1/28/2014
1/26/2014
Rafael Nadal Press conference after Final at #AusOpen2014 (Transcript)
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2014-01-26/201401261390737985774.html
Q. Obviously a very difficult occasion for you emotionally. Did your back go when you played that forehand in the first game of the second set when you doubled over?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. The back, since the beginning I felt a little bit, from the warmup. It was a little bit worst in the first set. End of the first set, I start to feel worst.
Then at the beginning of the second was the key moment that I felt, during a serve in a bad movement, is very stiff, very bad.
That's not the real moment to talk about that. Is the moment to congratulate Stan. He's playing unbelievable. He really deserve to win that title. I very happy for him. He's a great, great guy. He's a good friend of mine. I am really happy for him.
So just congratulate him for everything. He had a great year last year and start the new year winning two titles is just amazing.
So congratulations.
Q. Much as it's not easy to talk about, could you share with us what happened when you went off the court? Presumably to have treatment.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, what I did?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Just try to I don't know. You can ask the physio, because in that moment I was too worried to think about what happened. The physio tried to relax a little bit the back. When that happen during a match is almost impossible. I tried hard.
Last thing that I wanted to do was retirement. No, I hate to do that, especially in a final. Same time, is tough to see yourself during the whole year you are working for a moment like this, and arrives the moment and you feel that you are not able to play at your best.
So was not an easy situation for me to be on court like this, but I tried hard until the end, trying to finish the match as good as I can for the crowd, for the opponent, for me. So that's what I did: tried everything until the last moment, but was impossible to win this way. Opponent is too good.
Q. You said you felt it go in the warmup. Can you explain what you were thinking? Did you think it was going to get better throughout the match?
RAFAEL NADAL: I talked about that enough I think. Sorry for the answer, but I talked enough about that. Is not the moment, as I said after the first question. Is the third one after I say that. That is not the moment to talk a lot about the back.
Is the Stan day, not my day. As I say before, I try my best and was not possible for me today. I'm obviously disappointed and very sad about what happened. But that's life, that's sport. I really had a lot of great moments in my career. That's a tough one. Just accept and trying to keep working hard for what's coming.
Q. How did you feel about the crowd reaction when you came back onto court after the medical timeout?
RAFAEL NADAL: The crowd was great with me in the whole weeks, no?
Q. By the end they were shouting your name, cheering.
RAFAEL NADAL: Sometimes is tough for the crowd to understand. The crowd, only thing wants to do is enjoy great match. They paid ticket to watch the best match possible, and I was not able to offer that to them for moments.
I wanted to try my best until the end. But I can understand very well the reaction. They understand later that I was bad. I was trying all what I can try on the court with that situation. The crowd was great with me during both weeks. Support has been enormous, more than ever. I feel very, very proud about they treat, how the crowd is supporting me here.
You never will heard me talk badly about the crowd here.
Q. Did you sense that he was getting particularly nervous at the stage when you began to play with a bit more rhythm? He began to miss a lot.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, is normal, no? When you see the opponent playing that way, you get nervous. You are playing for the first title. Is something that is completely normal.
I fighted. I tried to produce that opportunity, but was a lot to win a set. Talking about the set that I won, I saved two 15 40s, one 40 30. Was completely no real the chance that I was having, no?
Is true that you never know what's going on if you are able to arrive to the 4 All or something like this. But win two more sets with that situation, you know, at the end you are playing against a top player, an opponent that will not miss.
The only way to win for me was mistakes from the opponent because I was serving too slow and too predictable. I was surviving because he was having mistakes on the return.
Q. Right up until tonight's game, has your campaign over the past two weeks been as good of tennis as you've been playing in your career?
RAFAEL NADAL: The best?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I played a few good matches. I played a great match against Monfils. I played a great match in semifinals against Roger.
I didn't play my best in Round of 16 and quarterfinals. You know, I played enough well to be in the final and enough well to arrive to the final with the right confidence to think that I will have my chance tonight.
I was happy the way that I arrived to that final. I was playing well in the right moments.
I cannot say nothing wrong about me neither. I am happy. I am proud about my attitude today on court, my attitude in both weeks. When somebody's giving everything every day on court, nobody can say nothing, no? I cannot say to myself, If you will do something...
No, I try my best every day, every practice, practicing, playing with the right attitude, fighting for every ball the whole weeks. I think during whole my career, no?
I go home with the calm that I did as much as I can.
Q. You've had great victories here and won the championship. Last year you were out and in years past there have been physical problems, then again this year. Is that just a part of sport? Is it a coincidence?
RAFAEL NADAL: You know what, is true. Is true that I was not very lucky and this is a tournament that is painful for me. Is a tournament that I love so much. Is a tournament that I feel the conditions are good for me, warm conditions that I like, good crowd. Court, is true that is faster than the previous ones. Normally we play in normal speed conditions that I like to play.
So, yeah, is a tournament that I really had some troubles physically in my career and is something that is painful for me. But that's part of life. That's part of sport. Is not the end of the world. Is just another tough moment. Is not the first.
I feel very lucky that I was able to enjoy much more happy moments than tough moments. At the end is a sport of victories. People remember the victories, don't remember the loses.
For me is a tough one tonight because I felt that I was ready to compete well. But in a few weeks that's going to pass. I'm going to keep playing, going to keep training hard, Nd I'm going to keep enjoying the world of tennis.
Is great. I feel very lucky to be able to work in something that I really love to do. Not everybody's able to do that. Nothing wrong. Just bad day, tough day.
But lot of people in the world have lot of very tough days. I am not this kind of person, so I feel very lucky.
Q. Despite your injury, were you impressed at how Stan came out and played, the game plan, serving and volleying?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. He was playing amazing. Is very tough to stop him when he's playing that way. So just congratulate him because he's playing better and better and he's playing with amazing confidence, hitting every ball very, very hard, moving himself great.
In a court like this one, the court goes quick, the bounces are a little bit lower and quicker than usual, is very difficult when somebody's hitting every ball very hard and with that confidence to stop him. That's it.
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2014-01-26/201401261390737985774.html
Q. Obviously a very difficult occasion for you emotionally. Did your back go when you played that forehand in the first game of the second set when you doubled over?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. The back, since the beginning I felt a little bit, from the warmup. It was a little bit worst in the first set. End of the first set, I start to feel worst.
Then at the beginning of the second was the key moment that I felt, during a serve in a bad movement, is very stiff, very bad.
