12/20/2015
12/10/2015
12/07/2015
12/06/2015
11/20/2015
Rafa #Nadal press conference after his victory over Andy Murray (Transcript)
Q. That's the highest-ranked player you've beaten since the French Open last year. How proud are you of the win?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, is an important victory obviously because that put me in a good position to try to be in the semifinals, and at the same time I have a big day against a great player in a tough surface.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, is an important victory obviously because that put me in a good position to try to be in the semifinals, and at the same time I have a big day against a great player in a tough surface.
I just happy the way that I play today, happy the way I working, as I say the other day. Just another step for me be able to play at that level against such a great player is good news. Happy for that. Just want to try to keep working the same way to keep confirming that I am in the completely right direction.
Q. You've talked in recent weeks about the rest of this year being about getting yourself in perfect shape for next year. What does a victory like this mean for you going into next year?
RAFAEL NADAL: The victories are important because at the end of the day that's confidence on the things that you are doing off court, no, outside of the competition. I know I am in the right way, as I said, since Montréal. I am playing much better, practicing very well, practicing a lot. Then you need results to confirm that.
RAFAEL NADAL: The victories are important because at the end of the day that's confidence on the things that you are doing off court, no, outside of the competition. I know I am in the right way, as I said, since Montréal. I am playing much better, practicing very well, practicing a lot. Then you need results to confirm that.
But I am quite confident when I feel that I am finding that direction, that way, on my practices, that sooner or later the positive results can arrive. So I believe that the last four tournaments, the positive results, the good feelings on court in terms of enjoying myself, in terms of image, is much better. That's important for me because I know I worked to find the level that I am today.
But is just the beginning. I need to keep working so hard to try to keep going the same way. Not everything going to be like this. As I said the other day, when you come back from a period like I had, is like this, is like this. But the line is very positive, no? So happy for that. And obviously is an important victory for me and important day.
Q. Are you surprised that it's indoors that you get your confidence back when it was not always your cup of tea?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, indoor is a little bit more difficult, but not impossible. When I am playing well, I think I have been competitive in all the surfaces. But is true that always have been little bit tougher to play well on indoors than outdoors. At the same time I played lot of tournaments very bad in outdoors this year.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, indoor is a little bit more difficult, but not impossible. When I am playing well, I think I have been competitive in all the surfaces. But is true that always have been little bit tougher to play well on indoors than outdoors. At the same time I played lot of tournaments very bad in outdoors this year.
So is good to finish the year with this positive energy. I hope remain at least hopefully two more matches here. I hope to finish the year with that positive feeling, that positive energy, keep competing well in terms of mentality, in terms of tennis, and then let's see.
Q. When you feel that you are regaining your confidence, how does that translate on the court? Does it mean you feel like you can take more risks? Do you feel like you're moving quicker? Do you feel like you can use more areas of the court?
RAFAEL NADAL: The sport in general is simple. It's quite simple. This is not a big deal about tennis or the sport in general. Normally it is not that complicated.
RAFAEL NADAL: The sport in general is simple. It's quite simple. This is not a big deal about tennis or the sport in general. Normally it is not that complicated.
But in that case for me, when I feel that I am able to have more times the control of the point, when I feel when I going to hit the ball I know the ball going to goes in, when I don't think about how to hit the ball, but when I think just about where to hit the ball, that's good news when all these things happens.
This year, because things that we talked about enough, I was just worried about how to hit the ball to don't miss more than try to hit the ball where I need to hit the ball to damage the opponent or try to compete, just compete against the opponent. This year I have been more worried about myself than the opponents for a lot of matches. That's enough, no? That's impossible to compete at the highest level.
Today I feel free. I feel enjoying on court. That don't mean I going to play well on every match. That means I am happy. I go day by day. Happy how the things are going the last couple of weeks. I think was late on the year, but at the same time is at least the right time I try to finish the year with that positive feeling. That helps to try to start next year in better shape.
Q. I don't know if you saw what happened today in the first sets during a changeover, Andy Murray got some scissors out of his bag and cut his hair. I wondered if you have ever cut your hair, especially on a tennis court?
RAFAEL NADAL: No idea about what happened. You asked him why?
RAFAEL NADAL: No idea about what happened. You asked him why?
Q. He said the hair got into his eyes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Was not at the right time to know that. He has practice before to try to know that (smiling).
RAFAEL NADAL: Was not at the right time to know that. He has practice before to try to know that (smiling).
Was good. Is a good solution, yeah.
Q. You defeated Wawrinka. Now you've beaten Murray. How far do you consider you are from the elite, Djokovic and Federer?
RAFAEL NADAL: Andy is the No. 2 of the world today. The ranking in tennis is fair. The ranking in tennis is the result of long period of time, is one year. So if you are on the injuries, these kind of things, the ranking is not fair. But if you are able to compete the whole year, as I did, as Novak did, as Andy did, as Roger did, as Wawrinka did, then the ranking is fair.
RAFAEL NADAL: Andy is the No. 2 of the world today. The ranking in tennis is fair. The ranking in tennis is the result of long period of time, is one year. So if you are on the injuries, these kind of things, the ranking is not fair. But if you are able to compete the whole year, as I did, as Novak did, as Andy did, as Roger did, as Wawrinka did, then the ranking is fair.
Djokovic deserve to No. 1, Andy deserve to No. 2, and Roger deserve No. 3, Wawrinka No. 4, and me No. 5. I don't know how far I have been. I have been winning the matches against the No. 2 and the No. 4 in straight sets. If we don't know that I lost a lot this year and I played bad for a lot of moments this year, and we arrive here, for example, with a normal year playing well, probably we will be here talking that I am playing great and I am at my normal level, competing against the best players.
Knowing what happened during the whole year, I don't know how far I am. I won two great matches against two players, top-four players, in a tough surface for me. Today I here. Tomorrow I don't know where I going to be.
Q. Your volleys were quite good today. You won 11 out of 13 net points. Do you try to get to the net more often?
RAFAEL NADAL: I go to the net when I am confident. I go to the net when I am hitting the ball well, when I'm able to play aggressive. When that happens is because I am playing well.
RAFAEL NADAL: I go to the net when I am confident. I go to the net when I am hitting the ball well, when I'm able to play aggressive. When that happens is because I am playing well.
Not always, but a lot of times my volley works well when I am going to the net.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
11/18/2015
Rafa #Nadal press conference after his victory over Wawrinka in London (Transcript)
Q. Stan wasn't at all happy with what he put into the match tonight. How happy were you with your performance?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I play well. I think I play a solid match. I had one bad game, the first one of the match. But then immediately I was playing well, no?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I play well. I think I play a solid match. I had one bad game, the first one of the match. But then immediately I was playing well, no?
I had a good week of practice here. I think I played the way that I wanted to play. I played aggressive. I played with not many mistakes. Just the thing I can do a little bit better is serving. For the moment I didn't serve as good as I was doing in the previous days.
But for the rest, all the shots worked well: backhand, forehand, good volleys, good smash, no missing the smashes today. So that's good.
Q. Your movement seemed so good today. We think of the breakpoint you saved in the second game of the second set. Did you feel you were moving better?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am working well. I am happy the way that I am working, happy the way that I am competing the last couple of actually two, three months. For me is important to keep going the same way, no?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am working well. I am happy the way that I am working, happy the way that I am competing the last couple of actually two, three months. For me is important to keep going the same way, no?
Is obvious when you coming from a bad period, not everything will be like this. But in general, the dynamic is very positive. Every day for me now is an opportunity to enjoy on court, enjoy the competition, something that I missed for moments this year. Just try my best in every single match. That's what I am doing.
I am feeling myself well on court. Just enjoying.
Q. Actually since Beijing you seem to be playing better and better. Do you feel it? Do you think this surface in a way, which seems quite slow, helps your game more than others or not?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't play very well in that slow surfaces. I play better in little bit faster surfaces, not slow.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't play very well in that slow surfaces. I play better in little bit faster surfaces, not slow.
People thinks because I had a lot of success on clay, people thinks I play better on the slower surfaces. But the real thing is in hard court, in the courts that I had more success are in fast courts. Montréal is one of the fastest courts. I had a lot of success in Montréal. When I won the Olympics, was very fast court. Madrid 2005 was a fast court. And for sure Shanghai is fast, no?
When you are playing well, you are playing well in all the surfaces. When you are playing bad, you are playing bad in all the surfaces. Is not true that I play better because the surface is slow, no. I prefer to have little bit faster surface than a slower surface.
I am playing better since Montréal. I was practicing well there, in the US Open, too. If the results don't say that, you don't see the practices, but I know how I was practicing there.
Then the results on Beijing, Shanghai, Basel, Paris confirms that I am playing much better, no? So happy for that. As I said in Beijing, my main goal is try to start next year with my level, with the level that I want to be. I am working to make that happen.
Q. When you are playing better now, are you able to take that confidence into next year, or is it too far away that it doesn't make any difference?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure makes a difference. I don't know what's going on next year, but for sure the end of the season helps. The way I am playing at the end of this season helps to try to start the next year with a different energy than what I started last year.
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure makes a difference. I don't know what's going on next year, but for sure the end of the season helps. The way I am playing at the end of this season helps to try to start the next year with a different energy than what I started last year.
It's obvious that I am working hard. I really feel that if I am able to keep working the way that I am doing, keep competing the way that I am doing, I think that I am playing in the toughest surface for me to play, indoor, and in the worst part of the season always for me, these last tournaments of the year. If I am able to play well here, I think that's great news because that can be a good chance to start next year again with positive feelings.
As I said, that's my main goal.
Q. You just used the term 'bad period' from earlier this year, the way you were playing. During that period, how tough was it for you, or was it tough, to try and stay positive and believe that it was all going to turn around?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't want to keep talking about that. We talked a lot about what happened this year. I have been very honest with all of you what's going on, the problems that I had.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't want to keep talking about that. We talked a lot about what happened this year. I have been very honest with all of you what's going on, the problems that I had.
But that's it. At the end of the day it's sport. Have been hard. Have been as hard as can be. Don't play well, don't feel comfortable on court. The things in life, there is for sure many more important things in life than tennis, no?
I was not happy the way that I was working on court. At the same time is only a game. When you see all the things that happen sometimes around the world, that's nothing. That's the world that we live here in tennis. Is completely a small thing, and that's it.
I was believing that the things can be back if I am able to work well. I keep believing.
Q. You play Andy now on Wednesday. How do you see that match going?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, obviously is an opportunity for me to compete against the No. 2 of the world, a player who had a great season, a fantastic player in every surface, but especially in this one he likes to play.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, obviously is an opportunity for me to compete against the No. 2 of the world, a player who had a great season, a fantastic player in every surface, but especially in this one he likes to play.
I'm excited to play that match. I only take that match like an opportunity to play against him, to try to play a good match. I going to try.
