Rafael Nadal speaks to the media after his win over Alex De Minaur.
Q. It was your first match against Alex. How do you think you performed today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Good. I think he’s very energetic player, very quick. I think he likes to play in this surface. His style of game probably works well for this surface in the future.
Q. It means you’re guaranteed to be No. 1 still when the new rankings come out on Monday afterwards. What will that mean to you? Will it mean nothing if you’re not Wimbledon champion again?
RAFAEL NADAL: Of course, I prefer to be No. 1 than No. 2, no doubt about this. I really don’t came here to hold No. 1. I just came here to try to do the best tournament possible.
Of course, is very positive to be already in the second week, winning three matches. That’s it. Just happy the way that I played during the first week. Three matches, every match have been more and more positive. I am playing well. Good start. Second match I played so well. Today, again, I played a good match.
Very happy for that and looking forward to keep playing well.
Q. Alex is a young, up-and-coming player. Can you remember what your mindset and emotions were like when you were a teenager facing the big players on the biggest courts in the game?
RAFAEL NADAL: How old is him?
Q. He’s 19.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, he’s young, no? Always there is a positive feelings you go on court with, not much to lose. It is true that with me with 19, I was lot of things to lose already. But I can compare when I was 16 or 17.
You go on court with a lot of energy, nothing to lose. All the things are positive. If you win two matches, great; if you win three, unbelievable; if you lose, it’s okay, you have another week coming. So is a different way to see the sport when you are that young.
Q. It’s been pretty warm this year. How is the court playing? How is that affecting the quality of your tennis?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, my tennis is not affected much. I prefer these kind of conditions because the life is happier with the sun there than when is raining all the day.
But the rest of the things… Of course, when it’s warmer, the conditions changes than when is colder. But that’s the same here than in any surface.
Q. What did it mean to you 10 years ago to reach No. 1? How is it different now?
RAFAEL NADAL: Of course, as I said couple of times, 2008 was a very important moment for me when I achieved the world No. 1 for the first time in my career because in some way I felt that I deserved. I don’t like this word ‘deserved’ because the sport, you are or you are not. The sport, you don’t deserve, no?
In some way I felt that I was playing so well for already three years, being there, having great results without being No. 1. Some way I believe that was good. I did the things good enough to be there at least once, no? Was an important moment for me.
Today is a different story. Is not my biggest goal, to be No. 1. Of course, as I said hundreds of times, I prefer to be No. 1 than No. 5. The most important thing for me is be healthy, be happy playing tennis. Both things are very close.
Q. Given all that you’ve been through, to achieve it again now at this age, what importance does it have? What do you think it signifies?
RAFAEL NADAL: For me is great to have all this great experience again, playing so well later in my career, having a great year last year, having a good year this year. Of course, the beginning of the year have been very tough for me with injuries.
All these problems that I am going through during my career, at the same time makes me enjoy more the good moments that I am having. Just happy for all the things. Just can say thanks to all the people that helps me in life, for all these possibilities.
Q. There’s been a few shocks in the women’s draw this week, a lot of the seeds are gone, a few in the men’s, Cilic being the biggest one. What is it about Wimbledon that makes everyone play their game and raise their level?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, it is not that everyone raise the level. It’s about the surface is a tricky surface because we don’t play very often on this surface. All the matches are dangerous. The match is decides in just a few balls is a big difference between clay and here, for example.
In clay, you have time. Here, you don’t have time, for example. Probably here, if you don’t have a big, big serve, you can’t feel yourself safe enough.
Q. In that third set, did you feel any change in the atmosphere at Centre Court as the England-Sweden match drew near, prompting some people to leave, others to become somewhat distracted with their devices?
RAFAEL NADAL: I know England is playing at 3, but I don’t see the people distracted. That, of course, don’t bother me at all.
Q. Can I ask about the tradition of having the athletes in the Royal Box. Do you like that? Was there anybody in particular you were happy to see in there today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Of course, is a great honor playing in front of these great people, great athletes, no? We talk the same language. Is great to have all these people close to the court. Is a great feeling.
I was able to shake hands after the match with couple of them, with Sergio, with Tommy Fleetwood, a couple of more. Yeah, was a great feeling. Is a good tradition here.
Q. Sir Bobby Charlton stayed till the end of your match instead of going off to watch the football. Is that a bit of a compliment to how well you were playing?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sorry?
Q. Sir Bobby Charlton stayed to watch the end of your match rather than going off to find the football. A great England player.
RAFAEL NADAL: That’s great.
Q. Is that a great compliment to how you were playing?
RAFAEL NADAL: Of course. That’s a great feelings. I saw him on TV before I went on court. Just can say thanks to him for respect our sport that much.
Q. I spoke to a former Wimbledon champion in doubles today. He thought you and Roger Federer would make a great doubles team. You played in the Laver Cup. Do you think it could actually happen in an actual ATP tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: You never know. You can’t say never. Is true that our calendars are not easy. Probably something that will be nice if happened six years ago, seven years ago, that we were younger. Today’s a little bit more difficult.
But why not? He is able to do it, I am able to do it.
Q. The way the draw is scheduled, you and Roger are scheduled to meet in the final. It’s a match everyone would love.
RAFAEL NADAL: Repeat the beginning.
Q. The draw, you and Roger, scheduled to meet in the final if you go through. Is that a match you would like to happen again?
