Puerta's death paralysed me

Hi everybody,

The day started today with terrible news. I read this morning that Puerta, the Sevilla football player died. That was a very hard moment, when Benito told me this morning. I didn't want to know it was true, I could not believe it. It was terrible. Yesterday when we were coming back from the tournament to the hotel we were talking about him being in critical state (I don't know if you say it like this in English). I remember we were saying that he would be OK, that he was in a delicate situation but that in the end he would make it. My uncle Toni was saying that he was not well and we did not want to believe him. Unfortunately he was right. He was really bad. We probably wanted him to be better than what he was and unfortunately that has not been the case. When I heard it this morning I was shocked, really shocked and could not move for a few seconds. I didn't really meet him and never saw him personally. I did see him play and liked the way he performed. IT is terrible, really terrible. Poor guy. I imagine that the whole country is in shock.

So I really think that anything that I write/say today about what I have done it is simply stupid, not important, empty. I don't really feel explaining anything. Tomorrow I start my participation here in NY at the last Grand Slam event of the year. There is a lot at stake for the 2 or 3 guys that are up there. Both Roger and Djokovic have started well. I hope it is the same for me.

Believe me, it is not the right day for me to write. I am sorry. I hope that with the answers to your questions there is enough for you.

Thanks

Rafa

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Questions for Rafa

Rafa, I watched a video of your first interview when you were 12 years old and I would like to know what do you think about the way to become a tennis champion. On this video, I can see the same expressions and of course your uncle Toni. Did you fell that you will reach a high level in tennis at this moment? I admire and trust you,Vamos Rafa !! - Camille, France
RN: Merci Camille. Well, I am here to try to do that, to be where I am. I didn'[t know if I was going to make it but I knew I had to try, give my best effort always and with a bit of luck make it. So far so good.

Have you seen the impressions Djokovic does of you & other players, and if so, what do you think of them? Would you be tempted to do an impression of him in return? Seriously, good luck in the US Open. You are the most exciting player to watch & I hope you win it!! - Malcolm
RN: Yes, I have seen the parody. I don't think it is an impression. HE is very good at it and also on court. I would prefer to beat him here on hard than to return a parody.

Hi Rafa, Good luck at the US Open. You have a HUUUGE fan base cheering for you in NY!
We love yah! What musical did you see this week in NY? Again, we're all praying and rooting for you. Time to grab the trophy from Roger! You deserve it! Vamos !!!! - Doris, New York
RN: I went to see the Phantom of the Opera for the 20th time or so... :-). Thanks Doris it looks like it is going to be very difficult.

Rafa, after Ferrero lost to Feliciano in the 1st round he said that the balls do not take spin that well and are better when hit flat. How have you found the balls at Flushing Meadow? Do you find that they suit your game or do you have to make any adjustments? - Peter, UK
RN: I have to try to get my knee better first and then try to find my best game. I don't think the balls are a problem for me. But yeah, JC did tell me., He could be right.


Hola Rafa!!! I have realised this year for most your matches you've been scheduled in the evening/night and in my view this is worst for your game. Other players complain when they are scheduled at those hours. Why don't you do the same? It seems to me that as you are young sometimes people think you'll not reply. Thanks for blogging. Good luck in the US Open - Besos. Mª Reyes Carretero, Alicante - Spain
RN: Actually you are right. But in the case of Friday I hope I play at night so that I have more time to get better. But yeah, you are right. In Australia this year it was painful. I could not recover well since I was getting to the hotel at 2/3 am and it was tough with the match being played to go to sleep.

I want to know at what do you think during a match to remain concentrated? How do you keep your concentration when you lose an important point? - Estelle, France
RN: This is a very important point. Concentration in our sport is probably one of the most important things. I try to think on how the match is going and on what I can do to win the next point. In a way I try to forget everything that happened before. Not easy sometimes

What would you say is the personality trait that best defines you? PS, I know the best place in the New York for "croquetas" and "parrillada de pescado" in case you need them. - Carol, NYC, USA
RN: Thanks for the advice. I try to go to places near the hotel since that way I am earlier in my room. I don't know what is my trait, probably a bit shy ...???...

I would like to know if you have planned something in particular for this tournament and other upcoming hardcourt tournaments - for example, flattening your serve and/or hitting deeper forehands to counter a lack of topspin on this surface. I am sure these things will already be on your mind and Uncle Toni must have helped you work on these two aspects. - Prafull Arjeria, India
RN: At this point just to try to stay fit an win this first matches hoping I can better and then improve my game.

