Roland Garros June 3 2011 - Roger Federer

R. FEDERER/N. Djokovic

           

7‑6, 6‑3, 3‑6, 7‑6

           

ROGER FEDERER

           

            Q.  Wonderful, wonderful match, Roger.  Congratulations.

            ROGER FEDERER:  Thank you.

            Q.  Is this the best match you have played in the year 2011?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah.  I would think so, yeah.  I hope it was, because I thought it was played at a very high level for a very long time.

            I can only talk about myself, but I thought I did really well today.  It was a tough start, really, where I was able to break.  There was break backs, because that's kind of how we play against each other.  It's so intense and he's such a good return player that I always know he's got something in his racquet to really break me, as well.

            I really wanted to make it as physical as possible, which I was able to make it happen.  I think the end of the first and beginning of the second set was key to, you know, the outcome almost in the fourth set.

            So I was really happy the way I played.  I thought at the end it was also quite mental, you know, both of us know that whoever is going to win the set, either it's over or we have to come back tomorrow, which makes it more tricky.

            So for this reason obviously I'm somewhat relieved that I don't have to come back tomorrow, even that would have been no problem.  I thought it was a great match from both sides, really.

            Q.  Actually watching it, there were a few of us who thought it was vintage tennis, perhaps the best we have seen since the final of Wimbledon in 2008.  Would you perhaps concur with that?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Possibly, yeah.  I mean, I think I haven't disappeared since, you know.  I think I've played some great matches since and i did some sacrifices.  I wasn't lying on the beach.

            So I'm pretty happy that I made that effort over the years, and that, you know, when it really counts I'm at the big occasion, you know.  So I think today was one of those moments.  There was a lot on the line for Novak, a lot of pressure obviously going in, and I thought he handled it great, really.

            He got maybe a bit unlucky in the first set, but he hung in there and almost pushed it to five.  Obviously you never know on a different day what's gonna happen.

            Look, it was a pleasure playing against him today I thought.  I told him at the net as well.  I said I think his record speaks for itself, how great he's played already this season, and it's not even over yet.  He can still achieve so much more this year.

            And, yeah, I thought we played some great tennis.  The way the crowd got into it, as well, towards the end of the match, I mean, the way they back me here in Paris is just an amazing feeling.  So obviously I know I'm very privileged to live this in my career.

            Q.  I want to say thank you because of the best tennis match I saw in my life.

            ROGER FEDERER:  Okay.  Any time.  (Laughter.)

            Q.  In any time of the match did you think you can lose this match?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Honestly, I was very confident, you know, especially once I was up 7‑6, 4‑1.  I kind of felt like this match is not gonna slip out my hands, even though I probably missed another 10 or 15 break points at the end of the second set.

            I just felt you don't give me such a lead and then think you can crawl back into the match.  I knew I was probably gonna close this out.  That was just a feeling I had.

            Q.  You stopped Rafa once; you were the last one who beat Djokovic.  You stop now Djokovic.  Do you have something against these records?

            ROGER FEDERER:  No, but Rafa and Novak and other guys have stopped me, too.  It's just the way it goes, you know.  (Laughter.)

            I said it earlier, I wasn't here to spoil the party.  I mean, just trying to put in a good match and trying to get to the French Open finals, which I'm now obviously happy I'm able to.

            But almost feels somewhat like I've won the tournament, which is not the case, you know.  Silverware is still out there to be won, and I'm looking forward to the match with Rafa, which I guess is my true rival for the last ‑‑ all those years, you know, since he became world No. 1.

            I remember playing him in Miami for the first time, so this is obviously another big match.  It always seems to me that Rafa needs to be in a French Open final to make it special, and I got the match I guess I was hoping for.

            After beating Novak, it's in a way a gift that I get the chance, and I'm looking forward to it.

