¡Vamos Rafa!

Post R3

Jim Courier: So, I noticed this year you’re playing with a different colour string, it’s black. Usually was yellow, right?
Rafa: Yeah, is not different color, is different string.
Jim Courier: So, what’s different about it? and why did you change?
Rafa: Well, I feel it no?, you know, we made a good work with Babolat and I think with this racquet I- the ball gives me a little bit more topspin that before and is easier for me try to play a little longer, but you know, always is yourself.
Jim Courier: But you have more topspin that anybody, EVER, with the other string. Why do you need more? why are you so selfish?
Rafa: (huge smile) I don’t know but- I need play better
Jim Courier: Well if this makes you play better I feel sorry for the other guys.

Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2010. R2

Rafael Nadal R1 post-match presser

Q. What are your thoughts after the game?
RAFAEL NADAL: Happy. Happy always starting Grand Slam. Winning in three sets is good news, so very happy to be in second round.
Q. What were your thoughts maybe through the first set, because it didn't look like it was all going to be as easy as you thought it might have been.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I never thought it was going to be an easy match before going on court. And, sure, playing the first round of one Grand Slam, you know, you know always the first round is a little bit more nervous and you have to start. First rounds are always difficult to play very well. So I thought gonna be a tough match. First set was tough. Later was easier.
Q. Did you step it up in that tiebreak? Did you find something in that tiebreak and go on with it from there?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I think, well, Peter was playing really well in the first set. I was playing shorter than usual. I played with more mistakes. So late in the tiebreak he had three mistakes, so he helped me. And I was serving well, so I won the tiebreak. After that I started to play longer, I started to play more aggressive, so I started to play more my tennis.
Q. What is the difference, when you say you started to play longer, more aggressive? Is it just confidence and getting more belief in the second and third sets?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, when you relax a little bit. The first set I had the chances for the breakpoint. One breakpoint I played well, but I had the passing shot mistake to the net, very close, and he played well. So you start always. I said before, a little bit more nervous than usual. When you win first set you relax a little bit more, you can play more your game, no? I think I did. I was playing really well, practicing before in Doha and Abu Dhabi, too. I think I'm always in the right way. I told you before, when you relaxed, you have the chance to play more your tennis.
Q. How was the crowd?
RAFAEL NADAL: Always is nice. The atmosphere here always in Australia is special. The crowd are emotional. I played few matches against Lleyton, too, here. Against an Australian, he has big supporters.
Q. Were you having some problems with your shoes or the grip on the court sometimes?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I think the problem my shoes was a little bit more used than what I thought before the match. I was slipping a little bit more. I gonna change for next one, new ones.
Q. A bit old, were they, the shoes?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, wasn't old. But here the court, yeah, I started to play with the new shoes two days ago, but the court here is aggressive. Behind the foot was thinner than what I expected.
Q. And the fingers?
RAFAEL NADAL: The blister.
Q. Are you in favor of this World Cup of tennis that people are talking about?
RAFAEL NADAL: We will see. We will see what's going on. I think ATP wants to do something. Sure, World Cup with all the players, best player of the world and playing for your country, with good organization and a big event, for sure I am in favor.
Q. You seem a bit slimmer than last year, a bit lighter.
RAFAEL NADAL: Can we bring scales tomorrow? Everybody ask me the same. If we bring something here, I gonna put... I have the same weight than last year. I weigh the same five years ago. I didn't change.
Q. After the match, Jim Courier was asking you about last year, reflecting on the semifinal, the final. Coming back to Melbourne, have you been thinking about that a lot?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I am thinking about try to play good tournament. Sure, when I walk around and I see my picture there, being on the floor, so always is a very nice memories. You know, was one of the more emotional victories of my career, semifinals and final. So always when you come back in a big event like this, you remember the matches.
Q. Is it an advantage having the feature match at night now being the earlier match? You know when your starting time is going to be.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, sure is good if you have exactly the time what you're gonna play. But it's true we play indoors, too. But anyway, I am happy to finish. I feel lucky to finish my match today. That's important. I was a lot of times in the other situation than the rest of the players. Is not easy wait all the day to play.

Pre AO Interview 16-10

sbahrawi:

An interview with:

RAFAEL NADAL

Q. Does it make you wonder that you’re the defending champion yet you’re not considered the favorite?

RAFAEL NADAL: What the question?

Q. You’re the defending champion.

RAFAEL NADAL: I understand.

Q. You’re not considered a favorite, Federer is. Does that disturb you or worry you?

RAFAEL NADAL: For sure not, no. For sure, I’m not the favorite. For sure on hard court there is a lot of very good players. I think being No. 2 of the world, probably I am not the maximum favorite, but I am one of these ones.

So, sure, first of all, doesn’t matter. Is like every year when I arrive to Roland Garros, everybody talk I am the favorite, no? Finally important thing is who plays better on the court.

