iVamos Rafael!

Olka

Wybaczcie, że tak długo to trwało, ale odrobinkę brakło mi czasu.

Poniedziałek, 3.07.2006 (po meczu z I. Labadze)
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]

Jak się czujesz będąc w ćwierćfinale?

Cóż na pewno bardzo szczęśliwy. Bycie w ćwierćfinale jest dla mnie bardzo ważne. Jeśli spojrzycie na statystyki, zauważycie, że jest to bardzo trudne dla każdego Hiszpana.
Jestem bardzo szczęśliwy. Dzisiejszy mecz grałem bardzo poważnie. Jestem bardzo, bardzo szczęśliwy bo przed turniejem nie myślałem, że zajdę tak daleko.

Jesteś zaskoczony byciem w ćwierćfinale?

Tak, pewnie. Wiem, że gram bardzo dobry turniej i osiągnąłem swój cel, bo nie gram źle na tej nawierzchni, prawda?

Trudno było utrzymać dziś koncentracje?

Tak było ciężko. Zwłaszcza, że mój przeciwnik cały czas żartował i wygłupiał się. Więc nie było łatwo, ale nie było aż tak źle. Byłem bardzo skoncentrowany przez cały czas. Nie patrzyłem się na niego. Po prostu myślałem o meczu i o wygranej.

Spodziewałeś się takiego zachowania po swoim przeciwniku?

Nie, nie spodziewałem się niczego. Myślałem tylko o meczu, o grze. Nie myślałem o innych rzeczach przed meczem, ani w jego trakcie. Dla mnie było tak samo, a on mógł robić wszystko.

To był dziwny mecz.

Bardzo dziwny, bo on grał w bardzo trudny sposób. Każdą piłkę uderzał mocno, ale miałem swoją szansę w drugim secie, chyba przy stanie 4-4. Lecz nie mogłem go przełamać. Zaserwował jednego asa i dwa dobre serwisy. Więc było ciężko. Ale potem, w tie – breaku byłem skoncentrowany przez cały czas.

Trudno było znaleźć rytm w dzisiejszym meczu?

Cóż, ważne dla mnie jest to że zagrałem naprawdę dobry mecz. Odbijałem piłki dobrze, dzięki czemu grałem z dużą dawką pewności siebie. Niemożliwe było znaleźć rytm, ponieważ mój przeciwnik grał bez niego.

Następny jest Nieminen. Miałeś trudna przeprawę z nim w Barcelonie.

Taak, grałem jeden mecz przeciwko Nieminenowi przed tym turniejem, jeden na trawie tutaj.
[nie bardzo wiem o co chodziło Rafie, ale przetłumaczyłam dokładnie to co powiedział]

Grałeś na cegle, ale było ciężko.

Tak, ale nie możemy porównywać mączki z trawą. Miałem bardzo trudny mecz przeciwko Nieminenowi. Przegrywałem 4-1. jednak tutaj wszystko jest inaczej, być może trudniej. Zobaczymy.

We wczorajszej francuskiej gazecie był reportaż mówiący o tym, że Twoje nazwisko jest na liście dr Francisa, który podejrzewa doping krwi wśród sportowców.

Ja będę mówił po Hiszpańsku a on to przetłumaczy.
Nie chcę wypowiadać się na temat tych nieprawdziwych oświadczeń, nonsensów. Nigdy niczego nie brałem w swoim życiu i nie zamierzam. Jestem wystarczająco dobrze nauczony przez świat zarówno sportowy jak i nie, aby nie oszukiwać. Ludzie, którzy kłamią są złymi ludźmi. Nie ma nic więcej do powiedzenia na ten temat. Są to kłamstwa, a ludzie, którzy je piszą są źli. On jest oszustem i zasadniczo powinien odpowiedzieć za to co robi. Mój menadżer rozmawia z moimi adwokatami.

Twoja gra na trawie znacząco się poprawiła przez ostatni rok. Słyszałem gdzieś, że wybudowałeś sobie kort trawiasty w Hiszpanii. To prawda?

Trenowałem...? Przyglądałem się golfowi.
[tu też nie bardzo łapię, ale może to tak ma być...]

W zasadzie jest tutaj bardzo ciepło. Pomaga Ci to, ponieważ korty są bardziej twarde niż wcześniej?

Na pewno dla Hiszpanów jest lepiej gdy pogoda jest dobra.

Co robisz dla zabawy, żeby zrelaksować się po meczu?

Mam dom niedaleko kortów, minuta piechotą. Więc gotuję. To sprawia mi najwięcej przyjemności. Oglądam też telewizję, filmy. Nie robię za dużo rzeczy.

Dostałeś ostrzeżenie czasowe. Myślę, ze Andre Agassi żartował mówiąc, że zabierasz odrobinę czasu pomiędzy punktami. Starasz się zabierać mniej czasu pomiędzy punktami czy grasz tak jak zwykle?

Agassi gra bardzo szybko. Jest szybszy ode mnie. Zawsze jest przygotowany, a ja gram tak jak zwykle i nie przekraczam limitu czasowego.

Nie przykładasz do tego żadnej wagi – po prostu jesteś sobą?

