Olympics: Interviews with Toni
Photo by Beth Wilson
Inés has sent in some translations of quotes given by Toni in interviews today.
What Toni has said in the different interventions on the radio:
“A very sad day for him because in addition to the illusion of participating in the Olympics, which are only 1 every 4 years, the illusion of being the flag bearer”
“His condition is of sadness, he would have paid to carry the flag” ….
“You lose a match and you have assumed it, but unable to participate due to injury and in something that is only every four years and that the next Games he will be 30 years old is more difficult to take ….. ”
“He told me when he won in Beijing that besides being one of the happiest days of his life, he had won with the support of much of the Spanish team, feeling so supported by them, to win in a moment when he was very tired from the season – so many matches. Imagine the feeling of gratitude that he has for all the athletes and to be now their representative – it was very special for him … ”
“The injury is new, it happened at Wimbledon. It’s an issue of the knee that is not the same as before. It’s something for not to be worried about, I trust not, but the recovery is longer …. ”
“From the environment were saying him the fact, that he doesn’t reach to the Games, but it was such the illusion that he had, and today, when he started training (with racket) he has seen it quite clear and also there was a player waiting for this decision for so he can go to the games instead of Rafa and he had to take the fatal decision … ”
(Inés, the above is very unclear to me and I can’t quite clean it up. I’m thinking this corresponds to what I’ve read other people saying: that Rafa wanted to go so badly that he was in a bit of denial about his chances and the team – and today’s practice session – had to bring him back to reality? Is that correct? – miri)
“And there is no set a schedule for the return, as it had a priority and it was to play in the Games and that if he starts in a week, two or three does not worry us too much, and less on a day like today … ”
(Personally, I like the sound of that. It sounds like they are letting the injury dictate the recovery time and not the ATP schedule. That’s the only way it will truly heal up. – miri)
One link for a radio interview, the one for RNE-RTVE was not showed.
And here is from the news from TVE.
What he said in the interview on TV “The greatest pity is not to be the flag bearer of the Spanish team, which made him special illusion …”
“Today when we went to play we have seen that he was not well and decision had been which had to be taken, which was not to participate … ”
President of the COE, “He called me before announce the decision, which I appreciate and I found an athlete, worried, annoyed because the illusion Rafael were the Games and be the flag bearer of Spain .. ”
JuanCarlos Navarro,” It’s a bad news for our sport and to dedicate all the successes we have in London and I’m sure we will see in the next “
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Well, at least I get some encouragement when Toni said: “It’s something for not to be worried about”. This indicates that Rafa can sucessfully manage this knee problem going forward, once he recovers (hopefully recovers in time for Cincy & US Open).
What do you all think?
Another version of a quote from Toni on IB3 (via tennis.com): On Thursday, his uncle and coach, Toni, told IB3 TV that his nephew had suffered an emotional blow: “Rafael has gone through bad times and serious injury, but I think this is the worst moment of all,” he said.
I was thinking the same. To me, worse than withdrawing from Wimbledon in 2009. I feel SO bad for Rafa. He must be devastated.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/sports/olympics/rafael-nadal-withdraws-from-london-games.html?_r=1&ref=sports
This is from the New York Times and incorporates comments from Rafa, Benito and Toni. Sounds like we might not see him on-court again until the USO.
The article said “could certainly be back in time to play in the year’s final Grand Slam”. It does not eliminate the possibility that Rafa might compete in Cincy Masters. I don’t think Rafa will recover in time for Canada Masters. I’m not sure if Rafa can play in Cincy, though I certainly hope he could, so that he can get some match play before the US Open.
Also, Benito said: “He’s going to start practicing again. He’s just not ready to compete.” This tells me that the Olympics withdrawal was more about not having enough time to prepare, than about not being able to practice at all. This gives me a little hope that he will have time to prepare for Cincy & US Open, though I’m not sure.
According to Dr Cotorro, Rafa has to take another 15 days of rest during which he’ll continue with his rehab. So no practice for another 2 weeks which means we can probably rule out Toronto. With Cincy being so close to Toronto it may also be a long shot.
