Press Conference with RAFAEL NADAL

Hamburg, 15 May 200

Press Conference with RAFAEL NADAL

Nadal - Murray 6:3, 6:2

Q: Are you more pleased with your game today than yesterday?

NADAL: Yes, sure, I'm much better now. I played much better than yesterday, practicing today morning. For sure, it is 50% better. I had more confidence today, feeling the ball much better and for sure playing more inside the court, having more control with the forehand, serving better too. So, it was a good match for me.

Q: What do you think was different to the previous meetings with Andy?

NADAL: It's always tough matches with Andy. Especially when he's playing well on hard court. If I am playing well on clay then I have more chances to beat him than if I play him on hard. Anyway, he is a very talented player. He can play, go to the net, play from the baseline, he can do everything. He had some mistakes. So, I beat him.

Q: So are you close to your best level?

NADAL: I don't know where my best level is. I am fine, I am playing well. That is the most important thing. I don't know if I'm close to my best level because you never know what is your best level. But I'm happy how I played today and plan to continue to play better tomorrow.

Q: How good do you think he can become on a clay court?

NADAL: He needs more tournaments I think, more practice. For sure, he can play well because his ball is not very flat. He has good control with the forehand, he serves well. He can go to the net, can slice the ball. If he continues to improve, he has a good chance to have a very good tournament in Roland Garros or in Monte Carlo, Rome, Hamburg.

Q: You fought very well, so is it okay with the feet?

NADAL: Yes. I'm fine. I don't feel 100% perfect because I feel it a little bit, but for sure it's enough.

Q: What caused the blister in Rome? The surface?

NADAL: No, I had the blister. The problem was the final in Barcelona. I didn't know when I was playing but during the night when I woke up at six in the morning to go to Rome, I tried to put the foot on the floor and I couldn't. That was the first moment when I felt the problem. Finally, I tried my best, working hard to try and recover before I arrived, but it was not possible.

Q: Have you had those blisters before?

NADAL: No. First time in the foot. In the hands, a lot of times.