Oto jak wyglądały treningi Rafaela przed RG:

Rafa potu rwące odmenty
Przemienił w tenisowe argumenty
Trenował póki sił mu starczyło
Aby w Paryżu zwycięstwo było

Ostatnio edytowany przez Joao (27-05-2010 05:54:25)

RG 2010 - wywiad z Rafą po zwycięstwie w 2 rundzie

Q. You said against Mina you don't play well. Do you think today you play well as you want to play?
RAFAEL NADAL: Oh, I think I improved a little bit. I improved a little bit. I played a little bit better. But sure, not perfect, no?
But sure, is a little bit of improvement. That's always important to play a little bit better every day, no?
So I did. Today I happy for the victory. Never easy. He's a good player. He's a young player and he's coming well. So it's a good win for me, and I'm happy for that. But I hope to keep improving.

Q. What would be the difference in your tactics, the way you play compared from 2005 the first year you played here to now? How would you say your game has changed on the clay?
RAFAEL NADAL: I forget. I think I improved. 2005 I think I played well. Probably not here I played here some matches well and others not that well. But I think I am serving better, I have a better backhand, a little bit better forehand, too. I have the position on court much better than 2005.
Probably I am running like I did in 2005, 2006, no? I can win a lot of matches without run crazy all the time, so that's a big improvement.

Q. You obviously had problems coming into Roland Garros last year. Could you compare how you're feeling now after a couple of games and compare it to the same stage last year?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, impossible to compare, no? I answered these questions a lot of times, and, you know, is very difficult to compare every year. The conditions are different.
But you never know what's happened this year. Last year I arrived one of the favorites, too, and I lost. That's difficult to compare.

Q. I have a question on the balls.
RAFAEL NADAL: The what?

Q. The balls.
RAFAEL NADAL: Ah.

Q. Do you choose the balls in a different manner? Do you prefer to keep the ball if you win the point, or you change?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I never play two points with the same ball, no. No, no. I don't like. Is slower.

Q. I was just watching Djokovic play. I didn't see your match. Do you try to serve and volley maybe one, two, three times? If you do, is it for surprise, and do you do it on the first or the second serve? Which do you think is better? Just to try to surprise, to use the serve and volley?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am not doing.

Q. But why would you not do it one, two, just to surprise your opponent?
RAFAEL NADAL: We'll see. We will see if I did. I did a few times. Not here yet, but, you know, my idea is not before the point, matter my idea is never gonna have serve and volley. I never gonna have desire. Not here on clay.
But if I serve one good serve outside, good slice to the backhand of the opponent, I see if I see I can go, I go. But it doesn't happen yet here. I am not serving that well. (Smiling.) Not yet. I need to serve a little bit better next match.

Q. If I could, I'd like to ask you a difficult question.
RAFAEL NADAL: Very difficult? Gonna be difficult to answer.

Q. Right, exactly. Roger recently said that on clay you don't need a volley or serve. You just need legs, an incredible forehand, and backhand. You can be competitive even with a very incomplete game. What are your thoughts on that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Everybody has his every guy's free to have his own opinion. No, I think probably a lot of years ago when you play with the slower balls, with the slower racquets, you know, with the small racquets and you can't have a winner, was very difficult to have a winner, probably.
But in my opinion now, in the sport is important to think how to win the match. Probably in very fast surfaces that's not happen, because you can have one serve and one forehand. That's the only that's the only way for the moment, one serve or one volley, only one serve.
Here you can play with more tactics. You can change your style. You can play attacking; you can play defending; you can go to the volley; you can play with the baseline.
So you have many options to do, and I think that's nice for the sport, too. I think every surface has difficult things. But sure, have a good forehand, good backhand, good legs and good movements, that's not an easy thing.

Q. And if you had to, in terms of being an athlete, athleticism between clay courts, hard, and grass, where do you need to be the best athlete? How would you rank them in terms of being an athlete?
RAFAEL NADAL: You can be a good athlete on every surface. For me, doesn't matter that moment, no? Sure, if the court is very fast, you don't need to be you don't need to have unbelievable physical performance, no? You not gonna have very long points.
In the rest of the surfaces, you have to be fit. You have to be fast and you have to be an athlete to be in the top position. Not one player in top 100 is not fit.

Q. When you were No. 1, were there extra mental pressures? We always talk about your physical, sure, but were there mental pressures?
RAFAEL NADAL: If you are No. 1?

Q. When you were No. 1, yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, less. No, no. Sure, no not. For me, I never thought about that. Probably I was more relaxed when I was No. 1, because I won a lot in that year. I won Australia not Australia well, I was in I was No. 1 when I won Australia; I won Olympics; Roland Garros; Wimbledon.
So I was very relaxed, because nothing to I won a lot, and that gets a lot of pressure out.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish.