            Q.  Can you say what was going through your head at 4‑5 in the fourth when Djokovic was serving for the set?  And then also if you have any different tactics for tomorrow or on Sunday playing against Rafa?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Look, I mean, I was disappointed I got broken at 4‑All, because I had such a huge game.  Because being down 4‑5 or being up 5‑4 is just a huge change.  I don't know how to explain.

            It's just all of a sudden four points away instead of being 12 points away, and, you know, a mountain to climb again.

            So I knew I kind of messed up and got maybe a bit unlucky, because I think I did take the right decisions.  Look, it happens.  Novak is a great player, and I never sort of gave up even though I knew, Okay, he's playing well; he's taking it away from me and he should close it up.

            But I got into a tough first point, and I kind of felt like from there on I was probably gonna break him back because it was getting slower, it was getting barker.  It was just tough when you're not feeling 100% to keep the ball in play, I just felt.

            That's why I felt I played a great return game, and then I played one of the best breakers again.  I was able to mix it up, serve great, clutch serve when I had to, and I just kind of felt good, obviously.

            Q.  Sorry to bring this up after such an incredible win, but the last time you played Rafa here three years ago you won four games.  What are you gonna do that's different?  Do you have a plan?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, I mean, not yet.  We played a great match in Madrid against each other, so obviously I've got my hands full with him now.  Whoever thinks it's gonna be a walk in the park is so wrong, you know.  Everybody knows how many times he's gotten me here in Paris.

            I'm happy I never got sort of a letdown just because he has beaten me here and just that I stopped believing.  That's why I got the Roland Garros in 2009, which remains one of my most special wins, really, in my career.

            And I have another opportunity to beat Rafa here and get the French Open title.  I've got to play some extraordinarily special tennis.  I'm aware of that.  But I obviously took a huge step today, and hope I can get everything together for the finals.

            Q.  You didn't use dropshot, but you felt the ball great or you were waiting for the end or why this happened?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, Novak plays very much on the baseline.  He plays very, I mean, flat and hard and deep shots, so it kind of makes it more difficult to use the dropshot.  If you do hit it, you have to hit it perfect, otherwise he's gonna eat it up.  So that was pretty simple.

            THE MODERATOR:  French questions, please.

            Q.  Compared to all your other matches on clay, would you say that this one is one of your best in the top three?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, with regards to its importance, it's a very big one.  It's one on which I had lots of expectations.  And when a match is so important to make things even bigger, I'm very proud of my performance today.  But as I said, the tournament is not over yet.  But it's true, it's a great match.

            Now, did I win it in three or four sets?  I don't care.  What's important is that I played a beautiful match against a player which is in great shape.  So that's gonna be a special victory, probably more special than others.

            Q.  When you play incredible points, as you did today, and the crowd is so happy, are you aware of this?  Is this motivating?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Yes, quite a lot.  And when I play in Switzerland, I find it normal to have this kind of support.  But in a foreign country ‑‑ we have no Grand Slam tournament in Switzerland, so when I play in Switzerland in and in a foreign country and I get this support from a crowd, when I feel people supporting me, being happy, being proud even though I do nothing to conquer their hearts.

            But when it happens naturally, then I'm even more happy, because, you know, you are on the road and it fuels my motivation.  It helps me play longer, because it's a great pleasure to play in such an atmosphere.

            So as I said, before this match, I had not had any real difficult matches.  So maybe the crowd has not had time to really appreciate my matches.

            But this time it was a full match, and the atmosphere was incredible.  I'd like to thank the crowd for their support, because it really helped me today.

            Q.  Since Australia 2010, you've not reached a final in a Grand Slam.  Was it a long time for you?  Have you ever doubted you'd be back in a final?

            ROGER FEDERER:  No, not really.  I was very close in the US Open, and then I'm playing a final here against Rafa.  Novak played very well in the US Open and also in Australia.

            Last year maybe I had a hard time here and in Wimbledon, but it's all ‑‑ it's sometimes difficult to play the perfect match.

            So that's why you have to accept it and continue to work.  I've always made it to the quarterfinals or even semifinals, so that's another step forward for me today.

