Jelena not feeling great, not feeling the press either

Jelena Jankovic is back home after her disappointing run at Wimbledon where she lost in the fourth round to Tamarine Tanasugarn. The Serb is currently rehabilitating the knee she hyperextended in her match against Caroline Wozniacki but she isn't happy with the press reports questioning the injury:

For me, it was disappointing to lose but I was more saddened by some of the press reports after the match. I decided to play through the injury, through the pain instead of letting people down by pulling out. I don't expect credit for this but I read some negative reports about the legitimacy of the injury and that was tough to take. I would like to invite these reporters to look at my MRI. I feel frustrated because I think with some people; there is a lack of understanding of what it takes to be tennis professional. Unfortunately, I can't control everything that is written about me and I guess you have to take the good with the bad. I just hope that in the future, some people will try a little harder to find out the facts before jumping to conclusions. I know that there are many people out there supporting me and wishing me well so to those people I say a BIG thank you!

I didn't think your injury was a bluff JJ - it seemed pretty legit to me. I just think you get injured way too much and need to figure out what's going on with your body (or your head).

It seems you're still paying the price for last season's scheduling ridiculousness - get more rest!

(image via Getty)

Dani still not healed, will skip Ordina Open

More bad news for Daniela Hantuchova.

The slender Slovak, who's been dealing with a stress fracture that kept her out of Roland Garros, is still not healed and won't be competing at the Ordina Open as she hoped:

It is very disappointing but after almost two months of being out of competition due to a stress fracture in my foot, I am still not completely recovered and I am sad to announce that I won’t be able to compete at the Ordina Open this year. I really enjoyed playing in s-Hertogenbosch last year and was looking forward to coming back and preparing for Wimbledon. Unfortunately it takes a while to fully recover from such injury and I have to be patient throughout this recovery process. I hope to be ready for competition soon and I wish everyone a great week of tennis and much love to all the fans!

Oh boy. As I've talked about previously, stress fractures suck and have ended a few baller's careers most notably Monica Seles'.

I really do enjoy the pureness of Dani's play though her tendency towards implosion makes me cringe (think: Aussie Open '08 semis people.) Let's hope her recovery continues, though, and she's back soon.

(image via dhantuchova.com)

Dani resurfaces, may return at Ordina Open in June

Daniela Hantuchova is ready to come back after suffering a stress fracture in her right foot recently. Even though the slender Slovak hasn't touched a racquet since April, she hasn't just been sitting pretty:

Daniela, how do you feel physically and mentally after one month without playing tournaments?
On the fitness front, I have been doing a lot of pool and low impact work but it’s hard not be able to run. Treadmill training is best for endurance and speed and it’s like a mental outlet for me. Of course I’m trying to stay positive but I greatly miss the game. I haven’t really picked up a racquet since early April so it’s been frustrating to say the least. At this point, yoga is a big factor in keeping me sane :-) !

What did you do during Roland-Garros tournament ?
One very nice thing was that I was able to celebrate my big brother’s 30th birthday at home with him, our family and closest friends. Other than being in and out of medical facilities for tests, check-ups, treatments, etc… I am reading and spending lots of time at home while I have a break now. I also spent some time in Barcelona with my coach.

When and where will you do your come back ?
I have my hopes set on playing Rosmalenn [Ordina Open], always a nice warm up for Wimbledon. Helps to get a few matches in before a Grand Slam. I can’t wait to be back doing what I love most, tennis !

Let's hope that shaky foot stays healed for a while - can't wait to see you back Dani!

(image via dhantuchova.com)

A-Rod laying low in Manhattan - will we get some street sightings now?

Andy Roddick is laying low in his new Manhattan pad since he was advised by his doctor to pull out of the French Open with shoulder inflammation. A disappointed A-Rod wrote about on his blog saying,

Hey everybody… I am sure by now you have heard the crappy news that I will not be playing at Roland Garros this year. I am very, very disappointed because I was showing better form on clay than I have in the last couple of years leading into it… so I got a general check up on my shoulder with my doctor here in New York and he saw some stuff that he was concerned about…. we had an MRI and it showed that the shoulder was inflamed… this was great/ crappy news all at the same time. There is no tear and long term everything will be as normal.. he just wanted to make sure that I took the proper measures on treating and taking care of it.