W pierwszy dzień jest zawsze dużo meczy. To dobrze. Poprawiam się w swoim czasie. Nie mam problemów jak wcześniej w lutym, więc teraz nie jest możliwe żebym miał jakiekolwiek, ponieważ robię to samo.

gość · Gość

Arw

Świetnie, Olka! Tylko nie za bardzo rozumiem, o co chodzi w tym ostatnim fragmencie, ale nieważne

A w tych niektórych miejscach, to możliwe, że Nadal coś nie tak powiedział (jeśli mówił po angielsku i nie było tłumacza), bo po angielsku jeszcze nie mówi bezbłędnie.

Olka

Też nie bardzo kapowałam o czym Rafi wtedy mówił (w ostatnim fragmencie), ale on zwykle nie odpowiada dokładnie na pytania tylko chodzi bocznymi dróżkami Wink

Arw

A wszystkie wypowiedzi zaczyna "i'm very happy...' xD

Olka

stwierdziłam, ze nie będę tłumaczyć tych wywiadów bo zanim ja je przetłumacze to wszyscy zdarzą je już przeczytać na własną rękę. No chyba że bedziecie baaardzo nalegać Wink

Czwartek, 6.07.2006 (po meczu z Nieminenem)
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]

Q. You held every service game again today. What are the keys, besides obviously you're serving well, that's allowing you to do that?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Maybe I am serving with confidence maybe. Today I have some bad points, not much, but some ones.
But my serve is with confidence. I find a little bit the consistency in my serve because I can serve at 112 miles with confidence.
So I am happy, no? I am playing with all shots good, not bad. So the serve is very important for play other shots with more confidence, no?

Q. How are you feeling physically? Obviously, Baghdatis played yesterday. You have to play today. How are you feeling to have to play tomorrow?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, is important for me play today fast match, no? I play very concentrate. I know that. So I finish fast, no, so that's important for tomorrow, no?

Q. What about Jarkko Nieminen, pressed you quite hard in Barcelona two months ago, were you expecting a tougher opponent today?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, maybe I play I beginning well. Maybe I serve better today than him. He's a tough player always, no? He's a regular players, consistent players. He's having a very good year, no?

Q. Do you think Roger is hoping that Marcos beats you in the semifinal?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I hope. Maybe he hope win Bjorkman, no?

Q. You're still learning on grass. Can you believe you're in the semifinals of Wimbledon?

RAFAEL NADAL: Can you repeat? I understand, but not...?

Q. Is it a surprise, how well you've done here?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, sure. Yeah, sure. Is a surprise be in the semifinals, no? Is unbelievable tournament for me, to be in semifinals of Wimbledon. I gonna try my best for the next match. Is very important for me.

Q. Realistically, how far did you think you would be, how well did you think you could do here? Did you think third round, fourth round?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, I never have a goal, no? I know my goal is come here and play good tournament. My special goal is after the tournament, when I think about the tournament, say, Yes, I improve a little bit on this surface.
So for sure I gonna, after this tournament, I gonna have that. But now is a different tournament, no? Now I think about tomorrow, about the semifinals. My goal is just improve in this tournament. Now maybe, sure, I can achieve that, no?

Q. You had to start the week with this terrible insult about drugs. How hard is it being to put that away from your mind? Has that made you angry?

RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) He's already spoken about that. He said everything he has to say about it, and it's not going to affect him because he knows he's completely innocent.

Q. I was just wondering how difficult that had been, to put it away from his mind.

RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) It hasn't been difficult because he's never taken anything in his life, and he never will.

Q. Are you starting now to believe that you can actually win this tournament?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I think I am in semifinals, no? I think I play tomorrow the semifinals, no?

Q. So you're not thinking

RAFAEL NADAL: Is new for me. I know when I go to Roland Garros, I can win if I am in semifinals. So now I think am thinking about the semifinal, but that's new for me. So we gonna see.

Q. You don't think about a final until you've won a semifinal?

RAFAEL NADAL: Why?

Q. Is that how you operate? You don't think about a final until you've won a semifinal?

RAFAEL NADAL: I have a very difficult match tomorrow. Is stupid to think about the final, no?

Q. What sort of match do you think it's going to be? From the outside, two young guys, exciting players. What sort of match do you think it will be?

RAFAEL NADAL: You never know, no? You never know. The tennis sometimes is strange. Maybe is a tough match for him and for me, I hope. For him, too, I hope.
We gonna see. I have a very good motivation, very good illusion of the match tomorrow.

Q. Does it excite you to be playing someone who plays in the style of Baghdatis? Is it an exciting prospect?

RAFAEL NADAL: For me, is exciting to play in the semifinals of Wimbledon against everybody, no?

Q. Does grass still frustrate you at times? Do you feel like you're still learning, or have you figured out how to play on this surface?

RAFAEL NADAL: I still learning for sure, no? I just have 20 years old and I need improve and improve always.
Sure, I have a good result this year, and that's important for continuing improve, no? For believe always in this tournament and believe I can play good here and I can improve more, no? So is very important for me.

Q. Santana was the only Spanish player who won Wimbledon, okay, way back. Do you know him? Have you ever had a chat with him? I mean, did he give you some advice or anything?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I was with him before the match in the locker, after the match in the locker, no? Sure, I have a very good relation with him, no?

Q. Did he tell you you can go all the way?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. He always give me good luck, he give me, 'C'mon, Rafita.' I have a very good relation with him. That's all.

Q. Which part of your game do you think improved the most since the beginning of the tournament?

RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe all, no, because I play the first match not very well. Now I playing with more confidence, especially with my serve, sure. With my forehand, I playing more aggressive. With my backhand, I am playing good with my backhand all tournament, no? I am playing regular.
But with my forehand, I am especially happy, no, because I am improving, I am coming in a little bit more. So that's very important in this surface. Is very important play with security and aggressive, no? So I am finding that, no?
You understand (smiling)?

