RAFA TIME - BREAKING OUT THE SLEEVELESS IN A TRAINING SESSION

WE SIMPLY ASK FOR SLEEVELESS IN THE MATCHES TOO

AND THOSE LONGER PANTS WOULDN'T DISAPPOINT

RAFA ARE YOU LISTENING?

Rafa at Semi Final Beijing Saturday, October 10, 2009

BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- World number two Rafael Nadal of Spain failed to reach his first final appearance since May after he was crushed 6-1, 6-3 by Croatian Marin Cilic in the semifinals of China Open in Beijing on Saturday, October 10, 2009.
Read the full article: sina.com

BEIJING (AP) -Novak Djokovic won the China Open title with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory Sunday over Croatia's Marin Cilic, while Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-2, 6-4 to win the women's trophy.
Read the full article: nbcsports.msnbc.com

And now to the present tournament...

Shanghai Masters 1000
Rafael Nadal plays James Blake in Round 2
Rafa had a bye in Round 1, meaning he didn't play Round 1

Rafa and James play October 14, Wednesday as the third match on Stadium Court

Rafa and James's match will not begin before 6:00 p.m. Shanghai time
Which is 6:00 a.m. USA Eastern Time

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Time in Shanghai now

Order of play for Wednesday, October 14, 2009

You might try these links for live streaming, they have worked in the past:

http://atdhe.net

http://www.channelsurfing.net

Pay to watch at

www.tennistv.com/tennistv

The draw

Website Shanghai Masters 1000

More information www.echinacities.com

Rafa arriving in Shanghai

Great sources of information:

vamosbrigade.com

Original forum with Rafael Nadal's website - Now sponsored by Babolat

www.rafaelnadal.com - sponsored by Nike
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ATP Shanghai - Rafael Nadal Preview
Uploaded by ATP
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Rafa training in Shanghai with friend David Ferrer
Rafa in a sleeveless deja vu outfit
Uploaded by meriko100
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Rafa in Shanghai, his fans, practice, a bit of a Spanish interview
Uploaded by gandaines

Rafa's Press Conference
Four pictures
Photo credits: Imagine China

Press conference video - buffers continually - not too good, the quality

Rafael Nadal attends press conference at Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 (2009-10-12
Photo credit: Imaginechina

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (L) looks at a board with his nickname in Chinese characters at an event during the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai, China, October 13, 2009. Photo credit: Imaginechina

THE P-ZAZZZ IN TENNIS IS MISSING

I'M A RAFAEL NADAL FAN....

Rafael Nadal
Barcelona, Spain
at the press conference announcing he would need to miss the Davis Cup
in Argentina due to tendonitis in his right knee
Photo credit: sports yahoo

So I was watching the ATP Masters today with Simon and Djokovich playing in Shanghai in the semi-finals. I am not a Djokovic admirer. Simon though, I find interesting to watch and he's nice to look at. But tennis is not the same without Rafael Nadal for me. So here we are - I am resorting to videos made by Rafa's fans....

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My All
Uploaded by serenitylivesforever

I Will Wait Forever
Uploaded by Juliette2007

My All
Uploaded by ninzninz2

Greatest Day - Rafael Nadal
Uploaded by serenitylivesforever

Rafael Nadal's website:
www.rafaelnadal.com
Check out The Forum there

JUST SOME PICTURES OF RAFAEL NADAL

Rafael Nadal November 11, 2008

Photo credits, I'm guessing: Mundo Deportivo

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Rafael Nadal at the press conference called to announce that he wouldn't be able to play in the Davis Cup 2008 final due to sustained right knee tendonitis
Uploaded by ReyesVB

Rafael Nadal visits Mundo Deportivo - Uploaded November 11, 2008

Interview with Rafa in Spanish - added to Youtube October 12, 2008

www.rafaelnadal.com

RAFAEL NADAL LISTENS TO HIS BODY

Rafael Nadal announces he will not be able to play the final Davis Cup
Photo credits: Getty and unknown

The following are from www.rafaelnadal.com:

NOVEMBER 03 | 2008

NOT PLAYING IN SHANGHAI

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Dear fans and media reps,

It has been a long and difficult year where I managed to obtain great results, both on a professional and on a personal level. I have mentioned in various occasions that the tennis calendar has been extremely hard with practically every single week playing. This forces us players to put pressure on our bodies, making it impossible for a top level player to be 100% at each event.

