3/31/2014

Rafa #Nadal FINAL Press Conference (Transcript)

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Did you ever feel like you were able to sink your teeth into the match, get into the match, or Novak just seemed to like keep you at a distance most of the day?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, just first few games I was there. I had the break point, and I played a few games and a few points with right way, with right intensity.
But for the rest, easy to analyze. The opponent was better than me. That's it.
No, some matches, are, you know, more difficult to say. This one was not that difficult in general. He was better than me in everything.
So just congratulate him. That's it. I gonna keep working hard to try to be at very high level for next time.

Q. Is your health good today? Were you fine, 100%, physically fine today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, I am fine. Thank you.

Q. He was able to open up your backhand side on quite a few points there. Did you feel it was overplayed too much to your forehand?
RAFAEL NADAL: I feel that I didn't move as well as I do normally. You know, I feel that he was having too much success with every shot, you know. I mean, he was able to find the right spot, the right position that was able to be in negative positions too early in the point.
Today I felt that he played great, but I feel that he doesn't need to hit a great shot to be an advantage on the point.
So playing against him is the worst thing that can happen for me, because in general, talking about the first two shots, he has a better return than my one, he has a better serve than my one in this surface, especially.
And the things that I can be same level than him or better than him is when the point, when the rally is going and when the point is becoming intense, and I was able to hit maybe with a little bit high intensity sometime as I did last year in the US Open or in Canada.
Was not that day, you know. On the rally points I feel I was in tough conditions, in negative conditions, and this is impossible to play against him when you have that feeling.

Q. What kind of mood do you leave here? Do you feel like you played well this week except for today? Is it encouraging or are you a little disappointed?
RAFAEL NADAL: Having a great start of the season for me, always the final of Australian Open change a little bit everything. But for the rest, knowing that after Australia I had my problem in the back for a while, and I played Rio with not my 100% conditions, and I arrived Indian Wells so‑so because I didn't serve for a long time before Indian Wells, so in general I arrived ‑‑I did a good start of the season, no? Winning two tournaments, playing Grand Slam final, Masters 1000 final.
Is great I am in the top of the race arriving to the clay court season. That's positive for me, but at the end now we start the clay court season, and I need to be my 100% to make a little bit the difference there, no, to try to be aggressive, to try to move myself very well on clay, and to try to find the best feeling possible as soon as possible.

Q. Is the back still a problem at all?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I am fine. Thank you very much.

Q. You have never won the Sony Open where you have a lot of fans. Do you feel you have a mental pressure to win these tournaments?
RAFAEL NADAL: No.

Q. A mental block to actually win it?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't think so, no, no. After a lot of years playing on the tour, you know, I say the other day is true that Miami is a great city, is true that I feel the love of the people. Especially the Latin crowd always was very important for me, and just thanks to them for everything.
But Miami is the same level as Indian Wells, same level as Cincinnati, Toronto, Monte‑Carlo, Rome, Madrid. The quality of the tournament is Masters 1000 that I won 26, so I cannot have a block on that, mental block on that (smiling).
Maybe you tell me another kind of thing maybe, but mental block on something you won 26 times is not the thing that I have to worry about Miami. Need to find another excuses. (Laughter).

Q. When you look at your overall record here, does the achievement of making the final four times overshadow any frustration about losing four finals?
RAFAEL NADAL: I did the final every three years since I start my career, 2005, 2008, 2011, and '14. Is good news that I am having a very long career (smiling).
But is maybe, if I am able to play the finals before, then in three years I will have more chances because seems like every three years not the right spot to win the tournament if I am in the final, no.
No, no frustration. That's tennis. That's the sport. Sometimes, you know, just accept the challenge that means play in the best tournaments of the world, play against the best players of the world. Today Novak played at very high level in my opinion and was better than me.
I tried everything. I tried my best. Was not enough. The opponent was just better than me, and when the opponent is better, he's better. That's the sport.
I need to work hard, to try to be in better shape for clay. By the way, is a positive week for me after everything. As I said the other day, losing early in Indian Wells and be able to play the final here, I had a lot of points for me, a few good matches, confidence again to start the very important part of the season for me.
So I come back to Majorka after this tournament with the feeling that I was here before the tournament and I am here after the tournament (indicating higher level with hands). So that's a positive thing.

Q. You like challenges, you said many times. Are you glad Novak exists?
RAFAEL NADAL: No (laughter). I like challenges, but I am not stupid. (Smiling and shrugging).

Q. Are you eager to get home?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am...

Q. Eager?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I have been for a long time away. I have been in Australia for, well, between Abu Dhabi, Doha, and, yeah, Australia for one month and something, and now almost two months away.
Not yet. I am not yet able to come back to Majorca, remain a few more days, and I gonna be back on Thursday. I have to work a few things in Spain before.

