Rafael Nadal

I appreciate a lot in this life; the things you cannot buy. Life is only once.

It’s more a tennis problem than a mental problem. The transition is difficult. It depends how much time you have. Playing on grass can sometimes be a bit of a lottery.

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.

You just try to play tough and focus point for point. Sounds so boring, but it’s the right thing to do out there.

In Majorca, I can be myself. I go to the supermarket and the cinema, and I am just Rafa. Everyone knows me, and it is no big deal. I can go all day – no photographs.

No one is perfect. Everybody does stupid things.

I like a lot of sports. Especially football – it’s my favourite sport. My uncle played football in Barcelona for nine years and played for Spain in three World Cups.

You know, a lot of things changed. What never changed is the illusion to keep playing tennis, the illusion to keep doing well the things, and the illusion to be in a good position of the ranking and play these kind of matches.

I am thrilled to be the new team captain. I am sure that the pressures I’ve faced on centre court will stand me in good stead to battle it out against Ian and his team.

Everyone is entitled to have their own opinions.

I’ll never have a tattoo – I just don’t like them, and when you’re old they can look a disaster. As for piercings, I don’t like them on men.

I love basketball.

I am very lucky because when I come back home, I have a completely normal life. I can relax, playing golf, fishing – doing what I want. I know when I finish a tournament, I am going to relax at home.

I am No. 8 in the world. I am not No. 100.

I’m not a God, I make mistakes.

I am going to fight for important things.

So this is it. Match point for eternity.

It should not be a child’s only goal to become the best player in the world. That would be a bad, a harmful attitude.

The goal is to win. It’s not about making money. I have many much less risky ways of making money than this (buying Chelsea football club). I don’t want to throw my money away, but it’s really about having fun and that means success and trophies.

I had the pleasure of competing at the Olympic Games and at Wimbledon and was fortunate enough to win the gold medal in both events,

There are many moments during a match when you are tense, wrestling with yourself. Tennis is a lesson in self-control.