What's new

Ask Federer & Nadal

Bill_Oddie

Everything in Moderation
Staff
Feb 1, 2005
19,120
6,003
Hello.

I've just found out that I have the opportunity to have exclusive interviews with the world's top two tennis players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The interview will take place on email, and then they're coming to play in exhibition matches here in November, when I'll meet them in the face.

The problem is that I hate tennis. I have been known to watch it (if I've already seen this episode of 'Big Strong Boys'). However, usually it makes me want to execute kittens and fluffy bunny rabbits.


Hence, in order to control myself and master the restraint to not bitch-slap them, I'm struggling to come up with any good questions. Besides which, my usual brand of sycophantic banal questioning (hey it worked with Jamie Oliver and Johnny Depp :grin: ) isn't appropriate when I couldn't give 2 short shits about these admittedly highly talented sportstars.



So, long story short (I know, too late)...

Anyone got any questions they'd like to ask R-Fed or R-Nad?
 

Archibald&Crooks

Aegina Expat
Admin
Feb 1, 2005
55,533
204,721
Yeah, ask them which of the current ladies players they'd most like to bend over and take roughly from behind.

Then ask which former players do they consider the hottest.......(If one of them pussies says Ginny, I'll cut them), at this point throw in a few jokes about new balls, 30-love and deuce and ask for some true tales about life, erm sex on the circuit, which Wimbledon champ likes the business end of a racquet up them (Mens or Womens), which lady player likes it up the gary etc.

Bomber is certain to want a question about fisting, money shots or anal beads, so you'll also need to ask that.........


I feel bad for you, son. :shifty:
 

Andy

Staff
Mar 21, 2005
7,833
418
Ask them if they think a british tennis player will ever win wimbledon *cue hysterics from both*
 

Shanks

Kinda not anymore....
May 11, 2005
31,159
18,914
Find out if they've ever had a full english breakfast on match day before.

Not as good as the women questions, which most of mine would really be about.

I suppose I'd be interested to find out what they are like off the court, when Nadal and Federer are playing in a final, do they both talk before hand, as I guess these guys have gotten to know each other pretty well?

Who are their best mates on tour, who they get on with, who they don't get on with, what england need to do in order to get better at tennis...
 

GDG

Old China Hand
Staff
Aug 25, 2004
23,903
27
Who was it that told Nadal that cap-sleeve t-shirts are cool?
 

Stoof

THERE IS A PIGEON IN MY BANK ACCOUNT
Staff
Jun 5, 2004
32,220
64,274
If you've got guns like Rafa, G-Dog, then you show them off.

And his sexy shorts. Almost as sexy as that forehand. Miaow.
 

Bill_Oddie

Everything in Moderation
Staff
Feb 1, 2005
19,120
6,003
  • Thread starter
  • Staff
  • #8
This is all gold. Ta chaps.

Seriously, I'll definitely ask about camaraderie in the dressing room, Shanks. That's good. Likewise if they think it wouldn't be easier just to dispense with the earlier rounds of the grand slams and play each other in the final.

Also, I simply have to ask them to describe British tennis without laughing or using swearwords. I defy it to be done.
 

Bobishism

*****istrator
Aug 23, 2004
15,035
126
Ask them whether any young tennis players have caught their eye, and which ones do they rate to be big in the future.
 

LSUY

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2005
24,010
66,826
Do they agree with Pat Cash's comments that in order for the womans tour to get equal prize money at Wimbledon they should play as many sets as the man or do they agree with Martina Navratilova's view that Pat Cash is a full-blooded chauvinist pig?

What do the players really get up to doing the rain delays at Wimbledon? Is it just talking strategy with your coach or do you play poker or something with the likes of Roddick whilst you wait? (Federer is suppose to play poker a lot with Roddick and Jimmy Connors - Roddick's coach - and apparently complains or enthuses about the quality of his hand in four languages.) If so, who's better Federer or does Roddick take all the Grand Slam prize money away from him?

What's Nadal's favourite type of video game? (He's suppose to be a devotee of the PlayStation.) Also does he play as himself in Virtua Tennis 3?

What are there views on the increasing trend of shrieking players and should it be stopped?

What's there favourite Grand Slam and why?

Which tennis player or match from the past made you decide you wanted to be a tennis player?

Is there any chance they might do a Rusedski and move to Britain and represent us or do we have to kidnap them and force them to play for us?

I would recommend you sticking with Archibald&Crooks questions. I think more people would be interested in those answers.
 

