9/30/2016
8/03/2016
7/29/2016
5/26/2016
5/24/2016
Nadal v Groth 2016 Roland-Garros Men's Highlights / R1
Nadal v Groth 2016 Roland-Garros Men's Highlights / R1
5/11/2016
5/10/2016
5/06/2016
5/02/2016
4/24/2016
4/23/2016
Rafa #Nadal Press conference after #QF at Barcelona Open 2016 [ENGLISH]
via http://www.barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com/sites/default/files/audios/pdf/rafa_nadal_5.pdf
“The game was quite in control as of being a game of tennis. During the game I have enjoyed playing. Honestly, since 2-2 until 4-2 I have had 40/15, 15/40 and I didn’t take advantages of the opportunities I had and the set got complicated. He played very well his drop shots and the hitters. In general it was a good game that could have been closed before. I felt the support by the public since I am playing at home. I am happy for the victory and for being in the semifinals.” “I could have lost, in the end in tennis you lose. The feelings weren’t the same as last year. You don’t always loose but it happens on a tennis court and feelings are not comparable to last year. Fognini is one of the best players in the world on this surface. It is a very positive result against a very difficult rival that under the circumstances could have been more or less favorable than it has been.” “I don’t pretend to do anything and I don’t compare to nothing. I live life day by day. I aim to play better every day that is my comparison, not to other years or other titles. At the end of the day I compare day to day. From there I try to be the best. There were moments were I played a very high level. I know I was playing well and that I have done by backhand well. Tomorrow there is another opportunity.” “The mind is what permit you do better with the right hand. You have to do it without handing over points and without making mistakes. When you achieve this mental strength and avoid making many mistakes the rest comes little by little.” “Kuznetsov and Kohlschreiber are different players. They are different players but complicated. Whenever they play well they are capable of playing a good game.” “I have great feelings. There was a great crowd. I enjoyed the match a lot. The atmosphere was unbelievable on the court today. I feel the support of the crowd and it is something very special for me to play at home. I am happy for the victory and I think that I was playing great tennis for the most of the time today. I am just happy to be in the semifinals and have another chance tomorrow to play well.” “I know he has a huge potential and that he can hit a lot of winners. At the same he has the chance to play so well but he takes a lot of risks too. He will hit winners but the same time he will make mistakes. I will have to find the balance to not missing but also not giving him the chance to push me back or to hit too many winners from not too difficult positions. “ “My aim is never revenge. I don’t believe in revenge and that kind of thing. I believe that last year was a different year than this year and a different kind of match. I never thought about the match last year coming into this match. I thought about playing my tennis. I know I was playing well and if it would stay like that then I would have my chances.”
via http://www.barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com/sites/default/files/audios/pdf/rafa_nadal_5.pdf
“The game was quite in control as of being a game of tennis. During the game I have enjoyed playing. Honestly, since 2-2 until 4-2 I have had 40/15, 15/40 and I didn’t take advantages of the opportunities I had and the set got complicated. He played very well his drop shots and the hitters. In general it was a good game that could have been closed before. I felt the support by the public since I am playing at home. I am happy for the victory and for being in the semifinals.” “I could have lost, in the end in tennis you lose. The feelings weren’t the same as last year. You don’t always loose but it happens on a tennis court and feelings are not comparable to last year. Fognini is one of the best players in the world on this surface. It is a very positive result against a very difficult rival that under the circumstances could have been more or less favorable than it has been.” “I don’t pretend to do anything and I don’t compare to nothing. I live life day by day. I aim to play better every day that is my comparison, not to other years or other titles. At the end of the day I compare day to day. From there I try to be the best. There were moments were I played a very high level. I know I was playing well and that I have done by backhand well. Tomorrow there is another opportunity.” “The mind is what permit you do better with the right hand. You have to do it without handing over points and without making mistakes. When you achieve this mental strength and avoid making many mistakes the rest comes little by little.” “Kuznetsov and Kohlschreiber are different players. They are different players but complicated. Whenever they play well they are capable of playing a good game.” “I have great feelings. There was a great crowd. I enjoyed the match a lot. The atmosphere was unbelievable on the court today. I feel the support of the crowd and it is something very special for me to play at home. I am happy for the victory and I think that I was playing great tennis for the most of the time today. I am just happy to be in the semifinals and have another chance tomorrow to play well.” “I know he has a huge potential and that he can hit a lot of winners. At the same he has the chance to play so well but he takes a lot of risks too. He will hit winners but the same time he will make mistakes. I will have to find the balance to not missing but also not giving him the chance to push me back or to hit too many winners from not too difficult positions. “ “My aim is never revenge. I don’t believe in revenge and that kind of thing. I believe that last year was a different year than this year and a different kind of match. I never thought about the match last year coming into this match. I thought about playing my tennis. I know I was playing well and if it would stay like that then I would have my chances.”