Q. If you are playing better and better, maybe you can actually win this tournament this week, no?
RAFAEL NADAL: I won the first match, that's all. No, no, I cannot think about that, seriously. I didn't win enough this year to think about this kind of things. Think about winning a World Tour Finals in a year that I didn't win very important tournaments. I didn't win enough. So thinking about winning the tougher tournament of the year for me, because is in the worst surface possible, against the worst players possible, so is going to be so (indiscernible) for me to think about that.
RAFAEL NADAL: I won the first match, that's all. No, no, I cannot think about that, seriously. I didn't win enough this year to think about this kind of things. Think about winning a World Tour Finals in a year that I didn't win very important tournaments. I didn't win enough. So thinking about winning the tougher tournament of the year for me, because is in the worst surface possible, against the worst players possible, so is going to be so (indiscernible) for me to think about that.
Q. But you were just also saying when it's fast out there, you won Montréal, you were playing great, you won Wimbledon, it was fast. If it's fast here, maybe you can win it?
RAFAEL NADAL: I never say that it's fast here. I never say that is fast here. Here everybody is saying that it's slow. It's not that I'm saying it's fast.
RAFAEL NADAL: I never say that it's fast here. I never say that is fast here. Here everybody is saying that it's slow. It's not that I'm saying it's fast.
The court is not fast. The court is okay. But it's obvious that I am playing against the best players of the world. I only won the first match. That's important for me, very important. But remain a lot to qualify for that semifinals. I cannot think about winning the tournament today when I only won the first match.
I think about the next match. Then if I am able to win next match, probably I will be in that semifinals. If not I going to keep fighting in the third match to try to be qualify for that semifinals.
I go day by day, that's all.
Q. You've won on grass, hard, obviously a lot on clay. Why is indoors a more difficult surface for you?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think the feeling on the ball is different than in outdoor. The things that during all my career worked very well in outdoor courts, in indoor have been more difficult. Is obvious that the opponents had more chances to play the way that he wanted to play against me. The topspin is less important. The serve gets bigger impact in indoor than in outdoor. Try to play two, three shots helps a lot. Wind is not there. I like to play with more different conditions.
RAFAEL NADAL: I think the feeling on the ball is different than in outdoor. The things that during all my career worked very well in outdoor courts, in indoor have been more difficult. Is obvious that the opponents had more chances to play the way that he wanted to play against me. The topspin is less important. The serve gets bigger impact in indoor than in outdoor. Try to play two, three shots helps a lot. Wind is not there. I like to play with more different conditions.
But is true that I played good tournaments indoor, too. I will be lying if I am not saying I played a couple very good tournaments on indoor. It's not like I am playing bad in indoors at all. The opponents are good. I believe the opponents I have here feel them play a little bit better than me.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
11/03/2015
10/26/2015
10/16/2015
Rafa #Nadal press conference after #R2 in Shanghai 2015
(Transcript)
Q. That was a really close one. Can you go through this returning game you've done at 5‑4 first set. Do you think this game put you back on track?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, yes, obviously. That game was so important. Probably one of the best games return in my career. Yeah, almost a miracle. Three winners from first serve of him. That was really amazing.
Then after that, I have an opportunity at the end of the second with that Love‑30, but wasn't a real opportunity because then I didn't have chances on the return.
I think I played a good match. The only negative thing was the first game of the match. The real thing is he played so well the first set, the first game, too. He played well.
The first game start against a player you know you can't lose the serve, that was tough, very tough, start the match like this. But in terms of level of concentration and attitude and control of my emotions, was a fantastic match. To win 7‑6 in the third is very important victory for me, especially because I believe in the last tiebreak I did not lose no one point with my serve. That's because I was on self‑control again of my emotions. That's the most important thing for me today.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, yes, obviously. That game was so important. Probably one of the best games return in my career. Yeah, almost a miracle. Three winners from first serve of him. That was really amazing.
Then after that, I have an opportunity at the end of the second with that Love‑30, but wasn't a real opportunity because then I didn't have chances on the return.
I think I played a good match. The only negative thing was the first game of the match. The real thing is he played so well the first set, the first game, too. He played well.
The first game start against a player you know you can't lose the serve, that was tough, very tough, start the match like this. But in terms of level of concentration and attitude and control of my emotions, was a fantastic match. To win 7‑6 in the third is very important victory for me, especially because I believe in the last tiebreak I did not lose no one point with my serve. That's because I was on self‑control again of my emotions. That's the most important thing for me today.
Q. First rounds are always tricky. Do you think this one eased your nerves a bit?
RAFAEL NADAL: In a Masters 1000 like this, every round is so tricky, no? Tomorrow another funny match.
We'll see what's going on tomorrow. Tomorrow is a match on the return you don't have lots of chances. Going to be another day I need to be very focused again and serve well and try to wait for my opportunities on the return.
We'll see if I am able to keep going tomorrow. I am happy. Today is a good victory for me. He did win a lot of matches like this this year. I was under pressure because of the opponent. I enjoyed today. I hope tomorrow I wake up well, have a good warmup and play a good match again.
RAFAEL NADAL: In a Masters 1000 like this, every round is so tricky, no? Tomorrow another funny match.
We'll see what's going on tomorrow. Tomorrow is a match on the return you don't have lots of chances. Going to be another day I need to be very focused again and serve well and try to wait for my opportunities on the return.
We'll see if I am able to keep going tomorrow. I am happy. Today is a good victory for me. He did win a lot of matches like this this year. I was under pressure because of the opponent. I enjoyed today. I hope tomorrow I wake up well, have a good warmup and play a good match again.
Q. Do you have physical concern about the next match with Raonic?
RAFAEL NADAL: No physical concern, no. Matches like today helps. I believe that I going to be fine tomorrow, yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: No physical concern, no. Matches like today helps. I believe that I going to be fine tomorrow, yes.
Q. How do you feel with the conditions here at night regarding Beijing? Big difference here?
RAFAEL NADAL: The ball is different. That's the real thing. Something tough to understand that is not good for the players. Tokyo have the same ball like here. Beijing not. So having a Masters 1000 this week, the dominant term is the Masters 1000, so should be the same ball for the previous weeks, too. That's the difference.
The court is a little bit faster here than in Beijing. That's it. Court a little faster, ball different. But the conditions were good. Not much wind. Very beautiful court to play here. I enjoyed.
RAFAEL NADAL: The ball is different. That's the real thing. Something tough to understand that is not good for the players. Tokyo have the same ball like here. Beijing not. So having a Masters 1000 this week, the dominant term is the Masters 1000, so should be the same ball for the previous weeks, too. That's the difference.
The court is a little bit faster here than in Beijing. That's it. Court a little faster, ball different. But the conditions were good. Not much wind. Very beautiful court to play here. I enjoyed.
Q. Having to play another huge server tomorrow with Raonic, is it easier now that you've been playing Karlovic or is it tougher because it's a huge focus?
RAFAEL NADAL: You don't want to play these kind of matches. That's the real thing. At the end of the day, I won today. I played well. I had the control of the emotions. I have the control of nerves. I had the control of the point a lot of times. But I won by one point at the end for a double‑fault of him, and with the good points of me with my serve on the tiebreak.
So tomorrow is another match that decides in a very few balls if I am able to play well with my serve again. So we'll see. It's true that you don't want to play against big servers a lot of matches because the risk is higher and higher.
RAFAEL NADAL: You don't want to play these kind of matches. That's the real thing. At the end of the day, I won today. I played well. I had the control of the emotions. I have the control of nerves. I had the control of the point a lot of times. But I won by one point at the end for a double‑fault of him, and with the good points of me with my serve on the tiebreak.
So tomorrow is another match that decides in a very few balls if I am able to play well with my serve again. So we'll see. It's true that you don't want to play against big servers a lot of matches because the risk is higher and higher.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
10/14/2015
Rafa #Nadal pre tournament press conference #ShanghaiRolexMasters2015
transcript
Q. How is your physical condition right now?
RAFAEL NADAL: Very good.
RAFAEL NADAL: Very good.
Q. Have you some plan for the winter training?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, now I in Shanghai. I practiced a lot here. But I'm here to play a tournament.
The winter training going to arrive when the season finish. I am quite happy the way that I am practicing now. Playing well, I think. So this last part of the season for me is very important part of the training for next year.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, now I in Shanghai. I practiced a lot here. But I'm here to play a tournament.
The winter training going to arrive when the season finish. I am quite happy the way that I am practicing now. Playing well, I think. So this last part of the season for me is very important part of the training for next year.
Q. When you say you're feeling physically good, does that mean the foot injury you had in Beijing is completely healed?
RAFAEL NADAL: Was nothing. Was just a scary moment. Something happen. But I wake up the next day with no problem.
RAFAEL NADAL: Was nothing. Was just a scary moment. Something happen. But I wake up the next day with no problem.
Q. Maybe you will play semis with Roger. It's over a year you haven't met. Do you expect that match?
RAFAEL NADAL: I expect the first very tough match against Karlovic tomorrow. I didn't play semifinals on hard court until last week this year. So I go day by day.
I happy the way that I am playing. Last week was a very positive week for me, playing better every day. I keep playing well here the first two days that I am practicing, but tomorrow have a match that sometimes play well or play not that good. Cannot make the difference.
Depends all in a very, very small details. So we'll see what's going on tomorrow.
RAFAEL NADAL: I expect the first very tough match against Karlovic tomorrow. I didn't play semifinals on hard court until last week this year. So I go day by day.
I happy the way that I am playing. Last week was a very positive week for me, playing better every day. I keep playing well here the first two days that I am practicing, but tomorrow have a match that sometimes play well or play not that good. Cannot make the difference.
Depends all in a very, very small details. So we'll see what's going on tomorrow.
Q. If someone had said to you in January that in October you would be world No.7, you won't have any Grand Slam titles, but you'll be fit and healthy, would you have said, Okay, that's all right, or would you think that would be a bad year for you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, obviously is not a good year for me, even if I am healthy. I don't want to lie nobody.
But at the same time being healthy, I am practicing a lot. The last couple of months I am practicing more than what I did last, let's say, six, seven years.
My physical condition allows me to practice all what I want. That's a very important step for me to try to recover the level that I missed. I think I am doing well.
My main goal is, I said in Beijing last week, just try to finish the season. I take that last part of the season as preparation for next one. This season not going to make a big difference on my year, not going to make a big difference on my career.
The tournaments that remain, I am on the fastest surfaces for me. Here is quick. Even if I like, is quick. Then I play in indoors, the toughest surface for me to play, no? Very tough tournaments.
So I take like a practice. Every match that I can play is an opportunity to practice different things. That's what I am doing: practicing a lot between matches, taking every warmup before the match like another practice, not like a warmup for a match.
Last week I was practicing before every single match more than one hour, taking just every moment like a preparation for next year. That's what I am doing.
That does not mean I not try my best in every match. I know this end part of the season can help me to finish with good feelings, so I am trying my best.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, obviously is not a good year for me, even if I am healthy. I don't want to lie nobody.
But at the same time being healthy, I am practicing a lot. The last couple of months I am practicing more than what I did last, let's say, six, seven years.