Q. In London you said you were not at your best tennis, but you said that with practice you would be able to reach this level, your best, that is, but you're not far from this.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, let's face it. I don't know if I'm playing my best tennis today, but I think I have almost reached this level for several months. I don't think that much has changed. I feel good this year. And what are you referring to? 2008?
I don't know. I think I've played really well throughout the year here. That's true, that's not yet my best tennis. But if you look at the season in general, I think that my level is more or less the same. My level is good, and I've worked hard on this.
I've always practiced, believing that I could improve. Every day I practice, every match I play, I focus very much on the aspects I have to improve so as to reach the level I'd like to reach.
Then I try and reuse this experience during the matches I play. That means you have to practice a lot and gain confidence. I think that I have worked hard for a long period of time. And then, you know, when we work a lot, when we practice a lot, when we're very positive, when we're highly motivated, then after a while things go on nicely.
If it's not nicely, at least you're satisfied because there's nothing you could reproach yourself with.

Q. What do you think about this very rainy day? Do you think we would need to have a roof, just like they have at Wimbledon, so that we're less subject to weather conditions?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, rainy days happen. Everybody was probably bothered. You were bothered. I was staying in the cloak rooms and the match was canceled. Then it rained again, and I was bothered. I didn't know if I had to stay or if I would practice later during the day.
But then we thought we will have a rest. It was not easy, because I'm not used to doing this. Then they covered the court. It's better for the players. It's better for TV channels, as well. So yes, I would say I'm in favor of a roof.

Q. I'd like to pick on this question. Would you like Roland Garros to stay in Paris? Would you like to move?
RAFAEL NADAL: Where?

Q. Would you like Roland Garros to stay here?
RAFAEL NADAL: As I said before, I think that Roland Garros has a long standing history, which is here. I think that Roland Garros should remain here, because here we can breathe the history of tennis within these walls.
It's very important, whereas if we move elsewhere, maybe the site is going to be bigger, we're going to lose part of our soul.

Q. The other day when you played a match you said, I didn't really play well. What do you think about today and how you played?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I played better today. I played better than the other day. I didn't really play badly. I wouldn't say this was an exceptional match. It was a normal type of match.
I didn't have enough rhythm. He was a lefty, and he wanted to change the pace with dropshots. But sometimes I had the impression I was playing well or very well, mainly when it was 3 2 during the second set. And then 6 2, 3 0, I think I was playing very well during all of these games. But then at the end I lost my concentration.

Q. During the first match you had opportunities to break. You only lost or dropped four points on your serve. During the second set it was 1 1; you could have broken then. What did you feel? What about your serve?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think I changed my serve strategy at that moment. We discussed this in the locker rooms before we started getting on the courts.
I thought I should have more first serves in, and then if it's a second serve, I should hit the ball more strongly so as to dominate.
With the second serve it's always more complicated. So I think I have a good percentage of first serves, and I should put some spin into the ball so that the ball would bounce very high. And also, I should work on my forehand.
I was gaining confidence except for the very last two or three games. But anyway, otherwise it was okay.

Q. When the press conference started, Hewitt and his opponent Istomin were playing their fifth set. What do you think about this?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know Istomin at all, and I've never played against him. I've not seen him play. I know he's on the tour. I know he's played really good matches, but I've not seen him play.
Whereas Hewitt, I know him well. It's the fifth set, so that means Istomin is really playing well. That's an excellent match for him. We know Hewitt. He's a very dangerous guy and he plays at a very high level. He's going to do his best to win, of course.

Q. What do you think about the balls and the court compared with two years ago?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, the balls are the same. I think so. Monte Carlo, Barcelona, all this was okay. I don't know about Barcelona, but Madrid and then Monte Carlo. There's a difference, a slight difference.
But let's be careful about one thing: Let us not change the balls between the tournaments. It makes things more difficult for us. At least this time any matches played on clay were played with the same balls. Well, if it's a sunny day, that's okay. The problem is that when it's wet, the balls are heavier.

Q. Can you tell us what you think about your opponent today? He's Argentinian, and he's a bit more than 20, I think. He played here during the second round against you, Zeballos. What do you think about him? Do you think he has great potential?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think he's 24. I think he's probably 44, so he's well ranked. He's not been on the tour for a very long time, so he's improved quite a lot, and we'll see what happens in the future.
His forehand is really good. He serves well, as well, and this is very important on quick courts. He's got a very good slice, as well. He's a very good all court player.

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/ … 14959.html

RG 2010 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 4 rundzie

Q. You beat Bellucci two years ago in three sets, and today again in three sets. Was it more difficult today, and in what way?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn't remember exactly, no? But that match was a tougher one in the tournament for me in 2008. That's the true, no?
I don't know. But, you know, my feeling was I was closer to lose a set or something like this in 2008 than today.
But the score was closer this time.

Q. Are we going to have a Nadal/Federer final, or don't you let yourself think that far in advance?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am in quarterfinals. I am very happy to be here, and you will have Nadal/Almagro, sure.

Q. What made this kid so difficult? Because he was left handed?
RAFAEL NADAL: Was difficult, but was in three sets, so every match is completely different. Sure, every match is difficult in fourth round of one Grand Slam. In Roland Garros every matches can be very, very difficult.
Bellucci is a very good play, especially on clay. Good serve, good forehand, good backhand, too.