4/20/2016
Press Conference: Rafa Nadal (ESP)
via @EnzoOlivera
"It is difficult to have good feelings after the game. It was very windy. It has been very
uncomfortable day with a lot of wind that changes all the time and for this reason it was
complicated. I think that from when I did the break from 1-1 to 4-1 15/40 I think I played well
under the circumstances. I managed to play intensively and I started well the second set. In
general it went well with my control. I didn’t suffer a lot. It was a very complicated day. Not a
day for big sensations. The aim was to pass to next round and it has been done and I am happy
about it. Tomorrow is another day".
"I twisted my foot a little bit. In the beginning it did hurt a little bit but nothing important. I
was lucky to fall on the ground. If I had tried to stay on my feet then we probably would have
been in another situation. I don’t know if it is a skill or luck. This has happened to me many
times during my career and I think it is essential to let yourself fall straight away because when
you try to hold on is when the foot stops you there whereas if you fall, nothing".
"My next rival has achieved a lot. Everything he has done during his career and going on and
one winning games is difficult. He is a great example. He has won now against a good rival,
Joao and surely he will come and play a good game. I will aim to be prepared to play a good
game".
"I hope so! Because then I will be in the final. Pablo has started this season very well and is in
the top on the ranks. He won in Rio and he won in Sao Paolo. Last week he lost against a great
player Raonic 7-6 in third set, and he could have continued winning. I think this season on clay
is very important to him and he has a lot of chances to bring great results, and surely he will
take them on with a lot of enthusiasm, especially now after having played so well on clay in
South America as well".
"All the years are different, almost eight years straight here. Every year there is a different
feeling. There are not same feelings. But well, obviously having won the Monte Carlo has made
me calm and confident. I feel that I am playing well right now. I felt well playing In Austraulian
Open but it didn’t go well and in Miami what happened, happened and it doesn’t mean a lot
but it is better to play well than not playing well. Better chances to have to be successful. I
have been training and playing well for several weeks. Last week was an important week for
me and hopefully it will continue and I can play a good tournament".
"It is a beautiful feeling. Even though it has been many years here then always seeing images
like that, you can imagine the personal satisfaction and I am thankful for the kids, the young
ones and the grown-ups. It is a special feeling playing at home. Playing in Barcelona and
Madrid or any other place in Spain it is always a special feeling and now it will be two weeks in
a row playing in home. I am always excited and it is a big motivation for me. Honestly feeling
the affection from the people at home is a special and beautiful feeling".
"I don’t know how I am (feeling). Simply, I am feeling well without comparing. I am feeling
good with the manner I am training and I have worked so far compared to the last season.
Considering the results so far, there are some that haven’t liked the start but well. Playing well
for continuous weeks is what I need and what I am achieving. The average level and the top
average level is a routine in order to know “this is what you have” and from thereon look
towards the top. I am happy and it is another opportunity to play well and I will strive for it to
the max".http://www.barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com/sites/default/files/audios/pdf/nadal_.pdf
4/15/2016
4/11/2016
3/26/2016
Rafa #Nadal pre-tournament press conference in Miami Open 2016 (Transcript)
Q. Just found out a few minutes ago that Roger had to withdraw this morning with a stomach virus of. What's your reaction? He put in a lot have work to get back here.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, just sorry for him. Sorry for the tournament, for the fans, for everybody. It's obvious that tournaments with Roger is always better. Is good that it's stomach problem, not the knee, so not a big deal. Obviously terrible news for the tournament.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, just sorry for him. Sorry for the tournament, for the fans, for everybody. It's obvious that tournaments with Roger is always better. Is good that it's stomach problem, not the knee, so not a big deal. Obviously terrible news for the tournament.