That's not the real moment to talk about that. Is the moment to congratulate Stan. He's playing unbelievable. He really deserve to win that title. I very happy for him. He's a great, great guy. He's a good friend of mine. I am really happy for him.
So just congratulate him for everything. He had a great year last year and start the new year winning two titles is just amazing.
So congratulations.
Q. Much as it's not easy to talk about, could you share with us what happened when you went off the court? Presumably to have treatment.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, what I did?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Just try to I don't know. You can ask the physio, because in that moment I was too worried to think about what happened. The physio tried to relax a little bit the back. When that happen during a match is almost impossible. I tried hard.
Last thing that I wanted to do was retirement. No, I hate to do that, especially in a final. Same time, is tough to see yourself during the whole year you are working for a moment like this, and arrives the moment and you feel that you are not able to play at your best.
So was not an easy situation for me to be on court like this, but I tried hard until the end, trying to finish the match as good as I can for the crowd, for the opponent, for me. So that's what I did: tried everything until the last moment, but was impossible to win this way. Opponent is too good.
Q. You said you felt it go in the warmup. Can you explain what you were thinking? Did you think it was going to get better throughout the match?
RAFAEL NADAL: I talked about that enough I think. Sorry for the answer, but I talked enough about that. Is not the moment, as I said after the first question. Is the third one after I say that. That is not the moment to talk a lot about the back.
Is the Stan day, not my day. As I say before, I try my best and was not possible for me today. I'm obviously disappointed and very sad about what happened. But that's life, that's sport. I really had a lot of great moments in my career. That's a tough one. Just accept and trying to keep working hard for what's coming.
Q. How did you feel about the crowd reaction when you came back onto court after the medical timeout?
RAFAEL NADAL: The crowd was great with me in the whole weeks, no?
Q. By the end they were shouting your name, cheering.
RAFAEL NADAL: Sometimes is tough for the crowd to understand. The crowd, only thing wants to do is enjoy great match. They paid ticket to watch the best match possible, and I was not able to offer that to them for moments.
I wanted to try my best until the end. But I can understand very well the reaction. They understand later that I was bad. I was trying all what I can try on the court with that situation. The crowd was great with me during both weeks. Support has been enormous, more than ever. I feel very, very proud about they treat, how the crowd is supporting me here.
You never will heard me talk badly about the crowd here.
Q. Did you sense that he was getting particularly nervous at the stage when you began to play with a bit more rhythm? He began to miss a lot.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, is normal, no? When you see the opponent playing that way, you get nervous. You are playing for the first title. Is something that is completely normal.
I fighted. I tried to produce that opportunity, but was a lot to win a set. Talking about the set that I won, I saved two 15 40s, one 40 30. Was completely no real the chance that I was having, no?
Is true that you never know what's going on if you are able to arrive to the 4 All or something like this. But win two more sets with that situation, you know, at the end you are playing against a top player, an opponent that will not miss.
The only way to win for me was mistakes from the opponent because I was serving too slow and too predictable. I was surviving because he was having mistakes on the return.
Q. Right up until tonight's game, has your campaign over the past two weeks been as good of tennis as you've been playing in your career?
RAFAEL NADAL: The best?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I played a few good matches. I played a great match against Monfils. I played a great match in semifinals against Roger.
I didn't play my best in Round of 16 and quarterfinals. You know, I played enough well to be in the final and enough well to arrive to the final with the right confidence to think that I will have my chance tonight.
I was happy the way that I arrived to that final. I was playing well in the right moments.
I cannot say nothing wrong about me neither. I am happy. I am proud about my attitude today on court, my attitude in both weeks. When somebody's giving everything every day on court, nobody can say nothing, no? I cannot say to myself, If you will do something...
No, I try my best every day, every practice, practicing, playing with the right attitude, fighting for every ball the whole weeks. I think during whole my career, no?
I go home with the calm that I did as much as I can.
Q. You've had great victories here and won the championship. Last year you were out and in years past there have been physical problems, then again this year. Is that just a part of sport? Is it a coincidence?
RAFAEL NADAL: You know what, is true. Is true that I was not very lucky and this is a tournament that is painful for me. Is a tournament that I love so much. Is a tournament that I feel the conditions are good for me, warm conditions that I like, good crowd. Court, is true that is faster than the previous ones. Normally we play in normal speed conditions that I like to play.
So, yeah, is a tournament that I really had some troubles physically in my career and is something that is painful for me. But that's part of life. That's part of sport. Is not the end of the world. Is just another tough moment. Is not the first.
I feel very lucky that I was able to enjoy much more happy moments than tough moments. At the end is a sport of victories. People remember the victories, don't remember the loses.
For me is a tough one tonight because I felt that I was ready to compete well. But in a few weeks that's going to pass. I'm going to keep playing, going to keep training hard, Nd I'm going to keep enjoying the world of tennis.
Is great. I feel very lucky to be able to work in something that I really love to do. Not everybody's able to do that. Nothing wrong. Just bad day, tough day.
But lot of people in the world have lot of very tough days. I am not this kind of person, so I feel very lucky.
Q. Despite your injury, were you impressed at how Stan came out and played, the game plan, serving and volleying?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. He was playing amazing. Is very tough to stop him when he's playing that way. So just congratulate him because he's playing better and better and he's playing with amazing confidence, hitting every ball very, very hard, moving himself great.
In a court like this one, the court goes quick, the bounces are a little bit lower and quicker than usual, is very difficult when somebody's hitting every ball very hard and with that confidence to stop him. That's it.
1/25/2014
1/24/2014
#Rafa #Nadal Press conference SF #AusOpen2014
Q. You couldn't play much better out there tonight. Can you agree?
RAFAEL NADAL: I played well tonight. I think I played probably my best match of the tournament. So very, very, very happy for this great new that I played my best match in that semifinal against Roger.
RAFAEL NADAL: I played well tonight. I think I played probably my best match of the tournament. So very, very, very happy for this great new that I played my best match in that semifinal against Roger.
He
arrived to that match winning two great matches against Tsonga and Andy
two days ago. Really very happy the way I played tonight, and very
special moment try to have the chance to be in another final.
Q. How critical do you think it was to win that first set tiebreak to get in front?
RAFAEL NADAL: For sure was very, very important. Was decisive to win that first set, after winning the first set, a tough first set. So after a few tough rallies at the end of the first set, was a lot of confidence for me.