Q. What do you most miss from home?
RAFAEL NADAL: Family, especially all the friends, cousins, more cousins that I have. You know, I am not able to see them very, very often, and I have a lot now, and they are very funny at that age that they are between seven, eight, 14 years old, 13 years old. Well, I have few ones, two more at 16. But between that age they are very funny.
And all the time that you miss in that moments with them, you know, they are growing. So I miss them a lot, and for sure, dad, mom, sister.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

Nadal's words during the Miami 2014 trophy ceremony

Nadal Reflects On 2014 Miami Loss To Djokovic

3/29/2014

28/03/2014 Rafael Nadal press conference at Sony Open( transcript)

Rafael Nadal

MIAMI, FLORIDA

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I would think you have never heard of anything like this before, both semifinals having been canceled?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes. It's very unlucky, very unusual for something that can happen. Sorry for Kei, sorry for Tomas, and sorry for the tournament, especially sorry for the fans.

Q. When did you find out about his withdrawal? It seemed like you were working really hard in practice, maybe a little bit more than normal. Did you find out before?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. I practiced for almost one hour, 50‑something, 55. Is nothing strange on my warmups. Sometimes I practice a lot.
No, I didn't know nothing. I know that just after, when I was back in the locker room, you know, one hour before the match.

Q. Have you ever seen thisbefore in your career, two semifinals canceled? Do you remember it happening?
RAFAEL NADAL: I cannot remember that, yeah.

Q. And can you also tell me, your matchup with Djokovic a few years ago, I think he beat you seven times in a row, all finals. You really turned it around, like five out of six. Can you tell what do you think the difference was? Was it a matter of health or you changed something?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, not health. I was healthy in 2011. I lost all the finals because Novak was in better shape than me, was better player than me during this period of time.
Is true that I had chances in here, Miami. I lost 7‑6 in the third. I had 6‑5, 15‑30, and at Indian Wells I was set up. Then I lost in two sets in Madrid and Rome, and then Wimbledon four and US Open four. And then I lost the seventh in Australia. Very long match.
It's nothing that ‑‑I don't want to forget these things. It's something that that was a tough year, but at the same time, a good year because I played a lot of finals. I was able to win Roland Garros too that year.
And that seven straight loss probably motivates me to find solutions, to play more aggressive, to try to be better player again.
So that's all. Is nothing very strange to lose against Novak a lot of times because he's an unbelievable player (smiling).

Q. Speaking about Novak, can you look ahead to playing him in the final? What are your thoughts?
RAFAEL NADAL: My thoughts are always the same. Only chance to win against Novak is play to the limit, play my best, and wait that he not gonna have his best day.
I will see. I know I have to be solid with my serve. I need to play aggressive, no doubt about that.
That's it. We are playing in a court that today probably is his favorite court. That's hard. He arrives to the final with goods confidence after winning in Indian Wells.
So that's fine. For me is very important result to be in the final of Miami, too, after Indian Wells be able to win the final and compete for the title in the tournament that I have a lot of friends, a lot of Latin crowd that support me a lot every day, and that's very important for me.
To be in the final already are 600 points that for me, at this part of the season, are very important.

Q. What are you happiest with in your game going into this final?
RAFAEL NADAL: I played well the first three matches, and I think I finished yesterday the match playing much better again.
You know, the match after tomorrow is a little bit. You know, you have to be at your 100%. The adrenaline have to be very, very high to play a little bit over your regular level.
You're waiting also the inspiration of that matches that helps you to bring your level a little bit higher.
But in general, I think I played more solid than what I did in Indian Wells and Rio, and I played with better movements, too. I lost my serve only one time during the whole tournament, and that's very important for me on this surface; in any surface, but in this surface, too. And in Rio and Indian Wells I lost the serve every, every day.

Q. Sometimes players, when they get out of the rhythm of the tournament, when they miss a match and have to wait a couple of days and go back in, it throws them off. Do you see this, as missing a match today, is that going to happen to you?
RAFAEL NADAL: I cannot predict the future, no. But if you play the match of today you never know if you will be playing on Sunday.

Q. So you don't think it's going to disturb you in any way?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think if I don't play well on Sunday, not going to be because I didn't play today.

Q. You practiced with a local kid, Stefan Kozlov, today. He's the No. 2 junior in the world. Can you tell us how it happened and what you think of this kid out there, this young man?
RAFAEL NADAL: He's great. I saw him play in Australia on the TV. He has very quick hands, powerful shots, flat shots.
He's very young. He's 16 already. He already played the final of Australian Open.
Is important, in my opinion, kids like him, that he's very good, start changing a little bit the mind, and my feeling is is important that that juniors players starts to compete with the professional players. Not here, because you don't have the ranking. But he has in the Futures.
My feeling is when I was at that age, 15, 14, I already played in the Futures, and that helps me to be better earlier. So if you keep playing juniors, you know, at the end, you keep competing against guys that you normally will be able to win playing one way, but when you are playing Futures, probably you are playing against sometimes worse players, but at the same time, these worse players are able to put one more ball in, so they push you to do different things.
That's one of the, I mean, in my opinion, one of the reasons why the players are starting the professional careers later today.

