Rafael Nadal from the US Open - Times Online - WBLG

Rafa Nadal's bid for US Open glory - in his own words

Rafa's quest to add the 2008 US Open title to his Wimbledon and French Open crowns proved a step too far, losing to Andy Murray in the semi-finals. We've compiled this post to look back at the highlights of a memorable fortnight at Flushing Meadows. Click here for his thoughts on last night's match.

Monday, August 25
After his first match, a straight sets victory over Bjorn Phau of Germany, Rafa writes his first blog post for Times Online.

Rafa said: "I hope that I am not too boring because I would hate that.”

Your question: You must be exhausted from all the tennis you've played this year, how do you think your body will hold up? Kelly Faust
His answer: I am sure it will be fine. We are used to play best of 5 at Grand Slams. But thanks anyway.

Neil Harman's verdict: "This is the one grand slam tournament where Nadal hasn't played well and the one he now wants to win more than any other"

Wednesday, August 27
Ahead of his second round match with Ryler DeHeart, an American qualifier, Rafa reflects on whether prize money is more important than titles.

Rafa said: "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."

Your question: How does it make you feel to know you have so many doubters and critics? Steve Tampa, FL
His answer: I feel that a lot of people do recognize what I do. But what really motivates me is to win titles. I don't really pay much attention to the negatives. I take more the positives.

Friday, August 29
The world No 1's second round victory over DeHeart drags long into the night after he was scheduled late on court for the benefit of the television audience.

Rafa said: First of all I would like to apologise because this will be a very short blog. The reason for this is that I have just arrived to the hotel and it is half past midnight.

Your question: Had you not been born with this talent what profession do you think you might like to have gone into? Sam Frost
His answer: I think I would have tried to be a professional football player. I don't think I would have been a fisherman to be honest.

Neil Harman's verdict: Nadal looks pretty comfortable to me, his game is sharp and in place and he did a very good job.

Murray was better - no excuses

Hello and goodbye to all,

I am writing a short note as my last blog post from New York. You know I normally don't do this after I have finished a tournament but thought I should do it today since I lost against your player. I am flying back home to Spain and will have 3 days of rest.  Andy played better than me both yesterday and today and he deserved to win. No excuses, no complaints. Some have asked if I had something to say about yesterday and the match being changed of courts, etc. The conditions are the same for both players and he simply played better. I had said on my previous blog that I knew this was a very, very difficult match. That Andy was playing great and that I knew this could happen. Well, it did.

Tomorrow it will be his first Grand Slam final and I am happy for him. it will be difficult for him since Roger is still Roger. I remember when lots of people were saying he was finished. I always said that Roger deserved more respect, and that he is still there, the favourite always. Well, he is in the final, again. Good luck to both and let's hope we see a great tennis match.

Finally holidays. I left home on July 18th and played Toronto, Cincinnati, Olympics in Beijing and here in New York since then. I will play some golf, be with friends, family maybe fish a bit and not much more. Don't have time for more. Then start practicing again to be ready for the Davis Cup. It will be big and I hope I will be at my top level with the help from the crowd.

I really want to thank all of you who have been reading and sending me questions. It gets me closer to all and hopefully gets me closer to you. I also want to thank the Times Online for this opportunity. Benito tells me it is Neil Harman (stop making fun of my Spanish accent :-) ) and James Major the ones I have to thank, so there you go.

Take care all of you and "hasta pronto".

Rafa

Questions for Rafa: I'm scared of snakes, but wanted Real to sign Ronaldo!

Do you have any phobias? Jenny, England
RN: Not really. But I don't like snakes and things like that.

Would you agree that the competition coming from players below you and Roger is tougher than it has been? Stephen Dresch
RN: I don't know. The level is always high, but not sure if it is higher than ever.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? Sarah Butler
RN: To defeat Andy...But let's just be realistic and know that we are two normal human beings.

How do the top tennis players learn to deal with returning fast serves? Tennis Machines in training? José Mastrangelo, England
RN: There is no way to practice that. Intuition and try to read the opponent. Not easy to learn how to return Roddick, Djokovic, Karlovic and Federer. Believe me.

What qualities do you have of your parents that have helped you be so successful in tennis? Marian, Wilmington, North Carolina
RN: To work, stay humble and always try my best with passion.

