Rafaholics.net: MonteCarloRolexMasters2011

MonteCarloRolexMasters2011

Monte Carlo: Rafalinkage FINAL

4/17/2011Rafaholics

Monte Carlo Final Press Conference

4/17/2011Rafaholics

Rafael Nadal b. David Ferrer 6-4 7-5

17-04-2011

Q. Number seven. How does it feel?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's really emotional, no, and unbelievable for me. I start the clay season like this is fantastic, but is fantastic winning Monte‑Carlo another time, no? Probably is a tournament that in the category of 1000 tournaments is the one that I feel more emotional when I am playing for the history of the tournament because here in 2003 everything starts. When I played qualify, I passed qualify, I won two matches. It was for the first time in my career top 100.
Always is special emotions with this tournament, no? After 2005, I won seven in a row. So is something impossible to imagine for me because win seven times in a row any one is almost impossible I think. But to win Monte‑Carlo, all the best players in the world are here, you always have tough matches, is impossible to imagine for me.
So I am very lucky, I think.

Q. Nearly three hours and another hard game today. Physically how do you feel after those two games?
RAFAEL NADAL: I feel a little bit tired, sure. During the match I was more tired than usual today. But in general was positive. That's important because these kind of matches, like yesterday, like today, improves your condition physical and mental, no?
Is negative because you spent a lot of time on court, you have to run a lot on court, is always tough for the body. But if you talk about mental, you talk about until physical, that can help a lot for the rest of the clay season.

Q. You were in the finals of Indian Wells and Miami. That is an awful lot of tennis to have played in a short space of time. It's hard to believe that someone can keep playing that level of tennis week in, week out.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, last month and a half I think was very positive. Is true, no, I played all the matches possible to play. I played all the finals. So that's very, very good news, fantastic news, because I played when I was health, without problems. I played every final. So that's a lot of confidence for me.
Was hard lose, especially the Miami one. I was a little bit more nervous today because I know was three in a row 1000 finals, going be tough. I was a little bit nervous when I had the chance to win the second. But I was lucky little bit. One mistake with the smash 15‑All, was important point. After that probably David had a few more mistakes, one double‑fault. That helped me a lot to finish the match. I think last game, even if was tough, I think I played well last game.
Even if the match was 30‑All, I only had the mistake of the smash, dropshot volley. But wasn't easy. So in general I am happy with how I closed the match today.
I will try my best next week this Barcelona. Another historic tournament, important for me. I'm excited to come back there after last year.
So sure is tough. But I was injured the beginning of the season. I had almost one month out of competition. I happy to come back. I happy to play and to be competitive in every match.
Indian Wells to Wimbledon is the most part of the season for me, these four or five months are decisive in my season. Everything starts very well. Let's keep that with humble, motivation, and positive attitude every day. That's the only way to keep playing at this level because the important thing is I didn't play perfect this tournament and I won. I have something to improve and I am excited to try to do it.

Q. UBALDO SCANAGATTA Aren't you afraid to play too much? You're thinking about Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Paris. Is it not asking too much of your body, something that worries you?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Seriously, I don't know.

Q. It's you who decides the schedule. Some years ago you said you were playing maybe too much. Is there something you're going to do if you always reach the final, maybe skip one tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: That's my schedule. That's what I chosed [sic] last year or few months ago. I am happy about my calendar. If I am wrong, let's see in a few months. Is difficult to say now if I am wrong or I am asking too much of my body because the tennis is always like this. Is not the same if you play finals or you play second round or third round.
But the most important thing is not the tournaments, is the matches that you are playing, no? That's true. I played three finals in a row. So I played full matches, some long matches, is true.
But my calendar, you know, is difficult to say that I am playing a lot or I'm playing too much because I played one tournament to prepare Australia, Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte‑Carlo, Barcelona. That's the only one that's obligatory. Monte‑Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, one tournament to prepare Wimbledon. I like to play there in Queen's. I have to do it. Wimbledon. I play Cincinnati and Montréal this year. So US Open, Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris, and hopefully London. I don't know yet. Let's see.
I have like maybe three, four tournaments outside the obligatory tournaments. Few ones are obligatory because you have to prepare the Grand Slam. Other ones is obligatory if you want to try to be in the top positions of the rankings. That's what I say. I'm not playing 25 tournaments. Maybe I'm playing 18 or 19 tournaments maximum.

