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| Rafa & his biscuits (comfort food?) |
Rogers Cup: Rafael Nadal Semifinal Press Conference
August 14, 2010
RAFAEL NADALTHE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Tied at 3 in the first set you had a couple of chances to break his serve, and he kind of took over from there. Why was he so hard to put away at some points today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, well, playing against Andy always is a challenge. Is very difficult player in every surface, I told you yesterday. Here a little bit more than the rest, in my opinion, no?
But anyway, I had the chance 3?All, 15?40, and he made double fault. The referee was watching another court, but was double fault. (Laughter.)
But sure is not an excuse, is only a point and the match is a lot of points, no?
Anyway, sure, was important point, but after that he played better than me. My serve didn’t work well. My serve was the worst thing in my game, I think, today for sure, and to play and to win Andy, I had to serve much better than what I did today. My serve was very bad today.
Q. Talking about your serve, before the game started, you took a few more minutes to practice your serve. Were you feeling that that was going to be a problem?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Well, I didn’t have the big chance to practice with the serve, because I have go slowly. Last year I started in Montreal after important stop, similar what I had this year, and I started hard with the serve and I broke my abdominal, no?
So I prefer to don’t practice too much the serve during the week, because I feel this part of the body, the abdominals, a little bit more challenged than usual, and the most important thing is be healthy physically, no?
And I am perfect conditions physically, so the serve I gonna have now Monday and Tuesday to keep practicing hard with the serve and a little bit more with the backhand.
And the rest of the game I think is in the right way, is normal. I am a little bit more slow than usual, but I think is normal the first week after a stop, and I am a little bit more tighter than usual too when I play long points.
But I not worried about this, no? But about the serve, sure, I have to keep improving my serve, but that’s another thing at the same time. Right now I have to serve like I usually serve, no? Not like I did today.
Q. Some of the points were fantastic today, the standard of tennis, as usual between you and Andy, very, very high. Do you think that’s the best he’s played against you?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I don’t know. I don’t know. Every match is different, but ?? he always is ?? he’s great player. Always, between good players, always have good points, no?
Andy, is normal have great points against him because his movements are great from the baseline, is fantastic, his movements, and he has unbelievable hands to return the ball, no?
That’s one of the best things on his game. And his serve was very good today, no?
Andy, I think he played well, sure, but he can do it better, too. So I think he played at his good level but not perfect.
Q. Overall, how do you compare yourself to how you feel now versus a year ago? A year ago was very different from your point of view. How does it feel a year on after everything that’s happened?
RAFAEL NADAL: I never like the comparisons, even when I lose or even when I win. The feeling is different, but I can talk about my feeling right now, not one year ago.
Right now the feeling is good, because I won I think 34 of my 36 matches, so that’s a very good record for me. Very happy how I played all the year, and sure, this tournament wasn’t the bad start for the hardcourt season, no? I had the semifinals here, playing a few good matches and having chances to be in the final. I lost 6?3, 6?4, but I had 15?40 with 4?3 in the second and two second serves for Andy.
In the first, I told you before, I was a break for me. Finally wasn’t the break. So I was there. I wasn’t very far the right way to win, but remain a little bit more to really have to produce more chances to win, no?
I had, but I need a few more, because if you have ?? everything have to be perfect to win. If you produce more chances, you can lose chances but you still have, so that’s ?? to make these chances, I have to be playing a little bit better. My movements have to be a little bit better, and I have to be more solid with my serve, because if I am more solid with my serve, the other players can feel the pressure, too, when he’s serving, when they are serving, yeah.
Q. Let’s say everything is good, perfect. You go to the US Open and you win the US Open. What would that mean to you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Nothing, because remain a lot to ?? is not the case. Right now is the case I lose in semifinals of Toronto with good start of hardcourt season with a good game for moments, but remain a lot of work to have this chance that you are talking, no?
So right now, let’s have one day off tomorrow and keep practicing, Monday and Tuesday in Cincinnati, to keep improving and to adapt to the new conditions of Cincinnati. Because even if hardcourt, the feeling in every tournament is different, and try to keep playing good matches there and keep playing well.
So improve a little bit more the rhythm and the serve, and with this, I hope be ready to try to play with tournament in Cincinnati, and after that we gonna have one week more to talk about US Open. Right now these tournaments are too important to speak about US Open now.
Q. You said you needed to improve your serve and your backhand. Did I hear you right? What’s wrong with the backhand? You said you wanted to practice a bit more.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I didn’t play bad with the backhand today, no? But probably ?? I had to think too much in every shot when I was playing the backhand. So I need to practice a little bit more to play the shot without think nothing, no?