Q. It's been an amazing career, 67 titles. You've got a big milestone coming up. You're turning 30. What drives you right now?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I am happy doing what I am doing. That's the real thing, no? I enjoy playing my sport. It's about love for the game, about passion for what I am doing, and I am going to be here until I am unhappy doing what I am doing.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I am happy doing what I am doing. That's the real thing, no? I enjoy playing my sport. It's about love for the game, about passion for what I am doing, and I am going to be here until I am unhappy doing what I am doing.
Q. Rafa, you have a lot of fans in South Florida. People come here to watch you play. There is a chance this tournament may not be here much longer. They're talking about potentially moving it. What do you think about that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think it's obvious that Miami is an amazing city and is unbelievable for us to be here in Miami, to play here in Miami.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think it's obvious that Miami is an amazing city and is unbelievable for us to be here in Miami, to play here in Miami.
The same time, for the Latin people, Spanish people, we feel close because very big community of Latinos here. So in my opinion, will be not good if the tournament moves from here.
At the same time, it's obvious that something needs to happen. It's obvious that all the tournaments are improving. All the tournaments are making improvements on facilities and everything, and is true that this tournament didn't make that happen for a while.
So it's obvious that both events, Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back, you see all the things that Indian Wells is improving day by day.
Miami it's obvious that probably for the situation it's difficult to make something bigger because you are just in the middle of the -- almost in the middle of the city.
So probably of the comparation is not helping to this tournament. But still, an amazing event. For sure I love being here. I love this tournament. I would like to keep watching this tournament here.
Q. Just a little bit back. You've I think been in four finals here, but no titles. How do you kind of reckon that in your mind or why or what you're feeling about the tournament being that you've come so close and not come up with the goods yet? Maybe this year.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think I played well in my career here, no? Four finals; another semifinals; some more quarterfinals probably. So was a positive tournament for me. Only negative thing is I finally never win it.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think I played well in my career here, no? Four finals; another semifinals; some more quarterfinals probably. So was a positive tournament for me. Only negative thing is I finally never win it.
But the feeling, the atmosphere here is great. I enjoy being here. The fans here are amazing with me, so just enjoy.
Q. Toni wrote an article about tennis equipment getting bigger, and he worries tennis will become a game of speed and power and not so much skill and tactics. Do you agree with him?
RAFAEL NADAL: The sport in general needs to improve in all aspects, and it's obvious that the players today are taller than before. The racquets hits the ball harder than before, four years before.
RAFAEL NADAL: The sport in general needs to improve in all aspects, and it's obvious that the players today are taller than before. The racquets hits the ball harder than before, four years before.
Same time, is true that nothing changed in our sport in terms of rules. How high is the net, everything. So for the moment is obvious that the tennis have been tremendous successful for I think a long time now. The sport is healthy, but it's obvious at the same time we need to move to predict the future.
I'm not talking for my generation, but for the next generation. It's true that the people, in my opinion, likes the drama, the rallies. I don't remember amazing matches that was only one serve and one shot. The matches that the people remember most are matches that they are slow matches with unbelievable points, and the applause of the people or the emotions of the people are not only with one serve and one shot.
You know, the people gets emotional when the points are intense, long. If every time we make that happen less often, it's obvious that our sport can be in trouble for the future.
Q. When you had the rivalries like you've had with Roger or Djokovic, as compared to when one when player is dominating for a while, which do you see as better? When you have the rivalries or one player is on a roll?
RAFAEL NADAL: Unfortunately it's obvious that now is better for Novak. I don't know. Depend for who. I think the real thing is rivalries are good. In my opinion is not good if win a tournament every week a different player, because if there is 20 players winning tournaments different weeks, the people arrive to the tournament and nobody knows who are the favorite to win.
RAFAEL NADAL: Unfortunately it's obvious that now is better for Novak. I don't know. Depend for who. I think the real thing is rivalries are good. In my opinion is not good if win a tournament every week a different player, because if there is 20 players winning tournaments different weeks, the people arrive to the tournament and nobody knows who are the favorite to win.
It's difficult because the people needs to support one player. So you need the stars. To create the stars you need players that have been there for a long time and players competing for the most important events very often.
At the same time, it's good to have combination of styles; it's good to have different players that fights for the important things, and one or another can win.
So I think happened the last 10, 12 years, and now for last year and a half, two years one is dominating maybe too much.
But he deserves.
Q. A year ago you sat in that chair and told us about the crisis in confidence, how you weren't believing in yourself. Can you just tell us what the difference is in the space of a year?