            I made it to the final and I'd like to win it.  I know I'll have to play Rafa, but I'll be ready.

            Q.  Would you say that you're currently playing your best tennis on clay?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, honestly, I feel very well.  I think I move very well.  I'm never stressed.  If there is a ball that you miss, it's just because the other one played it very well, and not because I made a mistake or I played bad tennis on the return, on my serve.

            That's why I'm very happy at the moment with my game.  Is it my best?  I don't know.

            Q.  What was the key today for you to beat Novak Djokovic?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, not fearing long rallies, be very much present physically and mentally.  I had a lot of confidence.  So quite clearly it goes through your mind, because each time he manages to save a break ball, you think, Okay, he played very well, and it's because of his confidence that he makes the right decision all the time.

            So it makes it a bit difficult to stay calm.  But before the match I was thinking I had difficulties being calm.  But then, I mean, my mental and my physical shape were great, so we played exactly the match I expected or I hoped.  It was difficult, but we ‑‑ I closed it in four sets.

            Q.  It's as if you were not aware of the extraordinary level of game that we have during the first set.  Did you realize what good tennis it was?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, yes, because I can even feel it.  We run, so we felt when the first five games take more than half an hour that each game is played on very long rallies when you have to fight and struggle for each point.

            I know how much work I put in my points and people tend to forget that, but it was a bit the same thing in Australia.  In Australia luck was on his side.  He won; this time I won.  It was very tough.

            And today we also played for a very long time.  We were tired, and the first set was huge.  I'm very much aware of that.

            Q.  Just before you said you didn't do anything to conquer the hearts of the crowd.  There was Kuerten that really showed his emotion on the court, Francesca Schiavone kissing the clay.  Did you ever do anything specific?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I try and speak French the best I can.  (Laughter.)  I can't really.  I make lots of mistakes.  Maybe that's what I do.  But I don't think I need to do anything like that.

            I think people know how much I love Roland Garros, how dear this tournament is to my heart.  I think that's enough.

            But then, I mean, we all have our ways of expressing our emotions, and that's good in tennis to see that people are different.

Roland Garros June 3 2011 - Novak Djokovic

R. FEDERER/N. Djokovic

           

7‑6, 6‑3, 3‑6, 7‑6

           

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

           

 

            Q.  Bad luck.  Do you think in retrospect four days off was good or bad?  Do you feel you started slowly?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  I don't think I started slowly, actually.  I think I had a good first set.  It was really unfortunate to lose that set.  You know, after the first set I was slowing down a little bit, and he was using that.  So he was taking control of the match.

            But, you know, I managed to come back.  I managed to come back two sets down against Roger.  It's definitely not easy.

            But, you know, I tried to motivate myself obviously.  It's a big match, and I tried to think about the first point of the third set, the new match is starting.  And I think I played well, you know.

            He played really good in the important moments.  I congratulate him for a great performance.  He really played well.  We were, I think, part of a very good match, and feels bad losing.  (Smiling.)

But, you know, it's the way it is.  I was serving for the fourth set, and he played couple of really good points.  So he deserved it.

            Q.  You're famous for big sportsmanship whether you win or lose.  But after all this media attention on your shoulders, don't you feel any kind of relief?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  You do feel a relief when you finish a tournament; if you finish victorious it's much better than finish with a loss.  But, still, it is a relief, because even though I haven't played for four days, I still practiced every day.

            You know, during the tournaments, once you're in the tournament, you are in the tournament regardless if you're playing or not playing.

            Really mentally you feel that energy going on around, you know, and you need that focus.  You need the concentration.  You need to do the daily routine, you know.  You need to work hard and hope that this work will pay off.

            It was a great tournament.  It was best five months of my life, my tennis career.  I cannot complain.  It was definitely an incredible period.  It had to end somewhere.  I knew it's coming.

            Unfortunately, it came in the bad moment.  It was a big match today.  But, look, you know, it's sport.  I will keep on working hard.

