He is the second best tennis player in the world. Now the Spanish master of the clay courts will try to beat out No. 1, Roger Federer, in the upcoming U.S. Open. Rafael Nadal will now take your questions.

They say you really admire Roger Federer. How can you have a rivalry with someone you admire? -Rafael Flores, San Salvador, El Salvador
Yes, I admire him, but there's really no rivalry. Roger is No. 1 in the world; I'm No. 2. I'm 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's a special motivation to play better. On the other hand, it's just another match, no? There's a little more attention, maybe, but it's another tennis match.

Do you think your playing style relies a lot on physicality? If so, are you worried that your career might be shorter than other greats like [Andre] Agassi or [Ivan] Lendl? -Valentín Feito, Madrid
I started playing very young, and if my career ends short, then it would be because I started playing younger than almost anyone else. My tennis is aggressive, though I wouldn't say that it's more physical than technical. I rely more on technique than physique, but being physical is always a help to me.

Can you explain the decline in American men's tennis? -Randy Arnold, Chattanooga, Tenn.
[Andy] Roddick is No. 4, and [James] Blake is in the Top 10. So it's not bad, no? It's not the same as when [Pete] Sampras and Agassi were No. 1 and 2. But American tennis is working.

How do you feel about women tennis players earning the same salary as men? -Candyce Pecot, Los Angeles
I don't have much opinion about that. I totally agree that women and men are the same in all areas of life, but my opinion is that, well, if we are the same, then women should have to play best-of-five sets [instead of best-of-three] if they want to earn the same amount of money.

What do you think about the recent doping scandals in cycling? Do they affect the tennis world in any way? -Andres Valentin, Madrid
For one, tennis is a much cleaner sport than cycling. Cycling has seen a lot of people involved in doping recently. I think in general this is negative for the image of all sports, and anytime something like this happens, all athletes are damaged.

What's up with biting the trophy when you win a tournament? -Kylynn Fontaine, Bethlehem, Conn.
I started doing it one day when I won my first tournament. I continued. I don't know, I just prefer that to kissing the trophies. It's one of my trademarks.

Why wear the Capri pants that you have to constantly pull out of your rear? Why not shorts? -Sara Norm, Chicago
[Laughs.] It's not the fault of the clothes. It's a habit that I picked up when I was competing when I was young. I am trying to break the habit, but it's not easy.

If you could play against any player in history, who would it be? -Simon Coakley, Stanford-le-Hope, England
I'd choose [Bjorn] Borg. He had such an incredible mental approach to the game. He had ice in his veins, and I'd love to see what I could do against him. If I had to say, I suppose he'd win.

Are you still able to lead a normal life now that you're famous? -Cherie Snyder, Seattle
In Mallorca, I can live a normal life. I go to the supermarket without signing autographs. That's because in my small village, everybody knows everybody. The people know me not because I am a tennis player but because I am a guy from [my hometown] Manacor.

How long does it take you to recover from a tough loss like this year's Wimbledon final? -Ellen Polo, Warwick, R.I.
I give 100% on the court, so I do get upset when I lose. But it doesn't take me much time to recover. The first hours after the match are tough. After a while I forget, and I look forward to the next days back home in Mallorca. I love fishing and golfing there, for example-just being with my old friends. I'm a good loser.

TIME's interview with the tennis star continues on Time.com. Read these extra questions with Rafael Nadal.

Rafa, your "La Bamba" performance is a YouTube favorite. Who knew you had such talent? So tell me, which tv show do you think you could win, "American Idol" or " Dancing with the Stars"? -Sharon Roberts, Houston
I am very bad in both dancing and singing. If I have to choose, I am worse in singing. My dancing is not OK, but it's not worse than my singing.

You were seen cheering on Real Madrid when they played your home team of Mallorca. Why was that? -Rafael Flores, San Salvador, El Salvador
Mallorca and real Madrid are both my favorite teams. It just so happened that at that time, Mallorca wasn't going anywhere in the season, whereas madrid was playing for something very important. So I was cheering Madrid on. But I'm a fan of both.

