The Monday Quote - 1/6/2009

We can kill two birds with one stone this morning, if you'll pardon the expression and its connotations of violence towards avian species! Not only will today's "award" go to the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, but we can commend him for his dignified exit from the French Open this morning. Nadal, an unbackable favourite was beaten 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 by Swede Robin Soderling, the Open's 23rd seed.

Post-match, Nadal had this to say:

"This is not a tragedy, losing here in Paris. It had to happen one day," said Nadal, who had not lost a set here since the 2007 final against Roger Federer.

"That's the end of the road, and I have to accept it. I have to accept my defeat as I accepted my victories: with calm."

Nadal has grown in our estimation by virtue of his gracious response. Can Roger Federer now win the only Grand Slam tournament to have eluded him?