RAFAEL NADAL: For sure was very, very important. Was decisive to win that first set, after winning the first set, a tough first set. So after a few tough rallies at the end of the first set, was a lot of confidence for me.
Is true that he had Love 30 during the set
before. But is true that I had more breakpoints than him, no? I had
few ones that I had the chance.
But it's fine. I
think I played great. The first set, as I said, I played solid at the
end of the tiebreak. Just can remember one important mistake with the
return, second serve. I don't know, probably was 5 3.
In
the deuce position I made second serve return with a backhand that I
had mistake. That is the only point I am not happy about the way that I
played on the tiebreak.
With 5 1, I missed a
forehand down the line but was the right shot. Missed it for just
little bit. So happy about the whole match. Yes, the first set was
very important.
Q. Do you think he was more aggressive than usual in the first set? He was coming to the net more often.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, he's trying to play aggressive. Sure he's trying to play more aggressive, but I think he tried against me in the past, no, with success.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, he's trying to play aggressive. Sure he's trying to play more aggressive, but I think he tried against me in the past, no, with success.
Is nothing completely new that he's playing
aggressive. He's a very aggressive player. He's one of these players
that he's able to win the point in one shot, in two shots.
So
not everybody's able to play that way. He's one of these players that
is able to play that way. That's very difficult to stop.
Q. Because you have such a good record against Roger, do you go on court with a very clear mind against him?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I go on court knowing that is a really tough match and if I am not playing my best, I will not have the chance to win, so...
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I go on court knowing that is a really tough match and if I am not playing my best, I will not have the chance to win, so...
Every
time I go on court I know what I have to do, but I don't know if I will
be able to do it or if he will give me the chance to play the way that I
want to play.
So, sure, when I go on court, I go
with doubts. The doubts are good. Is not a bad thing have doubts
before the match. As I say, I know the way that I want to play against
him and against everybody, but the problem is I am not able to do it
every time that I want.
Q.
A couple days ago Roger said that Stefan had a couple ideas on how he
should best approach you for this match. Did you notice any different
tactics from Roger this time that you hadn't noticed before?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think he tried to play very aggressive, taking the ball very early. But if you go to YouTube and you see the video of 2012 match, you will see that he was playing very, very aggressive, too. Especially the beginning of the match. So is nothing completely new.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think he tried to play very aggressive, taking the ball very early. But if you go to YouTube and you see the video of 2012 match, you will see that he was playing very, very aggressive, too. Especially the beginning of the match. So is nothing completely new.
I saw that video today, the morning. I see the
way that he will try to play again. But important thing for me is serve
well, resist the beginning. I know he will try to go on court going
for the winners, taking the ball very early.
So when
the match is coming and the match is longer, then that's more
difficult. Because physically is very difficult for me, for him, for
everybody to play with that intensity of trying to play that aggressive
during a few hours, no, because mentally and physically is very tough.
So
when the match is going on, I know that I will have the chance to hit a
little bit more rallies. That's the position that I want to be. So is
very important to resist the score at the beginning.
Q.
You served almost exclusively to his backhand. Is that knowledge you
require by knowing him so well, playing him so many times?
RAFAEL NADAL: I serve what I can serve. I serve at the position that I feel that I will have the chance to start better the point. And today I felt that serving against his backhand I had the chance to start the point with little bit of an advantage. That's what I tried.
RAFAEL NADAL: I serve what I can serve. I serve at the position that I feel that I will have the chance to start better the point. And today I felt that serving against his backhand I had the chance to start the point with little bit of an advantage. That's what I tried.
If
that didn't work, so I will change. I will try to play the serve, you
know, more combined. But was working well because I didn't had many
breakpoints against. The serve that I lost was in the third, 2 1, I
think, I lost that serve because I played bad from the baseline, not
because of the serve.
Q.
It seemed from watching that you were moving as freely as you have done
for quite some time. Do you feel as though your movement is exactly
where you'd like it to be at the moment?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I am quick today. I am moving quick. I am able to come back from a difficult situations, you know. With great shots of the opponent I am able to keep producing power on the shots. And produce great shots from very difficult positions.
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I am quick today. I am moving quick. I am able to come back from a difficult situations, you know. With great shots of the opponent I am able to keep producing power on the shots. And produce great shots from very difficult positions.
That's because the
movements are ready and because I feel the power in the legs when I
arrive in tough positions, and, sure, the confidence on the shots. I
hit a few passing shots today that if is not because you are quick and
playing with confidence, you cannot hit that shots.
Q.
Have you watched any of Stan's matches this week? What do you think
he's doing differently in this tournament or recently that makes him a
better player, being able to beat Djokovic?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I saw him play against Novak. I saw him play against Berdych. He's playing great. I know him. He's a good friend, great guy. So happy for him that he's in the final. He deserve it. He's playing better and better every year.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I saw him play against Novak. I saw him play against Berdych. He's playing great. I know him. He's a good friend, great guy. So happy for him that he's in the final. He deserve it. He's playing better and better every year.
He's serving
unbelievable. He's hitting the ball very strong from the baseline.
Very, very quick. Is very difficult to play against him today. I know
will be a very, very tough match. If I am not able to play my best, I
think I will not have chances because he's coming to this match with a
lot of victories and playing great.
Q.
You took a timeout because of the blister. You said the other day you
were having trouble serving. Any problems with that tonight at all?
RAFAEL NADAL: We maked the tape a little bit smaller. That help me. Is true that making the tape smaller, I assume a little bit more risk that the tape can go. I don't know how many times I can change the tape during the match, because to change the tape I need the trainer. I need to wait at the end of the set, or if is an emergency that happen that the tape gone in that point.
RAFAEL NADAL: We maked the tape a little bit smaller. That help me. Is true that making the tape smaller, I assume a little bit more risk that the tape can go. I don't know how many times I can change the tape during the match, because to change the tape I need the trainer. I need to wait at the end of the set, or if is an emergency that happen that the tape gone in that point.
So I need the trainer in
that moment. If that happen again, I don't know how the rules are, but
is a little bit more risky. But the blister is good. Is not bad.
Looks better every day. We are doing the right things. Blister today
is not a problem any more for normal life. Is not painful.
Problem
is to play tennis. The only problem is the position of the blister,
the place. Because if is in another place, I will no have problem
because I don't feel pain today. Problem is to cover that blister in
the position where that is.
Q.
