Nadal foundation to set up tennis school in India (French Open Diary)

PARIS - Rafael Nadal is following in the footsteps of friend and rival Roger Federer, as his new charitable foundation announced plans to establish a tennis school in India, which is due to come online in a year.

The 23-year-old Spaniard’s academy for children will be located in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, according to local media. So far, officials says that word of mouth has resulted in 135 pre-registrations for a school which will feature four tennis courts.

Like Federer, Nadal will use his mother as primary link to the charity project, with Ana Maria Parera chairing the foundation.

Federer’s foundation does work in South Africa, homeland of his mother Lynette.

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Safina hopes for Grand Slam title to validate ranking

Dinara Safina is ready to take over the reins as “boss” on the WTA by confirming her world number one ranking in this weekend’s French Open women’s final.

Critics have said that the women’s game is in disarray, with recent top-ranked players Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic and Safina never having won a Grand Slam.

That’s a perception Safina hopes to change when she faces fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova for the title.

“I think since I became number one I’m playing finals and winning the titles,” said Safina. “How much more proof do I need to give the people that I think I deserve that spot?

“Of course it’s going to be great if I have a Grand Slam title. The way I’m playing, I think it shows enough that I think I deserve this spot.”