August 8, 2007
Rafael Nadal
MONTREAL, QUEBEC
THE MODERATOR: First question for Rafa, please.
Q. How was it to play Marat for the first time?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, was tough, no? I start playing very well in the beginning and, yeah, I have some mistakes, and he start to play more aggressive. So, yes, is special feeling, no?
Marat is, well, very aggressive play. He can do always everything. And, well, you are all the match with tension, no, because if he's playing good, is impossible, no?
Q. What were you thinking when it was hard for you to break in the first set? Did you think you might lose the match?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I wasn't thinking lose the match, no. I just think about the moment and every point, no? If I lose the first set, the match will be complicate, no?
But, well, the match is long and I fight for sure for every point, no? But, well, he has two set points, so was very close first set.
Q. Did you have a particular strategy? Marat seemed to think you were waiting for him to make mistakes rather than going for shots.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I worried about me today, no? First round is difficult have special tactic. I just think about me, think about try to play as good as possible because, yes, you never know what's going on.
Is the first round. Is the first match on hard after long time without playing on grass and on clay. Is difficult play well, no? Just try to play good, no?
Q. How comfortable are you playing in Montréal?
RAFAEL NADAL: Right now I have seven match in a row without losing here, so good, no (smiling)?
2005, I play very well, very good tournament - all matches. Today is difficult play very good because Marat is touching the ball with unbelievable power every time, no? But I am there, I fight. In the end I can win, no?
Yes, I know I have to improve something for tomorrow. I have to improve the serve. I have to improve play little bit more aggressive with the forehand. And that's it, no? I know that's important for try to win tomorrow. I'm going to work on that tomorrow morning.
Q. How many players have you played who hit the ball as hard as Marat does?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, today a lot of players hit the ball very hard, no? But like Marat, not much.
Q. What are you thinking when Marat throws his racquet?
RAFAEL NADAL: Nothing.
Q. Happy?
RAFAEL NADAL: Happy, me?
Q. He's getting frustrated.
RAFAEL NADAL: No feelings, no.
Q. Doesn't bother you?
RAFAEL NADAL: No.
Q. Are you comfortable with the surface, because you seem to slide a little bit?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, is normal hard surface. Is fast, is one of the fastest courts in the tour. But I prefer little bit faster. Is fine.
Q. Did you try playing more on his forehand or his backhand?
RAFAEL NADAL: If I try to play?
Q. Did you try more to his forehand or his backhand?
RAFAEL NADAL: Against Safin?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I change. All depends of the point because Marat -- I explain. If I can, I change to the forehand. Was good, because is important shot for me, no? But if not, I just try to play as long as possible to the backhand.
If I play short, I know Marat, he kill me, no? He has all shots: the cross, down the line.
Q. We asked you about Safin throwing his racquet. When was the last time you threw your racquet?
RAFAEL NADAL: Never, no? I never put the racquet. Well, today I put the racquet one time there like this, but not for angry. I wasn't angry, no? I it was just very nice point. I never put the racquet on the floor, no.
Q. Do you think you can make it to No. 1?
RAFAEL NADAL: If I going to be the No. 1? You never know, no? You never know, especially if Federer is the No. 1. If Federer is continuing play like this, going to be not soon.
Well, this year I am No. 1 in the race. I have some different points. I gonna be the No. 1 for one more week because I have (speaking in Spanish.)
THE INTERPRETER: He's got enough points to continue to be the race leader at least one more week, but he doesn't have enough points to continue to be the leader. He knows that Roger is the favorite till the end of the year because this is his favorite surface.
RAFAEL NADAL: So I am with calm. I just try to play my best, continue improving my game, no? I am young. Try to work every day for if I have the chance any day.
THE INTERPRETER: To take the opportunity, to take the chance.
End of FastScripts
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August 9, 2007
R. NADAL/P. Mathieu
3‑6, 6‑3, 6‑2
RAFAEL NADAL
Q. Take a little longer than you should it should?
RAFAEL NADAL: The match?
Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, was tough match. Mathieu is a great player. I know he's coming with good confidence after his comeback against Cañas, beating maybe not easy yesterday against Mario.
So, but today is I wasn't play very well. I play especially in the last games of the first set and the beginning of the second, I play terrible with my forehand, no? Later, I have one nice point with one passing shot after I won the point there. After that, I changed little bit. I started feeling a little bit better the ball ‑ not especially good, but better (smiling).
Well, I can have the break. That's help me win the second set. Was very important. In the third, I have breakout in the first game. The second game was important moment, too. Disappointing for me lose this second game. In the end, I can break him another time. That was the match, no?
So, just I have to improve for tomorrow, it's true. But I finish the match with better feelings than when I start, so that's always important.
Q. Did you feel early in the second set, he had six break points in your first three service games, do you feel like that really turned the match in your favor?
RAFAEL NADAL: Truly was important moment, very important moment. He had some mistakes with the forehand. I have some good serves there, too, one good forehand there.
So, yeah, was very important moment because if he break me in beginning of the second, well, you never know. The match is long. You going to continue in fight. But the confidence for him gonna be very, very important. If he break me, the match was not impossible, but be very tough.
Q. Was it good for you to have a three‑set match to get used to playing on hard courts, to get into the hard court season?
RAFAEL NADAL: Is good, no, have more hours on court, is good for get the rhythm, more rhythm for tomorrow.
The important thing is win because if you win, you have more chances for play good next day, no?
So I know I am not playing my best, but I know I can change tomorrow, for example, no? If I win, I have the practice of tomorrow morning and the match of tomorrow for play better. I think I gonna do.
Q. Are these courts very fast?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, the ball is not getting too much topspin here. The bounce is low. Well, yeah, it's one of the fastest of the tour. In hard courts, it's one of the fastest of the tour.
Anyway, I like. I like fast. I prefer a little bit faster than very slow. And, well, I prefer the ball, the bounce, a little bit more higher. I prefer the ball getting more topspin. The ball here is tough.
Q. How does it compare to the courts at the US Open?
RAFAEL NADAL: Not much different, no? I think the difference is the ball. US Open, you play with Wilson. There, the ball is not getting too much topspin, too. Yeah, you have to adapt to the ball, no?
In the tour, maybe is important change that, no? Is not very good have one tournament with one ball, and the next one with another ball because that's tough for the muscles, for the shoulder, and for the feeling, too, for the tennis, no?
But, well, for me, especially the difference is the ball.
Q. Do you find there's a big difference in the two balls?
RAFAEL NADAL: Always is a difference. Well, you know, I don't know if "big difference," but if you play with another one, someone ones is small, heavier. (Speaking in Spanish).
THE INTERPRETER: Faster. I prefer the ones that take the topspin, they're more alive.
RAFAEL NADAL: Depends of the weather, too. If humid, is cold. That's very important, too, no?
Q. What part of your games are you happy in the way you played today and what parts of your game do you feel you need to improve to get a win?
RAFAEL NADAL: I serve a little bit better today than yesterday. I have to continuing well. But I serve a little bit better. The backhand is working, is what my level is doing well. The forehand, I have to improve the forehand a lot for tomorrow.
I have little bit better feeling in the finish, the end of the match, because I can move a little bit more the ball, with more directions. So it's important for the confidence for tomorrow.
But, anyway, that's the point to improve. For the rest, a little bit the movement because before here I have one week off, and after I start to practice but slow, I had problem in the knee. I start to practice slow just with my uncle. So it was slow, because my uncle is not very good player (smiling). But, no, that's it. I need a little bit more days.
But win a match like this help me a lot, for sure.
Q. You were talking about your knee. Is it a hundred percent?
RAFAEL NADAL: Right now, it's hundred percent, but you never know.
Q. You are happy also with the way you served? You had a lot of breakpoints, but you defended them. Are you happy you can get more easy points?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am not totally happy about my serve today. I know a lot of days I serve better than today.