Q. How hungry are you to get your first win in Miami? How much do you want this first win here in Miami?
RAFAEL NADAL: I want to win every week (smiling). But I'm not gonna win every week. That's the real thing.
No, when I go on court, when I start in the tournament, I always have the motivation, the passion, and the love for tournament that I'm playing. If it's 250, doesn't matter if it's 500, 1000 or Grand Slam.
So for me, going on court and trying my best, don't make any difference if it's one tournament or another one.
For sure, Miami is a very important tournament that I never had the chance to win in the past. Is my fourth final, by the way. It's positive results. To be able to play four finals in one tournament is because you did well, and I gonna try to be ready for Sunday.
But you never know. You know, always the opponent is not the best opponent to play in a final of Miami (smiling).

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

Nishikori and Berdych Withdraw from 2014 Sony Open Tennis SFs

Rafa with Cahill n Fowler

3/28/2014

Rafael Nadal QF Press Conference (Transcript)

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It must feel good getting through that kind of guy who gives you trouble with big serves.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes. Thank you very much. It's a very important victory for me. Very hard to play against these kind of players, and especially when the match didn't start the way that you would like, because if I convert one of the opportunities that I had in that first set on the return, the match change completely, no? Because you are able to have the break, you play with more calm, play more aggressive.
But when you start losing opportunities, you feel that you gonna be in trouble, because one game he gonna play aggressive and you will be in his hands, and the next thing is that game arrived, and I had two double faults, important mistakes in that 5‑4.
Then I was lucky at the beginning of the second set I started with a break and was very important for me. I felt that I finished the match playing better.
I think I started the match playing okay, playing well but not playing well the break points, and then at the 2‑3 for him I think I started to play much better.

Q. Milos said you had a strategic and mental disposition better than he did. Did you feel that way?
RAFAEL NADAL: Very difficult to analyze that when the match decides on a few balls.
So today I won. He could won, too. So that's my feeling, you know. Then when you are playing these kind of matches against a player like Milos, that he's able to serve this way, anything can happen when you are in the third set.
So happened that the match was for me and very happy for that. For me to be in semifinals after early losing Indian Wells is very important for the confidence, very important because there is good points for me, too.
You know, from Indian Wells, Miami, until end of Roland Garros is very important part of the season for me.
This result is important, because the difference between quarterfinals and semifinals is a lot, and tomorrow I have another day to try to keep playing better.

Q. Milos, his serve, how tough is his serve to return? Is it the toughest on tour?
RAFAEL NADAL: I cannot say the toughest, because he's one of the toughest, sure. Isner is there, Karlovic is there.
When you're playing these kind of matches, you play under pressure. The good thing that Milos did today is he played better from the baseline than what he did, for example, two days ago. I saw his match on TV, and he was having much more mistakes than what he did today.
When you feel that the opponent has the serve that he has and he's able to play well from the baseline, playing some good rallies and going for the point with his forehand, so then you are in big trouble.

Q. Do you enjoy that challenge playing against players with a big serve like that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Not much (smiling).

Q. I was wondering, do you think getting a little more time in Miami to prepare for the conditions here has helped you this week?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn't have a lot of time in Miami. I had less than almost everybody, because I stayed in Indian Wells until Sunday, I went to Portland on Monday. I arrived here on Tuesday. So not more than nobody.
That didn't help me. Would be much better if I played well at Indian Wells, had good result, and I arrive here with better confidence.
But that's past. Good thing is I am in semifinals now. I played four good matches, four good wins against not one easy opponent, and few matches playing very well.
Tomorrow I have very tough match against Berdych. He started the season very well, having very good results, and will be very tough opponent to beat.

Q. You have beaten Tomas I think 16 times in a row. Why does your game work so well against him? What do you like against his game that fits into yours?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I feel that I played very good against him a lot of times the last couple of years. I never lost against Wawrinka before that final in Australia and I lost that final. So that's just statistics.
Tomorrow is a match against one of the players that he is in better shape on tour today and one of the best players of the world. Only way to win is play my best tennis, and that's why I was able to beat him in the past, because I was playing very well against him.

Q. When a guy is playing the way he was early on and you missed a few chances, do you find yourself struggling with yourself to be patient, telling yourself, Well, the guy's gonna have to give me an opening sooner or later? Is that a difficult thing to manage mentally?
RAFAEL NADAL: Can you repeat?

Q. Do you find yourself struggling with yourself to be patient and calm down, telling yourself that you probably will get chances? Do you have this discussion with yourself as it's going on?
RAFAEL NADAL: In these kind of matches?

