[MariaV]

I feel like this is gonna be the most torturing match to watch, im too scared to watch

Exactly, me too. I wish I was strong enough to stay away from the horror to come. :bigcry: :crying2: Poor Rafa!

 

[MariaV]

Rafa's presser before the final.

Rafael Nadal 28.01.12

Q. How are you feeling after your session on court just now?

RAFAEL NADAL: Fine. I practiced for two hours. So having day off yesterday, today I felt with energy to practice a little bit more. I felt that I needed to move well the body, to stay with rhythm.

I did, and I am happy, no? Enjoying these two days off.

Q. Did you stay up late last night watching the match the other match?

RAFAEL NADAL: I watched the second set, beginning of the third I went for dinner, and I came back after the 4‑1 in the fourth and I watched the rest of the match.

Q. What did you think of it?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think the second set was fantastic. Was really impressive level from both of them. First set I didn't see, but the fourth seems like Andy was very tired. He wasn't ready to play the fourth, and Nole was much more fresh.

The fifth seems like Andy was very tired, too, because Novak have the control of the situation. But in the 5‑3, Andy break with Love‑40, so after he had fantastic chance. With a 5‑4, 15‑40, he little bit of mistake with the forehand in the return on the deuce on the 15‑40; 30‑40 was an amazing point. Djokovic finished with unbelievable forehand down the line.

Another point for Andy, big mistake to the net for him with his backhand. He didn't miss not one backhand during all the match, and he missed in that moment. It was a tough moment for him.

After when that happens, playing for four hours forty‑five, it's normal you will be in trouble in the next game; Novak plays well and match was done.

It was an emotional match, and I enjoyed watching on TV.

Q. Novak's coach said yesterday that it's unfair that he has only one day rest and you have two days. What do you think?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, that's what it is. 2009 I played longer than him in the semifinals. I played more than five hours at very high intensity, too. I had only one day and Federer had two, no?

I was recovered for the final, so I think you can say it's unfair, yes, but not crazy unfair.

Really unfair is the US Open when you don't have day off between semifinals and final. That's really unfair. If the match of yesterday happened in the US Open and the other semifinal is in straight sets, you are in big trouble for the finals.

Having one day off, I believe you are not in big trouble.

Q. What does it mean for you to face another time Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam final?

RAFAEL NADAL: For me what means is I am in the final of another Grand Slam, fourth in a row. Happy for that. The opponent at the end is the best player of the world today, so that's why I played the last few finals against him.

So will be always a really tough match for me. He is the favorite after being No. 1 in the world and after playing fantastic and beating me the last six times. So just happy to be there.

For me, the tournament is really, really good. Right now I going to try to play my best tennis and fight every ball knowing that is going to be a tough one.

Q. Do you think with the changes you've made to your game in the off‑season, the things you're doing differently, can you surprise him tomorrow with some new things?

RAFAEL NADAL: I am trying to play a little bit more aggressive and hit more winners. You know, the improves that I want to do is not complete.

No, no, I didn't practice a lot with that, so I need time to play with this aggressive plan during all the match.

Probably I need few more months and tournaments. But I am happy how I am doing, no? I don't know if going to be enough for him. I going to try to play well like I did all the tournament.

I need to play a little bit better, in my opinion, to have chances, but I am happy about how I am doing. I think I'm in the right way to compete against the top players of the world. I did here winning against the No 6, against the No. 3.

So it's is fantastic way to start season. Now is another big, big test. I don't know if I am enough ready to win the match of tomorrow, but I believe that I can do it and I going to fight for it.

Q. You remember what it was like of course last year coming in here going for the slam. It was at that stage. It's slightly different now, isn't it? You can understand what the expectation is like on Djokovic tomorrow because you've been there. Is that a tough thing to do?

RAFAEL NADAL: He is not playing for the Grand Slam.

Q. No, no, but he's the No. 1 player in the world and playing for three in a row. It's a tough situation to be in.

RAFAEL NADAL: No is a fantastic situation to be. (Smiling) It's really not a tough one.

No, I played for the three in a row US Open 2010. When you are coming with that confidence everything is a little bit easier, no?

I was a little bit unlucky here last year when I played for the Grand Slam. I didn't feel the extra pressure for that. That's true. I felt that I was ready to compete. I had an injury in the quarterfinals so I was out.

That's it. Go home. Keep practicing. I think for him is an advantage, not a pressure, to be in that situation.

Q. Novak's coach said yesterday that it's very difficult to make winners because the balls are very heavy. Do you feel that way?