Do you notice the fans cheering for you or hear what they say or are you so concentrated on the point that you often don't hear them? - Meghan, Atlanta, USA
RN: Yes, of course I do and I love it. It is very encouraging and many times they help me win difficult moments and matches. Concentration has nothing to do with that for me.

If you have a choice, who would be your ideal doubles partner and your ideal mixed doubles partner? - Jackie Fernandez, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
RN: I suppose you always want to play with the best so I guess Roger would be the best one :-)

Is your room really, really tidy? Or is your meticulousness reserved only for your tennis rituals? - Emma
RN: No, my room is very untidy. Many times they ask me to film my room and that's one of the reasons I never open the room to cameras :-)

Who is the best cook in your family? - Lauree, USA
RN: My mother BY FAR !!!

I'm interested if you could share with us how you decided to change your serve. Where is the extra power coming from? Are you throwing the ball up differently, hitting it flatter, or somehow getting more height? - Hans, Zurich
RN: I have changed a few things like the position and the supports of my legs to improve strength and speed.

What is the best advice you were ever given and who gave it to you? - Niamh Kearney, Ireland
RN: I have been given many good advices, specially by my family and the people around me. I think I am no one to give advices. Maybe in the future, but not yet.

You have a lot of young cousins, do any of them play tennis? And could you see yourself coaching one of them someday? After Uncle Toni, we could have Cousin Rafa! - Sharon, Texas, USA
RN: You are funny Sharon. Thanks for your comment. For the moment I keep it the way it is with my uncle coaching me and me simply playing :-)


When you're not playing tennis and you're not in Mallorca, what is your favorite place in the world to visit? - Cilla Reid
RN: When I am not playing tennis I just want to be at home, in Mallorca. I already travel a lot. Maybe when I am done with my tennis career.

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Hi everyone,

Well, it is correct, I am a bit injured on (or in) my knee. I couldn't say much about it before today's match since I did not want it to look like I was excusing myself before the match, but the truth is that I have been struggling the past 2/3 days. I hurt myself a bit the other day on my other knee while practicing with Andy (Murray). I felt exactly the same as I did in the final of Wimbledon this year. The same thing with the same pain that I felt during the week of Stuttgart a couple of weeks later. A "punch" in the tendon of my knee. It really makes me angry since this is the last Grand Slam event of the year where I am really hungry to play well. There I go and I get half injured. I mean half since it is not really an injury but the truth is that I could not even hold my knee three days ago. Two days ago I could not practice and yesterday I could only do it very lightly.

But anyway I have now one day and a half and I am getting and feeling better fast. I am here, for the first time, looking a an Italian doctor called Pier Francesco Parra that use to work with Alberto Tomba and other top sportsman.

He has this laser machine that rehabs tendons and muscles very fast. IT is a laser machine that has 5 different lasers. He's explained it to me 2 times but it is hard to explain it to you in English. I already understand him half of what he says since he speaks in Italian to me... :-) He is here with the Italian Federation but also helps some others. We go to his room 3 times a day and it is funny to see other players waiting to get treated.

Thank God his hotel is nearby ! I am also being treated by ATP's physio Michael Novotny who is a very good professional and is always near us.

Hopefully on Friday night I will feel better and will try to get better and better as the tournament goes by. For that I do need to win matches...

I will let you know how things go tomorrow.

Thanks

Rafa

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Hello everyone,

One more day and one less to play... I will do so tomorrow night late, very late in Europe. I am playing 2nd after 7pm so that means I might start playing at 9pm or so. Normally, under normal circumstances on a normal tournament, this is not that good since I will finish very late. As a matter of fact I have just seen the end of the match between Blake and Santoro and it is almost 12.30 am !!!. That means that with the time post match in the locker room icing, taking off the tapes from ankle and knees and after Press Conference we get to the hotel around 1 or 2 am. This is tough. But in my case tomorrow I think this benefits me since it gives me more time since yesterday's match to recover better my knee. I need time and this is a matter of time. Time is in my favour and my knee gets better. I have been treated again by the Italian doctor Parra and his laser machine and by the ATP physio Michael Novotny. I feel better today and tomorrow I will try to go out there and try my best. I will try to force more and run more than the other day. The rival is more complicated and it is not going to be easy. Tipsarevic played great at this year's Wimbledon.