Q. Yeah.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, normally I manage well. I am a very focused player normally, and I'm able to be focused and to play every point with the right concentration, knowing that every point has value.
At the end, the important thing is be solid with my serve in these kind of matches. Normally I will have some chances on the return, as I had today in the first set, but I didn't convert it.
So important thing is be solid with my serve, and if I am, I just need to be patient and wait for my chance. I know that and play with the right decision, right opportunity.
Good thing of today, I lost once my serve and then not one more. And is true that my serve didn't work very well tonight. At the end of the first set I start to serve much better, but is true that the conditions from the practice I played this afternoon I practiced great, probably one of the best days, than the conditions that I found out tonight on court was completely different, was much colder, a lot of wind. During the day it was not windy, so it was a lot of wind tonight.
The feeling on the ball was much slower. So I felt that the ball stays on my strings much more time that what used to do this afternoon on my practice.
So is sometimes interesting how match can change the feeling with a few hours. Here especially.

Q. Just wondering how you decided to take your shirt off on court after every match, because no other players do that.
RAFAEL NADAL: What? Sorry?

Q. To take your shirt off after every match on the court, because no other players do that.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't want to get cold (smiling). That's the reason.
No, maybe the other players are not sweating as much as I do, so I cannot stay during all the interviews, everything, having sign autograph for the fans for ten minutes or that with the same T shirt. I going to get cold. I try to dry myself and put a jacket on. Yeah.

Q. We have watched so many of your matches over the years. Kind of an obvious question: Why do you stand back so far? Is it vision, technique on your shots?
RAFAEL NADAL: Today?

Q. Just in general.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, not always. Depends on the feeling, depends on the opponent. Depends on my feeling of that day.
You know, I feel like here the ball is able to bounce. But is true that during evening conditions, night conditions today, with that cold, the ball bounces much less and was more difficult with that wind to play the ball longer and higher.
I thought that playing from long space behind the baseline I would have the chance to put more balls inside. I know in theory when the ball, you know, if I am able to return the serve and put the ball inside, then the advantage is for me most of the times.

Q. Are you ever concerned when you do that that you're going to give away that tight angle too much?
RAFAEL NADAL: Is a risk, but in the end normally I have a good powerful backhand from the back. I am able to hit a good backhand from there.
But is true that it's not the ideal thing for me, no? I would love to play a little bit more inside, and if you see the few previous matches against players that didn't serve that well, I was not that far. I was closer to the baseline.
If I am able to return closer to the baseline, is much better, because at the end, you are in advantage because you're returning from that far is true that if you are not hitting very return, the opponent has a lot of time to watch the ball, come, and try to go for the winner.
But today was a special opponent with an unbelievable serve and with the game from the baseline that normally I have to be better than him, so I tried to use that strategy.
Maybe wrong for a while sometimes. Because on the break points I feel I was not able to ‑‑I played some break points with second serve that I was not able to push him back. That's was my goal, and most of the time, even with the second serve, he was able to hit the first forehand with a good position, and that cannot happen.
But is true it was windy and cold and was not easy to find the control. And to play against these players when the conditions are like this is very tough, because you need to play with more precision, because then the good thing, when you play against these players, is if you are able to move them, they are so big, the movements are not the best thing, and I am very good on that.
So that's my advantage. Today was difficult to find that feeling with that wind.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

Nadal Looks Back On Quarter-final Against Raonic in Miami

Miami 2014 Preview: Djokovic vs. Nishikori and Nadal vs. Berdych

2014 Miami QF Rafael Nadal def. Milos Raonic 4/6 6/2 6/4 LAST GAME

3/26/2014

Rafa #Nadal presser transcript in English after the win vs Fognini

March 25, 2014

Rafael Nadal

MIAMI, FLORIDA

R. NADAL/F. Fognini
6‑2, 6‑2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You'll need to get your ears fixed from all the noise on the court.
RAFAEL NADAL: First three matches I was able to find the right rhythm on court, playing aggressive, playing with no mistakes, so today was a little bit strange match.
I am sorry for Fabio. I think he felt a little bit, I don't know how to say, but he felt a little bit close to the hip, something from yesterday. So was not easy for him to play that match.
But anyway, I think I managed well the situation. The wind, it was hard tonight, and I was manage to do well. So I think I played the right match.

Q. With Fabio, the way he plays and he gets so animated, the arms and the racquets and all that, do you have to concentrate a little bit harder when you play somebody like him?
RAFAEL NADAL: As every day, you know, I have to try to find my rhythm, try to think about myself, what I have to do well, so I just try to be focused on what I really need to do to play well, no?
Then the opponent is free to do whatever. Tonight was not an easy match for him, for the conditions that I told you before.
So it was a little bit strange, but in general, I think I was very focused and solid with my serve. That's very important thing for me, my game, when I am playing on hard.