And the movements, just think about where the ball have to go, no?
So that’s ?? yeah. That’s what I think I have to improve a little bit for the next week. I repeat, wasn’t bad, my backhand today. Yesterday was terrible in the beginning, but today, I’m not ?? I happy how I touched the ball, no? That’s the true. Remain a few things.
Q. You said that you have a different feeling when you ?? like you’re going to go to Cincinnati and see what the feeling was there. What was the feeling you had here in Toronto?
RAFAEL NADAL: About what?
Q. I’m not sure, because you said there was a different feeling here, the feeling you were going to move on to Cincinnati.
RAFAEL NADAL: Always the court is different. Is not the same speed, the court.
Q. Oh, you were talking about the court surface?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah.
Q. I thought it was something emotional or the crowds or…
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. The conditions, I said the conditions in every ?? even if it’s hardcourt, the condition change a lot between tournaments, no? Because the speed of the ball is not the same. Depends on the humidity, the weather, so change everything.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Watching Rafa today lose lose his semifinal match today vs. Andy Murray in straight sets 3-6 4-6. Rafa was clearly off his game, not playing to his potential that we are so use to seeing, of course I love always to see Rafa into finals & trophy biting but this time around I am very content at this result, Let's not forget that this is Rafa's first tournament back from that long rest after winning Wimbledon & Murray & most of the other players have played at least one other tournament. Rafa seemed very passive, not to take anything away from Murray, I think he played well, & his serve was clearly the winning piece to the Murray-Nadal puzzle. The stats below really tell the story. Regarding Cincy, I think that he really needs to go there & get more matches under his belt for the USOpen..
Stats:
| Nadal | Murray | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics on Serve | ||||
| Aces | 2 | 9 | ||
| Double Faults | 1 | 3 | ||
| 1st Serve % | 61% | 46% | ||
| 1st Serve Points Won | 24/38 (63%) | 23/28 (82%) | ||
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 12/24 (50%) | 19/33 (58%) | ||
| Break Points Saved | 5/8 (63%) | 5/6 (83%) | ||
| Service Games Played | 9 | 10 | ||
| Statistics on Return | ||||
| 1st Return Points Won | 5/28 (18%) | 14/38 (37%) | ||
| Second Return Points Won | 14/33 (18%) | 12/24 (50%) | ||
| Break Points Won | 1/6 (17%) | 3/8 (38%) | ||
| Return Games Played | 10 | 9 | ||
| Statistics on Points | ||||
| Total Service Points Won | 36/62 (58%) | 42/61 (69%) | ||
| Total Return Points Won | 19/61 (31%) | 26/62 (42%) | ||
| Total Points Won | 55/123 (45%) | 68/123 (55%) | ||
Photos:
First article was interesting to me they explain through their perception of the players lounge happenings..Also Here is a link to the OOP for Semi_final Match for Rafa which is scheduled for after 3:00PM
Tennis players' lounge is a pre-match heaven
source
One of the world's greatest tennis players is sitting on Andrew Bockner's sofa.
Actually, Bockner says in a hushed voice from the other side of the Rogers Cup Player's Lounge, Rafael Nadal is lying down with his feet up, in the back corner where the lights are low.
A few minutes later, Nadal emerges from his reverie and heads to the private outdoor patio, his entourage materializing around him.
Nadal survives scare to reach Toronto semifinals
source
In the second, Nadal seized the initiative with the early break to go up 2-0 on his way to levelling the match.
The third set was a tighter affair until Nadal recorded the decisive break to go 4-3 ahead, the Spaniard's play finally looking as bright as his neon pink shirt.
Nadal Sets Murray SF Showdown
"He’s improved so much, improved the serve, improved the return, coming closer to the baseline and making more pressure… [Before] he was more predictable; he was serving a higher percentage to the backhand side. Now he's mixing it up much better. He's serving more to the body, more to the forehand.”
Rogers Cup: Rafael Nadal Quarterfinal Press Conference
RAFAEL NADAL
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. You have always tough battles with Kohlschreiber on hardcourt. Is there any specific reason?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, he’s ?? well, first of all, every match is tough, no? And second thing, he’s a good player. I think today I started terrible in the beginning, but anyway, always he’s difficult to beat, no?
So it is a good victory for me, especially because I finished the match playing better in the third. Sure, being in the semifinals is very good news for me, no, for me the very first tournament on hard after one month and a half without competition.