Unfortunately for me, that means laying down the sticks for 10 days or so… He said that the structure of my shoulder overall looks great, but that we had to take a long term mindset when making this decision…Obviously I was wrecked by this news, but know that he is right at the same time.

To be fair, I have gone 9 years on tour without anything in the shoulder and this decision will help make sure that I can have nine years more if I wanted to…..I already miss playing and cannot wait to be back and 100 percent healthy for the grass… I will check in with an update in the next 4-5 days…thanks for your support!

Honestly to be quite honest, A-Rod is really lucky he hasn't sustained a shoulder injury with his serve. But not that he's laid down the racquets for a bit, does that mean we'll get some stalkerazzi sitings of A-Rod + Brooklyn around NYC? One can hope!

(image via Getty)

Hantuchova handcuffed by foot injury, may miss Roland Garros

Daniela Hantuchova is still dealing with the nagging stress fracture in her foot which forced her to pull out of recent tournaments. Now it seems the injury may force her to skip Roland Garros, a tourney she loves:

Coming off of Miami and then a match in Amelia Island, all my doctors were shocked that I was able to play through at both events. As you all know, with much disappointment I had to pull from Fed Cup and three Tour events. It has been a very frustrating time to tell you the truth. So here we are… the foot is continuing to be problematic. It was a very bad injury. I had an MRI early last week which confirmed the foot needed more time to heal. Right now I am trying to stay hopeful for Paris. I miss the game so much and Roland Garros is wonderful. And what's not to love about Paris!

If I am able to play, I realize that I will not be prepared as I would like typically moving into a Grand Slam. All I can do is play my best, considering the circumstances, and expect to have a positive experience regardless of the outcome.

I still think this injury is very worrying for Dani because it's the type of injury that can become chronic and shorten careers. It's a shame since she finally made a career-breakthrough earlier this year in Melbourne.

(image via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Hewitt struggling with hip injury - could his career be in jeopardy?

Bad news for Lleyton Hewitt.

The Aussie hot head, who suffered a hip injury during last season's US hardcourt swing, may not be fully fit in time for the French Open or even Wimbledon:

The hip is starting to feel a little better, but I'm yet to fully test it out on court. The specialist did a couple more tests today but the results won't be back for a few days. Once I get those I can make a decision on the French Open and the grasscourt season.

At 27-years of age Lleyton is already on the downswing of a very good career. But a chronic hip injury in tennis usually spells curtains on a career, particularly for a baller whose movement is an integral part of their game. Gustavo Kuerten and Magnus Norman are prime examples of what a hip injury can do and now it looks like Lleyton Hewitt may soon be added to the growing list.

I'm thinking this injury will unfortunately seal the deal if it doesn't get better.

(image via Getty)

Shoulder injury stops Haas again - could it be curtains for the German?

Another day, another injury withdrawal for Tommy Haas. According to FOXSports.com,

[He] withdrew [from the BMW Open] with a painful right shoulder. Haas said he would skip the upcoming tournaments in Hamburg and Rome.

So far the German withdrew from the Aussie Open, gave a walk-over to Roger Federer at Indian Wells, and retired from Monte Carlo and now Munich all because of his shaky shoulder.

I think the curtain is calling for the 30-year old.

(image via Getty)

The Davis Cup Chronicles: Andy Murray takes heat over withdrawal, "It was a shock to me..." says brother Jamie

Battling brothers: Jamie Murray is giving his little brother a public spanking. Andy recently pulled out of Britain's upcoming Davis Cup tie, their first in the World Group in five years, versus the tough Argentinean team due to a right knee issue. At the time, the British No. 1 said,

"I am very disappointed not to be joining my Davis Cup teammates in Buenos Aires because I love playing for my country and have always enjoyed the team atmosphere of the Davis Cup. Since returning from Australia my knee is still bothering me and the experts have advised me that going from hard courts to playing 5 set matches on clay and then back to indoor hard courts could increase the chances of further injury, set me back even more, and I don’t want to take that risk."