RAFAEL NADAL: For him is being very difficult. Seems like he cannot do one winner. (Smiling.)

No, he's playing very well, no? He's doing fantastic tournament.

Q. Do you feel with the ball it's difficult to make winners?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. I feel it's difficult to make winners when the weather conditions are cold. When the weather conditions are warm or hot, I think the ball is the right one.

When it's cold, for example, the week before the tournament it was very cold here. The ball was very big, very heavy. I don't believe today it's happen.

Q. Novak has been having some trouble with breathing in the last two matches. Do you think it'll be a factor tomorrow and something you can take advantage of?

RAFAEL NADAL: It's funny, no? I saw the match yesterday on the TV she show on the Channel 7 when he was in the fifth set moving fantastically well, and they show images from two hours fifty before and seems like he was destroyed. Two hours fifty later he was in perfect condition.

So is difficult to imagine that he has these problems. I don't know.

Q. Andy said last night that he thought he had closed the gap on the top three. Do you feel there has been a little to choose between yourself, Roger, Novak, and Andy now?

RAFAEL NADAL: He never was very far. That's the true. He's playing well. He always played fantastic. He's unlucky not to win a Grand Slam yet.

Yesterday he lost another very good opportunity, in my opinion. Because winning two sets to one, winning the third set, probably losing a lot chances, and then winning with 7‑6 ‑‑ to win a tournament like this and to play against player like Djokovic, you cannot start the fourth set like this.

It's the moment to play with more intensity than ever, not start with 3‑Love down and two breaks in five minutes. That way you lose the match. You want to win the tournament, you cannot start ‑‑ you can lose ‑‑ the other can beat you, but you cannot lose in the beginning.

But he's playing well. He's playing fantastic. He deserve to win a Grand Slam. He was unlucky at the end, but the only negative thing for me in his match is the beginning of the fourth.

When the other have more doubts, is in really trouble, you make for the opponent easier than what should be, no? That's my feeling.

For the rest, he can be No. 1 at the end of the season. I don't have any doubt on that. The level is there. When you are able to play how many, five Grand Slams in a row playing semifinals or final, it's only a mental thing.

The rest of the things are there. He started the season another time playing very well winning a tournament, playing semifinals here, and few points away to win against No. 1 player of the world.

He's ready for everything.

Q. Can you remember a situation that you were in like that when the expectation was to go on and win a Grand Slam and you got very close and how you coped with that situation manage your mind? Because as you say, so much of that sport is what happens in the head.

RAFAEL NADAL: I was lucky in that situation, because I really didn't had that pressure or that feeling to win a Grand Slam.

And the first time that I went to play a Grand Slam with the feeling that I can win Grand Slam, I won. That's the true.

Because we talk about the Roland Garros 2005, that's the really first one. Few months ago I really started to play well, I really started to win, and was in the first Grand Slam that I arrived with real chances to win.

Before, wasn't the chance. I played in Australia and make Round of 16 against Hewitt with chance to be in quarterfinals, but knowing that I don't going to win never, no? But in that moment yes, and I won. So that's a little bit of lucky that I was there.

I did. And after winning one, it's easier win two. After win two, it's easy to win three.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2012-01-28/201201281327725301760.html

 

[ImmzB]

Vamos Rafa!!

Hopefully he wears his Night session kit tomorrow!

 

[Mae]

Vamos Rafa But I'm scared

 

[!VamosRafa!]

Rafa is losing the longest final in GS history

 

[!VamosRafa!]

Yup, 5-5, 15-30 this is over

 

[Mae]

Rafa is losing the longest final in GS history

In some ways this was way worse than the defeats to Nole last year. He just couldn't seem to keep the ball in the court at all

 

[Ben.]

4-2, 30-15, could have made the shot with a frying pan. He will be lucky if he ever sleeps a night in his life again after that.

Djokovic's antics earn him another GS though, nothing wrong with him for the last 15 mins, Rafa backed off big time, whether he was tired or was affected by the antics. Djokovic didn't miss a ball the last few games and Rafa was completely passive.

Have to question what he was doing in the second and third sets. He decided to go for it 2-1 down, why not 1-0 up!