So I happy to be in semifinal and now I want to enjoy the match tomorrow and gonna be difficult. Well, I hope be ready to play my best tennis and try to have chances.
Q. Philipp said you’ve improved so much through the years that he’s played you in being aggressive, especially noting that off the second serve you’re putting the ball in play and really being aggressive on the second ball. Could you speak a little bit about that? Is it something you’ve really tried to focus on?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it’s important in this surface is play aggressive, no? To play, you must be playing well. If not, is impossible. Well, probably today I didn’t play well, no? I still trying to play aggressive for moments when I had the chance.
Finally, when you have lot of years here on the tour like I have now finally, you understand that’s is impossible to win big tournaments like Toronto without play aggressive. Anyway, you playing defensive, you can win a few matches, but be or have the chance to be in semifinals or finals is impossible playing defensive because finally you play against the best players of the world. And if you have defensive in this court, it’s impossible to beat these players. Anyway, playing well or playing bad, I have to play aggressive.
Q. You play Andy Murray next. Is Andy more difficult to play on a hardcourt than on the other surfaces?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think so, yes. I think here is the favorite surface for him. The hardcourt I think is the surface that is more difficult to beat him.
I had good battles against him in every surface, but on hard I have few wins, win Australia in 2005 and 2007, I think, or like this year in Australia was a good match, I think. I had to retire in the beginning, but it was a great match.
Last year in Indian Wells was too windy, and in Rotterdam I was injured. So always was tough, and he’s playing well. He did a very good match today and will be very difficult tomorrow, for sure.
Q. You talked earlier this week about the importance of attacking the return. Why is it that sometimes you do that and sometimes you have to tell yourself to do it?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.)
Q. Sometimes you do it, and sometimes you have to remind yourself?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Well, is easy for me to return inside on grass than hard, because the bounce stays a little bit lower, and, you know, on grass you know you can have mistakes because it’s part of the game and here is mixed, no? Is no play that you can play two meters behind the line the first shot and tough to go inside.
Here, if you lose court, you go three meters behind the line, you have to play a very good shot. If not, they have the control of the point and is almost impossible to come back on the point no?
I did a few times, but this is impossible finally to do all the match, no? So, sure, is important return inside, but is a little bit more difficult for me here than grass that I think on grass my return is more effective when I play aggressive than the rest of the surfaces.
Here I would love to keep improving that and try to keep, in the end, return like I do on grass, but I worked a lot on that, and I have to keep working to keep improving. Is not enough, I think.
Q. Andy always says when he’s watching tennis, you’re the guy that he likes to watch because of the way that you play. Do you enjoy the matches between and you Andy? The one at Wimbledon recently, the standard of tennis was fantastic.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Well, sure. Just can say thank you to Andy for the words, but play against him always a challenge, because if you are not playing your best is impossible to win, and playing your best at the same time is very difficult, too, almost.
Sure, always is good to play against him, because you have to find the right way to try to win. In Wimbledon, grass is a little bit different because I know how, what I have to do exactly, not because I know the tactic, but is because the court says that and I have to play aggressive. I have to serve well and play aggressive all the time.
Here is a little bit more different, no? I am sure, if I really want to have chances to win, I have to play aggressive. I must play aggressive. Is not going to be impossible but not exactly like grass. So we will see what happen tomorrow, but for me is good to have these kind of matches on hardcourt, to keep going to my best level, no? I need to improve a little bit my level for tomorrow. I hope ?? I think I can do it, but is a good test tomorrow, yeah?
Q. I wonder if we’re seeing your best?ever level, because the season you’re putting together is unbelievable: two Grand Slams, three Masters Series already, coming back from your injury problems, has been amazing. Is this your best?ever season and best?ever level?
RAFAEL NADAL: We will see when I finish the season. I don’t know. In 2008 I did the same, winning Olympics, too.
So right now in the five Masters Series, I won three ?? no. This is the sixth, so I won three. I had two semifinals and then am in semifinals another time. So is very regular season for me. That’s very positive and is very good news. I won the three hardcourt tournaments, Masters 1000. I was in the semifinals. I hope this one can have the chance to be in the final.
Q. You had treatment on your knees after Wimbledon. After three matches, how do they feel?
RAFAEL NADAL: I feel perfect. Thank you.