My physical condition allows me to practice all what I want. That's a very important step for me to try to recover the level that I missed. I think I am doing well.
My main goal is, I said in Beijing last week, just try to finish the season. I take that last part of the season as preparation for next one. This season not going to make a big difference on my year, not going to make a big difference on my career.
The tournaments that remain, I am on the fastest surfaces for me. Here is quick. Even if I like, is quick. Then I play in indoors, the toughest surface for me to play, no? Very tough tournaments.
So I take like a practice. Every match that I can play is an opportunity to practice different things. That's what I am doing: practicing a lot between matches, taking every warmup before the match like another practice, not like a warmup for a match.
Last week I was practicing before every single match more than one hour, taking just every moment like a preparation for next year. That's what I am doing.
That does not mean I not try my best in every match. I know this end part of the season can help me to finish with good feelings, so I am trying my best.
Q. I heard you came to Shanghai by train.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes.
Q. Do you like the trip?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, I enjoyed. Some places beautiful views, and very comfortable. Yeah, was the first time. I wanted to do it last year but finally I couldn't. So I did this year. I enjoyed. If I play Beijing next year, I going to repeat the same trip because I like it.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, I enjoyed. Some places beautiful views, and very comfortable. Yeah, was the first time. I wanted to do it last year but finally I couldn't. So I did this year. I enjoyed. If I play Beijing next year, I going to repeat the same trip because I like it.
Q. You kind of touched on it two questions ago, but you always said in the past that going indoors after here is probably your least favorite part of the season. You don't like playing indoors, you prefer having the sun over you. With having missed most of that indoor season last year, you just played one match, is there added motivation this year?
RAFAEL NADAL: The same like always, no? Actually, as I said before, for me every match and every practice is an opportunity to practice the things I have to do for next year, not the results.
Talking seriously, I have a lot of points on the 500s and 250s. For example, playing in Basel, to add points in my computer, I need to play the final, I believe. Less than a final will not count for me.
In Bercy, depends on the result that I do in Basel. Maybe playing Bercy, I going to lose points. So that's the real thing.
But I really don't care much. I am only care about the possibility to finish the season with better feeling than what I had. And I am on the way to do it. I feel the last couple of months I was playing better than what the results says. I lost a couple tough ones, like in US Open, like in Cincinnati. But feeling better in general, no?
One of the biggest problems that I had during the whole season, I was not able to control my emotions on court, something that I always had the right control doing all my career. The real thing is the last couple of months, that is much better. I feel almost under control again. That's a very important step for me to, first of all, enjoy, and second thing, to have the possibility to practice and to compete at the level that I want.
RAFAEL NADAL: The same like always, no? Actually, as I said before, for me every match and every practice is an opportunity to practice the things I have to do for next year, not the results.
Talking seriously, I have a lot of points on the 500s and 250s. For example, playing in Basel, to add points in my computer, I need to play the final, I believe. Less than a final will not count for me.
In Bercy, depends on the result that I do in Basel. Maybe playing Bercy, I going to lose points. So that's the real thing.
But I really don't care much. I am only care about the possibility to finish the season with better feeling than what I had. And I am on the way to do it. I feel the last couple of months I was playing better than what the results says. I lost a couple tough ones, like in US Open, like in Cincinnati. But feeling better in general, no?
One of the biggest problems that I had during the whole season, I was not able to control my emotions on court, something that I always had the right control doing all my career. The real thing is the last couple of months, that is much better. I feel almost under control again. That's a very important step for me to, first of all, enjoy, and second thing, to have the possibility to practice and to compete at the level that I want.
Q. As somebody who is used to a lot better results than you've had this year, how hard has it been for you to keep motivated, to keep going forward this year, to try to work out those problems with your emotions?
RAFAEL NADAL: Is not hard at all. I have even better motivation than before. For me is a challenge and is a new will to do the things again.
Sometimes I recover from injuries. This time what I had with my not having the control of my nerves or my emotion is like coming back from an injury, too. Is not a physical injury, but is a mental injury. And this for me another challenge.
I am working hard. I never had such a long period of time without playing at the level that I wanted. I played at the right level as close that I want, but I still lost a lot of opportunities this year that can change the dynamic of the year.
When you are feel that you are playing better, I lost the matches that I should win, close matches, third‑set matches. No one of these important matches, I win no one of those ones. So sometime is like a restart.
I believe that I am much better. I don't know what the result going to be till the end of the season. But I really believe if I continue with the same quality of practices, the same health on my body, I really hope and I believe that I can start the next year with another energy and I believe another level.
RAFAEL NADAL: Is not hard at all. I have even better motivation than before. For me is a challenge and is a new will to do the things again.
Sometimes I recover from injuries. This time what I had with my not having the control of my nerves or my emotion is like coming back from an injury, too. Is not a physical injury, but is a mental injury. And this for me another challenge.
I am working hard. I never had such a long period of time without playing at the level that I wanted. I played at the right level as close that I want, but I still lost a lot of opportunities this year that can change the dynamic of the year.
When you are feel that you are playing better, I lost the matches that I should win, close matches, third‑set matches. No one of these important matches, I win no one of those ones. So sometime is like a restart.
I believe that I am much better. I don't know what the result going to be till the end of the season. But I really believe if I continue with the same quality of practices, the same health on my body, I really hope and I believe that I can start the next year with another energy and I believe another level.
Q. I think you and Fernando withdrew from the doubles. What was the reason behind that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Him. I think he had some problem on the I don't know where exactly. But he told me he should come back to home to visit the doctor. He had some problem after the match with Bernard here. So that's it.
First of all is the health, and that's it. Is good that happened before the tournament start that another players can come in the draw. That's good for the tournament, too.
For me, at the same time, will be great for me to play a match today, a doubles match today before the singles start, but at the same time I played enough last week. Today I had very long practice, a good one.
So I going to play doubles in Basel, I going to play doubles in Bercy. Next year I probably going to play more with
RAFAEL NADAL: Him. I think he had some problem on the I don't know where exactly. But he told me he should come back to home to visit the doctor. He had some problem after the match with Bernard here. So that's it.
First of all is the health, and that's it. Is good that happened before the tournament start that another players can come in the draw. That's good for the tournament, too.
For me, at the same time, will be great for me to play a match today, a doubles match today before the singles start, but at the same time I played enough last week. Today I had very long practice, a good one.
So I going to play doubles in Basel, I going to play doubles in Bercy. Next year I probably going to play more with
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
10/13/2015
10/09/2015
Rafa #Nadal press conference after #R2 #ChinaOpen 2015
Transcript
Q. It was a good battle out there tonight. Are you more satisfied with your sensations today than the previous one?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, for me every improve is important for me today. Obviously I improved from yesterday. I played a much better match than yesterday.
Happy for the victory. Is a victory against a good opponent like Vasek. Good news for me. As I said the first day that I was here, every victory is an opportunity to play another day, so more opportunities to try to practice the things that I need to do to try to be ready as soon as possible, especially for the beginning of next year. That's my goal, my most important goal.
So today I did few things much better than yesterday, obvious. Other days during the season I was very consistent, without ups and downs. That's a good thing for me, very important for my game.
Q. It was a good battle out there tonight. Are you more satisfied with your sensations today than the previous one?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, for me every improve is important for me today. Obviously I improved from yesterday. I played a much better match than yesterday.
Happy for the victory. Is a victory against a good opponent like Vasek. Good news for me. As I said the first day that I was here, every victory is an opportunity to play another day, so more opportunities to try to practice the things that I need to do to try to be ready as soon as possible, especially for the beginning of next year. That's my goal, my most important goal.
So today I did few things much better than yesterday, obvious. Other days during the season I was very consistent, without ups and downs. That's a good thing for me, very important for my game.
Q. If preparing for next season is your big goal, do you feel the pressure is off you in some ways?
RAFAEL NADAL: The pressure?
RAFAEL NADAL: The pressure?
Q. Do you feel there is less pressure if you are more practicing for next season than going for this title?
RAFAEL NADAL: For this year, pressure?
RAFAEL NADAL: For this year, pressure?
Q. For this tournament.
RAFAEL NADAL: For this tournament, no, no. The pressure is the same. When I say that, is not because I take out the pressure. No, I don't want to do that. It's not my goal.
I am saying here the things that I feel. I am being honest saying that. Obviously I am in Beijing. Is a very important tournament, very important event, and I going to fight for every ball to try to have the better result possible.
But Beijing is the immediate goal. But for me the most important goal is recover my level. Every victory give me opportunities to keep practicing the things that I need to practice. Practicing outside of the competition is very important, but at the end you have to compete well. Every match is an opportunity for me.
RAFAEL NADAL: For this tournament, no, no. The pressure is the same. When I say that, is not because I take out the pressure. No, I don't want to do that. It's not my goal.
I am saying here the things that I feel. I am being honest saying that. Obviously I am in Beijing. Is a very important tournament, very important event, and I going to fight for every ball to try to have the better result possible.
But Beijing is the immediate goal. But for me the most important goal is recover my level. Every victory give me opportunities to keep practicing the things that I need to practice. Practicing outside of the competition is very important, but at the end you have to compete well. Every match is an opportunity for me.
Q. Your next opponent is Jack Sock. What are your thoughts on that match?
RAFAEL NADAL: He's young, very good player, aggressive, with fantastic serve. Very, very strong forehand. Going to be a big opponent for quarterfinals. I need to play better than today even.
So tomorrow is day off for me. Good day for keep practicing things, try to improve the things that I need to keep improving. Hope to continue with that improvement since yesterday, today, tomorrow, after tomorrow. I really hope to be ready for the match.
RAFAEL NADAL: He's young, very good player, aggressive, with fantastic serve. Very, very strong forehand. Going to be a big opponent for quarterfinals. I need to play better than today even.
So tomorrow is day off for me. Good day for keep practicing things, try to improve the things that I need to keep improving. Hope to continue with that improvement since yesterday, today, tomorrow, after tomorrow. I really hope to be ready for the match.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
10/07/2015
Rafa #Nadal press conference after #R1 #ChinaOpen 2015
transcript
Q. Were you happy with how your forehand started to come good at the end of the second set and with how you closed out the match after being down 4‑2?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, you know, looks like the match was under control with 6‑4, 1‑0, but then situation changed. Yeah, I think I played little bit too much far away from the baseline.
But is true the last three games of the match I was playing better. I hit some good forehands down the line and that's why I finished well the match and with the victory.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, you know, looks like the match was under control with 6‑4, 1‑0, but then situation changed. Yeah, I think I played little bit too much far away from the baseline.
But is true the last three games of the match I was playing better. I hit some good forehands down the line and that's why I finished well the match and with the victory.
Q. Do you think it's an issue of confidence or rhythm, just getting into the rhythm of playing again?
RAFAEL NADAL: We don't need to talk more about confidence, rhythm. That's my level today, and I going to work hard to try to improve my level of today.
But tomorrow is another opportunity. I played a match today that I can play better, and I think I can play better tomorrow because I'm practicing well.
