Rafael Nadal vs soderling (VIDEO)

Last game / Interview






VAMOS RAFA !!!

S`o derLINGI, fraiere !!!

Ar trebui sa scriu despre victoria lui Nadal acum, in introducere,  insa nu o voi face, pentru ca o victorie a lui Nadal impotriva lui soderling... da` cu "s" mic, este o victorie cat se poate de normala avand in vedere diferenta de valoare dintre cei doi.

Nu am crezut ca o sa vad un jucator de tenis cu asa o lipsa de fair-play cum l`am vazut pe soderling azi. O ura prosteasca din partea unui jucator care nu o sa ajunga niciodata numarul 1 ATP din cauza IQ-ului sau foarte, foarte mic.

Azi, soderling a jucat cu marele Nadal si si`a aratat, din nou, limitele... si nu numai asta, a aratat ca este un jucator de calitate inferioara din punct de vedere moral prin faptul ca nu si`a cerut scuze atunci cand fileul l`a ajutat (cu siguranta isi cerea scuze daca in fata era oricare alt jucator), a cerut o pauza pentru interventia medicului (ce`i drept legala) atunci cand Rafa era pe val, scotandu`si ostentativ soseta si aratand o rana de la degentul mare pentru a motiva acea cerere (poate ca aici sunt eu rau, dar cu siguranta, in primul rand, acea cerere de interventie a medicului a fost pentru a`l destabiliza pe Nadal)

Insa,  Rafa nu s`a lasat si a castigat acel set la tie-break, chiar daca acea manevra a functionat pentru suedez, acesta facand imediat break dupa acea pauza ceruta.

Si asta nu e tot... la final cand cei doi si`au strans mana, l`am vazut pe soderling ca face acel gest de a strange mana pentru ca este obligat si cu o sila imensa.... si nu pentru ca asa simtea... ca trebuia sa dea mana cu un jucator care a fost, este si va fi de 1000 de ori mai bun ca el.

Rafa l`a batut pe ghertoi in 4 seturi: 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-1... jucand fantastic, cu daruire, avand niste lovituri cu adevarat superbe !


In semifinale, Rafa va juca contra favoritului local, Andy Murray. Meci greu, mai ales ca publicul, evident, o sa fie de partea scotianului.


In conculuzie, un dobitoc are ura pe un mare campion, mare branza... lumea e plina de dobitoci, numai ca unii apar la TV.



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Rafa Nadal vs Paul Henri-Mathieu (PHOTO)

VAMOS RAFA !!!

Game, Set, Mathieu

Rafa avea nevoie de un meci castigat in 3 seturi, dupa cele de 5 seturi din turul 2 si turul 3. Si acest meci a fost contra lui Mathieu, o victorie destul de lejera contra francezului: 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

Am avut ceva emotii dupa ce ieri Rafa a chemat medicul de 3 ori, acesta masandu`l in zona genunchiului... dar cel putin azi, Nadal a aratat o forma fizica buna, e adevarat ca nici francezul nu l`a solicitat prea tare.

Sper ca impotriva lui Soderling, pentru ca suedezul este adversarul Matadorului in sferturi, sa joace la fel de bine ca si pana acum... desi e destul de greu deoarece suedeul i`a pus intotdeauna probleme, scorul la general fiind 4-2 pentru Nadal, ultimul meci fiind finala de la Roland Garros de anul acesta, unde Nadal s`a impus !



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Sa mai si radem putin ! :D

VAMOS RAFA!!!

Inca o "finala" castigata

Rafa a avut parte de inca un meci foarte greu, in 5 seturi contra germanului Petzschner, pe care l`a castigat: 6-4, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.
Nadal a inceput bine meciul, castigand primul set, gremanul revenind spectaculos, preluand conducerea, 2-1 la seturi, facandu`i fata cu brio Matadorului. In final, Rafa a revenit si a castigat dupa 5 seturi epuizante... si mai ales ca si meciul trecut contra lui Haase tot in 5 seturi a fost castigat.

