More articles.. Just when you think these writers can't write anymore ..they do..man my mailbox is flooded with google alerts.. lets start it off with Uncle Toni & how he still thinks Rafa needs to improve!

ElPais The legend continues RAFA NADAL seventh player to achieve the 'Grand Slam'

"I have not finished my story"

JUAN JOSÉ MATEO - New York - 15/09/2010

Rafael Nadal (Manacor, Mallorca, 1986) receives an unexpected visit twice before winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to Novak Djokovic in the final of U.S. Open: In the dugout own the place and history, Americans will visit Jimmy Mac Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe, two of the finest players ever.

Rafael Nadal (Manacor, Mallorca, 1986) receives an unexpected visit twice before winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to Novak Djokovic in the final of U.S. Open: In the dugout own the place and history, Americans will visit Jimmy Mac Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe, two of the finest players ever. The world number one, however, you can look them in the eyes, holding her gaze as an equal, feeling even sure himself, and has won nine major. Already during his career has won four tournaments that make up the Grand Slam. It has already been crowned as the youngest man (24 years) achieved during the open era (since 1968, when it allowed the participation of professionals), and is now part of the list of seven players who have ever succeeded. The next day, the best punch in the history of U.S. Open (only gave up five services, matching the 2003 record of Andy Roddick) is back with McEnroe, who acts as interviewer (and the old Mac, a whole champion, can not avoid a touch of admiration, of sincere astonishment at a tennis player who has already won more than him), before sitting down to talk with the country of his great success.

Question. See you at your bench, and is so nervous that question: "Where oh where sack?" How hard was it?

Response. It was in the last game when serving for the match win. The truth is that I felt very, very nervous since I got the second break in the fourth set. He was already ill. The 3-1 I played good, aggressive. When I got the double break, the 4-1, my world fell apart. I'm really going to win the U.S. Open and it cost me to assimilate. I was very, very nervous.

P. How does it affect you?

R. I did not know where to draw. The ace, the environment or trying to make a play classic open and try to play kick from the right. I was told to take out open and I got there. Earlier in the following two services, I suffered much more than they had been doing, but much more. He had break point at 4-1 and 5-2, if you look, if you see the replay, it appears that the first two services did not coordinate it all. The command was two meters long. And I was serving well! Besides, the play wrong. Touching the ball well, is the minimum. You can fail, but do not touch the ball badly.

P. In 2008, he won Wimbledon. In a match point, however, Roger Federer reached an incredible upside as you network up saying: "I will win Wimbledon! I win Wimbledon!" Were this time the strongest emotions?

R. No. They have been different. In prepartum anxiety and drama during the game are not comparable. What was that, at Wimbledon, plus much, much more drama. Here was much calmer, nervous, obviously, because it was a Grand Slam final, but more quiet, though it was history. I was more nervous before the final of Wimbledon and Roland Garros.

P. To get here you have had treatment on his knees. They say that syringe very impressed.

R. This is necessary, which many people do. It was painful the first time: the following were not so painful because I asked sedaran. I could not stand. When you wake up, yes, it hurts a lot. But when they put it is when you really ... I almost fainted the first time. It was between Monte Carlo and Rome. A pain so great that I nearly fainted! The following times or I raised it. And you're sedated. Terrible.

P. "We have to value it when I finish my career." This is his shield, his armor, when asked about his place in the history of his sport. Do you get dizzy talk about it?

R. It gives me vertigo. For nothing. It is logical. When you are in competition and has 24 years, is not having vertigo, is that it is not good to stop and think about the story. I realize that I'm in the history of tennis. No need to say or to tell me. The numbers are there. Great for the story I always saw on TV, great champions ... because I have a career like them or better. McEnroe, Agassi, Wilander, people who always saw very far. And these are in history, so I guess I'm going to be.

P. Are you surprised that you have already positioned as one who loves him the best of all time?

R. The best ever, as I wonder ... Not that I put a shield, is that there is discussion between Federer and me, because the titles say it.

P. Normal: he has won seven major than you.

R. Yes, 16. I do not think Grand Slam titles are all that mark who is the best or not. He, excluding large, has some incredible things, like I have mine: I won the Olympic gold, which is very difficult to achieve, because you only have one or two opportunities throughout your career. There is no comparison: at present it is more amazing things than I am. It's hard to talk about history when I have not finished my story. We'll see what happens: if I stay well, I will value. If I well, with chances to win, we will do differently. In this sport you can not stop. You have to advance further and be prepared to work with humility and enthusiasm every day.

P. Carlos Moya and you are Majorca, they trained together, they reached number one, the Davis Cup ... Why you have won Big Eight more than him?

R. We are different players. It is very difficult to win a Grand Slam title. He had a brilliant career, has been many years up. Comparisons are not good. He had a great career, was a boon for Spain. Thanks to him many of us here today tennis fans helped us see that it was possible.

P. Does it make you feel older to see that his friend has become a father?

R. It looks a little strange ... I started very young in the circuit and I have many friends who are older than me and they are gone. Albert Costa, Galo Blanco ... It's sad for me because I miss them, but things are in the sport: I'm young and I have a few years around here.

P. The Swede Borg retired at a young age. Federer changed and coach doth at his best. There are champions that change to keep winning or go before quitting. Do you?