What will you be doing before your semi-final match? Kate from NYC
RN: They are over now!!! I practiced and played golf yesterday and I practiced and did TV interviews today. I also watched a movie and went out for dinner to my favourite Japanese restaurant in NY.

Which tennis umpire do you respect the most? Balazs Tokey from Hungary
RN: Good question. But I prefer not to answer. I do have my favourites. He is Swedish with Moroccan origins...

Who would you have signed for Real Madrid this year? Joaquin, London
RN: CR7 for sure !!!

Do you have any any pre-game rituals? Sara
RN: Not sure they are rituals but I always try to get my racquets organized, listen to music and be focused thinking on the match and what to do.

Calm before the storm

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Hi everyone,

Well, one less day or one more day... The thing is that tomorrow the semifinals are here. Or at least that's what we expect. The fact is that the weather forecasts are pretty grey and on this they are like at Wimbledon: they don't make mistakes. That is the reason why we have been scheduled to play not before noon. We might even change the court where we are scheduled to play and we have been told that we have to be ready by then. We could end up playing on the other show court instead of the centre court. This is not usual but they are ready to do it in case it really rains hard so that the semis are both played and the final could be played on Sunday. I really don't mind although I have only played on centre court and I really don't know if that other court is different. But the conditions are the same for both so nothing to complaint about, right?

I know most of you are wanting to know my thoughts about Andy. I have said it many times and I think he is a great player. He has been improving a lot lately and I already said last year he would make it to the Masters at the end of the year. He didn't because of the injury he suffered, but this year he will be there for sure since he's stayed healthy and played great tennis. He won Cincy and showed all he can and knows how to win. The match in Toronto against him was really difficult and close and it could have gone either way.

You know me and I will try hard and give it all to win but even if I lose I think that this tournament has been great and reaching for the first time the semis here is good. I always say that to reach the semis and be one of those last four is always a good result. Better to win, obviously.

Today I write  this blog quite early since I went early to dinner (to my favorite Japanese restaurant in NYC) and now I am going to get my physiotherapy session before I go to bed. We have an early departure at 8am since we need to be ready by 12. You know, with the taping, warm up, shower, more taping and the things before the match we need to be there early. let's see what happens. I hope I can be here again writing a pre-final blog... Would be great.

Thanks to all.

Rafa

Questions for Rafa: bungee jumping and sky-diving - I'm too scared

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What films have you watched during your time in New York? Daphnee Cruz
RN: I have seen a new TV series called "Heroes".

You keep saying you like Spanish music – can you be more specific?  Manu Chao, Shakira, Kinky, Mana?  Or do you like Gypsy Kings, native music from Spain? Mary Yeomanson
RN: Believe it or not I am listening to Julio Iglesias, Mana, Alejandr Sanz and many others

Would you auction some of your personal items to raise money for your foundation? Julie from UK
RN: Yes, I give always stuff for that or to give away to people that ask my team so that they can auction it and make money for their charities

Do you customise your racquet? Alexis Grohmann
RN: It is specially made for me.

Is it tougher to play against taller players and if so, how? Frances
RN: On hard and fast surfaces yes due to their big serve.

If could add one shot to your game from any of the current players, men or women, which one would you choose? Peter, New York
RN: There are many shots from Roger I would love to have... but this is not possible so I focus in improving my game and my shots.

Would you ever try skydiving or bungee jumping? Lauri
RN: None of those - too scary

Your uncle Toni always seems so soft-spoken, calm and easy-going. Is he like this as a coach with you or is he usually tough on you? Janice
RN: He is tough and has been tough but at the same time he is important for me.

Do you feel any different being number one in the world? Sandy
RN: Not really.

Do you plan to play any more doubles in future Slams/Masters? Judy
RN: Not at Slams since it takes too much energy

Grilled salmon at 3am, a round of golf and still time for another award!

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Hi everyone,

Once again I start apologising for not sending the blog yesterday.

I am sure this time no one can criticise me for not doing it. I got back to the hotel at around 3.15am !!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!

You might know that I started my match at 11.38pm or so. The whole day went slow and since our match was the last one of the night, we started that late. And it could have been even worse since the previous match finished in 2 sets. It was the Williams sisters and Serena managed to win. But it was close, they were going to a 3rd set !!! I could have started already today. Like Lleyton in Australia earlier this year.

