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Thursday, November 26, 2009

RAFA FANS ARE ALWAYS TRUE - NEVER WAVERING


Rafa lost to Nikolay Davydenko in London
on Wednesday, November 25, 2009
1-6, 6-7(4)

Transcipt of Press Questions and Answers
after the match

Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic
Friday November 27, 2009
not before 2:15 p.m. London time
and 9:15 a.m. USA EST


So, it is that Rafa is having a rough patch on the court. But, we Rafa fans are fans through it all. Win or lose on the court, Rafa's heart is what makes him a winner in our hearts. And we just hang in there and support him every time he steps onto a court.

We love the Rafa smile and hope he is able to flash us one at the end of winning match.

Vamos, Rafa!


Rafa is blogging on times online

Tuesday's fans' Questions and Answers

So honest is Rafa - and always...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Rafa's Blog: It hurts to lose ... I am sorry to all my fans in London


Nadal

Hi everyone,


I suppose that the question today to me that isn't shown here is why did I lose? Well, it is simple. I didn't play the way I had to play, the way I know how to play and that it is taking me to have it back.

I felt without that confidence in the right moments, I felt a bit lack on that concentration in those points and that was it.

I came back to the locker room and there was Toni and the rest of the team waiting for me. Those are sad moments, believe me. We are down, not much talking in the locker room, serious faces... Then Toni starts analyzing points and the game and well... it is not the end of the World!. He is right. But it hurts to lose!

And I am also sad for all those fans who want me to win...

One more thing!

Forgot to say that at least I got a prize today!!!. Raul Zurutuza, the Tournament Director of the Acapulco event gave me the trophy I'd lost back in 2005 when going to the airport!. Here's the picture!.

Rafa

Thanks to that lovely tournament for this. I got this trophy twice having only won it once! smile.gif

Rafa


The website for the London Tournament
www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com


Online viewing ( for a fee): www.tennistv.com

You might try these links for free viewing:

www.atdhe.net

www.channelsurfing.net

Pictures of Rafa

67 Pictures of Rafa Day 4


Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the men's singles first round match against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena
on November 25, 2009 in London, England.
Photo credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Fan Websites for Rafa - GPhoto credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Photo credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe


Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Great Sources of
Information

vamosbrigade.com

Sponsored by Babolat


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Friday, October 31, 2008

INJURED RAFAEL NADAL DISREPECTED ~ TOP TENNIS PLAYERS ARE NOT MACHINES









Above Pictures: Rafael Nadal in Round 3
Rafael Nadal d Gael Monfils October 30, 2008
Photo credits: Watermarked Abaca Press

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Pictures in slideshow: Rafael Nadal in Round 3
Rafael Nadal d Gael Monfils October 30, 2008
Photo credits: Mary from The Forum www.rafaelnadal.com

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Rafael Nadal Quarter Final in Paris October 31, 2008
Rafa withdrew with too much pain in right knee even after taking antiflammatory medication prior to match
with score 6-1
Nikolay Davydenko moves on to Semi-Final match

The photos in the slideshows are not in order because photo bucket wouldn't allow me to rearrange them today.

Photo credits: Getty, Mary of The Forum at www.rafaelnadal.com, ATP website and unknown

Rafa also was scheduled to play doubles after the single match today. But his injury didn't permit that match to be played.

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Rafa with the press following withdrawing from quarter final match with right knee injury
Uploaded by RafaNadalLive

This is from Rafael Nadal's website ~ www.rafaelnadal.com ~ home page

NOVEMBER 01 | 2008

RAFA RETIRES FROM PARIS

Friday, October 31st

Rafa Nadal's participation in the Paris Masters has come to an end after the world number one retired with a knee injury in his Paris Masters quarter-final against Russian Nikolay Davydenko.

The tournament trainer massaged Rafa's right knee and thigh at the change of ends when he was 4-1 down. Sadly, the massage didn't really do much for him and he was forced to make sad decision after losing the first set 6-1.

¨I have some pain on my right knee. I had it already when the tournament started, but yesterday it got worse and had more pain¨

"Today when I woke up I felt it a lot. I tried to practice but I was in pain. I went to the doctor and the he gave me some antiinflammatories"

"I didn't have power in the right leg to play the backhand. When I push with the right leg i never felt well the knee. The pain I feel is an acute pain. I couldn't play like this. I am never going to win a match like this, right?'

