Rafael Nadal

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.

For sure, I’m going to play less matches because I think it’s very difficult to win the same number of matches as last year. Maybe I’m going to play a little bit less, but I like playing tournaments; so if I feel good, I going to play for sure.

No one is perfect. Everybody does stupid things.

I became a player who goes to a lot of effort while training, who can rely on his will and his mental strengths.

My tennis is aggressive, though I wouldn’t say that it’s more physical than technical. I rely more on technique than physique, but being physical is always a help to me.

I have been learning English on the road since I started when I was 15, so it is a slow process but making some progress. Now I think I am much more comfortable with my English. However, it is difficult, still, when I speak about something that is not tennis.

If I am not playing at one hundred percent, it is going to be very difficult for me to win.

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.

Today people hit the ball with much more strength. Almost every player is capable of playing a winning stroke from any position. This means the balls arrive more quickly. If you want to reach them, you have to slow down from a high speed or suddenly change direction. These are moments when you can injure yourself, and that’s what wears us out.

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

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

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 have no sense of humor about losing

Anyone could become a star, but everyone must be a human being.

I always work with a goal – and the goal is to improve as a player and a person. That, finally, is the most important thing of all.

Every little kid that steps on the court or the field has aspirations to go pro. I think being a pro basketball player is the best job. The thing I had to realize was that I can’t do every dream that I have.

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,

I always had the theory that the most important thing is be happy, enjoy what are you doing, and be fresh mentally.

It’s important to have people around you with enough confidence to say if you are not acting in a good way. Normally, when you are at the top, people say everything is fantastic. Probably in that moment it is what you want to hear, but it’s best to be reminded how to act properly.

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.

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