Transcript of Rafael Nadal’s presser after the Federer match.
Q. Congratulations on your win, and I would like to know, how do you feel after the game and if you’re ready to give it another try?
RAFAEL NADAL: I lost, by the way.
Q. Yeah, I know, but it’s a win anyway.
RAFAEL NADAL: Um, good. I think I have been playing well during the whole event. Was a positive tournament for me obviously. A lot of points, a lot of confidence for the most important part of the season for me that’s just in two weeks.
So I hope to have a good two weeks of practice now at home and be ready for the clay. That’s my goal now.
Q. You’re both in the midst of great comebacks from injuries. Tell us what is different about Roger than maybe two years ago. Is his backhand better to your side? Is his inside out forehand creating a problem for you and your forehand? Is this a little difference in the last few years?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, he’s playing good, no? That’s all. He’s playing good and with high confidence. When a top player like him is playing with this high confidence and playing that good then it’s tough to win.
Today was a close match in my opinion. Was 6-3, 6-4, but I had opportunities to have the break before him on the first set. I don’t believe in luck, but I was not very lucky in the first set in a couple of points that I think I played well and I lost in the break points, and that’s it.
Then he has the break and you are in trouble.
In the second I had 30-All, second serve in the 4-All. I missed that point, and then 30-All, net for him, and go in.
Few things decided the point, the decided the match, and today was for him. For me was a much closer result than — much closer level today than what the result says, and completely different than last week.
Q. (No microphone.)
RAFAEL NADAL: I think that I was close. I think I was close enough to win the first set. Was not the day. Is true that when somebody is coming with that dynamic like him that he’s winning an a lot, I know that feeling, all the things are going to your way, no?
So that’s what happened today, because in the first set I think anything could happen. Then in the second was close. The same, one break and that’s it. That’s all. It’s easy to see that match was a close match. In my opinion anything could happen and was in his way, so well done for him.
Q. You’ve had a complicated road back for a while.
RAFAEL NADAL: Sorry?
Q. You’ve had a complicated road returning for some time now, difficult time coming back for some time now. You’re playing well, but is there anything you feel is still missing from your game keeping you from where you need to be, and what would it be?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I think I am close to what I need to be. I am at a very high level of tennis and I believe I am ready to win titles. I already played three finals this year, losing three times with a player that didn’t lose a match – only one match that he never would lose in normal conditions in Dubai and that’s it.
I’m playing enough well to fight for everything I think. I have good hopes that I going to be ready for Monte-Carlo. Always when I am playing that well, on clay always helps a little bit more for me. I need to work hard to be ready for that. If I am ready for that, I think I am very excited about playing back on clay again.
Q. Rafa, congratulations on your run in Miami. You had a great run. Simply in your own words — you faced Roger 37 times over the course of your career now. Could you just explain in your own words, when it comes to a great rivalry, what goes into that? What makes a rivalry great in sports?
RAFAEL NADAL: When you play that many times, that’s the first thing. Then when you are No. 1 and No. 2 of the world for a long time and you play so many times in big stages, that makes the rivalry, no.
So that’s it.
Q. Who do you think would be your major rival to win the French Open?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I didn’t play on clay for one year. I don’t know if I am a candidate yet to winning the French Open. Remain four tournaments before the French Open. Let’s see what’s happening in those four tournaments.
Then in the French Open we’ll see who’s the player who won more matches before and then we’ll see.
No, I don’t think about the French Open now. I think about rest a little bit, have fun a little bit in Mallorca – happy to be back home after one month and a half – and then start working hard on clay. That’s my goal now, not the French Open.
My goal is feel myself ready to play on clay again, and I know if I have good preparation and I have healthy transition to the clay and I find my rhythm on clay, I know I can be one of those candidates.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
Mjus, Well said! So true! Rafa should stop praising Roger so much and putting him on a pedestal as so many other players and commentators do, as it gets a bit tiring. Roger doesn’t do the same about Rafa or any other player. When Roger loses he always finds excuses and hardly ever praises his opponent. Rafa needs to remember all those years he owned Roger and go for his shots with conviction and confidence. After all, Roger has spent a long time figuring out how to beat Rafa and his strategy has paid off. It about time the table was turned again and I think that it will happen on clay. Rafa needs to exert his authority on clay and send a clear message to ALL the players that it’s his kingdom and he is not ready to relinquish the crown just yet! 😀😀😀
Never give up Rafa. Be confident and come forward to clay court season with passion and conviction to be aggressive and win with full force. Love you so much and hope you will take home all the trophies for clay. Go Go Go Vamos!
