Bekanntmachungen » igning a deal with Fantex, which s

MELBOURNE, Australia - At an Australian Open marked by upsets and new story lines, Rafael Nadal will play Sundays final against a man often called the "other" Swiss tennis player. Now, after a stunning run in Melbourne, Stanislas Wawrinka has a new nickname: The Stanimal — a tribute to his gritty, fight-until-the end style of tennis. Fittingly, perhaps, the name was apparently coined by none other than Roger Federer, in a tweet of support for his friend which quickly caught on earlier in the tournament. Now that Federer is out of the running — he lost to Nadal in the semifinals — the 17-time Grand Slam winner and long-time ambassador for Swiss tennis has joined those cheering for Wawrinka to win his first Grand Slam final. It is a match that holds historical significance for all three players. If the No. 1-ranked Nadal wins, as the odds suggest he will, the 27-year-old Spaniard will become the first player to win each of the majors twice in the Open era. It would be his 14th Grand Slam trophy and bring him one step closer to Federers all-time record of 17. If No. 8-ranked Wawrinka beats Nadal to win his first major title, he catapults to a career high of No. 3 in the rankings. Just reaching the final assures Wawrinka of the No. 5 spot, meaning for the first time he will pass Federer, who is now ranked sixth. On the eve of the final, Wawrinka said he was still shocked by his success. "Its insane. Its incredible," the 28-year-old Wawrinka said Saturday, speaking to reporters in English and in his native French. "I never imagined that one day I would be here, playing in the final." After a breakthrough year in 2013, Wawrinka is playing the best tennis of his life in Melbourne. He knocked out three-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and beat No. 7 Tomas Berdych in the semifinals. He knows how tough it will be to beat Nadal — hes tried and failed 12 times. "Ive played him so many times, and lost so many times, but Im going to try again," Wawrinka said. "I know what I have to do. I know that I have to play aggressive, serve really well, and try to always push him." "Im playing my best tennis here," Wawrinka added. "Physically, Im ready.". Nadal says hes ready, too, for a breakthrough at what he calls his unluckiest Grand Slam. Nadal won in Melbourne in 2009 but in subsequent years struggled with injuries during or before the seasons first major. He missed the 2013 Australian Open during a seven-month layoff for illness and a knee injury. He returned to win the French and U.S. Open last year but reaching the final in Melbourne holds special significance. "After missing last year for me its really, really emotional to be back on this court, Rod Laver Arena, and to be able to play another final," said Nadal, who has known Wawrinka since they were teens, playing junior tournaments in Europe. "Hes a good friend, a great guy. Im so happy for him that hes in the final. He deserves it," Nadal said. "I know it will be a very, very tough match." Wawrinkas other longtime friend, Federer, had hoped Sundays story would be about an all-Swiss final. But after losing the latest installment of the Federer-Nadal rivalry, hes cheering for Wawrinka. "I hope he wins, and I hope he gives everything he has," Federer said. "Theres no reason not believe that he can beat Rafa." "Stans in his first Grand Slam final, so that makes Stan also unpredictable. Hes got to use that to his advantage." Brian Goodwin Jersey . The Toronto Maple Leafs were holding a news conference, so they got curious. It didnt take long for them to find out via social media that coach Randy Carlyle was coming back — with a two-year extension — and assistants Greg Cronin, Scott Gordon and Dave Farrish were being let go. Matt Adams Jersey . A fully booked flight forced me to leave two hours later. 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Most notably, Arizonas Bill Bidwill, who saw his Cardinals go 10-6 and not get in, while Green Bay (8-7-1) qualified by winning the NFC North. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The start of the San Francisco 49ers three-day mandatory minicamp was overshadowed by the players who were absent. Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis and right guard Alex Boone skipped Tuesdays activities. Both starters are seeking raises despite two years left on their contracts. Cornerback Eric Wright, a seven-year veteran who played in seven games for the 49ers last season, announced his retirement. Wright said in a statement released through the team that he "no longer had the same passion" for the game. While Wrights announcement came as a surprise in the locker room, Davis and Boone are far bigger contributors to a 49ers team that has Super Bowl aspirations. Coach Jim Harbaugh said he appreciates players who show up for the voluntary workouts in the off-season but expects everybody in attendance for the mandatory meetings. He said he was disappointed that Davis and Boone are not at the minicamp. "Not the decision that I envisioned being the 49er way," Harbaugh said. "Really nothing more to be said about it. The focus will be on whats going on here." Players can be fined nearly $70,000 if they miss all three days of the minicamp, per the NFLs collective bargaining agreement. If Davis and Boone continue to hold out, they set the stage for what could be a major distraction leading into training camp next month for a franchise that has avoided such contract disputes the past few seasons under Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke. Neither Davis nor Boone was present during the first eight weeks of the teams voluntary program. Davis sacrificed a $200,000 bonus and Boone $50,000 for missing the workouts. And while both are seeking new deals, Davis has been the most vocal about his situation. "In 2010 I signed a five-year, $37 million contract extension with $23 million guaranteed. It was the biggest contract for a tight end in league history. Four years later, and Im playing at a higher level than I was then, which brings me to why Im holding out," Davis wrote in a guest column for MMQB.com on Monday. "Its all about getting paid what you deserve. Its not that complicated. I want the 49ers to win the Super Bowl, and I want to be on the field this summer working toward that goal, but I have to worry about my future first." "Most of my teammates and many players in the NFL understand that. A few dont," Davis continued. "Behind closed doors, theylll say theyre all about the team and would run through a brick wall for the organization.ddddddddddddBut when you look closer, theyre doing things to contradict themselves. I cant listen to anyone but my family and my advisors, because those are the people who are going to be there when football inevitably dumps me." Davis, who initially acted coy about skipping the teams voluntary off-season program, began making his displeasure known shortly before the 49ers announced they had given quarterback Colin Kaepernick a six-year contract extension through the 2020 season that could be worth up to $126 million. Davis, who is now 30 years old, had 52 catches for 850 yards and accounted for 13 of Kaepernicks 21 touchdown passes last season. The tight end has repeatedly talked about marketing his "brand" this off-season after signing a deal with Fantex, which sells shares of Davis "stock" to investors. The San Francisco company paid Davis $4 million in return for 10 per cent of his future earnings from football, commercial endorsements and other jobs that he may get during the remainder of his life. The 27-year-old Boone signed a contract extension while he was a backup tackle in November 2011. He has two years remaining on the deal, which will reportedly pay him $2.25 million this season and $1.45 million next season. Most of their teammates responded in similar fashion when asked about their absences -- saying its a decision each player has to make on their own. Second-year safety Eric Reid, whose locker is next to Wrights, said it was a little surprising when he heard Wright was considering not playing anymore. Wright had been competing for the job vacated by former starters Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, who both signed with the Oakland Raiders in free agency. The 49ers are treating minicamp as an opportunity for others to make an impact. Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek are expected to receive most of the practice repetitions behind Davis at tight end. Joe Looney is competing at the guard spot, while tackle Jonathan Martin is receiving some time at guard. Daniel Kilgore also can play centre and guard. Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, Chris Cook, Darryl Morris and rookies Dontae Johnson and Kenneth Acker are competing at cornerback. "Its next man up," 49ers offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman said. "Thats how it goes." 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