2010 U.S. Open - Lil’ Wayne’s Lil’ Prediction: Nadal Will Win
Despite currently being behind bars for gun possession, Lil’ Wayne made sure he sent out a hand written letter from prison with his predictions for the last grand slam tournament of the year.
The American born rapper states that he developed an interest for tennis after playing himself. Apparently, he found the sport ‘unbelievably’ difficult and has been drawn to it ever since.
“I’m a huge fan of Nadal and I’m definitely rooting for him to win the U.S. Open,” says; Lil Wayne. He also listed, Switzerland’s Roger Federer, America’s Andy Roddick, Britain’s Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic from Serbia as Rafa’s primary opponents.
Presently ranked no. 1 in the world, Rafael Nadal currently has eight grand slam singles titles to his name. However, none of them include a U.S. Open win of any sort.
In the year 2008, Nadal cruised through the first four rounds to face America’s Mardy Fish in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. Fish took the first set six games to three. Nevertheless, Nadal bounced back in the second set, only to take it six games to one.
Furthermore, Rafa proved invincible after the second set and took the remaining two sets six four and six two respectively. Unfortunately, the Spaniard was made to face defeat in the semi-finals of the 2008 U.S. Open Men’s singles category. Britain’s Andy Murray got the upper hand on Nadal by taking the first six games to two and then the second set 7-6 on a tiebreak.
The sportsman however, lost the third set four games to six at the hands of Rafa. Although, Nadal’s one game win did not make much of a difference. Murray took the deciding set of the match by winning it 6-4. As disappointing as it was for the King of Clay, his run came to an end as he was sent home by the Britt.
The following year, Nadal made an appearance at the 2009 U.S. Open. Similar to the prior year, he breezed through the initial few rounds. Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez was eliminated from the tournament as he lost in the quarter-finals to the Spaniard.
Nadal bagged a straight set win by defeating Gonzalez 7-6 on a tiebreak in the first set. Followed by, another 7-6 win in the second set. And finally a 6-0 win in the deciding, third set of the match.
As the sportsman proceeded to the semi-finals of the tournament, he was opposed by Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro proved the better sportsman, as he thrashed Nadal in three straight sets. The World no. 1 was defeated 6-2, 6-2 and 6-2, to be knocked out of the tournament.
Nadal is yet to have won a U.S. Open title. Although, rapping sensation Lil’ Wayne states that he’s all for Rafa, as he is already the youngest player to have won 8 grand slam titles under the age of twenty-five.
As quoted by People magazine via Sports Illustrated, “It’s always fun when a pop culture celebrity shows a real knowledge of the game. Tennis still has that niche, country club stigma here in the States, so we tennis boosters love it when our little worlds collide.”
The rapper not only praised Nadal to the skies, but also mentioned Andre Agassi as one of tennis’ greatest. “He was a pop-star when I was a kid,” said, Lil Wayne. He also exclaimed that Russia’s Maria Sharapova was one of his favorites and that he thought she was adorable.
Lil Wayne also stated that he was giving the edge to defending champion, Belgium’s Kim Clijsters in the women’s singles, reason being, Serena’s foot injury.
Even though Lil’ Wayne believes that Andy Murray poses a threat to Nadal, he still believes that ‘Nadal wins it all.’ Dismally, with 8 months to go at prison, Lil Wayne won't be able to attend the tournament and will be there in spirit.
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