iVamos Rafael!

Olka

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as

Tak, "playing very good tennis", wszystko O.K. Smutny

Daga

Rzeczywiście...
Wszystko w porządku Smutny

.

Olka

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Olka

Hindustan Times
23 listopada 2006

What are your memories from your first visit to Chennai?

I was a newcomer then and no one knew about me. Though I lost in the singles to Thierry Ascione, I managed to win the doubles title (with Tommy Robredo). The win was vital. It gave me a lot of confidence.

What made you decide to play in Chennai again?

When I came in 2004, the crowd supported me and was very encouraging. I was looking forward to coming back in 2006 but a foot injury forced me to stay out of quite a few tournaments and I had to pull out. Now I am happy that I will be coming next year. I would love to come and improve my singles performance, start the year on a winning note and gain some valuable points in the ATP rankings.

Your rise over the last two years has been astonishing. What would you attribute it to?

It feels nice to have such a good record and success so early on in my career. But I know this is just the start. I have been training hard and trying to improve daily. I owe it all to my uncle and coach Toni. He has been instrumental in shaping my career. It was hard going in my formative phase. He put tons of intensity in the training. I guess all of that has helped me be who I am and to have so much self-control. He’s a special person. He thinks a lot and if you listen to him, says things that aren’t the usual.

Could you tell us how you developed a) your ability to run and stretch over five sets covering the court, and b) your muscles?

I think it is all part of the game. You need to be ready and fit to play. It’s not all physical. Concentration is a big part of it too. I don’t do any special training for my mus cles. Almost everyone in my family is strong. It is true I work hard but I don’t do anything special to develop muscles.

Could you also talk about your diet?

I don’t have a special diet. I do consume several calories and for that I eat a lot of pasta and salads. I love fish with pasta and eat that very often.

Before this year’s Wimbledon final, you charged to the baseline after the toss and jumped around. Do you use such methods to psyche out your rivals?

No. I always go with the intention of giving it a hundred percent. I was just trying to get charged up for the game ahead and stay mentally focused. My opponents know that and that helps me.

How much has reaching the final at Wimbledon changed your approach to grass and to your career?

Reaching the Wimbledon final was great. Especially considering that I was successful on clay and it was believed that I don’t have the game to succeed on grass. I understand hard and clay. I’m still trying to understand grass. I give myself two-three years to improve that. In order to play well there you have to have a good sense of the surface. But I’m still young. There’s a lot that I still need to improve.

What’s the key to your success against Roger Federer? You defeated him four times in six matches this year.

Roger is a complete player and you need to play at 120% against him. I don’t really know of any secret. As I say I give my best all the time and maybe that’s helping me. It is true that I have played him more on clay and that’s to my benefit, but we always have close matches.

You and Federer already have set up an intense rivalry. What are your own favourite sports rivalries?

I will not call it a rivalry. It’s just that we play quite often and all our matches are tough and close matches and that’s what makes it interesting. Otherwise we have a good relationship. I did look in the past at players like Carlos Moya and other Spaniards.

You met Ronaldinho in Stockholm recently. What did you talk about?

Feliciano Lopez and I met him at the hotel. We spent some 30 minutes chatting. Everyone knows he is one of the best, if not the best. I like to meet athletes like him.

What’s your strategy under pressure?

Whether I’ve won or lost, my motto has always been the same: to work every day so things don’t twist the wrong way. It’s the only way to achieve something. Under pressure, I always play my natural game and go for shots.

asiunia91

Ja rowniez uwazam, ze osiagniecie finalu W Wimblu przez Rafe bylo "great" hihi:)

Vamos Rafa w Chennai! Wesoly

Wisełka

Nadal: Traktują nas jak kryminalistów !

Sportowcy są traktowani jak kryminaliści - ocenił hiszpański tenisista Rafael Nadal, narzekając na zbyt dużą, jego zdaniem, liczbę kontroli antydopingowych.
"Podczas niezliczonych kontroli dopingowych traktuje się nas jak kryminalistów. Testy powinni przechodzić także działacze i politycy, którzy wymyślają takie przepisy" - powiedział zajmujący obecnie drugie miejsce w światowym rankingu Nadal, którego dopingowi kontrolerzy po raz ostatni sprawdzali w sobotę w jego rodzinnym domu.

"To była chyba 16, a może nawet 17 kontrola w tym roku. Nawet w domu nie mam spokoju. Zdaję sobie sprawę, że jestem zawodowym sportowcem, wiem jakie mam obowiązki, ale ktoś chyba przesadza" - podkreślił tenisista, któremu w lecie francuskie media zarzucały stosowanie dopingu. Hiszpan utrzymuje, że nigdy nie używał niedozwolonych środków.

Daga

Czytałam to.
Ma chłopak rację Mruga

.

asiunia91

No oczywiscie ze ma racje
No bo co w koncu kurcze blade, zeby go w domu nachodzili!
3maj sie Rafi:**

Daga

I to 17 razy...

Olka

26.12.06
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World No 2, tennis champ Rafael Nadal, is winging his way to Chennai this January, and he's got his eye on Sania and other Indian women!

You were in Chennai for the Chennai Open in 2004. How often have you visited India since then?

When I came in 2004, I was a newcomer. I was looking forward to coming back to Chennai this year but a foot injury forced me to stay out. I'll come for Chennai 2007.