Having won 12 times in a row versus Wawrinka, is it a relief that you
have to play best of five? He has never won one set. He can win one;
he can win two; but to win three is even more difficult. Don't you
think so?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. You play a normal match, no. For me, no. If you play a match, you play a Grand Slam final, that's a different kind of match than I played against him in the past.
RAFAEL NADAL: No. You play a normal match, no. For me, no. If you play a match, you play a Grand Slam final, that's a different kind of match than I played against him in the past.
He's
playing better than ever. Is not a question of winning one or two. Is
a question that he's a player that is ready to win against everybody
today. If I don't play my best tennis, I am sure that he will win three
sets against me. I don't going to have the chance to beat him.
I
am really focused that I know that I need to play like today, and if
not I will not have a chance to win the final. Is not the final that I
think playing normal I going to win; I need to play my best.
Q. Before the match they were having some problems opening the roof. Did they talk to you about that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah.
Q. Were you concerned if the roof was closed it would change the conditions a bit?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. No, I prefer to play outdoors. But, you know, the history that I don't play that well in indoors is true, but is not only a question of indoor, is a question of the court, no?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. No, I prefer to play outdoors. But, you know, the history that I don't play that well in indoors is true, but is not only a question of indoor, is a question of the court, no?
When
we are playing indoors, we play normally in that surface that is like a
(indiscernible), you know, when the ball stays a little bit low. If we
were playing indoors in this court, I don't know how to say, but the
material how to say, but the bounce is still going higher, so is not a
big deal to play indoors here. That is my feeling.
Q. You have a wonderful record against Federer; you've won recently on all surfaces. Can you talk about success against Roger.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, the real thing is I played a lot of times against him, and a lot of times I played great against him. So probably that's why I had this success against him.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, the real thing is I played a lot of times against him, and a lot of times I played great against him. So probably that's why I had this success against him.
But you never know
when that stop. Today I am happy that I am able to win against him
again. When you go on court against Roger, even if we played each other
32 times I think before this one and I was able to win against him 22, I
go on court knowing that I am playing against a player that is
unbelievable.
What happened in the past probably will
not help me. I take every match like a different history and every day
is different. Sure, helps the matches that I won against him in the
past to make me feel confident in the way that I have to play, but
that's doesn't mean that I will have the chance to do it again.
Q.
You said on court it was emotional for you. How much does it mean to
get to the final, especially when you weren't able to be here last year?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, for me it's a very important thing start the season this way again, winning in Doha, now being in the final of Australia after missing this tournament last year. Come back here, the support of the crowd is just amazing for me. Just can say thank you very much everybody.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, for me it's a very important thing start the season this way again, winning in Doha, now being in the final of Australia after missing this tournament last year. Come back here, the support of the crowd is just amazing for me. Just can say thank you very much everybody.
Very emotional moments in the Rod Laver
Arena in the past, very emotional moments this year especially because
is the Grand Slam that I really had more problems in my career.
2006
I didn't had the chance to play for the injury on the feet at the end
of 2005 in Madrid. I remember 2010 and '11. 2010 I think was against
Andy I had to retire because of a problem in the knee; 2011 I didn't
want to retire but I had a strain on the muscle in my leg third game of
the match; last year I didn't have a chance to play here.
Lot
of years I didn't have a chance to play in this tournament that I
really love so much with the perfect conditions, so is very special have
the chance to be in the final here again.
Q.
Were you aware that apparently just after the start of the second set,
when you were having your treatment, that Roger had quite a long
exchange with the umpire suggesting that you were grunting a little
louder than normal and it was putting him off?
RAFAEL NADAL: I really don't know that. When I am playing, when I am hitting the ball during the point, the last thing that I am thinking is try to bother the opponent. Only thing that I am focusing is try to hit my ball well. That's it.
RAFAEL NADAL: I really don't know that. When I am playing, when I am hitting the ball during the point, the last thing that I am thinking is try to bother the opponent. Only thing that I am focusing is try to hit my ball well. That's it.
I am sorry if I bothered
somebody, but I never did in the past. So is something that nobody in
my career, you know, told me nothing about this, that I am bothering the
opponent. But if I bothered him in any moment, he knows 100% it was
not because I wanted. I never do nothing on court to bother the
opponent. I think I did the normal things that I do in every match.
1/23/2014
1/22/2014
Rafael Nadal Press conference after QF at #AusOpen2014 (Transcript)
Q. Grigor got very emotional when he talked about missing set point in the third set. How important for you was it to win the third set?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure is very important win the third set. You are coming back after first set and winning the next two and winning the next two in both tiebreaks, is a tough moment mentally for the opponent.
After that, if I am ready to stay strong at the beginning of the fourth, I know going to have my chances. But was important moment. Finally was decisive. If that ball, that forehand from him, goes in and he win the third, I going to keep fighting, because I felt that I was ready for the fight. I was tired, but I think that he was tired, too.
I will keep fighting until the end.
Q. You've been in tough positions in your career before with injuries. Today it looked like the serve was not your normal serve, then maybe the forehand to the other side. Is it a problem holding the racquet?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, with the forehand is not a big issue. With the serve, little bit. I feel that with the tape I can lose the racquet when I serving. That's my feeling, no? The racquet can goes. That's a terrible feeling for a serve, because then when you have this feeling you are not able to accelerate at the right moment.
You lose a little bit the coordination. Yeah, that's a big deal. But right, I served slower. I served bad. I was able to win a match against a very difficult opponent, so that has much more value than when everything is great.
And because of these victories, sometimes happens that next day you are able to play much better, and these victories at the end of the year are more important than the days that you are playing great.
By the way, I didn't feel that I played that bad. I felt that the biggest problem was the serve because, you know, serve like this produce me a problem for the rest of the things. When you lose the confidence with one shot, one important shot, then you are not able to play with calm the rest of the shots.
So I going to try to improve that for after tomorrow that I need. If not, I not going to have the chance to be in the final. I hope to be ready for to improve.
Q. Dimitrov said he felt you stepped your level up in the fourth set. Did you feel that was the case?
RAFAEL NADAL: That I played better in the fourth?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, I played better in the fourth (smiling).
Yeah, I hit a good shots, good passing shots, good forehands down the line. I was able to play a little bit more confident.
But talking about the whole match, is true that at the end we have to analyze everything a little bit. It is true I was lucky in the third, the tiebreak.
In the second I had 2 0 and I lost my serve with three double faults. In the third I have 4 3 and serve for 5 3. So the first set was for him.