Q. Do you look ahead to playing Raonic in the next round?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, he's a very dangerous opponent, an opponent that you don't want to meet. His serve is huge, one of the best without any doubt, and he's able to play very aggressive on the return because he doesn't feel a lot of pressure on his return because he knows that he's very safe with his serve, no?
So I need to be very solid with my serve, very focused, try to move him around. That's the thing that I have to do, because he is able to play and in easy positions. His forehand is big, and it's true if I am able to move him then I can be a little bit an advantage.
Problem is sometimes it's very hard to move the opponent when the opponent wants to hit every ball hard, and especially when he starts the point with that serve.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

ATP World Tour Uncovered Miami Scene Set

3/25/2014

Rafael Nadal Press Conference R3 (Transcript)
SONY OPEN TENNIS

Rafael Nadal

MIAMI, FLORIDA

R. NADAL/D. Istomin
6‑1, 6‑0

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It was a very good match for you, obviously, finishing in just under an hour. How sharp did you feel out there?
RAFAEL NADAL: Good. I think I played a very complete match in general.

Q. Just talk about how well you played today.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, I think, as I said before, I played a very complete match. Talking about the things that you can do well in the tennis court, today I think I did the most ‑‑not every one because not match is perfect, but I did a lot of things very well. No mistakes, serving with good percentage, and playing a lot of winners.
My movements were better than what I did last event events. That's a very important thing for me. I am happy to be in that fourth round, winning not against an easy opponent like Istomin, a tough one, that way. It's impossible win with that result if I don't play well.

Q. I wanted to ask you about Bautista and Fognini, either one. Can you talk about your lineup with either one?
RAFAEL NADAL: Fognini.

Q. If you could talk about your next opponent.
RAFAEL NADAL: He's an opponent, very uncomfortable opponent. He's an opponent that is playing great. He has an amazing talent. Great forehand, great backhand, especially the forehand, but he's able to hit winners from every part of the court.
So he's an opponent sometimes that can be unpredictable, and is difficult to play against these kind of players ‑ especially when they are playing well and Fognini is playing well.
I need to try to let him play with‑‑ if he wants to play, try to find the winners, and I need to try to let him play from not easy positions. If he's playing with comfortable positions will be very difficult for me.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

3/24/2014

Rafael Nadal Press Conference R2 (Transcript)

SONY OPEN TENNIS

March 22, 2014

Rafael Nadal

MIAMI, FLORIDA

R. NADAL/L. Hewitt
6‑1, 6‑3

Q. You took very good care of your serve. You've had trouble with it in the past, but seemed like tonight I think you only got deuce once and your ball had a lot of action on it it seemed.
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I played a solid match with not many mistakes. It's true that I am having the feeling of the back better for two weeks already, so I start to feel a little bit more comfortable with the serve because I am able to practice a little bit the serve and to do the normal movement again.
So that's important thing for me. And from the baseline, I think in Indian Wells I didn't play the right way. I think I played with too many mistakes. Some good points; some bad points. I tried to play with all the time the logical shot.
So playing against his backhand, and when I had the chance change to the down the line with the forehand, no? I think the good thing is I didn't have a lot of mistakes.
I think Lleyton played much better in the second set. He played more aggressive. I was solid with my serve. Some good rallies.
Very happy the way that I played at the end of the first set. Start to feeling the ball very well with the forehand, changing directions.
In general, I have to be very happy the way that I start, I think.

Q. You said yesterday you were expecting long rallies. Were you determined not to go into long rallies tonight?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, when I had to play the long rallies, I did. I tried to play, as I said before, the logical way. Lleyton is a player that can be very solid.
It's true that he's a player that sometimes plays better when he plays against players who play against him flat and long and he can play with the power of the opponent.
So I tried to play a little bit long, a little bit high, open the court against his backhand, and then change against his forehand. I think worked.
Happy, as I said before. I think I did what I had to do today.

Q. The sport can be very cruel. He's a former champion. At some point in the first set did you feel a little bit of pity for him because how completely you were crushing him?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I cannot feel that way. I think I am here to try my best. I know how dangerous is Lleyton. I respect him so much and admire him so much.
At the end, he's a great example for me. He's still playing, has hard injuries during his career, and he keep playing with passion and love for the game. That's a great example for me, and I think for the kids, too.
So all the respect for him.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

3/22/2014

Rafael Nadal Pre-tournament presser transcript
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Describe the feeling of what it's like to compete against Lleyton Hewitt, and does he remind you of yourself more than anybody else in terms of a competitive spirit?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don't know about that. I think he's a great inspiration for a lot of players after winning a lot of things as he did, and having a lot of physical problems he's able to keep competing with unbelievable spirit, great motivation. He's able to come back after important injuries.
So that's a great example for the rest of the players. I am happy to see him playing well again. Hopefully not tomorrow (smiling).
But, yeah, he already won a tournament this year, so it will be a tough match for me. I need to play well. I'm going to try.

