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