melbourne

"I remember many times I have not started the tournament playing well. Then I have been improving and I'm done playing well. It's hard to say if I'm ready or not"

The Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal hopes completely overcome the flu before its debut next week at the Australia Open, the first 'Grand Slam' of the year, and says she has worked hard to be "ready" to face his debut in Melbourne Park.

"I remember many times I have not started the tournament playing well. Then I've been improving and I'm done playing well. It's hard to say if I'm ready or not. All I can say is I did a good job at the end of the season and have done everything possible to be ready, "he said in a presentation of 'Kia' in the pouring rain.

The world number one would not go in to assess the possibility of emulating the exploits of Rod Laver in 1969 and winning four 'big' row. "My motivation is the Australia Open. There is nothing more large. My motivation is the tournament. For me the pressure is the same in all tournaments. I want to play well and do things right, "he said.

The Spaniard, who fell in the semifinals of Doha where he was about to leave for influenza, is now well recovered from the virus but not yet one hundred percent. "I'm better every day. I'll be fully fit for next Monday, there is still time and I have no fever," he said.

On the other hand, is convinced that the key to keep adding titles to refine successful track record is on his game. "I can improve everything: the volley, the track position, to be more inside the court. I've improved a lot since last year but never enough. I'm not perfect, everyone can improve," he said.

In addition, the Spaniard scored as "unbelievable" weather suffering in Melbourne where they usually spend a lot of heat. "Time has not helped much these days. No Nothing to do, wait and train in the indoor courts. The most important thing is to be ready for Monday or Tuesday, "he concluded.

The change suggested in Doha reached for confirmation while preparing for their assault on the first 'big'

The change he wanted Rafa Nadal has come under the slogan 'all back'. A Grand Slam because it was planned later for the U.S. Open, but in the end world number one is comfortable with the model chosen. The tracks in Melbourne Park Rafa will see a more mature, without losing some of its identity as the color or their tight shirts ... but now sleeves.

Nadal took more than a year working with Nike designers to achieve the new 'look', hinted at their first appearances in 2009 and now incorporates two new versions, one in turquoise, probably played by the time of days and the other, darker, to the Open night matches in Australia.

The shirts are kept tight to the body, short-trousers above the knee and wrist, bandana special socks and thinking about the rigors of the southern summer. The latter incorporates elements fabric Dri-FIT moisture evaporates to keep sweat away from the hands and eyes and feet remain cool and dry well to avoid chafing. The reinforcement in the heel and the tip of the foot reduces abrasion while the ergonomically designed specifically for the right foot and left provides a natural and comfortable fit.

Rafa is now in the Rod Laver Arena -Central Park-Melbourne preparing for the conquest of Australia. Would win if the first 'big' on hard surface (plexicushion) of his career. According to its website, has declined the option to dispute an exhibition match in Kooyong, with either German Tommy Haas or American Andy Roddick (possibility that body had taken in recent days) and has scheduled a training schedule until the start of the competition.


But be aware that a strike against the number since it hopes to hold in the future, you can not do every day and gave the maximum in order not to desentonar Rafa. For his part, reiterated that Nadal "I do not feel you have nothing to defend and start again from zero the year. I have 22 years and have won five Grand Slams, 12 Masters Series titles, an Olympic gold medal and I'm number one in the world that keeps me calm. " "If seven years ago someone had told me he was going to win these titles in my career, would have signed immediately, "he confessed.

Last night was drawing pictures of the Open in Australia, unlike the other Grand Slams, does not have "innocent hands" but that the pairings are set by a computer.

THE INJURY OF THE MATHIEU DA NADAL GO TO THAT DOMINABA 6-4 AND 3-0

What can be better than a small training to prepare for the quarterfinals. Less than one hour on the track (49 minutes) compared to French Paul-Henri Mathieu to confirm his passes (6-3 and 3-0). The injury to his opponent allowed Nadal reach its roof in Australia almost without sweat. Mathieu was dismissed from the track almost asking forgiveness from the 'number two' but assured that Nadal has already forgiven. A slight session before measured at the Finnish Jarkko Nieminen.

Because Mathieu raced to drift from the beginning. It stood as he could until the fourth game, the timing for Nadal to snatch the service. A game like the rest blank hallmark of the best game of the Spanish tennis player who had no intention of the French perdonarle one.

It was also the moment in which the physiotherapist made its first foray into track to meet the twin battered the French. His four-hour marathon in the previous round, compared to Austrian Stefan Koubek, began to pass bill. And it is that the injury, including 6-0 in the mourning and display of Rafa Nadal in the Rod Laver Arena, the party did not give much more of themselves.

The Balearic closed the first sleeve with his draw. Quite an unexpected ally in the beginning of this season. In second set there was only one racket on the track. Nadal chained three consecutive games, two of them white, with two 'breaks' included. An epitaph for a training session unexpected.

Nadal smiled at the media. The victory came in their plans but not how to achieve it. "Sorry for Henri (Mathieu), which was playing at a high level, but when you have a party as hard as he had in the previous round against Stefan Koubek, these things can happen," he said.

Nonetheless, Nadal said, will not change his usual preparation. "I will continue with my usual routine a little over an hour. Training More time will not change much," analyzed.

His opponent in the quarter-finals will be Jarkko Nieminen. A conducive to rival that has already stretched out on three occasions. "It's a very hard player and make things very difficult. Especially in this type of surface." Nadal was warns, before an opponent who does not appear to be in Australia for tourism, as has proved to end the dangerous German Philipp Kohlschreiber (29), 3-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (9 ), 6-3, winner in Auckland and one of the sensations of the beginning of the season. If Nadal maintenance level, its roof in Melbourne has the hours counted.