Rafael Nadal's wining statement

I don't believe in miracles: Rafael Nadal

 

DOHA: When Rafael Nadal was told that the courts at Melbourne Park, venue of the opening Grand Slam of the year, were playing extra fast, he reacted with a volley of questions. "How do you know?" he asked, "Have you been there?"

The top seed in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, playing Saturday's late-evening final against unseeded Frenchman Gael Monfils, then broke into a moan. "Very fast? S@#t!," he erupted, "I thought Craig Tiley (Australian Open tournament director) was a friend!"

Talk of the speed of the court has gained in decibel level in Australia, where players called on the Pat Rafter Arena at the Brisbane International this week, saying the surface was playing super fast.

Given that Tennis Australian runs both tournaments it's possible that the 2014 Australian Open could be playing quicker than it has in recent years. Something, Nadal, chasing his 14the Grand Slam title, doesn't like.

The Spaniard, however, was quick to regain composure. "Okay," he said, shrugging his shoulders, "It doesn't matter. I have won tournaments on very quick surfaces too, Montreal a few times. If I'm playing well, it's not a big problem, playing on very quick surfaces."

Comparing the cold, windy conditions here in Doha with Melbourne, beginning in a week's time, Nadal said: "The most important thing is we are playing with the same ball here. I don't know what the conditions are like in Australia this year. Normally when I play here and then in Melbourne, I don't see a very big difference. I arrive in Melbourne one week before the competition, so I'm willing to make the small adjustments that I need to do." 

also see( Rafael nadal win Qatar open)                                                                                                              

The 27-year-old said that despite everything going on around him - reports of the fast-paced courts down under and his own lack of proper preparation time in the off-season - he was able to stay in the present, focus on playing the final in Doha, rather than worry about next week.

"I am able to stay in the present 100 per cent," Nadal said, "The Grand Slam is in one week, still a few days for it. I am playing in Doha. I'm in the final. It's a chance to win a title. It's a big tournament and it's great to start the season with a win.

"To do well in a Grand Slam, you have to take it day by day. When I was able to play well in the Grand Slams it was because I arrived there playing well. I don't believe in miracles. If you are not doing the right things before a Grand Slam, I don't think inspiration can come like this. It's the work that I put in every day that gives me the chance to arrive at the Australian Open with the right feeling."                                                                                                                                                                     also see( Rafael nadal win Qatar open)