Imi place sa cred ca Rafa a avut ghinionul sa dea peste niste jucatori motivati care vroiau sa castige cu orice pret... si nu ca spaniolul ar avea probleme fizice, pentru ca l`am vazut pe Nadal solicitand interventia medicului pe parcursul meciului cu germanul, acesta masandu`l in zona genunchiului de la piciorul drept !

In optimi, Rafa va juca impotriva francezului Paul Henri Mathieu, cei doi s`au intalnit de noua ori pana acum, Nadal conducand cu 9-0 !!!

Sper ca Nadal sa aibe timp sa se recupereze dupa acest doua meciuri epuizante in 5 seturi, pentru ca altfel...



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Victorie muncita

Rafa a avut parte de un meci foarte greu impotriva olandezului Robin Haase, pe care l`a invins in 5 seturi, asadar, primele seturi pierdute pentru Nadal la acest Wimbledon: 5-7, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Meci dificil contra olandezului, Haase avand niste lovituri fantastice si care, daca nu se accidenta usor la glezna poate ca Nadal avea de tras si mai mult, pana la urma valoarea si`a spus cuvantul, nu degeaba Rafa este numarul 1 in lume !

Pentru un loc in optimile de la Wimbledon, Rafa va juca impotriva germanului Philipp Petzschner, cei doi intalnindu`se pana in prezent de doua ori, scorul fiind 2-0 pentru Nadal.


Last game / Interview





VAMOS RAFA !!!

Victorie logica

Victorie lejera in primul tur la Wimbledon pentru Rafael Nadal. Spaniolul l`a invins in 3 seturi pe japonezul Kei Nishikori: 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

In turul 2, Rafa il va intalni pe olandezul Haase.


VAMOS RAFA !!!

New pictures with Rafa@Wimbledon

Rafa@Wimbledon

Ma asteptam...

Imediat dupa meciul cu Istomin mi`am dat seama ca Rafa nu o sa aiba un parcurs prea lung la Queens si din pacate am avut dreptate, fiind eliminat de Feliciano Lopez dupa 2 seturi in care Lopez  a dominat partida.

Sper ca evolutia slaba a lui Rafa sa fi fost din cauza oboselii acumulate dupa victoriile de la turneele pe zgura si nu din cauza unei accidentari.

Rafa se va intoarce acasa, in Mallorca, dupa care se va reintoarce la Londra pentru cel mai importan turneu pe iarba al anului: Wimbledon.


VAMOS RAFA !!!

Emotii

In meciul cu Istomin am avut primele emotii pentru Rafael Nadal, uzbecul aratand ca stie sa joace impotriva celui mai bun tenismen al Planetei fara emotii, avand niste lovituri fantastice.

Nadal s`a calificat pana la urma, invingandu`l pe Istomin in 3 seturi: 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 dupa 3 ore si 53 de minute (partida n`a durat chiar atat, meciul fiind intrerupt de ploaie).

In sferturi Rafa va juca impotriva lui Feliciano Lopez, 5-1 fiind scorul la intalnirile directe dintre cei doi.


Emotii am mai vazut si cand am vazut asta:

... ultimul lucru de care avem nevoie inainte de Wimbledon este vreo recidiva... sper sa nu fie nimic grav, ar fi prea de tot !


VAMOS RAFA!!!

Video from Queens

Interview with Rafa

Prima victorie din 2010 pe iarba

Prima victorie a anului pe iarba a venit astazi pentru Rafael Nadal, acesta invingandu`l pe brazilianul Marcos Daniel in 2 seturi, ambele castigate la 2.

Victorie lejera impotriva unui adersar modest, urmatorul meci fiind impotriva lui Denis Istomin.



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Rafa in London preparing for ATP Queens

VAMOS RAFA !!!

ATP`s new King !!!

This is the first page of www.atpworldtour.com ! I like it... I LOVE IT !!!


