She's the most private thing in his life, the one thing he never talks about, and of late, we've had precious few sightings or captured moments of the two of them together. Xisca joined Rafa in Montreal and Cincy, so lets see if she's with him for the US Open. This post is just to record some of those previous moments.
Some dude got invited for dinner with Rafa and placed it on his blog. I'm not particularly interested about that, but what I AM interested in is lovely Rafa's new shorn locks and that tight fitting black shirt ...
Fancy a bit of pre-tournament reading??? Here's Rafa's interview as published by Reuters ...
Over the past 10 weeks Rafael Nadal had little choice but to put his feet up and relax at home in Majorca while his rivals chased after the biggest prizes in the sport.
Instead of defending his cherished Wimbledon crown, Nadal had to nurse his sore knees and became an expert on how to overcome the effects of tendinitis.
Following his enforced break, the six-times grand slam champion made his comeback earlier this month in Montreal, where he sat down to have a chat with Reuters to discuss his rehabilitation, the crammed ATP schedule and his hopes for the U.S. Open, which begins at Flushing Meadows on Monday.
REUTERS: The U.S. Open is only grand slam event that you have yet to win. How does it feel going in to the tournament, especially since you were out of action for more than two months with your knee injury? NADAL: "I think I am going to have more options in the next few years. The important thing is to feel confident with my knees and when I feel confident with my knees, I'm going to be able to practise harder and find my best performance as soon as possible. It's tough to say if I am going to be ready 100 percent for the U.S. Open. It's normal, isn't it, because after a long break and major injuries, it's difficult to be ready. But I will try."
REUTERS: How does it feel back to be on court after the long break you had to take because of the tendinitis you suffered in your knees? NADAL: "It seems like my knees are much better. But you never know. I have to play at the top level to see how it affects my knees."
REUTERS: Are you taking any special precautions to make sure you don't suffer a repeat of this kind of injury again? NADAL: "I was watching my knees with the doctors and yeah I underwent a lot of treatment. I don't know exactly what precautions I can take but I learned something about this injury and that can be important information for the future."
REUTERS: How far do you think this is going to affect your long term career? NADAL: "Not at all. I wasn't in good condition when I arrived at two important tournaments of the season -- Roland Garros and Wimbledon. But otherwise I am ok. I am very happy to be back on court, excited and motivated to work hard to try and play my best tennis as soon as possible. After a few months outside of competition, it's always very tough to come back after an injury but I am working hard to be ready."
REUTERS: How much is the ATP Tour and its schedule to blame for what happened to you? Do you think the way the calendar is packed with tournaments puts a lot of pressure on players? NADAL: "Well, it's clear that the calendar can't be perfect for everyone but I think that we -- the players, the ATP -- are working hard to try to develop the best possible calendar for the players and for the tournaments. "I think that everyone knows that starting on January 1 and ending on December 5 is too long of a calendar but it's not easy to fix because there are many tournament interests at play and everything is very difficult and you can't scorn any tournament. We must try to find the best possible solution that more or less pleases everyone."
REUTERS: What needs to need to change? NADAL: "Things need to change. What is bad about the calendar is not just that is starts on January 1 and ends on December 5. I believe the bad thing about the calendar is how it is made and obligates you to play tournaments all year. If you want to achieve the most you can (and) go as high up (in the rankings) as you can, you have to play from the start to the finish because there are important tournaments from the beginning to the end."
REUTERS: After your incredible win at Wimbledon last year, how much did it hurt you not to be able to defend your title this year? NADAL: "It was always really tough. It is always really tough to lose a tournament or miss a tournament for injury, you know. But the truth is, I wasn't ready to play in Wimbledon. So I feel very bad but that's the thing. I didn't feel ready. I will come back next year."
REUTERS: Three months ago you were the defending champion at three grand slam events and the world number one. Now you only have the Australian Open title in your possession and are no longer ranked number one, has that changed your outlook going into the U.S. Open? NADAL: "I am not number one right now but I always say the same thing. My motivation and aspiration is the same, being number one or being number five. So that's the truth. And my goal is the same -- it's to always be happy playing, it's to enjoy the game and improve always. That's what I work on -- improving my tennis. And to be happy playing because if I'm not happy playing, it's very difficult to play well. I need to have the right attitude. I am going to play the next tournaments with the same aspiration and motivation as last year. Doesn't matter."
REUTERS: At the U.S. Open, you have the chance of becoming only the seventh man ever to win all four grand slams. Do you think about that at all? Does that weigh on your mind, the possibility and what that would mean for you? NADAL: "Not right now, no. Right now I am only thinking of my knees and am trying to find my best performance as soon as possible."
REUTERS. You are obviously thinking of short term goals right now, but getting back to the number one spot, is that a long term goal for you? NADAL: "No, not right now. I was very happy to be number one for almost a year. But, no my goal is to be competitive, to try and win important tournaments. That's my goal and if it's like this then I am going to have my chances to be number one another time but my important goal is to try to perform well to win important tournaments, not to be number one."
REUTERS. Was this break good in any way for you? Did you enjoy taking time off from the game? NADAL: "It was tough because with this injury I couldn't move a lot. So the doctors told me to relax and I am a very productive person. I like to always be active and playing a sport, and well, I did important things like travel around Majorca in a boat. It was unbelievable. Very nice. But mostly, I didn't do much because I had to be on the sofa more than ever. I was going through more than five hours of treatment everyday."
