iVamos Rafael!

magnum44

Słuchaj, Asia, wyjęłaś mi to z ust Wesoly

Nic dodać, nic ująć.

Olka

L’Equipe – I’m not coming here as a tourist
Interview by Julien Reboullet.

Q: 2007 did not have an ideal start for you: defeat in the semi-final at Chennai, injury in Sydney. How are you now, when we’re in the starting blocks for the Australian Open?
A: I’m feeling better. I could train at 100% since my arrival in Melbourne so everything is going perfectly well. It was a good decision to stop during the match at Sydney when I was at 6-5 in the first set against Cuccioni because if I had not done that, I would have risked aggravating the pain at my thigh and cause a real injury. I did not want to take the risk.

Q: Talking about a so-so start of the year, did your preparation for 2007 go as planned?
A: Everything went rather well. I trained hard at Mallorca to get ready for Australia. I continued to make some changes on my serve. As far as the rest is concerned, I think that it would be good if I could play in 2007, the way I’ve been doing in the last two years, no? I’m going to try and making more winning shots with the forehand and to improve my volleys some more, to improve my attacking game really.

Q: You continue to train at home during the winter, in Manacor, but you don’t have covered courts there. What do you do when it rains during several days?
A: First of all, it’s very rare that it rains non-stop on my Isle. What’s more, I have not yet seen it rain during three consecutive days there. Secondly, there is a covered court, about 25 km away.

Q: Oh really? What surface?
A: Well…synthetic grass. It’s not ideal, that’s certain. But, there are other things I do when it rains, gym, swimming,… Don’t worry about my preparation. At home, I have everything at my disposal to work hard. I do not come here as a tourist.

Q: Exactly. Doesn’t the Australian Open present itself, because of the surface with the high rebound, as the best occasion for you to win a Grand Slam outside Roland Garros?
A: I really like this tournament. Each time I participated, I played well here, only losing to Hewitt in 3 tight sets once and in 5 sets another time. The surface really suits me, that’s true. It responds well to topspin. I have the feeling that I have quite a few options in my game here for me to go far. Furthermore, the weather suits me well. It’s one of my favorite tournaments.

Q: After this tournament, you will be playing the first round of the Davis Cup against Switzerland but without Federer, who announced that he was not going to join the team because he does not want to overload his calendar.
A: I’m not totally sure that he won’t play. Let’s say that if he reaches the final in Melbourne, he’s probably going to stick with his initial program, but I think that he will play for Switzerland if he’s defeated earlier than normally,

Q: You obviously prefer to have him present, no?
A: No, I prefer him to not come because our chances would improve. But, if he does come, it would be incredibly motivating to do battle against him, that’s clear.

Q: Do you understand Federer’s choice to set his individual career as a priority?
A: I can understand that you chose to prepare for certain selected targets. Me, if the captain counts on me, I will always play the Davis Cup. I like this endeavor, I like playing for my country. It’s one of my favorite competitions, but if Federer prefers others, that’s perfectly respectable to me.

Q: You are, by far, the number one for two years now, but Federer is the number one, by very far, for three consecutive years. Do you thing that he can continue with his domination for 3 more years?
A: I don’t know if the difference will remain this big in the coming seasons. You can never know, but to me, it doesn’t appear to be impossible to remain at that level. Not impossible but difficult! His margin has been so big these last few times…It’s hard to foresee what could happen to him in the next months.

Q: How did you manage in the hectic period of Shanghai in November 2006? Did you take a rest after that?
A: After Shanghai, I went straight to South-Korea to play an exhibition match against Federer in Seoul, and then, I returned home to Manacor on Wednesday, November 22nd. The next Thursday, I started to work on my serve. I figure that the season offers enough opportunities to rest in the course of the year. At the end of 2006, I did not feel that I needed a break.

Q: Especially since last year, when your foot injury kept you at the sidelines for weeks…
A: Evidently, I’m happy that I was able to train without physical problems. The year 2006 went rather well once I could play again in Marseille. I just had a little abdominal injury before Bercy. But that didn’t last long. It feels good to be able to say that I could prepare normally for a season.

