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Now I feel more relaxed
The Spanish tennis player said that the victories in the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo and Rome have given him the confidence to continue improving
Rafael Nadal said in Madrid that winning the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo and Rome had provided the "tad" of tranquility he needed, and he is not worried that the Serbian Novak Djokovic is not playing in the Spanish capital.
"I won in Monte Carlo and Rome, and that gave me that wee bit of tranquility that I needed," Nadal said, "they are two titles that are personally very special."
"I'm not in shape from Monte Carlo, but from January 1. Throughout 2010 I have been ready to win every tournament I've played. Maybe I was lacking bit of tranquility in specific moments," admitted Nadal.
"I should have gone farther in Indian Wells and have won in Doha. In Australia I played the worst tournament, but but he (Andy Murray) was the one that was playing better," he said.
"It doesn't worry me if Djokovic is here or not" Nadal said of the possibility to seize the position of world number two from the Serbian. "It's more negative and not, especially for the tournament and entertainment. We are only half way into the year and missing a lot. With my feet on the ground all I can think of is to keep working. In 'Race' I'm number one and what there is to go day by day, and then see what happens. "
"The draw depends on how you play," Nadal said of the Madrid tournament, "and playing at altitude is difficult. All matches will be a life or death, because they are more equal than in other tournaments. There is no draws in a Masters series 1000 " he said.
Nadal explained that precisely because of the altitude of the tournament which takes place in the Magic Box he had arrived early in Madrid. "After winning in Rome went back to Mallorca and rested a couple of days. Madrid is a little harder than the rest of the tournament, so I tried to adapt better. But it is a special motivation to play at home," he said.
Whether the decision not to play in Barcelona kept him more fresh at this point in the season, Nadal said he did not know with certainty. "I did not play in Barcelona because I thought it might be too much for my body. I'm happy with that decision."
Regarding improvements to the Madrid tournament, Nadal was happy.
"Madrid has always had a great tournament last year was the first, was somewhat disorganized, but they have changed and it is a very good tournament, really spectacular," he said.
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& another...Q& A
Nadal to conquer Madrid
A few hours before the start of final phase of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open, Rafael Nadal states he is in form and especially motivated by the fact of playing at home.
Q: What has done Rafa since Rome and how you have adapted to the conditions of Madrid? Last year was hard for you, I think.
A: I have returned to Mallorca, I have rested two days, I started to practice on Wednesday and flew to Madrid on Thursday, that's all. Madrid is more difficult than others, so I came early to adapt as quickly as possible. I know it will be a tough tournament, but for me there is always a special motivation to play at home. I will do everything I can to win, for sure.
Q: I know that there is still time, but what about U.S. Open. You have won Grand Slams but have not won the U.S. Open, the results have always been worse there. Can you talk about the difficulties faced in the past? Is the tournament that you want to win?
A: No, I played two semifinals, the results have not been bad. Open conditions are the hardest for me because the balls are harder to play. In any case it is too early to talk about it, for me, right now, most importantly is Madrid.
P: Rafa, this year you played less on clay, you have not played in the Barcelona Open and you played less on clay on Masters Series. Do you feel more fresh?
R: I do not know. I made the decision of not playing in Barcelona because I thought that three weeks in a row might be too much for the body, but I'm okay, I'm happy with how I'm going this year, I'm playing well in almost all tournaments. This is a tough tournament but at the same time is something very special and I know that I'm fine.
Q: Are you surprised by Federer's results? With the problems Djokovic is having, what this means?
A: Always try to give the maximum and do not know whether to talk about others. I guess losing in the third round of Rome was a surprise but he played against a very dangerous player. On clay it is something that can happen, I have not seen the game last weekend so I can not comment on the matter.
Q: If you could compare the player who was the last time you won the French Open two years ago and the player who is now ...
R: I do not like comparisons.
Q: Has the Madrid Open improves than the previous editions? Especially from last year?
A: Yes, of course. Madrid has always been a torneazo, so was last year, although it was the first year done here and everything was more disorganized, this year everything is fine, have changed everything and the truth is that it is a very good tournament. Has improved, the competition itself is spectacular. The instalations for players are very good, perhaps unique, as men and women, sometimes the hours of training are complicated, but it happens in all world regions.