But the next two sets I was, you know, in a favorable position more than him during the set. It's true that we went to a tiebreak. First tiebreak I wined 7 3, 7 4, something like this. The second one, yes, was a tough one. But during the set I was in an advantage.
The serve didn't help me to save that advantage. That normally helps me not to win free points, some ones yes, because I improved my serve which helps me to start the points, in a good position, but today was not the case. I didn't start with the serve. I didn't win nothing with my serve, no? No one advantage.
That always creates you a little bit of nervous and you will have to fight for every point, and that's mentally tougher.
Q. Normally with your forehand you're very effective versus those players who have one handed backhand, like Federer. Do you think that Dimitrov has a way that he's able to control even your forehand, he has some special ability for that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Is a difficult question to answer because if I say no, seems I am arrogant. If I say yes, it seems like I say, I don't know, he has a better backhand than Roger.
I don't feel that thing. I feel that he's a great player. He's able to hit good backhands. It is true that when I am hitting my backhand good and long and with the right spin, I create trouble on him, too.
But it's true that here the surface this year is faster. The wind today on court still little bit strong, so is difficult to play with a lot of altitude because it feels like the ball goes so quick. That's it.
The rest of the things, I cannot expect he will miss backhands or he will have mistakes if I am not pushing him that much. I feel in the fourth I pushed him more, and then he was in more trouble because he was hitting balls in a tougher situation, more difficult situation.
What happened that I am not happy the most important or the most negative thing during the match, in my opinion, was I hit too many forehands. So cross forehands, and he hit a forehand, too.
When I am hitting my forehand from that side against his backhand he cannot hit the forehand. He has to hit the backhand, because my ball has to be enough good to push him back. Happened today too many times that I hitted the shot, cross forehand, and he was able to play with his forehand from that side.
If I am hitting well he can do it, but then he's in a very bad position. It happened that he hit shots from that side and he still not in very bad position. Something I need to improve more for the next match.
Q. One of the players who really loves you is Serena Williams. It seemed like last year a lot of times when you won a tournament, she would win a tournament. After many years of not playing Indian Wells, she's in the entry list for Indian Wells this year. What are your thoughts on that, and do you think it would be good for the game for our greatest woman player to come into the tournament at Indian Wells?
RAFAEL NADAL: I really don't remember what happened in the past, but is true that she didn't play there for a long time.
Is positive for any tournament in the world that the best player of the world goes. So for every tournament it's great if Serena is playing because she's the most successful player in the last part of the history of the sport. She is one of the best of the history on tennis. I think every tournament wants to see her.
Q. It's too soon to talk about the next match, but if you play against Roger or Andy, can you talk about it?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, different opponents, no? If is Roger, we played a lot of times. You don't need to talk about the match. I need to play my best. Even Roger and even Andy.
I didn't play against Andy for a while, so we'll see after the match which one going to be the one that I going to play in two days.
But the only thing that I know is that I have to play my best, and I going to try.
Q. Your opponent mentioned he was impressed with your physicality. Was there a stage in that match where you felt you were physically on top of him?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I was tired, too. I get tired, too, no? The end, important thing is be ready for resist mentally. Sometimes when you get tired, is true that physical trainers will tell you if your physical performance is very good, then your mental part is better.
But I am not sure about that, you know. I am sure that you need to be strong physically. But at one point it's more mental than physical. The opponent is important, too.
The emotion to keep playing, the motivation to win the match makes you resist little bit more and little bit more, and you always want little bit more. You are ready mentally, you can always resist little bit more.
That's what I am thinking when I am tired: I can do it. I can little bit more. Happened in the past. Happened a lot in the past that I resist tough matches, so that's gave me the confidence that I can do it again.
But it's more mental part, I think, in my opinion.
Q. You said on court after the match that you were suffering. When you're suffering out there, can you actually enjoy the match?
RAFAEL NADAL: I enjoyed for moments, yes. But is true that the conditions of there, I don't know, the conditions out there were not easy. Always is tough to play when the wind is there. Especially with that conditions that the ball is fast. Seems like the ball, as I said before, no, when you are hitting the ball, especially when you are playing with the wind, the ball stays not much time in your string. Goes very quick, and is very difficult to have control.
If you are not going very early to the ball, then you have a problem. That happen much less when you're playing night sessions, so I going to play night. The only match that I played night and was a full match I played great was against Monfils.
That's the way that I need to keep playing. That's the way I'm going to try to keep playing. We'll see if I am ready. I hope.
Q. Deep into the match you sprinted and you hit a stab lob, then you ran back and hit a tweener, then a spectacular forehand. Is that one of the better sequences you've had in a while?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think I played lot of tough and emotional points in my career. Some ones I won the points; sometimes I lost.
One big one was against Novak in the final of the US Open, 54, 56 rally, and I lost. Today was spectacular the way the point went, and was happy to win because was an important one.
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2014-01-22/201401221390382443516.html
Q. Grigor got very emotional when he talked about missing set point in the third set. How important for you was it to win the third set?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure is very important win the third set. You are coming back after first set and winning the next two and winning the next two in both tiebreaks, is a tough moment mentally for the opponent.
After that, if I am ready to stay strong at the beginning of the fourth, I know going to have my chances. But was important moment. Finally was decisive. If that ball, that forehand from him, goes in and he win the third, I going to keep fighting, because I felt that I was ready for the fight. I was tired, but I think that he was tired, too.
I will keep fighting until the end.
Q. You've been in tough positions in your career before with injuries. Today it looked like the serve was not your normal serve, then maybe the forehand to the other side. Is it a problem holding the racquet?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, with the forehand is not a big issue. With the serve, little bit. I feel that with the tape I can lose the racquet when I serving. That's my feeling, no? The racquet can goes. That's a terrible feeling for a serve, because then when you have this feeling you are not able to accelerate at the right moment.
You lose a little bit the coordination. Yeah, that's a big deal. But right, I served slower. I served bad. I was able to win a match against a very difficult opponent, so that has much more value than when everything is great.
And because of these victories, sometimes happens that next day you are able to play much better, and these victories at the end of the year are more important than the days that you are playing great.
By the way, I didn't feel that I played that bad. I felt that the biggest problem was the serve because, you know, serve like this produce me a problem for the rest of the things. When you lose the confidence with one shot, one important shot, then you are not able to play with calm the rest of the shots.
