Posted: 22.03.09 15:06. Post subject: Пресса знает всё! :)

 Posted: 28.03.09 00:53. Post subject: Nadal even better th..

quote:

Nadal even better than you think, says Roddick

Очень приятно прочитать мнение Роддика о Рафе, тем более, что оно всегда очень хорошее.

А вот другой Энди:

quote:

Энди Мюррей: «После победы на «Уимблдоне» Надаль значительно прибавил в игре на быстрых покрытиях» Британец Энди Мюррей, который в субботу стартует на турнире Sony Ericsson Open в Майами, провел пресс-конференцию, на которой поделился своим мнением об игре Рафаэля Надаля – потенциального соперника по полуфиналу. «Надаль был вторым в мире на протяжении трех-четырех лет, поэтому он всегда играл потрясающе. Но в последнее время Рафа стал более агрессивен на харде. Когда он находится близко к задней линии, то чувствует себя комфортней, чем прежде. Думаю, что после выигрыша первого «Большого шлема» не на грунте, Надаль стал чувствовать себя лучше на быстрых покрытиях. С той скоростью и мощью, с которой Рафа бьет по мячу, он и раньше мог хорошо играть на харде. Чисто психологически ему надо было выиграть крупный турнир, каким, без сомнения стал «Уимблдон», и тот потрясающий финальный матч, где все могло сложиться по-другому. Неизвестно, что бы случилось, если бы он проиграл тот матч. Но с того момента, если посмотреть на его игру, многое изменилось. Рафа стал посылать мячи гораздо ниже над сеткой и поэтому начал играть гораздо успешней на быстрых кортах», – приводит слова британца официальный сайт турнира в Майами. http://www.sports.ru/tennis/7412742.html

 Posted: 28.03.09 07:29. Post subject: From The Times March..

From The Times March 28, 2009

Rafael Nadal shows his undiminished drive

Neil Harman, Tennis Correspondent


We had not begun the third in this ritual clash of golfing savoir faire when the thought occurred that, last year, standing on the same tee amid the fertile finery in California's Coachella Valley, the opposition had been the second-best tennis player in the world with three grand-slam tournament titles to his name, all at the one venue. How Rafael Nadal had grown.

The world No 1, the French Open champion for a fourth year in succession, the Australian Open champion and, glory of glories, the Wimbledon champion. “So, Rafael, how have you changed?” one wondered.

“Nothing. I am still the same,” he replied. “Do you think I've changed?”

Well, actually, not a bit. “Thank you. I am just a usual Spanish boy who has been raised with great family values.”

A lot of people would have changed. “I agree, but that is not the normal thing, in my opinion.”

Is this shaggy-haired kid, whom the woman from The New York Times Magazine trailing in the buggy behind suggested could have just emerged from the California surf, really the athletic leviathan adored and fêted for his feral tennis and humble manner?

“He's going to unpick the same ‘wedgie' that he does when he's about to serve,” I told Cynthia Gorney. “You're kidding me,” she replied, but there it was, as Nadal's khakis were pinched and yanked just before he unleashed a tumultuous drive. We could not help but laugh. “What?” Nadal asked, wanting to know what was so funny. Better not to answer.

We were playing the day after Nadal had saved five match points against David Nalbandian, of Argentina, in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open and he was still distracted. Ask him about the match and he would mutter: “Horrible, horrible [he won the final set 6-0], all the time making mistakes, no rhythm, bad shots.” You hoped it might extend to his golf.

He wore a white top, not tucked in, darkish khakis, with his hair restrained by a Great White Shark straw hat, worn slightly off centre. He drove the buggy leaning as far forward over the wheel as he could, urgent to be at it, often hitting the accelerator with an alarming thud, not wanting to dally for a minute, but always perfectly hospitable when it came to turning the chariot around to watch (and occasionally admire) his passenger's shot, having made certain that one had been made aware of the best line.

He knew that you wanted to talk tennis and even as he sized up any particularly hazardous shot - and he is nothing if not as methodical on the golf course as on the tennis court - he would oblige. “You know,” he said, as if he expected the line of questioning, “I watched the Wimbledon final for the first time on the flight from Spain - not the whole match, just two hours maybe. The memory of it remains very special to me: the lovely noises, the court, the strokes, to see myself win and the pleasure it gave.”

But how did he remember being in the locker-rooms at 2-2, deuce in the final set when the second rain delay occurred, dark skies were everywhere and Roger Federer appeared to have the upper hand? He had to have been hurting. As Toni Nadal, his uncle and coach, and Rafael Maymo, his trainer, fussed and bothered around him, Nadal told them: “I am going to win. I am going to get there. I am fine. Be calm.”

