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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)