My respect for Andy Murray and why money is not important

Send Rafa your questions

Hi everyone.

Another of those days today where we don't play. Not only that, since tomorrow I am not playing either so it makes it a kind of funny day. Yesterday it was a match day and therefore the routine is more or less the same as every day I play. Warm up in the morning and wait to be called to go on court. After that the usual press conference, pictures with the US Open Series trophy and back to the hotel.

Talking about these US Open Series, i "only" played two events and had the luck to win it. I won Toronto and made it to the semifinals in Cincinnati. That allowed me to have the same number of points as Andy Murray but since I defeated him in Toronto the head to head made me win the thing and now I have the chance to win the biggest prize money in tennis. Some people do not really appreciate the game that Andy has. He is really good, very good.

Coming back to this prize money thing, the other day someone asked me about this fact. Do we really think about the money when we walk on court, and the answer is clear and simple without sounding arrogant. We really don't think about it when we step on court. We want to win. The most important thing is the honor to win a certain title. No chance to think about the amount of money at stake on the final of Wimbledon. The most important thing is to win the title and I am sure this is the way most of the players think. I hope no one misinterpret what I am saying.

Anyway, today was that kind of day where you practice and at the same time you have some time off without thinking about the next day and the match to come. It is way more relaxing and it allows you to have some time off and do things that normally you can't do. As a matter of fact I went to play some golf after practice with Tomeu Salva, a friend of mine since we were kids that sometimes travels to tournaments with me and also helps me as hitting partner, and Benito my PR Manager.

We had a good time and we came back to the hotel around 8.30 pm. I went out for dinner with a big group of people including Sergio Garcia the golfer who also came earlier in the day to my practice. We hit some balls and arranged to go out tonight for dinner with some friends. We talked a lot about golf. I have to say I love that sport and with people like Sergio giving you some tips, it is easier to improve. At least on the theoretical part... the tough one is when you go out and play...

Send Rafa your questions

Comments

[Michael]

Of course neither Rafa nor anyone else would be thinking about the money as they step on court. They would almost certainly lose if they did.

But it's tosh to say it's not important. Ultimately, they're only in it for the money and the recognition. It's delusional and insulting to try to pretend otherwise (honour, my arse!).

Can't bear it when rich people say money's not important. It's just that they have enough of it not to have to think about it. They can pay someone else to.

If tennis paid nothing and was never on TV Rafa would be doing something else. Fact.

[Chitra]

Rafa,

I think you are really smart in the way you answered that question about prize money. Of course, it does not make sense to play for only money, that question was a little weird. It must be the feeling of winning for you. And I was also happy to see you say something respectful about Andy Murray. You truly are one of the most mature people I (indirectly) know... and amazing on the court! Good luck against Ryler tomorrow.

[Haziq]

Hi Rafa,

Congratulations on al your achievements so far this year. i hope yu will win the US Open with a victory of 6-,6-0,6-0 against Djokovic. PLEASE KICK HIS BUTT!! Everyone thinks Djkovic is the best hard court player but he is not.You beat him in The Olympic semifinal. You are better than him. TEACH HIM A LESSON HE WILL NEVER FORGET!! He is too confident :<3) Do your best in US Open. Good Luck (o_o)

[Danny - Michigan]

I look forward to reading your blogs everyday just to kind of precariously live through your day to day activities. I wish you a lot of luck at the U.S. Open. Rest up and have your best week yet...

[Fiona]

Dear Rafa,

Thanks for doing another blog. Andy Murray is my favourite player along with you so I am glad you respect him. He is awesome. Thanks for the great comment.

I was very happy to see both you and Andy in Toronto a few weeks ago (as I live nearby). Thanks for winning there!!! I waited a long time to see you live.

Good luck in the USO!
Fiona from Niagara Falls area

[Babe]

YO, RAFA....no questions today? :-(

[Lisa]

Hola!
Nice to see that you are still so grounded after all the media madness being thrown at you.
From what I can see you're a cool guy.
And it's great to watch you play tennis right now, you are doing brilliantly!

