MASTERS SERIES MONTE-CARLO PRESENTED BY ROLEX
Date: 2008-04-23

MASTERS SERIES MONTE-CARLO PRESENTED BY ROLEX

April 23, 2008

Rafael Nadal
MONTE CARLO, MONACO
R. NADAL/M. Ancic
6-0, 6-3

The Moderator Questions, please.

Question He's a very talented player, obviously. You must be very pleased to have come through that relatively comfortably?
Rafael Nadal: Sure. Was a tough draw, no? Mario is a big player. He had some injuries in the past, no? But he gonna be in the top position soon another time.
Well, very, very happy for my win today. I started playing very well the first set. Later I play a bad game in the 2-0. But I think I have to be very happy about my game today. First match on clay after long time. So, well, happy about everything.

Question Were you pleased how good it felt straightaway, that you felt so good on the clay straightaway? Good for the confidence?
Rafael Nadal: Sure, is very important win the first match, no, especially against tough opponent like Mario. But, you know, is very soon for say something, and now is important win for me. Start the clay season like this always give me more confidence.
But I know tomorrow I have very tough match against Ferrero, no? I have to be very concentrate to try to have a good win tomorrow. I know going to be a very tough match.
But I hope continuing playing well and I hope have my chances.

Question Do you think about all the next weeks of all these titles you have to hope to defend?
Rafael Nadal: I think I No. 2 in the race right now. I was doing very good hard court season and I arrive here for try to do my best. If my best is do semifinals, quarterfinals, final, champion, I don't know. I gonna try my best in every tournament. If I can win any tournament, gonna be important for me. I know repeat every year, every title gonna be impossible.
But I know gonna be a very tough clay season. I gonna try my best. But, well, repeat everything is almost impossible.

Question When you think of Roland Garros, not winning the titles, but when you think of Roland Garros, what do you think of? What is your best memories besides three titles?
Rafael Nadal: The true right now, I don't think Roland Garros, no one minute, no? I think about Monte-Carlo, I think about Barcelona, Rome, Hamburg. I think about try to play and adapt as fast as possible to the clay season, to the clay court.
After when I arrive to Roland Garros and I have my first practice on the center court, for sure is special, no?

Question What do you think about the reduction of the season on clay? You expressed yourself about that.
Rafael Nadal: Yeah, I said day before. I spoke about that. Right now I am in the tournament. I prefer don't continuing speak about that. I said everything about how disappointed I am, and I think lot of players are in the same way like me.
But right now I just think about my tournament and try to play my best every day now.

Question Did you see Roger's game? If yes, what was your feeling?
Rafael Nadal: Yeah, I saw little bit. He start playing very well the first set after he had some mistakes. But I think he finished the match playing very well.

Question What do you think about the clay court? It will be a three-player battle, with Novak you and Roger, or do you think other players can fight also?
Rafael Nadal: I think never is only three-player battle, no? Look Roger today. He have a good battle against Ramon Ramirez, no? I think every match going to be important for everybody. I don't think there is only three players, no?
Last year was only two players on tour? Right now three? C'mon. I think a lot of good players are on the tour, no?