Q. Who do you think will win in the World Cup final, Italy or France?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Is 50% everybody, no?

Q. Who do you prefer?

RAFAEL NADAL: Is okay. Is a nice match. I prefer see a good match, no?

Q. What do you think about Jarkko Nieminen as an opponent? How did you find today's game?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I say before, no?

Q. Can you elaborate a little bit, please.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, he maybe... (speaking Spanish).
(Through translation) He's a player who's had a great year, who's improved a lot this year. Today I think I played a very good match, and it was tough for him to play his game. He saw that it was harder for him to hold serve than me. He had a few chances to break in the first few games of the third set, but he was never leading so it was tough for him to develop his game.[/b]

Olka

Piątek, 7.07.06 (po meczu z M. Baghdatisem)
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]

Q. Since the beginning of the tournament you've said you just wanted to improve on grass. Now you're in the finals. How do you feel? Are you surprised?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, sure, I am surprised, no? Maybe I improve it a little bit, no? So, sure, no, is I'm very happy now for me. Is unbelievable results here, no? Is very difficult. For me, is the most difficult thing in the year for sure, no, and the best tournament for me when I playing, no?

Q. What do you feel you now need to do for Sunday?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I just finish my match. But, sure, I gonna have a very, very, very difficult match I gonna play against one of the best of the history, especially in this surface in all surface, but in this one more. So I need play my best match in my life, no, for win. So I gonna try that.

Q. Two weeks ago you said you thought you had no chance of winning Wimbledon. Here you are. How have you learned so much so quickly?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know, no? I put my best in every practice, in every match, every point. I am playing with a lot of concentration, with big motivation. I enjoying, no? I am playing, enjoying the tournament.
I put all on the court always, no? So maybe for that I am in the final, no?

Q. Can I ask you to comment why you won't go to Swedish Open? Can you also give a message to your Swedish fans, especially female fans.

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, for me is impossible to go to Swedish, no? Is one of my favorite tournaments of the year. I was there the last three years. So for me is very nice, this place. I am disappointed for don't go to Bastad. But is impossible after after I don't know. I have the last months. I just stop three days, no? Is not is impossible, no?But I want to say sorry to the Swedish fans and see you in Stockholm, no?

Q. At one point, Baghdatis hit a serve that was wide and it was called good and you were very upset for a moment. Can you talk about how you kept your focus after that happened and didn't continue to be upset.

RAFAEL NADAL: The ball was out or good?

Q. It was out.

RAFAEL NADAL: I say to the referee, After, go to the TV. No, no, I am sure. I am sure is in the line. After, go to the TV. No, sure is a tough moment because I saw the ball out, and is a set point, set point for the second set. And was very important for me, no? But is not good for me, this moment. But after I Marcos the next point I remember, the next point, no? I have a return. He go first (indiscernible), I return slice. He put one ball, I arrive very difficult, I put another one very easy for me, and he repeat me, no? I put the passing here and he miss the backhand volley, no? So this point, this point was decisive in the match, no?

Q. In the last five matches, your serving has been way up here.

RAFAEL NADAL: The last six. Because in the second, in the second match I lost the first two sets, but in the I win third. I win the next three. But, yeah, today I have a lot of problem, a lot of breakpoints.

Q. But you held serve every time.

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, but I have one Love 40.

Q. But the whole point is you concentrated and held serve. Have you ever concentrated as much as you have on your serve in this tournament?

RAFAEL NADAL: Sure, I am serving well, I am playing with very good concentration in my serve. Because if you don't lose a serve for five match, is impossible without a good concentration don't lose the serve, no, especially with my serve, no? So I am serving well. I am serving with confidence. Today maybe is the day of the day when I have more breakpoints down. But I don't know, no? I have little bit lucky in the 4 3, Love 40. 4 3, 4 2? In the third?

Q. 4 2.

RAFAEL NADAL: 4 2. Yes, 4 2, Love 40. I play very good point. But after, I all the time stay with very good concentration, so that's very important, no?

Q. Do you take any inspiration from knowing that Bjorn Borg, who was fundamentally a clay court player, played with a clay court grip, etc., was such a great champion here?

RAFAEL NADAL: I can't give a lot this relation to Borg because I never saw him, I just saw him some points when is raining. In the locker is putting the last finals, no? But sure, if he yeah, Borg, he was unbelievable, no? He won six times in Roland Garros, five times here. So that's unbelievable, no?

Q. Because you have such a good record already against Roger, does it mean that even though it's on grass you can play him with no fear?

RAFAEL NADAL: (Speaking Spanish). Oh, sorry. I have fear to Roger any surface, no? So on this surface more because he is the best, no? He is the best on all surfaces, but here more, no? More different. If you look his matches, he is winning very easy. He is playing very good and he won the last three times here and this year is in the final. So gonna be very, very difficult, no?

Q. Are you having to play differently on grass to how you play on clay?

RAFAEL NADAL: Hmm?

Q. Do you play different tennis on grass to how you play on clay?

RAFAEL NADAL: I play more aggressive for sure, no? With putting more concentration in the serve. When I touch the ball with my forehand, I am trying every shot doing do anything, no? I going to the net more times. I am using a little bit more the slice sometimes. So that's the change, no? And I am running good now, no? I am running. I adapt very good the run here. I am running very well, no?