Q. You're obviously motivated for every tournament, but this one you haven't won. It's one of the few places. Does that give you extra motivation? You'd like to notch one more tournament you haven't won before?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, sure, I would love to win here any year, but it will be not fair if I sayyes. I would be lying to you. When I am playing a tournament, I always try my best in every one.
So when I go on court, I try my best in every tournament, in every match. I gonna do it the same here, no?
Hopefully I will have a good few days. I hope to be competitive tomorrow. Never is easy the first round, especially when you play an opponent like Lleyton, and especially when he already played a match, so it will be tough battle.
I need to be very competitive. I need to be ready. I hope I will be, you know, but we will see.

Q. Is it a little different playing in Miami than other parts of the you States because people are in the stands with Spanish flags, people are speaking Spanish, and you have a lot of fans here?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, you know, is it different because there are a lot of Latinos here, so that makes the tournament a little more special for us.
But I really feel the love of the people in a lot of places here in Miami, almost in every one that I played.
So I cannot say nothing bad with Cincinnati, with Indian Wells‑‑ especially Indian Wells. I love it. And for sure in the US Open.
So I feel, you know, really loved from the people of America. So nothing to say against that, no? I really enjoy a lot playing here in America, but is true with all the Latin communities, it's really special.

Q. You obviously looked very disappointed after the Dolgopolov match in Indian Wells. Did that take you a couple of days to get over that? How did you react after you left the court?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am a good loser (smiling). I accept when you go on court you can lose and you can win.
I like to win, but I don't want to win forever. I have to know that and everybody have to know that.
So you have to be ready for the good moments, for the bad moments, and in the end I have to say that I feel very lucky that I had much better good moments than bad moments during my career.
One week and something ago I lost against a good player 7‑6 in the third. I didn't play well. He played better than me. He deserved the victory. I fighted until the end. Was not the day.
I just tried to keep practicing hard to be ready for here. I hope to be ready for tomorrow. And if the things aren't going well tomorrow here, I going to go back to Europe and practice for the clay court season. That's important for me, too.
So the tennis has a very negative thing, that is when you win you don't have time for celebrate. Few days you are again under pressure and you need to be ready again.
The positive thing is when you lose, in a short period of time you have the time to play again, too.
So the two things for one side is good, for another side is not good. I will have opportunities to play better, and I hope I will be. Because at the end I started well the season playing four tournaments, three finals, two victories. Is a great start.
No, I cannot say. I don't consider myself that good to not consider a start like this a very good start.
So I'm happy about what I did, and remain to play a little bit better again after the injury of Australia. Even if I won in Rio, I felt that I can do it better. I need a little bit of time to practice and find the confidence with my serve, with my movements.
I hope to do it soon.

Q. Another question about Lleyton. Does it help in a way to have an opening match where it's against a high‑profile player who is very fired up and excited after his win yesterday? Does it give you more motivation than when you're playing in an opening match that it's going to be so competitive and exciting against a fan favorite and so on?
RAFAEL NADAL: I prefer an easier opponent (smiling). But that's what there is. I cannot choose the draw.
Gonna be tough one. But at the same time, he's a player that you can play‑‑ we are gonna play rallies from the baseline. Gonna be a hard one.
But the good thing of playing these kind of matches is that if you are able to win, you will be in rhythm for the tournament.
Against the players that I played last week, Stepanek or Dolgopolov, even if you win, you feel that you are not playing the point the way you want to play.
So different history. The good thing is if I am able to play a good match tomorrow and win, probably I will be confident and on rhythm.
If I lose, I gonna be on rhythm flying home. (Laughter.)

Q. You played Lleyton a lot in the past. Is he somebody you like and enjoy to play? And if so, what is it you like about facing him?
RAFAEL NADAL: I admire him when I was a kid and I saw him on the TV. I like his character. He always fighting for every ball. He always give everything on court. He's a good example of how to fight in the tennis court.
For sure when I was younger I remember very good battles against him. In Australia I lost twice, but won in three very close sets and another one in five sets.
It was great memories, and especially playing at his home. So I always have good memories of the matches against him, and will be tomorrow another one.