Q. About the return, about being more aggressive, do you go into the match making the adjustment, especially on the hardcourt? Because you’re not sure of the balance, you know, how much to be aggressive, how much to play a little more neutral? Do you, literally in the match, are thinking, okay, I need to be more aggressive or is it just aggressive all the time?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. It depends on the moment, is the feeling you have in that moment. Some moments you can go inside and some moments you think, well, I have to go two meters behind and I have to play a solid point because he’s having more mistakes than me. So it depends of the moment. Depends how the match is going.
Q. A lot of it is based on your confidence, then? Just believing in what you’re going to choose to do and just do it?
RAFAEL NADAL: What?
Q. A lot of it is based on your confidence? If you’re feeling good, then you’ll just choose the tactic and go forward?
RAFAEL NADAL: If I feel good, I don’t know if I gonna be inside or two meters behind. Depends at the moment, I repeat, because if I feel good playing two meters behind, I can play a long shot the first one and tough to play to have the control of the point with my forehand.
If I think I have to put pressure on the rival for the first shot, I have to go inside. I play aggressive shot from the baseline trying to find a winner. But I repeat: depends of the feeling. Sometimes I am returning and I think, well, if I go inside this time I think I gonna have a mistake because of more risk, so I go two meters behind.
I don’t know. Everything change. The mind change in every minute, I think.
Q. You’ve now won I think 34 of your last 35 matches. Is this as well as you’ve played over a long period of time since 2008 where you went through all the way to the gold medal in Beijing?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Well, sure is one of the best moments of my career. Is a stupid ?? don’t say that, because that’s true winning three Masters 1000, winning Roland Garros, and Wimbledon, I’m now in semifinals here. That’s true, no?
But I want to be with Super Glue, because, you know, four months ago I was ?? I never gonna ?? everybody says Rafa, I don’t know, never gonna be another time on the top, and now I am the best.
I don’t think ?? it’s not like this before, and I’m not that good right now, no? Is always a mix, no? I think in that moments I wasn’t playing well to win. This time I played unbelievable and I was ready to win, and now we will see what happened, no?
But I always work hard to be here and to be competitive in every tournament that I play. Sometimes works well; sometimes didn’t work like this. Didn’t work perfect, no? But I always try my best, and that’s what I gonna keep doing, if I win, if I lose, doesn’t matter.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
| Nationality | Player | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | R Nadal | 3 | 6 | 6 | ||
 | Kohlschreiber | 6 | 3 | 4 |
Although Rafa clearly wasn't playing his best tennis. Found a way to capitalize on the important points & win this match..
Photo Album
Stats:
| Nadal | Kohlschreiber | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics on Serve | ||
| Aces | 4 | 11 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 65% | 51% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 37/47 (79%) | 33/40 (83%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 18/25 (72%) | 20/39 (51%) |
| Break Points Saved | 3/4 (75%) | 5/7 (71%) |
| Service Games Played | 14 | 14 |
| Statistics on Return | ||
| 1st Return Points Won | 7/40 (18%) | 10/47 (21%) |
| Second Return Points Won | 19/39 (18%) | 7/25 (28%) |
| Break Points Won | 2/7 (29%) | 1/4 (25%) |
| Return Games Played | 14 | 14 |
| Statistics on Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 55/72 (76%) | 53/79 (67%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 26/79 (33%) | 17/72 (24%) |
| Total Points Won | 81/151 (54%) | 70/151 (46%) |
| Other Stats | ||
| Winners | 25 | 26 |
| Unforced errors | 22 | 27 |
| Net Approaches | 10/12 (83%) | 8/13 (62%) |
AsIt Happens:
20:47 - Ready to start - and Kohlschreiber will serve first.
0-1 - A very positive start from the German - he has no dramas whatsoever en route to a comfortable hold of serve to love.
0-2 - BREAK! Nadal looks like he is still warming up, and the German races to three break points from 0-40 down. That seems to sharpen the Spaniard's focus, and he grinds out the next two points. Kohlschreiber cannot waste the opportunity, however, and booms a forehand from half-court down the line to win the break.
0-3 - Nadal challenges a Kohlschreiber ace incorrectly and the score moves to 15-15. The German plays a classy volley to go in front in the game, and then another to take a 40-30 lead. He closes the game out, and it's been a mightily impressive and resolved start from Kohlschreiber.
1-3 - Nadal finds a commanding forehand winner to start the game - typically powerful play from the Spaniard. It looks as if he is settling down, now - he holds to love and Kohlschreiber struggled to live with those Nadal groundstrokes.