Q. There are these four or five one after another.
RAFAEL NADAL: That's the calendar. That's where I have to play my best, where I have to do a lot of points. Every year I did a fantastic clay court season. I have to try to do it another time. With these four or five tournaments is where, if I am playing very well, I'm going to have the biggest chances to have enough points to try to be in the top position at the end of the year of the ranking. That's the top of my system in general. So I have to try.
I am health now, so why not?

Q. Can you talk about the sensations you had on the court for your game throughout the week.
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I practiced very bad before the tournament. When the competition start, I started to play much better. First round was comfortable. Third round I think I played enough well. Second round wasn't an easy match against Richard. I was very happy how I played second round. Against Ljubicic was impossible to analyze nothing because was terrible windy, but keep winning in straight sets.
Semifinals and final, I think the most negative thing, yeah, is for the moment I am not able to play all the time at the best of my level, no? I'm playing a few games very well. After seems like is easier to lose the concentration than usual, no? That's the only, in my opinion, negative thing.
I hope this victory help me a lot for the confidence. Maybe I am a little bit more nervous than usual. I'm playing a little bit more defensive than what I have to do. So hopefully this victory is a lot of confidence for me after playing two finals in a row.
So the positive results are coming. Hopefully I'm going to play much more aggressive. I gonna try.

Q. You say you're more nervous. Is that because of the three finals you lost?
RAFAEL NADAL: Every season is completely different. When you start the season, you don't know where you gonna be. I started the season ‑ I said a hundred times, no ‑ I felt fantastic, well, before I started the season. I was a little bit unlucky at the beginning of the season. After that, you start, have tough matches. Indian Wells was very positive result for me, important for the confidence, even though I didn't play well be in the final. Miami I think I started to play much better.
Here I did well. I didn't play very, very well, but I did well I think moments better than others. The two loses of the finals, especially the Miami one, affects a little bit. You are more nervous than usual, for sure.

Q. You said last year you played maybe your best tennis on clay here.
RAFAEL NADAL: I think so.

Q. This week was not the same. For the confidence, what is the difference between playing so well or winning without playing so well?
RAFAEL NADAL: Always you have to think about positive. You are playing too well, is fantastic because you are playing unbelievable. Let's keep doing like this. If you are winning without playing your best, seems like you have enough tennis to keep being competitive even if you're not playing perfect. So let's try to play better. If you play better, you have even more chances.
So that's the positive way of both things, no? I said I didn't play bad. I played okay, I think. But I think I can improve a few things for next weeks. I think this victory gonna give me lot of confidence. You know, I am sliding less than usual on clay. Is easier to defend well when you are sliding, especially to the forehand. I am not doing well the service. But two more days to practice for Barcelona. Let's see.

Q. Is more difficult to win a tournament seven times in a row or a Grand Slam tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: That's a joke. Is no answer for this. Is much more difficult win seven times in a row than win Grand Slam. Win a Grand Slam is two weeks, one tournament. If you are playing well that two weeks, almost everybody can win.
Seven times in a row one tournament, a lot of factors have to be there. You have to be health, you have to be health every year there, you have to play well every year there. Is not a small tournament; is a big tournament. You have to win difficult matches. You have to pass over difficult situations. Seven years are a lot, a lot of matches that you really can lose.

Q. You keep saying that what you're doing is almost impossible every time you win a tournament. It's impossible to win the French and Wimbledon back to back. You do it. You're almost making the impossible possible.
RAFAEL NADAL: But when I say that, I am not saying nothing that I don't think. That's what I feel. When I am practicing in Mallorca, three days before I start the clay season, I always think I gonna be ready to play well another time and to win another time. I hope yes.
But at the end of the day the true is you never know when this start and you never know when this end. You have to be ready for everything for accept both things. Is easier to accept everything if you think that is impossible what you did last year.
Is another thing I said: When everybody talks about, You are the favorite, at the end of the day is play every match. When you go on court every day, you can win, you can lose. That's what I think. I am not saying nothing strange, I think. Even if I won a lot on clay the last few years, is true, but I can lose.

Q. You're proving yourself wrong almost.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I think the tennis is A very competitive game. Even if sometimes, you know, you win 6‑3, 6‑3, or 6‑3, 6‑4, these few points during the match for sure can change the situation and the score of the match. If you are not ready to win these three or four points, you gonna be in big trouble almost in every match.
That's what I think. I don't know if I gonna be ready to keep winning these three or four important points in the match for how many years or how much time.