REUTERS: So it feels good to be back in action again? NADAL: "Sure. It's always a pleasure being in tournaments. Very happy to come back to the tour and I expect to be able to play my best tennis in the next weeks."
REUTERS: Although Roger Federer won the French Open and Wimbledon titles this year, some people said his victories might be devalued because he did not beat you at the two tournaments. What is your opinion on this? NADAL: "The important thing is to win the tournament. It doesn't matter who you win against in the final. For me a win against Roger is always very, very special but I would love to win any grand slam against someone in the final. (laughs). Doesn't matter who the rival is."
Rafa revealed his anticipated "NYC Yellow Cab" shirt to the waiting masses in a specially organised promotional event by Nike. At the event, Rafa hit some shots and cut the breeze with Serena Williams and John McEnroe ... oh, and DickFeds was there.
DickFeds seemed to make a solitary appearance and just sneaked out the back door when it was all over.
Here's how a spectator (who had originally turned up to see DF) reported on it - with a couple of my own observations:-
"Back to Rog ... after spending some time talking to Johnny Mac and playing with the kids, Rog left and sneaked out the back ... I think Roger didn't leave out the front path because it would have been pandemonium".
Oh so he would like to believe.
As opposed to Rafa ...
"When he (Rafa) was done and he left the player's tent, security was guiding him out towards his car pick up and instead, he made it a point to come over to where I happened to be, along with other fans ... I was right in front of Rafa and he was so great with the fans, despite getting absolutely mobbed. He was the only player to do this all day and it was a great thing to see."
Rafa is absolute class. A giver on the court, and a giver off it. Here's what that spectator enjoyed ...
Rafa was defeated by Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-4 last night in the semi-final of Cincinnati Masters. Nole came out of the blocks all guns blazing and played a monster of a first set without giving Rafa chance the draw breath. Rafa's serving was poor last night, along with his returns and had the game taken to him so much as that he was in retreat from the word go.
It could have been better if he had managed to keep it level in the second, but Nole was too good. He did, however, look extremely nervous in serving it out during which Rafa could have tried to exert more pressure, but it wasn't to be.
All in all though, Rafa has 7 matches under his belt. He has obvious things to work on such as his serving and shot selection. The forehand is starting to work again and his tennis brain and fitness will follow. He has shown how he struggles when he faces a player from the top 6 and the US Open will probably be a step too far at this stage, but many positives have to be taken in his return to tennis.
Tonight, Rafa plays Novak Djokovic for a place in the final of the Cincinatti Masters. As the match starts at midnight our time, I hope for the best possible reasons that time-wise it isn't a repeat of their epic semi in Madrid ... but I'd like the same outcome.
Rafa was in superb form last night as he defeated Tomas Berdych in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5. Pretty much most things were working, especially the signature shot; the down the line forehand. Again, the most pleasing thing was his on-court demeanour, that "look" in his eyes and the fire in belly. He vigorously celebrated his win and each match he gets through is now coming to mean more and more.
His next opponent is is pal and Wimbledon withdrawal confidente ... Novak Djokovic.
Rafa took on Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu last night in the 4th round of the Cincinatti Masters. He started off playing some very wayward tennis and soon found himself 1-4 down. But slowly, slowly he started to find his range and the odd stellar shot and somehow found himself the winner of the first set by 7-5.
Then somehow, the old Rafa was released from within and he played some wonderful stuff in the second, along with the odd fist pump and "Si !!!". His next opponent is Tomas Berdych.
This is how Rafa saw it ... and welcome back.
“I’m so happy,” Rafa said, “because I played in some important points some good winners with the forehand, and I finished playing much better with the backhand and serving O.K. all the match,” then he continued. “When you start to play better and you play your best match after coming back [from an] injury, [you should] be really happy.”
"(It was) my best match. If we are talking about Montreal and here — my best match."
This was a funny old match as Rafa came out of the blocks quite fast, breaking Andrea Seppi's serve in the opening game. But he soon became passive, as if he hadn't the confidence in his shots and played lamely until it came to the big points - either when saving break points or in the two tie-breakers he played which he did secure very well.
Rafa wasn't sure about his performance. But again, its hard to judge his progress after just one week of competition and 3 matches. Rafa is up against Paul-Henri Mathieu today against whom he has a 8-0 winning H2H. Vamos Rafa!!!
Rafa gave the following interview in advance of his participation in the Cincinnati Masters ...
Q. How do you feel physically coming into Cincinnati after getting a few matches under your belt in Canada last week? RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I feel good, no? Yeah, I feel very happy to be here. And, sure, the last week was important week for me after few time outside of competition. Comeback, and it was a good comeback, no?No, I played not a bad match second round, and against Del Potro I played a very good first set. Just very happy with that. Just practicing every day with allusion, and just try my best every day with my best positive attitude. Just like this I gonna have chances to improve.
Q. What would be, do you think, a good result for you here? Are you looking, I guess, for a specific result, or are you looking more for a feeling of how you move on the court, how you feel with your timing hitting the ball? RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, sure, for me it's more important -- you have good result you gonna have a good feeling, that's...Yeah, but, sure, the important thing is feeling -- anyway, if you don't have a very good result, the important thing is move every day a little bit better and try to hit a little bit the ball every day with a little bit more confidence, no? So that's, in the end, the important thing.Sure, the US Open is very important, but after US Open remains a lot of the season, and I would like to be ready to play the good end of the season.
Q. You think in some ways you might be fresher now than you tend to be at this time of the season? RAFAEL NADAL: Fresher, sure. I don't know if this fresh is very good, but I am fresher, yeah.
