Rafa answers your questions: What is it about watching fish that you like so much?

I know this may be a strange question, but many people, including myself, want to know what cologne(s) do you wear? Brandy, Memphis, TN

RN: Hi, I use to wear my own one that a Spanish company designed for me. Now I use Lanvin.

Hola Rafael. Rafa, why are you always late? Whenever I read about you it seems you're late for everything but when it's time to step on court. Well, I've heard that you can be late for that too. Vamos Campeon. Cedrine.

RN: That's very funny. Yes, I am kind of late always for certain things. I am never late for practice. Something that I don't do on purpose. TIme simply goes fast and I find myself late... Sorry. 

Hello Rafa. Congratulations! You won Artois Championship in style! I'd like to ask you this question: Have you practiced at Wimbledon yet? How do you feel about the grass there? How difference between this grass and the grass of Queen's? I mean that is it bounce higher and slower or faster. Thank you very much!

RN: Yes, I started today. I like the grass a lot and I enjoy being here. I don't see much difference at the moment. Let's hope it doesn't rain too much though.

Rafa i love the way you play and your physical presence on the court, what made you decide to build your body in such a way instead of being like most other tennis players? Thanks Daniel Mason, Kent

RN: I did nothing, believe me. I don't go much to the gym. I don't like it. I am just like this and most of my training is on the court. That's where I really like to be.

Greetings Rafael,

My question is about fish. I read that while in New York at the US Open last year you said you liked going to the aquarium to watch the fish.  What is it about watching fish that you like so much?  Do you feel a connection to the natural world in general? Thank you, Naomi Wallace

RN: That was during Australia. In the end I couldn't go but I wanted to. I like the fish in general and I like going fishing a lot as you know. I just like it. Mallorca is a privileged place to be and the natural world there is fantastic. I suppose that's why I like it so much.

Good to have you back Rafa, excellent blog last year!

Do you see your team, Real Madrid, next season lifting the trophy very similar to the one you won last week at Queen's Club, and with or without Ronaldo? Regards, Martin (Ramsbottom, Lancs)

RN: I don't know if it will happen but I hope it does. Would be amazing. Both lifting the Champions League trophy and having Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Real Madrid.

Good luck for Wimbledon. Hope you win it this year. However, looking ahead - given that the US hard court season after Wimbledon is your least successful  - Would you consider playing doubles with Pete Sampras in some of the build up events in preparatioin for the US Open? As he was very successful there and also as his style of play was so different to yours, he could give you some useful hints. Bini Chandaria

RN: Pete Sampras playing doubles with me? Never thought about it. Not sure that would help my game. I am sure he would be able to give me good advice on things but I also have faith in my uncle and we have done things right. I had a bit of bad luck last year with that knee problem. Hopefully this year I will arrive fit and will definitely try to improve my record there.

Dear Rafa,
You just went home for a few days after winning Queen’s. (Many congratulations for your first grasscourt title by the way.) I know you love your Mum’s cooking – what did she make for you for your first dinner after getting home from London? What is your favourite dish cooked by her? Lots of luck for winning the big one this year! Fiona Lamb, Canada

RN: Many thanks. I spent 3 days at home and had a great time. I actually went out with some friends for dinner... But my favorite dish with her is fish anyway.

Hola Rafael, muchas gracias for writing another Blog for us. I wonder if there is also a little bit of superstition with the Blogs during the Grand Slams. In Paris, you have written one for the third time now and won again and you've also had a very good result in Wimbledon the last year when you've also written a Blog. Have you ever thought about that or not at all? I know you always say you're not superstitious. Best of Luck for Wimbledon, hopefully this Blog will be the Blog of the Wimbledon Champion in 2008. Best of Luck, Annika

RN: No, no superstition, believe me.  I think it is great to be able to communicate like this, much more personal. I did the blog from Wimby last year and did not win it so according to you I should change and not write it... :-)

Have you ever tried to hit a baseball?  The way you swing your two-handed backhand sometimes looks just like you are hitting a baseball.  I know that you play all other sports right-handed so it would be interesting to see if you would hit more home runs right-handed or left-handed.  On which side do you think you would be more successfull, meaning hit more home runs?  I hope sometime the ATP invites you to take a professional baseball batting practice when you are in the United States. mamasue

RN: It would be different because I am a natural right handed so would hit it funnily.