1-4 - The Kohlschreiber serve is holding firm as he picks up his third ace to lead 30-0. A Nadal return error creates game points, and despite a double fault he closes out the game.
2-4 - Nadal is really having to work hard against a disciplined Kohlschreiber - the Spaniard goes down 15-30 with a missed backhand but steels himself to win the next three points and hold his serve.
2-5 - Nadal hits a forehand down the line narrowly wide in an uncharacteristic error, and the German keeps up the momentum to build a 40-0 lead. Another ace down the middle, and Nadal will have to serve to stay in the set.
3-5 - Nadal takes the first point of the game but misses a forehand by some distance to let Kohlschreiber back in. The Spaniard then finds an ace - his second - to move back ahead, and hits another service winner for game points. He holds serve, and it's over to Kohlschreiber to serve out for the set.
3-6 - SET! Kohlschreiber shows no nerve to take the first two points, but Nadal responds with a fearsome return winner. Nadal misses long though and two set points arrive for the German. His serve is superb - just what he needs to the far corner - and Nadal cannot keep the ball in play.
1-0 - Nadal's serve has actually been quite solid since he lost the first game of the match, and he begins well at the start of the second set. Kohlschreiber challenges a forehand, but it turns out that the ball caught the line by the smallest of margins. 40-15, and Nadal comes through confidently.
2-0 - BREAK! Nadal is starting to come into his own! He charges into the net to whip a forehand crosscourt past Kohlschreiber - too good on this occasion! An opportunity for Nadal presents itself at 0-30, and an aggressive return gives him three break points. Kohlschreiber can only save the first as Nadal finds a wonderful forehand down the line to seal the break!
3-0 - A switch seems to have flipped in Nadal's mind, and he's playing imperious tennis in the second set. He moves to 30-0 with an ace, grinds down Kohlschreiber into an error for game points, and finds another ace to seal the game in all of 78 seconds
3-1 - Ace, dropshot winner, ace, ace. That's an impressive hold for Kohlschreiber, who arrests Nadal's momentum there at a crucial time
4-1 - Nadal opts for a serve and volley, and despite Kohlschreiber catching the net cord the Spaniard is alert enough to move to 30-0. He pushes a sliced backhand a little too deep to let the German back in but he cannot take advantage. Game point Nadal, and a service winner takes it.
4-2 - Kohlschreiber opens with his 8th ace, then Nadal hits a wayward backhand which baffles the crowd and Nadal alike. The German lets that lead slip, however, and Nadal drags it back to 30-30. Nadal makes a remarkable get on the next point but Kohlschreiber hits a great overhead winner of his own from the deep and goes on to hold his serve.
5-2 - As the match moves into its second hour, Nadal claims the first two points with impressive forehand winners. Kohlschreiber then fails to keep a backhand crosscourt in play, and Nadal duly holds to love.
5-3 - Another ace from Kohlschreiber, but you sense that the German has to keep his serve almost perfect to stay in contention now Nadal's form has improved. He holds as Nadal goes searching for a winner too many, and the Spaniard will now serve for the set.
6-3 - SET! Kohlschreiber too is searching for winners in an attempt to break back, but the Nadal serve is working smoothly. 40-0 arrives in no time, and Nadal thumps an overhead at the net to force the match into a decider!
0-1 - Nadal generates an almost ludicrous amount of spin on his shots, finding a winner to drag the score back to 15-15. Kohlscreiber misses a backhand down the line to give the world number one an opportunity. Two big points from the German bring up game point, and he holds it with an impressive backhand. Essential that he held that one.
1-1 - Nadal continues to power away, taking a 30-15 advantage on his serve, but another wayward backhand keeps Kohlschreiber interested. He tries an expansive crosscourt backhand which Nadal watches out of court, and then hits a return into the net to allow Nadal to level.
1-2 - Nadal takes the first point with a beautiful backhand volley - Kohlschreiber responds with an ace. A backhand error gives the world number one a sniff of a break at 15-30, but his kicking second serveice draws a mistake from an overambitious Nadal. Nadal hits a phenomenal narrow backhand which the challenge shows caught half a millimetre of line. Break point, but Kohlschreiber saves it well. Four deuces follow - three more Nadal break points saved, and the German takes his one chance bravely.
2-2 - Nadal gives away the first point but answers it with a tremendous forehand winner down the line. Kohlschreiber produces one of his own however to reach 15-30. Nadal has to dig deep to get ahead, but does - seeing the game out and levelling once again.
