TMS MONTE CARLO

April 13, 2005

Rafael Nadal

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I play very well the first set. I am happy for that. I play little bit more aggressive. I know that, no, the last match I play little bit defensive. This match I begin the match with the (intention of going forward.) I say I will try, and I play good.

RAFAEL NADAL: Is improving a lot, huh (smiling)?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't study, and every day I have a press conference. Is okay. After five years, I think I can speak (smiling).

RAFAEL NADAL: No. The first game he play good, the first two games. He have chance. He have breakpoint in the first games, in the second game 30-All. He playing good. But when I put 2-0, he's little bit relax. I think he sees a difficult match and he knows it's tough for him, no?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I think now my best thing is I have a lot of concentration when I play. I never - well, never - sometimes, I miss a little bit. Unforced errors, only a little bit. I need to improve a lot my serve. I need to improve a little bit my winner, forehand. I am improving. I think the last year, this year, I improve a lot some things.

RAFAEL NADAL: I have very good memories here. Is my first tournament, my first important tournament. I was play very well. I won the qualify and I won two matches against Kucera and Costa. I never forget that, this tournament. I hope now I improve. My best round is third round (inaudible). And nothing more (smiling).

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I remember, but this is very important moment for me because I was playing good. I won two challengers before and I played the final in Cagliari, I won Barletta. I am improving my tennis on clay. When I was arrive here two years before, I have lot of confidence because I won a lot of matches consecutive, no? And I arrive here and won two matches. For me is very important because I can see I can play with the professionals players, no, with the best players.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I need a lot. I need practice a lot and I need get little bit confidence, no? I can serve (powerfully and high speed), but I need confidence for improve the shot, no? I need improve in the practice for when I play, I have a good serve, no? And I need get the confidence in the practice for after I have good serve in the match, no? But I am happy with the improve this year, no?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I know, because I have the slice. If I will be serve well, is very important for the secure in the match, no, because I return well. Is important for me improve that.

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I will, I will try play. I will play tournament in Monte-Carlo, in Barcelona, in Roma, in Hamburg. When I know what is my results in this tournaments, I know what is my chance for the French Open, no, because I don't know now what is my level.

RAFAEL NADAL: The tennis is, I don't know, no? Because I can lose in first round, I can lose in quarterfinal, in second round, in semifinal. So if I play too many matches, I will see. I will see. But I don't know now. I only hope play good this tournaments. After, I have one week off. I play in three tournaments - Valencia, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona - week off, Rome, Hamburg, week off, and Paris. I think is good, a good schedule.