But one more support I have is that my parents and my sister are here to support me. They arrived from Disney World in Florida last night and will come tomorrow to the site. I would have loved to be with them in Disney World but... They are here with a group of friends, I think they are 16 or something so I will have more support..

On the other hand I had not mentioned anything yet but the play station matches are back, football I mean. We restarted them. I had not played since Wimbledon. Maymo and me against Albert Molina, an agent that works for IMG, and Benito my PR Manager. Close matches so far. Sometimes we win, and sometimes they win. But the big match me and Benito against Moya and Nalbandian will be played shortly. If we all win tomorrow we will play that one. Will let you now how it goes. The loser might have to do something funny...

Thanks and till tomorrow.

Rafa

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Questions for Rafa

I just saw something on ESPN called "The Tomatina" (Tomato Fight) and wondered if you've ever participated in that? I recently read that you don't like tomatoes but maybe this is fun? I love tomatoes! - Bridget, Los Angeles
RN: No, I never participated on that. It is from another region in Spain. Closer to where Ferrero and Ferrer are from.

What do you think has been your best ever match, in terms of how well you played? - Sophia North
RN: I have had many good matches specially this year. I would not be able to point out one.

Do you like comics? Did you use to read them? If so, which is/was your favorite superhero? - Mª Reyes Carretero, Alicante
RN: No, I don't have super heroes but I do watch comics on TV.

You often say you like to go to movies, or watch some in your hotel rooms; what are your favorite movies? - Indigo
RN: I love Gladiator and I watch a lot of DVDs when I am travelling. I carry a lot of them. I also watch them more than once. In Montreal I watched a lot of them. Here in NYC I have not had that much time since I have been very busy, the site is far and some other reasons.

What is it about the hard court surface that makes it so much more challenging for you? - Tammy Linville, Charlotte, NC
RN: I like to play on hard. Believe me. I like all surfaces. The thing is that other players play much better here and also there are some courts where my spin doesn't hurt as much since the ball doesn't bounce too much.

Can you speak any languages apart from Spanish and English? If not what language would like to learn and why? - Subonita, England
RN: Yes, I also speak Mallorcan which is my mother tongue.

I was just wondering are you still eating gambas every night for dinner? - Christy, UK
RN: Hahahahahaha. No, that was only during Wimbledon. Last night I had a very nice pasta with seafood at a restaurant near the hotel. It was really nice. I also had some pizza with... Gambas :-)

Nelson Mandela had a statue of himself unveiled in Parliament Square, next to Churchill and Abraham Lincoln. My question is which historical, political or military figure is your favourite and why? - David Tarbuck
RN: None. Don't ask me why. Better not to get into politics.

Maná is one of your favorite bands, what's your favorite song by them and why? - Yasna, Belgrade
RN: Mine too. I love Mana. I think they are the best. But they have so many songs I like that I could not tell you just one. The US Open asked me for my favourite songs to play them during my matches and I asked for Mana.

I recently won the under-9's Middlesex Tennis Championship wearing my lucky socks. Do you wear lucky things when you compete ? - Kyle Ed Hardy
RN: No, I don't. Do you? Good luck anyway

Which youngster would you say has got the best game out of Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Maros Baghdatis and Richard Gasquet and why? - Steffan Hatton
RN: All of them are very good. Maybe Andy has been unlucky with injuries. But all 4 are really (together with Djokovic) the ones that will be up there.

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Goodbye Tim - I liked you

Hi everyone,

I suppose that the news today in Britain is the last match that Tim Henman played today at the US Open. This is his last match at a "normal" tennis event and for me it is a strange feeling when some one retires. I didn't have a big personal relationship with Tim since my English is not good enough to talk with him about many things. I did know him and I liked him as a person and a lot of people tells me he is really a nice guy. Carlos Costa and Benito are the ones from my team that know him better and they both agree on how nice he is. I did know him more as a tennis player and there I have to say he is (was soon) very good. He had great results and created great hopes for a country. That's big. He also did well at all four Grand Slams and that's very difficult. He might not have won Wimbledon but he was close, that's not easy (I know it) and in any case remarkable.

