Blog de Rafa Nadal

WELL DONE MADRID!

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Beijing, October 2 2009

Rafa Nadal watched last night from Beijing the International Olympic Committee’s announcement of the city that will host the games to be staged in seven years.

This is what Rafa had to say after the results:

Spain, “Keep your head up high, we were very close. We made it to the final round and now we have to stay close to each other and support the organizers of our campaign more than ever.”

“We knew there could only be one winner at the end and unfortunately it wasn’t us. Nevertheless, the key is to keep on fighting.”

“Personally, I couldn’t make it to Copenhagen to support Madrid’s bid because my profession didn’t allow me. But I was glued to the TV last night watching the live broadcast”.

“I know next time we will win because we deserve it. Madrid deserves it and as it has always been the case, I will be there to help as much as I possibly can for whatever you need”.

“Finally, as the good sportsmen that we are, we should also congratulate Rio de Janeiro and Brazilians. We wish them the best of luck with the organization of the Olympic Games.”

Rafa Nadal

BACK TO THE PAST?

Wed, 27 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

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.

YOU ASKED, RAFA ANSWERED

Tue, 26 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

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

TODAY'S MATCH

Mon, 25 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

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

My next blog...

Mon, 04 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

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

Thanks

"V" IS FOR VICTORY

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Hello Everyone!

Where should I begin….!I’VE WON THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN! YES!

When I finally celebrated my last point I felt something I’ve never felt before, it was a more peaceful victory compared to the one in Roland Garros and Wimbledon and at the same time, it was more complete. And I know why it was that way.

I grew up as a clay-courter and my style of game adapted to that: I learned to push my opponents out of the court and that made me wear out my physic with some much running around and long rallies.

But my uncle Tony and I knew that my game had to have more dimensions to it so that I could have the same kind of results on other surfaces. I had to change my game radically, it needed to be more direct and aggressive. I had to improve my service as well as control my game when going up to the net. I had to make my shots flatter and my volley more accurate.

We had lots of work ahead of us for sure.

Every year we’ve had to improve my game on hard courts and even though I beat Gonzalez in the final of the Olympic games, this final against Roger Federer, (who has recuperated his form) was going to be a test of fire for me.

But we made it!

All the hard work, the dedication I put into it was well worth it. And that is what sport is really about. A victory tastes amazing only if it is the result of hard work.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!

Rafa

IT WILL BE DIFFICULT

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to say that I will be playing a Grand Slam final again. The first final I will play against Roger in a court other than Wimbledon and Roland Garros.

It’s incredible that after today we would have played together in all the (Grand Slam) finals but one. It will be unreal for me as well because we all know he’s the best tennis player of all time.

This final will be particularly special because it is my first in Melbourne and it will be really hard. I am really excited but somewhat tired from the Friday match against Nando Verdasco. Let’s see how it all turns out.

Thanks you very much to all of you for all the support!

Rafa.

EVERYTHING'S GREAT!

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Just wanted to write a short post to let you guys know that everything is great from here. I will be leaving the hotel at around 4:00pm today and will stay at the tennis club till the end of my match.

Before I eat I will take advantage of the day and go to the gym to do a bit of exercise with my physiotherapist, Rafa Maymo.

Today's match is going to be really difficult, even more than what people think in Spain because Haas is playing real well and he's a solid and experienced player. I hope everything goes fine.

By the way, I did this really long interview with 'El Pais' last night.

Thanks you all!

Rafa

REALLY HAPPY!

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for all the support you gave me during my last match. It was a comfortable day for me on court, however, I lost my concentration in a couple of occasions, which is not usual for me.

I didn’t really mean for that to happen but once I realized what I was doing I went back to my usual self. I just think the match kind of lost it’s rhythm at times and that may be the reason why I lost my concentration.

Either way, I’m really happy with the way things are going and I feel real well, comfortable on court and I really hope it continues that way. I know the next match against Haas will be very different and it I think it will truly be a test for me because we all know he’s a talented player. He won really comfortably his last encounter so I know he’s playing well and has a lot of confidence.

Tomorrow I will train again and then rest a bit.

I will tell you more about it later.

Rafa

NICE DINNER!

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

January 21st

Today was a very easy-going day. I had a training session at 12 and then had something to eat at the tournament. Then I went back to the hotel around 3 to rest a bit and then had dinner with all my Spanish team-mates and the new Davis Cup Capitan, Albert Costa, hahahaha.

Ok, may be just those of us players who are still in Melbourne went.

He’s a great person and he will make a great Capitan for the team, I’m very sure of that.

Ok so tomorrow I’m playing the second round in Melbourne. I am very confident and I’m training and playing very well so I hope tomorrow I can continue this way.

Thanks guys!

Rafa