Forgot to say. … Vamos Rafa, Vamos Rafa my son. Love from your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂⏳👑🎈🎈😀😊😇
Congratulations Rafa my son. Congrats to Roger also … but I wish my Rafa had won. You played like a champ n lost like a champ. Have a good break n enjoy yourself. I am praying for you my son. God bless you. Love from your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂 ⏳👑 🎈🎈😀😊😇
Jean,
Excellent points why is moya not seeing this.I never payed attention to these points before. Maybe you can mail them to carlos hahahahah.
OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Love hearing your fantastic realistic take on your high level competitive edge and great TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) YES you are a winner and you are ready to win titles and I trust 100% that it is coming your precious way dear Rafa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
In all 3 matches you played princess r you were right there ready to take him on closed eyes….and IN ALL YOUR HARD COURT MATCHES YOU HAD PLENTY OF FRUITFUL BREAK POINTS…..YOU WON THE BREAK POINTS and MADE IT TO FINALS………………..SO CONGRATULATIONS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) KEEP GOING…..: ) : ): )
When you have break points throughout those matches, you earn plenty of those because of your fantastic Tennis, SO IN THE FUTURE, SIMPLY WHEN YOU HAVE A BREAK POINT, FEEL EXTRA MOTIVATED with your passion with ” I CAN DO THIS” words, trusting you have the upper momentum, and YOU WILL CLOSE IN AND KEEP THE BREAK. YOU HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL TENNIS we all cherish, and that is why you get BREAK POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVED YOUR SERVE GAMES AND MOUNTING ACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CI……CI……CI…..SENIOR……I agree with you so much dear Rafa, you have what it takes to continue with your blessed stride winning Titles. YOU HAD A FANTASTIC HARD COURT SEASON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL YOUR AMAZING SHARP VICTORIES and YOUR BRILLIANT SOLID TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU ARE FIT & STRONG AND BRILLIANTLY TALENTED & IT IS YOUR HARD WORK & EFFORTS THAT GO HAND IN HAND WITH YOUR LOVE FOR TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) LOVED everything about your strong and powerful and competitive TENNIS. So ci…..ci…..ci…..ci….. next time sweetheart you earn a break point, KNOW YOU EARNED IT AND DESERVE IT AND MOVE ON……IT WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF……………KEEP KNOWING YOUR OWN NEXT POINT IS WELL EARNED and KEEP THAT FREE RAFA PASSION FLOATING ….. and your own encouraging words will carry you through fruitful break points.
As your fans, we are delighted for you dear Rafa and knowing you have EVERYTHING YOU BUILT ON to earn fun matches!!!!!!l!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Sending lots of love and happiness and VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
WOW Fan love, you went all out on this one. Good going!
RAFA ROCKS
Maybe Rafa is still evolving. I can only leave it up to him.
RAFA ROCKS
Always with you. Vamos Rafa <3
This situation is frustrating enough without a confused reporter. Rafael has such patience🤔Keep fighting and solve this problem👍👊🏆
I am a die hard fan of RAFA!! , i feel he needs to flatten his shots not to fly too much that causing other players able to hit backhand faster than him . I feel he need to change his forehand shots flatter and sharper not fly over the net . I still feel RAFA needs to change and adapt to new era of tennis . I feel other players able to study his way of play which is easy to play against him. needs to creative approach . I feel he needs to go out of his comfort zone starts from Coaching aspects .
you know what lets see how the claycourt season will go. Rafa is telling us that clay season is very important. I would be very suprised if he dominates the clay court season or if he wins roland garros
Team Rafa need to find a solution, to Federer problems, I’m a die hard fan of Rafa, I can’t understand, how Rafa it’s been beaten, by Federer , so many years later… everybody had evolved, but, Rafael Nadal??? What a shame!!!
Why shame? So you expect Rafa will never lose?