VAMOS RAFA !!!

Roland Garros Champion Interview

Q. I think we could tell by your emotions afterwards that it was a really, really special day for you. How special was it?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Very important victory for me. I think one of the most important victories in my career, I think.
Yeah, I told you 100 times, but was a difficult year for me the last year. So after this tournament last year was a difficult year, and I worked a lot to be here. I was very nervous during all the tournament, because I know before that that I was ready to try to win another time, and I saw the chances there.
But the very positive thing is today I was ready to play. I was ready to play with calm and to try my best and to enjoy the match.
I did, and was a very special day.

Q. You got Roland Garros title again and return to No. 1 ranking. So right now, which is more important for you right now?
RAFAEL NADAL: For me, I told you too, no, yesterday and a lot of times, I think that for me it's Roland Garros. This is the most important thing for me, no? (Pointing to trophy.)
After the No. 1 is there, yes. But I was No. 1, and believe me, I am very happy. When I was crying after the match, the last thing I was thinking was on the No. 1.
The first thing is the title and all the hours I worked a lot to be here another time.

Q. Holding back that trophy that had been yours since 2005, and that desire to want to hold it back again after losing it last year, does that explain how you fought in the breakpoints that Soderling had? You didn't lose any break points. Did you put like extra, some super concentration on those points?
RAFAEL NADAL: I try my best in every point.
I am in the every week we have weekly, the players, and we have the statistics, and I am the No. 1 on break points saved of the year. So specialist. (Laughter.)

Q. You always defend very well, but today you are against a guy who has a very big game. Your defense seemed even better than at some times in the past. How did you...
RAFAEL NADAL: Was very difficult to play against Robin. I think he's a great player. But at the same time, very difficult to play against because he has a big serve, very flat shots are long from the baseline, very good shots from both sides, forehand and backhand, and is very difficult to control.
It's almost impossible to have the control of the points against him. Today I felt great physically. I felt perfect mentally, too. I run. My movements was much better today than the rest of all the tournament.
So I am very happy how I played today, because I play with very good tactic, I think, and the movements was at my best level today.

Q. You win so many titles. Why do you say this one is the most important?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I didn't say it was the most important. I say it is one of the most important.
Is important because is one of the most important because I had difficult year, and for some moments was difficult to accept the injuries and everything. You know, for moments you don't know if you are ready another time to compete, you are 100%.
At the same time, sometimes is a big frustration when you are in US Open and you broke your an abdominal one week before and you are in Australia and have to retire during the quarterfinals match.
So all these moments are difficult to accept. I was there all the time, and for that reason, today is a very, very special day for me.

Q. Two days ago you said you preferred a sunny day, like sun is energy for you.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah.

Q. But today is not very sunny day. It was rainy in the morning. So could you explain what kind of condition it was out there today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe I had a mistake before to say I would love to have a sunny day. Maybe it was better to have a day like today, cloudy. I don't know. I don't know.
My feeling before the match was we have a sunny day with hot, the bounce gonna be bigger and gonna be easier for me to control his ball.
But in the same time, this year the court is more slippery than usual. With this weather, the court is more normal clay court, you know.
At the same time, I can run better. I feel more (through translation) stable on court than when the court is very dry. So that's the very important point for me today.

Q. What I think you said was that this was the most emotional moment of your career.
RAFAEL NADAL: No.

Q. No?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn't say that. (Laughter.) I say it is one of the more important moments in my career. But no, final of Wimbledon was amazing; second title here was amazing, and the first one, too.

Q. When you won, did you feel that this was a triumph of all the hardships that you've experienced over this past year?
RAFAEL NADAL: The feeling is when you win you know how many hours you had on court, how many hours you was thinking and working to play your best tennis, how much time you wait to win another time a title.
For me was 11 months without win a title, so a lot of tournaments going back to home without a victory. A lot of moments, difficult moments, because in a few of these tournaments I had to retired for the problems.
So is difficult moments to accept I say before, and this, sure, it's very important for me. It was personal goal to be back at my best. So I did.
And for me, sure, the important thing is Roland Garros. But for me the biggest thing is the personal satisfaction to be here, to be here another time and to be at the top level.