2-3 - Kohlschreiber races to 30-0 with a confident volley. Nadal sends a backhand return into the stands to the shock of the audience, and then sends a backhand into the net. Still on serve in the deciding set.
3-3 - 0-30 for Kohlschreiber after good pressure from the German on the Nadal serve. Nadal claws the first point back and then the second when Kohlschreiber tries a tough angle for a crosscourt backhand - but with a deceiving forehand down the line the German earns break point, but he miscues his return. Nadal conjures a breathtaking forehand passing shot to seal the game and Kohlschreiber's window of opportunity has been firmly shut for now.
4-3 - BREAK! A poorly-timed drop costs Kohlschreiber the first point, then Nadal wears him down to take the second. 0-30. It's a disastrous time to serve a double fault, and Nadal has three break points. He takes it at the first opportunity when Kohlschreiber's groundstroke misses long!
5-3 - Nadal is relentless, hitting deep and heavy serves, and opening up a 30-0 lead. He then plays the shot of the match to scoop a crosscourt backhand from the back of the court past the onrushing German. It's ten consecutive points for Nadal. That run ends, but he still holds to 15 and is just one game away from the match.
5-4 - Nadal's booming forehands take the first point, but Kohlschreiber answers with a beautiful drop shot. He repeats the trick the next point, moving Nadal around the court to reach 30-15. Kohlschreiber does it once more to reach 40-30, and he holds. Nadal will have to serve out to win.
6-4 - MATCH! The first point goes the way of the world number one, and the second as well with a resounding overhead into the corner. Kohlschreiber's backhand sails long to bring up three match points after two hours of entertaining play. And at the first attempt Nadal does it!
Rafa debuks left hander myth
According to Rafa's 3rd round Presser last night he totally debunks the whole Uncle Toni made me switch to a left hander::
Q: When you were younger and you switched from hitting with your right hand to your left hand, how did your uncle Toni come up with the idea to try that? And how difficult was it for you at that age to switch from hitting right handed to left handed?
Rafael Nadal: That never happened. It wasn’t an idea of Uncle Toni and for sure it was impossible to change the right for the left. I started playing tennis with two backhands – playing two hands forehand and two hands backhand. And one day had to start playing but we didn’t decide I have to play with the left or the right.
The natural thing for me was to play with the left. I play futbol with the left all my life. . .The feeling to give something or take something, I do everything with the right, no? But the feeling for the sport I always have the feeling for the left.
So it was a total natural thing for him ..Kinda think that Rafa is ambidextrous .. I know what that is like cause Im the same way!
VIDEO
(TennisTv Highlights)
Rogers Cup: Rafael Nadal Third-Round Press Conference
RAFAEL NADAL
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Obviously his serve is the biggest weapon, and in the beginning you seemed to have a lot of trouble with it, but after about two?and?a?half games you were able to break him. What kind of adjustments did you make?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I started to return the second serve inside the court. In the beginning, I was returning three meters behind the baseline. After, I returned the second serve on the line. So, yes, this was important point, but after that first set wasn’t easy to return the second serve inside, too, you know, because he change it a lot, the directions and the ?? yeah, he serve it with slice, he serve it with topspin, so wasn’t easy, no?
Anyway, seemed like I had the match under control in the second, 4?2, but I had two mistakes with my forehand, and he played two good points. And after that, yeah, was really tough second set, no? But I am very happy how I played, especially the first set. It was very good.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I started to return the second serve inside the court. In the beginning, I was returning three meters behind the baseline. After, I returned the second serve on the line. So, yes, this was important point, but after that first set wasn’t easy to return the second serve inside, too, you know, because he change it a lot, the directions and the ?? yeah, he serve it with slice, he serve it with topspin, so wasn’t easy, no?
Anyway, seemed like I had the match under control in the second, 4?2, but I had two mistakes with my forehand, and he played two good points. And after that, yeah, was really tough second set, no? But I am very happy how I played, especially the first set. It was very good.
Q. Over and over again, you continue in the big moments to bring the best tennis. What is the secret formula? What do you do out there?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. (Smiling.)
I don’t know, no? I just think point by point, and I think I am exactly the same nervous like everybody, and, you know, some moments you play better; some moments you play worse, no?
I never played well these all important moments, no? When you are playing well and when you are with confidence in these moments, the things ?? you are ready to play your best tennis. When you are without confidence without winning matches, you have more problems at these moments no? It happened to me last year the second part of the year, last six months of 2009.
So, you know, I never played well in important moments, but now I am playing much better, and for that reason I can play well better important moments.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. (Smiling.)