Q. With respect to the injury time-out and whatnot, I know you like to spend a lot of time on the practice courts. How much more time until you're able to practice like you did in the past at a 100% with the amount of time you spend there? RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's impossible start from a zero to hundred, no? I need a little bit progressive and to go every day a little bit more. I did in Mallorca and I still doing here, no?I practice, for example, today one hour 45. Normally if I have one more day gonna play little bit more, two hours 30. I need to go slow, no? The important thing is be good physically.If I feel like this, I know with experience if I work hard and if I can work with the normal intensity, what I did in the past, I gonna have chances to be ready another time at my best level. If it's not this year, I hope next year.Later or soon I hope to be ready for another time, but I have to be with calm.
Q. What do you make of the new world order with Andy above you now at No2 and you No. 3? RAFAEL NADAL: What makes what? Q. What do you think of the new world ranking system in tennis? RAFAEL NADAL: It's very difficult to think a lot of things. It's only a number. Only a number change. I congratulate Andy. He's doing a good season. But, yeah, I don't know. For me, doesn't change a lot my perspective and my goals. I'm very happy today, more than yesterday, or the same happy today than three days ago when I was No. 2, and I say before when I was No. 1. So in the end, what makes me happy is be ready to play and enjoying playing tennis. Be happy and don't have a lot of problems to play, no? If it's like this, if I can compete with normal conditions, I am very happy to be here.I spend five years No. 2, and No. 1 almost a year. So the ranking is important, but it's not the most important thing, no? For me, the most important thing is be competitive to try to compete to win important tournament, no? The rest, I hope to be ready in the future, too, to come back to No. 2 or to be in the top positions. No. 3 is very good number, too. (Laughter.)
Q. You've been saying all here year that Andy is good enough to get to No. 2, and he's proved you correct. RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, he's enough good to be No. 2, no? I think I had the season under the control before my injury. I was playing well, having almost perfect season. After the injury, it's tough. But I know myself. I know when I was okay, I was there, no? I was the No. 1 in the race this year after -- before my injury, so I know if I am ready, I gonna have chances another time to be there.
Q. In the next few years, do you think you'll have to change your schedule a little bit? Will you take more breaks? RAFAEL NADAL: Take more breaks? Q. To protect your knees maybe. RAFAEL NADAL: Depends. Depends, because depends what goals you have. It's very difficult to have a lot of breaks when the third week of January you have to play a Grand Slam. It's very difficult to have a lot of breaks when after three weeks you have two Masters Series in a row, and after you have three Masters Series in four weeks. So what break can I do? After you have two Grand Slams in four weeks. Give me the -- well, give me the week. I didn't play a lot of tournaments outside of obligatory tournaments. I only played in Doha. Is normal tournament to prepare Australia. I only play in Rotterdam and Barcelona and that's it. I didn't play a lot of... Yeah, that's obligatory.The schedule can change. The ATP can change the schedule. I can't change the schedule.
Q. But you did have a break for two months... RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, obligatory break. It's always the same: you stop or somebody stop you, something stop you.
Q. So maybe the knees stopped you and you had a break. What was that like? Did you follow tennis? Did you watch the French Open? Did you watch Wimbledon? Or did you completely tune out and try to not think about tennis? RAFAEL NADAL: I was more outside than inside, yeah. Watch the final of Wimbledon, and I watched the last two games of the final of Roland Garros. That's it.I watch the Davis Cup of Spain. I saw everything. But that's it. I watch Contador winning the Tour de France, and I saw Gasol winning in the NBA. A lot of good things for Spain.
Q. Was it conscious to keep away from tennis, or did you find yourself wanting to get back on the court and get back to the tour? RAFAEL NADAL: No, sure, the first week is tough after you have injury. You arrive at probably one of the two more important tournaments of the year, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, with maybe your worst physical problems, your worst feelings with the physical.Sure, in the beginning you go down a little bit, no, first week. But later, you know, the life is not only tennis. I was in Mallorca with family. That's always very important for me. With the friends, and a lot of support, no? A lot of fans was writing me on the website, writing on my phone, friends.Yeah, it was very good time in Mallorca. The summer in Mallorca is perfect. Good weather, beach. Perfect. Nice water. So probably I was injured the worst time to be injured in the season for my tennis, but the best time to enjoy Mallorca, so...
Q. How much did you miss the competition? And how does it feel to be back in competition? RAFAEL NADAL: Well, you know, I said before, the first two weeks, one week and a half, was I don't want -- I really don't want to speak about competition, no, because you go down a little bit, and it's tough moments.But after that, I didn't miss the competition because I didn't watch myself ready to compete with my problem in the knees, no? I really wanted to come back, or try to come back, when I feel okay to come back, no?Because you know, when I stop, I was a little bit tired to play with pain, no? When you go to practice every day with problems and problems in your knees and these are limiting you every day, you lost a little bit the allusion to practice. You cannot practice with your intensity.
Q. How does it feel to be back in competition? RAFAEL NADAL: Very good. Very happy to be here. I lost last week and I go out of the court very happy, no, because I thought I had a very good first set with one of the best players of the world. So very happy to be here in Cincinnati and enjoying another tournament on the tour.
Here's TVE's interview with Rafa prior to his first match with Andreas Seppi ...
Rafa's return to the tour recommences tomorrow with his match against Andreas Seppi. Rafa seems, so far, in good spirits and accepting of his drop to number 3 in the world. Would you credit it??
