Madrid Open 2017: Pre-tournament interview with Rafael Nadal [VIDEO]

Rafael Nadal talks about why he loves playing in front of his Spanish fans at the Mutua Madrid Open.

Rafael Nadal has asked to begin his participation in the Madrid Open a day later than planned due to an ear infection, meaning he will face Italian Fabio Fognini on Wednesday.

Rafa’s preparation for the tournament in the Spanish capital has been interrupted by the infection.

On Friday I woke up at three in the morning with pain, a discomfort I had never felt before.

I went to the doctor and he told me I had an ear infection. It’s nothing important but it is bothering me, it has caused me headaches and I’ve been feeling dizzy.

Today I felt better and was able to train well for two hours. My aim and the tournament’s was to start on Tuesday but after this it’s better to wait a day and start on Wednesday.

Source: Reuters

 

19 comments

  1. I believe Rafa will win both Madrid and Roland Garros. I think Rafa is back at his best once again. With Novak and Andy both struggling the only one to watch is Roger for the rest of the season. Finger crossed no more injury to Rafa. All the best Rafa.

    Go Rafa!!!!! Just do it!!

    Syed from Australia

  2. Wishing my FAVORITE player IN THE entire World GREAT WISHES TO PLAY Today you never DISAPPOINT ME. yes yes yes TO BEAT all THE PLAYERS IN YOUR CITY IN Spain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAVE ALL THE TOOLS TO win this championship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yOUR DEVOTED FAN FROM U S A buffy

  3. Sorry everyone, I want to answer Margo here because the reply option in the other thread is overloaded already.

    Margo
    Rainier, @DavidLawTennis has suggested the following possible hirees:

    Agassi
    Sampras
    Kuerten
    Safin
    Wilander
    Navratilova
    No-one

    Maybe.

    RAFA ROCKS

    MAY 9, 2017 AT 9:04 AM

    @Margo: They got it wrong with Safin and Kuerten. Samprass also very less likely as he’s repeatedly said that he’s not into coaching. The same with Borg (though not listed here).

    Novak hinted that he would hire a coach that has “been there, done that”, someone that played at a level similar to his and so on. In short it must be an All Time Great and right now everyone’s having an eye on Agassi as many think their game are very similar, which is simply not true:
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/05/08/andre-agassi-could-new-supercoach-reignite-novak-djokovic/

    But atm I think it’s just speculation. No evidence or direct response from Agassi whatsoever. It could happen very fast, Djokovic’s hiring a new coach, or it could take several months. I think if he had “fired” Pepe too the progress would be much faster. Now it’s likelt everyone must go through Pepe (“indirectly” and probably his brother as well).

    • Thanks for your thorough reply.

      Pepe and his brother; what a minefield.
      Yes, too early to say who he will settle upon so speculation will be the topic of media attention.

      I’m also thinking of the chemistry between Nole and a new coach; a very important factor to be considered. Egos?

      RAFA ROCKS

  4. OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SWEET Congratulations on your beautiful honor of having a Barcelona Center Court named after you….BRILLIANT!!!!!!! : ) THE RAFA NADAL COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) MASSIVE Congratulations on winning your beautiful 10th Barcelona Title!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) and once again HEARTFELT Congratulations on winning your beautiful 10th MONTE CARLO Title!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ci…ci….ci…Senior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) We watched every point of every match you played and we are so incredibly delighted for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) I love how you finish match point with ACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) and of course ANY winning match point is good and we are very happy for you sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS for all your classy solid Tennis and have lots & lots of fun playing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) It will be a great match for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Lots of love & happiness to you and THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Enjoy everything & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )

  5. Wishing you a win, win, win 🎾🎾🎾🎾against Fognini, Rafa. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

    RAFA ROCKS

  6. Yes Rafa, I know the feeling. There’s no place like home.

    GOOD LUCK AT THE MM OPEN

    RAFA ROCKS

  7. Rafa my boy if the ear infection is not completely eradicated, then pull out of the Madrid Open. If the middle ear is affected, then this throws your balance off, as your medical team would probably have told you, This also causes dizziness, nausea n vertigo! It upsets your balance! I went thru it a couple of years ago after a concussion caused by a fall. If you are not 100%, then pull out Rafa. Don’t chance breaking that winning streak. I am praying for you. God bless you. Vamos Rafa. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂⏳👑😊😇😀

  8. Not to worry, Rafa!! We’ll be watching and rooting for you, AS USUAL!!!! JUST MAKE SURE YOUR EAR will NOT be a problem, so that you’re free to play as you always do—-with passion and accuracy!!!!

  9. Your health is always first. I think that extra day will help. Lots of fluids and rest in between. I will be watching as always. Lots of love and Best wishes for the tournament. 😘❤️

  10. Rafa said in an interview today that he’s feeling better than yesterday, was able to practise for two hours and still trying to adapt to the conditions at Madrid, which were very different from MC and Barcelona.

    Kyrgios has just won his first round match against Baghdatis even though he’s having a hip pain and couldn’t rally for good. Hope he’ll recover soon but if he continues to serve *that* well, it will be a problem for the rest of the tour, Rafa included.

    Novak’s team now are Pepe and his brother. He was practising at Pepe’s academy before heading to Madrid.

    So far Rafa has practised with at least Dimitrov and Thiem. A bit with some of the kids from his academy together with Novak yesterday, which is nice to see. 🙂

    https://s6.postimg.org/s7udl8kw1/C_OR4lt_Xs_AAVa_KY.jpg

    Hope Rafa isn’t worried too much about his ear and will recover soon…

  11. Rafa loves being in the water – he should always wear ear plugs when swimming and for other water sports!

  12. Sure don’t want Rafa playing with an ear infection! Have to be 100% to win each round, so good idea to start a day later hope all is well by then

  13. Rafa play or withdraw , whatever you decide your fans won’t mind , just makes sure you are in tip top condition for The French Open

  14. J espère que rafa va très vite se remettre de cette otite 😉ce serait trop dommage que cela le désavantage sur les courts

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