RAFAEL NADAL: We don't need to talk more about confidence, rhythm. That's my level today, and I going to work hard to try to improve my level of today.
But tomorrow is another opportunity. I played a match today that I can play better, and I think I can play better tomorrow because I'm practicing well.
Q. How much did you know about your Chinese opponent in the match? He played way better than his ranking suggested. He told us before he used to serve as your ball boy and sparring partner. What do you think about his game?
RAFAEL NADAL: I know him. I know him because I practiced with him a couple of times in Shanghai, I don't know, last year, two years ago.
I know him. He can play very easy. He's a good player. He plays better than what his ranking says. But at the end of the day he's an opponent that has a good potential, makes the things easy.
But is true that I give him the possibility to come inside. I have the control of the point sometimes, more than what I should. Just was a tough match and happy to be in the second round.
RAFAEL NADAL: I know him. I know him because I practiced with him a couple of times in Shanghai, I don't know, last year, two years ago.
I know him. He can play very easy. He's a good player. He plays better than what his ranking says. But at the end of the day he's an opponent that has a good potential, makes the things easy.
But is true that I give him the possibility to come inside. I have the control of the point sometimes, more than what I should. Just was a tough match and happy to be in the second round.
Q. Would you say that nowadays you have better sensations in practice than competing or is it the same?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I am practicing better than what I am competing. The last couple months I am doing the things much better on the practices, so remain a little bit more to compete better.
But is something that is like this today. With the confidence of the practice, then probably going to arrive one day that I going to make a change.
But things are simple and easy. Practicing well, the level of tennis going to be there sooner or later. I am working a lot to make that happen. I think I'm closer to that.
I know is obvious that I need results to confirm that. But we are almost at the end of this season and have time to keep playing the last tournaments of the year with the chance to practice the things that I need to do for next year.
My goal is recover the level especially for play my best on clay next year.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I am practicing better than what I am competing. The last couple months I am doing the things much better on the practices, so remain a little bit more to compete better.
But is something that is like this today. With the confidence of the practice, then probably going to arrive one day that I going to make a change.
But things are simple and easy. Practicing well, the level of tennis going to be there sooner or later. I am working a lot to make that happen. I think I'm closer to that.
I know is obvious that I need results to confirm that. But we are almost at the end of this season and have time to keep playing the last tournaments of the year with the chance to practice the things that I need to do for next year.
My goal is recover the level especially for play my best on clay next year.
Q. You are the best player in tennis history. Also your country has a lot of great tennis players, won plenty of Davis Cups, Grand Slam titles, the gold medal. Do you have any advice for Chinese men's tennis development?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's obvious that you need good coaches, you need good centers, good academies. I think today China has an amazing potential to send players outside of China to the best academies of the world that will be a good experience for the young players, and at the same time has the right potential to create the right academies here in China to have all the facilities possible, all the needs possible for young kids.
At the same time is a question of tradition, a question of years. As I say before, no, this country has an amazing potential. I am sure in a short period of time the next generations will be there fighting for important things in our tour.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's obvious that you need good coaches, you need good centers, good academies. I think today China has an amazing potential to send players outside of China to the best academies of the world that will be a good experience for the young players, and at the same time has the right potential to create the right academies here in China to have all the facilities possible, all the needs possible for young kids.
At the same time is a question of tradition, a question of years. As I say before, no, this country has an amazing potential. I am sure in a short period of time the next generations will be there fighting for important things in our tour.
Q. Can I ask you about the pollution, what it's like to play in it?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Coughing.) Wasn't because of that (laughter).
No, nothing new for us. I played here a lot of times. Was very humid today. I see the pollution this year better than other years. That's my feeling, seriously. Two days ago was a very beautiful day, blue sky. Is true that during the afternoon, seems like the pollution goes down a little bit more. But in the morning was not bad at all.
RAFAEL NADAL: (Coughing.) Wasn't because of that (laughter).
No, nothing new for us. I played here a lot of times. Was very humid today. I see the pollution this year better than other years. That's my feeling, seriously. Two days ago was a very beautiful day, blue sky. Is true that during the afternoon, seems like the pollution goes down a little bit more. But in the morning was not bad at all.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
10/06/2015
China Open 2015( Rafa #Nadal's pre-tournament press conference
Transcript
Q. How is your physical condition? How are you feeling for the end of the year?
RAFAEL NADAL: Good. I am fine. No problems.
RAFAEL NADAL: Good. I am fine. No problems.
Q. Your injuries are not playing up?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't have injuries at all now. So that's good.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't have injuries at all now. So that's good.
Q. It's been by your standards a difficult year. Do you feel next year you'll be in a position to get the belief back and be challenging for Grand Slams again?
RAFAEL NADAL: You never know what's going on. I am working hard. I am think I am on the right way to fight again for the things that I get used.
It's something that today not worries me much. It is for me the last part of the season. I take it like a practice for the next year. I know that normally the last part of the year have been not easy for me during the years. This year little bit different story because I arrived with less victories.
But still tournaments to play, at least minimum four for me. Just try to practice well on the tournaments, try to compete the way that I want to compete, and try to be closer that I needed to start the next year strong, no?
For me, I said, Okay, the season is not over, but the tournaments that I going to play till the end of the season, I'm going to try my best in every single match. I going to try to do the things that I believe I need to start stronger next year.
RAFAEL NADAL: You never know what's going on. I am working hard. I am think I am on the right way to fight again for the things that I get used.
It's something that today not worries me much. It is for me the last part of the season. I take it like a practice for the next year. I know that normally the last part of the year have been not easy for me during the years. This year little bit different story because I arrived with less victories.
But still tournaments to play, at least minimum four for me. Just try to practice well on the tournaments, try to compete the way that I want to compete, and try to be closer that I needed to start the next year strong, no?
For me, I said, Okay, the season is not over, but the tournaments that I going to play till the end of the season, I'm going to try my best in every single match. I going to try to do the things that I believe I need to start stronger next year.
Q. Those four events that you talk about, if you were to win here, do well in Shanghai, World Tour Finals...
RAFAEL NADAL: World Tour Finals no. I have here, Shanghai, Basel and Bercy.
RAFAEL NADAL: World Tour Finals no. I have here, Shanghai, Basel and Bercy.
Q. If you were to do very well and win a couple of them, would that make your season a bigger success in your eyes after what's happened earlier?
RAFAEL NADAL: It's something that I am not thinking about. I go day by day. And seriously, is difficult to imagine things. I going to try to finish the season with the better feeling possible.
Happens what happens at the end of the season. Until the end of the season, will not be a great season for me. So, no, I don't think about that. I think my real goal with that end of the year, more than win matches or have good results, is try to find another time my (indiscernible) of my game.
In the US Open I did better, even if I lost the match. Tough lose, but I did better. Let's try here to do better again. I think I am working well. I am very motivated to go for that challenge that brings me the chance to overcome a tough situation for me. I love that feeling, and I going to fight to make that happen.
RAFAEL NADAL: It's something that I am not thinking about. I go day by day. And seriously, is difficult to imagine things. I going to try to finish the season with the better feeling possible.
Happens what happens at the end of the season. Until the end of the season, will not be a great season for me. So, no, I don't think about that. I think my real goal with that end of the year, more than win matches or have good results, is try to find another time my (indiscernible) of my game.
In the US Open I did better, even if I lost the match. Tough lose, but I did better. Let's try here to do better again. I think I am working well. I am very motivated to go for that challenge that brings me the chance to overcome a tough situation for me. I love that feeling, and I going to fight to make that happen.
Q. What has been your main focus in practice since the US Open?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, for sure I need to recover little bit more the forehand. In the US Open I did something important, that I played with not many mistakes. That is something that is important for me. At the same time need to recover a little bit more the intensity on my forehand, hit more winners than what I did this year.
But think is simple. If I am able to play with calm again, something that has been very difficult for me during most of the time of this season, something tough for me, I was not able to control my emotions on court for a lot of months, so when that happens is almost impossible play well, no?
Last couple of months I feeling that I recovered that. I don't feel that I am suffering on court as I did the first six, seven months of the season. I feel that I am more under control of my emotions on court. So that's a very big advance for me. Knowing that is improving, then, as I say before, I am working very hard and I have the motivation to improve my game again.
So try little bit to play with calm. I believe that sooner or later I will be playing at a very high level again.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, for sure I need to recover little bit more the forehand. In the US Open I did something important, that I played with not many mistakes. That is something that is important for me. At the same time need to recover a little bit more the intensity on my forehand, hit more winners than what I did this year.
But think is simple. If I am able to play with calm again, something that has been very difficult for me during most of the time of this season, something tough for me, I was not able to control my emotions on court for a lot of months, so when that happens is almost impossible play well, no?
Last couple of months I feeling that I recovered that. I don't feel that I am suffering on court as I did the first six, seven months of the season. I feel that I am more under control of my emotions on court. So that's a very big advance for me. Knowing that is improving, then, as I say before, I am working very hard and I have the motivation to improve my game again.
So try little bit to play with calm. I believe that sooner or later I will be playing at a very high level again.
Q. You are promoting this afternoon your academy here in China. Can you tell us some information about this academy, when it's going to open, and if you think Chinese students are going to be important to this academy.
RAFAEL NADAL: For sure Asia is a very important ambition. Potential of Asia is very big. For sure we going to try to work hard on my academy to try to produce professional players from this region.
The academy is under construction. Is at the end of that process. We going to open on March next year or May next year. I was confusing with the months in English (smiling). May next year.
We are going to open and the next important thing is going to be the summertime 2016, then the school program for September.
So is an exciting project for me. Me and my team, I think we have the knowledge of what's going on in this sport, knowing all the process, all the moments of the career, since you are a kid until you are a professional. All these phases that we have was a big learning for us and a big experience, and we hope to be able to translate all that knowledge to the next generations, and at the same time we going to have a school inside the academy. So for us is very important the education, the values. We going to work hard on that.
I know not all the kids that going to come to the academy going to be professional tennis players, so we going to work as hard as we can to create as much possible professional tennis players, but we know that a very big percentage will not have the chance to live from this sport.
So our goal at the same time is prepare them for the future, you know, have all the facilities for them to have the chance to keep starting inside the academy with American program that makes easy the transition to the university. So we going to have good connections with American universities.
So I will always prepare them for the future like human persons. So values, sport, education are very close. So we going to work hard to try to make that happen and to help the kids to have a good future, hopefully in tennis, but if not, prepare them for the life.
RAFAEL NADAL: For sure Asia is a very important ambition. Potential of Asia is very big. For sure we going to try to work hard on my academy to try to produce professional players from this region.
The academy is under construction. Is at the end of that process. We going to open on March next year or May next year. I was confusing with the months in English (smiling). May next year.
We are going to open and the next important thing is going to be the summertime 2016, then the school program for September.