R. I do not see at all, changing the coach. I do not see feasible. We have always been so, well, do not need anything else. Leave or not, I can not say when I will. It's something that comes to you. When you arrive, you feel it: when I lose I will go forward to continue working and improving. Then I go home quietly, because there are many things in life than tennis, fortunately.

P. He says he wants to improve the second serve.

R. I need it.

P. So what hit and who would steal it?

R. Clearly, it would remove Karlovic's serve. No doubt. With that kick would be very difficult to lose. With this kick is all much easier, because the pressure he feels is much larger rival.

P. What his family thought when they saw him winning the title on television, or when you are hitting the ball so hard?

R. I have an excellent relationship with everyone. They do not see me like that. I look normal, as the grandson, the nephew ... of the things I always miss when I'm out, travel is my little cousins and my uncles. In my childhood, I always carried everything to play tennis, play football, anything. With them I spent my childhood. They are people I love most.

Rafa Nadal, 'I'm very privileged in life"

Are you aware of what has happened?
"I have had time to stop and think. When I'll take the plane back to Spain I will have time to enjoy this moment, it was something really nice "

Are you living a dream?

"This is something unforgettable and something unimaginable to me 8 months ago"

How do you value the Grand Slam?

I appreciate it, but there is no time to stop thinking about it in this sport. For me it is a dream come true. If someone had told me this 8 years ago I would have thought they were crazy. I can't be anything but grateful on how well life has treated me, because I'm very privileged in life "

Rafa, What a year!

"Since start of the year I've been playing a very high level ..."

The listeners have expressed their joy about everything the way you are ...

It is a motive of satisfaction that people see me like this and I have to thank the love they give me every week. I do not think I have greater sacrifices for tennis, enjoy what I love most: play tennis "

Can you imagine winning in Australia?

"I can not imagine, is very far, the important thing is to get prepared. It's important to maintain the ground and my feet on the ground this is the only way I'll continue to have options "

When you fall down and you lie your face in your hand after winning what image comes to you?

"At that moment I don't think of anything ... in part is good to have tough times, for better appreciate of the triumphs"

Which congratulatory call has been the most emotional?

"I have not had a lot of time to look at the mobile. I am not going to say anything especially because all the ones that have deigned in sending me a message have my gratitude"
Do you know that 13910 is the most requested lottery number for Christmas?

"Hopefully you bought it ... I'm going to buy some tickets of those ..."

Do you see yourself as the best Spanish athlete of all time?
"I'm not the one to assess that. It is an honor for me to be in that group of names "

"The next step is the Masters Tournament?
This is the last major tournament left for me to win, but it will be the hardest to win for me because I play against the best in the world from the start and do well on the surface that I do worse. One of my goals is to finish the year well which I haven't been able to do in the past"

U.S. Open: Nadal and the Face of Victory
Exclusive: Toni Nadal and Novak Djokovic Speak With Inside Tennis
by Bill Simons | Monday, September 13th, 2010

Inside Tennis: Congratulations, Toni, what a triumph, job well done. What are you feeling at this very special moment?

Toni Nadal: I am feeling very happy now.

IT: What has made playing the Open in New York so tough for Rafa in the past?

TN: All of the things. The hard court is difficult for us and the balls here are soft, altogether it is difficult. But the ending is the most important thing. There are many very good players and it is always very difficult to win a tournament. You must play against Djokovic or Federer or Del Potro.

IT: Rafa had such a fabulous run here. He held serve so often and with such confidence. What was the key for Rafa stepping up here at the Open?

TN: Attitude.

RN: What was Rafa’s attitude?

TN: When I arrived here Rafa’s attitude was not too good from Cincinnati and Toronto. We did not have good play there and had some problems, no? But here every day was better, better, better and I think he progressed very,very good and today was a wonderful match with Novak, perhaps.

IT: You have known this man, this athlete your entire life. What is his greatest attribute? Why has he been able to step above?

TN: The faith.

IT: The faith?

TN: No, the face. When things are not going too good, Rafa has always been with good face.

IT: Now, at just 24, he can go on and continue to win on all surfaces?

TN: Yes.

IT. Well, thank you so much Toni and again congratulations. Rafa has brought so much to our sport.

Just minutes after Novak Djokovic came off court after falling to Nadal 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 he went into the press room where Inside Tennis asked about Rafa and Roger Federer:

IT: Thank you for all you’ve given to all of us …for the past couple weeks. You’ve had the unique experience of playing Roger and then Rafa back to back [these past two days]. Could you just take a moment and compare their two games and who would you say is better at this point? We know Nadal has had a better year, but…

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, we cannot judge who is better on one tournament. At this point there is five, six years’ difference between them, and basically Federer had more years on the tour, he had more success; he has more trophies. He’s definitely somebody who made history in this sport. He’s still playing as one of the best players in the world. [On] the other hand, you have Nadal who is just proving each day, each year that he’s getting better, you know. That’s what’s so frustrating, a little bit. He’s getting better each time you play him. He’s so mentally strong and dedicated to this sport. He has all the capabilities, everything he needs, in order to be the biggest ever, [in] my opinion. He has lots of time to come if he physically holds on the next five, six, seven years. I don’t know how long he’s gonna play. Anyway, he has the game now for each surface, and he has won each Major. He has proven to the world that he’s the best in this moment, so there is no question about it.