Q. What can you say about the tournament in Rio?
RAFAEL NADAL: In Rio? Good. I really enjoyed it. Was very humid (smiling).
It was a great experience for me. Three times that I was in Brazil I was able to win the three.
So it was a great feeling always when I had the chance to play there in Brazil. The tournament is great, and is great to have big tournaments in Latino America.
Is important part of the world for the world of tennis, and I am happy to see more and more tournaments at that place.
Because in the end, is important to play and to have tournaments other places that the people really feel the sport, feel our sport and like our sport.
I feel that when I was playing in Latin America, every time the court was 100% full and very great crowd.
I hope to see a Masters 1000 in the future there around Latin America.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

3/11/2014

Rafael Nadal Press Conference R3 (Transcript)

A. DOLGOPOLOV/R. Nadal
6‑3, 3‑6, 7‑6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Explain your feelings in the match. What happened?
RAFAEL NADAL: I played bad. That's all. Disappointed with the way I played. But that happens sometimes. Can happen, and it happens.
I did all what I had to do to be in good shape. I worked very hard for the last week, week and week and a half. After Rio I had a few days off, three days off, to recover the back. Then I think I worked great. I think worked great and with good feeling.
But since I started the competition here I didn't find the right feelings. It's true that I played against two opponents that probably didn't help me to get the rhythm in the tournament. But that's it. I was there. I saved tough situation the first day. Today I was close to save another one.
But at the end, when you are on the limit, this thing happen. You can lose. I lost today. Congratulate him. He played I think better than me. That's it. Life continues.
Gonna keep working hard to try to be ready for Miami.

Q. You mentioned the other day after your match with the back that you were afraid to hit your serve normally. I'm wondering if you felt the same today or...
RAFAEL NADAL: I served much better today than the other day.

Q. More normal?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am better with my back, so it is not a question with the back.

Q. Recovering from that pain, though, is it tougher playing Stepanek, Dolgopolov?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Forget about the back. I don't want to talk anymore about the back because I am fine with the back. I didn't have bad feelings with my back. The bad feelings was with the forehand and with the backhand (smiling).
That's the really thing. It's not the day to‑‑ well, never is a day to find excuses when the things‑‑ when you have something that limit you, you can say. When nothing limit you and you play bad, you have to say.
I played bad. This is a tournament that I really love so much. I wanted to play very well here. I had good success in this tournament in the past, a tournament I always have great feelings. I had great feelings practicing.
I never find a good feelings when I was on court competing this year. Upset for that, because as I said before, I love a lot this event. That's fine. It's impossible to be every single week on the last round of the tournament. I did for the first three tournaments of the year that I played. Today was an accident. I lost.
Gonna keep working hard to try to be ready to play better in Miami.

Q. The great thing about tennis, or one of it, is that it's a cycle. In less than a month or so the tennis will turn to the clay season. You do so well on the clay. You feel so comfortable. Could you talk about what your feelings are when the clay season comes around, what you feel inside, and do you think you should be favored as the favorite for the French Open?
RAFAEL NADAL: I won on clay when I was playing well on clay. If I am not playing good tennis, doesn't matter if it's clay, hard, grass, or I don't know, new surface. (Smiling).
I had a lot of success on clay during the last probably nine, ten years. It's obvious that is a surface that probably help me to find the right feelings.
But clay doesn't mean success. Is a surface that I know how I have to play. In the end, it's a tennis court. If you are not playing at the top level, I don't going to have success on clay.
Happens the same this year than years in the past. And talking about French Open, remain a lot about the French Open. My goal is try to be one of the candidates.
To be one of the candidates, I need to play well in Monte‑Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome to arrive with the right feelings. That's what I gonna try.

Q. You played him recently. He's never beaten you. Did you find that he was doing anything different tonight tactically against you?
RAFAEL NADAL: You know, is difficult to say, but break for me, another break for me in the first; another time that I lost my serve, two times at the beginning of the match.
When I have two breaks in one set, normally I don't lose the set. He played great. He's playing well, much better today. Had good tournaments in Rio, in Acapulco, so great what the things that he is doing.
But today. At the end I have to analyze my part and opponent. I cannot talk about the opponent because what the opponent does is not in my hands. I can talk about what is in my hands, and what is in my hands I didn't play enough solid today.
I had enough breaks to win the match, but I didn't play enough well from the baseline then to be solid with my serve. Is not a problem with my serve. Was more problem with my baseline shots. I didn't go for the points. I played with too many mistakes.
So when that happens, you know, when you are playing a player like Dolgopolov, the way to stop him and the way that I really bother him is when I am solid all the time, playing long, playing high. When I play a high ball and the ball comes short, I go for the point and try to hit a winner and I open the court all the time.
So he's in trouble, no, if I play defensive, if I play short, if I hit good ball. But when the ball comes back short I am not able to have the winner or to play a shot that gonna give me that advantage.
So then the match ‑‑then I become a really normal player. I am not anymore a great player. I am a great player when I am doing these kind of things. These kind of things I am not doing the last two days.
So when I am not doing these kind of things, I am not that good player. I become a normal player. That's it.