Q. UBALDO SCANAGATTA Another question difficult for you to answer. Do you see yourself still playing for how long? I don't know if you know it. When you think about yourself, do you think, When I am 29, I'll still be playing like Federer trying to win, or you think maybe it's too long?
RAFAEL NADAL: I gonna stop playing tennis when I gonna lose my illusion to keep improving and when I lose my illusion to keep going on court, keep fighting. I don't know when gonna happen that. So I don't know gonna happen next month or gonna happen in five years, two years, eight years. That's the answer. I don't know.
Always talking about the health, no injuries, because you have to stop for an injury, like happen to Carlos Moya. He really want to keep playing, but he is not health enough to keep playing. If I am health, that is the answer.
When I lose my illusion to keep improving, the illusion to try to enjoy the tour, that's the most important thing: be happy and appreciate the things.

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MonteCarloRolexMasters2011

Historical 7 in a Row

4/17/2011Rafaholics

MonteCarloRolexMasters2011

Monte Carlo: Rafalinkage April 16

4/16/2011Rafaholics

MonteCarloRolexMasters2011 presser

Monte Carlo Semifinal Press Conference

4/16/2011Rafaholics

Rafael Nadal (16-04-2011)
R. NADAL/A. Murray 6 4, 2 6, 6 1

Q. That was a very demanding match today. How pleased were you to come through it?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, for sure is a fantastic victory for me against a very difficult opponent. So is a dream for me be in the final here another time in Monte Carlo. Start the clay court season being in the final is very good for me, no? Everything is positive on the result.
On the game, hmm, I think I played too short for a lot of moments. I think I had few more mistakes than usual, especially at the second set. That's true. I was a little bit unlucky at the second because I had lot of breakpoints in the 2 1 for 2 All. He played very aggressive. All the first serves was inside. Very difficult to do. I really only had one good chance and I had big mistake with the backhand into the net.
After that I felt a little bit tired. I had to win the next game. With 3 1, I had 40 15. Was a terrible mistake from me lose that game. Because with 3 2 I think he was tired, too. I was there; I had chances in almost every game when I was returning. It was a big mistake for me in that moment.
With the 4 1, even if I had the break 4 2, I was thinking more with the third set than the second. Few very, very long games. The physical, was very demanding match. I thought is better relax a little bit and try be ready for beginning of the third, so...

Q. Going into the third set, what were you wanting to adjust?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think he had few mistakes. But I play more aggressive. That's true, no? I play a little bit more inside the court, open a little bit more the court, change directions. Against him is very difficult. Sometimes he play two meters behind. Is difficult to win the point, no?
When you are playing shot, shot, sometimes you feel after five shots you are the same place than the beginning. When it happen, is not a good new because finally you play short and he has a fantastic cross backhand.
I had to change something. Probably he was a little bit more tired in the third, too. I was tired, too. So I think I played a little bit more aggressive. I changed a little bit more the directions. That was the most important thing.

Q. The start of the match was a bit weird because it was delayed because of Andy's elbow injury. How did you adapt to it?

RAFAEL NADAL: Wait.

Q. You said sometimes there were five shots and it was right back where you started. That's usually how opponents feel when they play you. You felt today Murray was getting you into uncomfortable positions?

RAFAEL NADAL: I helped him I think a little bit. My shot wasn't enough good a lot of times with the forehand. He had the chance to come back on the point a lot of times. I think I did better the end of the match. Especially the last game, 5 1, I played like I would love to play, because I changed directions, I played well with the forehand, longer, closer to the lines.
That's what I have to do if I want to have chances tomorrow and during the rest of the clay court season, no? If not, for sure I am competitive, I can win, but will have a lot of very tough matches.

Q. Is Andy a much different player now than when you played that match against him a couple of years ago in the semifinals?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, probably I think he had a very bad American hard court season, so he knows he can't have a lot of more mistakes. So for that reason, if he wants to be in the top, because he started the season fantastic, but is dangerous when you start to lose matches during the season.
So he has unbelievable potential. He's very good in all the surfaces. There's no reason why he cannot play very well on clay because his serve is good, his movements are very good, and his shots are with topspin. He has a very good control with the shots. Very good backhand, too. There's no reason why. I think he going to play very well on clay, for sure.
He knows that. He's for sure hungry another time to win. That's why he was in semifinals without losing games. That's why today he was close to the victory, no?

