Well, it looks like the chances for being here on Saturday are very, very little, practically impossible if I am not wrong. I lost today again and it is actually a weird sensation to lose twice in a week. I felt I played better today, more aggressive, with more determination, but still not enough to beat a top player like Davydenko.
Tomorrow I will continue with the normal routine anyway. I will practice around 2pm at the tournament site. The important thing is to continue, to practice to continue improving and getting ready for the match on Friday. After that, I will be focusing and preparing the Davis Cup final.
I am not happy as you can all imagine but I am not down either. I felt better today, had some chances, played a good second part of the match and was close to bringing the match to a 3rd set. I am far from where I can be and that's encouraging. I suppose that what I need is to go back to El Cambio de Tercio for a good dinner with my team and regain all good habits, playing well included :-)
I also would like to say that I am sorry for all my fans here. I really feel great playing in the UK. Probably here, and apart from my home country, is where I feel I have more fans. I know a lot of you came from different places around the World also. Many, many thanks is the least I can say.
Many thanks.
Rafa
Rafa,do you cook dinner by youself? And how do you think of your cooking?
Xiao Hu, from China
RN: No, that I only do during Wimbledon and a very few times at home. I am limited but the few things I do are really good.
There is snow on the hills where I live. Do you like snow and have you ever skied?
Miles
RN: No I have not.
Dear Rafa!
I know, that it not the most important in your game, the main thing - that your victories. It is simply interesting to know: Will You return to the short sleeves and long shorts next year?
Thank You, Best of luck!!
With love, your fan Paolina
RN: No, that's part of the past and maybe the long term future, but not any time soon.
I know you already help a lot of people with your Foundation, and I wondered if you would ever like to be a Politician in the future to try and make the world a better place? Or someone like our Princess Diana used to be, she was nicknamed the "Queen of Hearts" as she helped a lot of people and brought good causes to the attention of the public.
You would make a wonderful "king of Hearts" as you are so compassionate and people would listen to you. (I would vote for you if I could!)
Besos y abrazos
Juliette Westbrook-Finch (England)
RN: No, I won't be a politician. I would definitely try to make the world better in my own particular way of helping but not via politics. Youa re very kind to compare me with Princess Diana, but I don't think I am anywhere close.
Hola from Puerto Rico!! So, I was wondering: every time I've seen you on tv or your pictures, I have never seen you wearing any sunglasses. Do you ever wear sunglasses or do you just don't like using them? Also, if you don't wear them, don't you get nasty headaches from having the sun in your eyes all the time (because you're outdoors a lot of the time)?? Thank you and Vamos!!!
Yaritza from Puerto Rico
RN: I do wear them but not very often, you are right.
So much press is written about you and your game- do you ever read any of it, or would that be too frustrating? I'm specifically talking about the sports pages, such as The Times, Marca and Espn?
Gill Leone, London
RN: I do read a lot of what's in the internet. I simply have my own opinion and it is interesting to read what other people think. I only ask for respect and those you mention normally have respect with me and what I do.
Rafa, if you had to choose one Slam you wanted to win most in 2010, would you want to defend the Australian Open, reclaim your thrown from Roland Garros, win back Wimbledon or complete a career slam at the US Opens?
Anthea Yeung xxx
RN: Any of the four, but give me Wimbledon again... would be amazing!
Hi I come from Greece and tennis here is not a very popular sport yet, of course the last years more and more people become interested in it, but I think that is considered yet a sport just for few, for an "elite".That is very disappointing...Did you ever consider tennis that way, as a sport for people of a certain social status?
Liana
RN: No, I never did. I don't think it is this way in Spain where I grew up.
Over the years you've lessened your on-court rituals. Do you think you can play without them in the coming years?
Manahil, Pakistan.
RN: I hope so... :-)
LONDRES - Rafael Nadal a été exclu des demi-finales aux Finales de l'ATP, mercredi, en subissant une deuxième défaite consécutive, cette fois en deux manches de 6-1, 7-6 (4) contre Nikolay Davydenko.
Do you think that the ATP will ever have a realistic schedule for players and a decent off season?
Stephanie Thomas
RN: I hope so. We are working with them closely. We'll see.