So I going to try to improve that for after tomorrow that I need. If not, I not going to have the chance to be in the final. I hope to be ready for to improve.
Q. Dimitrov said he felt you stepped your level up in the fourth set. Did you feel that was the case?
RAFAEL NADAL: That I played better in the fourth?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, I played better in the fourth (smiling).
Yeah, I hit a good shots, good passing shots, good forehands down the line. I was able to play a little bit more confident.
But talking about the whole match, is true that at the end we have to analyze everything a little bit. It is true I was lucky in the third, the tiebreak.
In the second I had 2 0 and I lost my serve with three double faults. In the third I have 4 3 and serve for 5 3. So the first set was for him.
But the next two sets I was, you know, in a favorable position more than him during the set. It's true that we went to a tiebreak. First tiebreak I wined 7 3, 7 4, something like this. The second one, yes, was a tough one. But during the set I was in an advantage.
The serve didn't help me to save that advantage. That normally helps me not to win free points, some ones yes, because I improved my serve which helps me to start the points, in a good position, but today was not the case. I didn't start with the serve. I didn't win nothing with my serve, no? No one advantage.
That always creates you a little bit of nervous and you will have to fight for every point, and that's mentally tougher.
Q. Normally with your forehand you're very effective versus those players who have one handed backhand, like Federer. Do you think that Dimitrov has a way that he's able to control even your forehand, he has some special ability for that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Is a difficult question to answer because if I say no, seems I am arrogant. If I say yes, it seems like I say, I don't know, he has a better backhand than Roger.
I don't feel that thing. I feel that he's a great player. He's able to hit good backhands. It is true that when I am hitting my backhand good and long and with the right spin, I create trouble on him, too.
But it's true that here the surface this year is faster. The wind today on court still little bit strong, so is difficult to play with a lot of altitude because it feels like the ball goes so quick. That's it.
The rest of the things, I cannot expect he will miss backhands or he will have mistakes if I am not pushing him that much. I feel in the fourth I pushed him more, and then he was in more trouble because he was hitting balls in a tougher situation, more difficult situation.
What happened that I am not happy the most important or the most negative thing during the match, in my opinion, was I hit too many forehands. So cross forehands, and he hit a forehand, too.
When I am hitting my forehand from that side against his backhand he cannot hit the forehand. He has to hit the backhand, because my ball has to be enough good to push him back. Happened today too many times that I hitted the shot, cross forehand, and he was able to play with his forehand from that side.
If I am hitting well he can do it, but then he's in a very bad position. It happened that he hit shots from that side and he still not in very bad position. Something I need to improve more for the next match.
Q. One of the players who really loves you is Serena Williams. It seemed like last year a lot of times when you won a tournament, she would win a tournament. After many years of not playing Indian Wells, she's in the entry list for Indian Wells this year. What are your thoughts on that, and do you think it would be good for the game for our greatest woman player to come into the tournament at Indian Wells?
RAFAEL NADAL: I really don't remember what happened in the past, but is true that she didn't play there for a long time.
Is positive for any tournament in the world that the best player of the world goes. So for every tournament it's great if Serena is playing because she's the most successful player in the last part of the history of the sport. She is one of the best of the history on tennis. I think every tournament wants to see her.
Q. It's too soon to talk about the next match, but if you play against Roger or Andy, can you talk about it?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, different opponents, no? If is Roger, we played a lot of times. You don't need to talk about the match. I need to play my best. Even Roger and even Andy.
I didn't play against Andy for a while, so we'll see after the match which one going to be the one that I going to play in two days.
But the only thing that I know is that I have to play my best, and I going to try.
Q. Your opponent mentioned he was impressed with your physicality. Was there a stage in that match where you felt you were physically on top of him?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I was tired, too. I get tired, too, no? The end, important thing is be ready for resist mentally. Sometimes when you get tired, is true that physical trainers will tell you if your physical performance is very good, then your mental part is better.
But I am not sure about that, you know. I am sure that you need to be strong physically. But at one point it's more mental than physical. The opponent is important, too.
The emotion to keep playing, the motivation to win the match makes you resist little bit more and little bit more, and you always want little bit more. You are ready mentally, you can always resist little bit more.
That's what I am thinking when I am tired: I can do it. I can little bit more. Happened in the past. Happened a lot in the past that I resist tough matches, so that's gave me the confidence that I can do it again.
But it's more mental part, I think, in my opinion.
Q. You said on court after the match that you were suffering. When you're suffering out there, can you actually enjoy the match?
RAFAEL NADAL: I enjoyed for moments, yes. But is true that the conditions of there, I don't know, the conditions out there were not easy. Always is tough to play when the wind is there. Especially with that conditions that the ball is fast. Seems like the ball, as I said before, no, when you are hitting the ball, especially when you are playing with the wind, the ball stays not much time in your string. Goes very quick, and is very difficult to have control.
If you are not going very early to the ball, then you have a problem. That happen much less when you're playing night sessions, so I going to play night. The only match that I played night and was a full match I played great was against Monfils.
That's the way that I need to keep playing. That's the way I'm going to try to keep playing. We'll see if I am ready. I hope.
Q. Deep into the match you sprinted and you hit a stab lob, then you ran back and hit a tweener, then a spectacular forehand. Is that one of the better sequences you've had in a while?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think I played lot of tough and emotional points in my career. Some ones I won the points; sometimes I lost.
One big one was against Novak in the final of the US Open, 54, 56 rally, and I lost. Today was spectacular the way the point went, and was happy to win because was an important one.
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2014-01-22/201401221390382443516.html
1/21/2014
1/20/2014
Rafael Nadal Press conference after R4 at #AusOpen2014 (Transcript)
Q. Each set took more than one hour. How difficult was it to keep your concentration against Kei?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think the concentration for me was okay the whole match. I think I played very focused, fighting for every ball.
Kei played fantastic match, in my opinion. Just a few mistakes in some moments that was tough ones. But for the rest, he played very aggressive, he went for the shots. He came on court with determination to take the ball very early and go for the winners.
He really had the right feelings to do it. So just was a tough match, a very important win. Very happy.
Q. The game looked a lot closer than the scoreboard suggested. Is that how it felt out there?
RAFAEL NADAL: 3 hours 16, the score says that the match was very tough. Is true that it was in three sets. I felt like I won in three sets today because every set was very tough.
But playing for every set more than one hour is because the match was very close. He was playing great. Was a lot of tough points. I had to run a lot.