RAFAEL NADAL: The difference is I'm enjoying on court. I'm not feeling that nerves on court. I'm not feeling that strange feeling that I never felt. I am enjoying on the practices, I am enjoying on the tennis court. I feel with the right energy. I can lose, I can win, but I am happy on court. That's the most important thing. That's the big difference on what happen last year, what I told last year.
RAFAEL NADAL: The difference is I'm enjoying on court. I'm not feeling that nerves on court. I'm not feeling that strange feeling that I never felt. I am enjoying on the practices, I am enjoying on the tennis court. I feel with the right energy. I can lose, I can win, but I am happy on court. That's the most important thing. That's the big difference on what happen last year, what I told last year.
Q. How do you feel today? I saw that you warmed up, the weather, do you think it's kind of hot today for you, this weekend, weather-wise.
RAFAEL NADAL: It's not very hot. It's very humid. That's it.
RAFAEL NADAL: It's not very hot. It's very humid. That's it.
Q. (Question regarding Barcelona and Real Madrid.)
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, remain one week and a half. We have time to talk about that.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, remain one week and a half. We have time to talk about that.
Always is a special match, a special clash, and I going to enjoy watching. Is true that it's less emotional than other times because the league is almost done, but Real Madrid is competing for the second place, too, so we'll see.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
2/11/2016
2/08/2016
1/16/2016
Rafa #Nadal Pre-tournament press conference AO 2016 (Transcript)
Q. Rafa, how have you felt the past few days practicing here in Melbourne, and your thoughts on starting the tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, no, I have had good practices here. Very happy to be here again. Good feelings. Just trying to be ready.
Q. Can you talk about your first round. You’re playing someone you know well, you played doubles with him.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, very tough first round. Not a lucky first round, I think, for me. For him either. Will be a tough match. I need to be ready to play a very good tennis if I want to be through.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, very tough first round. Not a lucky first round, I think, for me. For him either. Will be a tough match. I need to be ready to play a very good tennis if I want to be through.
Q. Rafa, your match with him here in 2009 was a pretty spectacular match. Where does that sit in your memory?
RAFAEL NADAL: Obvious that that match gave me the chance to win the only Australian Open that I won. That was an unforgettable memory for me. I think was a huge level of tennis there. Some spectacular points. A lot of people always talk me about that match, no?
RAFAEL NADAL: Obvious that that match gave me the chance to win the only Australian Open that I won. That was an unforgettable memory for me. I think was a huge level of tennis there. Some spectacular points. A lot of people always talk me about that match, no?
I enjoyed that match. Was tough one. Was a great experience.
Q. How are conditions of play this year? Same as last year, faster, slower?
RAFAEL NADAL: It’s not fast, not slow. It’s not unbelievable fast. But I think the outdoor courts, the outside courts are faster. I played in Margaret, Hisense and Rod Laver. The courts are not slow. A little bit faster. But okay, not bad. Good feelings.
RAFAEL NADAL: It’s not fast, not slow. It’s not unbelievable fast. But I think the outdoor courts, the outside courts are faster. I played in Margaret, Hisense and Rod Laver. The courts are not slow. A little bit faster. But okay, not bad. Good feelings.
Q. Rafa, how do you feel about playing another left-hander? Do you think you’re better against a right-hander? How does that affect you?
RAFAEL NADAL: I can tell you that on Tuesday after the match (smiling).
RAFAEL NADAL: I can tell you that on Tuesday after the match (smiling).
I played a lot of times with lefties. We’ll see, no? Is not about playing against a lefty, is about playing against a player that has a huge potential, is able to reach a great level of tennis. If you are not playing your best, is very, very dangerous match.
Q. Rafa, we talk in the media a lot about the big four, maybe the figure five with Stan. Do you think with the way Novak is playing now, the way he played last year, is Novak in a league of one above everybody else or do you think there is still that big group of four or five players who can still win big tournaments?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know, no. Is your name, big four. Big one is your name, not my name. I really don’t care much about it. Just the only thing that is true, is Novak is playing at better level than the rest of the players now. That’s obvious, no? The way he’s playing, it’s difficult to see him losing matches.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know, no. Is your name, big four. Big one is your name, not my name. I really don’t care much about it. Just the only thing that is true, is Novak is playing at better level than the rest of the players now. That’s obvious, no? The way he’s playing, it’s difficult to see him losing matches.