Regarding myself, sorry to come back to me, but in the end this is my blog :-), I felt much much better today. My knee was not giving me too many problems and I could run and play almost normal. I would say I played well, specially in the first set and I felt well and comfortable. I got up this morning and has decided yesterday with my uncle to stay in the hotel, just go and get in the morning my laser treatment for the knee and wait till the time to go to the site. I watched the whole match Djokovic v Stepanek on TV in my room, had lunch and waited for 4 pm the time I had the car to pick me up to bring me to the tournament site. There was a lot of traffic today due to the labour day week end as they call it here and it took me way more than usual to get to the courts. I had schedule my warm up from 5.30 till 6.15 pm but in the end I started much later and finished around 6.45 pm. After that I just went to the locker room as usual. I did go up to the ATP office (the locker room is in the main floor) and had a dish of pasta there with some of the Tour Managers there. They are nice people and very helpful always. I like them.

Tomorrow I will have an "easy" day with a practice scheduled at around 1 pm. Got some media work to do and then back to the hotel to continue my treatment and rest for Sunday's match.

Thanks for your support.

Rafa.

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Other than Roger Federer, which player gives you the most trouble on each of the four surfaces - clay, grass, hard, carpet?" - Florian Ederer
RN: Hi Florian. Well there are a lot of good players out there. I have never managed to beat Blake so there you have one. I also have had problems defeating Djokovic and BErdych on hard courts.

I read that you have seen The Phantom of the Opera many times. Do you have a favorite scene or song from it? - Jennifer, New Orleans, Louisiana
RN: I love the part when the Phantom sort of kidnapped the girl.

As you like Formula One, I would like to know which team and driver do you support? - Magni, UAE
RN: I love Formula One and I think that McLaren and Ferrari are the best at the moment. The driver is obvious.

It's common for players to give the ball boys/girls their towel during play for drying off between points. Would you be upset if this practice were banned and only permitted between games? - Hersh Tegala, Luxembourg
RN: I would definitely not be upset. IT is only some help they give us and we all appreciate very much the work of these kids.

When you are playing a match do you give the same effort for each individual point depending on your position in the game/set? How does your mindset change on break points, set points or match points? - Yulia Dmyterko
RN: IT is all part of the game. Each point is important but we all know that there are more important points than others. I try to be very, very focussed on those very important moments.

You have been the world No 2 for a while now. Are you surprised that you have held that poisiton for so long or are disappointed you are not yet No 1? - Chloë
RN: I am a bit surprised for the results I have been getting and therefore allowing me to be at #2. But I am not disappointed with that since I am trying my best and I know Roger is the best player.

We all know how much you love the sea, but do you know how to surf? I think it would be really cool to see you sailing the waves. - Yanna, China
RN: No, I don't know how to surf. Too difficult. Not enough waves in Mallorca... :-)

Would you consider cutting your hair short like Andy Roddick or even shaven-headed like James Blake? - Pinthip, Bangkok
RN: Not my style ! Not for the moment !

Do you have any pets at home? I just bought a yellow labrador and named him Rafa after you because you are my favorite player in all of sports. - Maria, USA
RN: Hi Maria, thanks a lot for naming a dog like me :-). We don't have any pets at home.

When you have a day off between your matches do you watch any other tennis matches or do you have a total break from tennis? - Christina, North Carolina, USA
RN: Yes, I did watch in fact today the Djokovic v Stepanek match. IT was almost 5 hours...

My sister promised my 7-year-old son that if you won the US Open she would jump into the swimming pool with all her clothes on. He thinks that would be the funniest thing ever, so now you have another young fan cheering you on. Are you feeling any extra pressure to win now? - Mary, Los Angeles
RN: Thanks a lot. You'll have to post some pictures of that so that we all have fun.

How do you feel about being a sex symbol to hundreds of women around the world? - Ayesha
RN: I don't consider my self a sex symbol. I am just a tennis player. But thanks for the comment !

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Playing through the pain

Hi everyone,

I am writing today a very very short blog since I have an appointment for dinner with my parents and some friends of them and I don't have much time before (or after). Sorry. We have the appointment at 9pm and we are going to a Japanese restaurant close to the hotel. We are going to a Tepanyaki style and I really love it. The only problem is that you smell bad when ypu leave But the food is great and very healthy.

But today I played again and I have to say I was a bit scared since I had some pain my knee, not much, just bothering me. Yesterday I did not practice very hard since I didn't want to force much. In the end I felt good on court and I think I played well. I hope I can continue like this.

I as also happy today seeing Moya win his match. What a thriller !!! I saw most of it in my room with Carlos Costa, my father, and some others. Really good !!! I could not see the end since I left for dinner (I am finalizing this blog after dinner). I am very happy as I say for Carlos. He is playing great and I am very happy for that.

