sonyopen2014 transcripts

SonyOpen: Nadal/Hewitt Press Conference Transcript

3/24/2014Rafaholics


Photo: Getty

SONY OPEN TENNIS
March 22, 2014

Rafael Nadal

MIAMI, FLORIDA

R. NADAL/L. Hewitt
6‑1, 6‑3


Q. You took very good care of your serve. You've had trouble with it in the past, but seemed like tonight I think you only got deuce once and your ball had a lot of action on it it seemed.
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I played a solid match with not many mistakes. It's true that I am having the feeling of the back better for two weeks already, so I start to feel a little bit more comfortable with the serve because I am able to practice a little bit the serve and to do the normal movement again.
So that's important thing for me. And from the baseline, I think in Indian Wells I didn't play the right way. I think I played with too many mistakes. Some good points; some bad points. I tried to play with all the time the logical shot.
So playing against his backhand, and when I had the chance change to the down the line with the forehand, no? I think the good thing is I didn't have a lot of mistakes.
I think Lleyton played much better in the second set. He played more aggressive. I was solid with my serve. Some good rallies.
Very happy the way that I played at the end of the first set. Start to feeling the ball very well with the forehand, changing directions.
In general, I have to be very happy the way that I start, I think.

Q. You said yesterday you were expecting long rallies. Were you determined not to go into long rallies tonight?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, when I had to play the long rallies, I did. I tried to play, as I said before, the logical way. Lleyton is a player that can be very solid.
It's true that he's a player that sometimes plays better when he plays against players who play against him flat and long and he can play with the power of the opponent.
So I tried to play a little bit long, a little bit high, open the court against his backhand, and then change against his forehand. I think worked.
Happy, as I said before. I think I did what I had to do today.

Q. The sport can be very cruel. He's a former champion. At some point in the first set did you feel a little bit of pity for him because how completely you were crushing him?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I cannot feel that way. I think I am here to try my best. I know how dangerous is Lleyton. I respect him so much and admire him so much.
At the end, he's a great example for me. He's still playing, has hard injuries during his career, and he keep playing with passion and love for the game. That's a great example for me, and I think for the kids, too.
So all the respect for him.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

You Might Also Like

0 comments

We do not accomodate sponsored posts of any kind. No promotions, No ads. Thank You.

Contact Form