“I was playing well, serving well,” he added and as he redelivered the words he uttered last summer in SW19 on a golf course aptly called Grand Champions, he gave that shy, snorty laugh he delivers after so many press conference questions. But these were the answers that defined his career and character. They define greatness.

After two successive defeats by Federer in the final that had reduced him to tears of recrimination, he knew that he had his man. And it mattered that only he knew. “Wimbledon was my greatest dream and still is my greatest dream,” Nadal said.

He has not been back to the All England Club since, but he received “a beautiful album”, replete with images of the day, that might have changed him, if he were the changeable type. He went dewy-eyed for a moment, but soon he had driver in hand and you heard the “uuumphhh” as he unleashed.

Any that departed for the undergrowth, he paid special attention to. Overly so, one thought. Then he emerged with the ball and proudly showed it to you. On it was marked “Rafael Nadal 2008 Wimbledon champion”, with the Spanish flag for good measure. “I don't want to lose these,” he said. Why didn't he use an old ball? “Because I want to play with these all the time.”

Conversation turned to Andy Murray, the world No 4 from Britain and the one player who appears to be on an upward curve, ready to challenge Nadal for the top spot. Nadal is aware of the threat. “I think he's more focused all the time mentally,” the Spaniard said. “Before, he had one good match and later he played one set well and two sets not at the same level. Right now he's playing all the time very solid and very regular.

“You look at his results the last seven, eight months, he's not losing against anyone. He only lost against the best and not a lot of times. He's a very complete player. He has a good serve, has very good control from the baseline, good hands, a very good drop shot. So he can play aggressive, he can play defensive, so he's a very complete player.”

But the challenge of his rivals is not the only thing on his mind now that Nadal has wider responsibilities on the player council. Regarding the reallocation of prize money on the ATP World Tour this year, he was incensed, enough to have spent more than three hours at the player council meeting before the Masters tournament - he is now a vice-president to Federer's president - arguing against its unfairness. To offer an example, the winner of the tournament in Indian Wells (which happened to be him) would have pocketed $700,000 (about £484,000), a 26 per cent rise on 2008, yet a player who went out in the fourth round was to receive $32,000, down almost 14 per cent. The scheduled prize money at other leading events followed a similar pattern.

There was a bitter reception to this at the Australian Open in January, forcing officials to reconfigure, with the result that prize money for each round is higher than last year. Nadal received $605,000 for winning on Sunday - less than the women's winner, Vera Zvonareva - and fourth-round losers each received $39,800. “I was completely against the way it had been calculated,” Nadal said. “It was stupid, crazy. It is tough for me to be at meetings and to understand all that happens, but I feel like I can say something about important decisions.”

Is he not too good to be true? Such a verdict would hurt him immensely. In our playing party is Francisco Roig, a former tennis professional who owns a share in an academy in Barcelona and coaches Nadal when “Uncle Toni” takes a rest. A chain-smoker, Roig is in his element, to the extent that some might think that this is a bit of a joyride. “I would not come here if I thought this was a holiday,” Roig said. “I come because Rafael is so dedicated, so professional, so disciplined. If I say he needs to do something to improve, he asks me, ‘How many times do I need to do it?' ”

It truly goes to show why the man is the best. “I don't think it's about managing to keep my feet on the ground,” Nadal said. “What I have to do is not make mistakes because life throws plenty of curves at you and today I may be here as the No 1, but in five years, ten years, I'm going to be leading a normal, ordinary life. If right now I don't keep in mind that everything that is happening to me is momentary - that it is going to be over - then in the future the bump is going to be pretty huge. If you elevate yourself too much, you have much farther to fall.”

With that, one wondered about his ambitions. “To be happy, for everyone to be happy, especially my family and close friends, but everyone,” he said.

And on the tennis court? A first calendar grand slam since Rod Laver in 1969? “You never know what's going on in two months, in five months, in seven months,” he said. “So it's very difficult to play during all the year at the same level, your best level. I would love to have the grand slam, but it is almost impossible.”

The round of golf ended in near darkness, but he had an uncanny ability to see where everyone's drive was heading, almost as it left the club. One felt that such a talent had to have helped him that momentous night at Wimbledon last July. Where next? “To practise the serve,” he said and off the buggy hurtled.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article5988925.ece

 Posted: 28.03.09 14:11. Post subject: Mela, спасибо за ста..

Mela, спасибо за статью Хармана, его всегда приятно читать.