What's the best part of being famous? Having fans? Having money? Being considered sexy? -Patricia Narvaez, Atlanta
The best is on the court and people applaud and cheer me on. It's a very special sensation, and I think it's the best part of being a tennis player.

How do manage not to go crazy with all those women after you?! It doesn't distract you from your goals at all? -Florian Wilisch, Paris
[laughs] No. I'm fine. I'm always very happy for having people who follow me. It motivates me, and I'm very thankful for it. It suits me well.

Do you ever talk about non-tennis things with Roger Federer? Are you friends? -Rosario Pacheco, Malaga, Spain
I suppose yes. We have a good relationship, we're friends. Although my English isn't fantastic, we certainly talk in the locker room.

What part of your game would you like to change the most? -Mari Carmen Carmona, Antequera, Spain
My serve. I'm always working on it harder, trying to get better. It's a technical problem, and it's difficult, but I am always working hard on it, every day.

Who's your favorite pro women's tennis player? -Charisse Yang, Chicago
I'm not watching a lot of womens' tennis, but I like the way Justine Henin plays.

How does it feel to be most likely the best Spanish tennis player ever at such a young age? -Sergio Núñez, Madrid
I honestly don't think much about those things. I'm just working daily in the present, to try to do everything possible get improve my game, to win another title. I can thing about those things after I'm done playing tennis.

 

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An interview with Dinara Safina

Q. Do you think the key was your serve, your nerves, or what else?

DINARA SAFINA: Well, yeah, normally I make many free points with my serve. But as I started, I already struggle from my I would say quarter no, third round, against Maria.

But still, against Maria I was serving pretty good in the crucial moments. But after with Elena I was not serving well, so...

Q. Even when you were 3‑5 down and a set down, everybody was expecting you to make another fantastic comeback. Did you believe that you could come back at that stage?

DINARA SAFINA: This time? I tried, but I was I didn't have any more of that fire that I had those matches. I was just, I think, tired, like also mental and physically.

Even if I would want, but my heart couldn't and my body couldn't do it anymore.

Q. How were you feeling this morning coming to the final? Obviously you thought you were tired already, but were you nervous?

DINARA SAFINA: No, I was a bit nervous, but then once I stepped on the court, no, actually I felt pretty good. I found myself on the court.

But just as I said, if I would be just a little bit fresher it would be different, because I spend way too much hours like for those two matches against Maria and Elena. Two comebacks, because comebacks always takes so much heart and mentally.

With her, I had to be really aggressive. It was just missing just a little bit more reaction, a little bit come closer to the ball. Of course, she was much fresher and she could do what I had to do to her, she was doing this to me.

Q. Obviously it hasn't been very long, but it was your first Grand Slam final. That's always a big occasion. Looking back, how would you sum it up?

DINARA SAFINA: Well, I mean, if somebody would tell me before after how bad I had beginning of the season, and somebody would tell me you'll be winning the Tier 1 tournament and being in the final of the Grand Slam, I'd say, God, are you kidding or what? What you talking about?

But I would say only one thing, that my coach, he believed in me. Even I had such a bad loses, he was still like he would tell me, No, you're a good player. Just keep working. We still have improve some little details, and you will be there. He was really like the one who was pushing me day by day, and I want to thank him for this.

And now I'm in the final, so I just want to take all the experience that I had and just to even work harder. Because now I believe in everything, so I just want to be even more tough on myself. I mean, like most ‑ not tough, but like perfectionist and to keep going.

Q. Did Justine say anything to you at the ceremony?

DINARA SAFINA: Well, she just said, Keep on going. But definitely I will not stop, and push even harder now.

Q. I didn't notice Marat in your box. Is he here today?

DINARA SAFINA: No, he's not here. Somehow I thought that he might come, but unfortunately he didn't came.

Q. Were you surprised to see Justine in the crowd today? Did you know that she was going to be there?

DINARA SAFINA: No, I didn't know, but then I saw her. They were showing before we went on court on TV, so I mean, four‑time winner Grand Slam, I think she deserved to sit there.

Q. Did it make any difference to you the way you felt on court, having somebody like that watching?

DINARA SAFINA: Not really, no. I'm not...