I don’t know, no? I just think point by point, and I think I am exactly the same nervous like everybody, and, you know, some moments you play better; some moments you play worse, no?
I never played well these all important moments, no? When you are playing well and when you are with confidence in these moments, the things ?? you are ready to play your best tennis. When you are without confidence without winning matches, you have more problems at these moments no? It happened to me last year the second part of the year, last six months of 2009.
So, you know, I never played well in important moments, but now I am playing much better, and for that reason I can play well better important moments.
Q. Earlier this week Federer was in this room and he was asked a question, Would you guys ever get together as a team to play doubles? He says, and I quote, the media wouldn’t like it because we see you guys as rivals, but he said, Yeah, I would team up with him. So what do you say? When is the dream team getting together?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Well, I never had any problem, for sure. I will be ?? I would love to play with Roger. I think we had a lot of important moments. We lived a lot of important moments together in our career, so that’s good life experience to play with him, too.
I did with Novak. I played doubles with different partners, so I love play doubles. For me, gonna be a pleasure if any day Roger wants to play with me.
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Well, I never had any problem, for sure. I will be ?? I would love to play with Roger. I think we had a lot of important moments. We lived a lot of important moments together in our career, so that’s good life experience to play with him, too.
I did with Novak. I played doubles with different partners, so I love play doubles. For me, gonna be a pleasure if any day Roger wants to play with me.
Q. Maybe next year at the Rogers Cup, you guys double up?
RAFAEL NADAL: Tomorrow ask him.
RAFAEL NADAL: Tomorrow ask him.
Q. Okay. I will get back to you.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I don’t know.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I don’t know.
Q. I’m curious, when you were younger and you switched from hitting with your right hand to your left hand, how did your Uncle Toni come up with the idea to try that? And how difficult was it for you at that age to switch from hitting right?handed to left?handed?
RAFAEL NADAL: That never happened. No, no, no. Wasn’t an idea of Uncle Toni. For sure is impossible to change the right for the left, no?
I started playing tennis with two backhands, playing two hands forehand, two hands backhand, and one day I had to start playing, but we didn’t decide I have to play with the left or I have to play with the right.
The natural thing for me was play with the left. That’s the thing, no? I played football with the left all my life. That’s true. With the rest things of the life, like eat, have the feeling of to give something or to take something, I do everything with the right, no?
But the feeling for the sport, I always had the feeling with the left.
RAFAEL NADAL: That never happened. No, no, no. Wasn’t an idea of Uncle Toni. For sure is impossible to change the right for the left, no?
I started playing tennis with two backhands, playing two hands forehand, two hands backhand, and one day I had to start playing, but we didn’t decide I have to play with the left or I have to play with the right.
The natural thing for me was play with the left. That’s the thing, no? I played football with the left all my life. That’s true. With the rest things of the life, like eat, have the feeling of to give something or to take something, I do everything with the right, no?
But the feeling for the sport, I always had the feeling with the left.
Q. Spanish athletes seem to be winning everything these days, in tennis, cycling, football, basketball. How do you explain that?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I think we are a little bit lucky to have a lot of good sportsmans at the same generation. That’s a little bit of lucky, for sure.
And second thing is because the things that we had was the right things, no? So I don’t know. I think in Spain is big for sport, and for sure in cycling, Contador did unbelievable the last four years, winning three tours and the other one he can’t participate, but he won the Giro d’Italia. So was amazing.
And in Formula 1, Alonso is doing well. In MotoGP we were leading the three competitions, Lorenzo, Marcos, and Alia. So everything is going perfect, no?
We won the World Cup and Gasol won the NBA. We can ask more, and I don’t know why, but we are in a very good way now. We have to enjoy these moments, but it’s going to be very difficult to repeat, I think.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I think we are a little bit lucky to have a lot of good sportsmans at the same generation. That’s a little bit of lucky, for sure.
And second thing is because the things that we had was the right things, no? So I don’t know. I think in Spain is big for sport, and for sure in cycling, Contador did unbelievable the last four years, winning three tours and the other one he can’t participate, but he won the Giro d’Italia. So was amazing.
And in Formula 1, Alonso is doing well. In MotoGP we were leading the three competitions, Lorenzo, Marcos, and Alia. So everything is going perfect, no?
We won the World Cup and Gasol won the NBA. We can ask more, and I don’t know why, but we are in a very good way now. We have to enjoy these moments, but it’s going to be very difficult to repeat, I think.
