15 Minutes with Rafa


Stefan Bürer, New York

Friday, 3 Sept. 2010


SF-presenter Steffi Buchli had the rare opportunity and pleasure to interview Rafael Nadal for “Sportlounge”. Also present was SF-commentator Stefan Bürer who describes how the interview came to be.

SF commentator Stefan Bürer, SF.


It was nearly 6 p.m. when he finally arrived. “That’s simply how those people from Mallorca are, they’re always late” apologized his PR man laughing and shrugging his shoulders. “No problem” says our producer before turning to the two camera guys, the soundman and the presenter: “OK guys, let’s start”.

Nadal's joy at the cherry Stängeli (chocolate sweets with alcoholic filling)


Fifteen minutes later, the entire thing was already over, Rafael Nadal took the microphone clip from his shirt and thanked us heartily for the Kirschtängeli we brought him and which he loves. He politely says goodbye to everybody present, installs himself at the bar of the players lounge, pushes a number on his cell phone and begins a long conversation. “he’s probably talking to his beautiful girlfriend”, says the soundman while pointing at the smile on Rafa’s face.

Interview through detours


To get a longer interview with the tennis number one isn’t exactly easy. Not for our colleagues from the Spanish tv and it’s even harder for all others. 99 procent of all requests are declined. You can only get lucky if you have good contacts. That much was clear to me when “Sportlounge” asked me about 3 months ago how they could get a longer interview with Nadal. So, I directed them to the aforementioned producer, who knows the Spaniard’s PR man quite well since many years. A quick reply followed: “Yes, we will probably be able to succeed”. It was also clear that the interview would take place some time in the North-American series. This left us with a few other questions: When would we get a final “yes”? When would it take place? Where would the presenter have to fly to on a very short notice? To Toronto, Cincinnati or would it be New York?

Agreement last weekend


During the previous weekend, we finally received the agreement. It would have to take place before Wednesday. So, New York it is. We had everything to organize: the entire technical crew (cameras, sound, light), an appropriate setting, the necessary approvals and accreditations. On Tuesday, Steffi Buchli landed in New York. On Wednesday morning, the producer and I showed her the entire layout in Flushing Meadows and our improvised interview-studio in the garden of the players lounge.

Two hours of waiting


And then began the long wait. Rafa was training from 2:30 to 3:30 pm and he would come after that so at around 4 pm, figured his PR man through text message. At 4:30 pm, we received another message from him. It would take another 25 minutes. No problem. Our crew used the time to rearrange the setting to the everchanging light conditions.

5:15 pm. Still no Rafa. Should we annoy the PR man with another text message? Preferably not since it wouldn’t be a good tactical move. So, we wait a bit longer. While trying to make sure that his camera view is clear, our cameraman tries to get rid of a man standing in the view. “I’m Rafa’s PR man, he’s on his way”, says the guy and laughs. Oops.


Nadal in a good mood


And look who’s there: 30 minutes later, he really arrives. Loose, relaxed and in a good mood, he introduced himself to Steffi, got his microphone clip attached to his shirt, sits down on his chair and waits a few seconds for the directions of the producer. “OK guys, let’s go.”


The interview can be seen next Monday (Sept. 6), at 10:20 pm in “Sportlounge”.