Rafael Nadal

Even if I have already peaked, I have to believe I can improve. I wake up every morning, and go to practice, with the illusion that I’m going to get better that day.

I am not the most courageous guy in the world outside of the court. Being alone in the dark is something I don’t like.

What distinguishes tennis is respect for one’s opponent, one’s conduct on the court.

Gaudio is playing very well. Today he played at an incredible level, especially on his backhand. But I am only thinking of my own game, and of playing well.

I am going to fight for important things.

The favorite is always the No. 1. I can win. Blake can win. But the favorite is the No. 1.

The only way of finding a solution is to fight back, to move, to run, and to control that pressure.

Something that works for one person could be a disadvantage to another.

I’d rather lose an argument than get into a long discussion in order to win it.

I have lived my whole life with high intensity.

Two weeks ago, I was in a fantastic situation, winning at Roland Garros. Now, losing in the first round, it’s tough. The tour continues. Life continues. This is a sport of victories, not a sport of losses. Nobody remembers the losses. I don’t want to remember the loss.

It was a very unbelievable day for me. It’s special to begin the clay season like this. Beating Roger in the final is even more special, it’s great.

Always I believe that I can play better. But I am happy.

I used to wear sleeveless T-shirts all the time on court, but now I’ve got a brand new look – I’ve moved on to polo shirts. Sleeveless T-shirts give you real freedom of movement and they keep you cooler in matches, but I just thought it was time for a change.

My parents’ divorce made an important change in my life. It affected me.

Some people may learn something from the way I play tennis. But there are also players who are better than me in certain techniques.

My serve can get better, for sure. It’s not just about serving bombs, but positioning, variation in speed, in spin.

You fight, you try your best, but if you lose, you don’t have to break five racquets and smash up the locker room. You can do those things, but when you’ve finished, nothing’s changed. You’ve still lost. If something positive came from that, I probably would do it. But I see only negativity.

The bad thing about the tennis calendar is how it is made and obligates you to play tournaments all year. If you want to achieve the most you can and go as high up in the rankings as you can, you have to play from the start to the finish because there are important tournaments from the beginning to the end.

I take pleasure in tennis and the hope that it requires.

For me, pressure is bird flu. I’m feeling a lot of pressure with the problem in Scotland. It’s not fun and I’m more scared of it than football.