Fed was playing well all along, if not how would he beat Djoko during 2014-2015 when everyone else couldn’t? Also, Fed had his long six months break to rest and to work on his game; whilst Rafa only had about two months to heal his wrist last season so he didn’t have as much time to work on his game. When Rafa had his six months injury break in 2012, he too came back to dominate the tour in 2013!
On HCs Fed’s H2H with Rafa was close so now Fed beating Rafa on HCs aren’t something unimaginable. Also, that AO match was very close and could go either way.
Rafa has never dominated Fed on the HCs, save for 2013 when Fed was having his slump( Rafa was 3-0 vs Fed on HCs that year) whilst Fed did dominate Rafa on HCs during Rafa’s early career (and esp on indoor HCs where Fed was 5-1 vs Rafa now).
Fed is playing at a very high level now whilst Rafa is not, though Rafa is playing well by his standard. HC is not Rafa’s forte ( it’s both Fed’s and Djoko’s).
Rafa will do well on clay, whilst Fed won’t and so Fed chooses to skip all the events on clay except the FO. See, they have surfaces where they can do well and where they don’t.
Rafa will beat Fed again after Rafa gets his titles on clay esp at the FO, for winning gives one confidence to play even better going forward (Rafa says as much).
luckystar,
i am a nadal supporter since 2007 but a very critical one. I am telling it like it is.
I dont mind him losing a match after all he is human but i dont like tennis players who are losing matches but not learning from it and not being upset about it at all
I was very dissapointed about that loss on sunday in miami mainly because i think nadal is the goat. Yeah better then federer and you know why because nadal won his grandslam titles when he had the most competition more then federer.
So i dont understand why nadal is not claiming for himself that he is the greatest player of all time. He keeps giving that title to federer and keeps praising federer. I wonder if roger thinks that the same about rafa
I as a supporter was very tough on him after that loss on sunday but now i am putting things more into perspective.
Although he lost sunday. Rafa has i think the best pre hardcourtseason in a long time. I cant remember him reaching three hardcourtfinals before clay court season. He is not losing anymore to lower players. Three loses against a player wo is founding himself on a cloud right now. One loss against raonic in brisbane and loss against querry in acapulco. The last one was unexpected.
So from that perspective nadal can be very happy about the season so far. Now the clay court season is coming up. If he starts winning titles again on clay and wins the french open by suprise we are going to have a great remaining season
If i were carlos moya i will try to convince nadal that he cant win titleIs anymore if he doesnt play inside the court and takes the ball early. And that means we have to adapt your forehand and backhand.
But moreover nadal needs to take a good look at all the trophies he won and also the players he has beaten over the years watch the tapes back and say to himself in the mirror: MY NAME IS RAFAEL NADAL THE GREATEST TENNIS PLAYER OF ALL TIME. And repeat that a couple of times everyday. By saying that he will get more selfconfidence and more believe in himself. He doesnt believe he is the greatest player of all time
I’m very surprised that Rafa’s coaching staff can’t see why he is losing and he will continue to lose unless he makes technical changes to his game:
1. When he receives a shot cross court on the forehand he always returns cross court back, never down the line. Federer hardly moves, he just stands and waits for the ball and hits inside out forehand winners.
2. He will have to flatten out his ground strokes. The excessive top spin is not working anymore. The ball sits up for all players who now takes every shot early.
3. Rafa will have to play more aggressive and go for more winners. His game is too defensive.
4. He receives the serve too far behind the baseline. Even if he makes the return he is too far back to get into the point against someone who takes the shots early.
5. He needs to improve the variation on and flatten out his serve.
6. His footwork after serving is very slow and he is getting caught on the service line because they are taking the ball earlier now.
Thank you lucky star!!! For this clarification!!! Everything you said it really does make a lot of sense… many times we ( the fan base) are very hard with our heros!!! Thank again!!!
The result doesn’t say how the match really was, Rafa had the opportunity to win the first set but he paid badly a couple of silly mistakes
I do agree 100/00 you MJUS, Jean and Luckystar!!! Hopefully this year Rafael Nadal, ( and his team) will find the solution, to the problems, that had been, stopping Rafa on been heself!!!
I do agree, with lucky star, mjus and jean, 100/00!!! You guys are right !!! I was so down for Rafa’s lost in Sunday, I was about to give up on Rafa ‘s game!!! Thank you all, for make believe again!!!