So is an exciting project for me. Me and my team, I think we have the knowledge of what's going on in this sport, knowing all the process, all the moments of the career, since you are a kid until you are a professional. All these phases that we have was a big learning for us and a big experience, and we hope to be able to translate all that knowledge to the next generations, and at the same time we going to have a school inside the academy. So for us is very important the education, the values. We going to work hard on that.
I know not all the kids that going to come to the academy going to be professional tennis players, so we going to work as hard as we can to create as much possible professional tennis players, but we know that a very big percentage will not have the chance to live from this sport.
So our goal at the same time is prepare them for the future, you know, have all the facilities for them to have the chance to keep starting inside the academy with American program that makes easy the transition to the university. So we going to have good connections with American universities.
So I will always prepare them for the future like human persons. So values, sport, education are very close. So we going to work hard to try to make that happen and to help the kids to have a good future, hopefully in tennis, but if not, prepare them for the life.
Q. Many observers believe that right now you have lost your confidence. Do you agree with it? This year would you like to go out to do sight‑seeing in Beijing?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, is obvious that when you lose more than what you won, you lose your confidence, no? But the confidence is back with the victories and with the good feelings on court.
On the practices, there are better feelings for me. Now will remain to compete a little bit better. But I think it arrives.
Every day is an opportunity to improve. I take this tournament like another opportunity to play close to I way that I want to play. I have the motivation to play here as a tournament that I love. I have one of the best memories of my career in this center, Olympics 2008. Great director of tournament, good friend. So I want to play well here and I'm going to try my best to make that happen.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, is obvious that when you lose more than what you won, you lose your confidence, no? But the confidence is back with the victories and with the good feelings on court.
On the practices, there are better feelings for me. Now will remain to compete a little bit better. But I think it arrives.
Every day is an opportunity to improve. I take this tournament like another opportunity to play close to I way that I want to play. I have the motivation to play here as a tournament that I love. I have one of the best memories of my career in this center, Olympics 2008. Great director of tournament, good friend. So I want to play well here and I'm going to try my best to make that happen.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
10/05/2015
9/05/2015
Rafa #Nadal post R3 presser transcript U.S. OPEN
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Rafael Nadal
Press Conference
F. FOGNINI/R. Nadal
3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
Rafael Nadal
Press Conference
F. FOGNINI/R. Nadal
3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Did you feel something started to go a different way between the first two sets and the last three ones?
RAFAEL NADAL: He play great. It was not a match that I lost, even if I had opportunities. It’s a match that he wins.
So accept. Not happy that he played better than me, but that’s what happened. He played better than me, no? I didn’t play bad at all. I played a normal match, but not enough.
So not happy with that. But accept that he was better than me today.
Q. Do you have some problems with your legs, cramping?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Perfect.
Q. I want to know, when you were always behind one break in the fifth set, then you were coming back, what were your feelings at that moment?
RAFAEL NADAL: I fighted until the last point all the time, good attitude. Not enough to win today. I lost a couple matches this year like this.
But the good thing is my mind allows me to fight until the end as I did during all my career. Sometimes this year I was not able to do that.
So I am happy with that. I enjoyed the crowd. Was amazing support out there. Just very special feeling be out there with that support. I enjoyed that.
I tried to fight until the last ball. I believe I did, but was not enough today.
Q. What is your plan for the rest of the season?
RAFAEL NADAL: Probably Davis Cup and then Beijing, Shanghai, Basel, Paris.
Q. London?
RAFAEL NADAL: I can’t tell you now. I don’t know if I going to qualify.
Q. Is this tougher than other losses?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Is another lose. Not tougher. As I tell, you know, my mind allows me to fight until the end. Is something that I was missing for a while, that feeling that I am there.
For the nerves, for the anxious that I had for a long time this season, I was not able to do it. I was not able to be fighting the way that I was fighting today. So is an improvement for me.
I take that like a positive thing and I know what I have to do. I going to work on it.
Q. It’s the first time in the last 11 years that you cannot win a Grand Slam tournament. What does it mean to you?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, the only thing that means is I played worse than the last 10 years. That’s the real thing.
By the way, for me was amazing win 10 years in a row Grand Slam. I think nobody did. You can imagine how difficult is make that happen.
Accept that was not my year and keep fighting till the end of the season to finish in a positive way for me. Finish the season with the feeling that I improved something from the beginning of the season. That’s something that I think I am doing.
I think I have a good base now. As I said, good thing is I am not playing terrible matches like I did at the beginning of the season. When I am losing, I am losing because the opponents beat me, not because I lose the match, as I did a lot of times at the beginning of the season.
That’s an improvement for me, so I have a base now. That is a start. I know what I have to do and I going to work on it.
Q. You lost three times to Fabio, so you know him well. Did he do anything surprising you tonight especially? I’ve never seen anybody making 70 winners against you.
RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe I am slower. I don’t know. (Smiling.)
Q. What is your opinion?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. He’s a player with a great talent, with huge shots, and he played amazing shots. But what I am doing worse is playing worse than what I used to do the last couple of years. That’s it.
We can be talking for one hour trying to create a reason. But the sport for me is simple, no? If you are playing with less confidence and you are hitting balls without creating the damage on the opponent that I believe I should do, then they have the possibility to attack.
I am playing with little bit less mistakes than before. I have better feelings on the ball. Now remain to have again the speed, that extra speed on the ball, on the winner.
I want the defense, defense a little bit more longer, and hit easier winners. Have been little bit tough for me to hit winners tonight.
But that’s it. Not a big story. Is just improve small things that make a big difference.
Q. Do you feel slower?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I was joking.
Q. You say you’re feeling good mentally now. What feels different? What is not as good as you want it to be?
RAFAEL NADAL: If you hit the ball a bit shorter, the opponent has more space. If you hit the ball with a little bit of less confidence, then there is not as much topspin like used to be.
If you hit shorter, you will run slower. Is not you run slower, but the opponent take the ball earlier so it looks like you are slower, no?
Is easy to understand, easy to explain, difficult to change, but I going to do it.
Q. Tiger was in your box. You have almost the same number, and ESPN make a survey who going to win the 15th, you or Tiger. You know the new generation is coming in golf and tennis. Who has the bigger chance you win the 15, you or Tiger?
RAFAEL NADAL: I hope we make that happen next year both. It was a great honor for me to have Tiger in my box. For me like a sportsman he’s a big example. His attitude on the golf course for me always was a big inspiration.
So when I saw him play, when I saw his attitude, I see the eyes that he has when he has to shot, has the difficult shot, the decisive shot. Is very special. I don’t see a lot of sportsmen with that self-confidence, with that intensity on his face when he had to hit the important shot.
So for me, he’s a great example, great inspiration. I always say the same. I don’t have idols. But that’s closest thing that I have: him.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
RAFAEL NADAL: He play great. It was not a match that I lost, even if I had opportunities. It’s a match that he wins.
So accept. Not happy that he played better than me, but that’s what happened. He played better than me, no? I didn’t play bad at all. I played a normal match, but not enough.
So not happy with that. But accept that he was better than me today.
Q. Do you have some problems with your legs, cramping?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Perfect.
Q. I want to know, when you were always behind one break in the fifth set, then you were coming back, what were your feelings at that moment?
RAFAEL NADAL: I fighted until the last point all the time, good attitude. Not enough to win today. I lost a couple matches this year like this.
But the good thing is my mind allows me to fight until the end as I did during all my career. Sometimes this year I was not able to do that.
So I am happy with that. I enjoyed the crowd. Was amazing support out there. Just very special feeling be out there with that support. I enjoyed that.
I tried to fight until the last ball. I believe I did, but was not enough today.
Q. What is your plan for the rest of the season?
RAFAEL NADAL: Probably Davis Cup and then Beijing, Shanghai, Basel, Paris.
Q. London?
RAFAEL NADAL: I can’t tell you now. I don’t know if I going to qualify.
Q. Is this tougher than other losses?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Is another lose. Not tougher. As I tell, you know, my mind allows me to fight until the end. Is something that I was missing for a while, that feeling that I am there.
For the nerves, for the anxious that I had for a long time this season, I was not able to do it. I was not able to be fighting the way that I was fighting today. So is an improvement for me.
I take that like a positive thing and I know what I have to do. I going to work on it.
Q. It’s the first time in the last 11 years that you cannot win a Grand Slam tournament. What does it mean to you?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, the only thing that means is I played worse than the last 10 years. That’s the real thing.
By the way, for me was amazing win 10 years in a row Grand Slam. I think nobody did. You can imagine how difficult is make that happen.
Accept that was not my year and keep fighting till the end of the season to finish in a positive way for me. Finish the season with the feeling that I improved something from the beginning of the season. That’s something that I think I am doing.
I think I have a good base now. As I said, good thing is I am not playing terrible matches like I did at the beginning of the season. When I am losing, I am losing because the opponents beat me, not because I lose the match, as I did a lot of times at the beginning of the season.
That’s an improvement for me, so I have a base now. That is a start. I know what I have to do and I going to work on it.
Q. You lost three times to Fabio, so you know him well. Did he do anything surprising you tonight especially? I’ve never seen anybody making 70 winners against you.
RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe I am slower. I don’t know. (Smiling.)
Q. What is your opinion?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. He’s a player with a great talent, with huge shots, and he played amazing shots. But what I am doing worse is playing worse than what I used to do the last couple of years. That’s it.
We can be talking for one hour trying to create a reason. But the sport for me is simple, no? If you are playing with less confidence and you are hitting balls without creating the damage on the opponent that I believe I should do, then they have the possibility to attack.
I am playing with little bit less mistakes than before. I have better feelings on the ball. Now remain to have again the speed, that extra speed on the ball, on the winner.
I want the defense, defense a little bit more longer, and hit easier winners. Have been little bit tough for me to hit winners tonight.
But that’s it. Not a big story. Is just improve small things that make a big difference.
Q. Do you feel slower?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I was joking.
Q. You say you’re feeling good mentally now. What feels different? What is not as good as you want it to be?
RAFAEL NADAL: If you hit the ball a bit shorter, the opponent has more space. If you hit the ball with a little bit of less confidence, then there is not as much topspin like used to be.
If you hit shorter, you will run slower. Is not you run slower, but the opponent take the ball earlier so it looks like you are slower, no?
Is easy to understand, easy to explain, difficult to change, but I going to do it.
Q. Tiger was in your box. You have almost the same number, and ESPN make a survey who going to win the 15th, you or Tiger. You know the new generation is coming in golf and tennis. Who has the bigger chance you win the 15, you or Tiger?
RAFAEL NADAL: I hope we make that happen next year both. It was a great honor for me to have Tiger in my box. For me like a sportsman he’s a big example. His attitude on the golf course for me always was a big inspiration.
So when I saw him play, when I saw his attitude, I see the eyes that he has when he has to shot, has the difficult shot, the decisive shot. Is very special. I don’t see a lot of sportsmen with that self-confidence, with that intensity on his face when he had to hit the important shot.