Q. His opponent was good, too.
RAFAEL NADAL: What?

Q. His opponent was good, too.
RAFAEL NADAL: I played probably my best match today in the tournament.

Q. There are certain shots that can change a match. When you played your backhand pass at 5 All, did you think that was a moment when you established yourself in the match and maybe he was a little upset and perhaps he went down a bit?
RAFAEL NADAL: Was very important moment, because I lost the serve two times. So I had the match under control set and 3 2, 40 15 I think I remember. Playing well in that moment. I had two mistakes: one net outside and another one long.
But without play bad, playing two good points. After that, everything was difficult. Sure, in the 5 All was the key of the match, because after that I gonna serve in the 6 5 with the wind. (In Spanish.)
Q. Between Verdasco and Almagro, for instance before the they played the match, do you have a preference on, Oh I would like to play this or that player, whoever wins, or you don't care about who's going to be the next point? Do you sometimes have preferences on the next round, I would rather play this or that person?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, first thing, I didn't have any preference before because I didn't play, so I was focus only on me. To try to play against Verdasco Almagro, sure later you never know. Believe me.
I don't know if I don't care, but I don't know which one I prefer, I think. Both players are good players. Gonna be very good match.

Q. Can we say that after the Soderling match of last year, this has like made you be even more careful than ever before with the earlier rounds, before the final that you're accustomed?
RAFAEL NADAL: No.

Q. Same?
RAFAEL NADAL: Same.

Q. You always play your matches at a certain level of intensity. It's always very strong. Do you think it's possible to win this title or win any Grand Slam playing at anything below your best intensity?
RAFAEL NADAL: For me?

Q. For you or for anyone, but for you.
RAFAEL NADAL: I think some players can play some moments more relaxed because they have the serve and they can play a little bit with that, no? But not for me.
Sure, I can play a few games if I have the match under control probably a little bit more relaxed, but not normally not.
I try my best every day. I think every day a little bit better here in this tournament, and that's because I am very focused all the time to improve.
I go on court and try my best in every point. That's what I try.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish.

Q. This was probably a very important victory for you, I suppose. Last year you managed to reach this level, but now you're going to go even further.
RAFAEL NADAL: It's an important victory if you look at the points, that's true. But I knew he was a very tough opponent. It was a very important match for me. I succeeded well because I managed to play even better. I could shoot into the balls the way I wanted to, mainly the backhand shots, but also my forehand.
Unfortunately, my shots were a bit too short. I wanted to have longer and deeper shots. I wanted to improve this. Sometimes, you know, these details are such that the opponent could take this opportunity so as to dominate the game. It's better to have deeper balls so as to dominate the game.
I think I served better today than any other day, and I'm very satisfied because I think I've improved. I've not yet dropped a set. Well, a set, yes. But no, no, I have not yet dropped a set.
The most important thing is that I won my match.

Q. You're going to play against Almagro. He won a set in Madrid against you. What do you think about this?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's going to be very difficult, because the way he plays is really excellent. He's managed to maintain the same level here in the tournament. It's going to be complicated; he's going to be very aggressive. It's normal. He knows how to do this.
And as far as I'm concerned, I'll try and play my way and do my best. I'll do my best so that he feels a bit uncomfortable.

Q. Do you think you could say something about his serve, because you played in Madrid not long ago against him?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I can tell you his second serve is really very good, but there's nothing special about it. The ball bounces back really high. Okay, it's a good serve. Not bad.
In general, his first service and even the second serve are good, are excellent, one of the best servers in the world.

Q. This is your 200th victory on clay. That gives you a total of 98% of victories on clay. This result is even better than Bjørn Borg's. What do you think about this?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don't really think that much about it, but it's really good. What I'm thinking about is practicing tomorrow morning, and of course today's match and tomorrow's training and practicing, and then the following matches. All these statistical data, you know, as I've said before, as I'd like to repeat, are quite valid when you've finished your career, but not before.
There's never one day when I think, Oh, okay that's my 200th victory or umpteenth victory. No, I don't think in these terms. We never know when these statistics are still valid or if they're going to continue to be as good.
Now, I can tell you that from the year 2005 onward my statistics have improved, but I never really think about this very much.

Q. I have the impression that this was an easy match. You've not really suffered. Is it something you deserve, or is it due to the opponent and the way he played?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, the match was not easy. It was a very difficult match. Now we've reached quarterfinals, which means a good tournament for most of the players here.
My objectives are still very high and very demanding. All matches are complicated. All players are difficult to play against. It's very important for me, you know, considering what's happened to me in the past months.
I couldn't win last year, as you know, so it was very difficult. I wanted to tell you this, because for 11 months now I've not really won that many matches. I know what it means to win a tournament.

Q. Despite your excellent results, despite the fact that you've not yet lost any sets, you're not boasting about it. You're not that happy.
RAFAEL NADAL: What do you want me to say? Do you want me to jump and shout?
Of course I'm very happy. I'm still in the tournament. I've reached the quarterfinals. But then, you know, this is a press conference, so I'm quite normal. I try and be myself, and this is it.
I'll start jumping when I've won the tournament. For the time being, it's only the quarterfinals. My objective is you know, I'm very demanding and like to be here, but I like to continue and move forward and do my best.

Q. Robin Soderling is ready. He is going to fight back strongly. So what about Soderling's chances? What are the odds?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't really know. He has chances, I think. I think he's not the favorite, but I think he can win. I think he's not yet lost a set. I think he's going to play well.
We can say the same about Federer. I think it's been his 23rd or 24th semifinals. He's not going to lose this, I think.