Bill_Oddie

Everything in Moderation
Staff
Feb 1, 2005
19,120
6,003
TIAY, they're excellent. That saves me a day of research and makes me sound really smart. I should really credit you in the piece. If you like, I'll at least post you a copy of it when it's published. :up:

And thanks to all. Keep them coming as I'll be emailing them tomorrow. The organiser tells me Nadal and Federer are in some kind of tournament at the moment so can only answer my questions during the evenings. Lazy bastards.
 

LSUY

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2005
24,010
66,826
Cool, thanks, I would love to see a copy of it.

Just thought of another question for Federer.

How do you feel when you hear the legends of the sport like Jack Kramer come out and say that as far as they are concerned you are the greatest tennis player of all time?
 

thejames

Large Member
May 26, 2007
1,315
850
What do you do for a living Bill?

That's aimed at you, not Federer btw! I presume you write for a mag?
 

Bill_Oddie

Everything in Moderation
Staff
Feb 1, 2005
19,120
6,003
Yeah, I'm an Editor for 'Expatriate Lifestyle'. You wouldn't know the mag outside of Malaysia, but it's doing really well here - biggest lifestyle mag in the country. :grin:

Federer and Nadal are coming out here to play a couple of exhibition matches in November, hence the interview opp.

Also just lined up Matt Damon (Do I mention 'Team America'?) and Julia Stiles, and there's something brewing that would get everyone on here soiling their trousers in glee, but I can't talk about that yet.
 

LSUY

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2005
24,010
66,826
Also just lined up Matt Damon (Do I mention 'Team America'?) and Julia Stiles, and there's something brewing that would get everyone on here soiling their trousers in glee, but I can't talk about that yet.

New Bourne movie? Can't wait. :grin:
 

Zapsta

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
17,318
10
Ask Nadal if his hair ever gets in his eyes and obstructs his vision. Also ask him who he wants to win when Real Madrid play Real Mallorca, who he wants to win (apparently he supports both), and what he thinks of Capello's sacking. Tennis is shit.
 

Bill_Oddie

Everything in Moderation
Staff
Feb 1, 2005
19,120
6,003
Howdy.

Finally got the responses from the guys. The guys organising it changed loads of the questions and I think much of it makes the pair of them sound like prize Doofi, but for anyone who gives a shit, here are their answers...

First up, Roger Federer:


EXPATRIATE LIFESTYLE: Have you been to Malaysia before, and what are you looking forward to about your forthcoming visit?

ROGER FEDERER: This will be my first time in Malaysia and I am really looking forward to it. I have heard a lot about the country and I feel honored to be part of the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Independence of Malaysia. Playing against Pete (Sampras) will be fantastic. I have so much respect for him and I am sure that we will have an unforgettable night. When we played at Wimbledon it was one of the truly great moments in my career and playing Pete will always be very, very special.


EL: Which are some of your favorite events and destinations on Tour and why?

RF: The U.S. Open has become my second love after Wimbledon. I struggled with the place at the beginning. I thought it was some crazy place. But I spent a lot of time there over the past few years and the U.S. Open has become really special and I am so proud to have won four consecutive U.S. Open titles.

The Grand Slam tournaments are all very, very important. For the French Open I get four months to prepare after the Australian Open – so I think I have the right preparation. I’ve been in the semis and two finals there so that’s been very good for me. But Rafa (Nadal) is a different animal on clay than he is on other surfaces and he’s been the best on clay for the last three years without a doubt. It was important for me to get him in the final in Hamburg and beat him on all surfaces. And I hope I can build from that next year as well.


EL: How do you feel your game has changed and improved since you first entered the tour?

RF: My backhand has definitely changed over the years. I used to not be able to chip the return. I remember always seeing Pete (Sampras) chip the backhand return and I would always think ‘How in the world do you chip back a return from a serve that comes back at 140 mph because, you know, the racket shakes so its kind of hard to keep contact. So I always felt that when I became stronger at the net, it’s a similar stroke on the return. My backhand passing shot wasn’t really great when I was younger and I worked so much on it and it is such a good weapon now. I can play off it as well as defend. I’m amazed at how far my backhand has come because it used to be really a big weakness for me. Today the backhand return is the more safe return because I can chip it back.


EL: How important is the year-end rankings for you? Do you pay a lot of attention to who finishes at No.2 or No.3?

RF: No. 2, No.3, doesn’t matter much. It’s No.1 that matters. That's how it goes.


EL: Do you sometimes still feel nervous before or during a match?