Q. You said you were happy with the preparation that you made after the French Open for grass. Can you talk a little bit about how you prepared and how you adjusted your game for the grass?

RAFAEL NADAL: I am happy with the preparation because I put my best mentality after French. Is not easy, won a Grand Slam, Monte Carlo, Rome, Barcelona, and after that continuing with the best concentration, no?So after the final of French Open, the next day I come to Queen's and I am practicing in Queen's the next day, no, and the next afternoon. The next day, I played double no, it was raining. The next day I am trying to practice more. I am trying. My idea was practice four hours the next day, but I can't because was raining. I played the first match against Mardy Fish with very good concentration, with very good motivation. I know before the match I know is gonna be very difficult match, but is important. If I win this match, if I can play some matches here, that's very important for Wimbledon, no? So I am trying my best there. I finish because I have my problem in the shoulder. And after, I come back to Mallorca just two days, no, because I have one TV spot. And I come back here, no, on Tuesday morning for practicing Tuesday afternoon. I am practicing every day. So that's my preparation, no?

Q. Would you swap your two French Open titles for one Wimbledon title?

RAFAEL NADAL: What?

Q. Would you prefer to win one Wimbledon title ahead of your two French Open titles?

RAFAEL NADAL: I prefer two (smiling). I prefer two: two French and one Wimbledon.

Q. Why does Wimbledon mean so much to you, because some Spanish players have not given Wimbledon so much importance over the years?

RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe the Spanish put importance, no? But sometimes the Spanish playing, is playing the lot of matches on clay and come back here a little bit tired. But is important put a good motivation, good concentration and in the preparation for this tournament. But we play good, no? We play Verdasco here, fourth round, with two sets one, 3 0 for be in the quarterfinals. Ferrer lost against Hewitt in fourth round, too. Ferrero lost last year in fourth round, too. Feliciano last year is in quarterfinals. We are not playing very bad. We are very improving maybe.

Q. Today it was raining early on and your match was delayed. Do you have a problem at all when it rains? Do you ever get worried by the rain?

RAFAEL NADAL: Can you repeat, please?

Q. When it rains, does that ever worry you?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, sure, no? Is boring, no? I am in the locker room, waiting. I come to the here outside in the grass. Yeah, outside, here. So, no, not a lot of things I can do, no, because today I can't go to the home because I am not practicing before. So I am waiting. Very good patience, no?

Olka

Sobota, 8.07.06 (wywiad przedfinałowy)
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]

Q. Can you talk a little bit, you obviously have two uncles, one uncle is your coach and the other uncle, as we know, is a great Spanish footballer. Can you talk a little bit about the inspiration that he gave you as a boy?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, so my coach, I was with my uncle, my coach. I began with him at three years old. I am all life with him. So maybe for him I am now professional player, no? Without him, was impossible. So after, with my other uncle, with Miguel Angel, the football player, sure I have unbelievable relation with him, but now I have more relation with him than when he was in Barcelona because I am play living in Mallorca, he is living in Barcelona for eight years. I was speaking with him a lot of times on the phone. Sometimes I go to Barcelona for watch him.

But is different, no? You have more confident when you are watching him every day. Now I play (golf?) with him, I go to anything with him a lot of time, no? He has time now. But I don't have maybe my uncle is positive for my family. When I was beginning winning, everything... (speaking in Spanish).

THE INTERPRETER: They knew how to manage him, how to keep him humble.

RAFAEL NADAL: My family have a very good experience with him. It's good, have this experience, no?

Q. Do you feel you now are as big a star in Spain as your uncle?

RAFAEL NADAL: Is difficult to compare, no? First of all, the football is biggest than the tennis. He play three World Cups. He won the Champions League. He won maybe four or five ligas in Spain, championship in Spain. But he was not the No. 2 in the world, no (smiling)?

Q. You seem to have the evil eye over Federer. Why is this? You've won six of your battles against him. What do you do, do you intimidate him? Your sleeves and the muscle...

RAFAEL NADAL: Before the match in the locker I (pushing), after he go to the court a little bit... (smiling). No, no, no, I don't know, no? I always play very good matches against him. I am trying my best. I have little bit lucky, sure in Rome. In Dubai maybe, too, because I was losing easy. He was playing unbelievable.

But I don't know, no? Maybe I am try my best. I fight every point. I continuing believing with the victory all the time. But, sure, is not normal win four times consecutive against one man just when he just lose four matches in the year, no?

Q. He said earlier this is his surface and it all depends how much you want to win. He wants to win it badly. Now it's a test how much you want it as well.

RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe that's not true, no, because I want to win, for sure. But not for that reason because I gonna win, because is his best surface. He is the best in this surface, for sure, no doubt. He is the favorite by far. So I gonna try my best always, no? I gonna try my best. I gonna need play my best match in my life for try the victory, so I gonna try that.

Q. Do you have a tradition how to spend an evening before the final? What do you usually do? Maybe you are trying to go to sleep early or visit some restaurants or listen to the same music.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, nothing special, no. The same like every day, no? I gonna go in my home, I gonna cook my dinner. Nothing special, no? I gonna sleep when I am tired. So nothing special, no? Maybe I don't gonna sleep very early, no, because I don't like to sleep a lot, no, and I can't.