Q. I don't want to move on too quickly, but can you confirm, when will you first step on a grass court, and how is this gonna help you with your preparations for Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: The title here? I didn't understand.

Q. Everything that's happened here...
RAFAEL NADAL: The confidence always is the most important thing. So winning here and winning the last 22 matches on clay is always very good preparation for grass.
So tomorrow in afternoon I gonna be practicing on Queen's for not a lot of time. For 45 minutes. Maybe I will love to play doubles on Tuesday there to prepare.
And later, sure, I gonna play, I think, singles on Wednesday. So I love this tournament. I love Queen's always. I enjoy a lot to be there. It's different tournament because you play in a club. That makes the tournament very special.
I am feeling great all the time there.

Q. Was there any point in the past year where you feared that you would not get back to this level of tennis? Did you fear that, you know, to yourself, Maybe I won't be there?
RAFAEL NADAL: Sure. I think everybody have doubts, have his doubts on himself, no? I am not an exception.
And, sure, for a moment when I worked a lot at home during all December, my feeling was I was in perfect conditions to try to win in Australia because I played really well in Abu Dhabi and in Doha, too.
And when I had to retire from there was very difficult moment. Go out of court in any tournament is very hard, especially in a Grand Slam.
Sure, the biggest or most important thing is not the match that you are losing the match, the harder thing is you gonna be another three weeks without practice at home recovering. So that's hard for me.

Q. When you were sitting on the bench today with the towel in your face, in the towel, what was going through your mind?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I was there crying, but was really emotional moment for me. But probably is because of the situation. I didn't thought about a lot of things but the moment, and after, a lot of nervous, a lot of pression for me and a difficult year.
After you win this big title is, everything is you lose your tension. I don't know.

Q. Did you learn anything this season about how much is necessary to play before coming into Roland Garros, and how does your body feel now compared to previous years?
RAFAEL NADAL: I didn't understand the first thing.

Q. Did you learn something about how much you need to play before the French Open this year? Second, how does your body feel physically compared to the last few years coming out of this tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. You know, I played three tournaments before Roland Garros. That's the usual thing. In 2005 I play three, I think. Yeah, I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona well I played in Valencia, but I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome. I didn't play Hamburg. 2006, I played Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome. I didn't play Hamburg.
And 2007 and 8 years I played all four. But I don't know. It's depends of the moment. I think for me this year probably because I had a lot of problems on the knees, so I decided to play only three weeks.
But you never know in the future what's going on. And, sure, three tournaments the problem on tennis is you can't say, I gonna play three tournaments, because if you lose early you play five matches.
So is depends of the matches you play, no? If you win three, sure, it's enough. But if you lose in the first round, second, third round, this can't be enough of tournaments for me. So depends of the victories.

Q. Can you compare physically how you feel now versus last few years?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, physically I feeling great. I didn't have any problems, so that's the most important thing for me. Because if I am healthy again, enjoy playing tennis, that's the main thing.
If you have problems, is impossible to enjoy and is very difficult to play at your best, because you have too many problems. If you think about the knees, you can't think about the ball.
You can play with pain, but not... (through translation) You have a pain that limitate your movements, is impossible to play at the best level.

Q. Because you weren't able to defend your title last year at Wimbledon, do you go in with the mentality that you are a defending champion because it's your first opportunity to go back? What sort of mentality will you go in now that you are once you again French champion?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, see the points I have, so everything is improve. No, no, I not going thinking about I was the last champion. Two years happen after my victory, so a lot of things change.
I gonna try my best like I did every year to arrive there in my best conditions. Last year wasn't possible. This year I gonna do the same like I did every year: play Queen's, have a few days at home, and before Wimbledon practice there. Wednesday I think I gonna arrive there.
And that's all. That's all. That's what I can say I gonna do. I gonna try my best every day to adapt to the grass as fast as possible.