Q: Did you change certain things in your preparation for 2007?
A: It hasn’t been much different. We worked hard in December. I was totally focused on my tennis. I love the feeling of returning home in the evening with the fatigue well anchored inside me, the feeling of having given everything during training. I would like to play a few more tournaments in 2007, hoping that my foot won’t cause me any problems. I didn’t hear any alarm bells in that regard, just a minor bother but no pain.

Q: What are your main memories of 2006?
A: First of all, the clay court season! What I have achieved will always leave me with sweet and very special memories. That period was a total success (red: victories at Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and Roland Garros) and not only the finals against Federer (red: all of them except in Barcelona where Robredo took on the role of ultimate victim). The road to those finals also matter a lot to me. And of course, the Wimbledon final will always be something different. Well, what the second half of the season is concerned, I played the Master Series in Madrid and the Masters in Shanghai where I was able to reach a high level: two events that stick out in my memory, even today.

Q: Does it happen to you today that you zoom into the memory of facing Federer in July on that majestic centre court and that you think something like: “Wow! I was in the Wimbledon final!”?
A: I always consider everything to be difficult, no matter if we’re talking about winning Roland Garros or reaching the Wimbledon final. That said, for a Spaniard, to play well on the most famous lawn in the world, that’s still very special to me. It has given me a lot of confidence and it has encouraged me keep on working hard. What I have done in Wimbedon 2006 has given me the belief today, that if I keep on working hard, I could – why not? – one day win it.

Q: Looking back will also lead you to the memories of two consecutive defeats against Roger Federer. Do you not fear that you’ve lost your edge against him?
A: According to me, I have played very well in the Masters. I have lost against Blake but I had a lead of 4-3 with one break in the first set and 4-0 in the second set. That’s given me a boost. In the semi-final, Federer reached a very, very high level and I only lost with 6-4, 7-5. Sure, I was disappointed by that defeat but I was pleased with the level of that match. It does not worry me.

Q: When you step on a court and you see Federer on the other side, do you feel the absolute guarantee that you will reach your best level? What’s the secret that still gives you an advantage over him in the head-to-heads (6-3)?
A: Let’s just say that up until now, I indeed never failed any matches against him, I’ve always played good tennis against Federer. But, it’s important to underline here that it’s easier to find your best level towards the end of the tournament during the semi-finals or the finals than in the first rounds.

Q: Could we also conclude that you’ve focused your game on those elements in your game with which you can hinder Federer during a match?
A: No, me, I work to become a better player. That’s it. Furthermore, given the fact that I’m the number two, if I am to meet Federer in a tournament, I have to reach the final. So, I think about the first tour and when I’ve passed that, I focus on the second. I’m always looking at what I have to do to progress. If improving my attacking shots is important to me, that’s simply because that tennis becomes more and more difficult and the level increases. You have to improve to keep up with the best.

Q: Let’s talk about the best. You announced your goals for 2007 recently: to finish among the last 8 and to qualify for the Masters. That looks a bit distant as a goal for somebody who just finished his second season as number 2. Do you say that to ease the pressure?
A: No, I’m saying exactly the same thing as before the 2006 season. Honestly, for me, to finish the year within the first eight would be a successful season.

Q: So, for the year 2007, winning Roland Garros and finishing 8th would be sufficient for you?A: The ranking is important as well. I love being the number 2 and I would be deliriously happy to reach the number 1 one day, but it’s difficult. I can guarantee you that it would give me great pleasure to finish once again as number 2 this year.

Q: Who could stop you from doing so?
A: Plenty of people. Roddick, Ljubicic, Blake and Davydenko for starters and that’s not mentioning the new guys like Djokovic, Murray, Gasquet, Monfils, Berdych…All of are capable of battling it out for the top.