On a personal level I had as one of my goals to become #1 during this year and competing at so many events might have harmed, specially at the end of the season, my physical condition, taking away the power needed to play at a high level in these last events. I don´t know if this has been a mistake or not but the fact is that with the goal achieved I also have to take one of the most difficult and painful decisions:

I have decided not to compete at the Masters Cup in Shanghai. As I say this is one of the most difficult decisions in my career due to the importance of the event and above all, due to the fact that I wont be able to share time with the fans in China and the tournament organizers that always have treated me in such special way.

I am deeply saddened and disappointed for my fans around the world that expected to see me in Shanghai. I do however, expect to be there again in October 09 for the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai.

I know that many people were speculating about this matter and even though I have yet not done any tests, I can honestly say I have taken the right decision. I want to recover and get ready for the Davis Cup final in Mar del Plata, Argentina. That is also another reason for not going to Shanghai.

Many thanks to all for your support and understanding.

Rafa

NOVEMBER 04 | 2008

RAFA'S MEDICAL RESULTS

Barcelona, 4th November

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, the Spanish tennis federation (RFET) doctor, as well as Rafa’s doctor has released a statement today in which he revealed the state of Rafa’s right knee injury after some tests done early in the morning in Barcelona.

“After the necessary medical procedures and tests were carried out this morning. I can confirm that Rafa is suffering from tendonitis in his right knee”.

“As a result of this injury it is necessary that Rafa rests and undergoes more treatment involving anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy and ice packs until next Saturday”.

"Once this period of rest is over, and depending on the development of the pain, Rafa will gradually begin training on the court again," adding that further tests were planned for Monday

Nadal pulled out of the season-ending Masters Cup on Monday because of the injury, which last week forced him to retire from his Paris Masters quarter-final against Nikolay Davydenko.

ANGEL RUIZ-COTORRO

Doctor of the Spanish tennis federation (RFET).

From the Front Page of Rafael Nadal's website www.rafaelnadal.com

No Davis Cup Final for Rafa. "It Pains Me"

Tuesday November 10th, 2008

Unfortunately Rafa will not be able to compete at the Davis Cup final. After the medical tests done today, he announced that he will not travel with the Spanish team to Mar del Plata in Argentina on Thursday.

Rest assured that this was one of the worst decisions he's ever had to make, a very painful one, the one that no one wanted to hear. Rafa is deeply upset about it, more than anyone else for sure

These were his words at the press conference in Barcelona:

"After a very long and positive year, it is terrible for me not to be able to participate at two of the events that were part of my goals this season, Shanghai and the Davis Cup final."

"This is a very difficult time for me, but at least I know I’ve done everything possible to be in the final. It was a goal of mine to be there”

“I’m used to playing with pain, but this pain is different, new in a way. I can’t control it” said Rafa today at a Press conference in Barcelona.

“I’m conscious of the fact that my team has the ability to win without me for sure. I don’t think Spain’s chance to get the title will end because of me, it’s nothing like that” concluded Rafa before thanking his team captain, Emilio Sánchez Vicario for being so supportive and “understanding” about his situation.

When asked if the injury had something to do with the this year’s tennis Calendar, the 4 time Roland Garros champion said that it “didn’t help” but at the same time, he “didn’t do anything crazy to try to get to No.1”. He thinks that “the Olympic Games certainly made the schedule tighter"

NOVEMBER 07 | 2008

JUST FOR THE RECORD

7th of November, 2008

I don’t usually make denials of false information published related to me, but given the seriousness of the matter I would like to make a clear statement.

Some Argentinean media have published a false interview with me after my press conference in Madrid. During that interview that never happened it's said that I make comments about the Argentinean government and Argentinean politics. That interview and those comments are completely false and my team is now trying to track the source of this interview and take appropriate measures.

I am the kind of person that never make comments about politics, not local, nor national, and specially not international.

I really hope that all the Argentinean people that read the article know that it wasn’t me who said those things but instead it was someone else who taking advantage of my name, wrote a false story trying to harm my image and reputation.

Thank you everyone!

Rafa

Injured Nadal Out of Davis Cup

Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411337/2299890

Nov 11, 2008

World number one Rafael Nadal will miss Spain's Davis Cup final against Argentina this month after failing to recover from tendinitis in his right knee.

The French Open and Wimbledon champion said the decision to withdraw had been extremely difficult and added he had done everything possible to get fit but had decided to obey his doctors' orders.

"I am used to playing with pain but this was a new and different pain I cannot control," he told a news conference.

"I am not feeling that great. These are very hard choices when you are an individual player, even more when you are playing doubles, but much more when it's about a Davis Cup team."

Olympic gold medallist Nadal, who took over as number one from Swiss Roger Federer in August, has blamed his injury on an overloaded tennis calendar.

The injured knee forced him to pull out of the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai and he also had to retire from his Paris Masters quarter-final against Nikolay Davydenko last month.

The athletic Mallorcan has played 93 singles matches this year, winning 82 and collecting eight titles. He said he did not think he had pushed himself too far.

"I haven't done anything crazy to get to number one in the world," he said. "I don't feel ready to approach a match like this one and that's why I won't be there, much to my regret."

VIOLENT MOVEMENT

Spanish tennis federation (RFET) doctor Angel Ruiz Cotorro said Nadal would have to rest for another 10 days.

"In two weeks he can start pre-season training but he'll have to take it slowly," he told the news conference. "It's a new and acute injury and it is caused by violent movement."

The RFET is expected to name its team on Tuesday for the tie in Mar del Plata from Nov. 21-23. Spain won the Cup in 2004 and 2000 while Argentina are yet to win but reached the final in 2006 when they lost to Russia.

World number 12 David Ferrer is expected to take over as Spain's number one, with Tommy Robredo, Nicolas Almagro or Marcel Granollers joining doubles pair Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez to make up the four-man team.

"I know that my team mates can win the final without me," Nadal said. "We have the players to beat Argentina, although it won't be easy."

Davis Cup - Granollers replaces Nadal for final

Marcel Granollers-Pujol has been called up to the Spain team in place of the injured Rafael Nadal for the Davis Cup final against Argentina later in November.

Team captain Emilio Sanchez-Vicario handed Granollers a place alongside the more experienced David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez.

Santiago Ventura will join the side as a sparring partner.

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Gilles Simon upset Roger Federer, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, on Monday, November 10, 2008, in the opening match for both men in the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/10/sports/tennisatp10.php

RAFAEL NADAL REGRETS TO INFORM HIS FANS

RAFAEL NADAL
Photos: L'EQUIPE

The two reports below are from the Rafael Nadal website's home page www.rafaelnadal.com

NOVEMBER 02 | 2008

SHANGHAI

Rafa will spend the next couple of days at home resting a bit and will wait till Monday or Tuesday to make a decision on wether or not he will go to Shanghai.

Any other comments or reports made by the media in regards to this matter are not official and once we have a final decision it will be posted here. That is as far as we can comment at the moment.

Thanks for all of your support and hope you enjoy Rafa's latest Time Force commercial in the mean time.

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Rafa's Time Force commercial

NOVEMBER 03 | 2008

NOT PLAYING IN SHANGHAI

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Dear fans and media reps,

It has been a long and difficult year where I managed to obtain great results, both on a professional and on a personal level. I have mentioned in various occasions that the tennis calendar has been extremely hard with practically every single week playing. This forces us players to put pressure on our bodies, making it impossible for a top level player to be 100% at each event.

On a personal level I had as one of my goals to become #1 during this year and competing at so many events might have harmed, specially at the end of the season, my physical condition, taking away the power needed to play at a high level in these last events. I don´t know if this has been a mistake or not but the fact is that with the goal achieved I also have to take one of the most difficult and painful decisions:

I have decided not to compete at the Masters Cup in Shanghai. As I say this is one of the most difficult decisions in my career due to the importance of the event and above all, due to the fact that I wont be able to share time with the fans in China and the tournament organizers that always have treated me in such special way.

I am deeply saddened and disappointed for my fans around the world that expected to see me in Shanghai. I do however, expect to be there again in October 09 for the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai.

I know that many people were speculating about this matter and even though I have yet not done any tests, I can honestly say I have taken the right decision. I want to recover and get ready for the Davis Cup final in Mar del Plata, Argentina. That is also another reason for not going to Shanghai.

Many thanks to all for your support and understanding.

Rafa

Source: www.rafaelnadal.com

SAVVY NADAL AT PRESS CONFERENCE AS ALWAYS IS MODEST

HOW NADAL got to be so good at fielding questions at Press Conferences is unknown to me. But the United State Presidential candidates, as well as our current President, could take some lessons from Rafael Nadal. He does it so very well without planted questioners in the audience. This is talent in a whole different arena than the sport of tennis. And he always does it with humor, frankness and humility. And he never looks life a “stiff”, but a pure natural. …A champion, in his own right, just in how he handles himself with the press. Ask any Presidential candidate and throw in GW Bush, too…ask them how difficult it is to come off so gallant with often lame or stupid questions at times. Rafa does it time and time again.














Another Interview:

Q: "Are you going to approach next season differently at all, play fewer tournaments or train in a different way, to make sure you maintain your health?"

RAFAEL NADAL: "No, no, no. Everything is going well. No. 2 in the world for third year in a row. 5,600 points. I don't know if I am the best No. 2 in the history by points, but one of those ones for sure. With these points, in a normal situation, I am the No. 1 in 75% of the situations, no? So I think the things is going very well.

I don't have to change a lot of things. I have to continuing improve my things and I have to try to improve my serve more and more. I have to continuing trying improve my return, my aggressive return, continuing improve the volley, the slice. I improve a lot this year the slice, the volley. I am going more times to the net.

So that is important point for me. But I have to continuing do for be better player, no? But didn't change too much things. You say something about the healthy. So the problem only was one. I wasn't play the U.S. Open with my best performance because I have a problem in the knees. But for the rest, I am the third player or the second player of the tour or the first. I don't know exactly who play more matches every season, and I didn't lose any important tournament. Only the U.S. Open I have this problem. If this problem I have, I don't know, three weeks after when I have to go to Bangkok, no one going to speak something about that.

So I didn't have the best of luck in this situation, no? But I play a lot of matches. I play a lot of weeks, a lot of matches every week. I play Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Hamburg, Paris, Wimbledon. The same every time the final. So is very difficult be a hundred percent always. But this year I didn't have any problem. Only the U.S. Open. So that's very good year for me and very good news because physically I was very good all the year. But sometimes the people always are speaking, Rafa is injury. No, I am not injury. Sometimes I have some problems, but the normal problems like every player, no?"

Here are some choice words from Federer on his recent play:

Q: "You talk about how it's important to analyze when you have the setbacks.
Can you be pragmatic about it? Us mere mortals, if we have a bad day at work, we go home, worry about it, maybe toss and turn, sleep is a bit difficult. Can you put it out of your mind after you've analyzed it?"

ROGER FEDERER: "Well, what is a bad spell or a bad time? Losing against Nalbandian who just came off winning Madrid and stuff, for me that's not a bad time losing back-to-back matches. If I could have lost one match the entire year, it was probably the one against Gonzalez I could really afford it. It didn't really set me back that much like maybe people have thought. I wish I could have played better. But, honestly, Nalbandian was playing unbelievably in Madrid and Paris. Sometimes people don't like to face the truth. But when he's on, he's on. I've got to feel that eight times, you know, unfortunately....

For me, honestly, I was aware of how good my season has been, you know, how good I felt. I didn't have physical problems. I've been playing actually also pretty well. I was playing with confidence during Madrid, Basel, and Paris, and now I'm playing again with my strengths, you know, with my best game."

Nadal's style of play, and whether he can keep it up, is a constant topic in the press. He's given a very definitive answer here: Great year, very healthy, going to do it again.

Submitted By Valerie J. Brighouse

The interview immediately above is from www.rafaelnadal.com Go to “Fan Page” then follow this order of links: Rafa Nadal, History in the making, Masters Cup Shanghai - News and Interviews.

And another gem below from the Fan Page of Rafa’s official website on the match with Federer, which the original source is the Master Shanghai website. This is following the Federer vs. Nadal match November 17, 2007 in Shanghai. Nadal lost.

Nadal said: "I play very good match the first set. I have a lot of chances. Love-30, one break point... Later the first opportunity, he make it. Finally the start of the second set, kill me, no? I tried... He play unbelievable in the beginning of the second... Nothing to say. Just congratulate him. "Today I didn't get the rhythm because the play was very aggressive. Was difficult for me stay in the match. And when I need the rhythm, the rhythm wasn't there because he hit a lot of aces."

AN HONEST NADAL EXPLAINS FEDERER WON BECAUSE HE PLAYED BETTER

TENNIS MASTERS CUP interview after Federer vs. Nadal Match in Semi-Final

November 17, 2007

SHANGHAI, CHINA

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Olympic medal, Grand Slam champion, which do you prefer?

RAFAEL NADAL: Nice start press conference today. Grand Slam. I prefer Grand Slam. And after a Grand Slam, between Davis Cup or medal. Right now medal because I have the Davis Cup, no?

Q. The first set up until 4-4 looked very tight.
RAFAEL NADAL: Very tired?

Q. Tight. One could argue that you played a cleaner first few games than Roger, and then he broke you and sort of ran away with things.

RAFAEL NADAL: I play very good match the first set. I have a lot of chances. Love-30, one breakpoint. Well, not a lot. Love-30, one breakpoint with one forehand for have the break, the passing shot to the forehand.

But, well, later he do the first break in the 5-4. The first opportunity, he make it. Finally the start of the second set, kill me, no? I tried. I was focused for try to continue, but he play unbelievable in the beginning, no? Playing very crazy inside the court was start to not do mistakes. Was very tough for me the beginning of the second.


And finally he give me the second break and the match was finished, now? I fight. I fight. I fight. I try to stay in the match, but he play very well today. Nothing to say. Just congratulate him.


Q. You looked good on the service at the beginning of the first set. How important is it not to let him get ahead of you? Is that the key to everything in a match against Roger?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no, because I beat him a lot of -- sometimes without serve very well. The key of the match was not the serve. Never, no?

The key, especially in this surface, first is if he cannot play his best tennis, no, if he don't have the best day, it will be easier for me, you know. And after, well, I have to play very focused all the time.

Today I didn't get the rhythm because the play was very aggressive. Was difficult for me stay in the match. And when I need the rhythm, the rhythm wasn't there because they put me lot of aces, they play very aggressive in the return all the time. So was very difficult play with good rhythm, no? And for beat him, is important for have a good rhythm.

Well, is important serve well. Not against Roger, but against everybody. Against Roger, too. But very important serve well against everybody. I improve the serve in the last months. I am serving a little bit better. So I think it's continuing improving for next year, no?

I have one month right now for try to continuing improve every day. I am young, no, and I have to continuing. Anyway, I have to try. I don't know if I gonna do, but I have to try.

Q. Roger and David will meet in the final. David is one of the best performing players in this tournament. Roger beat you tonight within one hour. What do you think is going to happen in the final?

RAFAEL NADAL: Anything can happen, no? Roger is the favorite because the style of Roger is not easy for David. The final is three sets or five sets?

Q. Five sets.

RAFAEL NADAL: Five sets. Well, David has his chances because he arrive to this final with his best performance ever, no? He never was playing like this before. So he's doing very well everything, playing with very good confidence. And if he believe on the victory, he gonna has his chances, no?

Always if Roger is not at his top level -- if Roger is at his top level going to be very tough, no, because is difficult. David needs a little bit the rhythm, too. If Roger serving like today is going to be difficult.