What’s most important in your career now, ranking or longevity?
Hanne K, Norway
RN: The most important thing right now is to play good. Then clearly to win titles is the most important thing. The ranking comes with that.
Why do you use the slice so much during a match? I saw this especially in your last few matches and personally I don't think it's a good idea.
Alexandra
RN: It depends on the surface you play. Here in indoor you try to do that to break the rythm of the other player. However let me tell you I would love to simply hit big points... Simply not possible.
What do you think of the crowd being in the dark at the O2 and all the focus on the court?
Lisa, London
RN: Funny, you are right. I think the court and the stadium looks really great.
Will you be watching El Clasico on Sunday?
Nick Clarke
RN: ABSOLUTELY!!! :-)
RN: Nope.
If you only could wish for one thing for Christmas what would it be?
Anna
RN: No wars!
Why didn't you challenge that call when you thought you had hit an ace against Soderling?
Alice
RN: The umpire told me he'd seen it clearly out... If he was so sure I didn't challenge. My team told me afterwards they'd received sms from friends watching TV and telling me it was in... Too bad.
I noticed you were hitting the ball a lot more flat on hardcourts early in the season (very successfully) but now I see you are using a lot of topspin again. Why this change in tactic
Javidan
RN: Simply trying to play better. I would love to hit it like I was at the beginning of this year!
Hello everyone,
Many thanks for all your support messages. They are really important to me. Many of you might be wondering how do you feel after a defeat and not going back home.
Normally when you lose a match in a tennis tournament, you leave home or if you are in the middle of a tour far away from home, stay to rest one day and move to the next one.
Here it is different. I lost yesterday but you can say I am still alive. I have been practicing today hard and I am really looking forward to that match tomorrow. Davydenko is a very difficult player, who isn't here, right? But he beat me the last time we played only a few weeks ago in Shanghai.
On a personal level, I took some time this evening and went to see the Champions League football match between Barca and Inter at a Sports Bar here in London with my team. Food? so, so...London, November 25, 2009
Rafa Nadal will be playing a very important match tonight for a chance to keep his ATP Barclays ATP World Tour Finals qualification alive.
The world No.2 will take on Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the second evening match at the O2 Arena in London, which is scheduled to start not before 8:45pm.
Rafa and Davydenko have played a total of 7 times together with Rafa holding a slight 4-3 advantage. Their last meeting took place a few weeks ago in Shanghai and even though it was pretty tight in the first set, Nicolay took the victory and the title in 2 sets 7-6(3), 6-3.
Rafa’s victories include Barcelona 2009, Monte Carlo 2008, Rome 2008, and The Masters Cup in 2006.
At a press conference, after his loss against Soderling on Monday, Rafa explained to the Spanish media that even though it wasn’t ideal to lose the first match, there is still a chance to make it to the next round. “I will try to work hard like I usually do so that I can hopefully change the situation”.
“In 2006 I made it to the semis after losing the first match; you never know what could happen.”
Vamos Rafa!
Source: http://www.rafaelnadal.com/nadal/en/homeLONDRES — Rafael Nadal a officiellement été ajouté à l'équipe espagnole en vue de la finale de la coupe Davis contre les Tchèques, en décembre.
Une blessure au genou avait écarté le numéro deux mondial de la finale de l'an dernier, remportée par l'Espagne contre l'Argentine. Nadal a défendu les couleurs de son pays pour la dernière fois en mars, lors du gain contre la Serbie en première ronde.
Nadal et Fernando Verdasco, qui sont tous deux aux Finales de l'ATP, seront épaulés par David Ferrer et Feliciano Lopez à Barcelone, du 4 au 6 décembre.
La République tchèque comptera sur Radek Stepanek, Tomas Berdych, Jan Hajek et Lukas Dlouhy.
La composition des équipes a été confirmée mercredi par l'ITF.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. Tous droits réservés.
I loved the story of when you were a little boy and your Uncle pretended he'd made you invisible and all your family pretended they couldn't see you! If you could have a coat that made you invisible where would you go and what would you do? Juliette Westbrook-Finch
RN: Yes, it is now a funny story. He used to play these kind of games with me. The thing is that he had the complicity of a few others from the family.
