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Novak Djokovic, ATP ranking second player and major threat to dethrone Rafa Nadal in the first place worldwide, said in Rome that is playing the best tennis of his life and is now somewhat closer to the number 1.

Novak Djokovic, ATP ranking second player and major threat to dethrone Rafa Nadal in the first place worldwide, said in Rome that is playing the best tennis of his life and is now somewhat closer to the number 1.

"I'm playing the best tennis of my life," Djokovic said in a press conference at the Foro Italico. The Serb reached this quote as flamboyant winner of the Madrid tournament after winning the final to Rafael Nadal and challenge Spanish supremacy on clay. A company a few months ago he found it "mission impossible" as he acknowledged in response to a question on whether he considered more difficult to beat Nadal on the ground or the Swiss Roger Federer on grass.

This party, "the best" of those has played this year and "one of the best" played in his life, is a "big step in his career, also in the mental aspect. "Against Nadal is always very difficult to play, especially in the area where he does his best tennis," Djokovic said, although he acknowledged that "if there is somewhere where you have opportunities against Rafa on land, probably in Madrid for their conditions" .

Having fought three end this season, the two could meet again in a hypothetical final on clay in Rome tournament in which the Serbian debut in the second round against Poland's Lukasz Kubot. In addition, the appointment of Rome, one of the last before Roland Garros, is particularly important in the fight for number 1. Asked about their chances to snatch the throne to Nadal, Djokovic admitted he was "a little bit closer" but still has much work to do. "All my life I dreamed of becoming the best in the world someday and now it is close, but still I have to work hard to get there, "he said.

The Serbian arrives in Rome with a streak of 32 straight wins this year, 34 if you add two in the Davis Cup final. He said the Davis Cup final against France he gave "very confident" and "was the beginning of this journey in which I am immersed. It's been a very long learning work for me, with hard work and dedication" , said.

'Nole', 23, blamed the improvement in his game to a higher concentration and maturity, both personally and sports. "I identify my success with the maturity I have now as a person and player. Everything has come together, after a period of several years of learning, gaining experience, of being patient and having worked hard. I've always had the qualities to beat the best players in the world in different areas, but now I think more about the track, I'm more stable emotionally and I know what I have to do, "he said.

Djokovic admitted that his strategy is to "keep our feet on the ground" without being distracted by the successes of their rivals and thinking about winning every game he plays. "I try to stay focused and be professional, I have a great team of people around me are doing great work and make my life easier on the tracks," he said. Djokovic acknowledged it has yet to win a major tournament and play with "record" to reach the top and said his dream is to take the crown of Wimbledom.

"I had the feeling that the ground saw the old and classic Rafa, who almost never missed any September or any party," said the Swiss ° to being a Top-seeded Federer believes that "no big difference."

The Swiss Roger Federer, world number two admitted today at the All England Club is "pleased" that the Spanish Rafael Nadal, his great rival and current number one of the ATP, will play Wimbledon again, after missing last year through injury.

On the eve of the most prestigious grass tournament, and third Grand Slam of the season, Federer spoke of his goals going into this issue and the return of his opponent manacorense.

"Whenever someone goes missing, there are always injuries. Last year (the lower Rafa) was a major setback because he was defending champion. I'm glad that Rafa is here. I want to play in every tournament. It is better for sport that they all compete, "he said today Swiss in their encounters with the media.

Asked if he believed that the Spaniard player, winner of Roland Garros, playing more aggressively now, he replied: "I think he always plays aggressive on the ground, it is your nature."

"I had the feeling that the ground saw the old and classic Rafa, who almost never missed any September or any party," he said.

Nadal added that "need not prove anything" and that in this competition "will always be very difficult beat him. "

The Spain Switzerland

Before another obvious question concerning the World Cup: Did you see the match Switzerland-Spain?, Number two said the victory of his selection was "an historic" for his country, but was aware that "bad times can back very quickly. "

On which was the debut of the selection of Vicente del Bosque, he added, half jokingly, that Nadal did not call after that meeting: "I got in touch with Rafa after I am not the kind of person who delights (such situations), a situation that has now cleared on Saturday Spanish.

Returning to the court, also referred to being top seed at Wimbledon, but world number two (the number one Nadal regained it after Roland Garros), which, he explained, "does little to change things because" said, "I do not think you can retrieve the number one anyway. Now it is about winning Wimbledon."