But for me the day was great. I woke up with the news I was really hoping for. The jury gave me the Prince of Asturias award and that is just unbelievable. I know I use this word quite often, but really, to receive that award is the maximum.

It is given considering not only what you do on court but also off court and I really feel proud of it. Carlos Costa, my manager, woke me up with the news, or should I say, I called him when I woke up and he told me.

Anyway it is a great award that really makes me happy and that I thought I would never be able to have it. It goes, as I say, beyond the results of the competition.

For that occasion my team convinced me to do a special press conference before I played. This is something I never do since I think it is important for me to just think about a match the day of play.

All these press gigs take time and you have to do them well so I prefer to do those after I play or on a free day. But yesterday was special. I had to do it and I did it with pleasure. It was at noon, at the hotel I am staying and after that I just got some room service and waited for the time to go to the courts.

By the way I have not spoken much about what I have been eating. I had a very good fried rice with Scallops and mushrooms. They do it really good at this hotel so I have been having it every time I have lunch here.

So you might also ask me what do I do at 3 in the morning? Well we got back at that time and had something to eat. I got some grilled salmon and rice. After that massage and stretching with Rafa Maymo my physiotherapist. In the end I went to sleep around 4.30am and the last thing I wanted to do was the blog.

Today it was an easy day and a day extra for resting. I had some practice at 2pm and it was really, really hot out there. Maybe the hottest day since I have been here, but nothing compared to Beijing so it is OK. Then I had something to eat on-site and I had arranged to play some golf with my uncle Toni. Bad day putting...

Tomorrow more and a good one for you since it is the day before the semis against your favourite Andy Murray.

Thanks to all.

Rafa

Questions for Rafa: where did I leave my warrior?

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My daughter is just starting out in tennis; I want to encourage her to work hard and improve her game, but I don't want to become one of those parents who ruin the joy of the sport by putting too much pressure on her. Any advice on what to say? Sue

RN: Very simple. Let her enjoy her time. If she really likes tennis she will be asking you like I was asking my parents to let her play more and more. I wanted to play tennis and I had my uncle there who was taking me to play both tennis and football.

Against Querrey, you seemed to be playing to his strength, his forehand. He ran round his backhand at every opportunity to take the forehand shot and only won a few points on the backhand the whole match. Was this a surprise to you, were you deliberately targeting the forehand or was he using a tough strategy for you to play against? Fraser Hope - Aged 13 - Woking, England

RN: I think he got a bit into my head. I didn't play great and he played really well so I struggled. This is the way it is. I tried things but my game wasn't there. Always a combination of things.

Querrey proved to be a worthy opponent but I am delighted that you found a way to get back from the 2nd set loss to win the match. How did you psych yourself up to come back from that 2nd set? Kate from New York City

RN: He is young and really good. I just tried to stay in the match and get things done knowing I was missing too much.

What do you think about Robinho's transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester City?  Has it surprised you? Claire

RN: In one word: surprising. I am sure we will miss him but I hope we don't if you know what I mean.

Do you think current tennis players (such as yourself and Federer) are better players compared to previous tennis players (such as Borg, Becker, Sampras, etc), because of (perhaps) better technical knowledge, better racquets, or whatever the reason might be? Marisa

RN: I don't think so. I am sure the good players in the past would be good players today and likewise.

For last year's Masters Cup in Shanghai, Xian type warrior statues were made of you and the other players. Did you have your statue shipped to Mallorca?  Did you put it some place where the public could see it? Bob Gaffney

RN: We asked the ATP to ship it to Barcelona for the tournament. It has been moving a bit. I would like to have it in the future but right now, if I am honest, I don't know where is it. I'll ask Carlos or Benito.

Of the 4 grand slams which centre court is the noisiest? And which grand slam requires the most stamina? Peter

RN: US Open for sure. But all of them require stamina and all you have. They are the Grand Slams and they are the biggest thing.

How do you think the pressure on you has changed since you have become number one in the world? Xenon

RN: Zero. believe me. Zero. THe pressure is the same since the thing is to win the big titles.

I read somewhere you are not keen on the gym so what do you do to maintain your overall fitness levels? Linda, Yorkshire

RN: Playing tennis.

