I'm playing my best tennis, says Nadal
PARIS: Rafael Nadal will take aim at relieving Roger Federer of his Wimbledon title after warning the world number one that he is playing the best tennis of his career.
Nadal emulated Bjorn Borg by winning three successive French Open titles with his 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Federer at Roland Garros on Sunday, ending for yet another year the Swiss star's dreams of becoming just the third man to hold all four Grand Slam crowns at the same time.
"This was my best Roland Garros," said the Spaniard who has never been beaten in 21 matches during his three visits to the French capital.
Spain's Rafael Nadal poses with his trophy after defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's final match at the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Sunday. Nadal captured a hat-trick of French Open titles with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over world No 1 Federer on Sunday. Reuters |
"I am playing my best tennis. I am a more complete player than I was last year. I come into the net more and have better chances than before.
"My backhand has improved, I'm more confident on my forehand.
"This year, I have won a lot of matches playing well; last year I won a lot of matches without playing well."
Despite his confidence in his own form, Nadal refuses to get carried away by his chances at Wimbledon where Federer has won for the last four years.
However, last year he stunned most observers, and probably himself as well, by reaching the final where Federer triumphed in four sets.
"I'll try my best at Wimbledon," said Nadal who heads for Queen's Club next week where he is top seed for the Artois tournament.
"Grass is not my favourite surface but I will try my best and get the best preparation. But if I don't succeed I will still go home happy for trying to do what I could."
Nadal admitted that the first set of Sunday's final, which he won after Federer failed to convert any of his 10 break points, was crucial.
"It was important to win the first set. I knew that Roger would have to win three more and in a long match I would have had more of an advantage," said Nadal.
Despite his third successive title, the 21-year-old Spaniard said he had the utmost respect for Federer.
"I am sorry he has lost two finals here but I congratulate him because he is always accepting of the situation. He is such a good person and a great champion. I'm happy to win here again but I need to keep working to get even better."
AFP
(China Daily 06/12/2007 page23)