Q. When you play best of three, if you lose the second set, you always win easily the third set, 6 Love, 6 1, sometimes 6 2. That means you are so much stronger physically than all the others. That helps you to grow the confidence for best of five sets in Roland Garros?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, is for sure easier to win matches in best of five than best of three. Is only for one reason: because the best players have better chances in the best of five than best of three. Normally the best of three you have one mistake, you lose your serve, you are in trouble for the set. If you lose one set, you're under pressure the best of the match. You play best of five, you have time to come back.

Q. Especially if you're stronger physically.

RAFAEL NADAL: I think everybody is strong physically on the tour. I am strong. I think so. I think Andy is strong physically. David Ferrer is unbelievable physically. Federer is unbelievable physically. Djokovic. Everybody. Not only the top players; everybody practice every day two hours, three hours, practice physical performance. So is impossible not be fit.
Probably the mental part affects a lot much more than the physical part sometimes, no?

Q. Before the beginning of the match, did the ATP ask you if you agreed to wait?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I didn't have that choice. But anyway, if I had the choice, for sure I will say yes. I don't know exactly the rules, but is. I don't know the rules. Sometimes with 15 minutes. Was an exception. Good exception, because for the crowd was a good match, I think.

Q. A word on David Ferrer tomorrow.

RAFAEL NADAL: In the final winning easy all the matches. He had a fantastic start of the season. He didn't lose yet on clay yet this year. He won in Acapulco and is in the final here. He beat me in Australia. He's very dangerous, no? Very difficult match going to be. I have to play very well. I gonna try.

MonteCarloRolexMasters2011

Monte Carlo: Rafa Rolls into Semifinal

4/16/2011Rafaholics

MonteCarloRolexMasters2011

Monte Carlo: Quarterfinal Rafalinkage

4/16/2011Rafaholics

MonteCarloRolexMasters2011 oop

Monte Carlo SaturdaySemis OOP

4/15/2011Rafaholics

MonteCarloRolexMasters2011 presser

MonteCarlo: Quarterfinal Press Conference

4/15/2011Rafaholics

Video:
Press Conference Video

Presser(closeup of Rafa)

Transcript:
15/04/2011 17:54 CEST - Interviste
R. Nadal (15-04-2011)

R. Nadal b. I. Ljubicic 61 63

Q. There were some close games there, but overall it was a very solid performance from you.

RAFAEL NADAL: It was a very difficult day to play tennis. A lot of wind, changing directions the wind all the time.
No, sure was a positive victory for me. I did adjust a lot the shots today. But it was difficult to do it, very difficult. In general, I didn't have mistakes. After the two first games, especially after the second one, I didn't have mistakes until the second set.
So, in general, very positive victory, no? I only had few mistake with the forehand with 3 1, serving for the match. For the rest of the match, I think was perfect.
Days like today, the most important thing is win, and that's what I did, so very happy.

Q. Were you surprised about Federer losing?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, always a surprise when Roger lose, no, because he's unbelievable what he did in this sport. But, you know, the day was difficult, I said before. That probably didn't help him a lot. The plan was good. Melzer play a good match. He probably had more mistakes than usual.
That's sport. You win, you lose. Everybody can win and everybody can lose.

Q. He said it was almost seven years he was not losing to any left handers, apart from you. Do you think this has something to do with his defeat today or just the wind? Melzer is left handed.

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't understand all the question.

Q. I'm asking if you think the fact that Melzer is left handed had something to do with the defeat of Federer today, or if the wind was probably more important?

RAFAEL NADAL: Did you ask him? Because I don't know. I don't know. But I think if you said he lost against a lefty, because I beat him a few times on clay in the past, I think is completely different style of game, Melzer or me. So is not comparation [sic]. I think he lost because he didn't play his best today and his opponent played well, and the day was difficult.

Q. 15 40, when you were serving for the match, you got out of trouble very well. Were you pleased with the way you managed to get out of that?

RAFAEL NADAL: I played too defensive at the beginning of that game. After that, with 15 40, it's true, I played two good points. With deuce, I played a very good point. Changing directions, finishing with a winner down the line with a forehand, that was the best point of the game. Positive save this. The breakpoints are decisive in a day like today. The wind is dangerous, and the opponent is dangerous, too, because he started to serve better and better at the end of the match. If I lost that game 5 4, I had to play the next two games against the wind, so I would be in trouble for sure. So was very important to save.