            Q.  You had a great year, and you were a little bit unlucky to meet the best Federer of the year, because I don't think he has played so well since the Masters in London last year.  Do you agree on that?  And what do you regret for yourself?  I mean, do you think you should have done something different or, well, that you're a little unsatisfied?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, look, you know, he has played ‑‑ the fact is that he has played an incredible match today, and all the credit to him.

            I don't know really.  I can't judge if he's played the best match of the year or not; he's gonna say that.  He's definitely played really well.  He went for the shots when he needed to.  He served really well when he needed to serve well.

            I don't regret.  You know, I try not to look behind.  What happened, happened really.  I cannot affect it anymore.  In some moments I was lucky; in some moments he was lucky.

            But this is sport, as I said.  A couple of points really decide the winner, especially at this level.  I was aware of that, you know.  There's not much to be sorry for.

            Q.  Sorry to ask so soon after, but do you head straight to London now for the grass?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  No.  No.  I pulled out from Queen's, and I will take a rest before Wimbledon.

            Q.  You've been wanting to be No. 1 since you were you were a little kid.  Do you think that was a factor at all when you played today?  Did you feel a little bit more pressure on your shoulders?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  There is always pressure.  There is always expectations.  Obviously it's a big match.  Playing against Roger in semifinals of a Grand Slam, it's always intense regardless what is at stake, you know.

            You know, both of us, we were very focused on the start, intense.  You know, we played a very long first set.  And, you know, if I won that first set, who knows in which direction match will go.

            But look, I think I did well coming back to the match.  Just unfortunate not to finish it out in the fourth.

            Q.  Do you think at the end of the day that this four‑day rest was an advantage?  I would also like to know how was the light at the end?  Was it difficult to see the ball?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  I don't think it was disadvantage.  And the light was ‑‑ you know, it was not great, you know.  What can you expect?  It was 9:30 in the evening.  It was very hard to see the serve.  It was very hard, especially in the last couple of points of the tiebreak.

            But it was the same for both of us.

            Q.  A question if I could about your opponent.  Obviously you've played him many, many times: sometimes good results for you; sometimes not.  On this stage, what did Roger bring as a champion?  What was out there?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Just mental toughness in important moments.  That's what makes him a big champion.  He's a big player.  He knows how to handle the pressure and big moments, and he was serving really well in the right moments.

            That's it, you know.  It was a very close match.

            Q.  There was a lot at stake obviously on paper for this match and for you.  Would we be wrong to think this is a shattering loss for you, or is it just, Okay, it's a big loss, I move on?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, it is disappointing loss, you know.  A loss cannot feel good, that's for sure.  We are all competitive and we are ‑‑ I mean, we are professional tennis players, and we want to win on the court every match.

            But, look, I know what to do, you know.  I handle myself better, you know, off the court, on the court.  I'll just accept it as another loss.

            Q.  A lot of people already say that it was the most beautiful game since Wimbledon final in 2008.  Are you pleased to be now part of sports legend, or with the defeat you don't care?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, it was ‑‑ it is a pleasure to be part of a great match, of course.  Unfortunately, one had to lose.  It was me in the end.  But, you know, we keep on going.

            Q.  You guys, if you had gone to the fifth you would have had to play tomorrow.  Just a word about the schedule and whether it was the right way to do it today, you think, in your opinion?

            NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, I can't blame on the schedule, you know.  It's just the way it is, you know.  We started ‑‑ the first match was quite long, and then our match was almost four hours.

            Yeah, it was ‑‑ you know, I knew if we finished the fourth today, if I get that fourth set, we would continue tomorrow.  But that's the way it is, you know, for both of us.

                  

Roland Garros June 3 2011 - Rafael Nadal

R. NADAL/A. Murray

           

6‑4, 7‑5, 6‑4

           

RAFAEL NADAL

           

            Q.  First, happy birthday to you.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Thank you.

            Q.  I have a question from Henri Leconte.  He wanted to know what made the difference today in the match.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Always in these kind of matches is small things.  But I think I started the match playing fantastic the first set.  After the 5‑1, I think I started to have few mistakes.  I lost a little bit the way that I was playing since that moment.  I.

