Jan 31 press roundup

Are you hydrating and bulking up on pasta to get ready for tonight’s final? Here’s a few articles to read through while going through your pre-match preparation.

Toni Nadal: “L’important c’est de gagner” – French language interview with Uncle Toni (Google translation)

Legends tripping Roger Federer to beat Rafael Nadal in Australian Open final

Little wonder why Laver, Rosewall and Roche all favour Federer to take the “coin toss” encounter and match Pete Sampras’s all-time

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | No Comment

Understated, as usual

Rafa has a new entry up on his official site blog – It will be difficult.

It’s incredible that after today we would have played together in all the (Grand Slam) finals but one. It will be unreal for me as well because we all know he’s the best tennis player of all time.

This final will be particularly special because it is my first in Melbourne and it will be really hard. I am really excited but somewhat tired from the Friday match against Nando Verdasco. Let’s see how it all turns out.

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | One Comment

Spanish Q&A

Another Q&A entry is up at elmundo.es. (Google translation).

How did you hear about Rafa Maymó How physio again and if you were friends before … ¡¡ Gracias!!

I met him in Manacor. I talked to him and I was looking for a physio to travel with me. It was a great success because it is very good and it is a very good person too.

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | No Comment

Semi-final presser video

Posted by merikob.

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | No Comment

Preparations, progress and parfums

Guess Rafa had a lot of time to answer questions during massages today. Here’s another set from the Times Online.

What do you do to prepare yourself mentally for big matches, like finals? Basem Salfiti, London

RN: I know that the matches are different and I try to do the same things. It is difficult but I do the normal things. For example today I did more or less the same

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | No Comment

More dancing and popcorn

I guess people are sending in the same questions to both the Times and Herald Sun… anyway, here’s Saturday’s Q&A.

What did you say to Fernando at the end of your match, and does it rank as one of your toughest wins? Jim, Suffolk

RN: We just spoke about the match and about how great a tournament he had, how difficult the match was and how we both deserved to win. This

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | 2 Comments

ESPN semi-final match report

(Found on El Toro De Rafa.)

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | No Comment

Pre-final Interview

Rafa on the difficulties of recovering from a 5 hour long semi-final.

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | No Comment

Celebrations and dancing

Looks like Rafa took the time to answer a few Herald Sun questions today.

If you win the Australian Open this year how will you celebrate? Congratulations on a great tournament so far, you have been amazing!
Alexa
Alexa, I don’t know. I hope, I wish, but I don’t know.

What do you think of the scheduling of your semi final today? Should you get through and I hope you do for another confrontation with Roger Federer, Roger has an

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | No Comment

Eurosport match report

Posted by luneworld.

31 Jan 2009 | by miri | No Comment