Q. When it's windy, it's difficult for everybody to play. Do you think it's more difficult for people that have a flat game than your type of game?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. It's easier for the players who has better movements, I think, no? Because when the wind goes crazy, the most important thing is don't to stop the legs. For the players who play a more static game I think is more difficult. Doesn't matter play flat or with topspin because with the topspin, when you move too quick, the hand is very dangerous the wind. When you play flat, doesn't affect that much the wind. That's what I think.

Q. Do you feel stronger every day?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yesterday I played well, I think very well. Today is difficult to analyze a lot the game. I think I did what I had to do, so I didn't have mistakes. But seriously, I didn't had fantastic feeling because it was impossible to have fantastic feeling.
But I'm very happy about the victory. That's the true. Winning 6 1, 6 3 against a difficult player, he was playing well during all this tournament, is a positive result. He didn't play well. That's for sure. Ivan didn't have his best day. As I say, today was very difficult.

Q. Can you tell us something about Melzer? You lost to him last year. What is your opinion on him and on his way of playing?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think he played well last year. I don't know how he started this year. The semifinals is a positive result. We will see. We will see what's going on.
But his game sometimes can be really good and other times is not regular. But when he's playing well, he's dangerous because he play fast, he play with good serve, and very flat shots. Dangerous, no? He can go to the net. He can do dropshots always. Not easy to play against him, that's the true always.

MonteCarloRolexMasters2011 presser

MonteCarlo Thursday Press Conference

4/15/2011Rafaholics

transcript:
Rafael Nadal (14-04-2011)

RAFAEL NADAL b. Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-4

Q. What is your feeling about the match of today? The end of the second set, more tight, but a strong start.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I think always was tough games at the beginning, but I won both. Was the break the first game, so that was very important for the confidence. And in general I think I played a very solid match, no?
I'm very happy how I played today. I think I played better than yesterday, easier. I think I play much better than yesterday is what I felt, no?
In general, I think was a very positive victory against a very difficult opponent.

Q. Richard said when the ball is on your forehand, for him it's like the point is nearly over. Did you feel the same when you were going for your forehand?

RAFAEL NADAL: For sure, no. I feel when I'm playing well with the forehand, is very important shot for me. So I can have the control of the point most of the time with the forehand. That's my style always, no?
When I am playing well with the forehand, everything is a little bit less difficult, the rest of the shots.

Q. Yesterday and also the day before you played around the club and the restaurant. Today there was construction. Can you hear that? Does that disturb you?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. Nothing, no.

Q. Did the conditions of the court at first seem a little more wet when you started the match? Did that make a difference throughout the game?

RAFAEL NADAL: I didn't feel no one difference, no. I think the court is good, like usual. Everything is perfect. I think no problems.

Q. And what about your next opponent, Ljubicic?

RAFAEL NADAL: He's a very experienced player. He played well against Berdych. I saw him play in the locker room. It's going to be a really difficult match tomorrow. I have to play like today if I want to have chances, and that's what I'm going to try.

Q. Do you think your preparation for the clay season is totally the same as the previous years or are you planning to change something? Every year it looks like you play better and better, new shots. Do you plan to change something in your preparation?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know which preparation.

Q. For the clay.

RAFAEL NADAL: But what preparation? I practiced three days, so is nothing that you can prepare for the clay season. You arrive from Miami on Tuesday, I practiced Wednesday, so just try to adapt a little bit to the surface. You can't prepare one shot. You can't prepare nothing. The only thing you can try is adapt to the court, run, the movements.
A lot of things you have to change from hard to clay to play well. Is no time to try to do something different. Always is the same. If we compare today from 2006, for example, I am sure I play more aggressive than before. I'm playing more inside and running sometimes less than before because I'm not defending all the time. But that's a change. But that's happened in all the surfaces, not only on clay.
Is the game, global game, is changing, not something specific on clay I think.

Q. On clay do you change your tactics against a player like Djokovic? After Miami, do you feel more of a challenge against him? Would you use different tactics than you did before?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. I think everybody try his best, and you can't change a lot of tactics because you have your style. You can make some adjustments. But big changes is impossible because I don't want to do serve and volley because I don't know how to do it.
That's the way. That's my style. You can play more aggressive, a little bit less aggressive, I don't know. But, seriously, I was two points away from the title in Miami and I was very close in Indian Wells in that second set. Seems like I didn't play bad.
I don't have to change a lot of things to try to win the next match, just play a little bit better than what I did in those two matches. I wasn't far.