RF: At the U.S. Open earlier this year I was nervous at the start of the tournament just because you never know what’s going to happen and I was playing well and the whole hype around me. It felt like it was a bigger occasion. It was nervous before the match against Andy (Roddick) because I knew the danger and it was a night match. I knew he was going to come out strong. Honestly, I was scared in each match except the first two.


EL: Do you have much fun or play practical jokes with your fellow tennis pros in the locker room during rain breaks?

RF: Yes, basically everyday with everybody. In Cincinnati we had a fight in the locker room with Dmitry Tursunov with about six people involved, including three or four players, throwing about 50 balls at each other. I won!


EL: I understand that you and Tiger Woods are acquaintances and frequently congratulate each other on your respective achievements. Is that true?

RF: Yes. We get along well and have a lot of respect for each other. After Tiger won the PGA Championship I sent him a message. I wrote ‘congratulations’ and a little bit more. I did not say anything like 11 to 13 or anything along these lines!

EL: Which matches have shaped you as one of the world’s greatest ever tennis players?

RF: Playing Pete (Sampras) at Wimbledon was an unbelievable experience. It was an unbelievable emotion to play him on a five set match on Center Court. It was almost too much for me to take at that time and I cried like crazy.


EL: How do you feel when you hear legends of the sport like Jack Kramer come out and say that as far as they are concerned you are the greatest tennis player of all time?

RF: I have tremendous respect for the great players of our sport. To be perceived by the legends of tennis as a great player is truly an honor. When I was a 13-year-old ball boy in Basle, becoming the number one player in the world was a dream. Now it is no longer a dream; it’s my story.
 

Bill_Oddie

Everything in Moderation
Staff
Feb 1, 2005
19,120
6,003
And here's Senor Nadal:


EXPATRIATE LIFESTYLE: Have you been to Malaysia before, and what are you looking forward to about your forthcoming visit?
RAFAEL NADAL: This is my first visit to Malaysia and I am really looking forward to it. I am excited about visiting Malaysia and playing Richard (Gasquet). I am confident we will play a great match. I am honoUred to be part of the Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Malaysia. It will also be fantastic to have Roger (Federer), Pete (Sampras), Richard and I all in the same city at the same time. This does not happen frequently.

EL: What are your favorite events and destinations on tour?
RN: There are lots of them since we go to very nice cities. I always say that Madrid, Barcelona and Paris are my favourites, together with Rome.

EL: With so much overseas travel, what things do you like to do the most when not on tour?
RN: When I am not playing tennis I just want to be at home in Mallorca. I like to go fishing, play golf, be with my family and friends and just do the normal things of a 21 year old guy from Mallorca.

EL: Many people see your rivalry with Roger Federer developing into one of the greatest of all-time. Do you agree?
RN: I admire him, but there is no rivalry. Roger is No.1 in the world; I am No. 2. I am just trying to do everything I can to get as close to him as possible. But in general, I think you can maintain a rivalry while admiring your rival. When I play him, it is a special motivation to play better.

EL: What do you and the other players get up to during rain-delays and time off at major events?
RN: I watch a lot of DVDs when I am traveling. I love Gladiator - my favorite movie. I carry a lot of DVDs. I also watch them more than once. After a match I like to go back to the hotel and relax - stay in my room. I also love to play Playstation.

EL: So, do you play as yourself in Virtua Tennis 3?
RN: (laughs) I’m not saying, but I do play that game, yes. It’s great!

EL: Your column with the BBC website is very popular. Is it a challenge to do something like this in English for a British audience?
RN: It is not too difficult. English was more difficult for me at the beginning of my career but not so much anymore. My English continues to improve and I am comfortable - especially when I talk about tennis. If I have to talk about other things and I am tired, then it becomes more difficult. Anyway (grins) I had someone helping me translating what I was writing in Spanish.
EL: Do you agree that women should play the same number of sets to earn equal prize money?
RN: I have always said and I mean it that women and men are the same in all areas of life. My opinion is that - since we are the same, then women should have to play best-of-five sets or best of three, just the same as us.
EL: I understand you are a football fan and that you have a collection of professional team football shirts. How did you get them all?

Yes, I collect the shirts I get from players. Especially from my favourite teams Real Mallorca and Real Madrid.

EL: What did you think of Fabio Capello's recent exit from Real Madrid?
RN: Well, we won the league and that is all I can say since I was not in the locker room and I don't really know everything that happened. I don't like to talk about something I don't really know.
EL: How do you feel about being a sex symbol to hundreds of women around the world?
RN: I don't consider myself a sex symbol. I am just a tennis player. But I really appreciate the support from all of my fans.
EL: What personality trait best defines Rafael Nadal?
RN: Probably - a bit shy.
 
Top