Q. I know you have talked a lot about the importance of every tournament that you're in, one at a time, but Miami is the one next one of the Masters you haven't won yet. I wonder if there is going to be a special sort of urgency.
RAFAEL NADAL: Urgency? No. At the end I love every tournament I gonna play. I play with the same intensity when I am playing 250, when I am playing 500, when I am playing a 1000, or a Grand Slam.
I don't know how to play tennis different way, 50%. I play with all 100%, all my 100% every week. Today my 100% was here; sometimes it's here. But I played with my 100% today was not enough. I gonna play with my 100% in Miami. Let's see if my 100% in Miami still here or is here.

Q. You said you had good feelings in practice coming into the matches. So is it unusual that you are feeling very good in practice and then when you get to the match you don't find the same level?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, is unusual.

Q. It's unusual.
RAFAEL NADAL: When I am practicing well, normally I play well because I am a good competitor. That's what happened most of the times in my career. Maybe I'm not a good competitor anymore (smiling). I am joking. Is not drama. Is lose. I accept that. Try to rest few days and be fresh mentally, and I hope to be ready for Miami.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

Rafael Nadal interviewed post match Dolgopolov Indian Wells 2014

3/09/2014

Rafael Nadal Press Conference R2 (Transcript)

R. NADAL/R. Stepanek

2‑6, 6‑4, 7‑5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You went to that beautiful statue in Rio, Christ the Redeemer, a little bit of a miracle tonight maybe?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sorry?

Q. You went to that statue in Rio, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio a few weeks ago. A little bit of a miracle on court tonight for you?
RAFAEL NADAL: The same like semifinals? I didn't understand very well. (Through translation.)
No, not that much. Was in tricky situation in the Love‑40, but I had the break the beginning of the third, too, so I had my advantage there at the beginning of the third that I lost in the next game.
And it's true that with Love‑40 was, yeah, very close to lose, to be out, but I think I did two good serves and then I played a great point.
Tough one. Anything can happen, but in the end I played well. After that, I think I played better.
Yeah, happy to be through, because the start of the match, even if I felt at the beginning I didn't play that bad, was very quick 4‑1, and I felt I was not playing that bad, no?
But, yeah, he is not the right player to play against in the first round, no? He's not the right player, because what you want to find in the first round is rhythm, and against him, you know, every point is different. He goes quick to the net. They don't give you that few games to find your rhythm, to find a way that you want to play.

Q. Was there something different about him tonight that made him especially difficult to play?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, at the end I give him a little bit of advantage because with my serve I was not doing nothing. So when that happens, the opponent is able to play more aggressive, play more confident, and in the end eight double faults I give him opportunity to win a lot of free points.
You know, a little bit scared for the back. I am not feeling yet 100% confident with my serve. Even if my back is better than Rio‑‑ in Rio I was feeling the back not very well.
I am feeling the back better, but probably that match gonna help me to understand that I really can start to serve normal again, because I was serving with limitations, with, you know, no confidence, because I was scared to feel again the back, no?
I think I can try to serve again at 100%, because I am feeling better. That match show me that I can try.

Q. Did the back feel better as the match went on, or did you just feel more comfortable with the back as the match went on and with your serve?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, after Rio, I did treatment there in Rio just after the final and I didn't serve for 10 days. So I was starting to serve few days ago just ‑‑that's normal. That can happen, no?
I was serving not bad on the practices, but changing a little bit the movement to protect a little bit the back.
When you are doing something that you are not getting used to do it on the pressure moments, is normal that that will not work.

Q. In Rio, the back looked like a problem against Andujar in semifinal, but in the final against Dolgopolov didn't seem so bad.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, you can see the percentage of speed of the serve was not that good. Is true that I tried to serve a little bit with more speed in the final because Dolgopolov is a player that on clay he goes very good for the shots, for the winners. And there, Rio, the ball, the court was so quick, so it was not easy to control.
So I tried to serve a little bit better. But even like this I was feeling the back much worse than here. I'm happy for that. That's most important thing.

Q. You have Dolgopolov again.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, is always a very tough player to play. You know, he's a player brings me to the limit, because ‑‑ not the same like Stepanek, but in a way, some ways, a little bit similar because both players are playing not two points the same way.
They are playing very aggressive. They can play four winners and then a few mistakes, so that's very difficult to play against these kind of players. Will be a tough match for me. I need to be ready better than today. I'm going to try.

Q. Can you describe a little bit more about your back? Does it still feel a little tender? Is it 90% healed?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't know about the percent of these kind of things, no?
But I am feeling better. I have better feeling than what I had in Rio, and that's the most important thing. I have day off tomorrow. I can practice a little bit the serve. I can try to serve again the normal way. I was serving very well before what happened in the back.
Just try to find the game, the rhythm with my serve, because to play from the baseline is not bothering me nothing.

Q. Can you still play golf?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, but seriously I am not feeling the back bad now, and the only movement that I feel the back was on the serve. So only in that movement (Demonstrating his serve motion.) I don't have no one problem doing any other movement.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports