THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Do you think it’s best performance against Djokovic since the last final at Roland Garros? Is the first question. The second is if you think it’s better for you to play against Djokovic on the best-of-five sets than on the best-of-three sets.
RAFAEL NADAL: I am playing well. No, no. I have been, I think, a beautiful match, a little bit unlucky for me today, so many chances in the first set. Obviously with that 4-2, Love-30, and then 15-30, good point for me, good forehand that was a winner and was out for just a little bit. We don’t need to talk about I think in the second, no?
So happy in a very close match, and I have to congratulate him. He played, I think, great. And that’s it. He’s winning a lot, so probably that makes a difference.
No, when somebody is winning as much as he is doing last year and months, two years, we know the dynamics are so important. He was hitting great shots in important moments, no? That’s it.
But I am playing well. I think I am playing well during the whole clay court season. It’s true that in Madrid I didn’t play well the last two matches against Joao and especially the last two sets against Joao Sousa in quarterfinals, and semifinals against Andy I didn’t play very well.
But in general I’m playing well in the most of the matches most of the time. And today I was there mentally fighting for every point, hitting good shots. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s better for me best-of-five or best-of-three. Is something that I don’t think about it now. The only thing that I think is I have been very, very, very close this afternoon, and that’s positive.
Q. After a match like this, what is the lasting feeling? Comfort of knowing how high a level you’ve played today or disappointment of the loss?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. I came late here not because I was disappointed. I came late because I was in doping and just for like this (indicating small space between index finger and thumb) I didn’t came before, maybe a little bit.
No, I was not disappointed. Well, it’s obvious that when you feel that you are so close to take both sets, you know, it’s obvious that you go out of the court and you feel that you cannot be 100% happy.
But overall I am playing well. As I said before, I have been competing at the highest level against the best player. Play a match like this, best player of the world, that’s the only thing that give me the confidence that I am ready for the things.
Q. Obviously your head to head with Novak is much more even than the head to head you have with Roger, but can you see a similarity between this rivalry and the rivalry you had with Roger, which went through phases when you won a lot even if matches were really, really close?
RAFAEL NADAL: I answered that question so many times. You know, let’s talk about all of this — I’m tired about asking these kind of questions. The only answer for me now is I feel happy to be part of both rivalries.
You know, have been both special ones and that’s it. And we’re gonna talk about that when we finish our careers. Hopefully not very soon (laughter).
And that’s it. No, no, I feel lucky and unlucky at the same time to be at the same moment than those great players.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
Ha Ha chantelle I think Novak must have tripped over his tail
Why is is that when Novak is losing they say he’s not himself , it’s because he losing that why , how on earth would he have handled the losses Rafa has suffered recently , probably would have had a nervous breakdown, just shows what a great guy Rafa is
Yes, it’s Novak being Novak. He is what he is. Won’t learn how to behave as a good sportsman. Never did. Never will.
Oh my – lucifer will not be happy as andy taken the 1st set off him
YES first set to Murray ,won’t get to excited though, oh go on then GO ANDY
LOL Maria, let’s hold on to the excitement at least for a little while.
RAFA ROCKS
I think novak is the only one who wants novak 2 win!
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………
4-1 to Murray GO ANDY
Temper , temper Novak your getting to big for your boots , nearly hitting someone in the crowd with your racke is not acceptable even if you are number one
YAAAAAAA! Andy first set. I hope Rafa is watching.
RAFA ROCKS
Indeed!
I am sure Rafa will be in the final of the French Open without a doubt and go onto take the trophy but today Andy make the UK proud unlike Lewis Hamilton who has decked Nico Rosberg , just goes to show money can’t buy decency or class
Good luck today Andy , you can do this and make your 29th birthday the best ever COME ON
Dear Rafa, please stop saying that Nole is the best player in the world. By saying that he is unbeatable it means that he’s gotten in your head. He’s playing with your head and say to yourself day in and day out I am better than him!! He’s got your number and he knows it. As long as you do this you will never get over him. Do what your friend Roger said about Novak, ‘I couldn’t care less about Novak all I care about is myself’ don’t give him the right. As long as you do it he will play games with you he’s not mature he’s a spoiled child and he will do whatever to you to beat you etc. Take him out of the equation and think that he’s just an ordinary player and don’t, don’t put him in a pedestal because if you do he will take advantage of you.
Show him that you’re the boss and that you’re not going anywhere and will not submit to his con or wishes!!
Remember you are better than him, more human, humble and total Class and not a child!
Nole plays mind games with everyone and please do not play his victim. As soon as you acknowledge these things you will find out that he is just a child and just plain ordinary!!!
Don’t be a prey to his folly and when you realize all these you will be free!
More power to you Rafa, and many thanks for sharing you with us and we admire you for your courage and resilience! Ya VAMOSSSSSSSS Rafa Adelante!
Shirlee, you hit it right on the nail. What you said was so true. Rafa should stop saying that that Djoker is great & unbeatable. Who said he was unbeatable. He was knock out in Barcelona by Jiziri. Rafa please don’t play into that Djoker’s hand. He’s always using drama tactics to distract opponents. He’s really really obnoxious, sly cunning fox and a hypocrite.
Despite all that Rafa you didplay at your highest level and almost knock him out. RAFA BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AS WE YOUR ARDENT LOYAL FANS BELIEVE YOU CAN BEAT HIM TO A PULP. YOU ARE A FIGHTER AND NEVER SAY DIE. CHARGE RAFA, VAMOS RAFA. GO GO GO RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think its really undue to call rafa serve a total disaster, i mean he has not lost all his serve game, i actually feels that he is serving a lot better from monte carlo. The thing is it’s not just about serve but u need to have good shot selection and tactics to win the games
unfortunately rafa not attack andy 2 nd serves in madrid nor he played more on novak forehand side .. rafa was so close to have 2nd break in 1 st set. This things happens and rafa will definitely look into this.
sometimes we forget to see the goods on the other side of net
for me rafa is playing well and he will from here will just improve
vamos rafa
Novak is got you under his control, only you can undo this . You have beaten him many times,
Please find your game to overcome Djokovic
Wish you all the best
this time i really want rafa to meet nole in quarters or semis
rafa and stan will be the great forces at RG 16 ……
Wish Rafa would consider a new voice on his team ….I’m mot saying to 86 uncle Toni but just to add a new fresh input to address some of his issues he is dealing with.
Rafa is a very loyal, humble person And I know he will feel Like he is Betraying his uncle but just look how it has help other players!! I think his uncle should insist on it…he would help with the decision. Novak is not a bad person. He has admitted that Rafa has made him the player he is today… He has only good things to say about Rafa and he deserves to be winning…With that being said I’m a diehard Rafa fan and when he is playing it is Rafa who I want to win.. He makes me happy when he wins and sad when he loses. In fact tennis without him is no tennis for me…I would love to see him win his 10th RG, however if he doesn’t his name is on the list nine times and surely not even Novack or Roger will ever be able to match that. Should Rafa decide to retire tomorrow he has had a very illustrious, historical career and we should all be proud of the campion that he is! VAMOS RAFA …Go show your stuff at RG…love love love you!
Well said, Souix. Well said.
You’re right. And it’s not just about numbers of trophies. His place in history is secure – he’s given us too many great moments and improved the popularity of tennis immeasurably. If it wasn’t for injuries at his peak, he’s have a few more trophies in the bag I’m sure. …and he’s still fighting!
Rafa rest up and train on those different techniques and ideas,
Love to be at Roland Garros,
Alaine love and prayers, on my birthday todayXX
Many happy returns of the day, Elaine! Lomg life and prosperity!!! Hip, hip, hip, Hurrah!!!!!!!!
Now, where is my champagne???
Enough oily gbegiri , oduduwa, Amala, ewedu and all the other mumbo jumbo. You Nigerians need to stop insulting each other. Try to act civilized.
The same goes for all the Rafa haters. I’ve never been on a fan site but I never imagined it would be like this one especially for such a loved athlete.
ALLEZ RAFA EL MUNDO TE QUIERRE
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……………………………
I’m a proud civilised Nigerian. Thank you
Keep the advise to your self.