So for me, he’s a great example, great inspiration. I always say the same. I don’t have idols. But that’s closest thing that I have: him.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
9/03/2015
An Interview With: Rafael Nadal (Round 2)
Wednesday, September 02, 2015
Q. How much kidding have your fellow players given you about the Tommy Hilfiger brand you're endorsing?
RAFAEL NADAL: I haven't talk much. Somebody told me few things, but that's it.
Q. It's gotten some attention.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. You like it? (Smiling.)
Q. How would you describe your level of play and whether you're satisfied so far?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I serve well today. My serve was working well. I think I had the match under control at the beginning playing well. Then I played a bad game with the 5-3. Then the match became a little bit more crazy, no, some ups and downs.
Today I felt that I was practicing great before the match, and yesterday, too. I felt that during the match I didn't arrive to that high level that I was practicing before.
But it's true that he played really well. Even if he had break up in the second and in the third, I think, too, I had a lot of Love-30s, 15-30s, a lot of opportunities during the whole match to have I think a more comfortable victory.
So remain a little bit more to convert more opportunities.
Q. With these ups and downs during the match, do you find a specific reason why you can go through some ups and downs like this during a match?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I didn't have an up and down today. The other day, yes. Today I didn't have an up and down. I just played a bad game with the 5-3 in the first set and then I didn't play great, but I didn't play bad. I played a normal match.
But was not an up and down like the other day. I was a single level the whole time. For moments better, for moments little bit worse, but that's not up and downs crazy like I had sometimes this year, no? Not a bad place to be.
Q. He felt like you were trying to be a little more aggressive today than he's seen before. Is that something you're consciously trying to do now?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure, no, he was trying to play very aggressive. When you play against a player that they are able to take all the risks with not much pressure, so then is a little bit more difficult to have the control of the point. Because if the opponent decides to hit every ball then is tougher, no?
But tennis is tougher if they playing well. Today he played well, I think, so that's it. Accept that. I fighted well. I fighted until the end.
I came back, even if I had lot of opportunities is the real thing is I was break down in both sets and I came back well to win both sets. That is an important improve for me, and I'm happy for that.
Q. You said you came back in the tiebreaker, too, the next two sets. How much does that boost your confidence?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, this season I lost lot of matches having amazing opportunities. I don't want to say every one now, but if you follow the sport - I believe you do - you know that I lost lot of matches this year that I shouldn't because I had lot of opportunities, no?
I was not that close to lose the match today, no? I was break down in some sets, but is important to come back and feel that mentally I am enough strong to play well when I had to play well.
Q. Now you have Fognini. The history of matches between you and him says that many times you have problems with him. You lost. Even on cement in Beijing you had problems. What don't you like in his game? What does he do very well that creates problems for you?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, he beat me twice this year. Before he didn't beat me. He played great in Beijing. Finally I won the match. He's a big, talented player. He's a tough opponent for everybody when he's playing well.
So for everybody is a tough opponent, not only for me.
Q. You've been very honest about some of your struggles on the court this year. Obviously people have asked, Why don't you bring in a new coach, extra coaching help? Lots of other top players have part-time coaches. Can you explain again why you don't want to bring in any kind of extra help to your team? What is the thinking?
RAFAEL NADAL: I talked enough about that, no? I always believed that when I am playing bad, when I am not winning, you don't have to find excuses outside or reasons outside. You have to look at yourself in the mirror and say, That's my fault. That's the real thing. It's not the fault of other people.
I had an amazing career with this team. I believe in my team. We are working a lot to find the right way. I think we are in the good way.
I don't know what's going on in the future, but the real thing is if I have to change something is myself, not the people around me. If I am able to change myself, to play again with confidence, to play again with less nerves that I played for a lot of moments this year, I am able to touch the ball the way that I am touching the ball this week of practice before the US Open, I will be again where I want to be.
So is not a question of coach. Is not a question of physiotherapist or physical trainer. Is a question of myself. I am really decided to work hard to find my way.
Q. The nerves, the uncertainty, do you now understand what the problem was? Are you still in the process of trying to understand?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I understand. I understand all the time what happened, no? When you are hitting a forehand and you don't have the tempo to hit the forehand. If you want to hit the forehand here and you hit the forehand here, or you want to hit the forehand here and you hit here, it's because you don't have the mentally relax. You are not enough relax in your mind to do what you used to do.
So if I have nerves, is not the problem of my coach. If I have nerves, is the problem of myself. If I am playing bad, is the same.
During the season I feel that that nerves goes down, so I think I am at the end of all these processes that I had. With the work, with the talks with my team, with the determination to improve something, I think I am at the end of that process.
If is not 100% result, is close to be forget that nerves. Still there, but much less than few months ago. And now remain to keep competing, play well, and be passionate. I believe things are going to arrive well.
Q. When you were in your prime winning championships, they loved that Rafa, that strength that you gave. Do you understand why they're confused or worried about you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sorry?
Q. Do you understand why your fans are worried about you and pushing for you to come back?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am No. 8 in the world. I am not No. 100.
Q. I'm saying, they remember.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Seems like I am No. 200 in every press conference. I am not so bad. After I arrive here with the victory, I come back to the locker room saying how bad I am. Every day.
No, no, the fans, is normal that they are worried because I am worried, too. If I am not playing well, I am the first one who am worried.
You know, seems like I come here, and seems like if I am saying the true, if I am being honest, is bad. So then if I am being honest with you guys and I explain what happened to me, I explain if I playing with nerves or with anxious like I did in Miami and I say after in the press conference, then I don't know what you want of me.
And not telling about you. But in general, the people say, Why you say that? Why you are that honest? You give confidence to the opponent.
I believe what happens outside the court, what we are talking about here don't gonna affect zero percent in the next result.
The thing is you play well you have chances to won; you play bad, you gonna lose the sport is simple.
Q. I apologize. What I meant to say was I was out in the crowd. The crowd was pulling for you. I could feel that they want you to come back.
RAFAEL NADAL: I feel that love. I feel that energy. I always felt that energy when I'm playing in New York and a lot of places around the world, no?
I think I was always nice with the crowd around the world trying to do as much autographs, as much photos with them. I think on the tennis court normally I have been doing the right things during my career, not breaking the racquet no one time in my career, not saying stupid thing on court, celebrating the point, saying bad things when I am not playing well.
So the fans are happy with me. For me is the biggest satisfaction possible to feel the support of the crowd and the people, because that means a lot to me.
Q. What is it like, do you think, for you and for Roger, that with all you've accomplished - and you're still playing at such a high level - that the questions seem to be about what you're not doing as in, You haven't won a major in whatever length of time it is?
RAFAEL NADAL: That's part of the career. But, you know, don't forget that for everybody is a start and for everybody is an end. We still here, but tomorrow we not going to be here.
Sampras was here. He's not here anymore. Connors, McEnroe, everybody pass. The sport continues. We need to promote well our sport, promote well the new generations, too, to keep coming our sport in a very high position of the world of sports.
Q. When you're playing on Armstrong, especially in the first set today in the sun, is it more draining with the heat and sun on that court?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Was okay, no? Is obvious that I prefer to play in the Arthur Ashe that I am little bit more used. The real thing is that the crowd in Armstrong was great this afternoon.
Was great feeling to feel the crowd that close to me. I enjoy that fact. Was a victory, so is a good memory.
Q. Stan said he was asked in Cincinnati if he were to give a mid-match interview on court. I wonder if someone asked you to and if you would accept to do it.
RAFAEL NADAL: Is not my feeling. I don't know, but my feeling is not the thing of one player is doing another thing another playing is not doing. I never heard about that before two days ago.
So the normal thing when one improvement or one new thing like this can happen, the good thing, in my opinion, is if we have a meeting together, the players, we accept, we don't accept. That's how normally we work in our organization, no?
Is about the most of the player, if they are open to do it or they are not open to do it. For me, I going to do it what the most of the players want
.
Q. It's gotten some attention.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. You like it? (Smiling.)
Q. How would you describe your level of play and whether you're satisfied so far?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I serve well today. My serve was working well. I think I had the match under control at the beginning playing well. Then I played a bad game with the 5-3. Then the match became a little bit more crazy, no, some ups and downs.
Today I felt that I was practicing great before the match, and yesterday, too. I felt that during the match I didn't arrive to that high level that I was practicing before.
But it's true that he played really well. Even if he had break up in the second and in the third, I think, too, I had a lot of Love-30s, 15-30s, a lot of opportunities during the whole match to have I think a more comfortable victory.
So remain a little bit more to convert more opportunities.
Q. With these ups and downs during the match, do you find a specific reason why you can go through some ups and downs like this during a match?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I didn't have an up and down today. The other day, yes. Today I didn't have an up and down. I just played a bad game with the 5-3 in the first set and then I didn't play great, but I didn't play bad. I played a normal match.
But was not an up and down like the other day. I was a single level the whole time. For moments better, for moments little bit worse, but that's not up and downs crazy like I had sometimes this year, no? Not a bad place to be.
Q. He felt like you were trying to be a little more aggressive today than he's seen before. Is that something you're consciously trying to do now?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure, no, he was trying to play very aggressive. When you play against a player that they are able to take all the risks with not much pressure, so then is a little bit more difficult to have the control of the point. Because if the opponent decides to hit every ball then is tougher, no?
But tennis is tougher if they playing well. Today he played well, I think, so that's it. Accept that. I fighted well. I fighted until the end.
I came back, even if I had lot of opportunities is the real thing is I was break down in both sets and I came back well to win both sets. That is an important improve for me, and I'm happy for that.
Q. You said you came back in the tiebreaker, too, the next two sets. How much does that boost your confidence?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, this season I lost lot of matches having amazing opportunities. I don't want to say every one now, but if you follow the sport - I believe you do - you know that I lost lot of matches this year that I shouldn't because I had lot of opportunities, no?
I was not that close to lose the match today, no? I was break down in some sets, but is important to come back and feel that mentally I am enough strong to play well when I had to play well.
Q. Now you have Fognini. The history of matches between you and him says that many times you have problems with him. You lost. Even on cement in Beijing you had problems. What don't you like in his game? What does he do very well that creates problems for you?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, he beat me twice this year. Before he didn't beat me. He played great in Beijing. Finally I won the match. He's a big, talented player. He's a tough opponent for everybody when he's playing well.
So for everybody is a tough opponent, not only for me.
Q. You've been very honest about some of your struggles on the court this year. Obviously people have asked, Why don't you bring in a new coach, extra coaching help? Lots of other top players have part-time coaches. Can you explain again why you don't want to bring in any kind of extra help to your team? What is the thinking?
RAFAEL NADAL: I talked enough about that, no? I always believed that when I am playing bad, when I am not winning, you don't have to find excuses outside or reasons outside. You have to look at yourself in the mirror and say, That's my fault. That's the real thing. It's not the fault of other people.
I had an amazing career with this team. I believe in my team. We are working a lot to find the right way. I think we are in the good way.
I don't know what's going on in the future, but the real thing is if I have to change something is myself, not the people around me. If I am able to change myself, to play again with confidence, to play again with less nerves that I played for a lot of moments this year, I am able to touch the ball the way that I am touching the ball this week of practice before the US Open, I will be again where I want to be.
