria Sharapova has played only four Fed Cup matches in her career, which has spanned more than a decade.”
— Tennis writer Ben Rotenberg of the New York Times on the WTA’s plan to start their own team competition to rival the Fed Cup, which has struggled to attract top players

“For us to not acknowledge the fact that Milos is from a big city in North America, that would be insane. The U.S. is our biggest target market. We’re very aware of the [talent] gap in the U.S. right now.”
— Milos Raonic’s agent Austin Nunn on Canadian Milos Raonic being the ‘North American No. 1’-ranked player, speaking to USA Today

Tennis on TV This Weekend

Friday
7-11am — ATP World Tour Finals (live), Tennis Channel
12:45-5pm — ATP World Tour Finals (live), Tennis Channel

Saturday
7-11am — ATP World Tour Finals (live), Tennis Channel
1-5pm — ATP World Tour Finals (live), Tennis Channel

Sunday
10:30am-3pm — ATP World Tour Finals (live), Tennis Channel