Tomorrow I have a pretty quite day. We are leaving at 11 to the courts since I am hitting at 1 pm. I will have lunch there after practice and then get back to the hotel pretty quickly. This way I will treat my knee well.

Sorry that it is so short this blog today. More tomorrow.

Thanks,

Rafa

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Questions for Rafa

I have ordered the same outfit you're wearing at the US Open, and I love it. I was just wondering how much input you had in choosing your outfit, or do you have to make do with whatever Nike choose? Felix Good
RN: I do have some input. As a matter of fact we had a meeting last week to look at next year's collection. It is not entirely my decision but I do have an input, a strong one.

Do you like reading? What's the last book you read? And do you like the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling? Axèle, France
RN: I like reading but I enjoy much more the movies. I only see the first Harry Potter.

How many times can you bounce a ball on a racket without dropping it? My brother can do 157 - he's 10 years old. Benedict Watson (aged 6)
RN: I dont know. Never tried to break any records like this. I enjoy more playing with my feet.

When you're playing an injured player, how does it affect you psychologically? Do you find yourself going a bit easier on him (you seem like such a nice guy ) or do you play more against the injury? Doris, New York
RN: I try not to think about it. Sometimes you can find players that run much more when they are injured. I just try to continue with my game plan.

I was just wondering what grip size you used (L1, L2, L3, etc)? Kyle
RN: I use an L2

What is your opinion about on the switch from hard court to clay court at the Madrid Masters in 2009? Zeinab Sairafi
RN: I think it is good for the Madrid event and for Spanish tennis in general. To have a combined event is Spain will be great for the sport. I think it is well deserved with all the respects to other tournaments.

Does your famous service routine help your concentration or is it just habit? Carlota, Brazil
RN: I think it is just a habit that helps my concentration, let's put it this way.

Do you ever get frustrated when you’re speaking English because you can’t find the right words to express yourself? Jemma, Northern Ireland
RN: Not much. I always find the right help. No worries as they say. Maybe more before, at the beginning of my career. But not anymore.

Apparently Ronaldinho used to sleep with a football when he was a boy. Did you used to take a tennis ball and racket everywhere with you? Dominic Watson (aged 10), Cardiff
RN: Not, that's not me.

Do you like Spanish cinema and if yes, what is your favorite Spanish movie? Lisa, Amsterdam
RN: Yes, I like Spanish cinema but cannot point out one. My uncle says "Bienvenido Mr. Marshall". I liked it a lot but not sure it is my favorite.

Earlier this year you've played doubles with Lleyton Hewitt and were scheduled to play with Richard Gasquet, do you have any plans to play with either of these players again? Claire, Ireland
RN: Yeah, maybe.

What do you think Roger Federer has to do to be able to beat you at Roland Garros? Do you think it would help to hire a hitting partner that has a similar style (left-handed, heavy top-spin), say maybe Thomas Muster? Florian Ederer
RN: I am not going to tell you (or him) how to beat me. Maybe if he tells me how to beat him in Wimbledon...

I would like to know why you play with your left hand if you are right-handed? Nancy, New Jersey
RN: I am left-handed for tennis but not for everything. I am also left-footed for a lot of things lie playing football

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Ready to play my friend

Hi everybody,

One more day here in NYC and already a lot of them away from home. Good to have with me my family since it is 4 weeks already on the road. Today I have a very difficult match against a very good friend of mine (David Ferrer). We call him Ferru and he is a great guy, believe me. Probably one of the nicest guys on Tour. I know it is going to be a very difficult match. We have played several times and it was always difficult. He is playing great and to give one example he beat Roddick in Cincy in a very difficult match. Someone mentioned in the comments of the blog in Spanish that I did not mention anything about his match against Nalbandian and he is right. I should have since it was a great match where he won after having one mach point against. It is also true that Moya's match match was really spectacular and I had the chance to watch it in my room. At the same time he was playing against another friend (David Nalbandian). We four are the ones playing playstation often against each other. Funny.

Anyway, the Italian doctor is back home so no more laser for my knee. This means I am just having a normal treatment with Novotny the ATP trainer. I am feeling good, much better and I hope to be well tomorrow. We are already in the second week of a Grand Slam and that's important. I hope I can continue to be here but if not, it is not the end of the World. I will try my best as always.