So is not a question of coach. Is not a question of physiotherapist or physical trainer. Is a question of myself. I am really decided to work hard to find my way.
Q. The nerves, the uncertainty, do you now understand what the problem was? Are you still in the process of trying to understand?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I understand. I understand all the time what happened, no? When you are hitting a forehand and you don't have the tempo to hit the forehand. If you want to hit the forehand here and you hit the forehand here, or you want to hit the forehand here and you hit here, it's because you don't have the mentally relax. You are not enough relax in your mind to do what you used to do.
So if I have nerves, is not the problem of my coach. If I have nerves, is the problem of myself. If I am playing bad, is the same.
During the season I feel that that nerves goes down, so I think I am at the end of all these processes that I had. With the work, with the talks with my team, with the determination to improve something, I think I am at the end of that process.
If is not 100% result, is close to be forget that nerves. Still there, but much less than few months ago. And now remain to keep competing, play well, and be passionate. I believe things are going to arrive well.
Q. When you were in your prime winning championships, they loved that Rafa, that strength that you gave. Do you understand why they're confused or worried about you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sorry?
Q. Do you understand why your fans are worried about you and pushing for you to come back?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am No. 8 in the world. I am not No. 100.
Q. I'm saying, they remember.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Seems like I am No. 200 in every press conference. I am not so bad. After I arrive here with the victory, I come back to the locker room saying how bad I am. Every day.
No, no, the fans, is normal that they are worried because I am worried, too. If I am not playing well, I am the first one who am worried.
You know, seems like I come here, and seems like if I am saying the true, if I am being honest, is bad. So then if I am being honest with you guys and I explain what happened to me, I explain if I playing with nerves or with anxious like I did in Miami and I say after in the press conference, then I don't know what you want of me.
And not telling about you. But in general, the people say, Why you say that? Why you are that honest? You give confidence to the opponent.
I believe what happens outside the court, what we are talking about here don't gonna affect zero percent in the next result.
The thing is you play well you have chances to won; you play bad, you gonna lose the sport is simple.
Q. I apologize. What I meant to say was I was out in the crowd. The crowd was pulling for you. I could feel that they want you to come back.
RAFAEL NADAL: I feel that love. I feel that energy. I always felt that energy when I'm playing in New York and a lot of places around the world, no?
I think I was always nice with the crowd around the world trying to do as much autographs, as much photos with them. I think on the tennis court normally I have been doing the right things during my career, not breaking the racquet no one time in my career, not saying stupid thing on court, celebrating the point, saying bad things when I am not playing well.
So the fans are happy with me. For me is the biggest satisfaction possible to feel the support of the crowd and the people, because that means a lot to me.
Q. What is it like, do you think, for you and for Roger, that with all you've accomplished - and you're still playing at such a high level - that the questions seem to be about what you're not doing as in, You haven't won a major in whatever length of time it is?
RAFAEL NADAL: That's part of the career. But, you know, don't forget that for everybody is a start and for everybody is an end. We still here, but tomorrow we not going to be here.
Sampras was here. He's not here anymore. Connors, McEnroe, everybody pass. The sport continues. We need to promote well our sport, promote well the new generations, too, to keep coming our sport in a very high position of the world of sports.
Q. When you're playing on Armstrong, especially in the first set today in the sun, is it more draining with the heat and sun on that court?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Was okay, no? Is obvious that I prefer to play in the Arthur Ashe that I am little bit more used. The real thing is that the crowd in Armstrong was great this afternoon.
Was great feeling to feel the crowd that close to me. I enjoy that fact. Was a victory, so is a good memory.
Q. Stan said he was asked in Cincinnati if he were to give a mid-match interview on court. I wonder if someone asked you to and if you would accept to do it.
RAFAEL NADAL: Is not my feeling. I don't know, but my feeling is not the thing of one player is doing another thing another playing is not doing. I never heard about that before two days ago.
So the normal thing when one improvement or one new thing like this can happen, the good thing, in my opinion, is if we have a meeting together, the players, we accept, we don't accept. That's how normally we work in our organization, no?
Is about the most of the player, if they are open to do it or they are not open to do it. For me, I going to do it what the most of the players want
.
9/01/2015
8/27/2015
8/22/2015
Rafa #Nadal press conference after #R3 in Cincinnati (Transcript)
Q. I'm sure you're very disappointed of this loss today. How do you assess the improvement of your game between last week and this week, however?
RAFAEL NADAL: I played well today. I didn't play a bad match at all. I think Feli played great.
The match decides in ‑‑ playing against him when he's playing like this, my feeling is I didn't make nothing wrong, no?
I was there during the whole match with the right intensity, with the right attitude, doing the things that I have to do, trying to be more aggressive, trying to go to the net more often.
That's what I did. But today I played against an opponent that he played a fantastic match, I think. He played the best match ever against me, without a doubt.
I congratulate him. That's it. For me it's a tough loss because I was playing better and my feeling on court was better than they were before.
For me was an opportunity to win today and to have no pressure match tomorrow to see how the things are going, but was not that case. I lost.
This year, you know, in a lot of key moments of the year I lost a couple of matches that I should not lose. This one is another one. Is a little bit different than others, for sure. Others I lost because of my fault, because I played bad, because I didn't play with the right intensity.
Was not the case of today. So accept the lose and keep going. Is nothing more that I can say and nothing more that I can do than keep going and keep believing that with the work things are going better.
I think having less bad days than months ago, always an improvement. And for me the first improvement that I have to do is avoid the very bad matches, no, against players that I have ‑‑I should not lose. Then when that happens, then is the chance to go and let's see how I am with the top guys, no?
But for me that's the first goal, main goal, and my feeling is I'm doing better that. But today I lost a match that I should ‑‑I could win, not I should not. I could win, and was not that case. That's it.
RAFAEL NADAL: I played well today. I didn't play a bad match at all. I think Feli played great.
The match decides in ‑‑ playing against him when he's playing like this, my feeling is I didn't make nothing wrong, no?
I was there during the whole match with the right intensity, with the right attitude, doing the things that I have to do, trying to be more aggressive, trying to go to the net more often.
That's what I did. But today I played against an opponent that he played a fantastic match, I think. He played the best match ever against me, without a doubt.
I congratulate him. That's it. For me it's a tough loss because I was playing better and my feeling on court was better than they were before.
For me was an opportunity to win today and to have no pressure match tomorrow to see how the things are going, but was not that case. I lost.
This year, you know, in a lot of key moments of the year I lost a couple of matches that I should not lose. This one is another one. Is a little bit different than others, for sure. Others I lost because of my fault, because I played bad, because I didn't play with the right intensity.
Was not the case of today. So accept the lose and keep going. Is nothing more that I can say and nothing more that I can do than keep going and keep believing that with the work things are going better.
I think having less bad days than months ago, always an improvement. And for me the first improvement that I have to do is avoid the very bad matches, no, against players that I have ‑‑I should not lose. Then when that happens, then is the chance to go and let's see how I am with the top guys, no?
But for me that's the first goal, main goal, and my feeling is I'm doing better that. But today I lost a match that I should ‑‑I could win, not I should not. I could win, and was not that case. That's it.
Q. Three matches in Montreal last week, two this week in Cincinnati. Doubles, as well. Do you feel like you have enough matches under your belt ahead of the US Open?
RAFAEL NADAL: Is not a year that I feel that I am preparing for a big tournament, you know? Is not this time, is not this period of the ‑‑is not my feeling, no? My feeling is I go tournament by tournament. Every tournament is important for me and every match is important for me.
Today every match is a test. Every match is an opportunity to improve something.
I did the things that I had to do, I believe I have to do to change a few things that I need to be back to the right level.
I was trying to return more inside than before the first and second serve. I did yesterday; I did today; something that I gonna keep doing, gonna try to keep doing.
I believe I need to practice that and I need to improve on that if I want to have chances to be in the top positions for the next year and to compete against the best players, no?
I am working on these kind of things. Accept that some loses gonna come, maybe, but that's part of my career, too. Is period of time that I don't know if it's enough or not enough for the US Open. I don't think about winning the US Open today. I think about keep going and keep playing a little bit better.
I gonna try to be ready for the US Open. I gonna try to play a good US Open. Let's see if I am able to do it. I think the way that I played this week is a good line, so let's try to be ready for it and we will see if, when the US Open arrives, I am playing well and I have a chance to win matches.
But that's it. Is not preparation for the US Open at all.
RAFAEL NADAL: Is not a year that I feel that I am preparing for a big tournament, you know? Is not this time, is not this period of the ‑‑is not my feeling, no? My feeling is I go tournament by tournament. Every tournament is important for me and every match is important for me.
Today every match is a test. Every match is an opportunity to improve something.
I did the things that I had to do, I believe I have to do to change a few things that I need to be back to the right level.
I was trying to return more inside than before the first and second serve. I did yesterday; I did today; something that I gonna keep doing, gonna try to keep doing.
I believe I need to practice that and I need to improve on that if I want to have chances to be in the top positions for the next year and to compete against the best players, no?
I am working on these kind of things. Accept that some loses gonna come, maybe, but that's part of my career, too. Is period of time that I don't know if it's enough or not enough for the US Open. I don't think about winning the US Open today. I think about keep going and keep playing a little bit better.
I gonna try to be ready for the US Open. I gonna try to play a good US Open. Let's see if I am able to do it. I think the way that I played this week is a good line, so let's try to be ready for it and we will see if, when the US Open arrives, I am playing well and I have a chance to win matches.
But that's it. Is not preparation for the US Open at all.
Q. You talked about trying to eliminate bad matches. How do you do that, because you don't know when they are going to come? Going into the US Open now, how do you make sure you don't have a bad day?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't make sure. (Smiling.)
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't make sure. (Smiling.)
Q. How do you prepare as best as possible doing that?
RAFAEL NADAL: As I did in all my career, eliminate bad matches. I mean, don't play a match like I played against Fognini in Barcelona; don't play a match like I played against Fognini in Brazil; don't play a match like I played against Berdych in Australia; like against Brown in Wimbledon.
Try to eliminate as much as possible these kind of matches. That's something that I did great during all my career, and that's gives you possibility to compete against the higher level players with a little bit more confidence, no?
I am working hard. I don't know if I am gonna eliminate that for the US Open or not. That's it, no? The US Open is not everything. Is a very important tournament, very important tournament that means a lot to me. Is a tournament that I completed the Grand Slam and I won twice. I played many finals. I'm going to try to be there and have the right energy to play a good tournament.
But for me, the real thing today is I know where I am, I know who I am, and I know what's my real level when I am playing well.
And in what I have to be focused in is recover that level. That level is back, I gonna think about winning tournaments.
RAFAEL NADAL: As I did in all my career, eliminate bad matches. I mean, don't play a match like I played against Fognini in Barcelona; don't play a match like I played against Fognini in Brazil; don't play a match like I played against Berdych in Australia; like against Brown in Wimbledon.