Q. What does this rivalry mean to tennis, do you think, between you and Roger?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know, no? Maybe something's good, something's bad, no? I don't know exactly, no? For me, is good, sure, no? Maybe is nice for the people watch finals against the same people, no, because is nice one time you always can think this time gonna win Roger, this time gonna win Rafa. So maybe that's nice for the spectation (sic) against the No. 1, against the No. 2. Maybe that's good for tennis, no?

Q. How do you think you've been serving here?

RAFAEL NADAL: Serving? The best tournament in my life for sure. I just lose two times the serve.

Q. Because Roger has just said although your serve hasn't been broken, it should have been broken during some of these games.

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know exactly. I am not (speaking Spanish).

THE INTERPRETER: I don't agree very much.

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't agree very much Roger can say that. Because if he look my matches, maybe I just have one breakpoint in the second round against I lost one time in the second round against Kendrick. After that, I just have one breakpoint down, maybe? I don't remember exactly, but maybe is that, no? After, I don't have breakpoint against no one not one against Agassi, not one against Labadze, against Jarkko some one, I don't know, three or four. Yesterday I have nine, and I have one Love 40, sure.

Q. How much time did you spend on the practice courts? You said you adapted your game pretty quick to the surface. Did you spend more time on the practice courts here than other players?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know, but sure I was playing with a big motivation and a big illusion, no, every practice, very concentrate, enjoying. I enjoy the week off, the week before on Queen's, too. I was practicing. I was playing on Queen's with a good mentality, very positive attitude. So maybe this couple things is good for arriving to Wimbledon with confidence. So this was very important for me, the second round against Kendrick.

Q. How will Wimbledon compare to the achievement of your uncle winning the Champions League? Is it bigger?

RAFAEL NADAL: Is different, no? We can't compare the football with the tennis because is another sport, because is a teams, that's singles. So is stupid have the comparation (sic). Sure, the Champions League is the best thing in Europe for the win, no, the clubs, for clubs, no?

So in the tennis, winning Grand Slam is the best, too. So maybe you can't compare the football with tennis because the football involve a lot of people. The tennis involve people, but not the same, and you are playing just for one.

Q. By what percentage has your grass court game improved during this fortnight?

RAFAEL NADAL: A lot, because I was playing now with confidence, comfortable on court. I don't feel nothing strange when I go to the court, and that's the important, no?

Q. You said that when you was very, very young you was dreaming about this final, to play the final in Wimbledon. How this dream was finish, you was winning or you was losing? And do you are dreaming these days about tomorrow final? If you close your eyes, what happen?

RAFAEL NADAL: I was thinking I have a chance, because that's true, no?

Q. But the dream.

RAFAEL NADAL: The dream is the real, no? I was thinking the last days, the last week if I am playing my best tennis, I have a chance for be in this final, no? Now is very, very, very, very difficult. If I am playing good normally, I gonna lose tomorrow, no? But I know before tomorrow if I am playing my best tennis, I can play this final, no? So in my dream, when I was young, is win, not lose. But just I have 20, no? I hope is not the last.

Q. What does your uncle think of you supporting Real Madrid?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, when my uncle play on Barcelona, I support Barcelona, no, sure? Is my family, no? So, no, no, I don't have no problem. We speak football with him, but for him it's okay because he know when I was when he play in Barcelona, I want to win, I want to he win, no?

Arw

Po pierwsze - dzięki za wywiady z Wimbla =) iii... wiem, że jestem upierdliwa, ale mogłabyś dopisać po jakich meczach były które wywiady? <

Po drugie - masz może wcześniejsze wywiady z Nadalem? Mogą być nawet z zeszłego roku. Obojętnie czy po polsku, czy po angielsku (ew. hiszpańsku). Jeśli tak, to zależałoby mi, żebyś albo umieściła je tu, albo ew. jeśli byłoby Ci wygodniej - wysłała mi mailem albo na pw. Z góry dzięki =)

Olka

Niedziela, 9.07.06 (po meczu z R. Federerem)
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]

Q. You didn't seem to be on top of your game the way you have been in the last couple of matches.

RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe in the first set was tough for me because he's playing different than the other guys, other players. He play with more slice. He change a lot the game. And is difficult because, sure, he begin well, he break me the first game. So that's tough for me. And after, I don't see very well the goal in the game, no? Not the goal. I don't see very well the strategy of the game, no, because he was playing different with his slice. And after he change the rhythm. So was tough the first start. (Speaking in Spanish.)
THE INTERPRETER: It was tough to get to his level.
RAFAEL NADAL: But after I have a little bit good luck in the first game of the second set. Maybe I play very good second set, no? Finally I play bad the 5 4, for sure. But for that, maybe in this these moments, maybe I lost a match, no? But after I play very good the tiebreak of the third. Sure, the third set I play very well. And in the fourth I play good. I play good, too, but I miss the volley in the breakpoint down, and that's decisive, no? But is not easy with the wind. Is tough. That's why it put me a little bit down.

Q. Do you believe Roger is or can be the greatest of all time?

RAFAEL NADAL: He can, sure. He can. They always say he win a lot, and he win easy, no, a lot of matches easy. So that's good for try to do the best of the history, no? But he has 8, Sampras 14. We gonna see.

Q. I know it's disappointing to lose, but while you were playing, were you enjoying how great the tennis was that you guys were playing?

RAFAEL NADAL: I enjoy the match, sure, after the first set. I play good after, no? So is important for me play good this final, after the first, because I know in the is important for me for the future belief I can win here, no? I can beat Roger, too. Is important for me to believe I can win Roger, too, here, in this surface. After I play good tennis, and when I play good tennis, I have a good chances, too, no? He don't beat me easy after that, no? So that's good.

