Rafa's change of racquet ...

At Abu Dhabi last week, Rafa revealed that he is trying a new, heavier racquet. Snippets about this appeared in some press reports, but as a silly fangirl who knows nothing about tennis or playing the game - never mind the equipment used - I am obviously totally unqualified to comment about this. ;)

So let's allow Rafa to tell us about it himself as he did in his press conference yesterday ...

"... I trying to play with a little bit heavier racquet and on the top of the racquet to get a little bit more power. So I am losing a little bit of control now, no? Sometimes I don't feel the forehand as good as before.

But it's something that we believe that can help me for me in the future. You know, in a short time period ...

But the problem is in theory we supposed to practice two weeks with the racquet, three weeks, one month almost, and finally we practiced one week, and we are here now so probably is not good enough. But I take the position, we take the position, so I going with that.

Q. When did it first cross your mind that you possibly would change the racquet or change something and put more power? Was it a long process?

RAFAEL NADAL: We thought after US Open, but finally was a little bit too short, you know, because I had to play in Tokyo and Shanghai. So the period wasn't enough.

I try to play with a little bit heavier than what this racquet is today, but we take the position that we have to change the racquet or we try to have to change the racquet. Not the racquet, only the weight, no?

So after Davis Cup final I had all the racquets prepared at home to change, but in theory, I will have three, four weeks of right practice. Finally I only had one week.

But that's the right moment to change. If not, when? You don't have time, no?

So probably a little bit tough now at the beginning maybe, yes. I cannot say that's when you have to change. You cannot think that everything will be perfect from the beginning, but you make change thinking it will be better in the future. So probably, I don't know‑‑ I don't know how to say in English. Investment? Or to try to improve something, few things in my game that we believe we needed, like the winner, like a little bit the serves.

So we thought this change, that's can help, that's nothing is magic, but that's can help a little bit to improve that. But probably that hurts my game a little bit at the beginning. So is a risk for this beginning of the season? Obviously, yes."

Well if I'm being honest - *fangirl alert* - I just like the look of intensity on his face and was looking for an excuse to use the pictures. :D :D