We're trying to improve Conversations.
Please take a brief survey and help us out.

Draining clay season could take its toll

By Greg Garber
Special to ESPN.com

Monday, May 25, 2009

The grueling grind PARIS -- Forty-four minutes into the seven-part mini-series that would be his coronation, Rafael Nadal found himself dead even with a qualifier named Marcos Daniel. It was 5-all in the first set, and the surprised crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier was openly supporting the 30-year-old Brazilian. When Nadal finally pushed ahead in the 11th game, with a running cross-court forehand, he celebrated with a restrained, stationary fist. After another big forehand, which secure ...

Read full story | Create Your Profile

Activate your ESPN Profile!

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted

Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.


Conversations in Real-Time

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

ESPN Fantasy Salary Cap
Create your own fantasy game day living room and win BIG!
Heisman Vote 2009
Vote for the next Heisman winner and enter for a chance to win a trip to the awards show. Mor
Engineered to Win Challenge
Test your football smarts by playing NFL trivia and enter each week for a chance to win a 2010 GMC Sierra.