Lets focus on Nadal. Thanks
P.S Are you sure you are American? You write better Spanish than English
That Margo Bitch nothing but a fcking retarded RACIST BITCH!!!! She was previously warned about her comments by the site admin – she should not be allowed to spew her racist shitt here!!!!
Very tough loss.
People will say it’s Rafa ‘s fault but i just think it’s still Toni’s fault. He ran out of game plan. Look at how Djokovic “toy” Rafa with his combo drop shot + lob overhead. Rafa is running running until burn out in last couple of games in the first set and eventually got broken back.
He needs another professional with a better game plan against Djokovic! Not just upgrading the racquet. I see how frustating Rafa is when hitting that topspin cross court forehand which works for everyone but Djokovic. Djoker ‘s backhand isn’t afraid of high bouncy ball at all.
It’s time to change Rafa although i think it’s kinda late. It’s hard to find somebody to stop Djokovic in FO now.
Despair not and have faith. Rafa may surprise you.
RAFA IL VA GAGNER
God bless u the great sir
Uncle Toni has never had a game plan. He’s a weird man with huge ego.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuh, …..don’t rule out Rafa for the FO title please. He is still as dangerous as ever!
Have you read my very professional SWOT analysis on Djokovic below? Please read it. My only fear is the strong likelihood of an early encounter btw Rafa and Novak/Andy because a major weakness of Rafa is that he is very slow to Peak.
Djokovic & his team has since 2013 done a psychological and physiological evaluation of Rafa and are seriously now capitalising on it. Hence, Djokovic knows exactly what to do to always beat Rafa,
However, I’m consoled by their recent 7-5, 7-6 close encounter which shows that Rafa is closing up the gap real fast. But would Rafa have peaked enough to beat Djokovic when they meet in the 4th round or quarters of the FO?
That is the big question that even Google cannot answer.
I don’t know dude. That’s unlikely gonna happen. Rafa is going to be 30 soon and i hate to say it but unless he found a way to beat Djoker’s bachkhand , Rafa just can’t beat him.
The way Rafa beat Novak in 2013 is mixing with the shots. He used his down the line shots very often with low errors. That’s the way Rafa surprised Novak and made him run. But if you notice that after that win in US Open 2013, Rafa failed to do that. He kept hitting cross court against Djoker and that won’t damage him much. Djoker defeated Rafa easily in Shanghai and London in that year and i would say Rafa had his best season since 2010.
Even though Rafa lost recently i am still a little bit happy that whenever Rafa uses his down the line shots often, he can still DAMAGE Novak. That means Novak IS NOT THE BEST, IT IS A WEAK ERA that makes him world number 1 for that long. But this time Rafa did it with more errors. 23 winners against Novak is something really good but 31 unforced errors shows that Rafa is aged. He just coudn’t maintain his consistency. You can see how difficult that Rafa couldn’t hold his last game despite having early break. So unless, Toni has a better game plan or Rafa eventually adding a real professional to his team, it’s very difficult to see Rafa beat Novak again especially at this stage of his career.
submission to the core. happy to be bean over and over again by that ugly long face. Rafa a lost cause.
god bless u the great sir
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………………..
I didn’t watch any tennis today but i gather its an andy v novak final. The only time i have ever supported andy was in the last olympics hoping he wld get us a gold which he did. But i am sure going to be supporting him tomorrow and hoping he rips the heart out of novak. I remember watcing a post match press conference that novak did a couple of years ago after he and rafa played. The arrogant and bad mannered bum cldnt even bring himself to say rafas name at any stage, referring to rafa as ‘him, he and his’. Rude man. Whereas rafa in his press conference just happened to recall who he had just been playing and was nothing but respectful. Who cares that novak is no. 1
That’s why Rafa is so loved. He’s so respectful of all.
As a child my mom taught me that I didn’t have to like everybody but that I must be respectful. As an adult, her words ring so true.
ALLEZ RAFFA
then how to explain that you are such a fcking disgusting RACIST and BIGOT you freakin doucebag!!!!!
you think you’re an adult???? You write and behave like a 6-year old RETARD!!!!!!
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………………………..