 Posted: 29.03.09 01:06. Post subject: Nadal relies on hi..

The pillars of Nadal

Nadal relies on his family not to miss the press cabeza.
Su chief confesses that she has "500 interview requests.
He has won more than 17 million euros in prize tournaments.

E. G. DELGADO. 26.03.2009 - 08:27h

every great man there is a great woman. In the case ofRafa Nadals true, but to be number 1 in tennis and endure the pressure of the tournament, fans and events also needs a family and sports to keep her feet on the ground and avoid a boy of 22 years to lose his head. Right now I have more than 500 interview requests,says his press chief, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, 20 minutes..

María Francisca Perelló, Xisca, is from his girlfriend three years ago. He has 20 years and its quality is greater discretion.Rafalet parents, as they call in Palau, the house that the family has Nadal in the center of Manacor, people are also simple: Sebasti? owns a restaurant and a glass company, and Ana Maria is a housewife.

The link between them and the tennis is his uncle Toni. Toni, his coach, who sometimes gave his job to Francis Roig. Rafael Maym? always accompanies him, his physical confidence, and his best friend is Tomeu Salva, who grew up with and made a couple of doubles.

Aspect of media dealing former tennis player Carlos Costa, as agent, and Barbadillo. Nine major brands sponsor Nadal, a tennis player who has already won more than 17 million euros in prize money from tournaments.

The environment of Rafa


His mother, Ana Maria Parera.Catholic but not particularly professional, as was their reference values.

His father, Sebastian Nadal.Manage earnings of his son. Import exclusive Climalit crystals throughout Mallorca.

His girlfriend Xisco Perello Study 3. ? Business. Rafa met by the sister of tennis player, Maria Isabel.

His uncle, coach, Toni Nadal.Nadal attributed magical powers when he was small. In 2007 wanted to leave. Rafa: "No way"».

His best friend, Tomeu Salva-Vidal.Childhood friend of Nadal. No longer competes, but Rafa takes it to many tournaments to train with him.

His physiotherapist, Rafael Maymo.Nadal muscles pass through his hands daily. Write down everything you do in training. It Manacor.

Your doctor, Angel R. Cotorro.Is constantly informed via e-mail from his injuries. Rafa always go to him. The coach is Joan Forcades.

His agent, Carlos Costa.Former tennis player does not support any brand that sponsors Rafa. Find the values of youth and familiarity.

 Posted: 29.03.09 08:17. Post subject: R. NADAL/T. Gabashvi..

R. NADAL/T. Gabashvili
6-2, 6-2
An interview with:
RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How pleased are you with your performance tonight, and how difficult was it to adapt from Indian Wells to Miami?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, I very happy. Very happy, no? I think Gabashvili didn't really play bad game. He played hard. He was there, no? I think I played a very serious match, and yeah, I think I played well.
How tough was adapt? Well, yeah, I didn't practice as well as I did in Indian Wells. Well, more wind here. I think it's more difficult to play. But it's important get the rhythm right now with the match.

Q. How much do you like this tournament? You've had a long history here. Do you enjoy this Miami tournament more than others, or is it just another place for you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, every tournament for me is special. So here I can feel a little bit closer like if I am at home because a lot of people speak Spanish. So that's really nice.
Yeah, it's always important tournament, no? I had two finals here and I never won. So, yeah, I would love to win.

Q. What has been the most difficult thing to learn for you to adapt on hard court? When you started to adapt your game to hard court, what has been the most difficult thing for you to learn?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, right now, the true is not really difficult, no? Because I play more on hard than other surfaces. It's tougher on other surfaces. But, yeah, maybe the beginning the position on the court. Yeah, I played a little bit behind the court. And for me, it's -- well, to play on this court it's important to play a little bit more inside, no?

Q. Everybody would assume that clay is your favorite surface.
RAFAEL NADAL: No, it's not my favorite surface. It's another one. It's maybe the surface where I play better, but I think -- yeah, for the volley it's much better, the clay and grass, than hard court. That's what I always say, no, because there is a lot of injuries.
My feeling, better feeling, is much better when I am playing on grass or on clay than on hard, but I love to play on every surface.

Q. Do you know much about your next opponent?
RAFAEL NADAL: I played against him maybe in the Borotra Cup in Under-14 in France. I don't remember the place exactly. It's strange. I always remember everything, no? I don't remember that place.
Well, he improved the last few years, no? He's doing very good results. Yeah, I think beating Karlovic today is a great win. Yeah, going to be a really tough opponent. I have to play well.

