New York - If he ever needs any company, Rafael Nadal need only head for the trainer's room at the US Open, where there is always a crowd of clients. "Hardcourt is always more difficult for the body," said the Spanish No. 1 after reaching the quarter-finals of the Open for the second time since 2006.
"You go to the trainer's room. When I go, I am never alone. That's not a good news for the sport, I think we have to think a little bit about that."
The top seed said that his current condition is good despite the fatigue of playing almost nonstop since spring. And the knee which once threatened to be his possible downfall appeared to be no longer an issue.
"The two times when I had the (knee) problem was in a Grand Slam.
"But physically I feel well and I'm very happy for that. But I'm always a little bit worried about the tennis, because it's moving toward more time on hard surfaces."
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Money no worry as US Open coins it with food, merchandise =
New York - The US Open can expect to see a fat bank balance when the event wraps up at the weekend.
Officials cannot keep quiet about revenue growth all over the grounds of the National Tennis Centre, with concession sales up 6 per cent over last year's record haul.
Food and beverage in pricey New York is surely no bargain inside the gates, and the Open gives no relief to punters with 13-dollar signature cocktails and nine-dollar hamburgers.
Three days during this edition have set all-time record, pulling in 1.5 million dollars in gross sales.
On a good day, tennis merchandise like T-shirts and hats pulls its weight, with around 3 million dollars flowing into the coffers of the USTA.
The internet presence is certainly not lagging either, with the official website setting an historic week-one record for website visits with 13.67 million. The average user is spending 73 minutes on the site, an increase of 14 per cent over 2007 usage.