But if you compare yesterday and today, I improve. Always you have to look the positive way. The positive way is I serve better today than yesterday, and I start playing, touching very bad the ball with the forehand, I finished touching better the ball with the forehand.
That's important always, no, because if you start very well and you go down, is terrible.
Q. You must know Verdasco very well.
RAFAEL NADAL: Verdasco is doing well. The last month is playing so much better than the beginning of the season. So he's very tough player. Is one of the most dangerous players on the tour. Serving well, returning very well, unbelievable forehand. Going to be tough ‑ very tough match.
Q. Do you know Dancevic at all in case he comes through?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn't saw him too much play. But I know he has a very good serve, good volley, too. He's aggressive player, very aggressive player. So dangerous.
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R. NADAL/F. Dancevic 4‑6, 6‑2, 6‑3
Q. Your opponent, did he surprise you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, he play, yeah, a very good game, no? He play very aggressive tennis, sure. Well, I know he's playing well, no? He's beating Del Potro, he's beating Verdasco, playing the final in Indianapolis, winning against Roddick in semifinals.
Well, was not a surprise for me. But, sure, was a very, very tough match.
Q. Had to be strange. You usually are a big crowd favorite. Tonight you were the bad guy.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, not 'the bad guy'. That's very good for the tennis. The crowd was unbelievable. Very nice atmosphere. Yeah, supporting him a lot, but with a lot of respect for me, too. I hope tomorrow change and the public, the crowd, support me, no (smiling)?
Anyway, was very, very nice atmosphere. That's very good for the tennis. Very good for Montréal, too.
Q. Where you worried at the end of the first set?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, he's having some shots that not exist, so sure I'm worried because if you lose a first set, you can lose the match. He has one breakpoint in the beginning of the second. Well, sure, I was thinking I can lose this match. But at the same time I just focus on me, continuing fighting, and be there for if I have any chance for try to convert the chance.
Very happy about my victory. Is very important victory for me against very good player.
Q. When the crowd is cheering for your opponent, does that put pressure on you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Not much, no? Always is better have the crowd with you, no? But, well, I understand that's the sport. I'm in Canada right now, it's normal.
Q. It doesn't affect you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe always affect a little bit because you have the crowd with you, you're playing with more confidence. The good moments are better and the worse moments are not worse, no? So that's the difference.
But for the rest, I have a lot of match behind my shoulders in Davis Cup, playing outside, so for me is no problem.
Q. What is your expectation for your match against Djokovic tomorrow?
RAFAEL NADAL: Just try to play my best tennis, no? I know if I play my best tennis, anyway, going to be very tough match because he's playing unbelievable. He's winning against Nalbandian 6‑3, 6‑2, Roddick 7‑6, 6‑4 today. So he's having very good tournament, unbelievable season this year.
I know is the No. 3 in the world, No. 3 right now. Gonna be a very nice match. No. 2 against No. 3. Last time when I play against him on this surface I lost in Miami. Last time when I play against him, I beat him on grass. And on clay I beat him two times, too. It's going to be interesting match, very interesting match.
Q. What's keeping you from playing your best tennis?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I had not bad game today. I was playing a great match. Dancevic play very aggressive game and was very difficult play against him, no? But I'm feeling the ball much better than the first two days.
Probably this tournament was not my best tournament. Was not the tournament when I am playing better, no, on the year. But the true is, I'm coming better every day. Well, I hope tomorrow play better. I think I am prepared for try to play my best tennis tomorrow.
Q. Dancevic said in the second set you broke him. What do you think made the difference for you to get the advantage in the second set?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, important because he's playing with the confidence. Is important have a break soon. You have break soon, the opponent have some doubts and you can continue with good confidence.
August 11, 2007
N. DJOKOVIC/R. Nadal 7‑5, 6‑3
RAFAEL NADAL
Q. Did you expect him to come out so hard right off the bat?
RAFAEL NADAL: Can you repeat, please?
Q. Did you expect Djokovic to come out so hard from the first set?
RAFAEL NADAL: From the baseline?