"I feel sorry for the tournament, for sure. For everyone it's tough to lose and for a tournament to have both me and Federer retire is not good news. I know it is not easy for the tournament but we tried our best all the time and we tried our best in every tournament we go to."

"You know how tough is the season and how long, a lot of the matches under our belt. I think the ATP and everybody will have to think about these things and analyze what's happening at the end of every season. Like this it's very difficult to have big players for a long time. For the last four years I was fine. Hopefully it will be also like this this year."

Rafa will undergo some tests in the next couple of days and in principle will be traveling to Shanghai on Tuesday, arriving on Wednesday. It will all depend on the results of these tests. He might delay his arrival to Thursday. We will keep you posted. End of borrowed text

My thoughts on the booing of Rafael Nadal as he walked off the court with his injury today:

No excuses for bad behavior.

If you care more about the game of tennis than the player(s),
then you would watch number 500 play number 501 with the same interest
as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and the other top players. If a person comes to a match that Rafa is playing, then you come to see Rafa.

To boo or whistle at a player with a prohibitive injury is wrong. There is no rationale that makes it acceptable. If you care about a sport or a player, you would be concerned. Not behave like narcissists.

We have people with bad behavior in every country. I am sure there were plenty of people there who care about Rafa and want only that his injury is not serious.

It was sad to see, though. Very low point to see human beings behave like fools.

I saw the whole medical time-out on the ATP live online and heard the English being spoken by Rafa and the physio men. Rafa had taken medication that morning for the pain and they could offer Rafa nothing more. I believe it is Rafa's knee as he was pointing to it. The man who gave Rafa a massage told the chair umpire that Rafa was ready to stop immediately so the umpire should give him a time-out for the massage to see if Rafa would continue to play.

Only have concern for Rafa and his health. He gives so much. Rafa doesn't owe anyone his health.

With family and friends, Rafa will get the love he needs. Too bad a number of the fans had to add insult to injury.


I like many of Rafa's fans will stand by Rafa through the glory and beyond.


A Tribute to Rafa at Bercy
Uploaded by iteclem51

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Thursday, October 30, 2008

RAFAEL NADAL CONTINUES TO LIVE A DREAM YEAR

VAMOS RAFA
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Rafael Nadal - TIME magazine photoshoot
Uploaded by RafaNadalLive

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Highlights of Round 3 Rafael Nadal d Gael Monfils in Paris October 30, 2008
Uploaded by superpj2
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Round 3 Rafael Nadal defeats Gael Monfils ~ BNP Paribas Masters
Uploaded by lacamisa

www.rafaelnadal.com

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RAFAEL NADAL TO PLAY SINGLES AND DOUBLES OCTOBER 31, 2008 IN PARIS ~ oh ~ and some pictures


FOR THOSE WHO CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF RAFAEL NADAL

This is for you


Round 2 in Paris
Photo credit: I think this is Getty but not sure


Photo credit: Abaca Press









Round 2 statistics
Thanks to Mary from The Forum at www.rafaelnadal.com
for the above screen caps

Rafael Nadal and Juan Monaco Doubles Partners


Rafael Nadal plays singles and doubles Friday, October 31, 2008

Singles
Rafael Nadal v Nikolay Davydenko
Start time approximately at 10:00 a.m. USA EST
This match begins after the match: Andy Murray v David Nalbandian

Doubles
Rafael Nadal and Juan Monaco v Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie
12:45 p.m. USA EST

More on the schedule:

Friday singles schedule (France time listed here):
14:00 Andy Murray v David Nalbandian
Fb Rafael Nadal v Nikolay Davydenko
19:45 James Blake v Roger Federer
Fb Andy Roddick v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


Friday doubles schedule
Rafael Nadal and Juan Monaco v Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie
Rafa's doubles match follows another doubles match which begins at 16:45 (France time)
So Rafa will play approximately at 18:45, which would be 12:45 p.m. USA EST

Confused? I know it took me a long time to decipher this.
I hope I got it right.


