Hamburg, 18 May 2008
Press Conference with RAFAEL NADAL
Nadal - Federer 7:5, 6:7 (3), 6:3
Q: Well done. It was a wonderful match, very close. What were the little things that made the difference between win and lose?
NADAL: Thank you, that was an important win for me. It was a strange match. 5:1, 7:5, 1:0 with break, 5:2, 5:5, 5:5 0:40. Tiebreak, easy ball for 3:0. And it was tough to win the third. Strange match, for sure. But the important thing is, I was focussed all the time. Roger had some important mistakes in the first set, that helped me a lot. I started the match playing bad. It was tough for me, after yesterday it was tough in the beginning. I felt something in the leg, a little bit pain. It was difficult for me to concentrate. But later I felt a little bit better. I think I played a very good 3. set.
Q: You seemed to move better after having treatment?
NADAL: Yes, a little bit better. I took some antiflammatory, so it was a bit better. I didn't know what it was when I was running, I felt something. That was tough, but I beat a very good player. I am very happy.
Q: How important was it to win the last tournament before Roland Garros?
NADAL: The most important thing is to win Hamburg, not the last tournament before Roland Garros. This tournament is very important, it was the only Masters Series I hadn't won on clay. It was an important tournament, not only Masters Series, because Barcelona is important too, no, Nicola? (laughs)
I'm happy for that, for sure that will give me more confidence for Roland Garros.
Q: Is the clay in Hamburg very different from the clay in Roland Garros, Monte Carlo, Rome?
NADAL: It is a little bit different.
Q: Was it easier for you today, because the conditions were better?
NADAL: For sure it was better for me with the sun. The court was a little bit faster than yesterday, and that is important for my game, for sure.
Q: Was your body feeling the aches from yesterday's match, the 2 hours?
NADAL: Sure, I was a little bit tired. But it's not only the body. Mentally it is tough, too, because it was a lot of tensions yesterday, a lot of pressure. Today it was tough when I was coming on court. But later everything changed.
Q: You said it was a strange match. But in Monte Carlo you came back from 0:4. Do you think Roger is afraid of you?
NADAL: No, I don't think so. The last two matches were some of the most strange matches between Roger and me. But you know, when you had 16 matches against each other, some have to be strange.
Q: Level wise, did you play better here or in Monte Carlo?
NADAL: Different. I don't know. It's close, but when I arrived here, I had different feelings mentally. In Monte Carlo, I didn't win a tournament for 8 months, and here I won 2 tournaments before. I played with more confidence here, but I played a very good tournament there as well, for sure.
Q: You beat the two top players, Djokovic and Federer, is that important for you?
NADAL: For sure it's important to beat the no. 1 and the best of this year. With this result, I'm already inside of the Masters Cup. That's my first goal. I am happy for that. I continue to be the no. 2, but closer to the no. 1.
Q: What do you believe is the future of this tournament here and did the players do enough to support the tournament?
NADAL: This tournament has a lot of support from the players. I am one of them. For sure this tournament deserves to be a Masters Series, but you never know. The top chief of the ATP wants to change the tennis. You never know what will go on, but hopefully it will continue like this.
Q: Federer said you are very good on the returns. Can you say something about your level of returns today?
NADAL: I was playing well, more inside the court. I am happy how I returned. It's tough to read his serve, because he can change the ball at the last moment, so I'm happy.
Q: What is the most difficult thing playing against Roger and playing against Novak?
NADAL: It's always a different match. Both are very difficult. Always with Roger it's more special.
Q: It seemed that yesterday's match was tougher?
NADAL: Different match, I don't know if tougher or easier.
Q: Do you take a rest now to get ready for the French Open?
NADAL: Two days off, Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday, I want to practice a bit in Mallorca.
Q: You are optimistic about your fitness?
NADAL: Yes, I did a test in the medical. There was something, but it was small. I think I will do another check tomorrow. I think if I played all the match like this it can't be a very important injury.
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