Q. Can you explain what makes Roger's serve so difficult to return?

RAFAEL NADAL: Because is tough because I can't (Speaking in Spanish).
THE INTERPRETER: I cannot see where he serves, read his serve.
RAFAEL NADAL: I cannot see where he serves, no? So he change very good angles. And for him is the same. He can put toss the ball like this. He can serve here, he can serve here. Is not some guy if he serve the ball here, serve here or serve here, but he change all the time. That's tough, especially in this surface because it's faster, no?

Q. What are you going to take away from this whole Wimbledon? You didn't think you could reach the finals. You got to the finals. What will you take from that in the future?

RAFAEL NADAL: Sure, is important, is unbelievable tournament, unbelievable tournament for me play this final, no? I improve a lot in this surface this year. I can play good in this surface, sure. So I want to continuing improve because I want to win here.

Q. What was the best match here on Wimbledon by the level of your game?

RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe Baghdatis or Agassi, I don't know.

Q. Yourself and Marcos Baghdatis seem to come here with the belief that they could beat anyone, you could beat Federer. There doesn't seem to be anyone else on the tour who shares that belief. Do you think they're letting themselves down; that too many people walk on the court and think they're beaten before the first point?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I don't know, no. I don't know exactly because I am not inside the other guys, no? So I can't say exactly. But, sure, I go to the court believing with the victory, no? And if every player come to the court the same, Roger sometimes gonna have more problems. But now he's winning easy, so that's tough for the other players, for everybody, no? So we gonna see in the future. He's unbelievable. Now he's the best. We gonna see in the future.

Q. You made some big winners from your backhand. Was it a surprise for you to be so good on the backhand?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, not surprise because I was playing very good with my backhand all tournament, no? I was feeling very good before the tournament, during the practice. So after, in the tournament, when the tournament come back, I improve a lot with my forehand. But before the tournament, I was playing better with my backhand, no?

Q. Did you feel special coming to Centre Court for the finals? The tradition of Wimbledon is very special, the way the guy carries your case. Did it feel special this morning coming on to court, this afternoon?

RAFAEL NADAL: Sure, is a little bit special sensation, no? We are in the cathedral of tennis, so it's nice. For me is very nice be in this final, be the second Sunday here. I never think that before when I was young, no. It was my dream, but I never think I can be there, no? So now I arrive today, and I hope any more year I can come back, no?

Q. You are the only person to take a set off of Roger this tournament. How close do you think you are to beating him on grass? How many years?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know, no? I don't know exactly what. But I saw in the match when I was playing my best tennis, when I was playing good, the match is close, very close. Not much difference, no? So that's good. That's nice for me. And the title is for him, so that's the real thing now, no? But we gonna see. We gonna see. I want to improve. I just have 20 years. He has 25. So maybe, maybe in the future I can improve.

Q. What can you improve? Maybe your second serve?

RAFAEL NADAL: Anything always you can improve. Anything. Here, in clay, in hard, always you can improve. Federer is difficult, but always we can improve (smiling).

Q. What were you thinking after you lost the first set?

RAFAEL NADAL: I was thinking, Win one game (laughter). That's important for me, because I just need one game for come back to the match, no? I know that. I was thinking about that, sure.

Q. How much more do you know about playing on grass now than you did when you arrived at Queen's, what was it, three weeks, four weeks ago?

RAFAEL NADAL: A lot.

Q. What sort of things?

RAFAEL NADAL: I know more the movements, the strategy on court, the way to serve and play more aggressive with my forehand than with my backhand. I need change a little bit, or play a little bit more slow, not with a lot of topspin. Sometimes you can play, but not every ball, no? That's the real important points for improve on this surface, no?

Q. Would you come to net more if you played this match again than you did today? Would you go to net more?

RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe not because I saw Federer against the big servers, and was tough, every time passing shot, every time. He has unbelievable passing shot, especially on this surface. You need go to the net sometimes, but not much, no, because he has unbelievable passing shot. The forehand, you can't go to the net with his ball, with his forehand. With his backhand, sometimes, but not much, too. I saw once against Ancic, it was unbelievable.

Q. Would you agree that Roger played better in this match than the match that he beat you in Key Biscayne in 2005?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, but is a different history maybe now. That is last year, in the beginning of the year. Maybe now is maybe lit the bit different. We can speak about the last matches, but about in Miami, sure, he can play he play better today, sure, because he was playing no good in the first two sets. But maybe is different now. I improve a lot, so is different.

Q. You've shown a real love for Wimbledon and an appreciation for this place and different surface and everything. The next time you guys meet in a major potentially would be the US Open. Do you feel the same strength and same desire to win at the US Open as you do here and of course at Roland Garros?

THE INTERPRETER: I forgot the question.
RAFAEL NADAL: Because he has a nice watch (laughter).
Yeah, sure, I want to play good in the US Open, no? Is one of a special goals of this year, no, because I never play good there. So this year I say a lot of times, and I speak with my team always about that. So I need have a good preparation for the US Open, no, because last year I arrive there without hundred percent mentality, no? I need to stay hundred percent for this tournament. I want to play a very good tournament there, no? I gonna try. I gonna do (smiling).