Q. Is that the sort of workout you wanted for the first day of the second week?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't prepare. I looking forward to play my best and try to win every day. I go on court trying to play my best every day, trying to play aggressive. Sometimes works better, sometimes works a little bit worst.
Today, were much different conditions than few days ago with playing night session. So was windy. The feeling was not the same. Was little bit worst, my feeling.
He was able to play more inside. I think I played a little bit too short. The other day I was able to hit longer and to take advantage with my shots. Today I didn't make it.
I think he was in a better position on the points than me more times. So that's something that cannot happen. But is true that is tough to change that when the opponent is decided to hit winners from everywhere.
Q. Last time you played Kei in French Open was way easier than this time. Was it the difference in surface?
RAFAEL NADAL: Always it's tough against him in every surface. He's a very complete player. He's very quick. He's able to do the most difficult thing in tennis, that's taking the ball early and changing the directions. He's able to do it easy, so...
Kei is a potential top 10 player. So that's the real thing. Is a great victory for me. Is true that is difficult to compare clay with hard. In clay, playing on clay is a little bit more difficult than play the way he did today.
For example, you play that inside. You are not hitting every ball perfect, you will be in trouble, because your position, you know, you're going to be inside and the opponent will have a chance to hit higher, longer. So will be tough.
Playing on clay is more difficult play that aggressive game because the ball have higher bounces and is more difficult to play that inside.
Q. If you could change the rule for the time between points, how would you change it?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't want to change no one rule. Just I accept that sometimes I was slow. I respect that.
But what I think, in my opinion, is not right, you know. In that game I think I played a very, very tough point with the 15 All or something like this. So I runned for every ball, crazy point, and then I was back.
It was on deuce. The negative thing in my opinion is not the warning. The negative thing is the moment, 4 All, deuce. You can choose another moment to do it, not that one.
Another thing is she didn't advise me before the second warning that I was still going slow. So normal thing, if the referee, you know, is interesting on help little bit the player, the normal thing is say, Rafa, you are going too slow. So I try to go quicker, before the second warning.
But she didn't make it. She is able to not doing. The rule says you can do it. But, in my opinion, that goes against the show. But that's fine. If she wants to do it that way, she did. She did, and that's why we are talking that here.
Q. Maybe after really long points or if it is very hot, do you think it would be appropriate to make a little more time?
RAFAEL NADAL: The word is not rules or not rules. The word is understand the game. That's all. We need referees who understand the game. The rules cannot go against the good show. That's all.
If you are playing with 40 degrees, you cannot expect to have 20 seconds recover, 25 seconds recover. If you are playing crazy rallies, you cannot have 25 seconds recover because then you will not have more rallies because the players cannot have it. So that goes against the fans, against the show.
But I repeat: nothing against the rules. I accept the rules. Sometimes I am wrong. Sometimes I am too slow and I accept that. I respect the decision of the referee even if I am not happy for that, because was not the right moment to do it, in my opinion, before an advise. But she did. That's all.
I going to try to go quicker for the future. But is important to have people on the chair that really understand the game and people who manage this sport who understand the game, and that's it.
Because, if not, every time with Hawk Eye, the referee just start watching the watch, 25 seconds, then warning, so then we don't need any more referees. We only need lines. That's fine.
Because if not, the referees don't need to do all the rules. That is my feeling. We are making the referees worse than before with all the things that we are making for them easier.
Q. How is your hand doing?
RAFAEL NADAL: So so. (Showing hand with blister).
Q. Is that one of the worst blisters you've ever had?
RAFAEL NADAL: The problem is not the blister. The problem is the place. Is very difficult to cover that blister here. Is not painful, but I cannot play without that cover today.
Is a little bit hard because with that cover, is true, that you can imagine that is something that I didn't use never. I used one time in my career, or twice. Is different than the ones I am using every day, that I already feel the ball, feel the racquet with all that. That's something new. The feeling on the racquet is a little bit more difficult.
Q. Is that why you didn't manage to push as deep as you usually do?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I didn't push as deep as I am not usually do. I do when I am playing well. When I am not playing that well, I run and I fight for every point as I did today.
But, no, because some days you play better, some days you play not that good. I didn't play bad today, but I didn't play as good as I did two days ago.
But the victory of today has much more value than the victory of two days ago. Because when you are playing that good, the normal thing is win. When you are playing normal and the opponent is a good one, you are able to keep winning, that's have much more value.
Q. You didn't bring a second pair of shoes to the court?
RAFAEL NADAL: I never bring second pair of shoes on the court. I have in the locker room. I never break my shoes on the court. I didn't break my shoes, I break my lace, something that never happen in the past for me.
No, no reason to bring another shoes. I have another one in the locker, but Nike shoes are very good. Never break (smiling).
Q. You make dozens of routines before each serve. Why don't you do this during practice sessions?
RAFAEL NADAL: Because I am not that focused.http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2014-01-20/201401201390210542539.html
Q. Each set took more than one hour. How difficult was it to keep your concentration against Kei?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think the concentration for me was okay the whole match. I think I played very focused, fighting for every ball.
Kei played fantastic match, in my opinion. Just a few mistakes in some moments that was tough ones. But for the rest, he played very aggressive, he went for the shots. He came on court with determination to take the ball very early and go for the winners.
He really had the right feelings to do it. So just was a tough match, a very important win. Very happy.
Q. The game looked a lot closer than the scoreboard suggested. Is that how it felt out there?
RAFAEL NADAL: 3 hours 16, the score says that the match was very tough. Is true that it was in three sets. I felt like I won in three sets today because every set was very tough.
But playing for every set more than one hour is because the match was very close. He was playing great. Was a lot of tough points. I had to run a lot.
Q. Is that the sort of workout you wanted for the first day of the second week?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't prepare. I looking forward to play my best and try to win every day. I go on court trying to play my best every day, trying to play aggressive. Sometimes works better, sometimes works a little bit worst.
Today, were much different conditions than few days ago with playing night session. So was windy. The feeling was not the same. Was little bit worst, my feeling.
He was able to play more inside. I think I played a little bit too short. The other day I was able to hit longer and to take advantage with my shots. Today I didn't make it.
I think he was in a better position on the points than me more times. So that's something that cannot happen. But is true that is tough to change that when the opponent is decided to hit winners from everywhere.