Hi Rafa,
It seems like everything is working for you right now - your fitness, your mental approach, your “improved game” and the desired results. It seems like  THIS IS YOUR TIME - YOUR MOMENT TO SHINE. How much is hard work and how much is destiny? All the best for Wimbledon! Reema

RN: Wow, tough question. I don't know. But I do know I work very hard and that I put on everything to win. So i guess you have to look for that destiny to find it, right?

Comments

[Esma]

Congratulations R.Nadal, you've deserved this N1 world champion...and you've offered us magnificant moments in Tennis...Words are so hard to describe your works ( playings) on the tennis courts, I wish for you the best...and working hard is the key for the success. May GOD protects you.

[Mohana]

Congratulations Rafa,

That was an epic tennis match with Federer and your win was more than well-deserved. This proves you'll surely go on to dominate every surface - your reign is just beginning.

How did you celebrate your glorious Wimbledon win?

Congrats to the new Champ!

[agustin_vamos rafa]

rafa you are the best player i hope you win wimbledon .
ojala que ganes en wimbledon.
sos el mejor

[Jackson]

Hello Nadal, you have been such a great inspiration to me that i even decided to play left handed just like you, as a natural right hander. My question, however, is have you ever considered playing right handed just to see how it feels? Does it mentally feel better for you, or has the years of left handed play settled in? I'm guessing it shouldnt be too hard since you are a natural right hander.

[deborah]

Hola Rafa, Buena Suerte for Wimbeldon
Congratulations on your amazing year, i'm so proud of you. You are such a great inspiration in my life. Never change, you are perfect just the way you are. Viva Espana for the Euro 08.

[banti]

Rafa, I am a big Roger fan. Actually hated you for a few years :) I would like to say, at the moment though I think of you as a great champion. Someone who holds himself with such integrity and maturity that you can only wish him the best. I think your maturity for your age is umbelievable. I totally admire how your able to handle the pressure of the game, deal with media concerning Roger and your rivalry against him, Novak, and pretty much everything. We have never seen you lose your composure on the court ( almost at the level of Borg in this regard). You handle yourself with such wisdom for ur age. Truelly humble for being one of the all time greats allready. So Mr. Spanish Gentleman :) congrads on everything and good luck at wimbi.

Banti

[susanna]

Hola Rafa!
Buena suerte champion! You are an inspiration to many every day. You give us so much! What can your dedicated fans do for you?--seriously!

[Nour]

RAFA!!!!!! =D
I'm freakin' happy you're writing a Wimby-Blog!!!!!!! :-)

Your english-talking fans always miss you..because we find it really hard reading your blogs in spanish!
I gotta say I try it..and I'm taking spanish courses in order to be able to read your blogs or even talk to you if I have the luck to ever meet you!!!! =)

Good luck in Wimby...
I know you can do it, champion!!!! =)

VAMOS!!!!!!

[Jeanne Dillon]

Hola Rafa, Do plan to have your book translated into English?

[June Chua]

Hi Rafa,

I am your greatest fan from Taipei Taiwan. Always looking forward to seeing you play! Too bad Star Sports never shows French Open but that did not stop me. I listened to the game thru the internet and though watching would be more interesting, still I was rooting for you in my room to win French Open!

All the best Rafa! YOU ARE AWESOME!