 

[born_on_clay]

stats:

 

[Naudio Spanlatine]

Ok to all of the nadal fans who are still here, yes its a tough day for us all but remember Rafa has achieved so much in his young career. I have to give a huge congrats to Nole he really deserve his ranking and this slam today, i really love these two players than any other player in tennis history. These two are always champions in my heart forever no matter how hard the loss is or how gracious the victory is, im still true fans of both players. So we rafa fans should never give up on our rafa, rafa will win a slam again, i know he will, and plus he taking the month of February off which he truly deserves. So i wanna hug all of you amazing fans of rafa

 

[born_on_clay]

Rafa is losing the longest final in GS history

It's not the Rafa we all used to know
We have to realize it's a different player now
I'm just happy with every Rafa's smile and single match
Anything he wins from now on is a present for this great career in my opinion
Just live another day and hope he will play and win some 250 MM tournies on clay
Thank you Rafa for your great career
I will always love you

 

[Mae]

That was so sweet, but it basically admits what at least many of us are thinking that Rafa has indeed started downward in his career. He really lost much more than a Match to Nole again today. He was the King of 5 Sets Matches at the Slams no one could defeat him in 5 Sets and now Nole not only can defeat him he defeated him in 5 Sets. Not to even mention that what I saw of the Match Rafa played very poorly and it wasn't just the serve this time. Sure some of that could have been Nole, but I don't think I have ever seen Rafa have so much trouble getting his shots to stay in the court

 

[MariaV]

Actually there are positive signs that a useless Rafa still could take Nole to 5 looooong sets. :lol: But that's just a tiny silver lining. I wouldn't want a 5-setter in the RG final. :lol:

 

[Ben.]

Nah Mae, today was far far better than Wimbledon. There he only got a set because Djokovic went AWOL. USO was an improvement and this was much much better again. Rafa had one hand on the trophy until he missed the very very easy BH putaway and he stayed with Djokovic physically, unlike in NY. He needs to really look hard at himself and ask why he went missing for two sets.

He could have won the first set far easier, done much less running for two sets and should have been up 5-2 in the 5th. Djokovic is so confident, he isn't going to give away anything, closest he came was when he missed 4 straight first serves at... 3-4 I think it was, and won the game to 15. This is the type of thing Rafa needs to look at, where was the type of returning he used against Berdych? He had so much success anytime he used the FHDTL yet I don't think he used it enough, too often Djokovic was allowed to stay in his BH corner.

There were good signs but today his head let him down.

 

[Xristos]

Congrats to Rafa for fighting the whole match.

You are and always will be a champion.

 

[!VamosRafa!]

Nadal's press conference after the AusOpen 2012 Final

Q. How are you feeling physically?

RAFAEL NADAL: Fine. No, I’m tired, sure. Physically was the toughest match I ever played, if not the tougher. I am tired.

Q. Has this sunk in, the results, the magnitude of the match?

RAFAEL NADAL: Can you repeat?

Q. Has the results sunk in yet? How do you feel mentally as well as physically?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yes. No, no, no, nothing to do on that, no? Just accept. I think we played a great tennis match. It was I think a very good show, my opinion. I enjoyed being part of this event and this match. That’s the true, no? I wanted to win, but I am happy about how I did. I had my chances against the best player of the world today. I played one against one. For a long time I didn’t felt that I was playing in less advantage than him, you know. I didn’t play at lower level than him for a long time, so that’s a very positive thing for me. I am very happy about my mentality tonight, the mentality worked like in my best moments. So very happy about the beginning of the 2012 season. That’s all that I can say. Yeah, I had big chance for the 5-2, yes. I had that easy passing shot with the backhand. I miss it, yes, but I was 4-3 Love-40 in the fourth, too. Anything can happen when the match is there. Important thing for me, during all 2011 I didn’t play much like this. I’m happy I am in the real right way.

Q. If the day before the championship someone would say you would play a five-hour-53-minute match in the final, would you have been completely surprised that you could even compete?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, seriously, 20 hours before the tournament start for me I was more worried and try to play the first round, try to play the tournament, because I had a really strange thing, as you know, the Sunday afternoon. So that’s past. I was lucky. Recovery was fantastic. I had very good people around me here working for me, doctor, physio, so that helps a lot, no? If you are alone here, you don’t have this team around, is impossible to recover that. But I am lucky that I have all of this team around me. Without them, probably I gonna be at home two weeks earlier, no? So very happy for everything. Very happy with my level during both weeks. Is the moment when I realize the whole tournament did I well. I did a lot of very positive things, much more than in 2011 for the most of the time. I played more aggressive. I played with more winners than ever. My serve worked well. The mentality and the passion was there another time better than probably never another time. So that’s very positive aspects on whole game that I am very happy, no? So I just lost the final of a Grand Slam. I am not happy to lose the final, yes, but that’s one of the loses that I am more happy in my career.

