Rafael Nadal

It is the small steps which bring you satisfaction at the end of the day.

It is unbelievable to me that I can win against the best player in the world, against one of the best in history. It’s very important and very special for me, especially because I was three months off the court.

Hard courts are very negative for the body. I know the sport is a business and creating these courts is easier than clay or grass, but I am 100 per cent sure it is wrong.

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

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 always think about victory. It was very important for me to stay in this final. If I play my best I have a chance (against Federer). I’m going to play aggressively, with determination.

With Almagro, boy, that’ll be a tough match. He’s playing at a very high level right now and he hits the ball hard.

I spend a little time every day to play sports.

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

For sure, with golf it’s not a physically demanding sport like tennis. That’s what makes tennis great – you combine both things. It’s a very mental sport and at the same time can be dramatically physical. But I do admire the mentality of sport more than the physicality because physical performance is much easier to practice than mental performance.

I think the tennis is only a game. You can lose. You can win. After that? In life, there are much more important things than tennis.

I always think about victory. It was very important for me to stay in this final. If I play my best I have a chance (against Federer). I’m going to play aggressively, with determination.

It is the small steps which bring you satisfaction at the end of the day.

Stay healthy, do sports and above all have fun while doing sport. Competing or just for fun, whatever, simply enjoy and try your best. Working hard, working well with achievable goals normally pays off. Believe in the people that are with you and listen to those who have more experience.

I am just like all the jerks and idiots you know. I am just a guy that watches sports all day.

I tried to find a solution to the problem that I had, tried to find a way to start playing better.

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

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

I think when you compete every week, when you play under pressure daily, you find your rituals to be 100 percent focused on what you’re doing.

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

I go to the gym, I swim daily and from time to time I meet with friends and do extra-curricular stuff.