Rafael Nadal defeated Florent Serra 6-2, 6-4, October 29, 2008
Rafael Nadal defeated Gael Monfils 6- 3, 6-2, October 30, 2008
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Round 2 Rafael Nadal d Florent Serra 6-2, 6-4 Oct 29, 08
Photo credits: Abaca Press, DPPI Antone Couvercelle, Mary Boo Boo Screen Caps, Hamish Blair/Getty Images Europe and unknown

Please go to
The schedule for more information

WATCH FREE
works both on MAC anad PC
http://www.justin.tv/siki_sport
and
http://sportsvialaptops.blogspot.com/

I paid for the annual ATP tennis site's live streams, but it never wo
rks well for me. So I always end of watching for free at Justin TV. Here is the link: www.atptennis.com


Round 3
Photo credit: Unknown but a good guess is Getty

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Round 3 Rafael Nadal d Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2, Oct 30, 08
Photo credits: Hamish Blair of Getty Images Europe and unknown

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Friday, April 4, 2008

RAFAEL NADAL IS AN AMBASSADOR FOR SPAIN AND TENNIS

Rafael Nadal is a diplomat for Spain and for tennis. And especially for his loving fans. He, again is writing a blog for his fans during his tournament practice, interviews and playing the matches. Here is another post from Rafa.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3

Hello everybody,

It is strange to write two blogs posts in one day. But I came back early to the hotel since we had an early dinner. Well, early for a Spaniard like me, since we left the hotel at 8.45 pm for dinner. That might be very late for some of you reading this. But for me it is quite early since I normally go for dinner at 9.30 pm the earliest. We went to the Argentine restaurant close to the hotel. We have been going there almost everyday before a match. It is really nice and the food and atmosphere is great. We were five people. My close team (except for my uncle Toni who, by the way doesn't normally come with us for dinner) here in Miami with me. That is Carlos, Benito, Rafel and Francis.

My father, uncle and all their friends went to see the match between Roddick and Federer. Talking about that, I followed the match on the internet before going for dinner. It is quite a surprise, although Andy is playing very good lately. He played really good in Dubai and it seems he is playing here at that same level.

I hope the media don't start "killing" Roger for this. He doesn't deserve it and he is really a great guy. I am sure he will win soon again.

As I say I went for an early dinner since tomorrow I leave to the site a bit earlier. I am warming up at 10.30 and as you know I go to the site like an hour before so I can get ready. We just finished playing some soccer on the Playstation and finished a massage after that. I am ready to go to bed and be ready for tomorrow. It is an important match since I would love to be back on a final here in Miami.

Thanks all for your support and win or lose I will be here tomorrow to write and talk about what happened.

More reader questions answered:

You always appear so self-contained
on court. When you were younger
did you ever lose your temper and
behave badly during a match? --
Belinda


No, my uncle always taught me not to do so.

It seems like you prefer to start the match
by receiving serve. Is that true? -- Cedrine


Yes, I always do that.

How much time do you put into developing
varying strategies for different opponents?
-- Andrea


I always talk to my coach (my uncle or Francis)
before the matches. Either the night before or
the same day.

The current balance of ranking points on
the tour is 60% hardcourts, 30% clay
and 10% grass. How do you feel about
this? Would you like to see more events
on clay, or on grass? -- Rosangel


Not only that. I also think that clay and
grass are better for the body and therefore
we would have less injuries, all of us. So I
think it is easier for hard court players to
have better ranking. But that's the way it
is. In the end we all play. Probably the
thing less fair is that clay is all played in
a very short period of time.

Do you ever read the forum on
[your official site] rafaelnadal.com?
-- Evu


I did sometimes when I was blogging.
But I don't usually look at the forums.
Too many threads! :-)

Are there any questions you get
in interviews that you're fed up
of answering? -- Anna


Sometimes but that's the way it is.

What does Rafa Maymo write in
his notebook when you're
training? -- Maria


Good question. He writes EVERYTHING
we do. I mean everything!

I'll be in Bremen to support Spain
in the Davis Cup tie - good luck
Are you comfortable that playing
Davis Cup won't affect your
preparation before your busy
clay schedule? -- Rosangel


Davis Cup is important for me.
I like to play for my country.

Did you get a chance to go
to the Melbourne aquarium
like you wanted to? -- Tamika

I didn't. I had planned to go a
couple of times but in the end I
could not make it.

For the past three years, you've
seemed tired and subdued
during the second half of the
year. Will you make any changes
to your schedule this year? -- Zola

I don't think I was tired at all.
I actually played pretty good at
the end of last year with good
results. THe only thing is that I
did not in a title but for the rest
I am happy.