Q. Did you feel at any time in the fifth set the match was in your control? Given that he had to play so long against Murray a couple nights ago, were you surprised that he could stay with you that long?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. I didn’t have any doubt that he would be ready for that, no? But the match under control when you’re in the fifth set, when you won the fourth like this, you don’t feel the match under control in that moment. You are worried in every point, no? Well, with the 4-2 was advantage because I felt very well physically in the moment. I felt with very positive energy, and I played a fantastic first point of the 4-2 with the forehand winner down the line after he had that return. Is something unbelievable how he returns, no? His return probably is one of the best of the history. That’s my opinion, no? I never played against a player who’s able to return like this. Almost every time. It’s true I had big mistake with 30-15. But it’s not moment to think about that. That’s another just moment in an almost sixhours match. Forget about that knowing that I really had real, very real chances to have the title and to win against a player who I lost six times last year. But I didn’t. I never put him in this situation during 2011, all 2011, so that’s another positive thing for me. I didn’t have mental problems today against him. I had in 2011 all these mental problems. Today I didn’t have. I compete with normal conditions against him, no? So that’s another positive thing. Probably never say that many positive things after I lose. (Laughter.)

Q. You always said that Roger is the greatest that ever played the game. How great now is Novak?

RAFAEL NADAL: Now he’s the best of the world. That’s how great it is. Five Grand Slams, so the history says that he has a part in the history today winning five Grand Slams, winning a lot of titles, No. 1 of the world. We’ll see where he arrives.

Q. You have been a part of two of the real epic battles in tennis history, this and the 2008 Wimbledon final. Is that something that you’re proud of or a reason why you think you…

RAFAEL NADAL: A pleasure. That’s means that I did a lot of things well to compete against best players of the world and winning on them, losing on them, but always having tough matches. And final 2008 Wimbledon and this one was very special. For me it was a little bit more special the 2008 (smiling). But I really understand that was a really special match, and probably a match that gonna be in my mind not because I lost, no, because the way that we played. So that’s happy be part of these two great matches, my opinion.

Q. Where does that rate? How tough was that? Was that the toughest match? Toughest game you have been involved in? Where does it rank?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think it’s the longest one that I played ever.

Q. Are you going to watch it again on videotape?

RAFAEL NADAL: Too long. (Laughter.) Highlights only.

Q. When you’re in that match, did you ever look at the clock? Did you ever look at the clock during the match, at the time?

RAFAEL NADAL: The time? No, you watch, you look around and you see the watch, five hours, four hours, three hours, finally five hours, 30. Seems like never gonna finish, no? But that’s nice be there fighting, you know, trying to go to the limit, bring your body to the limit of his chances. Something I really enjoy, and I always said is good suffer, enjoy  enjoy suffering, no? So when you are fit, when you are, you know, with passion for the game, when you are ready to compete, you are able to suffer and enjoy suffering, no? I don’t know if I express very well, but is something that maybe you understand. So today I had this feeling, and is a really good one. I enjoyed. I suffered during the match, but I enjoyed all the troubles that I had during all the match. I enjoyed. I tried to be there, to find solutions all the time. I played a lot with my heart. I played a lot with my mind, and is something that is nice to be around and not just play tennis.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports
[/URL]

 

[dav abu]

Just read through the transcript from Rafa's post match interview. He really seems to be taking it well and seeing it as a good sign for 2012. Personally my respect for him grew even more today. His behaviour post match, the speech he made - the mc was right to say that 'Nadal leaves here a winner'. Take heart Rafa fans, he will be right in the mix for 2012.

 

[MariaV]

Thanks for posting the transcript already VamosRafa.
Rafa is such a masochist. :lol: :angel: He has said it before so I knew but still....
I admit I am a masochist too to sit half the Sunday through such a match. :angel:

 

[Ben.]

Good attitude from Rafa. I hope he really doesn't dwell on that BH, could be torture. Compare this to when he lost Wimbledon and the future seems a lot brighter. Plus he has gained ranking points here. Just needs to schedule well and keep working on the return(!!!!) and being more aggressive. His BH is already miles ahead of where it was for all of 2011.

Does anyone else read these transcripts in a spanish accent?

 

[MariaV]

Yeah I am glad he sounds positive and his game has developed in a positive direction compared to 2011 indeed so he is right about that. We can only hope there won't be any injuries and the progress continues.
He has to be smart with his clay court season. Then maybe he'll have chances at the Roland Garros.