Was there any doubt in your mind about playing Soderling again after the miserable Roland Garros match? I hope not! Jen
RN: No, no doubt because of Soderling. Just another match. I lost again but that has nothing to do with it.
Will you alter your style at all so you don't get so many injuries in the future or will you look at this as an unlucky year and hope for better luck next year? Peter
RN: I don't think my style can change much to be honest. Let's hope I stay healthy.
What kind of training are you planning for the short "off season" this year - do you think anything in particular will help as you go into the New Year with the chance to defend your Australian Open title? Sam
RN: There is no off season this year. Straight into practice and training but clearly working on Physical condition as well.
Do you think you could beat Serena Williams in a five-setter match? Pavi
RN: I know it is not polite for me to answer with another question... but my answer is... what do you think?
What’s your recommendation for coming back from injury? Are there specific exercises effective for your recovery? Kerri
RN: It depends on the type of injury.
Who makes you laugh more - Roger Federer or Andy Murray? Julie, Chicago
RN: Good question! They both can be funny... if only I could speak better English to understand it...
Who is your favourite player from the current Real Madrid team? JoAnn Chu
RN: CR
Are the fans from India are going to see you in Chennai again? Shilpa
RN: No, I am not. Playing Abu Dhabi this year.
One more thing!
Forgot to say that at least I got a prize today!!!. Raul Zurutuza, the Tournament Director of the Acapulco event gave me the trophy I'd lost back in 2005 when going to the airport!. Here's the picture!.
Thanks to that lovely tournament for this. I got this trophy twice having only won it once! :-)
Rafa
For as long as I can remember, the end-of-season championships have been played on an indoor quick court. Do you agree that this is unfair on the clay court specialists who fight their way to the top 8?
Danny LeGuen
RN: I could agree with you but it is no time for these kind of questions from my point of view. There are other issues. But as I say I could agree.
Are you going to have an opportunity to work on your serve between the Davis Cup final and the Australian Open?
Pete Isaacs
RN: One thing is for sure, I won't have time for holidays... right after the Davis Cup I am resuming practice.
What do you think of the English fans? Do you think they are some of the most respectful in tennis?
Kim, London
RN: I think they are great and with me they have always been very appreciative and always gave me a lot of support. They are definitely up there, way up there.
How are you coping with the cold and wet of London in winter?
Julie Tingle
RN: It is freezing!!! Today it was very windy and when we got out of the boat that takes us to and from the arena it was really, really cold!
Do you watch any comedy and if so what do you enjoy the most?
Mary
RN: I don't watch that much comedy. Some Spanish ones are really good and funny!
Have you ever been in a situation when a call by an umpire or a linesman turned out to be incorrect but in your favour?
Anjali
RN: Yes, like everyone else. We all make mistakes and the umpires too! :-)
Rafa, do you think that video technology should be introduced in football matches as is the case in tennis for close line calls.
Niamh
RN: It is a very long discussion... I would definitely have them.
What specific aspects of your game do you change when you switch from a clay court to a hard court? Or do you play the same way on both?
Alex
RN: You have to change many aspects and it also depends on the surface, the balls, bounces, etc. The most important thing is to try to hit/play flatter the ball.
When are you going to start Twittering?
Sammy
RN: Not really. I do Facebook and I enjoy it really. I read a lot what fans write.
You have been to London a few times, do you get to see much in the city and if so are there any special places you would like to visit if you had the time?
Kate, Toronto
RN: This year, at this time more than ever.
Isn't it strange to be blogging from London at this time of the year?
I hope that you all will enjoy the tennis here in London as much as we are doing it right now. I am really happy to be back here in London. I have always said that Wimbledon is probably my favorite tournament and always enjoyed very much my time in London. Either at Queen's or at Wimbledon the people always treated me great and I feel this really as a special place. It is funny since from the first time I came, I was treated here in a special way.
I love being back here in London and with the possibility to play. I remember earlier this year those tough days when I was here and had to take the decision to not play Wimbledon. Those days are over, still I couldn't play Wimbledon and that hurt, but at least I have the chance to play here again in a new tournament, a new venue which by the way it is fantastic, with a great atmosphere.
I love being back in London!!!
Rafa