Best of luck for the future!!
Vamos!!
x

[Miguelo]

Hi to everyone!

Rafa's not here, guys, so stop trying to talk to him; he's not gonna read your comments.
This sort of diary is published by the Spanish paper "EL MUNDO" and, later on, translated by "The Times".

Rafa's doing great; he really deserves being at the very top of the ATP. I don´t think he's gonna be able to get this grand slam, though.

[G]

Greetings Mr Nadal

Thank you for your gracious comments about Andy.

It is great to see you 'blogging' again - your many fans can feel a little bit closer to you when you spend valuable time communicating with them like this.

[cherice]

hi rafa ,

you are NOT BORING AT ALL. we love hearing from you. thank you for agreeing to do another blog. it's so nice to read about the best NO.1 in the world.

buenas suerte for the rest of the tournament! :)

[Frank]

Rafa, we were delighted when you finally won Wimbledon - sorry for Roger but very happy for you. Never think that you are boring - your politeness, modesty, hard work, and sense of fun do you great credit. You are also very patriotic - on that one, however, please stay a little open-minded, Because we are thinking of making you an honorary Englishman. "Wow!!" I hear you say. "How exciting is that?" Best of luck in the US Open.

[Miss Falk]

Dear Rafael,
You are so cute saying that you might be boring. Not for a sec! I love the blog-idea and I truly enjoy reading your posts. I check back to see if there's a new one every morning at breakfast. You seem to be such a nice guy.
I understand it must be hard to play the first round of a tournament when you have to "start all over again" after a great win in the previous one. I am sure you will feel a lot better in the next match. The mental strength you possess is admirable and your ability to always focus on every single point is amazing to watch.
I will be seeing you play at the Davis Cup in Madrid later this fall so please be back from the US Open in one piece ;) Best of luck for the Open. Nos vemos en Madrid. Lots of love /Miss Falk, Sweden

[Shani H]

Hi Rafa

Your fans on the BBC 606 website have been trying to learn some Spanish phrases. As your English has improved so much we thought we'd return the compliment. It has been suggested that you could come and give the lessons personally,but I really wouldn't If I were you!! Good Luck for tomorrow,I hope the feet are healing up. All your fans on 606 will be watching and cheering you on and remember

En Rafa Confiamos!!

[Jen]

Rafa, I think you're awesome. I even named my bike after you when you won Wimbledon. Keep it up :o)

[Much Older Gemini]

Hi Rafa, as a Gemini (like you) and of Borg's vintage, I used to be a supporter of Federer, right up to when he beat you in 2006 at Wimbledon, but then, I started to see an underlying arrogance from him (He failed to accolade and praise the great Bijon Born, when he (Federer) had equalled the great man's 5 straight wins in a row. Roger Feder, has what I will term 'introverted arrogance', his 'God-Like' appraisal of himself and his nonchalance (NOW) at the difference between #1 and #2 (only because he is #2) is sickening. You are a decent, humble young man,he will never regain the #1 post from you, make sure you win this,the US, and then become the first since the great Rod Laver, and win the grand slam in 2009, you can and you will do it! Gemini power!!

[Lorraine - Jersey]

Hi Rafa,

Thanks for the comments about Andy, he can get really bad press over here in the UK and its good to see that he has respect on the tour.

By the way you are not in the least bit boring and thanks for giving your time to us. I was lucky enough to be on centre court when u won Wimbledon and to see u win was the best thing I have ever seen ( apart from the birth of my kids!!)

Good luck at the US Open, u must be tired but what a year.

[u2onair]

Ah, so that explains why you won the US Open Series over Andy. I was confused when I saw the points tally, but I'm ecstatic you have the head-to-head against him. I think Andy is very dangerous on the court. He is a really good player.

I'm also glad you have the two days off before your next match. When I saw you on Arthur Ashe Kid's day you looked tired. And your match against Phau kinda confirmed my suspicions. I hope you're getting plenty of rest and you can use the downtime to plan your strategies for your next opponents.