Just can congratulate him for made that happen.
Q. Can I ask you about your academy? What is the particular philosophy behind it? Is it to find the next Rafa or to sort of teach people about life and tennis and everything else?
RAFAEL NADAL: The next Djokovic or the next me or the next Andy or Roger, you know, is difficult to find that, no? I think these players are a natural talent players. It’s difficult to teach them. For sure, it’s important for all of us to have the right people around us during the years that we grow. But the natural talent has a big impact on all of this.
RAFAEL NADAL: The next Djokovic or the next me or the next Andy or Roger, you know, is difficult to find that, no? I think these players are a natural talent players. It’s difficult to teach them. For sure, it’s important for all of us to have the right people around us during the years that we grow. But the natural talent has a big impact on all of this.
But in my academy, we really hope to have the right team to help the kids to bring the tennis at the best level possible. The tennis academy, that should be the main goal, just have the better team possible to help the kids to become better and better tennis players.
But that’s something that is the key, but in the other hand, for us, and for me personally, I don’t understand that without the right education, the right values. For us is so important to have the right people to help the kids to grow with the right values, with the right education. For us is important the studies, the school. That’s why we have international school inside academy. We have a medical center inside academy, with nutritionists, with everything.
We going to have all the things together inside the academy that makes the life easier for the kids, but at the same time to try to help them in all aspects, to prepare them for the future, even if they are professional tennis players or like most of the players that are going to come are not going to be professional tennis players, that happens everywhere, because the percentage is very small. So prepare them for university. At the international school, we going to help them make that transition to the best universities possible and prepare them for the life.
Sports, education and values I think are together. If we can have the right combination, for sure is an unforgettable and great experience for the future of these kids.
Q. When you finish playing, do you think you will be much involved in the academy? Will you do some coaching?
RAFAEL NADAL: Never say never. I cannot say what’s going on on the future. For me the academy, it’s obvious that I going to be very involved. That’s why we build the academy in my hometown.
RAFAEL NADAL: Never say never. I cannot say what’s going on on the future. For me the academy, it’s obvious that I going to be very involved. That’s why we build the academy in my hometown.
For me the sport is a big passion, not only tennis, but sport in general is a big passion. Have an academy that we have the facilities to receive sports teams in almost all the facilities, all the different sports. It’s something that for sure motivates me a lot.
I am sure that I going to be, I don’t know if traveling like a coach, but practicing and hitting balls with the kids in my academy very often.
Q. Do you plan to change your schedule at all because of the Olympic Games?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know if you know my schedule, but I play here, I play Rio de Janeiro, I play Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen’s, Wimbledon, Toronto, Cincinnati. That’s my schedule.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know if you know my schedule, but I play here, I play Rio de Janeiro, I play Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen’s, Wimbledon, Toronto, Cincinnati. That’s my schedule.
If I lose more than you expect, then you play more. But if you win more than you expect, you play less.
Q. When you said Novak is playing at a level where he doesn’t look like he’s going to lose too many matches, how quickly can that change? When other people are trying to catch up, how quickly can things change?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. Good thing of Novak, the better thing, is he’s an amazing player. Second good thing is he never has injuries, so that helps a lot to have full confidence on yourself, and to don’t lose the rhythm never.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. Good thing of Novak, the better thing, is he’s an amazing player. Second good thing is he never has injuries, so that helps a lot to have full confidence on yourself, and to don’t lose the rhythm never.
When you are in the top, you have injuries, is tougher to recover that confidence and that level of tennis. So going to be decisive if he keep going that way with no injuries, that he has the chance to practice an play as much as he can, that matches he wons. That’s something great for him, very positive thing.
And then I hope to be there fighting to be closer to him. I am sure that the rest of the players wants the same than me.
Q. What do you remember from being a young player having to learn English? What challenges did that present you when you were younger doing interviews, on-court presentations?
RAFAEL NADAL: For me was much more fun before. I don’t care about what I was saying. I only had a few words, that’s it (smiling).
RAFAEL NADAL: For me was much more fun before. I don’t care about what I was saying. I only had a few words, that’s it (smiling).
Q. So it was fun not knowing English?
RAFAEL NADAL: Was good fun but was not good.
RAFAEL NADAL: Was good fun but was not good.
Source: Australian Open
1/13/2016
1/08/2016
1/06/2016
1/05/2016
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