Anyhow, here is the pre-tournament clip ... lovely Rafa. Enjoy.
Rafa lost to Juan Martin del Potro on Friday night with a 6-7, 1-6 scoreline. It was a fairly even first set with Rafa even having a 5-2 lead in the breaker, but Del Potro hit an audacious lob and a couple of other good shots to level the score before taking it 7-5.
Rafa quickly lost his opening service game of the second set and faded away. There were still lots of positives to be gained and I wouldn't have had expectations greater than the quarters at this tournament. What its meant is a time to re-group, re-assess and another couple of days off before Cincinnati starts next week.
Sadly, following Saturday's matches and Murray progressing through to the final, Rafa has now also lost his number 2 ranking. An unfortunate by-product of the injury, but him coming back to form is the thing that counts most now.
Rafa easily disposed of Phillip Petzschner last night 6-3, 6-2 although it could be said that opponent was a bit rather overawed by the occasion and who he was facing and therefore helped to beat himself.
However, it was a much better display from Rafa. The serve was better, the UEs were down, but it was probably only the work out that did him any good as a much sterner test awaits him tonight in the form of Juan-Martin Del Potro. The Pony ... the Rafa would-be. Lets see if what happens between the Master and the Apprentice ...
When the pictures were released of Rafa with his new boy toy, the Aston Martin, earlier this year I danced with glee that (firstly) he'd actually spent some of his earnings and (secondly) he'd chosen to go with the most stylish and classic of cars. This was because for years now, its been reported that Rafa - sexy, gorgeous, glamorous Rafa - had been driving around in a ... Kia.
OK, money talks and he endorses the brand ... but what a geeky, dweeby car to be associated with !!!
Anyhow, the deal must still be on as below is clip of Rafa making his latest advertisement for them ...
Rafa's much anticipated return happened last night in his opening match against compatriot, David Ferrer. It didn't turn out to be the run out that Rafa had anticipated as ironically, Ferrer had to retire with a knee injury following the seventh game when Rafa had broke for 4-3 lead.
As could be expected, Rafa was decidedly rusty, with a very poor 50% serving percentage and a high number of unforced errors. Perhaps he will get more of a run out against his next opponent, Phillip Petzschner.
Rafa's experiment with the doubles ended last night with a defeat again the number 7 seeds, Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram with a scoreline of 6-4, 3-6, 8-10. Just a bit cheesed off that the sleeves have re-appeared. Dang!!
This at least gave him two good matches to try and get into the groove for his first round match against David Ferrer which he plays today. *Yikes*
The X-Factor ... that indescribable thing that makes someone, something ... special. Rafa has got it ... in spades.
Here's an article describing the indescribable in more detail, but its memorable to me for this hilarious quote about DickFeds ...
"(Watching Federer win everything)...is the same as having sex (while) wearing a condom. It feels okay, but (it's) not even close to how you feel when you don't".
When Rafa usually announces he's playing doubles, its met with absolute derision ... and probably for the right reasons. We all concern himself with his schedule, the number of matches he plays, the impact on his knees ... so when he says he will play, its frankly annoying. Particularly when sometimes it appears to be done as a "favour" to friends to help them along in their career because they may have hit with him in down season.
So when Rafa announced he will be playing doubles with his surrogate coach - Francisco Roig - eyebrows were raised. But I think this is part of "new Rafa". "New Rafa" is not playing doubles as a favour to his mates, but to effectively get some match practice in whilst receiving on court coaching. Rafa's first round opponent is David Ferrer, a man he knows well, and a man capable of beating him on a hardcourt ... remember the 2007 USO?
The rights and wrongs are there for debate (note that Nole and Murray are both playing doubles to get themselves into it) but what I want to bring up is far more important than that ... NO SLEEVES !!!
Rafa arrived in Montreal last week to commence practise and get ready for the 2009 Rogers Cup where he is defending champion. Here's his pre-tournament interview ...
There was some initial disparaging reports about his rusty practice play, spraying balls all over the place ... but can you believe everything you read? I'm just glad to see the Rafatum again ... *swoons*.
Below is a clip of his practice session with some delicious shots 'sans chemise' ... Vamos Rafa!!!
Following Rafa's lovely on TVE the other week showing him in various processes of training and physio regimes, a number of video clips have been produced from it. This is one of my favourites ...
Prior to embarking to Montreal, Rafa gave a very long, detailed interview to La Marca. Its possibly one of the few times that we've actually heard his opinon, how he's speaking from the heart, and how its not simply being limited to perhaps the correct and cautionary tennis-speak.
The article was nobley translated by Rafateers Pearl of Manacor and UncleToniIsaGod.
Q: How are you physically? You said that you would not return to the court until you were 100%. A: I've been finding training better. If I'm honest I don't know if I'm totally 100%, I hope so, but you don't realize through not being in competition and forcing until the end, until you can (be in competition). I've been training and it is going quite well for me, I've improved a lot and I find the faith to be able to start. If I then go there and things don't go as I hope, it will be a small blow. But I hope that it won't be like this because I would not go.
Q: Have you been having lots of doubts about returning in Montreal or will you do that in the next few days? R: Yes. In fact I've made the decision today. I would want to be certain of being able to go out and if I can hurt, but I would not want to go there and on the first day be bad. I've been training for four days with little pain, I feel confident running and now this is the moment to try (returning).
Q: Are we in the face of a historic occasion of being able to win the Davis Cup again? With all due respect, Israel are in the semifinals. R: Yes, you have to be realistic. With Israel at home, we should not lose. You have to be cautious, be aware of yourself, but you have to understand this situation and win.Q: Is Davis Cup entered into your calendar at the moment?R: DC is always entered into my calendar.