Today I had an easy day. Went to the site at around 10.30 and practiced for an hour. Had then an appointment with a media person for a long interview. Everyday I have something and it can get to be kind of boring. But this is the way it is and I am a professional.

It's like this blog. I made the commitment to do it and although it is difficult to do it every day, I have to do it and I am happy for it (specially when I finish).

Tomorrow morning I am not going to the site early. Since I play at night I will stay in the city, at my hotel until 4.30pm. will then go to the site and get ready with warming up, etc. I prefer to stay at the hotel and rest. Some player like to go in the morning, get their hit then and come back to the hotel to rest. I do it differently. I prefer to stay and once I go I just stay there waiting to start. Both ways I suppose work, but I prefer it like this. I might just go out for breakfast but that's it.

OK, more tomorrow. We'll see.

Thanks.

Rafa

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Questions for Rafa

When you have a press conference after the match (which I watch at the US Open site) you look a bit angry. Are you bored by the questions or are you just thinking of how to express yourself? Lotte, The Netherlands
RN: No, I am not angry. I don't know. I'll pay attention tomorrow.

How do you customize your racket? How is it different to the normal retail aeropro drive with cortex? Kyle S
RN: It is not very different. I have some special weight I chose, but you can also do that. It depends how you like it.

Where are the five day rain delays when you really need them? Maybe Doctor Parra should write “Vamos” on the knees with the laser to make them heal even faster. Robin K, Maryland, USA
RN: Hahahahahhaah you are funny. A couple of rain delays would have been god or bad since then I would have played 3/4 days in a row...

I would like to know what you consider your greatest achievement so far? Ellen, United States
RN: I think that winning the Davis Cup, 3 Roland Garros and some other events is a good achievement already. Looking for more.

I know you're a big Real fan but which English side to you follow or enjoy watching? Zulfiqar Ali
RN: I love to watch Manchester United. I like Cristiano Ronaldo a lot and the whole squad.

What do you do with all your old tennis shoes? I hope you don't throw them away. Feli
RN: No, I don't throw them away. Normally my PR Manager takes them and gives them to people for charity.

I’ve seen you practising in Stuttgart and you were doing funny things with your feet to pick up the balls from the floor. I tried but I couldn’t do it. Can you tell me how you do that? Sylvie
RN: Lot of practice. No secrets.

I was wondering how much core stability exercises does the modern tennis player do roughly? Joe Trevail
RN: Not too much. I focus more on physical training and tennis.

Did you like school and was it difficult for you to cope with the lessons as well as playing tennis? Iva Tutunjieva
RN: I was not a very good student. Not bad but definitely not a good one. I preferred to play tennis and football.

I have realised that when you win the draw at the begining of the match you always decide to receive the serve. Can you tell me why? Mª Reyes Carretero, Alicante, Spain
RN: Yes, I prefer to receive and try to break in the first game.

Remember you promised on your Wimbledon blog that you're going to reveal 'one day' who the 'big L' is among your compañeros on the PlayStation? Are you ready to divulge who the 'big L' is now? Yanna, China
RN: I didn't say I will say it !!!!

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Back home in Mallorca - sorry for delay

Hi everyone,

Well, this is my last blog from the US Open. Actually I am writing it from the airplane while I travel back home. There are a lot of things I would like to talk and write about and I have time on the plane. I suppose I will keep some for me. Well, actually there are pretty good movies and I am going to watch some too.

But firstly I would like to apologize for not writing this last post after the match. I hope you all understand and forgive me (especially James at The Times). I got to the hotel the night I lost at around 3 am. You know, finish the mach, go to the locker room, shower, talk with my uncle and my team, press conference, etc. The fact is that I got back very late. I had something to eat (scallops and salmon - as many other times) and thought about the match. In my room also with my uncle Toni, my father, Carlos Costa, Rafa Maymo my physio and Benito Perez-Barbadillo my PR manager. We talked a bit about the match, the tournament, the upcoming weeks...

I wasn't too happy I have to admit. It is painful to lose at a Grand Slam. 2/3 hours and I am fine but right after the match is painful.

I said to the media, and it is true, that all the credit of the victory goes to David Ferrer. He played great. I have no excuses and I don't like to give excuses. The truth is that he is having a great season and playing great. He just beat me and that's it. I hope now he can win some more matches and make it to Shanghai for the Masters. That would be great.

