Paris, November 20, 2009

“I’m in perfect shape, both mentally and physically,” Rafa said this Friday at a Media day in London for the Masters Series tournament, which starts this Sunday. “I’ve had the best end of the season in my life.” 

“I am close to my absolute best. I am playing well,” he continued. “And this situation, getting to play against the best players in the world, is perfect for me.”

Rafa’s first match will be on Monday against rival Robin Soderling (who qualified for the event as an alternate after Andy Roddick pulled out of the event),however, it is Novak Djokovic who might cause more problems in his group. Rafa insists the third-ranked Serb is playing the best tennis of his life, but also knows he has to concentrate on Robin first.

“If I play my best tennis, and he plays like he did (in Paris), it’s going to be almost impossible [to beat him]”, Rafa said about Soderling.

ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, 23 NOVEMBER, 2009

CENTRE COURT – start 12:30 pm

[2] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [7] M Mirnyi (BLR) / A Ram (ISR)

Not Before 2:15 pm

[2] R Nadal (ESP) vs [8] R Soderling (SWE)  

At 7:00 pm[4] L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) vs L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT)

Not Before 8:45 pm[3]

N Djokovic vs [6] N Davydenko (RUS)  

Vamos Rafa!