RAFAEL NADAL: If I am in the final, I prefer to face an easier opponent. I am not stupid (smiling).
But if I am in the final, will be great news. Any opponent will be difficult, of course.
Vamos Rafa! You can do it.After your yesterday’ s Ace services and Net game I am sure you will repeat 2008 result.All the best for good health and performance through out this week.
I’m not reading too much into Rafa’s response about Roger. The bottom line is that Rafa is hungry to win his third Wimbledon no matter who he faces.
Am concerned abt Rafa’s response to the question abt meeting RF in the final. In those days (2005 onwards), he coudn’t wait to play RF. Now he almost sounded resigned to losing.
Don’t know if I’m reading too much into this. I think his run of losses to RF last year has knocked his belief that he can beat RF on hard or grass courts. He shd remember that despite those losses, he still leads their head to head very handsomely.
Of course Rafa was a young gun then, ready to take on the world, and age and injuries are now in the picture, but I wish he didn’t always sound in awe of RF. Uncle Toni is always banging on abt RF being the GOAT, and Rafa, being the humble guy he is, seems to agree.
Rafa did it in 2008. He can do it this year, if he believes it.A
Is the above a “comment” or what? Jean Palmer Winnipeg MB
As always, sensible honest and well measured responses from Rafa. A trrue professional and a real gentleman.
That’s on the vesely match ?
Great confidence on court and in handling press conference.💪👍👏even though you are thirsty! and ready to relax. All the best in next match🍀❤️
Vamos Rafa <3
Rafa your interviews are always so generous and hospitable.
lLl the best for tomorrow’s match,
love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Last easy match for Rafa is the 4th round. QF=Delpo, SF=Chokovic, F=Federer. If anyone can do this, it’s Rafa!!! Vamos!!!!!!’
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I SAW THE HIGHLIGHTS AND YOU WERE MAGICAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE GENIUS ON GRASS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) SIMPLY PUT THE ULTIMATE GOAT ON ALL SURFACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR ABILITY, AND MOVEMENT AND SERVE AND RETURNS ARE ALL SUITABLE TO GRASS JUST RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) I LOVED HEARING THE QUICK & DEEP PAACK SOUND OF YOUR RETURNS!!! : ) JUST RIGHT HITTING THE MIDDLE OF YOUR RACKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR SERVE WAS BEAUTIFUL……..EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR TENNIS ON ALL SURFACES IS MIGHTY ADMIRABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE BRILLIANT IN SKILL……. EXTRAORDINARY IN YOUR QUICKNESS…… AND FEISTY AND CHEEKY IN YOUR FINE COVERAGE OF THE COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) AMAZING TO ENJOY YOUR ONE AFTER THE OTHER BRILLIANT RETURNS….AGGRESSIVE FH…..SLICING BH…….CROSS COURT IMMEDIATE WINNERS………..STRAIGHT DOWN THE LINE FABULOUS SHORTCUTS……….THESE RETURNS MAKE MY HEART DELIGHT WITH SMILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ): 😉 : ): ): ) : ) RAFA SWEETHEART, YOU ARE ONE BUNDLE OF JOY FOR US TENNIS FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) AND ONE MORE THING…….LOVE YOUR PRECIOUS FOCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SO FULL OF INTENTION………SO WHOLESOME……….SO BEAUTIFUL…………CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON YOUR FEISTY, SPEEDY, IMPRESSIVE VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING THE ENTIRE MATCH ON REPLAY TOMORROW AFTERNOON & AM SO VERY EXCITED FOR YOU JUST LOOKING AT THE HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CI……..CI…….CI……..SENIOR CHAMP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE GROOVING AND SLIDING AND REACHING AND NETTING AND ALL DONE SO GRACEFULLY WITH SUCH FLOW & ENERGY AND CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) WE LOVE YOU DEAR RAFA NADAL AND VERY VERY HAPPY FOR YOU SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE ONE GENIUS SPORTSMAN AND GIFTED BEYOND WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE HOW BLESSED YOU ARE WITH YOUR TALENT AND ABILITY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) EVERYTHING IS SO BEAUTIFUL….. AND ON TOP OF ALL THAT, YOUR INTERVIEWS ARE SO GENUINE AND BRIGHT & ALWAYS WELCOMINGLY KIND TO ALL THE ASKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GOD BLESS YOU SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) MUCHAS GRACIAS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ENJOY CELEBRATING YOUR SOLID GRASS COMMAND AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN CELEBRATING WITH YOUR LOYAL BELOVED FAMILY AND THE TEAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) ; ) : ) : ) AND AS YOU DO THAT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY WITH YOU AND ENJOY YOUR PRECIOUS MAGICAL COURT PRESENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI……..WI………WI……..KEEP SMILING …….. YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL AND THESE HIGHLIGHTS ARE SO SPECIAL AS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) TAKE GREAT PRIDE FOR ALL YOUR GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE ENTIRE MATCH TOMORROW….: ) HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, SWEET DREAMS AND A BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SENDING LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
AND BY THE WAY, YOU LOOK SO SHARP & HANDSOME & GORGEOUS OUT ON THE COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR TANNED BODY LOOKS JUST RIGHT!!!! : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING SWEETHEART & KEEP SMILING! : ) XOXOXOXOX