Q. Well, the second set was very difficult for you. Bellucci made your life harder. Could you tell us more about this, how the end of the set ended?
RAFAEL NADAL: I had the impression I was dominating the court and I had taken control, but sometimes I was playing against the wind. It was very difficult. It was not really the wind. It was a slight breeze.
The other day it was so windy that it was difficult to play when the wind was blowing in your back, but today as well it was difficult. When we were at 3 2, 40 15, I played excellent points. It was a bit difficult at that moment.
But otherwise, I can't really explain this 4 2. I could have had a tighter match. But as you know, what's done is done. We can't play the match again. Bellucci plays really well.
I can tell you he played really well on the points that I gave him, more or less. He took advantage of this. It was a bit complicated for me sometimes.

Q. What seems to be a bit of a paradox is that the only man who could perhaps win Roland Garros could become No. 1 again.
RAFAEL NADAL: If I were No. 1, I would be very happy. But what is important to me is to play well, to play a good match, and, of course, to win the tournament.
And if I am No. 1 or No. 2, never mind. It doesn't really matter. Last year my level was not excellent. I don't really want to think about this. It's only quarterfinals. I'd like to win the tournament.
Now, whether I want to be No. 1 or not is a different thing. To be No. 1 I think I should play a good tournament and reach the finals. We'll see. We'll see what's going to happen next.
If I reach semis, we'll see. In this case I might be No. 1. But if I don't reach the finals, then I think that Federer would be the favorite. Because as you know, the second half of the year is better for my opponents because the other surfaces are more difficult for me compared with clay.
As you know, if it's a hardcourt or other surfaces, the other players play at a high level. But this is pure speculation.

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/ … 17469.html

Nadal liczy na powtórkę sprzed dwóch lat

Rafael Nadal, w przeddzień swoich 24. urodzin, przystąpi do ćwierćfinałowego meczu z Nicolasem Almagro z nadzieją powtórki sprzed dwóch lat. Hiszpanie spotkali się w 2008 roku w tej samej fazie French Open, a Nadal zmiażdżył rywala tracąc w trzech setach zaledwie trzy gemy.

Dla rozstawionego z numerem drugim w tegorocznej imprezie tenisisty, cały turniej sprzed dwóch lat zakończył się czwartym w karierze triumfem. Dodatkowo Hiszpan w żadnym meczu nie przegrał nawet jednego seta!

W ostatnich dwóch pojedynkach tej pary, 21. obecnie na liście ATP Almagro również przegrywał, choć w obu przypadkach urwał po secie bardziej utytułowanemu krajanowi. Mimo wyraźnej dominacji w dotychczasowych starciach Nadal nie zakłada, że kolejne zwycięstwo przyjdzie łatwo.

- Będzie bardzo ciężko, bo Nicolas gra tutaj fantastycznego tenisa - zarzeka się Nadal. - Udało mu się do tej pory utrzymać wysoki poziom przez wszystkie mecze turnieju. Wszystko się może dla mnie skomplikować, bo będzie grał bardzo agresywnie. On doskonale wie, jak to robić.

- Ze swojej strony będę starał się grać to, co potrafię najlepiej. Będę w ten sposób wywierał na nim presję i postaram się zachwiać jego pewnością siebie - zapowiedział Hiszpan, który w czwartek będzie obchodził swoje 24. urodziny.

Jeśli dzisiejszy ćwierćfinał przebiegnie po myśli Nadala, w meczu o finał zagra najprawdopodobniej z turniejową "trójką" Novakiem Djokoviciem. Rywalem Serba w pojedynku o półfinał jest najniżej sklasyfikowany spośród pozostających we French Open Austriak Jurgen Melzer (27. na liście ATP).

http://www.eurosport.pl/tenis/roland-ga … tory.shtml

Rafael Nadal kończy dziś 24 lata. Wszystkiego Dobrego.

Ranking: 2
Ilość tygodni jako #1: 46
Wygrane Turnieje/finały: 39/12
Turnieje TMS: 18/6
Turnieje WS/finały: 6/2
Zarobki: $29,821,044

Najlepszego !

Wygraj to RG !

Najlepszego Rafa, przede wszystkim zdrowia
Wygraj RG i zostań numerem 1, fajny prezent sobie sprawisz! Vamos!

Finał z Söderlingiem? Nie myślę o rewanżu

W czwartek kończy 24 lata. Ma na koncie sześć tytułów wielkoszlemowych - o jeden więcej niż Roger Federer w chwili kończenia tego wieku. Rafael Nadal jest na prostej drodze do kolejnego triumfu w Roland Garros. Jego bilans na kortach ziemnych jest lepszy od dokonania Björna Borga, sześciokrotnego mistrza turnieju w Paryżu.

W dniu urodzin Nadal nie zagra. - Będę świętował, ale w czasie dnia. Gdy wrócę na Majorkę, wtedy zamierzam świętować nocą - śmiał się na konferencji po zwycięstwie w ćwierćfinale nad Almagro. W piątek jego rywalem w walce o finał będzie Jürgen Melzer (ATP 27), którego pokonał w obu bezpośrednich pojedynkach.