Q: Accompanied in this case by:R: Montreal, Cincinnati, US Open, DC, if I'm called up and I don't have setbacks, then Bangkok, China, Shanghai, Paris and London.Q: Have you visited doctors abroad or your regular doctor? R: Regular (Cortorro) and also one of his colleagues. I've always been in good hands and not only one opinion, but several, that is always better. All of them have been agreeing a lot and also in the newspaper, that is not the theme that is said: "In one month he will be well". It is a process that is better going slowly, but well the swelling is there and it doesn't hurt me anymore.
Q: The doctors say that this is Nadal (back) for a while? R: That does not depend just on the doctors. It depends on me and lots of things. This has already been shown. I will do everything that is possible for it to be like that. I don't know if this problem in the knee will be the end of my career. In 2005 the situation was a lot more sensitive with the foot than now. I was 19 and had to stop. Now I am 23. still young and with more trophies in my room.
Q: But the obsession of the town is that it comes and arrives in the worst moment, when you are No.1. R: And when is a good moment? When I was No.2 and could not have been No.1? It comes when it comes and I am grateful for people's support, but if I am honest, my greatest joy was not when I became No.1. My greatest joy was when I won Wimbledon, when I won the Australian, when I won the Games last year, when I won the DC, although I was not there last year, and when I won it in 2004. In the end, the No.1... yes you are No.1. When I got there for the first time I was very excited because after so many years at No.2 and at this level, it was a goal, but being No.1 or No.2 has not changes my life or made me happier getting up the next day. However when I won Wimbledon last year the next two months I was happy because I'd achieved one of my lifelong dreams.
Q: Have you looked back on the match with Soderling? Was it your most painful defeat or your worst match? R: No I have not looked back on it. I don't know if it was the most painful defeat. In each moment everyone has their most painful defeat. It has been one of the few times where I did not have control of the situation at any time. I didn't have the capability to respond. It was painful of course. For all, for everything that was happening. It was not only the defeat at Roland Garros, which I would not always win but at that moment yes, because I'd had knee problems for quite some time, emotionally I'd had a hard season and when all of these things join together and the blow falls in the tournament that makes you dream the most, then the letdown comes.
Q: It has been recognized that it was wrong to play Madrid. Will you not come back as long as continues in these dates? R: Clearly I will come back. I have not got rid of any tournament before to start with, much less. Now, if you arrive with the same feeling as this year, learn from the mistakes. This is what I believe. By always wanting to go more and not knowing the limit, one forces to the maximum and as usual I've felt well in limiting situations and overcome the, you don't know as far as you can give. Like I said I was wrong playing Madrid, I also say that I don't know if my result at Roland Garros would be different and if I'd been permitted to arrive at Wimbledon well.
Q: People feel that you, as a good person, said yes to Madrid as a commitment to Spain. R: Lets be clear. If the tournament is not in Madrid and is in another country, I don't play. I'm sure of that. The season had gone too well for me playing badly, I'm talking about the three clay tournaments, which strained the problems in the knee, which I had already been playing with (I'm not sure what "infiltractiones" mean. I'd hazard a guess at cortizone shots maybe) and anti-inflammatories. But it was Spain and there are few alternatives to play. And I decided to play and it was a magnificent tournament, I participated against Djokovic and the atmosphere was unforgettable. I don't regret it. I was wrong, I believe I was wrong.
Q: Federer has jumped on the bandwagon in your absence? (Might have that wrong lol!!!) R: Federer is where he deserves. The figures tell and that is the reality.
Q: Is the Swiss the best in the history of tennis? R: He is the best in the history I've lived, that is certain. Then Rod Laver is the only one I know who did what he did. A guy who twice won the Grand Slam and this is seven years, which where supposedly the best of his career, without competing in tournaments which at that time were amateurs, this tells me he is the best in history. But you can never tell and moreover you have to wait until Federer finishes his career. But yes it is true that the season was ...
Q: It's speculation, but now you could have been thinking about completing the Grand Slam in three weeks? R: I don't like it put to me because I did not raise it when it was perfect. I don't think about it. If things had gone well, I would have arrived with more confidence to the end of the year. But things are what they are and you have to look to the future.
Q: And reaching double-digits?R: How many do I have? Six, so I am lacking 40%.Q: At your age, apart from Borg, no-one has achieved more. R: I'm not saying that it can't be achieved, but I always go step by step. Both in my life and my career. I think in the morning. Train in the morning and train well. I think in coming to Montreal and trying, win or loss, to go with the feeling of returning to compete with guarantees.
Q: Federer has welcomed the two titles and birth of his twin girls? R: I sent him a message three times and the three times I received a reply.
Q: The USO is coming up at the end of the month: do you think that you can achieve something there? A: I don't know. It depends on various things. EG: how the previous tournaments have gone; how my knees respond; it depends on whether at the point at which I get to the USO I have enough confidence to say: "look, I'm ready." If I find that I have doubts in Montreal and Cincinatti, it will be more difficult. I can say that I might get there and reach the semis and quarters in those 2 tournaments and feel bad, or reach the 2nd or 3rd round but feel more prepared.
Q: In recent times you have been as solid on clay as on hardcourts. A: If I had played as badly on the hardcourts as I just did in the clay season I would not have won all that I did. That's the reality. When I am playing well I can reach a similar level on hardcourts as on clay. Now, when I play at an "average" level, it is easier for me to win on clay than on hardcourts.