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Some tennis, a bite to eat but definitely no coffee

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Hi everybody,

Short one again today since I have not really done much. Not much to tell today and I am actually about to start watching a movie here in my room. I have called Maymo and Carlos to come and watch it and Benito who was coming also decided to stay at the restaurant where we had dinner with Albert Costa and Feli Lopez who you all know he is a good friend of mine. He lost today his doubles match with Verdasco and so he is flying back home tomorrow. So as I say short one today and I am being help to write this by Rafa Maymo.

The question lots of people have is do I watch the other players' matches? I did see part of Djokovic's match, the last part, since I was at the club practicing. When I finished I had something to eat at the Player's Lounge and had the chance to watch some of it. It was a tough match and that proves that there are no easy matches for anyone. I know Robredo well and we know that it would have been a good match. I also watched Roger's match back at the hotel before going out for dinner. Another tough one and another to make people understand that it is not easy to make it to finals. It is typical that they ask me when I get to a tournament where Roger is playing about a final between us. And today is a prove that it is very difficult to get there. As I always say, match by match.

Another question that I have is about the food i eat. Let me just tell you that I eat lighter the night before the day I play. I have some pasta and maybe some pizza. I leave the meat or even the fish for those days that I play and don't have match the following day. I also never take dessert or coffee. I actually don't like coffee.

Tomorrow more...

Thanks Rafa

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Questions for Rafa: Swedish girls are the most beautiful in the world. And Brazilians. And Russians...

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Can you share the compliment which made you the happiest? Whom did it come from? Pooja D, India

RN: I have been lucky to have received many compliments and I really appreciate them. Maybe the words from the Kings of Spain are the ones from people outside my family and team that have had more impact on me.

This might be to contentious an issue for you to even answer but do you agree with Bull fighting? Kerry, England

RN: I don't personally like the bullfights but it is part of my country's culture and tradition.

Do you have what’s called a ‘photographic memory’ of your past games? Natalie in Kansas

RN: Yes, I remember almost every point I have played.

Have you been able to dedicate your time to your foundation in your busy schedule? I think its fantastic that you have set up  your own foundation, and I'm sure you will put your heart and soul into it, like you do with tennis.  Saachi Nagore from Leicester

RN: I have dedicated some time and as a matter of fact this blog I am doing is paid and the money goes to the foundation. I have also had meetings with other foundations that work together with us.

If you could win an Olympic gold medal in any other sport, apart from tennis and football,  which would it be and why? Tony

RN: Any gold medal is difficult to win.

Sorry to hear about your laptop. What country(ies) do you think has got the most beautiful girls? (Ah, and don't just say "spanish") Sara, Portugal

RN: What a difficult question!!! Brasil, Russia, Sweden? I don't know... :-)

What was the hardest part of the game for you to learn as a left-hander, since you are a natural right-hander? Cheryl

RN: I am left footer also so I really don't feel like I am not a left hander. I find it difficult to play with the right hand, that's for sure.

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I struggled today against Sam Querrey

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Hi all,

Well it has been a very difficult day with a difficult match played. I started playing pretty well and for those of you who have seen the match I ended playing not that great. I played good the first set but mid second I could not find my game, played with bad intensity and made too many mistakes. Thank God I could win in the end which is what really matters. It is important to win those matches that you don't play well. It is easy when everything goes well but at these matches is when you really need to step up.

The day started early since I had a car to pick me up at 8.30 am. We left early so that we could get an early warm up and get ready for the match. It is funny, we call the tournaments sites "the Club". This is the way the Spanish players refers to the tournament sites. I am going to the Club, I am having lunch at the club, I am hitting at the club... in the end most of the tournaments are not played any more at tennis clubs. OK we have big tournaments such as Wimbledon where it is really played at a Club. Or Barcelona, where the tournament is played at the beautiful RCTB, Real Club de Tenis Barcelona. Those are clubs and I suppose that the tradition of having those tournaments be played at clubs make us call all the sites clubs. But this US Open is far from being a tennis club. It is a huge stadium and huge grounds that during the year is not a tennis club.

What else can I say from today? not much. You know, it is difficult to know what else to say or write after so many days out of home and at the same place. Probably that is even harder. Everyday is more of the same since we don't have much time to do other things. That's also why I like to answer the questions you send me. It makes it easier. Tomorrow I am going to take it easy and I will try to sleep a bit more than usual. I will try to wake up at around 10am and try to get some extra rest. We are leaving to the club - I mean to the site - at 10.45 for practice.

Many thanks

Rafa

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