Adding injury to insult

I admit, I sometimes put some predictions out there that aren’t really too daring. For instance, back in January, I offered that Justine Jenin suffer some surprising losses this year. But, last week, I said that Nadal was going to lose early in the French Open and permit Federer to claim his first championship in Paris. I had and still have absolutely no basis for this other than it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Today, Rafa lost in straight sets to the former Spanish number 1, Juan Carlos Ferrero, at the Rome Masters. It was bad luck as Rafa had some nasty blisters that he got treated down a set and 4-1. But, Rafa had never lost a match in Rome and was the three time defending champion – as he will also be headed into the French Open.

Rafa had been complaining about the shortened clay court season, which is perfectly justifiable given that the clay court season is where he makes history. But his foot problems today just added injury to insult.

Will this deflate his confidence going into Paris? I daresay no. I think that if anything this will motivate him to try even harder to defend his turf. Shucks…..I think Rafa gave me my early loss already and now I bet he will go the distance and take his fourth straight…..

(photo from espn.com)