I know you have to write who is the favorite and you like to talk about that, but only thing is who plays better on court. And we will see what happens next two weeks.

Q. On this court surface, is it any different for you? Do you like this surface?

RAFAEL NADAL: Is nothing new for me. The surface is the same, like all the years. It’s hard court, normal hard court. So I had good results here. I have very good results, I had bad results.

If I play well, I gonna have good chances to have a good result.

Q. Does it feel special to be back, having had such a fantastic tournament last year?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, sure. Anyway, if I won last year, being here in Australia is probably the easiest Grand Slam of the year. The organization, the people always was very nice with the players and with me for sure.

I feel very good here all the time, no? I spended one week before the tournament here. Was perfect.

Q. So how is your condition? Are you ready to win again?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know, no? I am ready to practice tomorrow and to try to play a good first round. We will see what’s happen.

Q. You’ve had your fair share of injuries in the last 12 months. The previous year Roger was coming into this season from a similar perspective. Is there something you can take out of that confidence‑wise to know you can come back from injuries so dramatically?

RAFAEL NADAL: I didn’t have bad results last five months, no? I didn’t win. I didn’t have perfect results. But I played. I was there all the tournaments.

Sure, is true, playing against the top players I didn’t have a very good results. But I was playing not very well but not bad. So just a little bit more.

I started the season really well, playing really well there in Abu Dhabi and Doha. That the way. I try to play like this. If I play like I played there, I’m not worried.

Q. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you had one day break after the Davis Cup final, then you were back on the practice court.

RAFAEL NADAL: I had one day, one day. We finished at 7th, at 9th I was practicing.

Q. Over Christmas, did you practice Christmas Day?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. Christmas Day. 24th yes. 25th, no, party.

Q. So it was really hard work all through the off‑season?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Last year I was injured. I had more time to practice. This year I finished 7th and I had only two weeks and a half. I did all in my hands practicing physically, and on court very hard. I think was a very good work.

Q. Are you able to practice as hard now as you ever did with your knee problem?

RAFAEL NADAL: With what?

Q. The way the knees are now, are you able to practice 100% just like you used to?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. You can watch me to practice (smiling). You can come.

Q. After the ATP Tour Finals, you mentioned you need a little bit of time to recharge the batteries and find some confidence. Do you think you’ve done that since?

RAFAEL NADAL: The confidence? The only way to have confidence is winning matches, winning important matches, no? So I did there in Abu Dhabi and I did there in Doha. So I think I am in the really right way.

But, you know, that’s needs a little bit more time. But, you know, the life change in nothing, in a few things, and I am ready to change. I am ready to try to play my best tennis, I think.

I don’t know here, but I think I am playing well. I think I am playing much better than what I did last four months.

Q. Is it the hardest to win now a Grand Slam because of the strength and depth on the men’s tour, do you think?

RAFAEL NADAL: Easier now than how many years ago?

Q. Five years ago. Three years ago.

RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ll let you know after three years (laughter). I don’t know. Sure, my feeling is always was very good players. That’s true right now. Is young players, new generation. But always happen the same when new generation came, no? First two years of the new generation, always seems like going to change the world.

Happen the same when started with Hewitt, Nalbandian, Ferrero, Federer, Roddick, Coria. Happen the same at this time. So right now is a new generation. We will see what’s happen. But for sure is interesting and are very good players.

Q. You and Roger have won I think 14 of the last 16 Grand Slams. Who do you think is the real threat here?

RAFAEL NADAL: We will see what’s happen. I don’t know. A lot of players can win right now, I think. I don’t want to say everybody. But, yeah, like 12 players, 13 players have a good chance, gonna have a good chance.

Q. What do you make of your draw? How hard do you think the draw is? Maybe you could play Andy Murray in the quarterfinals if you both play well.

RAFAEL NADAL: We will see, no? I play first round against Luczak. I never talk about quarterfinals before. Remains four matches for quarterfinals. We will see what’s happen before.

So I am here to play my best every day. Always just with humble and trying your best in every match you gonna have the chance to play this match.

<3

swissnavy:

Q: Nadal has not won a tournament since Rome last year, in May. Some think he’ll never be what he once were.

RF: This is bullshit [‘conneries’ in French]. It reminds me what people said about me last year. I’ve seen Rafa play in Abu Dhabi and in Doha: he lacks absolutely nothing. Granted, he’s not won in a long time. But look at those who beat him: Del Potro, Murray, Davydenko, Djokovic, Soderling… They’re not bad! Think about it: had he played Wimbledon last year and not lost 2,000 points from his victory in 2008, where would he be right now? He came back from injury, so it’s normal that he lacked confidence. But to me, the really great Rafa is still to come.

I find this perspective on Rafa fascinating. The things Roger says about players are often very accurate, and particularly in the long term. He still thinks we haven’t seen the best of Rafa - so interesting!

From L’Equipe Interview with Roger Federer 15 Jan 2010. Translated via Go To Tennis here