As in past two years, Nadal crashes out of the pre-Aussie Open tune-up tournaments. Monfils upset Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in the Exxon Mobil Open in Doha, Qatar. Nadal’s first serve percentage was better than last night’s, but he had no answer tonight for Monfil’s 18 aces and 35 winners.
If the pattern holds, we are looking at Nadal in the finals of the Aussie Open this year, if not winning the Grand Slam title altogether. It seems every year he’s been improving on every surface. And it’s obvious that he is setting his sights on hardcourts this year.
DOHA “JOKER” TENNIS COURT
We’re seeing a more colorful trend in the ATP for 2009 — starting with Nadal’s bright yellow and blue ensemble and Doha’s lime greem and purple tennis court reminiscent of the Joker’s costume colors in comics. I was tickled pink when I saw that even the linesmen’s chairs were purple.
Marcos Baghdatis also lightened up with his new semi-kal (skinhead) do. Watch his interview here.
ATP’s news title for this one: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
It seems only Roger Dodger started the year off in somber dark navy colors. Classic, but too sober for the start of the season.