- Ci, którzy dochodzą do półfinału w Wielkim Szlemie, zasługują na to, bo grają dobrze w tenisa - powiedział Nadal w kontekście swojego Austriaka. Melzer będzie trzecim leworęcznym rywalem Rafy w jego szóstym meczu w Paryżu. - Zawsze przeciw takim trzeba zmienić odrobinę taktykę i trochę grę. Lubię grać przeciw leworęcznym - powiedział. Sam jest praworęczny, ale na korcie używa lewej dłoni. To pomysł wujka-trenera Toniego, który przed laty pomyślał, że używając drugiej ręki jego mały podopieczny będzie miał więcej możliwości.

W finale może dojść do rewanżu z Robinem Söderlingiem za ubiegłoroczną porażkę w 1/8 finału. - Nigdy nie myślę o meczu w kategorii rewanżu. W ogóle nie myślę o finale, bo czeka mnie bardzo trudny mecz z Melzerem i na nim jestem skupiony. Gdy wychodzę na kort, nie myślę o tym, że przegrałem z danym rywalem ostatni mecz. Jeśli myślisz w ten sposób, twoja głowa nie jest w stu procentach spokojna, by myśleć o tym co musisz robić - przyznał.

Söderling także według Nadala rozwinął się w porównaniu z poprzednim sezonem. - Jest bardziej solidny z punktu widzenia mentalnego - tłumaczył Hiszpan. - Wygrał sporo meczów, więc nabrał pewności siebie. Już wcześniej prezentował bardzo dobry poziom gry, ale brakowało mu właśnie pewności. Dziwne było, że jego ranking nie jest tak wysoki, na jaki wskazywałby poziom tenisowy. W Hiszpanii podobnym przypadkiem jest Fernando Verdasco - wyjaśnił.

Ewentualny triumf w Paryżu będzie miał też inny wymiar: Nadal po roku znów zostanie liderem rankingu. - Myślę o tym i oczywiście, że lepiej dla mnie, że Roger przegrał. Ale gdy jesteś numerem jeden, albo nim nie jesteś, nie możesz cały czas o tym myśleć - powiedział Rafa.

Federerowi źle nie życzy. - Zawsze chcę oglądąć najlepszych, którzy wygrywają. Porażki są dla najlepszych zawodników trudniejsze niż dla reszty. Gdybym przegrał z Nicolásem [Almagro], byłoby to gorsze do zniesienia dla mnie niż dla niego jest porażka ze mną - powiedział.

Od tego sezonu Nadal używa nowego naciągu w rakiecie. Kolorystycznie, zmienił się z żółtego na czarny. Technicznie, pozwala Majorkańczykowi łatwiej czuć piłkę. - To ważna pomoc. Wygląda na to, że piłka dłużej pozostaje na rakiecie, więc łatwiej ją kontrolować - wytłumaczył.

W Paryżu gra w zegarku wartym ponad pół miliona dolarów. Ale w meczu z Almagro nie kontrolował czasu, bo dostał ostrzeżenie od sędziego za przedłużanie wznowienia gry. - Ale ok, mam zegarek, mogłem sprawdzić czas - przyznał. - Szczerze jednak nie mogłem się szybciej wyrobić, nie zdążyłem nawet wytrzeć twarzy. Myślę, że na drugie ostrzeżenie nie zasłużyłem - stwierdził.

http://www.sportowefakty.pl/tenis/2010/ … o-rewanzu/

Nadal feels for Federer

French Open: Rafael Nadal has mixed feelings about Roger Federer’s French Open demise as he faces up to being the overwhelming favourite for his fifth Roland Garros title.

For the first time in his career, Nadal will not need to beat his arch-rival to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires after the world number one’s shock quarter-final exit at the hands of Robin Soderling.

Second seed Nadal accepts the absence of Federer makes his task easier but he also empathises with the Swiss, who he feels may be the only other player to feel the pain of defeat as keenly as he himself does.

“The truth is I always love to see the best players win, because I know that the losses for the best players are harder than for the rest,” said Nadal, who suffered his first ever defeat at Roland Garros last year.

The Spaniard, who will usurp Federer as world number one if he wins Sunday’s final, added: “Sure, it is better if Roger lost.

“But, I always say the same: I believe if you are number one or you are not number one, you can’t be thinking all the time about being number one.”

Nadal’s title odds shortened further last night when third seed Novak Djokovic threw away a two-set lead to lose a marathon match against Jurgen Melzer, who will now face the the Spaniard in tomorrow’s semi-finals.

Nadal has won both his previous meetings with Melzer in straight sets but knows the 29-year-old is in the form of his life, having also disposed of David Ferrer.

“He’s playing unbelievably,” said Nadal. “He played against David Ferrer — I saw him in the match.

“A big comeback against Djokovic, playing a high level. I saw him at the end of the match playing very aggressively, serving well.

“If he’s in the semi-finals, it is because he’s the best of his draw.”

Austrian Melzer had never before been beyond the fourth round of a grand slam in 31 attempts.

But the 22nd seed has nothing to lose against Nadal, who has now won his last 20 matches.

