Rafa's CNN interview ...

Rafa appeared on CNN last night as he answered questions from Ana Pastor. This link here takes you to a transcript, but I've posted a translation mangle which isn't too bad below ...

Rafa Nadal : "At no time did I think of retiring ..." 

(CNN) - It does not seek prominence even as naturally assumes the world to be the center of attention wherever he goes. He hates the victim role despite injury has left him out of competition for nearly four months. 

Tennis is his life but not going to let this sink him emotionally break required. Therefore, repeated he is not sick and compassion would be a lack of respect for those who really are suffering. 

Rafa Nadal participated in "head to head" on CNN in Spanish that presents and directs the journalist Ana Pastor. 

When asked about his return to the slopes after suffering knee injury, the Spaniard tennis player said that it is very unlikely to be part of the Spanish team will play in November's Davis Cup final: "I would be thrilled be in the final Davis Cup, but first we have to see if I'm ready for an important meeting taking so long without competing. It would also be a decision I would not be for me." 

Rafa Nadal is pure. The first time we met in person was just before an interview. He said he had to ask a favor. I thought, mistakenly, that he wanted a more friendly interview, different from what normally submit politicians. But no. His request was surprising for being unique. He wanted the same hardness. He did not want special treatment. 

The story reveals the essence of the character. Humility is his trademark and is not faked or forced. It is what he has seen in his house from a very early, when there was a star, and now plays with their environment, a group that has much weight his family, especially his uncle Toni, his coach. 

Encountering CNN sees his press officer Benito Perez-Barbadillo and Rafa Maymo physiotherapist. Are your team and work for him, but mostly they are friends. He is joined, they advise, are always with you. Rafa always listened even after ten years at the top level of competition has its own criteria and it shows in every answer in public and in private. 

He hopes to be ready for the Australia Open which takes place in January and in an optimistic tone said: "I am able to get back to where it was before this break." 

He likes to be informed and ask about the current issues that come out during the makeup session. After not dodge any questions of CNN. 

Look ahead and while answering, his hands up and down gently to the injured knee. The inadvertently spoils in these small gestures. Time will tell if we'll see Rafa in the same tracks. But clearly this time either going to give up. 

In the interview Rafa Nadal talks a lot of tennis and future, of course, but also referred to the Spanish situation. "Of course I shall close," he said about the crisis. "I have friends and family who are suffering." He added that he understands the complaints and protests, but claims that this situation will only get us out the effort and work of all. On the independence movements in Catalonia, Nadal said he respects all positions but added: "It's hard to imagine competing in the Davis Cup against some of my best friends." 

In 2005, doctors told him that another injury could leave him out of the competition for good. And since then he has won everything. That is Nadal, able to make the impossible possible.

genny_ss over on Nadal News has translated some of the interview. So thanks to her and you can read her sterling work here on NN.

The interview will be shown in Spain tonight, so we might have some more fuller video clips tomorrow and perhaps some more soundbites. Frankly, once again Rafa isn't saying anything particularly different from what we've heard many times from him before ... but it's still great to see him and great that he's staying in touch ...