Try to eliminate as much as possible these kind of matches. That's something that I did great during all my career, and that's gives you possibility to compete against the higher level players with a little bit more confidence, no?
I am working hard. I don't know if I am gonna eliminate that for the US Open or not. That's it, no? The US Open is not everything. Is a very important tournament, very important tournament that means a lot to me. Is a tournament that I completed the Grand Slam and I won twice. I played many finals. I'm going to try to be there and have the right energy to play a good tournament.
But for me, the real thing today is I know where I am, I know who I am, and I know what's my real level when I am playing well.
And in what I have to be focused in is recover that level. That level is back, I gonna think about winning tournaments.
Q. When did you first get the sense this year that this was going to be a difficult year for you? When did you first start to get the feeling that this year, 2015, might be a difficult year for you? Was it before the year even started? You had a lot of injuries and appendix end of last year.
RAFAEL NADAL: It's obvious that when you have 2012, seven months, eight months out, 2014 seven months out, six months out, that can happen, no?
Look, I am No. 7 in the race, so is not that disaster. I am enough humble to not consider myself that good, consider to be No. 7 in the race a bad number.
I had to keep going and keep fighting for every match to try to finish the year in the top 8. That will be a good news for me if that happen.
And if a bad year that I lost a lot of matches that I should not lose I am able to finish the year in the top 8 will mean that I am good enough. Because playing bad I am in the top 8, or we will say that if I am able to improve a little bit I will have the chance to be higher, no?
So is not the question of ranking or the question of winning or losing. Is a question of recovering the level that I have to recover, I want to recover.
I gonna work hard for it, and this week have been not a negative week. The same last week. Different story a little bit, because last week in the match I lost I didn't competed the way that I wanted.
Today, yes, I competed, but was not the day to win because I did the right things to be through, I think.
RAFAEL NADAL: It's obvious that when you have 2012, seven months, eight months out, 2014 seven months out, six months out, that can happen, no?
Look, I am No. 7 in the race, so is not that disaster. I am enough humble to not consider myself that good, consider to be No. 7 in the race a bad number.
I had to keep going and keep fighting for every match to try to finish the year in the top 8. That will be a good news for me if that happen.
And if a bad year that I lost a lot of matches that I should not lose I am able to finish the year in the top 8 will mean that I am good enough. Because playing bad I am in the top 8, or we will say that if I am able to improve a little bit I will have the chance to be higher, no?
So is not the question of ranking or the question of winning or losing. Is a question of recovering the level that I have to recover, I want to recover.
I gonna work hard for it, and this week have been not a negative week. The same last week. Different story a little bit, because last week in the match I lost I didn't competed the way that I wanted.
Today, yes, I competed, but was not the day to win because I did the right things to be through, I think.
Q. Have you learned anything new about yourself or the sport as you had these difficulties this year? Hard times, you know, you learn about yourself and things don't come easy. Just wondering if you had anything like that at all or you already understood that this could happen before?
RAFAEL NADAL: I always understood that that could happen. For me is, let's say, I always know that, you know, I never consider myself a big, big star. So I know when I appreciate so much when all the good things are happening to me. I enjoy all that things.
I am having a tough year, yes. Not terrible year, bad year. But 14 Grand Slams, 27 Masters 1000, so many tournaments in my bedroom. I cannot make a drama about these kind of things, no, losing matches. That's part of my career, too.
For sure, I am ready to accept all the things. In the other hand, I am the second player on the tour with more victories in my bedroom, no? So nothing to say. This is not the moment to cry and is not the moment to say how lucky I am that I am not winning matches today.
Okay, I am losing and is the thing that I have to accept now and I accept, and I gonna work to change that. But in the other hand I had an amazing career. I am having an amazing career. And I won much more than I ever dreamed.
So still a good chance for me to compete well in the next couple of years and seriously I think I gonna keep doing and I gonna be back again.
RAFAEL NADAL: I always understood that that could happen. For me is, let's say, I always know that, you know, I never consider myself a big, big star. So I know when I appreciate so much when all the good things are happening to me. I enjoy all that things.
I am having a tough year, yes. Not terrible year, bad year. But 14 Grand Slams, 27 Masters 1000, so many tournaments in my bedroom. I cannot make a drama about these kind of things, no, losing matches. That's part of my career, too.
For sure, I am ready to accept all the things. In the other hand, I am the second player on the tour with more victories in my bedroom, no? So nothing to say. This is not the moment to cry and is not the moment to say how lucky I am that I am not winning matches today.
Okay, I am losing and is the thing that I have to accept now and I accept, and I gonna work to change that. But in the other hand I had an amazing career. I am having an amazing career. And I won much more than I ever dreamed.
So still a good chance for me to compete well in the next couple of years and seriously I think I gonna keep doing and I gonna be back again.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
8/13/2015
Rafa #Nadal press conference after #R2 at Coupe Rogers 2015 (Transcript)
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How is it to get back in your rhythm on that surface?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think it was a good match, no? Only one bad game in the whole match, I think, 5‑4 with my serve in the first set. The rest was a positive match I think.
Not easy conditions today, no? A lot of wind. A player who don't want to play a lot of points from the baseline, so just try to play the points shorter, so going to the net, playing with the slice. Was not an easy opponent to start.
Happy the way I managed the match. As I say, only that game, 5‑4 with my serve, in the first set. The rest was very positive.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think it was a good match, no? Only one bad game in the whole match, I think, 5‑4 with my serve in the first set. The rest was a positive match I think.
Not easy conditions today, no? A lot of wind. A player who don't want to play a lot of points from the baseline, so just try to play the points shorter, so going to the net, playing with the slice. Was not an easy opponent to start.
Happy the way I managed the match. As I say, only that game, 5‑4 with my serve, in the first set. The rest was very positive.
Q. Early in the tiebreaker, you had that exchange where you had a couple chances for the big killer overhead smash. Your opponent stayed alive. Does having the opportunity for those plays bring out the beast or killer instinct in you?
RAFAEL NADAL: I make a mistake. I think he's going to the other side. The first smash was the one that I had to win. The next few smashes were not easy because was a lot of wind out there. The ball was coming so high. I was happy that I didn't miss (smiling).
Then he was quick on serving those balls. In general I played a good tiebreak, I think. In the second set, I played a good tennis.
RAFAEL NADAL: I make a mistake. I think he's going to the other side. The first smash was the one that I had to win. The next few smashes were not easy because was a lot of wind out there. The ball was coming so high. I was happy that I didn't miss (smiling).
Then he was quick on serving those balls. In general I played a good tiebreak, I think. In the second set, I played a good tennis.
Q. Do you prefer starting with a tougher match like that or starting with an easier match? Is it easier to find your groove with a tougher opponent like that?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't prefer nothing (smiling). I prefer to be here with a victory; doesn't matter the way. Important thing is winning. You have another opportunity tomorrow.
The same time this is a part of the season that I won zero points last year. Every match that I won are points that I add to the computer for my ranking. That's important for me today. So every victory is important for me.
That was a good one. Let's try tomorrow.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't prefer nothing (smiling). I prefer to be here with a victory; doesn't matter the way. Important thing is winning. You have another opportunity tomorrow.
The same time this is a part of the season that I won zero points last year. Every match that I won are points that I add to the computer for my ranking. That's important for me today. So every victory is important for me.
That was a good one. Let's try tomorrow.
Q. It's been a disappointing year for you so far by your high standards.
RAFAEL NADAL: Disappointing year? The year is obviously the worst year since couple years ago. But the year is not finished, so...
RAFAEL NADAL: Disappointing year? The year is obviously the worst year since couple years ago. But the year is not finished, so...
Q. Do you feel with a deep run here you have a chance at the US Open?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know if I have a chance at the US Open. I don't know if I have a chance here or not. The only thing that I know is that all the ups and downs I had during the whole season, the line is positive, no? Is not up and down with negative line. Since the beginning of the season I think my level of tennis has been still up and down, but during the whole season was little bit higher level, no?
That's important for me. I go day by day. Today is a victory that I am happy with. I satisfied the way that I played. I am practicing well. I am practicing more than ever now because I am healthy and because I feel that's what I need today.
I won in Hamburg a couple weeks ago. That was an important victory here. Six consecutive victories, didn't happen that very often during the season. That's a positive moment for me. Let's try to continue with that moment tomorrow.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know if I have a chance at the US Open. I don't know if I have a chance here or not. The only thing that I know is that all the ups and downs I had during the whole season, the line is positive, no? Is not up and down with negative line. Since the beginning of the season I think my level of tennis has been still up and down, but during the whole season was little bit higher level, no?
That's important for me. I go day by day. Today is a victory that I am happy with. I satisfied the way that I played. I am practicing well. I am practicing more than ever now because I am healthy and because I feel that's what I need today.
I won in Hamburg a couple weeks ago. That was an important victory here. Six consecutive victories, didn't happen that very often during the season. That's a positive moment for me. Let's try to continue with that moment tomorrow.
Q. This is the second time this week that you mentioned not having any points in the computer from last year. How does that make you feel? Does it make you feel a little bit more relaxed knowing that you don't have any points to defend?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. Not at all, no. Seriously, when I go to every tournament, I don't think about if I have to defend or if I don't have to defend nothing. I go to the tournament with the motivation to play a good tournament and to win as many matches as possible, no?
But is obvious during the rest of the season I don't have to defend nothing. Every good result that I have will add some points to the computer for me. That will help.
It's tougher, the tournaments, when you are outside of the top four or top eight. The tournaments can be much tougher. You are not seeded high. So is important for me stay seeded in a good position for the next tournaments.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. Not at all, no. Seriously, when I go to every tournament, I don't think about if I have to defend or if I don't have to defend nothing. I go to the tournament with the motivation to play a good tournament and to win as many matches as possible, no?
But is obvious during the rest of the season I don't have to defend nothing. Every good result that I have will add some points to the computer for me. That will help.
It's tougher, the tournaments, when you are outside of the top four or top eight. The tournaments can be much tougher. You are not seeded high. So is important for me stay seeded in a good position for the next tournaments.
Q. On a day when you have a singles match and a doubles match, I saw your practice this morning, it looked like a hard, long session. Do you believe that work ethic gets you back to No.1 or are there people saying that you don't have to work so hard, take it easy on your body now?
RAFAEL NADAL: I do what I feel is better for my tennis. I feel that, you know, normally before tournaments I practice two hours. Here I arrived on Thursday, so I practiced Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday three hours every day. So more than usual.
Playing doubles here helps to get more adapt to the hard court, with returns, with fast movements. That's why I am playing doubles here.
RAFAEL NADAL: I do what I feel is better for my tennis. I feel that, you know, normally before tournaments I practice two hours. Here I arrived on Thursday, so I practiced Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday three hours every day. So more than usual.
Playing doubles here helps to get more adapt to the hard court, with returns, with fast movements. That's why I am playing doubles here.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
7/25/2015
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