Mundo Deportivo
28 de agosto 2003

Translated by joes

Original in Spanish

Note: This is only a translation of the parts of article including Rafael, not the full article.

Angel Rigueira / New York

Rafael Nadal started another adventure in his recently begun professional expedition. He had never played the US Open, but also it was his first match on hard court in the main circuit. Following the hair-raising speed that his qualities impose on his career, he mastered the first round like he normally does, with an A. It was at the expense of Fernando Vicente, who lost in three sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Now El Aynaoui is awaiting him. His mirror Mallorcan, Carlos Moy�, also got to the second round. He celebrated his 27th birthday by defeating the Australian Scott Draper, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(8-6). He�ll be meeting the Southafrican Wesley Moodie, Albert Monta��s� henchman.

With his 17 years of age, Rafael Nadal is the youngest player in the draw. Veteran Andre Agassi, with 33 years of age, was competing in Flushing when the Manacoran was three months old. He is the sensation of the season. He didn�t get to play on a main court � he played on 7 � but he did make an appearance in the main press room. There were American, French and Italian reporters interested in his person. Continuing the tone set earlier this year, the eternal question was asked referring to his uncle, the Mallorcan soccer player Miguel �ngel Nadal.

Rafa accepted it with humour, restrained because �I am getting better in English, but still I don�t dare speak it in the press conferences�. He needed the help of a translater, and had with him Daniel Homedes, a Catalan tennis player who studied in American universities and who already was in the Davis Cup team as a sparring partner, in the USA-Spain tie in Houston on grass.

After each question from the international press followed a conversation betweeen them in Catalan. With the particularity that Homedes presented himself sporting a Barca Tshirt. �I told him not to wear it, but he didn�t listen� joked Rafa, a Real Madrid fan. Eventhough family and home country ties pull and when he enquired as to what happened in the Super Cup he asked: �How did Mallorca do?�

At this point Nadal takes tennis as a game. On the court he is a powder magazine, pure competitiveness is what�s flowing through his veins, he battles for victory with every weapon at his disposal, and not a single concession. But off court he realizes that his youth permits him lots of luxuries, to enjoy the novelties without the pressure of ranking. �At 17 years old, I can�t see myself as the champion of the tournament, because of my actual tennis level. But I�d like to equal the third round in Wimbledon�, he says.

His preparation has not been the same as for those fully enrolled in the circuit. After winning the Challenger in El Espinar, in Segovia, he decided to �go to the beach. I didn�t touch a racket for days and then I mixed beach and tennis. I hadn�t played since as I was feeling very tired metally and physically after having been to Wimbledon, Campeonato de Espa�a, Bastad, Stuttgart and Umag�. His team sees to it that his schedule is suitable for a boy his age, although his taking it easy doesn�t slow him down much. His ranking, 45 of the world, is a high note.



**Thanks to joes for the translation from Spanish. Please do not use or copy without the permission of the original source and VamosRafael.com. Thanks.**

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