Q. Wherever you go here the last couple days, huge crowds, kids are screaming. You take off your shirt and people go crazy. Does this strike you as crazy? Do you enjoy that, or do you think, No thanks, I would rather just play tennis. Is it fun for you in any way?
RAFAEL NADAL: Not fun and not no thanks. You know.

Q. It just is?
RAFAEL NADAL: I'm on the court and I am focus on the match.

Q. Like whether or not you're going to the practice court the place goes crazy?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, it's a little bit tough because I would love to sign everybody, but that's impossible.Yeah, I think it's tough for me, but it's tough for the crowd, too, because they're waiting and this is tough. It's difficult.
Anyway, it's nice with the support of the crowd, and I just can say thank you very much, all the people. When you go on court and you practice and you saw all the people waiting for you, it's a really nice feeling.

Q. When you were a kid, were you like that with sports people?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. No. I just -- no, I never was like this, no?
Sure, yeah, I know in that moment a lot of great football players, because my uncle was playing in Barcelona and I was there close to the players and having lots of chance to signing the pictures, but I never did.

Q. You never did an autograph?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Autograph, no. Some photos, yes.
I think photo is more than an autograph. I prefer that. I think I don't need.
Thank you.

 Posted: 29.03.09 11:13. Post subject: Nadal Up And Running..

Nadal Up And Running

ATP World Tour Champion Rafael Nadal booked his place in the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open with a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 victory over Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili on Saturday evening at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tennis tournament in Miami.

The Spaniard drew massive cheers from the Stadium crowd as he walked on to court and his performance did not disappoint, as he converted five of nine break points and dropped just five points behind his first serve to wrap up victory in 82 minutes.

"I am very happy," said Nadal. "I think Gabashvili didn't really play bad a game. He played hard. I think I played a very serious match, and I think I played well. It's always an important tournament. I had two finals here and I never won. So, I would love to win."

The 22-year-old Nadal enters the Sony Ericsson with the aim of winning his 14th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title. The Mallorcan has never won the Sony Ericsson Open but has twice finished runner-up in 2005 (l. to Federer in five sets) and 2008 (l. to Davydenko). Last week he lifted the trophy at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells (d. Murray) and is looking to become the seventh player to accomplish the Indian Wells-Miami title sweep in the same year since Jim Courier first did so in 1991.

In January, Nadal won his sixth Grand Slam championship – and first on hard court – at the Australian Open with back-to-back five-set victories over Fernando Verdasco and Roger Federer. The Manacor resident also reached the final in Rotterdam (l. to Murray) and has a 22-2 match record on the season.

http://www.sonyericssonopen.com/1/en/news/newsarticle_2833.asp

 Posted: 29.03.09 20:13. Post subject: Вердаско о Рафе: Q...

Вердаско о Рафе:

Q. Has it been tough following Rafa? I mean, you're older than him, obviously. Has it helped drive you to see what this kid has done so young and say, Hey, why not me?
FERNANDO VERDASCO: You know, he was so good always. The best in the world under 13, under 14, under 15. He's one of millions and millions, no?
You need to see him like a mirror, like professionally, and how he is day by day. For him, it doesn't matter to be No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3. He's giving 100% of himself. That's one thing that you need to learn from him.
But, you know, about me, I don't think that -- you know, I didn't think that he's younger than me, and if he does it, why I don't do it or whatever, no? I think that I need to do my things. Every player, like I told you before, is different.
You know, things like I just tell you, like he's so professional and how he made everything to be like this every day, this is one thing to learn from him. All the other things, everybody is different.

 Posted: 29.03.09 22:25. Post subject: Фернандо! http://jp..

Фернандо! "Рафа один на миллионы и миллоны... Для него неважно, 1-й он, 2-й или 3-й. Он отдает теннису всего себя. Вот чему надо у него учиться".

 Posted: 30.03.09 00:50. Post subject: Ольга Оля, только се..

Ольга
Оля, только сейчас получилось почитать перевод Juan Jose. Спасибо тебе огромное. Я даже слезу пустила когда читала последние предложения

quote:

Было особенно трогательно прочитать пресс-конференцию Надаля после финала. Если Ролан Гаррос был его предназначением, Уимблдон был мечтой, то АО стал наградой за тяжелый труд. Символическим призом за все эти долгие часы работы над своей игрой. За все те минуты, проведенные на хардкортах всего мира. И те 9 часов и 37 минут полуфинала и финала были больше похожи на страшный экзамен, чем на виртуозное представление перед публикой. Его экзаменовали по каждой мелочи, по каждому аспекту игры, которым он учился и которые он уже знал. Его экзаменовали снова и снова. И он сдал экзамен. Зная, что он бывший не смог бы этого сделать. Зная, что если бы не вся та работа, которая привела к этому судьбоносному уикэнду, он бы не выстоял. И поэтому я всегда буду вспоминать эти 9 с лишним часов как самый впечатляющий подвиг, который я когда-либо видел на теннисном корте.