            Had two bad mistakes with the 5‑2, 30‑15, one with backhand down the line and one with the forehand with the 30‑All long.  After that, he played well the next game.  Serving against the wind with 5‑4 was a tough match.  It was a crucial game, my opinion, no?

            Because with the first set for me, you know, the match gonna be long always.  In normal conditions that can't help me, no?

            Q.  You saved 15 break points out of 18.  You made 6 breaks out of 13.  Do you think that the key is that you made always the most important points, you played better the most important points against him?  And second, did you watch the first set of Federer?  What do you think?

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Is true, I saved a lot of break points.  I played well in important moments.  But another thing that's true, I was all the time with the score in my favor.  So I was up in the match all the time.

            I had 5‑1 in the first set.  In the second set I was break the beginning, another break, so all the time he never was break for him in no one time during the match, no, that's true.  But anyway, he had good chances.  In the third set I had to save a lot of important moments with my serve.  In general, I think that's something important.

            I said before, no, to win these kind of matches are always the small things, and the player who plays better these kind of points or who has a little bit more lucky in these kind of points has better chances to win.  Today I did.  For that reason, I am in the final, no?

            I saw the first set, yeah.  It was good quality of first set.  Yeah, always.

            Q.  The conditions, they were slightly similar to the final of Indian Wells a couple of years ago in the wind.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Not that much.  (Smiling.)

            Q.  Not quite that much, perhaps.  But in terms of trickiness of playing in that wind on this court with the dust blowing around, how hard was it out there today?

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Was hard, no?  From outside is difficult to appreciate how difficult is to play well here with these conditions today.  I think for moments was okay, but for another moments play with the wind.  You know, from the right to the umpire, from that sun, was very, very difficult, no?

            You feel scared to hit the ball because was crazy wind and a lot of changing directions all the time.  So was very difficult, no?  I don't like to play with wind, but I think when there is wind outside is not the bad news for my game.

            Q.  Do you feel like the confidence is back, or are you still having a few little doubts during the match?  Talk about how you think you might feel during the final, whether you you'll be able to play the best game that you have.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Seriously, being in the final of Roland Garros you can't have problems.  You cannot have doubts.

            If we talk in terms about the level, no, doubts about win, lose, everything, the doubts is part of the life, so is part of the sport.

            Is nothing.  I think everybody have that, and I'm not an exception.

            But if you compare from now to one week ago, is completely different.

            Q.  As you are 25 today, how do you look back on your career thus far and what you've accomplished?

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Last couple of years?

            Q.  Since you became pro.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Well, is nine years ago already, so long time here flying around the world.  You know, a lot of things changed.  What never changed is the illusion to keep playing tennis, the illusion to keep doing well the things, and the illusion to be in a good position of the ranking and play these kind of matches like today, or the kind of match that I gonna play on Sunday.

            So that's never change.

            Q.  Last week you said you felt like you were almost 25, but you felt like you were...

            RAFAEL NADAL:  No, I didn't say that.  I read that.  Maybe I didn't say it well in English, but I didn't say that.  I said seems like I am here for 100 years, not I feel like I have 100 years, no?  That is a big change.  (Laughter.)

            Anyway, you can do the question.  (Laughter.)

            Q.  If that's not what you said, the question was based on that.  So I have no question.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Better for me.  (Laughter.)  No, because I read that, and I don't know where.

            Q.  How old do you feel now, Rafa?

            RAFAEL NADAL:  I feel 25.  (Laughter.)  Not on court, but outside of court, yes.

            Q.  Could you talk a little bit about Murray and how difficult he is to play on this surface and every surface and how he is improving as a player, do you think?

            RAFAEL NADAL:  You know, I always liked a lot Andy like a player, like a person.  So, you know, every time that I beat him in these kind of matches, I feel sad for him, because he deserve to win a Grand Slam for sure.  In my opinion he gonna do it.  I still believe that he gonna do it, for sure, because his level and his talent is fantastic.