Anyway, David is very good returner. He has a very good return. We will see tomorrow. Going to be interesting match. I wish -- I just say best of luck to David, and Roger, too. But David is from Spain. If David won here, is very good news for the tennis, especially in Spain, no?

Q. Do you think he won this game tonight because he served in such an amazing way tonight? Do you want to do some work to improve your return?


RAFAEL NADAL: No, he won because he played better tonight. On this surface at this moment I think -- no, I am totally sure he is better than me. If he is playing very good, I have to play unbelievable for try to play against him, no? If not, it's impossible, especially if he's playing with good confidence.

And today he's playing very inside the court and was very difficult for me.

Q. Are you going to approach next season differently at all, play fewer tournaments or train in a different way, to make sure you maintain your health?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. Everything is going well. No. 2 in the world for third year in a row. 5,600 points. I don't know if I am the best No. 2 in the history by points, but one of those ones for sure. With these points, in a normal situation, I am the No. 1 in 75% of the situations, no? So I think the things is going very well.

I don't have to change a lot of things. I have to continuing improve my things and I have to try to improve my serve more and more. I have to continuing trying improve my return, my aggressive return, continuing improve the volley, the slice. I improve a lot this year the slice, the volley. I am going more times to the net.


So that is important point for me. But I have to continuing do for be better player, no? But didn't change too much things. You say something about the healthy. So the problem only was one. I wasn't play the US Open with my best performance because I have a problem in the knees. But for the rest, I am the third player or the second player of the tour or the first. I don't know exactly who play more matches every season, and I didn't lose any important tournament.

Only the US Open I have this problem. If this problem I have, I don't know, three weeks after when I have to go to Bangkok, no one going to speak something about that.
So I didn't have the best of luck in this situation, no? But I play a lot of matches. I play a lot of weeks, a lot of matches every weeks. I play Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Hamburg, Paris, Wimbledon. The same every time the final. So is very difficult be a hundred percent always.
But this year I didn't have any problem. Only the US Open. So that's very good year for me and very good news because physically I was very good all the year. But sometimes the people always are speaking, Rafa is injury. No, I am not injury. Sometimes I have some problems, but the normal problems like every player, no?

Q. At one point Roger won 20 of 21 points from 4-4 in the first set.
RAFAEL NADAL: In a row?

Q. He won 20 of 21. He won a lot of points in a row.
RAFAEL NADAL: 20?

Q. Something like that.
RAFAEL NADAL: That's a lot (smiling). I don't think, no.

Q. How frustrating was that period of the match? Is that the best Roger has played against you?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I remember unbelievable set from him. Two. The first set of Wimbledon of 2006, and the first set of Dubai 2006 was unbelievable, too.

Today when he start was very tough stop him, no? But I remember better moments from him. But from the 4-4 to the 4-1 or 4-0 in the second set was unbelievable him. When he's playing in this way, it's impossible to stop him.

Q. With the win tonight, Roger is now having a better record against you in 2007 with three wins and two losses. On clay court, he is having more chances to play against you than a couple years ago. Do you think now you may lose advantage to play him mentally and technically?

RAFAEL NADAL: I understand your question, but I didn't understand the beginning of the question. What's happening? Well, he beat me in Hamburg. He beat me in Wimbledon, his best surface. I had more chances to win against him than he won against me in this match.
But, anyway, that's doesn't matter because I always say the same. This is not a competition against Roger. This is a competition against the other guys of the tour because I always said Roger, when he's a hundred percent, he playing another league.

So I never compete against Roger. This year I have some chances for be No. 1. Yes, the watch of Wimbledon was very, very important for try to be No. 1. I have chances. I had a lot of chances for won this match. Finally I lost.

And anyway, was the year when I was closer to him. I lost three times, I won two. But always it depends of the moment or the situation. Last year I don't know if I won more times than him, but I play more times on clay. So this year I play three times and I won two. And in grass...

Is the same if he think right now you are closer to Roger on grass. No, why? He beat me anyway. So I don't think. I think is depends always of the moment.
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=46708