July 4, 2008

LONDON, ENGLAND

R. NADAL/R. Schuettler
6-3, 7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What do you think of your performance today?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, probably wasn't the same like quarterfinals. I played
better in quarterfinals. But, you know, always be in semifinals is one
pression match.
Probably against Rainer, I think he was coming probably a little bit tired. I
started the match very easy, the first set. Probably always is good start
like this, no?
But at the same time is difficult, because when the other starts to play a
little bit better you feel strange on court, no?
But, anyway, the most important thing is I am in the final already, and very
happy for be in this final another time.

Q. What do you think the quality of the final this time will depend on?

RAFAEL NADAL: You never know, no? I think I did a very good tournament. Well,
I think both Roger and me, we did a very good tournament. Right now I just --
well, always is tough play against Roger.
At the same time, Roger, I think, is tough play against me, because we played
a lot of times in a lot of important matches, and this is one more, no? I
lost the last two times here, last two years, and this year I gonna try my
best another time for try to win.

Q. Do you feel you're a better player on grass this year than the last two
years, particularly winning Queen's Club? Do you feel more confident?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think doesn't matter win on Queen's or don't win on Queen's
for arrive here with good confidence, no? I get a lot of confidence in my
clay season, in my hard season in United States, and later for sure winning
on Queen's is important.
But I was coming here with good confidence because I played two finals the
last two years here, no? I think I am better player in general, but not on
grass, because on grass I don't practice too much.

Q. A few minutes ago Roger Federer said your victory at Roland Garros was
more or less irrelevant, a long time ago. He says it was on clay a month ago,
and it doesn't affect him now. Does it not affect you either? Does it not
give you extra confidence?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think it's totally different court, different surface.
Everything is different, no? You know, I think doesn't matter. I prefer have
the victory, but...
I think don't will be important for the Sunday.

Q. You practiced with John McEnroe today. Why was that?

RAFAEL NADAL: Was good. Was a very nice experience with me, practice with one
champion like him. For sure always is a pleasure for me practice with one
person like John, no?

Q. Your leg is quite heavily strapped up there. Is that going to be a problem
for you on Sunday?

RAFAEL NADAL: What?

Q. Your leg is quite heavily strapped up.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, is nothing.

THE INTERPRETER: It's a bruise, a burn.

RAFAEL NADAL: Is nothing. Is nothing.

Q. You'll be a hundred percent fit for Sunday?

RAFAEL NADAL: I hope so.

Q. How much do you want to win this?

RAFAEL NADAL: The same like every match and the same like every time when I'm
in one final, one important final.
So win here -- I think playing three finals here, I don't have to show
anybody if I can play good here. But for sure win or lose is a difference,
important difference - in the finals especially.
And probably if I win on Sunday, my careera is changing a little bit more,
no?

Q. Federer says, I know how to play Rafa. I know what I have to do. Do you
know what you have to do to beat Roger Federer on grass?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. I only gonna try my best, no? Go on court, try to play
my best tennis, try to put my rhythm, my intensity. Later, if he play better
than me, he beat me, just congratulate him like every year.

Q. You have a long relationship with your uncle Toni as your coach. Does it
surprise you that Roger Federer, he seems to like not to have a full-time
coach with him. Does that surprise you for a top player?

RAFAEL NADAL: Everybody's different, no? Is different. I think have a coach
is important, but not irrelevant, no?

Q. Would you describe what, if anything, carries over from the experience
last year in the final? You said that the French Open this year doesn't make
any difference for this surface. What about having played Roger in that great
match at the end of last season?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, every year is different and every match is different.
Depends of the moment. I say always the same: depends how you arrive to the
final; how you feel in the moment; how you are playing. The match can change
a lot.
Last year I was very close. I hope on Sunday be at the same performance, a
little bit better, I have my chances for win. I say, well, if I have the
chance, I hope win this time.

Q. On court you're so intense. Off the court you're so relaxed. Could you
talk about that. What is that about?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. That's my character, no? What do you want to
listen?

Q. I want your thoughts about the difference between the two.

RAFAEL NADAL: On the court I am relaxed, too, I think. I never say nothing. I
never put the racquet outside of the hand. You know, I think I am under
control when I am on court, no? That's my feeling.

Q. What would it mean to you to win the title on Sunday?

RAFAEL NADAL: I said before, no, for me for sure if I win here probably gonna
be one of the most important wins in my careera, no?
But I don't want to speak about win. I only want to speak about I have to
play the final, I have to play my best tennis if I want chances for win this
final.
Later if I am here on Sunday with the title, well, you can ask me what I
feel.

Q. If you do win on Sunday, do you think that confirms you as the best player
in the world once you've beaten Roger on grass?

RAFAEL NADAL: I continuing -- if I have the title on Sunday, on Monday I
continuing be the No. 2. I gonna have more chances for be No. 1 in the next
months, that's true.

Q. Was there some difficulty with the shoes today? An extra pair of shoes
were sent down to you.

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, no, was my mistake. I really didn't want to change the
shoes before the match. Was a little bit worn out. But for tomorrow new, and
no problem for Sunday.

Q. Do you think Roger is the greatest ever grass court player? When you look
at his record of five in a row, do you think that's an achievement that never
will be broken?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think for me he's the best of the history. I don't know if
he's the best on grass because Sampras has seven, no? He has five - hopefully
not six this year.
So he has to win two more times for be at the same level as Sampras here on
this surface. But in general I think he is the best.