            Remain a little bit of luck sometimes, but he's improving in every surface.  I always said he's a very complete player, and he has the chance to play very well in all the surfaces.  Clay is not an exception.

            He's doing better and better every year.  He had a fantastic clay court season.  Right now start grass for him.  I think he's a good player on grass, and especially on hard later he will have very good chances to have a fantastic year.

            Q.  Do you expect Borg to be in the stands for the final?  Because you know you can equal his record in Roland Garros.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  No, no, for me, seriously, I don't think about that.  A lot of respect for the great Bjørn, but I am focus on try to play well.  For me, is much more important win Roland Garros than equal Bjørn.

            If Bjørn around there I would be happy to say hi to him, but not for that reason he must be here, you know.

            THE MODERATOR:  Spanish questions, please.

            Q.  Congratulations.  Happy birthday.  Again, congratulations for this match.  It was very intense against Murray.  Murray fought hard, and the wind was blowing in all directions.  It was probably something tough.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Yes.  Well, thank you very much.  That's true.  We can say it was a very intense and varied match.  We had different chances and occasions to seize.

            As you know, we've played three sets.  We've played a bit more than three hours, a bit more than an hour per set.  So very long rallies.  We have played many rallies and very long games, intense moments and complicated situations for him, but also for me.

            Therefore, I think that this match was a high‑level match.  I think I played really well the first set mainly, until we arrived at 5‑1.  That's when I played really at a high level.

            And then my game went down a little.  I played more flat shots along the lines and I made a few mistakes; whereas I could have ended the set earlier, I think.

            But anyway, I managed.  The match was tough.  I was always leading, I think.  I had the upper hand throughout the match, and whenever there was an obstacle, I managed to overcome this hurdle, even though I missed some type of control, which is normal against a player like Murray.

            Yet I think I managed to dictate the game, so all of this I think is very positive.

            Q.  You've started celebrating the victory already?

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Of course I'm happy.

            Q.  Now that you've reached the finals, this probably is something special compared to other finals.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  I was saying each week is different.  Each day is different.  Each time I'm here to answer your questions, I'm telling you the truth.  That is what I feel.  Each time I'm in front of you, I'm telling you the truth.

            To start with, in the tournament I was not playing that well.  I was saying at the time, I have to change the situation, I have to have a better attitude, otherwise I could walk back home is what I said.

            But, fortunately, things have changed for me, and I was very present on the crucial points.  It was positive for me, and I'm going to celebrate, because reaching the finals of Roland Garros is not something easy.

            Well, you know, this is something that people would dream of, reaching the finals.  Nobody's ever certain that they can reach the finals.  Today this is a dream come reality to me.  I'm really happy to be playing the finals for one of the most important tournaments in the world on clay, so I have all the reasons to be satisfied.

            As you know I've had to overcome very difficult situations in the past one‑and‑a‑half weeks.  I have reached the finals, that's true, and I'm very happy.

            I had to forget about this type of anxiety or the fears I had something like two weeks ago, and now I have gained more confidence.  Well, during the first rounds, the first round, the second round, I was not feeling that confident.

            I thought I shouldn't lose any of these matches; otherwise my ranking is going to be impacted.  But now I have more confidence.  I think I fought for all the important points.  I have no fears concerning my ranking any longer.

            It's not going to go down, so to me this is a splendid year.  This is what counts.  This is what I'll take away with me, what I remember, a very good year.

            I'm really very satisfied.  Maybe I have had a few incidents, but apart from this I'm really, really happy.  The rest does not really matter.  I remember the positive sides.

            Q.  Now, out of curiosity, when it was 6‑4, 6‑5, you've not changed your racquet.  Have you realized this?  Maybe you have not realized this.  It was 6‑4 and then 7‑5 and then 2‑0.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Were there new balls when we reached the 2‑0?