Q. You've qualified for Masters Cup Shanghai. What's your expectation for Masters?

RAFAEL NADAL: Now I am qualified to the Shanghai maybe, no?
THE INTERPRETER: Hundred percent.
RAFAEL NADAL: Hundred percent, good. So last year I can't play. I was there for a week before, but I can't play. So I hope this year I gonna play, no? I hope that the surface gonna change, and I hope gonna play this tournament because is one of the biggest tournaments of the world after the four Grand Slams. So I gonna try play my best tennis there.

Olka

No to teraz kilka starszych na specjalne życzenie Wesoly

ATP MASTERS SERIES - RZYM 2005

6.05.05 (po pokonaniu R. Stepanka 5-7, 6-1, 6-1)

Q. Rafael, you have played a lot of tennis in the last six weeks. Are you starting to feel tired?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. I didn't feel tired, no. But today is different match. He start well, go to the net. When I play the first set, there is a lot of wind and is not easy for me, no? But I serve for the set in the 5-4. I don't play a good game and I lost the set. But I am happy because after the first set, I... I don't know (smiling)... after the first set I begin well the second set. Is not easy, no, because I lost the first set like two breaks consecutive, no?

Q. What has changed over the last four to six weeks with all these victories? How has life changed for you?

RAFAEL NADAL: The life?

Q. Well, life as a tennis player.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't know, no. I have confidence, I am playing good, and I don't know what's the reason, no? But I think I improve a little my serve, I improve my control, forehand, backhand, and I feel good in court. I am happy when I stay in the court, and I think that's the reason for I won the matches, no?

Q. What were you feeling in that first set? Were you feeling frustrated at all?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. No frustrated. But I lost the first set in the tournament, no? I can't play well every day. Today I play I think my baddest match and is normal, no. So the important I can improve in the next two sets and won the match, no? Is difficult match and I can won the match is the important, no.

Arw

Jaaa...

czuję się zaszczycona

Dzięki, Olka ;*

Olka

ATP MASTERS SERIES - RZYM 2005

7.05.05 (po pokonaniu D. Ferrera 4-6, 6-4, 7-5)

Q. Today you really were tired, yes?

RAFAEL NADAL: A little bit, yes. I feel little bit tired mentally and physical, huh. But I fight every ball, and this is the difference for won the match, no, I think.

Q. When you made that backhand crosscourt to take yourself to matchpoint, you didn't seem tired. I thought you were going to jump over the grandstand. It was a great backhand crosscourt.

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I don't remember very well, but (smiling)... That is in the moment, I don't feel nothing. I only feel happy for the point. I do when I can, I don't know.

Q. What made the difference between you and Ferrer today?

RAFAEL NADAL: No difference, I think. I think he play better tennis the first two sets. He play better. He miss two balls, two double-faults in the 1-1, 3-Love, two forehands outside, and I can come back to the match, no? But he's playing very, very well. The third set I feel better. I play better and better in the third set. I am happy because I finish the match with my best level in the match, no?

Q. If it is Agassi, you've never played him. How do you look at playing Agassi?

RAFAEL NADAL: I want to play against Agassi, no? Is one of the best players in the history. I know if won Agassi, is very difficult match. But I want play against him because I never play and he is one of the best players I know. And I want to play against him before he retire, no?

Q. Do you have a blister on your hand?

RAFAEL NADAL: I have only (showing his hand)...

Q. Doesn't bother you?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, it's okay. It's okay.

Q. What do you mean by being "mentally tired"?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, only a little. But I improve with the match, no? Normal, no? I won a lot of matches. I play too much. Is not easy match for me. He play very good and is a difficult match, no? I cannot play very well every and every day, no. I don't play my best tennis today in the first two sets, but the important is I come back in the third. I improve my tennis, no?

Q. Ferrer saved two matchpoints. Did you think you were in trouble then?

RAFAEL NADAL: Of course. 5-5 in the third set, I have problems. But he have problems, too, no (smiling)?

Olka

WIMBLEDON 2005

Wtorek, 21 czerwca 2005 (po pokonaniu V. Sapdei 6:4, 6:3, 6:0)

Q. Are you fully satisfied with your first match in Wimbledon since two years?

RAFAEL NADAL: I have a very good feelings today, no? I play I think a good match. I serve very good today, and that's important for my game, no? After I think I am happy with my forehand because in grass sometimes I don't play very well with the forehand.
I'm very happy for my match today, no?

Q. Was the match as you thought it would be against Spadea?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I won 6:4, 6:3, 6:0. I think is a good match, and is a little bit easy.
THROUGH INTERPRETER: It turned out to be a little bit easier than I expected it to be.

Q. Will you wish to have golden shoes from Nike also like Sharapova and Federer?

RAFAEL NADAL: I have my ones (smiling). I have my white ones, and it's okay.

Q. Justine Henin, the winner of Roland Garros, is out. You're not superstitious, are you?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I watch the match before, before my match, Henin. So Daniilidou play good match. Every tournament is different, every match is different.

Q. But she's also very strong on clay court. You see it's difficult on grass.

RAFAEL NADAL: For everything is different the change, no? But I think I practice very, very good the last days, and I have confidence for the tournament, no?

Q. How much practice did you have on grass before this tournament after the last tournament?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, I have practice in Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (smiling).

Q. Just in Wimbledon?

RAFAEL NADAL: Two hours half, three hours every day.

Q. Last time you were here you looked very different. You've made a lot of muscle. You're much bigger and stronger.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I think the last time I play with this one, and now I play with (indicating shorter sleeves).

