Interview from Marca.com
Marca.com, April 21, 2024
Translated from Spanish to English by Alvaro
View Interview in Spanish
� I would be crazy if I said that I have a place in the Spanish Davis Cup Team �
Rafael Nadal is the new sensation in tennis world. His calm character helps him to escape from the fame caused by his entrance in ATP�s Top-100 with only 16 years old.
Do you believe now you reached third round in Montecarlo defeating players like a Roland Garros champion, Albert Costa ?
The truth is i only expected to win matches in the Qualyfing Draw but, suddenly, i found that i had won 2 matches in the main draw. It was a surprise, but i prefer the way i played than the victories.
Did Costa say you something at the end of the match ?
He congratulated and wished me good luck for the future.
If you continue this evolution in your tennis, the G3 (Davis Cup Captains) will have to look for a place for you against Argentina.
I would be crazy if I said i have a place in the National Davis Cup Team. I�ve improved 100 positions in 4 months but is imposible to be against Argentina.
What do you prefer, a Davis Cup or a Grand Slam ?
Both are important titles, but for me is more important a competition as Davis Cup because is by team and I�ve won all with Spain in Juniors. Playing for your country makes that more people support you than in a single competition.
In juniors, you had a big friend, Tomeu Salva, a compatriot who has played the Qualys in ATP Conde de Godo ?
I hope he can enters into the Top-100 in a nearly future to travel together. Is not the same to stay with older people than with partners with the same age.
In last 2 years you have been many hours playing in Palma de Mallorca with Carlos Moya, a former world number 1.
Being each day with him has helped me to improve my tennis, i tried to get his rhythm.
Which advice repeats to you Moya before a match ?
He speaks a lot about tennis but he told me i had to hit cannonballs with my serve.
Did you follow his advices in Montecarlo ?
I watched the speed in the scoreboard while i was playing. First day i served at 140 Km/Hour, in the last match i served at 160 Km/H but playing with less first services.
�Charly� has been the only Spaniard to reach the world number one, will you reach the top position ?
I can�t think in that because I could not improve more ....
You could play agaisnt Corretja in ATP Barcelona ...
I want to play there but I don�t feel nervous. My first match is agaisnt �Juancho� Marin and if I win I will think in winning more matches.
People like you, Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Verdasco show that Spanish tennis goes to left-handed players.
It�s a coincidence but I hope we can stay in the Top.
When you were a boy you played in the Manacor Football Junior Team and you were goalscorer...
Until 12 years I played both, football and tennis, but I realised i played tennis better.
In football you prefer white colours of Real Madrid...
I feel �Madridista� but I�m not against Barcelona.
Did you wanted to play in Real Madrid ?
Like a football player my dream would have been triumph in a big team as Real Madrid.
**Thanks for the translation, Alvaro. Well done! Please do not copy or use on other sites without permission of VamosRafael.com.**
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