VAMOS CAMPEON! June

[Petra, Slovakia]

Hello Rafa,
First of all I would love to thank you for all the pleasure you gave us, to your fans, in the last weeks. Supporting you gave me a new dimension of my life and your strong ´´ never giving up´´(we can call it lol) helped me to get out from some troubles.
My question is the following:
Making a decision between football and tennis was, for sure, very hard for you. If you had a possibility to go back to the past, would you do the same- decide for tennis? I mean, haven´t you had some moments in your life, when you regreted choosing tennis?
Thanks for answer. Vamos Rafa! :))

[pancho]

Hello Rafa: I usually read "Times on line" and it has been a surprise for me to discover you here. Only a little question, in your opinion, Who has been the best tennis player ever? By the way, congratulation for your English.

[sofia]

dear rafa,
i wanna invite you to visit morocco
a beautiful country,delicious meals....
write me soon
sofia from morocco
ths
and VAMOS rafael
kiss

[Nathan Hudson]

Hi Rafa, my question is what you do away from the tennis matches and practise? How do you spend your evenings? Do you spend time relaxing watching films, reading books, going to restaurants, thinking about tennis matches? Also on a separate note how do you feel about the ATP World Tour Finals being played in London from 2009? Thanks Rafa and best of luck for wimbledon and i hope you can go on to win it this year.

[aurelie (Paris , france)]

hi rafa!!
congratulations for Roland Garros & Queen's!
I wish you all the best for Wimbly!! vamos!!

[aurelie (Paris , france)]

hi Rafa!!
Congratulations for Roland Garros & Queen's!!

I wish you all the best for Wimbly!! Vamos!!

[rafa_rafa]

Hello Rava I'm encouraging you and exclusive always followed in each championship F. congratulate you that the fourth title in Roland and the first title in the championship Queens p grassland and a strong player in front of Novak. Rava wish you success in Wimbledon and you make the title and an unprecedented achievement. Last year was luck Did not accompany the stands. You have every opportunity to win the best proof your performance in Queens and the final last year. Good luck in Wimbledon title will not be satisfied without any Rava

[Jessy Alarcón]

Hola Rafa!,

First of all i would like to say that you are an inspiration to me everytime i play tennis. Keep it like that i KNOW you can win Wimbledon. My question is what do u like to do when youre not playing tennis, back in the hotel? Do u still play Play Station with other tennis players? I´ve seen that on the Chela and Zavaleta show tennis pro years ago, it was a very good tv show that showed tennis player´s life back in the hotel while they are on tour. My best wishes this year for you Rafa, ponle garra como siempre!

[Mégane]

hello Rafael, first of all i would like to congrulate you for your incroyable victory at the Quenn's ! and i've got a question : do you think, Real Madrid is goin to win the Euro 2008 ? ( good question, no? ) ( smile)
I just say you that you are my idole !

VAMOS CAMPEON !!

[nicki, california,usa]

Felicidades, campeon in winning the Queens Cup. You are very especial. Saludos desde California.

[Doreen]

Dear Rafa, Thanks for giving us fans so many great matches to watch. You almost seem super human lately. Is it true that you shower Before your matches? And what about that incredibly high jumping that you do in the locker room? Are those part of your secrets? I have also noticed you are very particular when putting your bottles on the ground - labels always facing toward the court. Are you a neat freak? Your unique habits are very amusing for sure. Thanks

[silvia]

hi rafa!!! I am spanish, I try my best to write you in english, I only tell you that you are an incredible player, Always surprise me, see you on court is a pleasure, if you have to choose what do you prefer be the winner in wimbledon 2008 or win an olympic gold medal?
only one, eh?
I hope one day you dedicate me your book, I tried it in barcelona but it was not possible,
VAMOS CAMPEON
SILVIA

[Marguerite]

It is a joy to watch you play. How do you stay so foccussed? Do you have any kind of spiritual practice that you do regularily?

[Susana, Paraguay]

Hi Rafa, I saw that you'll play only singles. How do you choose with whom play doubles and when? I love to see you playing with Bartolome or Tommy.

[Ali Sahto]

Rafa I know you have great respect for each of your opponent, but I will ask you that if you had a chance to pick second round opponent, then will it be the Rising Star Gulbis? or the Big Server Isner? Knowing that Karlovic match turned out to be so close even though you played great tennis.