Q: How was the recovery process so far by now to be shape? You have shown in Monte Carlo ...
R: I am not in shape from Monte Carlo, much less, I am from 1 January. Since I started playing in 2010 I have been fit enough to win all the tournaments I've played, maybe I have not done because maybe I lacked a bit of tranquility at some point. But the level was there and should have gone further in both Indian Wells and in Australia, which I think has been the worst tournament I've played, but has also been the match where I've lost it but I've been playing better, with much difference. And no, I think I'm fine, I'm happy, I have won in Monte Carlo and Rome, which are one of the two most important tournaments for me and gave me that extra peace of mind I needed. Besides, there are two Masters titles 1000 and are very special to me.
Q. Djokovic could not come, you are closer to the number two or the one. How do you approachthe draw, the tournament and the gap? Djokovic will lose points by not playing in Madrid.
A: I have also 600, but do not know how is the issue. I do not understand you. What must to happen to become the number two?
P: Well, by not playing, he does not accumulate points and if you do a good tournament, you approach to number two ...
A: Oh, okay. Approach, yes, I did not understand the question. Well, the truth is I do not care whether Djokovic is or not, is much more negative he isn't, especially for the tournament and for the show as if he was, and being number two or one, we are at the half of the year, much work and it can be anything from number one to well below. I am with my feet on the ground, working every day, in the race I am very well situated, and besides I'm no. one with some margin, follow as I am doing and see what happens.
Q. Are you happy with the draw? Avoiding Federer and Murray until the Final? Are you happy?
A: The draw is always better or worse depending on how well you play. And the fact that here will be played at altitude makes every game more complicated, so for me, all matches will be a life or death, because the matches are going to be more equals than in other tournaments. The draw is a normal draw, with the difficulty of a Masters 1000 where are all the best in the world. So there is no "good" draw in a Masters 1000. It is very complicated.
A few hours before the start of final phase of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open, Rafael Nadal states he is in form and especially motivated by the fact of playing at home.
Q: What has done Rafa since Rome and how you have adapted to the conditions of Madrid? Last year was hard for you, I think.
A: I have returned to Mallorca, I have rested two days, I started to practice on Wednesday and flew to Madrid on Thursday, that's all. Madrid is more difficult than others, so I came early to adapt as quickly as possible. I know it will be a tough tournament, but for me there is always a special motivation to play at home. I will do everything I can to win, for sure.
Q: I know that there is still time, but what about U.S. Open. You have won Grand Slams but have not won the U.S. Open, the results have always been worse there. Can you talk about the difficulties faced in the past? Is the tournament that you want to win?
A: No, I played two semifinals, the results have not been bad. Open conditions are the hardest for me because the balls are harder to play. In any case it is too early to talk about it, for me, right now, most importantly is Madrid.
P: Rafa, this year you played less on clay, you have not played in the Barcelona Open and you played less on clay on Masters Series. Do you feel more fresh?
R: I do not know. I made the decision of not playing in Barcelona because I thought that three weeks in a row might be too much for the body, but I'm okay, I'm happy with how I'm going this year, I'm playing well in almost all tournaments. This is a tough tournament but at the same time is something very special and I know that I'm fine.
Q: Are you surprised by Federer's results? With the problems Djokovic is having, what this means?
A: Always try to give the maximum and do not know whether to talk about others. I guess losing in the third round of Rome was a surprise but he played against a very dangerous player. On clay it is something that can happen, I have not seen the game last weekend so I can not comment on the matter.
Q: If you could compare the player who was the last time you won the French Open two years ago and the player who is now ...
R: I do not like comparisons.
Q: Has the Madrid Open improves than the previous editions? Especially from last year?
A: Yes, of course. Madrid has always been a torneazo, so was last year, although it was the first year done here and everything was more disorganized, this year everything is fine, have changed everything and the truth is that it is a very good tournament. Has improved, the competition itself is spectacular. The instalations for players are very good, perhaps unique, as men and women, sometimes the hours of training are complicated, but it happens in all world regions.
Q: How was the recovery process so far by now to be shape? You have shown in Monte Carlo ...