 Posted: 30.03.09 23:26. Post subject: Rafa Races Into Roun..

Rafa Races Into Round Of 16

By Richard Pagliaro

Racing out onto the court like a sprinter bursting out of the blocks, Rafael Nadal looked ready to roll.

But qualifier Frederico Gil used his fast feet and unerring groundstrokes to score early breaks in the first and second set in forcing the World No. 1 to play catch up.

That’s when the top-seeded Spaniard put his foot down.

Playing a bit closer to the baseline and imparting more spin on his serve and forehand, Nadal accelerated into the Sony Ericsson Open round of 16 for the fifth time in six years with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

The two-time tournament finalist will play either 16th-seeded Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka or 20th-seeded Russian Igor Andreev for a place in the last eight.

Juan Martin del Potro, who looms as Nadal’s potential quarterfinal opponent for the second straight tournament, opened the action on stadium court with an impressive performance. The 6-foot-6 lanky Argentine won 24 of 26 first-serve points in pounding Janko Tipsarevic, 6-4, 6-1. Del Potro awaits either 11th-seeded David Ferrer or 17th-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic in the round of 16.

The 24-year-old Gil showed no signs of nerves or intimidation against Nadal. Clad in a green shirt lacking a sponsor’s logo, the Portuguese
posted a pair of three set wins in qualifying to reach the main draw. Gil beat Mischa Zverev, 7-6(7), 6-2 in the first round then defeated 26th-seeded tower of power Ivo Karlovic, 6-4, 6-4, in the second round.

Frequently targeting Nadal’s forehand with his own inside-out forehand, the 74th-ranked Gil, the highest ranked Portuguese player in history, drew first blood with an early break.

One of the great many problems Nadal poses to opponents is the percussive pounding he delivers in physical rallies that can drain the strength from the legs and lungs of the man across the net. Nadal isn’t trying to beat you with one shot early as much as he’s intent on beating up your body over the course of the match. Even when an opponent is winning on the scoreboard, they could well be losing the physical battle.

Gil gamely hung in, but the physicality of the match took a toll as Nadal wore him down to seize the first set.

Undeterred, Gil posed pressure immediately in the second set.

Nadal reached back for a 118 mph ace down the middle to erase a second break point, but followed with a forehand into the net to give Gil a third break point. Stepping inside the service line, Gil teed off on a 92 mph second serve, crunching a diagonal forehand return winner to take the break and a 2-0 second-set lead.

It would prove to be short lived however as Nadal began to creep closer to the baseline and play with greater depth. Gil committed successive forehand errors then spun an inside out forehand wide to give back the break.

Hitting with greater conviction, Nadal ground Gil down in the second set. Connecting on 86 percent of his first serves, Nadal won 15 of 19 first-serve points to spark a tear that saw him claim six of the final seven games to seal his spot in the round of 16.

http://www.tennisweek.com/news/fullstor ... id=6629829

 Posted: 31.03.09 01:57. Post subject: Sony Ericsson Open M..

Sony Ericsson Open
March 30, 2009
R. NADAL/F. Gil 7-5, 6-3
An interview with: RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What did you know about your opponent before? He said he remembered one time many years ago when you were 14 and 15.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I know that. But, yeah, no, yeah, he did well in Johannesburg. He did well in Sauipe. He's doing a good season, no? I want it congratulate him for that.

Q. Was it a harder first set than you thought it might be?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, always is tough. No one opponent is easy, especially if you are not playing your best tennis. So everything is more difficult today, no?
I think that's what was happening today. I didn't play very well. And, yeah, I had chances to lose the first set.

Q. Was it tough to get motivated today? Looked like you were a little flat and listless out there.
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Yeah, I didn't feel very well on court. Yeah. Sure, every match is very important for me, no? I want to win always, and the motivation when you go on court always is full in every match, no?
But, yeah, today, you know, you can't play well every day, and today was one of these days.