            Q.  Let me see.  7, 16, 25...

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Well, I don't realize.  Yes, I think so.  I think I changed my racquet when the balls were new.  Every eight games I change my racquet.  I don't think I made a mistake.

            For instance, 4‑3 ‑‑ no, no, no, I changed my racquet.  When I serve I never change my racquets, but it's on my return games that I change my racquets.

            Q.  This was probably a special day for you because it's your birthday, and also because you've reached the finals.  How did you manage your emotions, your feelings?  Since now you're reaching the finals and it's your birthday, how can you manage all this?  How can you live up to all these things?

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Well, you know, six finals, so that's why I can manage my emotions.  You can play well or play poorly, but it's easy to manage emotions when you have enough experience.

            I have enough temper.  I am the person who can manage his emotions.  As I said, I have plenty of experience to manage these types of emotions, these types of feelings.

            In any case, you have to, whether you win or whether you lose, you know that the week after is going to be different.  I'll be playing Queen's if I lose this tournament, and then next week I have another opportunity to win.

            If you lose, you have to go back home and start again.  The feelings are the same.  I try and manage them and control them.  I'm very happy and satisfied.

            When I look at all that I've accomplished, I'd like, by the way, to thank all of those who supported me, surrounded me.  Thanks to them, I'm here now.

            Q.  I'd like to ask you a question concerning the break points.  We had 18 break points, and you've saved 15 out of 18 break points.  Now, another player could have done perhaps not as well as you.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  That's true.  I had 18 break points against me.  I saved 15.  But I'm not worried, even though I saved 15, because I try to pay attention to my service game and not serve too strongly.  I try and serve differently with more spin in the ball, perhaps more slowly, and then I play on my forehand.

            If the balls are a bit too deep, then I have to make a few adjustments.  I have to play a wee bit more slowly.  In some cases I was in an awkward situation because he was returning too fast, and that was a problem for me.

            So that's when I think I have to slow down the game to start with, to slow down the game and the pace.  Now, having said this, that's true, there were several break points, and he played really well.

            Well, it was not really a problem for me.  I managed to save many of those, and I had to serve mainly on the lines.  The moment when I broke him I had problems, otherwise I didn't really have any problems with my service game.

            It's just after the break.  That's when I started having some difficulties.  You know, when you have to convert your break point.

            Q.  I'd like to ask you something, Rafa, which is, now that you're 25, what, according to you, is the difference between the 25‑year‑old Rafael and the 19‑year‑old Rafael?  I have another question:  You've beaten a record.  You will be the No. 2 player here who's won Roland Garros several times.

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Well, each player is different; each career is different.  There's nothing special about this.  You might be rated No. 1 or No. 2.  Well, if you look at the past 10 years, so many things have changed that I think this doesn't really matter very much.  It's an anecdote.

            During the tournament, it's not necessarily the No. 1 player who has to win the tournament.  Each tournament is different, and each tournament has its own challenges.  When you're on the court, you know that you might lose as well as you know that you might win the match.

            It varies daily.  Now, you've asked another question that is what about Rafael today and Rafael seven years ago?  Well, when you're 18 and when you win here for the first time, what you think about is, Oh, okay, I've won one match.

            Now, maybe it's going to be easier in my career now, but I can tell you that this is not at all the case.  This is a lie.  If you win, there's more pressure on you.  There's even more pressure on you.  When you win, you want to win more matches.

            The fact that you have reached the finals is something you want to repeat.  It's always renewed.  The appetite is still there.  It's an incredible feeling, and I'd like to continue on the same path.

            Q.  Now, if Djokovic is going to play against you on Sunday, do you think he's the favorite?

            RAFAEL NADAL:  Yes.  I would be very happy.  He's the favorite, that's true.  But not just Djokovic, you know.  I don't really believe in these favorites, you know.

            But anyway, if it's Djokovic who is the favorite, then I can say that that's true.  He's not been defeated at all recently in a long streak of matches, so he deserves this.