May 28, 2009 

Rafa, first of all I’d like to thank for the joy you bring [into our lives] every Sunday when you play. You are our pride and I have a question for you: If you could go back to the past and play the final of Roland Garros against a past winner, who would you like to face (and of course beat)? Borg, Wilander, Bruguera, Agassi, Kuerten, Moya, Agassi, Costa, or Ferrero...?

I wish you the best of luck at Roland Garros...

RN: Thank you very much. In regards to your question, I’ve always said that given that it is not possible to go back to the past, [you have to be] realistic and [for the record] I’ve actually faced a lot of the players you already mentioned. (Moya, Agassi, Ferrero and Costa).

Rafa, I would like for you to answer [this question] with total honestly: Have you read any of the statements made recently by your opponents in relation to the tactics they need to use in order to beat you? (Eg: Higueras, a former coach of Federer said that "just like he did in Madrid, Federer needs to shorten the points in order to avoid Rafa getting his rhythm back and therefore, take away his confidence”).

Is this something that Toni and you analyse and use as a pre-match strategy, or do you just focus only on what you have to do our there? I hope you answer me.

RN: First of all, I always answer honestly. I often read the newspapers but at the same time, I try not to pay attention to the kind of statements you just mentioned. I imagine that when the players make such statements it makes sense to them what they say, and nothing happens.

It is also clear to me that other players analyse me and the way I play, just like I can analyse them. It’s normal. But in the end, when we are out on the court, we have to run around and play and that is what we also analyse before matches. The best way to play.

Hola Rafa: You're one of the most loved personalities in Spain based on a survey published by ‘El Mundo’ in July 2008. Do you think people like you for your game, your success or for the way you are?

RN: Thank you very much. I do not know. I imagine that people [like me because they] know and see the way I always fight till the end and I try to give my everything every time I step out on a tennis court.  

Hola Rafa, congratulations on your great achievements. I was wondering if you’ve ever played mixed doubles? And if not, who would you like to play with?

RN: No, I have not played mixed-doubles at a 'Grand Slam' (which is only tournament where you can play it). These tournaments involve a lot of pressure and intensity and playing other competitions, like the men's doubles or mixed can lead to complications later on, especially when it comes to my schedule.

Hello Rafael! Congratulations on your career. I just wanted to know how you are planning on spending your future once you retire from professional tennis?

RN: Thank you very much. The truth of the matter is that I haven’t really thought about it yet, It’s true.

I just want to know if you or your team have discussed the possibility of sacrificing a clay court tournament or a Master Series event (like Cincinnati or Canada) in the lead up to the US Open, in order to save up more energy and arrive better there?

RN: It’s very difficult to sacrifice a clay court tournament, as there are hardly any of them around. As to Cincinnati or Montreal, I do not think it’s possible because it is compulsory to play them. This year will be better without the Olympic Games, and therefore we  should arrive [In New York] less tired. We will see how the season goes anyways. You should always go one tournament and match at a time. 

May 26, 2009

This year, Roland Garros seems to be more difficult than ever before. [To top that] Federer’s victory in Madrid has kind of made the whole ‘Nadal is invincible on clay, specially when playing against Federer’ thing have less meaning. Do you think that will help you get more motivation and therefore want to get the revenge in Paris?

RN: No, I don’t think so. It’s always better to win and have that confidence [that comes with the victory]. I’ve always said that Federer is a great player and he continues to show that. In regards to Madrid, I don’t think it has that much significance to me given the circumstances. The surface, the conditions and even the balls were different. Here the ball stays on the racket longer and I can feel it in a different way. In Madrid, I repeat, the conditions didn’t favor me, but then again, it was the same for everybody else.”

Why do you think this year you are playing at a lower level compared to last year (on clay)?

RN: “No, I didn’t say that. What I said was that I didn’t think I have played as well as I have played in the past, however, it is true that this clay season has been much better than the ones in the past because I won 3 titles in Montecarlo, Barcelona and Rome… as well as the final in Madrid. I am very happy to have achieved that and I think it’s harder to do that than to win Roland Garros, so I’m very happy.”

Who do you think is playing better on clay at the moment, Djokovic or Federer? And who would you prefer to play against at the finals? (Please try to be politically incorrect and say what you really think).

RN: “I think Djokovic, he was beaten Roger in Roma and out of the two, he’s the one who’s had better results during the clay season. (Finalist in Montecarlo, Rome, and champion in Belgrade). I try to look at my next match and not at a hypothetical final though. That to me is [being honest], anything outside of that wouldn’t be realistic. Believe me.”

Rafa, what do you do to recover from a long and difficult match like the semifinal in Madrid and play a final the following day. I watched the match and I was exhausted just from watching it.

RN: “Hahahaha, thank you very much. The only thing we can do is rest and wait till our body recovers. Of course I have my physiotherapist who helps me with massages, ice treatments and stretching exercises.”

How has Toni influenced your life and your career?

RN: “Toni has had an impact on my career because he has been with me since I was little. He’s my uncle. There is no doubt that I owe a lot of what I am to him and that he has helped me become who I am.  That is what usually happens between a coach and a player.”

Do you think that playing most of your life on clay has prevented you from becoming an ‘all-surface’ player?

RN: “No, totally the opposite. If anything, those players who grow up playing on clay have a more complete game and it’s easier for them to learn to play on other surfaces since you would have more technique. Then again, it’s no mystery to anyone that it’s difficult to improve on any surface.

Rafa, both you and Roger looked pretty happy at the trophy ceremony after you lost in Madrid. What were you two talking about? It looked like you were having a lot of fun.

RN: “The trophy ceremony is like a party, and that’s the way it should be. We were talking about the match and some other memories.”

Is it true that this year, the Roland Garros tennis balls are less heavy? If so, would that be bad for you?

RN: “No, to me they’re the same. It always depends on the conditions. Yesterday and today it was really hot and sunny, which makes the balls and the court conditions change. They become faster.”

Rafa Nadal

Hi everyone,

TODAY'S MATCH.

Probably with the answers to your questions on this section I have said it all. Not too many questions about my match today and probably it is better like this. I didn't play great, didn't feel that comfortable on the court as I should have but in the end what counts is that I managed to win. I have to say that also last year I had a bad start. Clearly it is not only because of my but also because the way my opponent, Marcos today, played. As I say, I have had slow starts also in previous years and I am fine with it. Sure I need to improve and get better.

MY EARLY ARRIVAL.

Some people ask why did I arrive so early to Roland Garros. Well, I arrived already on Wednesday night so that I could get a good practice on Thursday where I played an exhibition match here in Paris. I like to come early to tournaments. There are not that many tournaments where I arrive late, OK... I arrived on Monday to Queen's in the last 3 years... but I have a good excuse there... When I come to back to back tournaments and I managed to get to the finals I obviously arrive a bit late but if not I arrive early  to get used to the conditions where I will be playing. Specially at Grand Slams I like to arrive very early.

Rafa

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that I will be blogging from Paris during Roland Garros.

Thanks