Q. So what is your goal now for yourself in Wimbledon and for the rest of the year?

DINARA SAFINA: No, the goal going to be stay healthy and keep up the same work that I've been doing. Just give 100% every day, like I've been doing. There's nothing else.

But I think the most important is the health. If you are healthy you can do many things, but when there's no health, doesn't matter how you put your goals.

So just healthy and enjoying the life.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about the last game of the first set? Because you had just come back to 4‑All, but at the end she seemed to be taking a lot of control of the points.

DINARA SAFINA: I won a good game, being 40‑Love down on her serve, and then I still came back. I made 4‑All, and there I just gave cheap points I shouldn't have done.

I mean, first point of my serve was 4‑All. Didn't even move on that ball. And again, cheap point. I still came back 30‑All, and then again, cheap point.

So at this stage, I had somehow to stick to that game and win it. Of course, even at 5‑4, I think I had like Love‑15, 15‑30, break point, another break point, and I just was not aggressive.

I could not even I knew where she going to serve, but still I was coming so slow to that ball. So I was not even getting any pressure on her serve.

Q. Was it nerves or tiredness?

DINARA SAFINA: I would say it was more tiredness because I saw the ball, where it goes. I see, but body just didn't go.

Q. As a doubles player, you have won a Grand Slam by now. Are you going to go on with doubles, or just more only your individual career?

DINARA SAFINA: Wait. It's just the first final that I did, so God knows how I'm going to continue. But if I'm going to continue like this, of course I'm going to stop with doubles.

Because for me, I'm a singles player; I'm not doubles player. Don't take me wrong. I was playing doubles just as I was not playing enough singles matches, so I wanted to play some doubles at least to find or to work on some specific things.

But now I have, I think, a pretty good base in singles, so I just want to improve my singles and keep going.

 

An interview with Ana Ivanovic.

Q. You must be very proud of the way you kept control of that match, that long game at the end of the second set, and you struck right back to win the match. Can you comment on your mentality?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, I was I'm just really proud about my efforts today. It wasn't easy match. She played really well, I thought. First set I had a double break, I believe, and she came back.

You know, it was few mental games out there today, so I was really happy that in a key moment I managed to stay strong and calm, in the second set, especially.

At 4‑2 we had very, very long game. I had few advantages and I wasn't as aggressive, but, you know I kept my composure and stepped up and won my service game and managed to break her again. I'm very, very happy.

Q. Going into the match, were you concerned that even though you've had experience, you have been in the finals, you actually hadn't won one yet? Was that playing on your mind?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, obviously you're nervous. You want to make one step more and win a title. But, you know, last two Grand Slams were great learning experience for me. You know, I'm only 20 and it was my third final already, so that, you know, kept some pressure off me. Just trying to enjoy it, and that's what I did today.

Obviously there was a lot of emotions inside, but till the last point I tried to, you know, don't think about the occasion and just focus on my tennis. So I was really happy I managed to do that today.

Q. They say that winning a Grand Slam for the first time changes the way you think about yourself as a tennis player. Do you feel changed already?

ANA IVANOVIC: No, I feel I feel so happy. I have no words to describe that. But Grand Slam, winning Grand Slam is something I dreamt since I was a little kid, so achieving that goal, it's very thrilling.

You know, you work so hard and you're, off the court, on the court, and you put so much effort into it. I loved the game and I enjoy playing, so this is the best reward I can get.

It's something it's my incentive, you know, to keep working hard, and, you know, win more of these trophies.

Q. How crucial was the shot you played to save the break point in the sixth game of the second set? Were you thinking at that point about her previous comebacks?

ANA IVANOVIC: Sorry? Can you repeat?

Q. I'll ask the first part first. How crucial was that shot you played to save the break point in the second set?

ANA IVANOVIC: It was a huge point, and I was very aware of it. So you know, the next point after I managed to come back to deuce, I tried to think, you know, just to stay calm and make her play, because she was anxious.

She had chances to finish that point many times and have 2‑1 lead. I knew the next point was so important, so I was really happy I stepped up and win that game. That was something that gave me confidence in that second set, because in the beginning of that second set I thought I lost concentration for a bit. It was obviously very dangerous, so I knew I had to, you know, be back in the moment.

