SPORT Rafa Nadal served in London, on the promenade along the Thames to the O2 Arena led him to his hotel
It is six o'clock in the afternoon in London. The ship must carry Rafa Nadal's O2 Arena to the hotel that hosts awaits you at the dock. The Thames is the scene in which the world number one SPORT serving in a relaxed and candid interview in which surprises us once again, by showing humility despite all his successes. He is treated like a star because it is, but he remains the first son, nephew and grandson of Nadal, the guy that when it comes to Manacor is simply Rafael.
Rafa, 2010 has been a season to frame ...
The best season of my life, no doubt. Could be compared with 2008 but this was much more exciting and I'm more satisfied with this season than that. For me it was a pending end of the year best, is an important step and that is positive.
Positive because, although this year ends, 2011 is just around the corner and with it the Australia Open, the next challenge ...
I can not deny that the last two weeks of January are very important to me. Australia want to reach our best to have any chance. It would be great to win the 'big four' row. But as the U.S. Open, it's no obsession.
Winning all four in one go, would you accept to be located with the best of story?
Of course I like to be part of tennis history and be among the seven who have won all four 'major' or have six Montecarlo, five Roland Garros, the two Roland Garros-Wimbledon, the 81 wins on the ground ... But that measure it at the end of my career. I have 24 years ...
Yes its progression can be assessed. Has been steady does it have a roof?
Over the years I have been improving and I hope that this continues. When I get to go training, I wake up with the illusion of being better every day. It is a work of years and the improvement always comes winning games because that's when you gain confidence, dare to try things and that your progress is embodied. The shift has been mainly in the faster surfaces.
But the illusion looks the same ...
The illusion is the same as the first day. While obviously there are occasional letdown, as when I won the U.S. Open. I note your head, you 'plop' and your physique. Had achieved last tournament really important that I needed ...
Do you see yourself able to repeat or better this year?
I see repeat complicated. The difficulty is extreme. Although, if you've done it once can you repeat? Yes, of course, but if I had to bet my money, do not bet on it. My goal is day to day and as you never know what can happen, you must have worked long enough to be prepared if the opportunity arrives.
And is prepared for when things end up?
I think so, I think so. I love tennis, but more competition ... and obviously, I like many things in life outside the tennis world. When you touch me I will say good-bye, proud of what I've done and very happy because I never thought what happened to me. Stop doing what you love but life goes on with many things that are equal or better.
What is the hardest after eight years on the circuit professional?
For me the difficulty is that there is so much competition. Every day stress, every day with the hope of continuing to give the maximum, the routine of everyday life. What tire is that just here (in London) and I have a month off and another month and a half after good workouts ... And so a year, and another and another. There comes a time when one needs to stop. Or stop you or your body for you.
As you stop him. Are the knees how are you?
The pain is forgotten, but must monitor progress.
The last two years have been a 'roller coaster'. 2009 starts strong and then ...
The first six months of 2009 were the best of my life. Then I started with the knee and some personal problems and it affected me in the head. At the end of the year turned out to be difficult, hard, but luckily I ended up winning the Davis Cup with my teammates. It was a positive ending but it was clear that changes needed, I had to work diligently to recover my level.
Are you worried that the titles do not come?
I needed that confidence and that calm to win but was prepared to choose a big way. Murray to retire in Australia was a blow to me.
Was ugly moment, says his uncle Toni, of 2010?
It was difficult because I had to overcome a history of injuries was becoming very hard.
We had been on the back of Australia ...
Yes, but the good thing is that the level was still there ... and tall. Had a good feeling and although not winning,''had the feelin 'that I could do, something that happened to me in late 2009. On reaching land, but had more nerves, more pressure, had a slightly wider margin. In Monte Carlo changed everything.
Roland Garros, Wimbledon, U.S. Open ... It's hard to choose.
I would stay with Roland Garros and U.S. Open. In Paris it was vital, he had a thorn, and in New York I had the opportunity I played my best match here and closed a circle.
What you have filled the ears with so much praise?
A year ago it seemed that he would not return and now look like the best ever. But the praise is not new. And I always say the same thing: the important thing is to accept the victories with the same calmness with which he accepted defeat and the bad times. We must find a balance and be clear where you are and how you got where you've arrived, that is working. Must to continue and maintain the illusion.
Do you feel more responsibility now that he is number one?
No, no, the same as it was number two. It is not something that I care particularly. Yes I wanted to finish the year as number one. I got it. But being number one is not any responsibility for me.
And the danger for you, where do they come?
Of all. There are many rivals. Are the usual as Federer, Djokovic and Murray, Del Potro again, which is terrific, Cilic, who was injured and then rolled himself. I do not think much of them as day to day. I just worry about the opponent that I have to face at that moment and try to win. This is a league (there he reveals his passion for football) and at the end of the year we'll see how it went. In the end, tennis is a sport very simple: if you win you're up, otherwise, no. January 1 will start from scratch, as I have always done. And so far it has worked very well.
Course yes ...
"I would like ... but I do not see myself playing at 35 "
If anything is clear Rafa Nadal is that there is life, and much, after hanging up the racquet. In addition to his legacy on the track, he and Roger Federer, committed to the sport they love, let the example of the 'cracks' are concerned about the future of tennis and fought together for more rest (seven weeks from 2012) will favor future generations. "We are fortunate to have a very good circuit, which other sports do not. But it is very difficult to change or improve and that makes people have very long careers, there is a long hiatus. It has taken a small step forward. The above we have shown great interest and that is a force that ultimately favors the changes, although a small step for me is not enough. Probably I do not see benefit. I have 24 years, and I do not mean it will stop next year, but changes take long and if there is to do more modifications, we know how much later. But no matter. If not for me, at least that future generations can live in somewhat calmer tennis and a longer stroke which, after all, is what we all want. Because we love what we do and the more years we are here the better. We leave it to the age in which, for many, begins working life. I wish I could play until 35 instead of to the 28 or 30 but do not see myself playing for 35 years. No way ... (We think) but you never know "Your wish for 2011:" Health for my family and me and we can end the crisis that affects us all directly or indirectly. And finally, be happy and enjoy what I do "