Del Potro's dream of meeting Pope Francis comes true

At last, Juan Martin Del Potro met His Holiness Pope Francis, the first Pope from South America and a fellow Argentine, after attending Mass at the Vatican on Wednesday.

Image © ATP World Tour

"It was an incredible experience with Pope Francis, something that I'll never forget,” said del Potro according to an ATP Tour press-release. “It was a dream come true for a guy like me. It was an unforgettable moment. I was very nervous before meeting him, to be able to congratulate him and talk with him. He was nice. Everybody knows he is very humble. Today was a day that I'll remember for ever." Del Potro was thrilled with the Pope's nomination back in March and was planning to meet His Holiness in Rome during the Masters. 

And to his surprise, Del Potro was recognised today by the Pope in the crowd after the Mass. "He told me that he knew I was playing at the tournament in Rome, he blessed me and wished me the best. I congratulated him and thanked him for the opportunity to talk to him." The World Nº7 gave the Pope a racquet used during his 2009 US Open final victory over Roger Federer.

Nadal regains Rome title and number 2 spot

Credit: Internazionali BNL d’Italia 

Rafael Nadal regained the 2nd position in the ATP men's ranking, by defeating Novak Djokovic this Monday in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final.

The Spaniard triumphed 7-5, 6-3 in a 02h20 match, and regained his Rome crown, won by Djokovic in 2011. The final had been delayed by a day because of rain and was only played on Monday.

It’s Nadal’s sixth Rome title and his 21st ATP Masters 1000. The Majorcan will now move ahead of Roger Federer in the ATP World Tour's ranking.

Rome final. Credit: Internazionali BNL d’Italia 

Rafa vs Nole head-to-head will continue at the French Open. Credit: Internazionali BNL d’Italia 

After his victories in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, Nadal is considered a favourite to win the French Open. But the player is not happy about his game level yet. “I didn't consider myself that good. I can do better. When you are not serving 100% perfect then you are in trouble because he (Djokovic) returns hard. I am trying to play more aggressive and I am touching the ball better and my forehand is more painful than last year and that is why I am able to go more to the side", said Nadal at Rome's post-match press-conference.

Nadal was back home in Majorca later this Monday. Credit: Nadal's FB page

On the other hand, Novak Djokovic is heading to Roland Garros in "his top form", as he admitted after the Rome final. The world Nº1 wants to win four majors in a row at the French Open, where he’s never made the championship match. Despiste his confidence, he considers Nadal to be the best player in the world on clay surface.

Heavy rain in Rome? Ok, let's play pool!

It was a frustrating day for fans eager to follow the Rome men's final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The match was postponed until Monday (10:00 GMT).

For the players, it is business as usual. No game today? OK, Monday is just as good. Nadal even had the chance to play with some other kind of balls...nothing like a pool game to keep the mind focused. :)

Credit: Rafael Nadal's Official Facebook Page

Sharapova, the "raining" champion

For the second straight time, Maria Sharapova guaranteed the Italian Open title. The reigning champion had to sweat to defeat China's Li Na (4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5)), "in a match full of momentum shifts, a lengthy rain delay, and noisy distractions from football fans", reported AFP.

Rain at the Foro Italico. Credit: Getty Images

Both players had a lot of swings during the match, and that had a lot to do with several events such as the heavy rain and the intense noise made by football fans heading for the Italian Cup final between Juventus and Napoli, at the Olympic Stadium, just a few hundred metres away.

In the third-set just, before the tie-break was about to commence, the match was delayed due to the weather. "It was a crazy match. It was tough having to wait two hours. It's difficult to have a loser and a winner, but I'm happy." said Sharapova in the press conference.

Credit: Internazionali BNL d' Italia

Li Na was more eloquent. "The match was a joke, it was like playing a football match in the rain". The Chinese admitted it was tiring for both players and it was hard to concentrate.

Rome finals: Nadal vs Nole, Sharapova vs Na Li

And the Internazionali BNL d'Italia finals are set! Sunday, early afternoon (13:00 pm, London time), Maria Sharapova, who is improving her tennis in red clay surfaces, will face last year's Roland Garros champion, Li Na.