John Lloyd, Britain's Davis Cup captain, was clearly disappointed at the prospect of losing his top baller but didn't sound completely convinced of Andy's intentions saying,

"I think he's very disappointed, he says he is, and we're waiting to hear from him. The team is very disappointed but what can you do? It's one of those things."

Now a surprised and irritated Jamie Murray has joined the public flogging, according to The Independent. The elder Murray talked to the press before this weekend's tie and said,

"It was a shock to me, and I think for the team it's also very disappointing, [...] It's a shame that he decided that it was best for him not to come here. It kind of affects the way we feel about him. [...] "From what I've heard he hasn't actually said that he was injured, it was more of a preventive thing, [...] If he really wanted to push himself, he probably could have come here to play the tie."

The Independent also mentioned that "it did not help his public relations that his own website showed him playing football with three friends last week." Now, lo and behold, Andy's site is showing photos of him getting treatment on the tender knee:


Hmmm - coincidence or conspiracy? Either way, family dinners at the Murray house just got a little bit uncomfortable. But we'd still take a seat at that table.

(images via BBC, AndyMurray.com)

SIGHTING: Rafael Nadal preps for Aussie Open run, knees looking questionable

Bad omen: From these photos, taken during a practice session in Melbourne, Rafael Nadal's troublesome knees don't look to be completely healed yet, even though the incredibly hulking Spaniard looks healthy in every other way. This can't be good news for Rafa's chances at the Australian Open next week, where he's never been pass the quarterfinals.

Could this explain the World No. 2's devastating loss at the Chennai Open last weekend, or is this just a preventative tape job?

(images via PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

Serbians sustain injuries at Hopman Cup, Oz Open prospects in question

The Synchronized Serbs: These images of two of tennis' favorite Serbs, Novak Djokovic & Jelena Jankovic, must be worrying to their fans. In only the first tournament of the year, both ballers sustained injuries at the Hopman Cup - Nole was nursing a shoulder issue and fatigue (already?) while Jelena was dealing with a possible career threatening hamstring injury.

Both World No. 3's gave great effort throughout the tournament but fell in the final hurdle to the US team in the mixed-doubles match 7-6 (5), 6-2. What could this mean for their prospects at the Australian Open, beginning on January 14? Though Nole's injury seems minor, Jelena's injury is more worrying. For a player whose movement is one of her biggest weapons, she could be looking at a short stay this fortnight.

(images via TONY ASHBY/AFP/Getty Images, AP Photo/Jean-Marie Blase)

THE LOW DOWN: Nadal's doctor gives injury thumbs up, entertains media at Red Cross event in Madrid

Rafael Nadal's doctor, Angel Ruiz Cotorro, has come to the defense of Rafa's statement yesterday that his injury is not career-threatening. In a statement released today, Dr. Cotorro said,

"After carrying out routine tests, I consider Rafael to be in perfect condition to continue developing his career in the coming years, [...] "I am absolutely certain the said injury will not be a handicap [to his professional activities at the highest level]."

"He picked it up in April 2004. It was a stress fracture in the left foot. Once cured, a specific program was instigated along with his fitness trainer Joan Forcades and physiotherapist Rafael Maymo."

"From a medical point of view, by following the program Rafael has been able to develop his professional career to the highest level winning 23 titles over the last three years."

In other Nadal news, the World No. 2 joined Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillastook today at a Red Cross media event to support their campaign to free the world from malaria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Rafa dropped his tennis racquet and showed off his football skills to the media.


(images via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Rafael Nadal releases statement on fitness questions, "...I want to make it clear for everyone that I’m fine," says Rafa

Rafael Nadal is determined to refute the remarks his coach and uncle Toni Nadal made about Rafa's lingering foot injury to El Diario de Mallorca. Yesterday, Uncle Toni was quoted as saying, "It's very serious. I don't know [if it's career-threatening]. I'll let the doctor reply to that. He has to take a lot of precautions when he plays." Rafa already spoke out on Spanish state TV last night but he's continued to speak publicly today about Toni's comments.