See you,

Rafa

A Huge Thanks to Tennis.com

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Photobucket
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Photobucket
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Two pictures of Rafa above in the Quarter Finals
against Blake in Miami 08
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Slideshow of photos of Nadal beating Blake
in quarter finals of Sony Ericsson Open
in Miami (Key Biscayne), Florida 2008

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Rafael Nadal interviewed in Spanish
after victory versus Berdych
in Semi Finals Miami 08
Uploaded by vamosrafapuntocom

Rafael Nadal's website has a great Fan Page for his loving fans

Sony Ericsson Open 2008 website

CBS is apparently going to air the Men's Final on Sunday, April 6, 08 at 12:30 p.m.

The women's final is Saturday, April 5, 08, which also apparently will be aired on CBS at 11:30 a.m.

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RAFAEL NADAL ALL FIRED UP ON HARD COURTS IN MIAMI 08





Three photos of Rafael Nadal after winning match with Berdych

Rafael Nadal (2) will play Nikolay Davydenko (4) for the Sony Ericsson Open April 6, Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
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Nadal versus Berdych April 4, 2008 ~ 2nd set
Uploaded by tympsa from Estonia
The Evans Report:

Rafa Rolls Into Final By Richard Evans

Friday, April 04, 2008

Rafael Nadal had never beaten Thomas Berdych on hard courts in three previous attempts. He has now. After a tough first set struggle, the world No. 2 roared into the final of the Sony Ericsson Championships here in Miami with a 7-6(6), 6-2 victory over the powerful Czech on another hot, breezy day.

The win, which demonstrated how well Nadal is adapting his game to hard courts, put him into the final here for the second time. In 2005 he lost to Roger Federer in five sets but that much anticipated clash will not be repeated following Andy Roddicks sensational victory over the Swiss in a dramatic encounter under the lights on Thursday night.

With Federer faltering in alarming fashion at 3-4 in the third set just the moment he usually becomes mentally and physically impenetrable Roddick was able to come up with just the number of whiplash serves he needed to record only his second victory over Federer in 17 attempts. Andy certainly deserved it.

Nadal showed no such signs of weakness against Berdych who remains just a notch below Roddick as a hardcourt performer. Berdych had beaten Nadal in three ATP Masters events in 2005-06 in Cincinnati, Toronto and indoors on hard in Madrid but he quickly realized he was playing a more aggressive performer today.

"Hes trying to attack more now," said Berdych. "If stays behind the baseline on this surface someone like James Blake or myself can beat him. But he has changed. It is very difficult to beat him when he plays like this. And my level went down at the end. It has been a long month in the States."

Now Berdych faces the prospect of going home to Prague and packing his clay court shoes for a Davis Cup tie against Russia in Moscow where Shamil Tarpischevs team have not lost a tie at home since the Pete Sampras-inspired victory for the United States in 1995.

Nadal needed to take a second stab at winning the first set tiebreaker. A couple of errors off raking Czech drives saw him squander three sets points from 6-3 up but, after correctly challenging a baseline call, he moved ahead again and took it 8-6. The Spaniard never released his grip on the match again and eventually reeled off the last twelve points to leave his opponent well beaten.

"I think I played very good tennis," Nadal said afterwards. "The wind was very tough and it was tough at the end of the first set when I had a lot of chances before I win it. But always I was very concentrated."

As far as being a better hardcourt player than he was in 2005, Nadal was skeptical about making direct comparisons. "In 2005 I won Montreal and Madrid so I was not bad, no? But for sure I am a more experienced and better player now."


R. NADAL/T. Berdych
7-6, 6-2

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Rafa serving for match and interview in Espanol

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Here is an interview with:
RAFAEL NADAL
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Pretty incredible second set. You won the last 12 points and no unforced errors. Were you feeling pretty on top of him?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think very good tournament. I think I am playing very well this tournament, so today was great match, too. Because it's very tough player like Berdych. Happy for the win.
First set was tough, especially in the end, because I have a lot of chances and never finish, the set.
But I think in the beginning of the first set it was very important. To be very concentrate with my serve. Because against wind was very tough. And I have some breakpoints against, but I can be very concentrate all the time.

Q. Did you feel like after you doublefaulted to lose the set on the 7th set point that he kind of went away, that you defeated him mentally at that point?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't think so. I think I had a lot of chances before. First set point with my serve, 53, 1540 and 54, 63 in the tiebreak. A lot of chances.
I did not win any, one, but in that moment I was feeling playing better than Tomas in the moment, because I feel I all the time (in Spanish). I was ahead all the time in the score.