One man Melzer could turn to for advice on how to topple the king of clay is Soderling, who will line up against Tomas Berdych tomorrow hoping to secure his place in a second successive final.

Soderling has won his last two matches against Nadal, the first famously at Roland Garros last year. However, he did suffer a comprehensive defeat in his last meeting with Berdych, losing 6-2 6-2 at this year’s Miami Masters.

Pointing out he won their previous match just as emphatically, the fifth seed said: “I know every match is a new match, and he’s played great this year.

“He’s a dangerous player when he’s playing good.”

With this being his first grand slam semi-final since finishing runner-up last year, Soderling would appear to favour clay as a surface, even though it seems at odds with his natural game.

“I think I kind of like the slower surface a little bit more than the really fast ones,” he said. “When I serve like this and when I’m feeling like I’m hitting the ball well like this, I think maybe clay is my best surface.”

Berdych, who has never before gone this far in a major, also played down the significance of his April victory over Soderling.

“The score looks quite easy,” he said. “That’s just how it looks on paper.

“I won that match, and so it could be kind of a small advantage. But here we’re going to play best of five sets, semi-final of a grand slam.

“That’s a different position for me because he already reached it last year.

“I will just stay with my game as much as I can and try to profit from my strokes.”

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Wywiad po awansie do finału RG2010

Q. So the first two sets played pretty well, had it under control. Then you went to serve it out that last game, got broken at love, and then it got a little up and down and dramatic at the end, no?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I think I played my best match today here in Roland Garros, 2010. Sure, first two sets, for a moment I played really well. With my serve I played all the time well. With the forehand, too. With the backhand I am playing better and better every day, but I can improve a little bit more.
The third set I had completely under control, 5 3, Love 30, so I thought I have the chance to finish there. Because I was playing well and I played good two points in the first two points.
But I had some mistakes, and in the 5 4 I played a terrible first point. I played forehand down the line, three meters outside. I was a little bit nervous after that.
In the end of the match was important the game of 6 5, because I played really serious game to go to the tiebreak, and the in tiebreak I think I played better and I played well.
I had just one double fault. That's the only point that I'm not happy. But I can't say nothing against about myself, because I am serving pretty well all the match.

Q. Do you think Melzer improved? Were you surprised by his performance today, because you beat him rather easy?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think Jurgen is a very talented player. He can play at very high level. He did these two weeks. Just congratulate him, because he amazing two weeks, amazing tournament here. Very, very difficult opponents, like David Ferrer, Djokovic.
So it's a very, very complete tournament, no? So, sure, if he plays at this level he can beat against almost everybody, or everybody.

Q. What do you think about meeting Robin Soderling now?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, difficult match, no? He's playing well. He did very good tournament, and today he came back to win a very good match. So he's very, very dangerous player, no? He's one of the best of the world. And, yeah, sure is gonna be a really difficult match.

Q. You have played him a couple of times, and you had some psychological battles. How would you describe your relationship to him?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't have nothing to say about the relationship. For me, the relationship with him was normal. I had a little bit more tension than usual match in Wimbledon match 2007?

Q. 8.
RAFAEL NADAL: 8, no. No, no.

Q. 2007.
RAFAEL NADAL: 7?

Q. Well, it doesn't matter.
RAFAEL NADAL: 2007? Yes, it matters. (Laughter.)
2007, but after that, no, I didn't have not one problem with him. I think he's doing well, and at the same time he improves his level of tennis. He improve his level of kind of person, no? I think he improve his personality the last year.

Q. How?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think he say more times hello to the rest of the yeah, I am speaking serious. I am speaking in the positive way, not in a negative way. Sure.

Q. He didn't say hello earlier?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think he was very shy in the beginning. I think so, no? But I think he improves a lot. For sure for me is good to have a player like Robin playing at this high level in the tour.
It's a different kind of game, and, sure, he's a special one. Because the serve, his very flat shots, are very impressive.

Q. Is it possible just to give an impression of your game this year here at Roland Garros as opposed to your game at this time last year?
RAFAEL NADAL: Is impossible to compare, because last year I was in the swimming pool in Mallorca. Sure.

Q. Well, maybe your approach to this championship this year as opposed to your approach last year.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Well, I think probably I didn't play today I played well, but before today I didn't play my best Roland Garros if we speak in terms of what I feel on court.
But I played my best clay court season before Roland Garros. That's for sure, no? Last year my feeling was I won in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Rome, but probably is difficult to understand. It was difficult to understand for me too how I won that tournaments because I felt I didn't play well.
So probably was because the dynamic was very positive, very positive since the beginning of the year. I arrived on clay and I won for that reason, but not for tennis, I think. And when I arrived here and I found opponent that push me to the highest level, I wasn't ready to win.

Q. I know you don't see the match against Robin on Sunday as a chance for revenge, but is it nice to have him over the other side of the net again just to show him that you're pretty useful yourself on the Philippe Chatrier court?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. I want to seriously I prefer to play against Tomas the final, because I won against him the last six times. That's the true.
I play against Robin, gonna be a difficult match. I never believe on revenges. I believe on try my best in every moment, and if I lose, I lose, and congratulate Robin because he did better than me.
But I go on court trying to play my best tennis and thinking about Roland Garros, not thinking about Robin, Tomas, or another one.
You know, for me, doesn't exist revenge in not one match, and especially we talk about final of Roland Garros.