Q. Last time you played Kei in French Open was way easier than this time. Was it the difference in surface?
RAFAEL NADAL: Always it's tough against him in every surface. He's a very complete player. He's very quick. He's able to do the most difficult thing in tennis, that's taking the ball early and changing the directions. He's able to do it easy, so...
Kei is a potential top 10 player. So that's the real thing. Is a great victory for me. Is true that is difficult to compare clay with hard. In clay, playing on clay is a little bit more difficult than play the way he did today.
For example, you play that inside. You are not hitting every ball perfect, you will be in trouble, because your position, you know, you're going to be inside and the opponent will have a chance to hit higher, longer. So will be tough.
Playing on clay is more difficult play that aggressive game because the ball have higher bounces and is more difficult to play that inside.
Q. If you could change the rule for the time between points, how would you change it?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't want to change no one rule. Just I accept that sometimes I was slow. I respect that.
But what I think, in my opinion, is not right, you know. In that game I think I played a very, very tough point with the 15 All or something like this. So I runned for every ball, crazy point, and then I was back.
It was on deuce. The negative thing in my opinion is not the warning. The negative thing is the moment, 4 All, deuce. You can choose another moment to do it, not that one.
Another thing is she didn't advise me before the second warning that I was still going slow. So normal thing, if the referee, you know, is interesting on help little bit the player, the normal thing is say, Rafa, you are going too slow. So I try to go quicker, before the second warning.
But she didn't make it. She is able to not doing. The rule says you can do it. But, in my opinion, that goes against the show. But that's fine. If she wants to do it that way, she did. She did, and that's why we are talking that here.
Q. Maybe after really long points or if it is very hot, do you think it would be appropriate to make a little more time?
RAFAEL NADAL: The word is not rules or not rules. The word is understand the game. That's all. We need referees who understand the game. The rules cannot go against the good show. That's all.
If you are playing with 40 degrees, you cannot expect to have 20 seconds recover, 25 seconds recover. If you are playing crazy rallies, you cannot have 25 seconds recover because then you will not have more rallies because the players cannot have it. So that goes against the fans, against the show.
But I repeat: nothing against the rules. I accept the rules. Sometimes I am wrong. Sometimes I am too slow and I accept that. I respect the decision of the referee even if I am not happy for that, because was not the right moment to do it, in my opinion, before an advise. But she did. That's all.
I going to try to go quicker for the future. But is important to have people on the chair that really understand the game and people who manage this sport who understand the game, and that's it.
Because, if not, every time with Hawk Eye, the referee just start watching the watch, 25 seconds, then warning, so then we don't need any more referees. We only need lines. That's fine.
Because if not, the referees don't need to do all the rules. That is my feeling. We are making the referees worse than before with all the things that we are making for them easier.
Q. How is your hand doing?
RAFAEL NADAL: So so. (Showing hand with blister).
Q. Is that one of the worst blisters you've ever had?
RAFAEL NADAL: The problem is not the blister. The problem is the place. Is very difficult to cover that blister here. Is not painful, but I cannot play without that cover today.
Is a little bit hard because with that cover, is true, that you can imagine that is something that I didn't use never. I used one time in my career, or twice. Is different than the ones I am using every day, that I already feel the ball, feel the racquet with all that. That's something new. The feeling on the racquet is a little bit more difficult.
Q. Is that why you didn't manage to push as deep as you usually do?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I didn't push as deep as I am not usually do. I do when I am playing well. When I am not playing that well, I run and I fight for every point as I did today.
But, no, because some days you play better, some days you play not that good. I didn't play bad today, but I didn't play as good as I did two days ago.
But the victory of today has much more value than the victory of two days ago. Because when you are playing that good, the normal thing is win. When you are playing normal and the opponent is a good one, you are able to keep winning, that's have much more value.
Q. You didn't bring a second pair of shoes to the court?
RAFAEL NADAL: I never bring second pair of shoes on the court. I have in the locker room. I never break my shoes on the court. I didn't break my shoes, I break my lace, something that never happen in the past for me.
No, no reason to bring another shoes. I have another one in the locker, but Nike shoes are very good. Never break (smiling).
Q. You make dozens of routines before each serve. Why don't you do this during practice sessions?
RAFAEL NADAL: Because I am not that focused.http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2014-01-20/201401201390210542539.html
1/18/2014
Rafa Nadal presser transcript after the Monfils win in round 3
Q. Do you think you are unstoppable in the form you performed tonight?RAFAEL NADAL: No. At the end no one is unstoppable. Tonight I think I played a great match. Very happy the way that I played against a very tough opponent like Gaël. So that makes the level that I played tonight better because was against tough opponent. Good player like Gaël always very difficult to play against.
That's it. Just one very good day. That makes me feel confident, but I am in fourth round. That's all.
Q. What are you most happy with in your game right now?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, today I think I have to say that I played well from everywhere, no? I think I played very well with my forehand. Very good control of the ball. Good winners. Movements were great tonight.
Backhand very good I think. Very good, close backhands. That give me the opportunity to open the court. Then with my forehand, when I able to hit that cross backhand.
And then again today for the first day in the tournament, the forehand down the line worked great. That's a shot that give me a lot when this shot is working. So that's the most important part of my game. It worked well.
If we can add to that, I didn't lose serve during the whole match. That's another good thing.
Q. Obviously the game today is really physical. Do you find it more difficult to get over the mental aspects or the physical yourself?
RAFAEL NADAL: The tougher thing is the injuries, in my opinion, no? Mental part is very important. I think what makes the mental part very hard is we play lot of months. Lot of players are ready to compete well for all months, no, for every month. That makes the competition very difficult.
That's let you play at your 100% from January to November if you want to have the chance to be in the top positions of the ranking.
But most important thing is the health. Then mental part is something that you can control. Is in your hands be well mentally, be fresh, be with motivation. But the injuries is something that you cannot control, so that's tougher thing.
Q. Could you talk about your next matchup.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, Kei is a great player. He's able to play very aggressive, make very easy the very difficult things. He's very quick on the movements. Will be a very tough opponent for me. I think he had a very good victory today. He's playing great. Will be a tough one.
I need to keep playing the way that I played tonight.
Q. You have played against Kei on all different surfaces. On which surface do you think Kei would be the toughest to play against?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think Kei is a really complete player that can play on every surface. But I think hard is the surface for him. I think when he's playing on hard he feels comfortable. Is it favorite surface, I feel.
But you can ask him (smiling).
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