TMS Madrid 2003

Terra.es Chat with Fans

October 16, 2024

Spanish Version

French Version

chorbo_15: How many hours do you train a day?

Nadal: I train three hours of tennis and one hour of fitness.

kual: What was the first tournament you won?

Nadal: It was the Championship of Baleares. I was 8 years old.

Saa: Who is your idol?

Nadal: Carlos Moya because he is Mallorcan and because I really like how he plays.

Saa: How was your debut in Madrid?

Nadal: I played very badly. The environment was very good, the tournament has a very good organization, but the only one that failed was me.

Miis: Who is your best tennis player friend?

Nadal: Carlos Moya.

Gloria_vlc: Since being professional, do you go to the Saturdays of partying with your friends?

Nadal: Normally, in Mallorca, yes I can go. When I'm in tournaments, I don't have much time for these things and I have to remain near the courts to play.

kev: Where did you have your prettiest match?

Nadal: There have been many, but I don't have a special one. Maybe this year in Monte Carlo, or a match of the Championships of the World there was a time...

chorbo_15: At what age did you start in tennis?

Nadal: I started to play tennis when I was 4 years old because my uncle was the trainer of a club and I used to go on the weekends to see him and I became fond of it.

pompeyo: What is your favorite shot?

Nadal: El drive (? forehand). At the moment, my setbacks are considered normal, not very good or very bad. In training, what I dedicate more time to is the serve and the volley.

Lins: Sincerely give us your opinion of Kournikova.

Nadal: She is a very good player, was very young and was high up. Now, she only does things of publicity and plays little tennis. I don't know her personally, but it's not important to me.

Burbujita: Hello Rafa, first congratulations for your great game! What tournament do you have the most dreams to win? Thanks.

Nadal: Wimbledon. Normally, the Spaniards don't play there very well. Last year, I got to the semifinals in the junior tournament.

marpj: What is the tournament you like to play most?

Nadal:I don't know because I didn't play in Roland Garros, and it's the tournament I have a lot of dreams to be able to play. I didn't even play as a junior in Paris.

spenser: Congratulations for your great season, I'm sure that you will quickly be in Davis Cup, who do you think will be the better pair of doubles for Australia?

Nadal: I don't have any idea who will be the better pair. It's a difficult decision and I'm sure that the decisions that the captains make will be good.

guay: Do you think you'll be entered in the selection of Davis Cup quickly?

Nadal: Yes, I'd like to be able to enter. At the moment, I don't see it as very possible. Yes I've told the captains I would be delighted.

kev: Does being the nephew of a famous football player open many doors for you?

Nadal: I don't think so. They are totally different things, having a famous uncle you don't have a higher spot in the ranking, but you get a little publicity because you know them, but in the court I have to win it myself.

Gloria_vlc: What do you think of the declarations of Ferreira about the public of the Masters?

Nadal: There are things of tennis and you shouldn't be applauding for losing a serve, but a tennis player should be prepared for everything.

fisan: Do you think you will be the No. 1 in the world?

Nadal: Yes, I suppose so.... more sure about it than not. (Chen's not positive about this part) Yes If I have to choose between being number one or winning a Grand Slam, I prefer being number one.

Onda: Hello, raf, do you play frequently with Moya in Mallorca?

Nadal: Yes, when were are both here, yes we play.

Lucas: Do you continue studying still?

Nadal: I studied last year, but I have had to quit now because I don't have time. Studying to the 4\super level of ESO, I finished. (Not sure about 4 of ESO????.)

Yomismo You're not afraid that fame will change you?

Nadal: No, I'm sure that I am not going to change. When I play tournaments, I go with my uncle and with my trainer, for which I am very well wrapped up and advised.

marpj: You seem to have many followers?

I don't have many followers. Normal. I also got autographs when I was little, from soccer players.

JOGLARS: Do you think Ferrero can maintain during a year the No. 1 of the ATP.

Nadal: I can't know. There are many good players such as Roddick, Federer, Moya... it's very complicated. At the moment, the path that Roddick has come through is very good.

tkm: How do you feel to being the future of Spanish tennis?

Nadal: Nothing at the moment. I try to continue to improve with many wins, but I don't want to think that I have that responsibility.

chorbo_15: What was your first racquet?

Nadal: I was four years old and my uncle bought it for me. I don't know where I have it, but I know I have it in my house...

Gloria_vlc: Who have you had the most dreams to win against?

Nadal: This year against Albert Costa in Monte Carlo. I didn't have a dream to win against a certain tennis player, but I would prefer to win an important tournament.

guay: What about the Davis Cup final against Australia on grass?

Nadal: It's complicated but Spain has very good players in gusts. Options are secure. (Something simliar to that) Yes, playing on grass is more complicated, the punishment is that they are not playing on clay, but the options they have are clear.

marpj: What do you think about the new left-handed tennis players, such as Verdasco, Feli, and evidently you?

Nadal: They are two very good players, and they play well in all types of courts and will have a good future and a good present.

tkm: Do you have a girlfriend?

Nadal: No.

quay: What is your opinion of the violence we last occurred in the world of sport in Spain?

Nadal: They're things of the radical groups that they should try to settle. Without these groups, the violence would be reduced a lot.

chemas: What would you advise to someone who wants to start in the world of professional tennis?

Nadal: The most important thing is to have fun. If you don't do it your best it will make you leave (not quite sure but it's something like that); because if you don't have fun in the court, it's not a good sign.

A-ccassi: What is your opinion of the scandals of fixed matches?

Nadal:For me, there aren't fixed matches. I know the two players and I live in the world of tennis and I'm sure that there are no fixed matches.

chemas: Do you know of anyone younger than you in the professional circuits? Or are you the youngest?

Nadal: Younger, no, but of the same age. He's French and his name is Richard Gasquet and he is 95 in the ATP. We get along well.

Nadal: I have to continue training, I'll respond to the last two questions.

chemas: What is your preferred type of court?

Nadal: I like them all, more clay and grass. Also, I increasingly like the greenset. (aka indoor)

Iker_Casillas: What are your feelings.... at only 17 years old and how do you compare with him (Corretja)? (Hard to understand the question)

Nadal: It was a complicated match and I could have won. But I didn't play well and he beat me well. I get along very well with Corretja.




**Thanks to Chen for translating the chat transcript to English. Please do not copy or use on other sites without permission of VamosRafael.com.**

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