Q: You do not mention Tommy Robredo and yet, last year he was chosen as the best Spanish player of 2006 by a specialized jury of journalists. Even if Robredo has achieved his best season to date, it’s remains surprising that they didn’t pick you, is it not?
A: Well, a bit, yes. Sure, he has won a Masters Series title and he finished 7th but me, I have won Roland Garros and finished second. Go figure. But, well, it’s not that important really.

Q: One player who has bothered you in particular in 2006: James Blake. What’s so bothering about him to you?
A: It’s true, I have been beaten by him 3 times out of 3, but the last match at the Masters was tight. Indeed, he’s really very aggressive on court. But, well, I love the challenge he’s giving me. To improve myself against him, that’s one of the things that will keep me motivated in 2007.

Q: In the summer of 2006, your name appeared in a French newspaper (le Journal du Dimanche) in a little article about operation Puerto: hints were given to links with doctor Fuentes. What was your reaction?
A: I remained rather calm really. It’s not really a nice feeling to find yourself being associated with a doping case, but when you are sure that you didn’t do anything, you can’t let it worry you either. For me, it’s simply a matter of incompetence. It’s too easy that merely owning a pen is enough to write down serious things like that without having to show evidence. Furthermore, in the case of that article, it wasn’t even signed, thereby losing all credibility.

Q: Do people often talk to you about that period?
A: No, not at all. Nobody gave any credibility to that story. It does not worry me at all. In 2006, I underwent 16 doping tests. Ah! Well no! 17 in fact. Two days ago (most of this interview was done on December 18th) they came at my home at 9 a.m. My mother came up to wake me for the last test of the year. Luckily, at that moment of the day, it’s easy enough to fill a cup. By the way, in the course of the year 2006, I also underwent 5 or 6 blood tests. I do not like those tests at all! I used to really dread those ones and I even passed out once but it’s going better these days. You get used to it.

Q: Do you consider the anti-doping program as something that’s logical for the good of the sport?
A: Personally, I do not believe in the existence of doping in tennis, apart from a few positive cases but nothing systematic. I accept the doping tests without any problem but I think that the sheer number of them is exaggerated. You know, once you sign the prepared anti-doping sheet that you will find at the end of a match or for an unannounced test, they are not allowed to leave you out of their sight. You have to take a shower in front of him, urinate in front of him. You get used to it in the dressing rooms, but it’s rather odd when it happens to you at home. I have the impression that they sometimes treat you as delinquents. I don’t think that the responsible politicians have to undergo tests for example. One thing that really shocked me, happened a year and a half ago, when they forbad Guillermo Cañas from entering Flushing Meadows because he was suspended. That’s pathetic! Anyway, I’m only one sportsperson among others and I don’t really see me going up to the officials to discuss about all this. When they tell me that I need to be tested, they test me.

Olka

ten wywiad zasługuje na specjalne miejsce na tym forum (a zwłaszcza jedno zdanie, jakie Rafa wypowiedział)

F. GONZÁLEZ/R. Nadal

6‑2, 6‑4, 6‑3

Q. Fernando was in awesome form out there. What was it like on the other side of the court? Could you do much against him?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, he's playing very good level, that's for sure. Maybe was not a good match for me. I don't know if I can say I am playing bad, but for sure I can't play at hundred percent, no?

I have problems in my leg, so I cannot run. I can't run a lot. Was difficult play one match like this, quarterfinals of one Grand Slam, with pain, without the best conditions, no?

Q. When did you hurt your leg?

RAFAEL NADAL: After the match. After the last match of Murray.

Q. Is that what the treatment was for?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah.

Q. What exactly is it?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I don't know. I really don't know why. I was thinking before the ‑‑ before the match, I was practicing a little bit in the hotel because I was very tired. Today I going to warm up. I don't feel very bad. I just feel very tired. The leg hurt.

When I am on court, I am trying to run. Hundred percent run, well, I can't. I can't start. Was difficult and disappointing for me, no? I don't know if is a good opportunity because Fernando is very tough match. But for sure when you are in quarterfinals of a Grand Slam and you can't play with your best feelings, your best conditions, is difficult, no?