About the match, people ask me about my knee, about my cramps, about everything. That had nothing to do with defeat, with that particular defeat. My knee didn't hurt. I was fine. In my team they say that maybe I should have not played the Open. To be there with the knee problem is tough. The head thinks about it all the time and maybe this affects my game. I think they are right and we are looking at things, but I could not have missed the US Open. A big one, the last Grand Slam of the season, I wanted to play, wanted to try and I did it.

So as I say, I am writing this on the plane. I am sure it will get to you late, since I have to go home and send it. Sorry again.

I woke up feeling better. I actually went to sleep at 6am since we talked in the room a lot. I woke up as I say late and just went with my family for a walk. I went to buy a peluche (don't know the English word) to a store up there on Fifth Avenue, on to, next to the Apple Store. We had a good time and it was great to be with them. That took a lot of things out of my mind. I go there every year and always bring one back home.

Today (yesterday when you read the blog) I left the hotel at 6pm and it was funny. The US Open provides transportation to us to the airport. I take also the opportunity to thank them for everything this week, they are nice. So the story is that we had asked for a car to transport 4 people and a lot of luggage. We have been 5 weeks out so imagine the luggage. When we got out, the car was quite small (for US standards) and we had to carry some of our bags on top of us. It was funny. Unfortunately no picture. But I tell you it was painful. We would have gotten a taxi but unfortunately there weren't too many since there is a strike going on with taxis in NY.

Anyway, here I am flying back to Spain, finally home in Mallorca and trying to get ready for the indoor season. Big tournaments coming up with the Masters in Shanghai as my last event.

Thanks all for reading the blog and I hope we can do it again some time. Happy to answer tomorrow some more of your questions. Hope that pays back the 2 days without blog.

Rafa.

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Questions for Rafa:

When you have three tennis balls in your hand and are looking at them to choose one to discard, what are you looking for? Sandra Hammel
RN: Hi, I'm looking for the newest one. This allows us to serve better

Feliciano Lopez was so impressive during his match against Roger Federer - following up his big serve with excellent net play and a good solid game plan through much of that match. Did you give him any guidance? Eli, California
RN: No, he doesn't need my guidance. He is a very good friend of mine but he has his coach and his team for that.

I've noticed that you always let the other player call the coin toss at the start of the match. Are you just being polite or is there another reason why you do this? Lucy, England
RN: Yes, I always want them to serve. I feel I am ready to start the match and I try to break in the first game. It is not working that much lately

I know you are constantly travelling and I was wondering if the jetlag ever affects you? Has an airline has ever lost one of your bags? Sofia, Miami
RN: Yes, sure. The jet lag affects all of us. That's why we try to get earlier to places. And for the second question, unfortunately the answer is yes. The last time? This year some weeks ago in Montreal. I got from Spain without the bags. I had to practice with clothes I borrowed from Moya. We travel with our racquets on the plane in case these things happen.

Since Novak Djokovic beat Roger in the final of Montreal, some of the media now seem to regard him as Roger's main challenger at this tournament. However, Roger has said that he believes the media are underestimating you. Does this motivate you to prove them wrong? Frances
RN: Everything motivates me. This time they were right. Novak is still competing and I am writing this from the plane. Next time

I think that David Ferrer is one of the most underrated players on the circuit. I enjoy watching him play as much as I enjoy watching you. I know you want to win, but is it difficult to play a tennis match against one of your friends? Anne, Boston, Massachusetts
RN: Yes, you are completely right.

What car do you drive? Carina
RN: KIA Sorrento

How is it that you and Roger Federer keep your relationship good even though you are rivals? Don't you ever feel frustration or resentment towards him at times? Stella Morgan, Sarasota
RN: No, I think that the competition has to stay on court. Off court we are normal people. It should be (and is) this way.

I looked at the US Open's junior boys' singles draw and found no Spaniards. Who do you think is the next Spanish tennis prodigy who will follow your footsteps? Raven, Manila, Philippines
RN: Good question. There are a few out there. We will find out :-)

I was wondering, since you said you've seen Phantom, have you seen any other musicals, and do you particularly enjoy that genre? (I recommend Wicked if you have time). Katie, North Carolina, US
RN: Yes, I have seen many others and enjoy them, but the Phantom is just the best.

I've just seen your interview for Eurosport in which you said that you owned many football shirts and I'd just like to ask if one is a Liverpool shirt? Eryn, Liverpool
RN: No, I don't have a Liverpool shirt. I collect the ones I get from players and at the moment I have not had the chance to meet any

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