Q. I’d like to congratulate you and your country for what you’ve achieved so far. How do you see the support that you’ve generated so far in Toronto compared to other places you’ve been this year?
RAFAEL NADAL: Support of the crowds? I feel perfect here. I always feel great. The crowd was always perfect with me. They make me feel like home, and for me, always is a pleasure be in Canada here, and Montreal, I won in both tournaments.
So I had the very nice memories from both, in Montreal because I won my first title on hardcourt, and in Toronto because when I won in 2008 was the last tournament before being No. 1. So winning this tournament I did this effort, no?
So anyway, they make me feel perfect and I’m very happy here in Montreal and in Toronto.
RAFAEL NADAL: Support of the crowds? I feel perfect here. I always feel great. The crowd was always perfect with me. They make me feel like home, and for me, always is a pleasure be in Canada here, and Montreal, I won in both tournaments.
So I had the very nice memories from both, in Montreal because I won my first title on hardcourt, and in Toronto because when I won in 2008 was the last tournament before being No. 1. So winning this tournament I did this effort, no?
So anyway, they make me feel perfect and I’m very happy here in Montreal and in Toronto.
Q. Can you comment on former No. 1, Thomas Muster, asking for your assistance during the fall season in his comeback to tennis?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Well, if he wants to come to Mallorca and practice with me in December, I will be happy. That’s the only way that I can help him, but gonna be nice and gonna be good fun for terrific comeback.
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Well, if he wants to come to Mallorca and practice with me in December, I will be happy. That’s the only way that I can help him, but gonna be nice and gonna be good fun for terrific comeback.
Q. After traveling to South Africa and being with the Spanish team for the World Cup, how do you compare the emotions you’ve had and the victories in tennis to there, and your emotions on the World Cup?
RAFAEL NADAL: It’s completely different. It’s impossible to compare, but live that moment there with the players and with the stadium, be there on the stadium when we won the World Cup was just amazing, no?
When the referee finish the match, I was crying, so was, you know, for us in Spain was a big tradition of football. Is king sport, so we deserve to win that title so much.
We did amazing the last 20 years, having a lot of unlucky quarterfinals, the referees was so hard with us in the States, in Korea, and Japan. Well, we deserve really to win that title, and I am a big, big fan of football and was very emotional that moment.
RAFAEL NADAL: It’s completely different. It’s impossible to compare, but live that moment there with the players and with the stadium, be there on the stadium when we won the World Cup was just amazing, no?
When the referee finish the match, I was crying, so was, you know, for us in Spain was a big tradition of football. Is king sport, so we deserve to win that title so much.
We did amazing the last 20 years, having a lot of unlucky quarterfinals, the referees was so hard with us in the States, in Korea, and Japan. Well, we deserve really to win that title, and I am a big, big fan of football and was very emotional that moment.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Rafa vs Anderson last point by Patxy270180
Rafa v. Anderson First Set by danitrack
Rafa vs. Anderson First set
Atp Tennis TV Videos
Rafa's Summer of Success
Tennis Tv interview -English
Tennis Tv interview -Spanish
BigServingMeansNothing to Rafa.. that should have been the logo at the Rogers Cup..not lovemeansnothing...
Rafael Nadal Defeats Kevin Anderson is straight sets in his 3rd round match 6-2, 7-6(6)
Hel plays Kohlschrieber in the last day session match tomorrow. OOP is out you can view it here. Rafa is scheduled on court not before 2:30PM.
RogersCup Album
Some Geeky stats:
| Nadal | Anderson | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics on Serve | ||
| Aces | 1 | 8 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 64% | 70% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 27/36 (75%) | 32/48 (67%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 16/20 (80%) | 11/21 (52%) |
| Break Points Saved | 0/1 (0%) | 7/10 (70%) |
| Service Games Played | 10 | 10 |
| Statistics on Return | ||
| 1st Return Points Won | 16/48 (33%) | 9/36 (25%) |
| Second Return Points Won | 10/21 (33%) | 4/20 (20%) |
| Break Points Won | 3/10 (30%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Return Games Played | 10 | 10 |
| Statistics on Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 43/56 (77%) | 43/69 (62%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 26/69 (38%) | 13/56 (23%) |
| Total Points Won | 69/125 (55%) | 56/125 (45%) |
| Other Stats | ||
| Winners | 21 | 23 |
| Unforced errors | 14 | 23 |
| Net Approaches | 1/2 (50%) | 5/14 (36%) |