Q: It's possible that you may arrive at the USO seeded No 3 in the world. Would that change your plans around? A: Not at all. The goal remains the same. There is a real possibility that I will go down to No 3 rather than remain at No 2 and you have to be realistic about that. Firstly because I am defending more points than Murray and secondly because I will have had less time to prepare than him. I hope that I am wrong about this but it is sporting logic that when you haven't played for along time and you are injured it is to be expected that you will return at a lower rhythm than those who have continued competing. This is a normal occurrence and you have to be ready to accept defeats and to play badly. It is logical that it happens and what I have to do is to approach the 3 tournaments I play in the US with a good expression on my face, with a good attitude and to think about each training session and about improving day by day.
Q: Are you asking the Spanish public to be patient? A: I have always been very cautious. Everyone is entitled to think what they want. If I am honest, I am not thinking about the USO. I am thinking about training in Montreal. I have not been training in recent weeks with good players who can tell me what level I am at. And then, even though I have trained well, I will arrive at the first match in Montreal with huge doubts. I am going to work as hard as I can in order to get back to my previous level and to try to improve my game.
Q: Might you have the same experience as Federer, who had mono and then returned to his former level? A: Everyone has a different experience of these things. I would really like to have the same outcome as him! I am fine where I am, happy with everything that has happened to me, in spite of my injuries; I am aware that as a 23-year-old I have been very lucky in life and also in sport and I am going to work for that again. Well, in order to become.....I am only one number below at the moment. I am going to work in order to keep at these numbers. My objective is not to think about being No. 1 or No 2. My objective is to be happy playing and to be competitive in order that I can continue to participate in the big competitions.
Q: Are you aware that your duels with the Swiss one are already regarded in the same league as those epic duels between McEnroe and Borg? A: Well, yes, that might be so. I was fascinated when someone told me the other day that those 2 had only contested 4 finals in Slam events. Only 4!
Q: But probably the great duels go down in history because they transcend the match itself? A: It is clear that the matches with Federer have been great for some time, very even, with a great intensity. When I go out to play a final against him I feel something special; I suppose that people feel the same thing.
Q: Is Federer a gentleman? A: I have always liked Federer. I think that what is good about both of us is that we knwo how to lose as well as how to win. We look out for each other(not sure about this!). Perhaps he is more serious than I am and he is less sociable than I am (again: not sure about this bit), but he is a gentleman.
Q: On the day of a final do you see each other in the morning or do you prefer to keep your distance? A: (Exclaims)- of course there are times when we see each other and we speak calmly with each other - but not about the final of course.
Q: What wish did you make at the Trevi Fountain when you threw your coin in this year? A: In truth, I cannot remember. Something like I hoped to win in Rome that week, but I don't know.
Q: This accumulation of doubts you have now, is it like 2005 when you had problems with your foot and had to stop for 4 months? A: I believe that that was a much more serious problem. In 2005 it was an issue which actually became dangerous. This injury now takes time, I know, but it is not dangerous.
Q: Were you frightened for your career? A: More for my career than for being able to continue at the same level. It was the first year when I had done well, the first year when I reached No 2; no I have been doing this for a few more years and having won what I have won makes me calm. I have more peace of mind because whatever happens I have accomplished quite a lot.
Q: Does the pain ever go away? A: The pain is always there and when you haven't played for a month and a bit, when you resume it hurts you even more, but things have been getting quite a bit better. On Saturday and Friday I trained well and you don't know if it's OK until you force it. And here I could not force.
Q: Isn't there a risk that it will "be strained" again? A: It's not a tear. There are always risks when you compete with maximum intensity. My problem has been 2 oedemas in the knee insertion (joint?), a problem over a period of time, which is not like a fibular strain which lasts for 3 weeks and then you are better.
Q: Has this break brought you something positive? More free time, for example? A: Well, not much. I have been able to go out with friends, but day to day it has been hard because I am a very active person, I love to play football and everything I do is focused on sport. And to go to the beach to lie in a hammock, well the truth is it's not much fun. I was advised to be fairly immobile and I have spent a lot of time lying on the sofa. Fortunately I have been able to watch quite a few Spanish sportsmen and women winning, eg: Pau Gasol who won the ring (basketball in USA), Contador in the Tour de France and the World Swimming Championships which went well for us. It has been a way of life which has been calmer than I would have liked and there hasn't been much positive about it.
Q: On a psychological level hasn't it been good for you? Weren't you feeling "saturated"? A: No. Saturated, no. I had been having the best year of my career until the problems started. I had won Australia, I had won Indian Wells, quarters in Miami, I had won Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, got to the final in Madrid...Well, from Monte Carlo on I was not performing well in my own mind, although I continued to win...But up to that point I had hadn't had such a year.
Q: Did you recognise that you weren't playing well? A: Yes, it all came along together in a way. I was playing with less confidence in my movements and you go on winning because you have that winning impetus from how things have been going in the previous months and you put up with it. But with the problem I have in the knee I could not even train properly, not with the intensity which I am used to and little by little this brings your level down. There came a moment when I could not put up with the pain every day because it was limiting me so much, even though I was used to playing with it. If it's not restricting you, well OK, but if it is then everyday you become more and more careful. In other sports you might be able to compensate for it, but not in tennis..and I could not maintain the level I needed to in order to be where I wanted to be.