Ryler DeHeart is so thrilled to play against you. I still want you to win, Rafa, but... be nice to Ryler, will you? I kinda like him too, since he played for our team this summer. :)

[Caterina]

Hola Rafa!! =)

This is great that you are well and writing again!!! =] Reading your blogs gives me an insight on how busy things are and that tennis players don't just "play" tennis all the time. =P

Good luck playing this tournament!!! xD

Adore siempre!

[Asako]

Hi, Rafa
You like playing golf so much. Have you ever thought to be a professional golf player after retiring from tennis tournaments (may be 10 years later or more). It'll be very great if we could watch you join the golf tournaments in future.
Many lucks for 2008 US open.

[Roland]

Rafa you are a legend! I love reading your blogs for The Times, you are such a likeable chap and you are gaining fans all over the place because of it. Good luck for the US Open and every other tournament you play in, you deserve it!

[Michelle]

I agree with you about Andy Murray, I think he's been playing amazingly. I think it's not the fact that he defeated Djokovic in Cincy, but it's HOW he defeated him, if that makes sense? He was very positive and mentally very prepared and that showed through the match. Anyway! :P

It is very obvious that you don't think about the money when you step onto the court. Anyone that sees you, even people that know nothing about tennis, can tell your drive and your passion for the sport and for that match and can tell that you're not out there with dollar signs in your eyes. Same goes for most players, I daresay, if not all.

I'm so glad you've had some actual days off and that you get another one today (Wednesday)! Enjoy it and savor it and sleep in as much as you'll let yourself, haha. I'm glad Tomeu is there with you so you can have a little bit of home with you after having been gone for so long.

Good luck, sweets. You never cease to amaze me, on the court and off. <3

[Danielle]

Hi Rafa,

I love reading your blogs - please don't ever stop writing them! And your definatly not boring. In England we don't have many sporting stars, so when a new face comes into the spotlight like Andy has in the past few years for some stupid reason everyone loves to critisise him. I agree he's improved lots in the recent years, but you'll always be my favorite tennis player. :D Good Luck in the US Open.
Love Dani x

[clara maria hanna]

Hi Rafa,

Enjoying watching you at the US Open.....On your time off during a tournament do you spend time with other tennis players or mainly your own team. Are you friendly with any players in particular? fantastic Gold at Beijing...was uncleToni in Beijing to celebrate.....

Ciao Clara, UK.

[mona]

hi rafa first congratulations for your very proudly playing and winning the most important tournaments.and then i wanna tell u u are the best and u must know this too.i know u are tired a little but think if u win us open after it u can rest so much so its cost that effort and hard work .no need to i tell u i know u know that but i love u and also your playing and i really want u to win this i believe in u and i m sure u will win if u play your best tennis as usual so keep going baby ! i think if u see my name u must know me cause i've sent u alot e_mails!!! but know that i m your biggest fan and defend u everywhere that i am i'd do anything for u cause i truely love u so dont ever feel alone and keep going rafa! u dont know how much i pray for u to win all of your matches!
hope to see your championship of us open ! and hope to meet u someday.
u are THE BEST

[Cheryl]

Hi Rafa,
I wrote yesterday asking about your 2-handed backhand, but you are number one in the world, so you & your Uncle Tony know what is best for you. I LOVE your blog, Thank You for taking the time for it.

I did see a video of you on You Tube signing tennis balls, you are a very kind person. Someone even asked you for the shirt off your back! :>)

I watched Roger's match tonight and I have to say-- PLEASE KICK HIS BUTT!! I like Roger, but he's nothing like you. You remind me of Andre Agassi with your bright colors, free spirit and good looks! I know hard court isn't your best surface, but I know you can do it -- especially after the song they were playing tonight after Roger's match. I was grinding my teeth listening to it!! I'm a very competitive person myself, as you can probably tell! :>)

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU on Thursday!!! VAMOS RAFA!!!