Federer also reminded not to win Roland Garros this year did not affect him too "mentally." No I went crazy after losing in France. The digested very fast, I played well in Halle, now I'm back giving me a great chance of doing well at Wimbledon, "he added.

The top seed said that "above all", wants to "defend the title" and is "happy" back in the postcode SW19-tournament.

Since his first victory at Wimbledon in 2003, Federer thinks his game is now "more consistent."

"I think a lot has changed. Certainly, I am now fitter and I have more experience. My backhand has improved a lot, I think in general my serve is stronger and my second serve has always been good. I am much more aware everything that happens around me, "he said.

Arrive at Roland Garros as the top favorite · Super Federer in straight sets · It takes a rematch of last year

Rafa Nadal showed once again that is number one on the ground. The Spaniard beat Federer (6-4, 7-6) to tirunfar in the Magic Box and win the 1000 Masters third consecutive season and 18th of his career. At the meeting prior to Roland Garros, the world number two displayed his best tennis to keep the appointment Parisian than Federer looked the reverse of the Swiss utmost account the time and less successful than usual. While the reverse side is one of the many strengths of Federer, this time stayed in the net or went for the bottom line of the track. In addition, the service was a finalist in Madrid on other occasions and had to resort more often than normal the second service.

Despite breaking his rival service in the third game, Rafa had to repeat in the seventh because Federer did the same after being behind on the scoreboard. Thinking about not repeating past mistakes, Nadal wanted to take the lead of the game, was more offensive than ever and able to take advantage of unforced errors by the Swiss.

In the last race the script did not change much. First was the world number two broke serve that his opponent, but could not consolidate the break before the game Rafa Federer. Although his game is not the most favorite.

Before the final, Nadal did not want to feel favorites. The height of Madrid and the fact that measured the best player in the world made the Balearic lie down balls out when thinking about a possible winner, but the truth is that all the Magic Box confident than take revenge Manacor last year when Federer took a run to win in Madrid and at Roland Garros for the first time.

From the outset, Nadal went heavily into the game. brilliant, always the Swiss world number one and his repertoire of strokes can leave at any time. Thus forced to decide the clash in the tie break, where even though Federer was clearly ahead on the scoreboard, the Spaniard could get up to go up after the game and enjoy two match points, take advantage of the second and take the applause from the bleachers of the track Manolo Santana.

With Nadal settled back into the world number two, Masters break records in 1000 and again to enjoy their best tennis, Roland Garros promises to be a vibrant event for all tennis fans.

After retiring at the Open de Australia, in the quarter-final against Andy Murray, Nadal arrived Thursday in Barcelona, where he performed new medical evidence • The next Monday, will appear as No. 4 in the world, overtaken by Djokovic and Murray

Rafa Nadal is two weeks out before he can return to training after recent tests they underwent in Barcelona stated that undergoes a minimum hamstring in his right knee.

"Rafael Nadal will spend two weeks on the sidelines recovering from a minor injury to his right knee, produced at the end of the second set during his quarterfinal match of the Australia Open in Melbourne against Andy Murray. The player is in Manacor and will remain there until his recovery, "said the statement sent by the press agent of world No. 2, which was withdrawn from the Australia Open through injury and now will miss at least the tournament Rotterdam where last year reached the final (lost to Andy Murray).

Nadal medical report submitted by Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, said that "after completing the relevant evidence consisting of a magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound, Mr. Rafael Nadal has a minimum focal hamstring in the most posterior insertion of the quadriceps tendon in his right knee. It introduces you to basic treatment for sleep sports about two weeks in which they perform physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory Tecar machines. After two weeks elapsed and depending on the results of inspections carried out gradually start their sporting activity estimated total recovery time in about four weeks. "

In the statement, extensive and detailed, Nadal himself adds that "as I said after the match in Melbourne and later at the airport upon landing, I know that this injury Not the same as the one suffered last year. I feel good and now I think the only time I have to recover. Miss the tournament in Rotterdam I dislike it because it is a tournament where I would have liked to try to get the title because I was close last year. He also said I was not overly concerned about the issue of ranking, is normal, most importantly, to regain good game and good feeling on the track, which had both in Abu Dhabi, Doha and in Melbourne where I was competing at the highest level. "

Finally, to note that the statement was demanding respect "to Ralph and his team" in these weeks of rest and recuperation, "so they can work with the necessary serenity during this period."