Rafa and Ready
By Giles Tremlett  The Radio Times Magazine

Fresh from the terracotta clay of Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal returns to the manicured courts of Queens this week as he prepares for his attempt to win a second Wimbledon title. Last year a dodgy knee put paid to the Spaniard's grass court ambitions but now he's back - if not better, certainly fitter, than before. The omens are good.

Back in 2008, he may have been world number two, he was celebrated for his power from the baseline and his rippling physique, but he was equally known for struggling on any surface other than his favorite clay. Then he conquered his fear of the green stuff, winning his first ever grass-court title at Queens, going on three weeks later to defeat Roger Federer in what many consider the best Wimbledon final yet, and finishing the season ahead of his great rival as world number one. If he's to repeat the trick, he'll want to continue the winning habit this week. One thing is for sure, at 24 his knees may be old before their time but his heart and head aren't...

What is the best thing about being a professional tennis player?
We have a very well run circuit and I love the competition. Fame has its good parts and its bad parts. But it's my life and I feel very lucky. I think I should be very grateful, because I have more than I ever dreamed of and a lot more besides.

What is the hardest thing about being a professional tennis player?
The length of the season.

What is your greatest strength?
The will to win.

What is your greatest weakness?
There are too many to mention, unfortunately.

Have you got any good luck charms or superstitions? If so, what are they?
I always turn the label of my water bottles to face the same way.

What's the best advice you've ever had?
Play your own game.

What advice would you give to aspiring sports stars?
Enjoy it. They should enjoy their sport and their friends. There is plenty of time later on to think about going further.

What has been your best moment on court?
The Wimbledon final of 2008 was probably the most epic match I have ever played. I have always loved grass. It is such a fun surface, but you have to adapt your game. You need to be more aggressive and clearer about what you are going to do. The way that you move around the court is completely different to other surfaces and all that makes is special to play on.

What has been your worst moment on court?
When I have had to leave because of injury. As long as I play well I am not really upset if I lose.

When you are 3 or 4 sets in and exhausted, what keeps you going?
I never really get exhausted in games like that because the adrenaline keeps me going.

What's it like to lift a Grand Slam trophy?
It is a huge satisfaction. You think of all the moments in which you have really had to battle to get there.

Is there anything more important to you than tennis?
Yes, my health, my family and my friends.

What do you do to switch off or unwind?
I am not a great fan of resting, but it is important. I go to my room and set about my normal life. Perhaps i'll put a film on.

When and where was your last holiday?
The last time was when I was injured. I only take time off between tournaments, when I lose or if I am injured and I always go home to Mallorca. We have a fantastic island, the weather is great and I love the sea. I play golf, go fishing and, inevitably, play more tennis.

Do you ever get bored with tennis?
No, never. I was practicing several hours a day by the age of seven. I never got bored.

If you hadn't been a tennis player, what would you have done instead?
As a child what I most liked was playing sports. I loved football, too and that had the one big advantage that you played in a team with other people and shared it with your friends. I would loved to have been a professional footballer, but I chose right because I wouldn't have got nearly as far as I have in tennis.

How do you celebrate when you win?
When I won my first tournament, I decided to bite the trophy. I just prefer that to kissing it, and I continue to do that. Then after the match if I have holidays afterward, I celebrate with my friends and if I have another tournament straight after then I just go to bed like any other day.

How do you recover when you lose?
I go back home. Manacor is not a big town and I still have my childhood friends there which means I can just forget everything.


Thanks to Enomis for sending this to me!