What are your views on Sania Mirza, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi?

Few years ago, the only thing I knew about Indian tennis were all the challenger tournaments. Now, of course, I know about Sania, Leander and Mahesh. I have enjoyed watching them play in doubles. Sania is a great player who likes to play aggressive tennis. Her results have been impressive.

How do you handle the responsibility and fame that comes with being World No. 2?

It is tough. At this level, it's important to stay mentally focused and play your best game. I have to improve my game and be happy.

You're the latest poster boy for tennis and have a large female following...

It feels nice to have such a fan-following. It helps you in your game and, at times, when you are trailing in a match it motivates you and help you in making a comeback.

What do you think of Indian women?

I think Indian women are very attractive.

Have you seen a Hindi film?

I have heard about Bollywood. But I don't understand the language. I'd love to watch one of them with Spanish sub-titles.

Did you have a particular image of India in mind?

I have heard Indians worship their stars. I am looking forward to this hospitality.

Olka

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Chennai, 5 stycznia 2007

Rafael Nadal is a tough lad, as his bulging biceps and laser-sharp forehand show. However, beneath the steely veneer, there is another side of the champion. He is simple and fun loving, a man who enjoys what he does on and off the court.

In a freewheeling chat, Rafa, as the world knows him, talks on a whole gamut of issues. And unlike other champions, he is not boring. He likes the beach, football and partying! Excerpts:

Your best matches against Federer?

I do not agree with what people say — that I played better at Wimbledon than Federer did at the French. They were different matches in different places on different surfaces. Maybe I don’t play my best at the Wimbledon and maybe he (Federer) doesn’t play his best at the Roland Garros. For me the best match against him were the semifinals at Roland Garros and Masters Cup. These two matches were better than the Wimbledon final.

Who is better, Sampras or Federer?

I can’t say for sure. But for me, the better player is Federer. He is a complete player as he has all the shots. Though, in the end it will be measured by who wins more Grand Slam titles. I guess the thing that people need to see is not just the number of Grand Slam titles but also the points. Federer now has 8300 (ATP ranking) points. When Sampras was number one, he had just 5000 points. However, people can still differ in opinions. For me though, Federer is better than Sampras.

How do you manage Federer?

When I get on court, I try my best and that’s it. There’s no secret.

How do you view yourself — a 20-year-old or the world No. 2?

It depends on where I am. When I am playing a tournament and on court, I think I am the number two because that gives me confidence. But when I am at home in Mallorca with my family and friends, I behave like a normal 20-year-old guy.

Has life changed in the last three years?

Life at home has not changed for me. I still have the same friends. I still live with my family in the same place. But away from home, there are more things to do, more events with sponsors, and everybody knows I am better than before.

Do you get irritated when people come up to you for autograph?

No. I always try to be nice with everybody because everybody wants to get it!

How do you unwind?

I like playing golf. I go to the beach and fish. I love football and go to the stadium to watch games. And I do go to parties with my friends.

Your favourite teams?

Mallorca and Real Madrid.

Your uncle played in a World Cup... Did you ever think of a career in football?

I played football when I was around 15. I loved football and wanted to represent Spain. I was a good player too… And it was difficult when I had to decide.

For a player of your size, isn’t your speed a bit surprising?

No, I don’t think so.

How much of your training is on court and how much of it is in the gym?

I work more on court. I have a special trainer and a physio. I also concentrate a lot on my physical training because I think it’s very important to be 100 per cent for your game.

What is your advice to kids who want to become Rafael Nadal?

I don’t know. Just enjoy the game and enjoy the competition. When kids are eight or nine, they usually think about becoming a professional. For me, when I was eight, I went to tournaments only to enjoy. I used to play with my friends. We used to play football or go swimming.That should be the most important thing when you’re young. When you are 13 or 14, and your game is okay, then you can think of being a little more professional.

You were injured before the French Open last season. How difficult was it to stage a comeback?

When you are injured, it is very difficult to make a comeback because you are at home without practice, without decent competition. Well, I had a very good life (recovering) and when I came back and started winning, it gave me a lot of confidence. So it was difficult but it (coming back) was a very, very nice moment for me.

Do you mistrust fame?

No and why should I? I have my friends. I have friends from Mallorca and especially the ones from my school, who have been with me since I was three or four years old. There are seven or eight of us and we always hang out together. Those are my friends, my real friends. Apart from them, I have my friends on the Tour like Carlos Moya and Feliciano Lopez. Then there are others who become friends just because you’re famous but those are actually not your friends…

You have a sex symbol tag?

I don’t think about that.

Physically, you are a lot bigger than other tennis players, your arms…..

Maybe that’s not true. Maybe it seems like this because I play like this (in sleeveless singlets). You see my arms, you don’t see the arms of the rest — that’s the truth. My arms may be a little more well defined, especially the biceps. But they are not the biggest.

What is lacking in your game?

Although I am happy with myself now, I need to improve a lot. I am just 20. I need to improve my winners and volleying. You can improve in all aspects of your game.

Are you interested in fashion?

Not really. I do like to dress well, but that’s it.

asiunia91

Ciekawy wywiad Olka;)
Dzieki!

magnum44

Uuuu, nie podoba mi się, że Rafa uważa, że to Federer jest lepszy, a nie Sampras. Chociaż może powiedział tak z grzeczności...

Daga

Ciekawy wywiad Wesoly

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