Q. Do you feel like the best ever on clay now?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. No, I sure that the numbers are unbelievable for me, no? I never thought to have the chance to win this tournament, five titles, five times or Monte Carlo six or Barcelona five, I think, too, or Rome for me five.
For me, that's more than a dream. When I see these titles and these numbers, for me is amazing. I don't know how I did.
But first of all, you gonna be very arrogant if I say for myself I am the best of the history. Second thing, I don't believe I don't believe I am the best of the history. I try my best every day, and we will see when I finish my career. I not gonna be who decide if I am the best or not. You maybe, but not me, sure.

Q. Will you celebrate tonight, or what are the plans?
RAFAEL NADAL: Difficult to have a big celebration if you have to practice tomorrow. (Laughter.)

Q. No party?
RAFAEL NADAL: I gonna have time, eh? At the summer at home after Wimbledon, Mallorca is unbelievable celebration to do. (Laughter.)

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish, please.

Q. Let me ask my question again. You spoke in French to the French crowd. Will you end up being a diplomate?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I'm not very smart with languages, but I have no shame talking in a language which is not mine. I was very shy, but I'm recovering from that. I have no problem with that. At the beginning I spoke very bad English. I could not understand anything, but I have improved.
As for French, I understand French pretty well. I can understand almost everything when they speak slowly, because it sounds like the Spanish and the language we speak in Mallorca, so I can try and speak it even if I speak it badly.

Q. Why would you bite the Cup each time? Is there a story behind that?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I did that in Monte Carlo for the first time during my first Masters, and then the journalists asked me to do it again for the picture. I do it just to please the photographers.

Q. The Spanish flag you were supposed to wear, were you wearing it today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's a fan who gave it to me in Madrid, and he said it's going to be good luck.

Q. What kind of objectives do you have for Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think I'll be top seed in Wimbledon, because that's a tournament I am very comfortable with. But please let me enjoy this day before I start talking about Wimbledon. Please give me that time to savor the moment, because it's really a special moment for me.
Tomorrow when I start practicing in Queen's, then we can start talking about Wimbledon. But first, let me appreciate the day. I was very fortunate my friend Marc accepted to play the doubles with me. So I'll prepare to get ready for the tournament in Queens.
This is a big favor, because I don't think I'll be his best partner in doubles. But I'm very happy. I'll try and practice and spend as much time on the court this week to, you know, find my momentum on grass. 

That's my objective. I'll try and arrive as prepared as possible to play my best Wimbledon ever.

Q. One of your major objectives was Roland Garros, and you won. Now, what's your second most important objective? Would it be to be No. 1 in the world, to win Wimbledon?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think winning any other tournament would be better for me than being No. 1 in the world; winning at Wimbledon or the US Open would be incredible for me.

Q. You're back to your 2008 level. You even exceeded that. How far are you planning to go, and would you say that you're in the same shape as 2008 or better?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don't like making comparisons. I don't want to compare, and I don't want to compare to 2008. I'm very happy about the way I play.
I'm very happy I can play. And as you all know, Roger Federer played very well and he was very happy he played in Australia and Miami, and it's just the same for me.
I'm just happy I can maintain my game at this level for as long as I can. And to achieve that, I need to be in very good health. So I do everything I cannot to get injured. That's how I can go through difficult moments.
You always need to learn from difficult moments to face the future.

Q. Could you explain your tears? Were you crying of joy?
RAFAEL NADAL: Relief, joy. Joy, certainly. It was a great personal satisfaction, because my family, my team, myself, all those who supported me and helped me be back...
Well, it's true that I played this tournament with more anxiety. I was slightly more nervous than usual. I went through difficult moments because I couldn't find, you know, my momentum on the court.
Then it was very emotional, you know, winning, and last week Astruch died. I was very sad. I couldn't attend the funerals, and this was a delightful woman. We miss her, and that was very sad for me.