Q. You have so many strong points to your game. What would you say would be the one or two greatest strengths that you bring to the court?
RAFAEL NADAL: Today?

Q. No, overall.
RAFAEL NADAL: Always?

Q. Yes.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I had always a good forehand, and probably the mobility. Probably the mind was, the character was important to improve and to come back after difficult situations, no?
So I think the important thing is the positive mentality that I have. Sure, all the time I want to be better and I want to improve my tennis. I want to improve my shots. I want to improve my position on court.
So in the end the thing is I think the most important thing for me is always I work a lot to be a better player. I think that's my better shot.

Q. I know you say frequently that every match is important, every tournament is important. But after what happened last year, how much do you strongly desire to get your title back here?
RAFAEL NADAL: You know, I'm very happy today because I was pretty nervous before the tournament. I was nervous during all the tournament, but today was before the match I was a little bit more relaxed because I was already in semifinal, so I did a good tournament.
And after the match is the day that I am more happy, no? Because I am there. I am at the last match. I am what I dreamed it to be long time ago.
Right now anything can happen. I can lose, yes. But I arrived there. I arrived to the right in the right conditions, physically and mentally.
So that's for me the positive thing. For me, the last year the harder thing wasn't lose. The harder thing was arrive to probably the most important part of the season in my worst conditions possible.
I was always a little bit nervous about being ready to play in this moment that I need to be to be ready to play my best. I did. I am there. I did all well to try to win.
If Robin play better than me and beat me, I had a very good clay court season. That's what I can say.

Q. Do you think that Soderling and Berdych, they are playing different tennis, more flat, less topspin, less slice, hitting the ever hardest? And still they are successful on clay, which wasn't used the way to be before. What do you think about that change in tennis or in clay courts, these kind of results?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. I no 100% agree on that. If we talk about the clay court season, Berdych or even Robin wasn't the best players during the all clay season. The clay season is not only Roland Garros. We have to talk about Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid.
I think the court here it probably easier for these kind of players. This year I think the court is more slippery. Is difficult to be strong on the court.
That's very positive thing for these kind of players, because is difficult to move well. And for the players, for the specialists on clay, one of the most important things is the movements.
I think this year the court is slippery than the rest of the years. That's my feeling. For these kind of players, is easier to have winners.

Q. What conditions do you prefer on Sunday? Will it be like today sunny and hot or like a couple days ago when it was raining?
RAFAEL NADAL: Always sun.

Q. Always sun. Can you elaborate on that one, please?
RAFAEL NADAL: Why?

Q. Yeah.
RAFAEL NADAL: First thing because sun is energy (Laughter.)
Second thing, because everything is nicer with the sun than with the rain, wind, these kind of things.
Third point, because with the sun my ball is getting more topspin than with rain and with the other conditions.
So three points that I think.

Q. Just one more thing on Soderling. He takes the ball early; he tries to play flat; he tries to take control of the points. So for you, are the important things to play longer, move him around? Can you just talk about what you have to do to win that match?
RAFAEL NADAL: I have to play well. I have to play well. If I play well, I play long, I play to the side. So I just try to play, play, and play my best tennis. That's what I have to do.
If it's not like this, it will be almost impossible to win over Robin, because he's playing amazing level. He's very aggressive and it's very difficult to stop him.
I know how I have to play to beat him, but I'm not speaking about tactics. I have to play my best tennis, and that's what I gonna try to do.

Q. What about the possibility to become No. 1? Is it as important as to win the tournament, or what about this fact?
RAFAEL NADAL: Is another thing. But believe me, if I win on Sunday, gonna be the last thing that I gonna think. For me, the important thing is the tournament. I always told you before 100 times: For me, to be No. 1 wasn't the main goal for me. The main goal for me is be healthy, try to play healthy as long as I can, and I did this year.
For that reason, because I was healthy and I was ready to play few weeks in a row without problems, practice well, I gonna have my chance to be another time in the top.
But anyway, I'm No. 2. I'm happy where I am. Roland Garros is only one time. No. 1 still there for a few more months.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish, please.

Q. At one stage someone in the crowd collapsed. Was it a problem to you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, when someone is sick and collapses, well, I'm very emotional, so it was a bit I was a bit afraid. I was a bit scared because I didn't know what happened.

Q. You were up 5 4, and some people say there is this fear to win with Sampras, with Federer.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don't know for the others, but for me, yes, it's sometimes true.

Q. After 5 4, there was a reaction from the crowd, and the umpire had to ask the crowd to calm down. Can you comment on that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, no. I think so far the crowd has been very correct with me. They've been very nice, and I think they come here to have fun, to watch tennis.

Q. Since you won your first Grand Slam to Gustavo Kuerten, the other finals were to Roger Federer. In these finals, it was more than just a rivalry between two great players. Do you think you'll have a different psychological approach to playing Soderling?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's a different final because I'm not playing the No. 1. I would usually play No. 1. It was against Kuerten the first time, but I think the approach is just the same.
I think I will be as happy or as disappointed if I lose to Robin or to any other player. I don't think this is going to change the way I'll approach the game, basically.
Obviously playing Roger Federer was something special, because we played many finals together. Well, that made me feel something special.
But this time, this year, we can feel it's going to be slightly different even before the final.