Q. Did you expect him to be so aggressive?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I tell you yesterday, no? He was playing a very good tournament, very good season. He beat Roddick. Roddick was winning the last tournament last week, so he's coming in with good confidence. And he beat Roddick. He beat Nalbandian. So he's coming with big confidence. He played very, very good match. Very complete match, and he's unbelievable today.
Q. How was your knee today?
RAFAEL NADAL: My?
Q. Your knee?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no problem.
Q. How did you feel about the way you played today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I wasn't play bad, no? I play good tennis, but maybe I have to improve a little bit more. No, I am not disappointed about my game. But I think it's the first week on hard court. Anyway, I played good week, semifinals is a good start of the American season in hard. But I know I have to improve a little bit more for the next weeks.
No, I hope, well, in the week I am coming better every day, and I hope that's continuing to Cincinnati and New York. Well, anyway, Djokovic he's a great player, and I would love to play against him another time next week. Because I hope I have ‑‑ I know I have to improve a little bit more, and he's a nice match for play.
Q. Did you feel you were moving as well as you would like to?
RAFAEL NADAL: What?
Q. Did you feel you were moving as well as you would like to?
RAFAEL NADAL: I need move a little bit better, no? Well, before coming here I have one week off, I have to stop one week for the knee. The next week I just, I tell you before, I just play with my uncle very, very slow. And I need a little bit more rhythm in the movements, no.
But I am getting slowly but, I think every day is coming a little bit better. And I have maybe a few days right now for practice for Cincinnati. And Cincinnati I hope play a few more matches, and that's going to help me a lot me.
Q. I want to ask you a question: I saw you with the Real Madrid team for the last game of the season they won. Your father used to play for Barcelona.
RAFAEL NADAL: My father?
Q. No? That's what I had read somewhere?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, not my father. Was uncle.
Q. Your uncle played for Barcelona. So, how come you're a Real Madrid fan?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, well, my uncle was in Barcelona maybe eight, nine years. While my uncle was in Barcelona, I support him. I support Barcelona. But before Barcelona, my uncle was playing in Mallorca and I am fan to Mallorca and Real Madrid. Before my uncle goes to Barcelona, I'm a fan of Real Madrid. So when my uncle finished with Barcelona, I come back to Real Madrid.
Q. You had some very tough match in the last round, how do you feel physically tonight? You feel fatigue or?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I am fine. The truth is I need a little bit more speed in the movements for have better return the ball, especially when I am running to the forehand. But that's always I can improve always, playing and playing more matches and more practice.
So, that's it. I know that. But the important thing for me is I am feeling better hit the ball. So I feel better hit the ball every day with the forehand. If you compare the match against Mathieu and yesterday, I improve, and today I improve a little bit more so that's always important.
Q. You talked to the referee a couple of times. Do you think it's useful to talk to the referee after he's made his call?
RAFAEL NADAL: Can you repeat, please?
Q. You talked to the referee after he make his call. Do you think it's useful to do that?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't think so (smiling). It doesn't matter, but I have to say. Because if the ball is going like this up over the net, and he's saying, Net, first serve. So I have to say because the shit machine is not working never (laughing). Always using the machine the machine every area it's having lot of mistakes, so ATP has to check that.
Q. So you got a time warning, but Djokovic takes a long time to serve, too. Do you think he should have gotten some?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, not today, no.
Q. You didn't?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, not today.
Q. I was wondering if your new doubles partner, Lleyton Hewitt, has he taught you any Aussie expressions?
RAFAEL NADAL: Not yet, no. I just played with him this week. But anyway, it was a nice experience. Disappointing we have to retire in the second round. We played very tough matches, and I had some with the elbow. I have some trouble the elbow, and he has some problem with the nail on the foot, and we have to retire.
But it was a nice experience to play one match with him. I hope in the future we can play a little bit more, but no.
Q. Are you playing doubles in Cincinnati?
RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe. Maybe, I think. I think, yes. We'll discuss it.
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