Q. Can you tell us again the relationship you have to this clay here in Paris?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, how can I say? I mean, when I was a kid, I did not consider myself as a clay court specialist. But apparently since 2005, well, clay has been the surface of which I achieved the best results and which I best adapted my way to move and to play.
Apparently my game is perfectly suited to this surface. I love it with all my heart, because it gave me so much joy. Winning here in Paris is ever so special.
All tournaments I win give me huge satisfaction, but winning a Grand Slam tournament here in Paris, despite the fact I lost last year because I was not well prepared and I had very low morale last year, as well.
But this time I'm back. I'm back and I win. Maybe this is the tournament I most wanted to win.

Q. So you've equalled McEnroe and Wilander's record. Do you consider yourself as a great tennis player?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, that's exactly the kind of question I don't like, because then people say I'm arrogant, that I'm fat headed. What do you mean, being a great player?
As I said, I try to play my best tennis, to play my best game, to do everything I can. If figures and statistics say I've been a good player over the last years, well, I'll continue and play as best as I can to maintain those figures as long as I can.
As I said, it's a huge pleasure for me to be here in Paris. I am in Paris. I won in Paris. I'm very lucky, and I was very fortunate in life to have had the opportunity of experiencing all this at the age of 24.
Never in my wildest dream would I have dreamt of such beautiful presents. Life was very kind to me.

No.1

Il aveti in imagine pe numarul 1 in clasamentul ATP - Rafael Nadal.

Rafa a ajuns pe prima treapta in clasamentul ATP,detronandu`l pe Roger Federer,  dupa ce l`a invins azi pe suedezul Robin Soderling in 3 seturi: 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 (revansa a fost luata) dupa 2 ore si 18 minute si a castigat Marele Slem pe zgura de la Roland Garros.

A fost un meci mai  usor decat mi`am fi putut imagina, Rafa jucand fantastic si avand in fata un Soderling care a lasat impresia ca o finala de Grand Slam este o palarie prea mare pentru el, cel putin deocamdata... insa meritul de a ajunge acolo este indiscutabil.

Ah.. si inca ceva... Rafa a castigat Roland Garros-ul fara a pierde vreun set !!!


Felicitari Rafa, esti magnific !!!






VAMOS RAFA  !!!

Un 5, un 1 si un 0

5 trofee are Rafael Nadal la Roland Garros !!!

Este numarul 1 in lume !!!

0 este numarul de seturi pierdute la RG !!!



scriu mai incolo...


VAMOS RAFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!

Semifinal interview

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.

FINALA !

Rafael Nadal a ajuns in finala celui mai important turneu pe zgura, dupa ce l`a invins in semifinale pe austriacul Melzer, in 3 seturi: 6-2, 6-3, 7-6.

A fost un meci fara prea mari probleme pentru Nadal, poate in al 3-lea set cand Rafa a dat impresia ca o lasa mai moale si a ajuns la tie-break.

Asadar... finala... si ce finala o sa fie !!! Nu este vorba despre o finala Nadal vs Federer, ci despre o finala Nadal vs Soderling. Finala cu suedezul e una mult mai importanta si mult mai interesanta decat ar fi fost o finala cu Federer.
Soderling este singurul jucator care a reusit sa`l invinga pe Nadal pe zgura de la Roland Garros... se intampla anul trecut cand Robin a ajuns pana in finala, fiind invins de Federer.

Iata ca suedezul demonstreaza ca acea finala n`a fost o intamplare, ba mai mult, in sferturi l`a eliminat chiar pe cel care l`a invins in finala 2009 - Roger Federer.

Va fi un meci greu... si oricat ar spune Rafa ca pe el nu il intereseaza o razbunare sau o revansa, sunt sigur ca Nadal vrea sa`l invinga cu orice pret si intr`un timp cat mai scurt  pe Soderling !



VAMOS RAFA !!!