Q: Do your victories act as a balm (consolation)? A: A lot of times in my career I have played in pain and I have overcome them and you never know where the limit of your tolerance lies. I was playing with pain but the season was very important; I had reached the clay season and there were tournaments that I really like and which are important for my year, like Monte Carlo which I love, Rome as well, Barcelona, Madrid, which was the first year when it was played on clay and because it was in Spain I was particularly excited. For these reasons I put up with the pain and lived with it and hoped that it would sort itself out. Even in Madrid, in the middle of the week, I had to go and do a scan and ultrasound because I could see that things weren't getting better.
Q: It is surprising that you did not watch the finals of RG and Wimbledon. Is that usual or were there other reasons why not? A: I did not watch the final of RG; I only saw the last 3 points as I was playing golf. I stopped to watch the last game and the truth is that I was happy for Federer because I think that he deserved it. I did watch Wimbledon.
Q: When you lost against Del Potro in Miami you said: "I know why I lost but I am not going to say". Was it at this point that you knee really began to cause problems?A: My real problems with the knee began after Miami. I had been a long time away from home and I am not going to talk about my personal life because I have never talked about it, but in Miami I had some family problems which when you have been away for a long time end up affecting you. Mentally, at the level which I needed to be at, I was not there.
Q: What do you say to those uninformed people who attribute your downturn to your parents' separation, and mixing the issues up without knowing for sure? A: The problems in my family happened just after Australia. I went to Rotterdam a few days afterwards and I got to the final there; I played Indian Wells and I won; I reached the quarters in Miami and I won 3 tournaments on clay. That's the end of the subject. Emotionally, everything affects you and if your level declines this does not help either. At the end of the day in sport winning is like a madness and when there are outside problems which really affect you and you are far from home, you lose the extra "plus". But even without it, I was still winning.
Q: As a discreet person how have you put up with the press reporting on your family's issues? A: I have never liked to listen to them or to read them (the press). I don't know what they have published, but ultimately it is a free press and they can write what they want.
Q: Have the paparazzi ever stopped you from doing something you wanted to do? A: They have never stopped me. I have never not done something because they were going to take a photo or not. And if they do take a photo - well, bad luck.
Q: Have you had a lot of help from your friends in recent months? A: From my friends, from my family and, also from a lot of people - many of whom I do not know. A lot of messages on my web page and on my mobile which I still haven't replied to. I apologise for that.
Q: How many texts did you get? A: A lot - I can't say how many, a lot.
Q: When Albert Costa called you around the time of the Davis Cup tie, there was a 4-day deadline. Were you expecting a miracle? A: It was not just asking him for 4 days, it was more complicated, almost impossible really. I was 90% certain I would not play but I was not prepared for that. But he insisted and said to me that he would give me 4 days and then you can tell me what you are doing. I had to decide on the Tuesday and I said to him that it was fine and that we would speak in 4 days time.
Q: Why do you invest so much in the Davis Cup when it costs you so much? A: It is a special feeling and even more so when you are playing at home. It is an incredible feeling to play in front of your public because you don't get a lot of chances to do so and whenever they come along you have to take them. It is always hard but in this case it was not so hard because I had already lost out on other very important things (eg: Wimbledon) and it was just one more thing.
Q: Watching on TV I suppose that you saw the placards on display supporting you? What is it about you/your magnetism that other players do not have? A: I have never liked talking about myself. I don't know, in recent years my results have been good; people like people who are "correct" and who win. I don't know if I am "correct" or not, at least I have always tried to be so and I will continue to try to be so, and to have the same results. But it is not just me. There are many of us Spaniards and we are living through an exceptional time. I am very happy to belong to this generation.
One of Rafael Nadal's great passions is football: he is a self-confessed Real Madrid fan. He acknowledges that he follows it avidly, inspite of his own sporting commitments. In the 2bd part of La Marca's exclusive interview, the Majorcan tennis player talks about his other interests: football, golf, fishing... in short, Nadal away from the tennis courts.
Q: Which player would you sign for Madrid? A: Xabi Alonso is a very important player but in my humble opinion I would have gone for Ribery.
Q: Well, no idea, no idea...You have had a good tutor in in your uncle Miguel Angel. A: The truth is I like football very much and I follow it really closely. I don't think many people follow football as closely as I do. Madrid needs a player - and this is only my opinion - who marks time in the game and who is a playmaker for the forwards - who are already pretty good.
Q: And is Xabi Alonso that player? A: He is one such player, although I am still besotted with Ribery, but not for that position. Madrid has mad some great signings. There are some great counter-attacking players, playing in small spaces, for example Cristiano is very good. And as all 3 are very young (Kaka, Ronaldo and Benzema) they will get even better. Ribery also has great potential to play in small spaces: very complementary to the existing players (my gloss).
Q: Have congratulated Ronaldo on his signing? A: We met a few years ago and we have always remained in contact. He has always been nice to me; he has written to me on many occasions and I received a great gesture from him when Federer won Wimbledon: he sent me a message in which he said that I was still No 1 in his eyes. It was the first message I received. It is nice to know that such important people remember you. When he signed for Madrid I congratulated him.
Q: Is it the end of Barcelona's domination? A: You never know. Sport is a "clic" (cannot find this word) that's the reality. What you are not going to get is a "clic" like me playing tennis, and hitting 3rd division shots. I could make a "clic" if I hit quality shots, which could go outside or inside, creating this or that chance - it changes everything for you. Barcelona has a great team and what's more it has been built over a lot of time. They have been playing the same way for a number of years, better or worse, but always the same way. I have watched squad matches all the teams use the same system. And when the players reach the first team squad they are not out of their depth. They will have played a lower level but they still play the same way. And this is what helps them. You have to praise the club for this, not only for their 3 titles - which is a spectacular achievement and has never been done in Spain before - but also for their sophisticated game and the dedication they have always had.