Q. In that stage, were her previous comebacks in the tournament on your mind at all?

ANA IVANOVIC: No, I mean, I knew she was a great fighter, and I knew I had to take any chance I had. I had lot of chances in the first set which I didn't use.

She came back, and it was 4‑All, and, you know, it was tough because a lot of emotions build up inside. You knew you had a chance, double break, you know, and then all of a sudden you're equal again.

So to keep my composure at that point, it was huge for me.

Q. You speak so quickly as Monica Seles and her time; it's amazing. But why wasn't Sven Groeneveld today up there, or he was watching another place?

ANA IVANOVIC: I'm trying to speak slow, but I'm so excited.

Q. It shows your intelligence.

ANA IVANOVIC: You have to understand. Yeah, it was very unfortunate that Sven couldn't be in the box today, because he puts lots of effort, you know, from his side, and lots of hard work in last couple months and year since we been working more together.

So I was really sorry for him not to be there this huge moment in my career. But I'm sure he was, you know, out there a little bit suffering, because we are both adidas, and it's very hard for him.

But, yeah, I think he was sitting somewhere in I think adidas box, but I'm not really sure. I still haven't talked to him, so I'm sure he's very, very proud of me, too.

Q. After you lost Australia you were crying a lot, very, very upset. When you walked away from that tournament, did you resolve something to yourself about how I'm going to compose myself in the next Grand Slam final?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yes. Yeah, definitely. It was very tough loss for me, and I had few sleepless nights after that, honestly. But, yeah, it's something I learned from. I was again in that final, like in Paris it was much better but still, I was part of me was already thinking about possibly holding a trophy, you know. So this time I really tried to change that and don't think about that at all and just focus on my game.

And there were some moments where, you know, this thought would still come up, but I managed to control it much better and to be aware of every moment of my game. That's something I'm really, really happy about today's game.

Q. It's also been said about you at times that you're too nice and too sweet to have a killer instinct on court. Today maybe you've proved that you really do have that killer instinct inside.

ANA IVANOVIC: I try. You know, I think once you are on the court, it's yeah, it's much easier said than done but you have to be a killer. And you have to, you know, put them under pressure and show your presence and stuff.

On the off the court it's obviously different. I still, you know, believe it's important to be a fair player and, yeah, don't lose your appearance just because people might say you're too nice.

Q. I'm sure that you were told or knew even before this match how aggressive Dinara is returning serve, and she started off on the baseline, maybe even inside the baseline. Then you backed her off. How much of a relief was that for you to see her backing off the baseline so she would be little less dangerous returning serve?

ANA IVANOVIC: Honestly, since the last match we played, I had feeling she improved a lot in her movement, and also in her service shots. She was much more aggressive than I remember, so obviously that was something I had to adapt and to take that time away from her. Because in the beginning, I try, you know, to maybe look too much, and she was taking advantage of it.

So I had to change it and step up a little bit more and move into the court and give her less time.

That's something I did very well. And also, my first serve percentage, I believe it was better than in last match. That's something that was important, because if she faces lot of second serves, obviously, she likes to take advantage of that.

Q. This is another huge moment for Serbian tennis after what Novak has achieved in Melbourne earlier this year. You winning here as the world No. 1. I mean, are we now in a period of dominance with Serbian players like yourself, Novak, and Jelena?

ANA IVANOVIC: I hope so. No, it's amazing. It's amazing achievement. And, you know, for Novak to win the first Grand Slam for Serbian beginning of the year. You know, going into today's final I thought of it, and I said, Come on. He could do it, I could do it, too. So it's something that for sure motivates, and I hope also many young kids will get inspired from us.

But, you know, last year the three of us made a huge step here. We had two semifinalists and a finalist, and it was the first time we did really good all together at the Grand Slam.

So, you know, coming back this year and he winning a title and now me, it's something that I mean, people back home I think really appreciate, and it's very thrilling for us, too.

Q. Do you feel winning the title today confirms your spot as the world No. 1, and that that was important? Do you think that you will be able to hold onto it for a long time, the No. 1?

ANA IVANOVIC: This title, it's very important for me, because that was my dream for a long time. You know, reaching position No. 1 even, you know, before I played this match in the final was great award.

