Relaxed Nadal and Ferrer school local tennis players



2011/09/30 19:36:23

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) In front of hundreds of enthusiastic tennis fans, high-ranked players Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer spent Friday afternoon trading shots with local young talents at National Taiwan Sport University.

The Spaniards and 10 university players spent around an hour practicing baseline shots, cross-court shots and volleys in what the organizer called a "tennis clinic," a day before the two play an exhibition match at the same venue.

Appearing relaxed and loose, both Nadal and Ferrer wore smiles throughout the drills and feigned shock when facing strong returns.

Nadal also drew some laughs from the crowd when kicked the ball soccer style.

In contrast, school administrators and faculty appeared to be on edge and admonished the students to pay attention to their footwork.

"Move! Move faster! Don't be afraid facing the superstars," shouted Chang Szu-min, the school's vice principal and former coach of the school's tennis team.

Chang's uneasiness seemed to have been shared by the students, who played cautiously, carefully preparing themselves before hitting each ball.

"Nadal and Ferrer were so calm that my strategy to agitate them proved in vain," said a distraught Tsai Chang-en. "They didn't even tie their shoelaces."

Still, the 19-year-old, who has played tennis for more than 10 years, said he was thrilled to be able to exchange shots with the tennis greats.

Tsai said he will also go to the exhibition match held at the school's gymnasium Saturday, with his eyes fixed on Nadal's footwork and Ferrer's forehand.

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Nadal predicts splendid match with Ferrer



2011/09/30 18:16:22

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) World No. 2 tennis star Rafael Nadal of Spain said Friday that tennis fans in Taiwan can expect quality ground strokes and long rallies -- and a Nadal victory -- in Saturday's exhibition match between him and compatriot David Ferrer.

On his first day in Taiwan, Nadal appeared quiet but relaxed at the press conference, which Ferrer did not attend due to a flight delay.

Stretching his body, tossing the microphone up and down and sometimes loosening his shoes during his 30-minute meeting with the media, the gentle 25-year-old said he was thrilled to be in Taiwan.

"For me, it's always a real pleasure to know new places," he said, adding that he was impressed with the local people's hospitality at the airport.

The 10-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 5 Ferrer were scheduled later Friday to coach 10 players from National Taiwan Sport University, where the Spaniards will also play each other in the exhibition match.

Looking ahead to the match with Ferrer, Nadal said he was anticipating a close showdown as both of them are baseliners who pride themselves on playing the ball deep to their opponents.

"It will be demanding physically and mentally," he said, but he assured the press that he will emerge victorious.

Apart from the match, Nadal said he appreciated Taiwan's being an enthusiastic sporting nation.

He praised Taiwan's tennis ace Lu Yen-hsun as "fantastic" and appeared interested in the performances of other high ranking Taiwanese sports stars, including baseball pitcher Chien-ming Wang and golfer Yani Tseng.

It is the third time this year that Taiwan has invited world-class tennis players to Taiwan for exhibitions.

In January, former world No. 1s Andre Agassi and Marat Safin played a series of exhibition matches in Taipei and Kaohsiung, while Russian tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva showcased their skills in Taipei last week.

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