Q. Any special reason why you didn't feel good?
RAFAEL NADAL: If I know that reason before, I gonna play better, no?

Q. Nothing physical?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. No physical , no.

Q. What do you think turned the match in your favor today?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. In the end, in some important moments, anyway if I didn't play my best he had some mistakes. He was with the 2-0 in the second.
Later I played a little bit better. Not too much, but a little bit, yes. Yeah, in the first set, I had -- in the 5-4, 15-30, I had two points okay, so that's was important moment, and later I had the break.
The first set, that moment was the important thing. If you lose the first set always you never know. But winning the first, the normal thing is win the second.

Q. You play all over the world. Can you sense how popular you are in South Florida when you're here?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, yeah. I say two days ago, no? I think, yeah, being here with a lot of people, a lot of crowd are waiting for me when I am playing, when I am practicing, so that's really, really nice feeling, no?

Q. Why do you think that is?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know, no? I think there is a lot of Latin people here, no? But in all the parts of the world the crowd was always really nice with me, no?
That's nice, because if you saw the crowd being nice with you, I think it's because you are doing the right things.

Q. It seemed like you were playing very deep on the court today, and you've been doing so well on hard courts by playing inside the court. Was that part of problem, and did you fix that as the match went on?
RAFAEL NADAL: If I didn't play inside it's because I didn't have the chance to play inside today, you know. Maybe, but the problem is I don't touch the ball as well as I want.
If you're not doing that, you lose court.
You play two meters behind the baseline, or three, and that's bad because the opponent have more time or you didn't see where you have to put the ball. Everything is going worse, you know?
When you play more inside you have more chances to have the winner. Yeah, the court bigger. When you are more behind, the courts looks smaller, and the potential has more time to think. So the sport is really easy. Yeah, the sport is easy.
That's the thing. You don't need to study a lot or know about the tennis.

Q. Were you ever a junior player here in the junior tournament or a ball kid or spectator at this stadium?
RAFAEL NADAL: Here?

Q. Here.
RAFAEL NADAL: Miami is far away from home. No, no.

Q. No junior Orange Bowl or anything?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, never.

Q. We've had Hawk-Eye around for a few years now. Most of the top players, their percentage is quite low. You're 36% for getting it correct. I'm wondering, why is that? What do you think of electronic line calling?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, sometimes I ask. I don't know why. For relax a little bit. Another ones I have mistake. And another times I think the machine is not exactly okay.

Q. Are you a bad loser? Do you sleep well after a loss, or do you say it's just tennis and it's okay? I mean, how are you after a loss?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, perfect. No, no. Sure, no problem.

Q. And that was always that way? Even when you were younger, no problem?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, well, if you lose the final of Wimbledon, having a good chance to win, maybe this night an a little bit tough, no?
But for the rest, no problem. Yeah, when you go on court you know you can lose and you can win. You have to accept both things.

Q. Clay season is coming up. Are you looking forward getting back on the dirt again?
RAFAEL NADAL: Looking forward to my match tomorrow against Wawrinka or Andreev. Clay season is later. Hopefully far away than one match. Always it's exciting play on clay.

 Posted: 31.03.09 18:15. Post subject: Tatiana Спасибо за ..

Tatiana
Спасибо за ПК.

quote:

if you lose the final of Wimbledon, having a good chance to win, maybe this night an a little bit tough, no?

Как же часто Рафа вспоминает об Уиме... Особенно о том Уиме-2007...

 Posted: 01.04.09 08:30. Post subject: Nadal Muscles Past W..

Nadal Muscles Past Wawrinka

ATP World Tour Champion Rafael Nadal was made to work hard for a 7-6(2), 7-6(4) victory over Swiss No. 16 seed Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday evening to reach the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open, an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tennis tournament in Miami.

With 12 games unable to separate the players in the first set, Nadal had the edge in the tie-break to win it 7-2 and assume a one-set lead. However, Wawrinka continued to work hard and his perseverance was rewarded with the first break of the match in the third game of the second set, enabling him to open up a 3-1 lead.

From 2-4 down, Nadal rallied to win the next three games, robbing Wawrinka of his advantage before earning four match points with the Swiss serving at 4-5. Wawrinka stood firm to hold for 5-5 before the match progressed to a second tie-break, which Nadal clinched 7-4 with a backhand cross-court passing shot after two hours and 43 minutes of intense action.

Top seed Nadal's victory signified that eight of the Top 10 seeds are into the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open for the first time in the tournament’s 25-year history. It is also the first time there are eight seeds in the quarterfinals.

This is the third tournament in 2009 that seven of the Top 10 players in the South African Airways ATP Rankings have reached the quarterfinals. It also occurred at the Australian Open and at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament of the season.

