‘Federer is still the best'

Rafael Nadal is on top of the world. The Spaniard not only won two Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold in 2008, but also displaced Roger Federer from the No. 1 spot. And yet, he still believes Federer sets the benchmark. In an exclusive interview with DNA,  he admitted that the No 1 spot isn’t a bed of roses.

Rafael, 2008 must have been one of the most fulfilling in your career — you won the French Open, Wimbledon, Olympic gold too and became World No. 1? How do you look back at your success?
It was a great season for me and I am very proud of what I achieved last year. I played my best tennis and was able to achieve what was a dream for me. But that’s over now.  We are already into a new season and what I am thinking about is this year.

Experts have picked their favourites for the 2009 Australian Open title. How do you rate your chances?
Right now, 128 players are there. Everybody starts from the first round here and (it is) going to be difficult for everybody. For sure one group is more favourite than the rest, but I think more than one, two or three can win the tournament.

Andy Murray has emerged as a strong contender for the title. Your comments.
He’s playing good tennis, with confidence.  When you win Cincinnati, when you win Madrid, when you win Doha playing against (Roger) Federer, playing against (Andy) Roddick, you are ready to win a Grand Slam. If you beat the top guys in the tournaments, you are ready.

Which title do you cherish the most? Why?
All the titles I won last year were important and I am very proud of them. Certainly, Wimbledon was special because it was the first time and it was such an exciting match. The fourth consecutive Roland Garros, the Olympic medal, the Monte Carlo win, the one in Barcelona at my club... they too were important for me.
 
Your start to the year 2008 wasn’t that good; you lost in the Indian Wells semifinals, Sony Ericsson finals. How did you manage to get back in top gear?
 I don’t think that a semifinal at the Australian Open, a semifinal loss to the eventual winner at Indian Wells and a final at Miami can be considered as bad results. I actually think they were great results that gave me a lot of confidence to do well the rest of the season and most important gave me precious points since they were all big events.
 
Many say that for every Roger Federer, the world needs a Nadal. What do you think?
I wished I could have played in an era without him. He is the best ever and it makes things very difficult.
 
Now that you are number one, how difficult do you think is it to remain at the top?
It was difficult to be No. 2 for so many years. It was difficult to become No. 1 and I know it will be even more difficult to stay at the top. I just need to play, stay healthy, learn and improve. If those things come together I will have a chance. If not, I can assure you and your readers, that I will give everything and fight as always.
 
Observers say your brand of tennis is very physical, how do you react to this?
I play my tennis and it has also evolved and changed making it less physical. The injury has nothing to do with my style of play. I think the calendar was too tough and anyone would have gotten injured. Things have to be looked at.
 
What are your plans for 2009? You have won the French Open and Wimbledon. Are you making any special preparations for the Australian and the US Open?
Every time I enter a tournament I try to win. It is not easy and most of the times not possible but that’s the approach.
 
You are the vice president of ATP Players Panel. What do you have on the agenda?
We have many things and we just got a new President of the ATP. We will sit down with him and look at the future of
our sport.