R: I am not in shape from Monte Carlo, much less, I am from 1 January. Since I started playing in 2010 I have been fit enough to win all the tournaments I've played, maybe I have not done because maybe I lacked a bit of tranquility at some point. But the level was there and should have gone further in both Indian Wells and in Australia, which I think has been the worst tournament I've played, but has also been the match where I've lost it but I've been playing better, with much difference. And no, I think I'm fine, I'm happy, I have won in Monte Carlo and Rome, which are one of the two most important tournaments for me and gave me that extra peace of mind I needed. Besides, there are two Masters titles 1000 and are very special to me.
Q. Djokovic could not come, you are closer to the number two or the one. How do you approachthe draw, the tournament and the gap? Djokovic will lose points by not playing in Madrid.
A: I have also 600, but do not know how is the issue. I do not understand you. What must to happen to become the number two?
P: Well, by not playing, he does not accumulate points and if you do a good tournament, you approach to number two ...
A: Oh, okay. Approach, yes, I did not understand the question. Well, the truth is I do not care whether Djokovic is or not, is much more negative he isn't, especially for the tournament and for the show as if he was, and being number two or one, we are at the half of the year, much work and it can be anything from number one to well below. I am with my feet on the ground, working every day, in the race I am very well situated, and besides I'm no. one with some margin, follow as I am doing and see what happens.
Q. Are you happy with the draw? Avoiding Federer and Murray until the Final? Are you happy?
A: The draw is always better or worse depending on how well you play. And the fact that here will be played at altitude makes every game more complicated, so for me, all matches will be a life or death, because the matches are going to be more equals than in other tournaments. The draw is a normal draw, with the difficulty of a Masters 1000 where are all the best in the world. So there is no "good" draw in a Masters 1000. It is very complicated.
source
wait one more...Rafa is dramatico lmao at this last remark...Talks of Federer's loss
MADRID — Roger Federer's semi-final exit in Estoril came as a major surprise to Rafael Nadal, though the Spaniard tried to play down the effects of the defeat with both men headlining at the Madrid Masters.
Top seed Federer was heading to Spain to recover his game with just a fortnight remaining before his title defence at Roland Garros form May 23.
Nadal takes the second seeding in Madrid, where he lost the final to the Swiss a year ago.
"Roger losing is a real surprise," said Nadal of the Swiss player's straight-set loss to Alberto Montanes. "But he remains a dangerous player.
"It was an early clay-court match so anything can happen. I didn't watch any of Estoril so I cannot say much more."
Nadal said that after a few days of rest at home on Mallorca after winning Rome last weekend, he got back to practise on Wednesday.
The Spaniard is playing his schedule more cautiously this season, alternating weeks between events and reaping the benefits with titles in Monte Carlo and Rome in his first two clay outings.
"Thing have improved very much, this is a very good tournament," Nadal said of Madrid, which had teething problems during last year's debut edition.
"With men and women playing the times for training can be a bit complicated but this happens in every single event around the world.
"Playing at this altitude makes things more complicated," said the Spaniard."I think all of the matches here will be a matter of life and death."
Copyright © 2010 AFP.
wait one more...Rafa is dramatico lmao at this last remark...Talks of Federer's loss
MADRID — Roger Federer's semi-final exit in Estoril came as a major surprise to Rafael Nadal, though the Spaniard tried to play down the effects of the defeat with both men headlining at the Madrid Masters.
Top seed Federer was heading to Spain to recover his game with just a fortnight remaining before his title defence at Roland Garros form May 23.
Nadal takes the second seeding in Madrid, where he lost the final to the Swiss a year ago.
"Roger losing is a real surprise," said Nadal of the Swiss player's straight-set loss to Alberto Montanes. "But he remains a dangerous player.
"It was an early clay-court match so anything can happen. I didn't watch any of Estoril so I cannot say much more."
Nadal said that after a few days of rest at home on Mallorca after winning Rome last weekend, he got back to practise on Wednesday.
The Spaniard is playing his schedule more cautiously this season, alternating weeks between events and reaping the benefits with titles in Monte Carlo and Rome in his first two clay outings.
"Thing have improved very much, this is a very good tournament," Nadal said of Madrid, which had teething problems during last year's debut edition.
"With men and women playing the times for training can be a bit complicated but this happens in every single event around the world.
"Playing at this altitude makes things more complicated," said the Spaniard."I think all of the matches here will be a matter of life and death."
Copyright © 2010 AFP.
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