Q. Did you expect to win?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, before the match, yes. When I am on the match, no.

Q. Did you do something in the match against Murray? When did you feel the pain in that match?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I don't feel the pain in the match of Murray, no? I feel later. I feel after. Well, I don't know. I was thinking was just tired. Normal. I was playing very tough match, I just feel tired. Maybe is not just tired, because is not normal. Walking right now I have lot of pain. Maybe is a little bit more than tired.

Q. What part of your leg is the pain in?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's not just the one place. I have pain here, in my famous ass (smiling). After I feel a little bit here, too (pointing to the inside and outside of the thigh). That maybe it's just tired, no? But down this way and in the ass is very, very painful, no?

Q. What do you do now? Do you leave Australia as soon as you can? Where do you play next?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I going to leave on Friday maybe because tomorrow I don't have plane. Well, I want to play the Davis Cup after one week. I hope be hundred percent for Davis Cup. Is one of my goals always, play for your country is always special for me.

But I need go to the doctor and watch what I can I do right now, no?

Q. Will you have a scan?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, not yet. I just have doping right now. Nothing else.

Q. How much better a player is Fernando now? Does he seem more patient?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, he improves his game a lot, no? He's playing with more calm all the time. Well, now he's doing a lot of slice, open the backhand. Sometimes is difficult.

Well, today I can't say so much, no, because I am not, I don't know. (Speaking in Spanish).

INTERPRETER: He really didn't have the chance to see how he plays because he was never at a hundred percent today.

RAFAEL NADAL: But for sure he has very good results. He improves a lot his game.

Q. Do you think he's got the game to beat Roger or Andy in the final?

RAFAEL NADAL: You never know. Roger is always very difficult. Is another level always. But you never know. When you are in one final of Grand Slam, you can win for sure because you are with big confidence. Anything can do.

But we will see the semifinals against Tommy Haas, no?

Q. You will have a scan in Spain?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, for sure, because I have the Davis Cup after one week. I need know if I going to be in the team or not ‑ for me and for the rest.

Q. How much more disappointing is it when you have to leave a tournament after losing not being a hundred percent fit than when you lose in a tough match just normally?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, disappointing, no, because I was playing fine. I was playing good. I was winning very important match two days ago against Murray. I was with good confidence for try to play this quarterfinals and try to go to the final, no? But, well, that's it. I was trying my best all the time. I was fighting a lot for being in this quarterfinals.

But these things happening sometimes. Well, it's not a problem. If I am playing bad, something, well, you can go to the home and say disappointing. But today I just say, well, I can't do more. I try my best. Well, that's it.

asiunia91

Rafi jest mądry i ma sławny tyłek;)

Nie ale tak na serio, to naprawde fajny wywiad. Rafa jest naprawde swietnym czlowiekiem:*

Daga

Tak, Rafa jest the best

.

A jaki mądry

.

Olka

no to może nie pogardzicie i wersją video (niestety tylko z TYM jednym fragmentem

)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x0G4Qbnx5E

Daga

Jasne, że nie pogardzimy

.

Już się biorę za oglądanie Wesoly

.

Dzienx Oluś Wesoly

.

Magdula

Heh....ależ on ma teksty, Dzięki, za ten filmik.

magnum44

Słodkie i zabawne...! Ale nie wygląda na zadowolonego...

Olka

heh... on wyglada na cholernie zdołowanego Smutny

asiunia91

Nom, wszyscy sie smieja a on glowa w dol:(

Biedny Rafi:***********
ALe bedzie lepiej:*

Daga

Biedny

.
Ale filmik cudny Wesoly

.

Nie wiem jak można się z niego śmiać Wsciekly

Wisełka

Z lekka przybity Smutny

Arw

Wygląda, jakby sam się nad swoim tyłkiem w tym momencie zastanawiał...

Chociaż swoją drogą istotnie nie wygląda na szczęśliwego.