Q. How much better are you as a hardcourt player now than three years ago when you were in the final here?
RAFAEL NADAL: Always we must have the comparison. I think it's impossible compare it. 2005 I won in Montreal, I won in Madrid, I played the final here. The numbers are saying I'm not much better than 2005, so...
I think I have more years, more experience. I'm better player than 2005. I don't have any doubt about this. But it's impossible to compare it. It's totally change feelings.

Q. We had a sensational match last night here. Did you watch it? Federer versus Roddick. If you did, what are your thoughts?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't watch any point. I didn't watch any point, so I can't say.

Q. Are you surprised that it's Andy and not Roger?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, when you have one score, head to head like 140, last 14 times, for sure it's surprise, but when you play against Roddick all the match depends on points.
So if you are not playing at your 100% and if he's serving well, he's playing well, he play some points important points well from the baseline, you have very difficult match.

Q. I think I read something on your blog that people shouldn't be too hard on Roger. Based on last night's match, don't say that something is wrong with Roger, that he played well. Can you talk a little bit about that?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think the people are speaking too much about Roger's moment. I think Roger is not in that moment, but, you know, it's very tough be all the time at 100%.
He has for last four or five years unbelievable records. Right now he's not doing bad. He's doing semifinals in Australia and semifinals Indian Wells. Here, quarterfinals.
For sure we are not for us, not normal watch Roger lose in these tournaments, but he's a human person. Anything can happen, because the levels always are very close. Roger has a special ability and always win the important matches and win in the difficult moments.
For that reason, I think it's not fair right now we speak bad about Roger.

Q. You had a tough tournament in Indian Wells and took a pretty tough loss there. I was just wondering how long did it take you to overcome that emotionally or being down about that? In general, how did you deal with a loss? Because you've come back and are playing really, really well.
RAFAEL NADAL: No one hour. I think Indian Wells I play a very good tournament. I arrive there without my best confidence. I lost in Rotterdam against Seppi and Dubai against Roddick without playing. Improving a little bit my level against Roddick in the quarterfinals of Dubai, but far away than the level that I'm playing right now.
So I know won against Tsonga and Blake was a very good win for me for my confidence, and I arrive to semifinals a little bit tired without believing 100% in my chances in that match.
But after my match against Djokovic, I always have a positive thoughts. I play very good tournament, played terrible match today, I thought, in the moment. But why not? I can play very good tournament in Miami because I am playing better. My feeling was I'm coming better every day.
So I arrive here and I practice every day very well. I say the press conference before tournament I was playing very well, and right now I am in the finals. So anything can happen in this final.
Anyway, for me, going to be very important tournament, this one, because play a final in Masters Series event, beating against big players and playing, I know I am playing at one of my best levels.

Q. In the first game of the match, you hit two very powerful backhands, but for the rest of the match we didn't really see that anymore. Can you explain, because you can hit that shot, why you don't do it more often?

Q. In the first game of the match, you hit two very powerful backhands, but for the rest of the match we didn't really see that anymore. Can you explain, because you can hit that shot, why you don't do it more often?
RAFAEL NADAL: I really don't know. I didn't think about this. I think I have more backhands, no? But, you know, sometimes it depends of the points. It's difficult say why I'm not touching the ball. It's about your feeling in that moment, no? I don't know.

Q. Because a lot of times you played the backhand more safe, but you can hit it very powerful, and people talk about how you should play aggressive on hard courts. It's much talked about. That's why, because you can hit the shot, and we'd like to see it more often maybe.
RAFAEL NADAL: I going to do more times in the final. (Laughter.) If you like, I going to do it.

Q. I know you still have a match to go here, but could you look ahead to next week in the Davis Cup against Germany and your thoughts on that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, it's going to be tough for me. I going to arrive there on Tuesday night, so Wednesday and Thursday, two days only preparation.
So going to be tough. Going to be the decision of the captain put me on Friday or not. I going to try my best for arrive there with my best conditions, but we'll have a very difficult confrontation against Germany, no? Outside, for us it's always difficult for play outside.
We have a complete team. We can play singles and doubles for all four, because I think we have very good level. So we hope have chances for being in the semifinals and play finally at home after long time.