The 22-year-old Majorcan has a 24-2 match record on the season, with his two losses coming against Gael Monfils in the Doha quarterfinals and Andy Murray in the Rotterdam final. He became the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open crown when he won his sixth Grand Slam championship with back-to-back five-set victories over Fernando Verdasco and Roger Federer and last week he clinched his 33rd tour-level title at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells.

Victory in Indian Wells marked Nadal’s 13th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 triumph; he has won at least two of the coveted titles in each of the past four years. The left-hander is striving for his first Sony Ericsson Open crown after twice being denied in the title match – losing to Roger Federer in five sets in 2005 and succumbing to an inspired Nikolay Davydenko last year.

Nadal takes a 4-0 career lead into his quarterfinal clash with sixth-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who broke serve five times as he dismissed Spanish No. 11 seed David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2 in 79 minutes. The two last met in the Indian Wells quarterfinals last week, when Nadal prevailed 6-2, 6-4.

http://www.sonyericssonopen.com/1/en/news/newsarticle_2884.asp

 Posted: 01.04.09 10:51. Post subject: Здравствуйте все! Я ..

Здравствуйте все! Я уже давно болею за Рафу и часто читаю форум. Спасибо всем за огромную работу, которую вы проделываете. Хочу внести свои "пять копеек". Я тут в порыве творческого вдохновения и любви к Рафе перевела статью Mind Over Matter (от 16 марта). Только у меня вопрос сначала: её никто здесь уже не переводил? Потому что занимать место большими кусками текста зря не хочется. На этом форуме я вроде перевода не нашла.

 Posted: 01.04.09 11:35. Post subject: R. NADAL/S. Wawrinka..

R. NADAL/S. Wawrinka
7-6, 7-6
An interview with: RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How would you describe that match?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, important win for me here. Very important. To be in quarterfinals is always a good result. So after winning in Indian Wells, being in quarterfinals is very good news. Yeah, today was good match. Yeah. I had a lot of breakpoints and I didn't convert not one -- only one in the second set after a lot of chances. So maybe if I won a little bit more breakpoints the match seems like I was playing better, no? But I think, yeah, it was very important win. Wasn't a bad match.

Q. Were you surprised by the level of Wawrinka?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Wawrinka is a very good player.

Q. What about your level? Are you where you expect to be right now, or are you unhappy about your level? You feel good
about it?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I played much better today than yesterday. I am very happy about my match today, yeah. I didn't practice my best the last days, and yesterday I played terrible match. So I improved a lot today in the match. I was very focused and I played two good tiebreakers, so that's very good. No, I am really happy right now. Sure, I can play better, yeah. You can't play always at 100%, but today, yes, I am happy.

Q. Does a match like yesterday's match where you feel you played terrible help you get
your attention, and did it help you play better today?
RAFAEL NADAL: No.

Q. You played bad and you turned it around because you played bad?
RAFAEL NADAL: No.

Q. Nothing?
RAFAEL NADAL: Didn't help in nothing, no? These kind of matches only help to lose confidence, no? Don't help improve nothing.

Q. Did you feel you could raise your level in the tiebreaks?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think I was there. I was there all the time and playing very focused on the important points. He had some mistakes, but I played aggressive and I go to the net sometimes. Yeah, I'm happy.

Q. The tiebreakers, were you disappointed? Frustrated? Because a lot of times he was coming up with the big serve in
those situations. How did you feel you played on the breakpoints overall?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I can do nothing, no? I have Love-40 in the 5-4, 0-40, and I didn't have any chance. He played all the serves inside. First serves, very hard first serves. So I didn't have chances. Nothing. Just wait and try to be focus all the time to have more opportunities.

Q. There are almost the same players in the quarterfinals as in Indian Wells and in Melbourne.
RAFAEL NADAL: Exactly the same?

Q. Almost. What is your explanation? Like the top 10 has set apart from the rest?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I think that's good for tennis, and I think we are in one moment of the tennis history that the best players are winning always, no? For that reason, win titles, everything, be there is almost very -- almost more difficult than
ever, no? Because all the time you have to play against the best. You don't have -- if you are in quarterfinals, you are going to play against the best players of the world. You're gonna have -- never is easy but you don't of a normal match.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

 Posted: 01.04.09 11:37. Post subject: AstraM Привет! :sm..

AstraM
Привет! Добро пожаловать, у нас хорошо!

quote:

Я тут в порыве творческого вдохновения и любви к Рафе перевела статью Mind Over Matter (от 16 марта). Только у меня вопрос сначала: её никто здесь уже не переводил?