Q. Do you have a special regime to make yourself stronger?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Two years before I have 16, 17, and now I have 19, no? Evolution (smiling). Evolution with age.

Q. No special...

RAFAEL NADAL: Nothing special, no.

Q. Do you actually have any belief that you can win this tournament this year? I've heard you think that you can in the future. What would you consider this to be a good tournament for you?

RAFAEL NADAL: I won the first round, and I know ?? I think I cannot win this year, no? But I am happy with the match of today because I watch in the match, I can play good in grass, no? And that's important, not only for today, for the next years. If I improve some things in my game, I think any year I can play good here, no, good result.

Q. Why can't you win here after winning the French Open?

RAFAEL NADAL: Because I think here, there is a lot of players better, no? I think Federer is better here. Hewitt is better. Roddick is better. Henman is better. But not only these four. Every match is difficult here because if you find any player when he serve very good, is complicated, no?

Q. Do you feel you've adapted your game to grass now?

RAFAEL NADAL: I am trying. I think I am playing good on grass, but I know every match is different. I am playing good. But after tomorrow, I don't know.

Q. A friend of yours, Andy Murray, has made a big impact here winning his first round match. Can you tell us a bit about how you know him and your background with Andy, what you think of him as a player?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I have a good relation with him. I know Andy at four years, five years before with Juniors competitions. And that's important, no? He's young. He won today I think the first match in one Grand Slam, and that's important. That's good for the England people, no?

Q. When you played him as a junior?

RAFAEL NADAL: I never play against him. I only play against him in doubles.

Q. What do you think of him as a player?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, he's playing good, no? I watch Andy normally in the Internet when he won some futures, when he play good in Queen's. I think he's playing good. He need improve some things, but he's young and he try for sure.

Q. Do you think he could follow you into the Top 10?

RAFAEL NADAL: Every player can do that, no? Every player can improve. And if he improve, for sure he can do in the Top 10, no?

Q. You're responsible for him going to Barcelona. You inspired him to leave Scotland, didn't you?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I am in Mallorca. I think Barcelona is a good site, good place for practice. In Barcelona we have a lot of players and a lot of tournaments, ATP tournaments, futures, satellites. And that's very important because you can play every week, no?

Q. Two years ago you beat Mario Ancic. He is the last one to beat Federer on grass. Last year he went to the semifinals. I think this year you can do something.

RAFAEL NADAL: If I won two years before to this year I am in the final, no? No, I remember that match. I think I play a very, very good match against him. There is my first match after my injury, the elbow, and that's important because in this match I can see I can play good in grass, no?

Olka

WIMBLEDON 2005

Czwartek, 23 czerwca 2005 (po przegranej z G. Mullerem)

Q. What did you learn from today?

RAFAEL NADAL: What happen?

Q. What did you learn?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, today I think he play very good match. I have my chance in first set, in the first game, Love?40. In the second set, I have ? I do the break, but he have chance at 15?40, I think. After, in the third set, I think I have a very, very good chance for do the break, no? I can't. I have a little bit bad luck in the third.
After, he play very good, no? He play better than me today. That's happen.

Q. Was this what you feared would happen because your game is so clay court based?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think I am playing good on grass, no? I feel I have good feelings. But, you know, I speak every day, if you find any player when he serve good all match is difficult. Muller today served very good level all time, no? And that's that easy.

Q. Muller said afterwards he thinks because of the way you play, although you fight hard, because you don't serve and volley, you may never win Wimbledon.

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think I need improve some things, but I am improving myself. I think when I improve a lot of myself, I can won a lot of matches here, no, because I am fast. I need improve my volley. I need to improve my volley, I need to improve my serve, I need improve my confidence with the game on grass, no? And for that I need play lot of matches.

Q. You looked more comfortable on the Centre Court than Court 1. Did you feel a difference? Any difference with the noise from outside with the Henman game? Did it detract you at all?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't think so, no. Centre Court is two days before. Now is the Court No.1. I think is the same, no? I can won on Centre Court, I can lost on Centre Court. I can won in the Court 31.

Q. What would you like to improve most when you come back for next year?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I need improve something. I say every day, I need improve my serve and I need improve my confidence in grass because sometimes I have a little bit nervous when I serve because I know if I don't win the game, I can lose the set.
THE INTERPRETER: This is what happens in grass. You have to be able to face up to this, I need to play more, train more. This used to happen to me two years ago on clay. I think that when you are developing, you're evolving, you learn to live the moment.

Q. Does that mean you think it will take two more years before you're comfortable on grass or so?

RAFAEL NADAL: I hope. I hope. I will try (smiling).

Q. Do you have any plans as to what to do now or haven't you thought about it now?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Now I am a little bit tired. I play a lot of matches last month. I don't have day offs because I play every, every day. I think I need disconnect. "Disconnect" is good? I need disconnect a little bit for recharge the batteries, no?

Q. Your English has improved very much.

RAFAEL NADAL: I study every night two hours (smiling).

Q. You're having lessons or you learn from the circuit?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, every day. Every day after the match, I have 20 minutes or 30 minutes. That's my principal lesson.

Q. What is your summer program? Will we see you playing hard courts in the United States?

RAFAEL NADAL: My summer program is I don't know. My summer program is stay in Mallorca now one week. Eight I going to play in Bastad. Week off, Stuttgart. Umag, Montreal, Cincinnati, week off. US Open. China. Davis Cup, if the captains request my presence, my presence of the team (smiling).