Saturday: Post-Match Interviews

Rafa will be in the interview room in 5 minutes. So I'll blog from there. Claire is going to use Uncle Lopy's camera to take photos so I can give you immediate info. I type faster than I write.

Rafa’s Interview. BLAKE def. Nadal, 7-5, 6-3.

Here he comes. He’s eating a cookie. He loves his cookies. No ice cream, I guess. Same gray jacket on. He just answered the phone, and is talking on it. He says, sorry.

Claire got a photo of it, and she is taking photos while I type.

He says, “Not the best day today.” He says Blake played very good. He says that Blake had confidence. Rafa fought all much. Maybe a bit too defensive in the first set. Played better in the second set. Had chances, had breakpoints. But Blake served unbelievable outside on the line. So nothing he could do.

Blake plays very aggressive all the time. Rafa does, too, but not the sam way James does. It's different. He says that in the difficult moments for him, Blake had good luck for him. He’s not going to put any excuse in, but the wind may have had something to do with it. But James played better.

James is playing at a very good level – top 5 level. He said, “We will see what his level is on clay.” Then we’ll know more. But he says he likely will stay in Top 10, but only Top 5 if he does well on clay.

Rafa is chewing on his cookie.

He could have done more today, but he tried his best, and fought all match. But James played better than him all day. He had chances, but James played better.

As for the injured foot, left one is okay. The other one is the problem. The right one, not 100%, but not too much of a problem today.

He says Federer will win. His favorite is Federer for tomorrow, but he says Blake can win. He says the favorite is always the No. 1.

He’s looking so cute now. The expressions are priceless, as he switches to Spanish to try to answer question.

For James to beat Federer, he has to believe he can win. That is the key.

He wanted to play the final, against Roger, but he wanted to play the final against anyone.

Re James and clay, Rafa says he’s a good player, but doesn’t know how he will do on clay. On clay, all matches are little bit different. Had a cute moment as he struggles with the word “effective.”

Sarah asked him about his signing autographs after today’s match. He said, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but he always has to stay with the fans. He appreciates the fans, and he understands that most were behind Blake, but he appreciates the sport and the fans. And he noted that in Madrid that worked in his favor, where there wasn’t one fan behind Ljubicic.

And he just announced he’s going to win Wimbledon this year!!! Seriously, a British journalist asked about his prospects for Wimbledon and he said, “I’m going to win.”

And on that note, the conference ended. He sounded upbeat, and looking ahead to Miami, and Wimbledon, I guess.

The media are back from the interview, and I love all the women going, “How cute is he?” As he’s munching cookies, laughing and smiling.

Claire got tons of photos. And Sarah, Claire and I are going to the Outback Steakhouse. Cynthia Lum, the photographer will meet us there later. Vamos!!!