In a clear move to calm the speculation and remove doubts about his fitness (most importantly in the mind's of his opponents), the World No. 2 made the following statement via his website:

Hello everyone!

I’m usually not the kind that likes to clarify what is written about me on the press, but given the all the fuzz around the interview my uncle Toni did for ‘El Diario de Mallorca, I want to make it clear for everyone that I’m fine."

The injury I had in 2005 - and that I have already recovered from - is under total medical control. I don’t agree with what is being published, nor with the things that are being said in relation to the injury. I don’t know if the statements were taken out of context or if Toni didn’t express himself well (I wasn’t’ at the interview and therefore can’t give my opinion).

The truth of the matter is that it’s not like what the press is saying. In fact, I’ve been playing and training normally since 2006 by being cautious like it was advised. The only injury I had this season was, like you all know, in my knees. But as I said before, there is no need to be alarmed and my career isn’t in danger."

Finally, I just wanted to point out that this has been my best season yet. I was able to get the most points I’ve ever had since I started my career, was also able to achieve great results and on top of that I was able to shorten the point difference between me and an unreachable Roger Federer.

Thank you all for the support you always give me.

Rafa Nadal

It seems Rafa's publicist, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, needs to step up here because there's obviously some miscommunication happening in the Nadal camp. Was Uncle Toni speaking out of turn, or is Rafa hiding his wounds so he won't appear vulnerable to his opponents?

(image via rafaelnadal.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Toni Nadal speaks out on Rafa's foot injury, "It's very serious," says Toni

Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal's coach and uncle, is speaking out about Rafa's lingering foot injury. The World No. 2 recently discussed his injury to Spanish newspaper El Pais saying, "Ever since my foot injury in 205 (sic), I am very careful and I avoid running. And that shows. I need to get my physical form as I play matches, and it’s hard because I don't have a good foundation." He even revealed that he won his most recent French Open crown with what he described (and was translated) as "a numbed, anesthetized foot."

Now Uncle Toni has publicly confirmed his nephew's injury. Speaking to Spanish daily Diario de Mallorca, Toni said,"He's been affected by an injury to his foot since 2005. He has to learn how to live with it and so far he has managed for two years." He refused, however, to discuss the seriousness of the ailment saying, "I prefer not to answer. It's very serious. I don't know [if it's career-threatening]. I'll let the doctor reply to that. He has to take a lot of precautions when he plays."

At the tender age of 21, what chance does Rafa have of having a long, illustrious career? Certainly, he can continue to grind his way to another clay-court crown, but this news does not bode well for his chances of winning titles on the many, many hard surfaces featured throughout the rest of the tennis season. What major adjustments will the Spaniard need to make in his game to save his career?

UPDATE: According to Sporting Life, Rafael Nadal was interviewed on Spanish state TV Wednesday night and refuted Uncle Toni's claims that the injury is "very serious". Rafa was quoted as saying, "This injury hasn't stopped me competing at the top level for over two years, [...] "The story that has come out is totally false."

(images via TheAge and Viewimages)

Injuries derail Martina Hingis, calls it quits on '07 season

Yes, it's been that kind of year for Martina Hingis. The sophomore year of her return from retirement has not been kind to the 5-time Grand Slam champ. A lingering hip injury sustained in March at the Sony Ericsson Open has hindered the once fleet-footed tennis prodigy. Her results this year speak to her woes: 1 title at Tokyo and 1 Grand Slam quarterfinal.


Now comes news today that the Swiss Miss is shutting down her game for the remainder of the year to heal her body. "I've done everything I can to be able to compete, but since Key Biscane I've had problems with my hip which are stopping me from playing any more tournaments this year and even from practising properly," said a dejected Marty.

Who knew that when we saw her waving good-bye at the China Open it would be for the last time this year?

A champion like Marty deserves better...