Later in the afternoon, Nadal will play against Djokovic. Surely this will be another tough battle for both players and a wonderful show for the one's watching. Rafa seems relaxed and prepared, and Saturday, after what he called "a tough match" with Ferrer (7-6 (8/6) e 6-0), he had time to hang out with Juventus genius Del Piero.

Credit: Djokovic's and Nadal's Facebook Official pages

On the other hand, "Nole" is getting gifts and lots of love from the roman fans, and promising to defend his title on Sunday. The world Nº 1 seems to be on top of his game, since he was able to upset Roger Federer in just one hour and 39 minutes (6-2 e 7-6 (7/4)).

May the best win!

Nadal's (yet another) hotshot in Rome :)

Internazionali BNL d'Italia semi-final in Rome, Saturday, Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer. Hotshot time!

Rome, city open for tennis

Rome, the open city, is officially welcoming tennis. Red clay, tradition and a fashionable Masters 1000 is what everybody was hoping for, after the experiments in Madrid's blue clay courts. Rome, or should we say Internazionali BNL d'Italia, is the most important red clay event before Roland Garros - The French Open (which will start on 22nd May)

Beautiful training facilities, a draw in the famous Spanish Steps and players wondering around in happy faces is what Rome has to offer in the beginning of yet another lovely summer in Europe.

Take a look!

Agnieszka Radwanska in Rome Credit: I.BNL Italia FB

Djokovic after eating the best gluten-free pasta in Rome, as he told fans on Facebook

From Federer's Facebook: "Enjoying a tourist bus tour in Rome. This city is amazing"

Happy Birthday for Murray in la bella Italia. Credit: I.BNL Italia FB

Jelena Jankovic ready to play. Credit: I.BNL Italia FB

Nadal's first practice in Foro Italico. Bellissimo! Credit: Nadal's Facebook

Belissima Maria in Rome. Credit: I.BNL Italia FB

Preparing the draw event in the Spanish Steps Credit: I.BNL Italia FB

Fishing and sightseeing to get over Madrid's blue clay

Top players, like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova, were upset by fellow players with a lower ranking status in the early stages of Madrid Open. The blue clay had certainly a lot to do with these eliminations even if it was the same for all players, as wisely noticed Victoria Azarenka to CNN.

Photo credit: A.MTNEZ/MMO

Nadal  guaranteed he won't be back next year if the surface continues to be artificially blue, which makes it slippery, and bounce in an unpredictable way - through out the tournament there were way too many embarrassing misses by the best players.

Nole, after losing to Serbian friend Janko Tipsarevic, stated to Yahoo Sports: "I want to forget this week as soon as possible and move on to the real clay courts. Here you can't predict the ball bounce or movement. They can do whatever they want, but I won't be here next year if this clay stays". In most of the WTA's and ATP's top player's minds is Roland Garros. Therefore, they are focused in preparing the Grand Slam in red clay courts. Rome, starting next Monday, gets even more meaning for everyone.

By Friday, players seemed to be relieved to leave the blue clay behind. Djokovic posted on Facebook a photo of him leaving Madrid with this comment: "The great thing about tennis is that there is always another tournament around the corner where you have a chance to play better :) Heading to Rome with my team".

Credit: Djokovic's Facebook page

Nadal went home in Mallorca island before heading on to Italy. And what better way to relax then going fishing. The Spanish player posted on his Facebook that it was a "beautiful day to go fishing in Mallorca".   It seems like it, judging by the size of that fish!

Photo: Nadal's Facebook page

Still in Madrid, Maria Sharapova decided to enjoy the city and to visit some famous places, like San Miguel Market and Plaza Mayor. Wearing her new Catalina sandals from Cole Haan, the Russian told the fans on Facebook that by the look of her shoes "summer has officially arrived in Europe". Oh, yes it is!

Credit: Sharapova's Facebook page

Meanwhile, Ana Ivanovic, Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta are already in Rome and helped hosting the Internazionali BNL d'Italia draw ceremony. On Facebook, the Serbian player highlighted the "beautiful place" chosen to hold the Rome draw: the famous Spanish Steps.

Photos in Rome by Internazionali BNL d' Italia