Если в порыве творческого вдохновения и любви - то это не "5 копеек", а 5 миллионов! Статью Mind Over Matter у нас никто не переводил. Будем очень благодарны за перевод

 Posted: 01.04.09 12:00. Post subject: Тогда вот... :sm105..

Тогда вот...

Рафаэль Надаль: победа духа над плотью

The Bleacher Report
by Emma (Contributor)
March 16, 2009

Победа духа над плотью. Победа усилием воли.

В целом мире не найти человека, который понимал бы суть этой фразы лучше, чем Рафаэль Надаль.

В этом году он уже не раз демонстрировал всем эту невероятную способность. Взять хотя бы открытый чемпионат Австралии и турнир в Роттердаме. Возможно, были и другие случаи, но мне бы хотелось отметить именно эти два.

Два финала. Две совершенно разных ситуации.

В полуфинале австралийского чемпионата Рафа сыграл рекордный по продолжительности матч - 5 часов 14 минут. По идее, он должен был полностью выбиться из сил. Возможно, так оно и было.

В каждой из статей, в каждом из прогнозов, которые мне тогда попадались, его списывали со счетов. «Федерер – бесспорный победитель», - утверждали все как один. Борьбы не будет.

Они не учли одного – о ком идет речь. О человеке с несгибаемой силой духа, о человеке, который за четыре месяца полностью перевернул свою теннисную карьеру.

Они об этом забыли.

В то воскресенье он вышел на корт и еще раз напомнил всем нам, почему именно он занимает первую строчку мирового теннисного рейтинга и почему его никогда нельзя списывать со счетов.

Его преданные болельщики (включая меня) надеялись на победу. Конечно - мы не могли не надеяться. Но разве мы ожидали, что он победит? Разве хоть кто-нибудь может сейчас сказать – честно, положа руку на сердце – что ожидал, что Рафа выиграет тот финал?

Не думаю. Но он выиграл, несмотря на все разговоры о том, что ему это не удастся. Или, возможно, как раз из-за всех разговоров о том, что ему это не удастся.

Его дух – неприступная крепость. Только скажите ему, что что-нибудь невозможно – и он из кожи вон вылезет, чтобы этого достичь, чтобы сделать это возможным.


Именно силой духа ему удалось преодолеть усталость и проигнорировать критические замечания в свой адрес. Благодаря этому он навсегда останется в истории тенниса.

Вспомним финал в Роттердаме. В первом сете его игра была не на высоте, однако он не подавал виду и вел себя так, словно у него есть все шансы на победу.

В начале второго сета он получил травму. Или же серьезно усугубил уже существующую - возможно, она беспокоила его целую неделю.

Он взял перерыв, ему оказали помощь. Вернувшись на корт, он передвигался с трудом. Но выиграл второй сет. «На одной ноге», - как потом скажет Энди Марри.

Было видно, что ему больно. Любой другой на его месте отказался бы от игры. Но – опять-таки – о какой бы физической боли не шла речь, не стоит забывать о силе духа Надаля.

Он не любит отказываться от игры. Он слишком горд для этого. И это ни в коей мере не является недостатком. Он любит доводить матчи до конца. Он не хочет выходить из игры, даже если у него есть на то веские причины.

Кроме того, он настоящий спортсмен. Он не хотел лишать Энди Марри заслуженной победы. И не хотел умалять значимость этой победы после матча, отказываясь обсуждать свою травму в интервью.

Это еще раз показывает, каким именно чемпионом является Рафаэль Надаль.

А теперь все хором обсуждают о возможностях Надаля взять Большой Шлем. Способен ли он на это? Большинство уверено, что нет.

Но, с другой стороны, я думаю, ни для кого уже не секрет, что происходит, когда мы говорим, что этот человек на что-либо неспособен.

 Posted: 01.04.09 12:42. Post subject: AstraM Огромное спа..

AstraM
Огромное спасибо за перевод!!! Изумительно!!! И статья потрясающая!!! Аж мурашки по коже!!!

 Posted: 01.04.09 12:49. Post subject: AstraM Большое спас..

AstraM
Большое спасибо, видно что вложена душа...
Да, статья одна из лучших, из тех, которые хочется перечитывать вновь и вновь...
я обожаю такие статьи...

 Posted: 01.04.09 12:50. Post subject: Ольга Коп Всегда по..

Ольга Коп

Всегда пожалуйста! Просто у меня тоже случились "мурашки", когда я это прочла. И потом это удивительным образом совпало с моими мыслями (и, наверное, не только с моими). Вот и не смогла смолчать, что называется.