Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Questions for Rafa: I like being in the pink, what do you think?

Questions from Neil Harman, Tennis Correspondent, The Times

What prompted you to decide to play in pink today?

RN: I knew these colours since the moment some months ago Nike showed us the proposed clothing. I like pink, and I specially like this outfit very much. The whole combination I find it really nice. We wear a lot of pink in Spain and I think it is a nice colour. If you look at my website it is also pink for this tournament.

How would you cope with losing a match 6-0, 6-0, as a British girl did on Centre Court, the match before yours, today?

RN: It is tough to lose 6-0, 6-0, and probably to play Centre Court is tougher for some players. The important thing is to always learn.

Questions from readers

What was the toughest part of today's match for you?
William, Sydney

RN: It is always different the first round. I always had some kind of troubles. The most difficult part is to try to find the rhythm, my game.

Who do you think are your biggest rivals for this year's title?
Sam, Yorkshire

RN: I am really only thinking on my next round on Wednesday. I don't look ahead. So my next rival is my biggest. If you mean the ones that have been playing good and those who should arrive to the finals clearly those are Federer, Djokovic and Murray. But along the way there are many other good players

What would it mean to win a record five titles in a row?
Pauline, England

RN: It would mean a lot but simply because it is winning another titleit doesn't really matter if it is 5 or 6 or 4. But in any case I am only thinking on my next match on Wednesday, that's all.

Why do you bite your trophies after you win a tournament?
Jake, New York, age 9

RN: It is something I started doing with my first tournament and I kept doing it.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given and who was it from?
Julie Westbrook-Finch, England

RN: To stay always the same, it was my father who told me that.

What made you finally decide to get your hair cut short? Good Luck.
Michelle McCarthy, New Fairfield, CT

RN: I don't know. I just did it. I suppose I am not 18 anymore...

It's great to see you blogging again. Are you on Facebook?
Jase Ng, Singapore

RN: No, I am not.

How do you decide which fingers to tape for practices and matches?
Christie

RN: I tape the ones that need protection to avoid and cover blisters.

What is your favourite kind of chocolate?
Katrin, Germany

RN: With milk.

Do you wash and iron your own clothes?
Brandy, Memphis

RN: No, not really. I would lie if I say I do. At tournaments we have a laundry service and they do it.

Do you think you'll ever try playing with a one-handed backhand?
Anjali, Mumbai, India

RN: No, never. I always played two handed and that's how I know to play.