Q. You reached the final without losing one set. What can you say about that?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think it's because I played my best tennis here in Roland Garros. I think I started off very well. I played longer shots. I was very aggressive on my forehand.
I was very careful playing on both sides, and I think my serve was excellent during all matches. So I'm quite satisfied.
The only negative point that I was leading and I ended up winning the third set 7 6. But these are very tense matches, anyway. We played a lot, and sometimes, I mean, you have to accept that you become nervous.

Q. You've been talking about being nervous over the last days, so is it quite normal to be nervous for these great finals, or is it special for you here?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, Roland Garros, as compared to other tournaments, Roland Garros is a bit special, especially for Spanish players. Obviously when we feel that victory is within reach, obviously we are slightly more nervous.
In the final in Australia we were nervous, too, but we also feel less responsibility as we do here. As I said, I think that was probably my worst day since the beginning of the tournament today, and that had an impact on my game.
I don't exactly understand what was going on, because I had good control over the match. So I don't understand what happened, but, you know, I was nervous at one stage.
The important thing is it's all over now. It's behind me, and I'm ready to play my next match at 100%. I'm very happy, very happy indeed, about my attitude all along the tournament.

Q. If there are any weather changes from now till Sunday, if it starts raining, if it's more humid, is it going to be in favor of Robin? Would you think that the weather is important for the final?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, ask Roger about it. I mean, when the court is humid and wet, the ball doesn't bounce back as high. It's much heavier, so it's more difficult to play.
But we're talking about a final here in Roland Garros. I'm not going to start wondering, My goodness, what's the weather going to be like? Are we going to have wind or sun?
Whether it's a sunny day or a rainy day, I will play my best tennis whatever the conditions.

Q. What do you fear most in Soderling's game?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, everything. He has a very complete game. It's very difficult to get a move, because his serve is very powerful, both on the first and the second ball. He's very aggressive from the baseline.
Sometimes he will play long, flat shots. So it's very difficult to make him run and move. Wherever he is, he strikes with a very powerful shot. He won easily to me last year. Obviously I was not at my top level last year.
I'll be up to 100% on Sunday, and I'll do my job. But if he wins, I'll congratulate him. You know, in tennis you can win and you can lose. I mean, it's like in all sports. There is a winner; there is a loser. So I'll be one or the other, but I'll take it as it comes.

Q. This year you won everything. Are you the early favorite, or would you share this spot as a favorite?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think we're both favorites. We both made it to the final, so we both have a chance to win the final.
Of course it's not going to be easy for none of us, but I think it's going to be a tough final. It's going to be the best player win the final, so it's difficult to answer your question.

Q. You always make a very specific analysis of your matches because you see it very clearly. This is what makes a difference between guys like you and Federer and the others. I mean, they have a perfect clear vision of the match right after they walk out of the court.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don't know, really. I've not spoken to anyone after the match. I mean, that's my vision, but maybe I'm mistaken.

Q. The record, Vilas' record that you beat, it was a nightmare. You always played at night. You had won Soderling. There was a storm and you were playing Soderling. Maybe it wasn't the same Soderling, but anyway, there was just Vilas and his girlfriend left watching you.
RAFAEL NADAL: That was more than a storm. That was almost a hurricane. I can't remember exactly how I played, but I remember it was a very difficult match. I won, but I remember the conditions were horrible. But I can't remember the result. I can't remember the score.
The wind speed was 70 kilometers per hour. It was in 2007, wasn't it? It was yeah, I think it was in 2007. It was after Ferrer in Rome.
I'd lost to Ferrer in Hamburg, so it was in 2007, and it cannot be Soderling. Sorry. I didn't play that many matches on clay. I lost in Valencia in 2005. Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome. What do you think? Do you think that was Soderling? I won 60 matches to Soderling since 2007? Come on.

Q. (Question off microphone.)
RAFAEL NADAL: No, in 2008 I didn't lose to Federer in Hamburg. It was in '07 in the semifinals.

Q. Okay. You must be right, then. Well, apparently there's not much momentum in his game. He strikes here and there, so what can you do to make some time? Do you need to have longer rallies?
RAFAEL NADAL: It's not a matter of momentum. It's because he hits in a very powerful way. It's not serve/volley, but his second serve is 190, 200 kilometers per hour. It's incredible.

Q. So what can you do against this?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, you can play long, make him move, make him run, and it's difficult of course. It's going to be difficult. There is always a solution, and I'll have to find it.
So a good serve, I agree with you. A good serve is key. I don't think he'll have many opportunities of winning my serve, but you never know.

Q. This match against Berdych, did you learn something from it?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, obviously it's a totally different style, so I don't think you can compare.
But at one stage Berdych, in the fourth set, was well, it was as if he was winning, and during the fourth set I thought he played extremely well.
Maybe he lacks a bit of experience to be able to and play a final here. You know, sometimes it's ever so close. He was slightly more nervous than Robin, and I think this is what made the difference.
But as I said, the most important thing is to go all the way to our limits, and then you see what happens.

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