Q. Talk about your match and Andy in Dubai, and what do you have to do if you play him in the finals to beat him? Obviously return of serve is the key.
RAFAEL NADAL: I think continuing playing like this. So if I play the final like I played the matches before, I going to have chances for a win. I don't have chances for lose, too. But I think if I playing like this, I going to have my chances.

Q. But against Andy, is the key returning his serve? That it?
RAFAEL NADAL: It's always the key, returning his serve. You can't prepare the match believing in return his serve, because if he's serving 144 miles, your strategy is not this. My strategy is try to play aggressive all the time and be safe with my serve and well, with my serve and continuing like this.
So after, wait my chance on the return. If you are all the time in the final normally you have chance.

Q. Every player wants to wins tournaments, Grand Slams. Where does achieving the No. 1 ranking fit for you? How much of focus is there on that? What would it mean to you if that were to come?
RAFAEL NADAL: For me, the most important thing is feeling well, feeling playing well, and feeling at the best level. If I am at the best level I have chances for being No. 1, for be No. 2, for be No.3, for No. 4, or No. 5.
But my goal is try to be in the top positions. So I have three years in a row No. 2. This is unbelievable position, because with my points, we have a lot of No. 1s before.
So I think it's I can't say too much about this, no? Just try to continuing playing at the same level like last years, and if I have any chance for be No. 1, I will try to do.
But for me it's not obsession to be No. 1, no? Just I always try my best. I am not finding the No. 1. You are No. 1 or you are not No. 1. That's my feelings.

Q. A lot of the European players tell us that this part of the calendar is very hard for them. They get tired being in the United States for a month or over five weeks. You seem to play well in these tournaments. Are you comfortable here in the United States for that long of time? And if so, why is that?
RAFAEL NADAL: I'm very comfortable in United States, but not for this time. It's not fair have one month, two tournaments, and after go back to Europe and we have to play three Masters Series on clay.
We only have three Masters Series on clay during all the season, and we have three Masters Series in four weeks. So for us it's terrible, that.
And three Masters Series in the middle of the biggest tournament on clay in the world: Barcelona. So if you see the calendar, that is unbelievable.
Everybody can say about the Olympics. Is not for the Olympics. This year we have that. It's because these two tournaments are one week later, because you have university or something like this, college basketball. I respect 100% the college basketball. I think it's very important.
I know here it's very important, the college basketball, because I saw always the American players and the mens in the locker room watching always this.
But, well, we can't have the calendar thinking about the college basketball, no? So we are 100% disappointed about this decision of the ATP.
Finally the European players are, well, I don't know, very angry about these decisions, no? For me it's terrible. You know, I'm a clay player, but I can play very well on all surface. But play four weeks it's impossible if you are playing well, no?

Q. Andy Murray has just announced that had Alex Corretja is going to be his coach through the clay season. Your thoughts on that whether you're surprised, because Alex is a TV guy now, and what you think he can help Andy with.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I really don't know because I didn't have I don't know how he's working Alex against one player, no? For sure he has enough experience on clay. He can pass on his feelings how to play on clay to Andy.
But anyway Andy, I think, is very talented player. He can play very well in all surfaces, no? Why not on clay? I think he going to do very good.

Q. Perhaps the one phase of your game that has improved the most is your serve, both first and second serve. Could you assess for us how much improvement you've made over the last two years in your serving?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't like to speak too much about my improves, because every week we are speaking about my improvement. I don't know, I always try to improve everything. My serve, for sure, is more is more difficult improve my forehand than my serve, because I have my serve here and my forehand here.
When you start playing tennis, you well, I don't know how you're playing, but you have more chances to improve than me, so it's easier. So if my serve is worse I have more chances for improve.
But I always try to improve everything. My serve is important part of my game to improve, and I was very focus all the time with my serve and with my volleys with my slice, because I am slicing much better than two years before now, too. I use my slice on hard surfaces important shot, and two years before I didn't use.

12:30 P.M. SUNDAY, APRIL 6
RAFAEL NADAL
WILL PLAY
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
IN THE SONY ERICSSON OPEN
FINAL


YOU ARE ON FIRE RAFA !!
WAY TO SALSA UP MIAMI!!
KEEP THE
HEAT TURNED UP
cheering5
RAFA HAS GOT GREAT HEART


At Zimbio photos of Rafael Nadal against Tomas Berdych April 3, 2008 at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami Day12 ~ See for credits to some of photos posted here


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