What we don’t know is whether the pain in Rafa’s knee has gotten any better over the last weeks because as Uncle Toni mentioned this is a different injury which is taking longer to heal, so they have to play it by ear. Who knows, he might not even be ready after this additional 15 days. I think we can’t expect anything definitive right not even regarding the USOpen. What’s more important is that the injury heal completely and Rafa has the confidence in his body so he can play his game without doubts.
Thanks, L, can you post a link for that? I’d appreciate it!
Here’s the link from Marca with the quote from Dr. Cotorro:
http://masdeporte.as.com/masdeporte/2012/07/20/juegosolimpicos/1342740390_896861.html
Looking at the translation again I think it actually means that he will only continue rehab after the 15 days rest.
Here’s another link from AS.com with a quote from Uncle Toni, where he says they ‘think’ Rafa will be ready for the US open:
http://masdeporte.as.com/masdeporte/2012/07/20/juegosolimpicos/1342740390_896861.html
In the last paragraph there’s also some info about the injury I haven’t read anywhere else. In one part of the translation it says ‘the tendon lost inches’ which I interepret as some sort of tear in the tendon but I’m not sure if that’s the meaning.
Thank you!
Translation of the text below from the AS article is “Shaken by the stress of the clay surface, the tendon gave way by millimeters (which implies a strain which involves a stretching or small tear of the tendon). The tendon has not healed in order to resist the Olympic tournament”
Sacudido por el estrés de la tierra batida, el tendón cedía por milímetros. Y no ha cicatrizado como para resistir el torneo olímpico.
Thanks, Sandy!
I’m wondering if it would be a good idea to send postal cards to Mallorca, or whether electronic greetings should suffice.
Maybe we cal all send a postcard from wherever we are, addressed to “Rafael Nadal, tenista, Manacor, Mallorca, Spain” so he can feel our love, tangibly. Saw a tweet from this UK cricketer who got a letter from a fan addressed like that.
Melissa and Nana, I love the idea.
Nothing beats good old fashion postcards, they are rare these days.
Postcards take a long time to arrive — as long as 4-6 weeks — so I recommend a normal-sized greeting card sent 1st class, for those of you in the U.S.
I don’t wish to abuse the access of this site by posting addresses. If you would like such info as I have got on mailing to Rafa, e-mail me and I’ll send it to you.
You can reach me at mcdowlm@cox.net
Thanks, Melissa
I know I’m getting ahead here, but whether or not he plays the USO, I really hope he skips the fall hard court swing in Asia. He needs a long rest imo.
Melissa, OMG, postcards is a great idea! More personal than an email. Can you picture the Manacour post office getting flooded with cards for him? Awesome idea!
Well, that was where I was going. I mean, he doesn’t have to read them all, just see the volume of support. Unless that’s just another burden for someone to clean up?
I wouldn’t think it a burden at all. He’d be touched.
His agent has a Barcelona address posted, but I would imagine that something sent to Manaor or Porto Cristo for “Rafael Nadal, Tenista” might make it to him. I think I’ll try both. Tomorrow. Before he goes off to another island somewhere…
Oh didn’t see that you already discussed that. I quite like the idea!
If you want what mailing info I’ve been sent, see message above. Thx.
I’m just going to send a card to him via his hometown. I’m sure it’ll get there.
I’m happy about Pau, btw. If not Rafa, then Pau, no?
Miri, I think you saw my tweet but in reference to your question above to Ines, the translation above seems to come from the following quote from Toni that I got via @partidodelas12 “Estaba esperando a dar la noticia por la ilusión que tenía. Desde el entorno le decíamos que tenía que asumir la realidad”. This translates to “He was waiting to give the news due to the hopes/dreams he had. We were telling him he had to accept the reality”. The confusing part is that entorno can translate to environment but it in this case it means those around him (e.g. his team). They were trying to tell him that he wouldn’t make the games but as he said in various interview, he had such hopes/dreams that he couldn’t make the decision…was scared to…face the reality. But when he picked up the racket for the first time and got on court, he knew. :(
Yes. It was a relief to hear that news from his coach, Kevin.
Melissa,
Do you know the postal address to send postcards to Mallorca? If so…please share with us.
Diane, see message above at http://www.nadalnews.com/2012/07/19/olympics-interviews-with-toni/comment-page-1/#comment-166920.