Rafa's Blog for the Times Online

I'm hoping that practice makes perfect
Rafael Nadal

Hello everyone,

Here I am again writing this blog, this time from New York. Last time I wrote to you all was after my Wimbledon win earlier this summer. I know it was a couple of days after but I made it ... so here I am again, excited and happy to write this blog. It kind of brings me good luck, but the most important thing is that it allows me to communicate directly with all of you and tell you what I think, what I feel.

Let me start by saying that I got here to NY 10 days ago. I came straight from Cincinnati after I lost in the quarter finals against Baghdatis. Since then I have been practicing as much as I could here in NY. I say that since it rained a lot the week previous to the event. However I got in good practice time and I feel ready.

Many thanks to all and hope to be writing this blog for the next 2 weeks!!!!

Rafa



Some like it hot ... just not this hot
Rafael Nadal

Hello everybody,

It is really hot in New York City. It might sound strange from some one like me, from Mallorca, used to the sun, but it really is. These last three days have been horrible and I have to say that to play during the day it must have been tough. I practiced today and warm up yesterday when the sun was out and wow, it was hot.

I played yesterday at night so that's not that bad. Tomorrow, Friday I am also playing at night apparently so that's better for the heat although it is announced that we might have a hurricane coming!!! Hopefully not. I remember a couple of years ago and it was a mess with scheduling. I think that's one of the worst things in tennis: the rain!

Anyway, I am practicing early at 10.45 so I suppose it is not as bad as at 3 or 4 pm! You might wonder at what time I leave the hotel? Well with the NY traffic you'd better be careful. I would leave at 9.15 or so, so that I have time enough to get to the site and get ready for practice.




Q&A Questions

I like to sing in the shower but I am really, really terrible
Rafael Nadal

You have mentioned that your backhand isn't working as well as you would like. Is there any reason why that particular shot is difficult at the moment? Good luck at the USO, and much love, Ellie

RN: No, not really. I felt in Cincy it was not really working and that own hard courts affects my game since I leave a lot of space for the rival when I try to hit my forehands. I am working on it and I feel that yesterday it wasn't that bad at the beginning of the match.

Have you thought about running a marathon and if so, would you run in Spain or US? Good luck to your US Open matches. Marissa Vargas

RN: No, no chance! Not my kind of thing. Believe it or not I don't really like to run just for running. I like it on a tennis court but definitely not against miles or a chronometer.

We know you have a great sense of humour and you did the "la bamba" video one year, would you ever make a record like footballers do, something funny where you say a few lines in English (or "Spanglish" as I call it!) with your lovely accent! Besos y abrazos, Juliette Westbrook-Finch

RN: Hahahahha. Many thanks. I am not sure I want to do that. I am already a bad singer in the shower!

We know that you like to listen to music before the start of a match, but what helps you unwind most after a match (a match that you have won of course! Bona sort, Bee

RN: Yes, I always listen to music before a match and during the day. I love music. After the match I don't usually listen to music though. I have too much work to do!

On your bag you have coloured stars for each Grand Slam you won, what colour will the star be if you win the US open? Cedrine

RN: Happiness!!! Is that a colour?

What is the last book you read? You're such a great champion. Good luck for the next few weeks in NYC. Axèle

RN: I have read one about Spanish history. It was novelized (?), you know half truth, half story.