Q: And what about Madrid? A: Madrid has never had such a defined style of play. I am not saying that is should be like Barcelona's game, it could be another style. In my opinion, in football there isn't only one style of play, but Barcelona has managed to win, probably, using the most difficult system. It is easier to play from the back and then go on the counter-attack, but to play like they have done...Barcelona has the advantage of having its team already set up; Madrid have the hope, the expectation that they have created and this is a point in their favour, but it needs time to come together. In this respect Guardiolas' team (Pep Guardiola is the manager of Barcelona) has an advantage over them."Although it sounds like a joke, I have not had time to fish"
Q: Do you think Madrid is capable of winning the treble? A: It depends on a lot of things. Are they capable? Of course they are after the fantastic signings they have made. Now we have to see if it comes together. I think they have a complete enough squad to try for everything.
Q: The start of the Spanish league coincides with the USO. Have you already reserved your seat in the ESPN site at Times Square in order to watch the matches? A: I have nothing reserved - it's not necessary to reserve anything so early. There is a fantastic screen (there). That's where I watched the final of the Spanish Super Cup - it was that crazy match between Real Madrid and Valencia in which Robben (Arjen - Dutch player formerly of Chelsea fame) had his shirt ripped off.Q: How is your gold coming along?A: Terrible, now. Since I have returned to tennis training, my swing has speed up and when I have gone to play at Pula in recent days it has been in truth disastrous.
Q: And why is that? A: I don't know - these things happen. When I had to stop and not pick up a tennis racket, my game was pretty good. Although I was still playing off a handicap I had managed to get it down from 8 to 7 and 5 in tournaments. I came 2nd at 3 tournaments, but now I'm not even close.
Q: Seve (Ballesteros) told La Marca, in his first interview after his operation, that you owed him a dinner. A: (interrupts) True.
Q: Can you tell us what that is about? A: I was in Madrid. I don't recall exactly because it was a day when (not sure). I am not used to making excuses, but that day he took advantage of my form. The first 9holes had been OK but he took advantage of my form to make a bet in the final 9(holes). Over the last 7 holes I was seeing the ball as a square. I owe him dinner because I lost, what's more, on the fairway. But I am preparing my revenge - it will come.
Q: Do you still go out fishing at dawn and eating whatever falls into your net, or is that now in the past? A: No, now no. Although it sounds like a joke I have not had time to fish. When I have this month off in the summer I always have time to go because I have come back from long trips away and I always have my 2 weeks of rest. But this year things have been different and I have not had time to go.
We all know of Rafa's strange love of "Phantom of the Opera". Now then, I adore that musical, but I still find it slightly odd that a man as young as Rafa enjoys it, and more so the fact that Rafa always listens to a track from TPOTO before he heads out on court. For the life of me, I still don't know which track it is, but it seems to have done the trick!!!
Anyhow, Rafa recently spent the evening in the company of his father at a concert given by the noted and famed tenor, Placido Domingo. Xisca - on the other hand - obviously preferred to hang out at the beach with her mates. Plus there's some footage of last years "kissing and canoodling" during his summer break. Lucky Xisca!! Grrrrr .....
Rafa and team faced the ratrun that is Palma airport today on their journey to Montreal. Its reported that Francisco Roig is travelling as coach and not Uncle Toni. Maybe unexpected due to trying to assess how Rafa progresses following the injury, but its the usual Team Nadal course of action as Uncle Toni usually has this period of down time with his family.
Also accompanying Rafa are Dad Sebastian and Xisca. So Rafa is surrounded by the team that look after him and those that love him. And us ... cheering on from far. Vamos Rafa!!
Well ... the news is out that Rafa will make his long awaited return in Montreal. Yesterday I was resigned to accepting that if Rafa doesn't thing its time to come back then fair enough. But ... now it seems he's ready to give it a go. He just needs to get that first tournament out of the way, and I wish him well. This is how the news is has been reported ...
Rafael Nadal, the No. 2-ranked player on the ATP Tour, will return to action at next week's Montreal Masters event after a two-month layoff with injury, his coach and uncle Toni Nadal said on Monday.
The Spaniard has been suffering from tendinitis in both knees and has not played a competitive match since being knocked out in the fourth round of the French Open by Robin Soderling on May 31.
“Rafa will play in Montreal. It is good news for us,” Toni Nadal told Radio Marca. “It's another thing to know what standard he will be at. I imagine he won't be in very good condition. He has been training but without really pushing it very much. “To see what form he's in we'll have to see how he copes in a proper match.”
During his time away from the court, Nadal lost his French Open and Wimbledon titles and his No. 1 ranking to Swiss rival Roger Federer.
In an interview last week, Nadal cast doubts as to whether he would be fit to defend his title in Montreal.
“There is no particular objective at present,” Nadal's coach continued. “The challenge is to get back into form and to be in good shape for the U.S. Open.”
The U.S. Open starts on Aug. 31.
Here's a Spanish news report announcing the decision ... fabulous for the bare chested Rafa practising. Yum, yum ...
http://greattennisphotos.blogspot.com/2008/11/rafa-and-xisca-enjoy-on-mauritius.html
Rafa gave the following interview in advance of his participation in the Cincinnati Masters ...