But then again, you know, you have to still when you're on the court you have to play your game, and rankings speak for themselves. You know, you just have to make sure to keep doing the right things on the court and play your matches, and the rankings, they take care of themselves.

You know, it's obviously very, very sweet and nice, you know, to reach that. But, you know, you have to make sure you're still working hard on the court.

Q. Four weeks today we'll know the winner of the next Grand Slam. Do you think it's possible that you can win Wimbledon, as well?

ANA IVANOVIC: Well, it's I have to tell you the truth, I'm still, you know, in Paris and trying to enjoy this victory and not thinking still about the grass.

But for sure, you know, I want to, you know, go there and wanting to win a title, because every tournament you play you want to win.

And obviously now a lot of players will, you know, play their best tennis against me, because they want to obviously play show their best game.

But, yeah, still, I think I have good chance. I've been working really hard, and this hard work gives results. So, you know, next week I have time to, you know, a little bit relax, recover, and also prepare on the grass before Eastbourne and Wimbledon.

Q. We hear a lot about your team. We don't know very much about your parents, and they've chosen to kind of stay in the background. Is that their choice or yours? How did you come to that decision?

ANA IVANOVIC: No, it's their choice. They really they always supported me, maximum. My mom travels with me most of the time, but they don't like to give interviews or to be, you know, in the media. They like to keep aside and, yeah, support me from the back a little bit.

They leave it up to me, you know, to my coaches to do the right job. They're always there, you know, to support me and give me the best possible advice.

Q. Do you think that made you more independent?

ANA IVANOVIC: Obviously, you know, it makes you stronger. My parents never forced me into anything. You know, they always supported my decisions, and I think it's important, because you get when you're on court, first of all, you have to make your own decisions.

So in some way it makes me much, much stronger. And also since I was very young I started traveling and my mom came often with me, which was great thing. And, yeah, she's like my best friend, too.

Q. Very historic day. Was it comforting to look and see Henin sitting, watching the match rather than across the net as she was last year? I don't know if you're feeling better about that? You got over that pretty easily, didn't you?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah. I mean, many, many people ask me, Oh, you want to forget the last year's final? But I don't, because it was great learning experience. Obviously it hurted (sic) at the time and it hurted after, but she's a great champion. I lost to great champion and I learned a lot from her, from the way she handled herself in that final.

You know, seeing her today in the crowd, you know, it made me feel really, really good, you know. I thought, you know, maybe I can be like her, I can win a title. So it was really thrilling when she also handed me the a trophy.

Q. Has the forehand always been a natural stroke for you? It's a wonderful stroke.

ANA IVANOVIC: Thanks.

Q. Has that always been pretty much part of you?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, since I was a kid I always had that forehand, and I always hit it very hard. My father used to say always, If you could play that forehand under the line to go, that would be my favorite shot. Because I always tried to hit it so hard.

Q. Novak was the first Serbian to win a Grand Slam in singles. You were the first Serbian to be No. 1. Is there some kind of competition between you, the Serbians, Jelena, too?

ANA IVANOVIC: Competition came natural, hasn't it?

Yeah, I mean, it's great achievement from him. Like I said, you know, going into today's final I thought of his victory, you know, earlier this year, and I thought, you know, Why not? I can win a title, as well.

It's something that will motivates us, you know, and I'm sure he will also reach his goal of being No. 1, you know, one day. He has great potential.

Jelena, on the other hand, she also is a great girl, and I really hope she can achieve her dreams.

Q. One of the most worrying moments for you was when you stood on that chair at the end and climbed into the VIP box. Obviously meant a lot to you to get into the box. Who was there for you to greet?

ANA IVANOVIC: I tried to call them to help me to come up, but they were hugging each other. I was like, Hey, what about me?

But then I had to take it, you know, my possibility to climb over that chair. I don't know what I was doing. I just tried to get to them as soon as I could.

My brother was there, my fitness coach and my family. Everyone I could I hugged, doesn't matter who it was.

Q. Were you surprised to see Henin there during the match? And what did she say to you afterwards?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, definitely I was surprised. But at the same time I was glad to see her there. She's a great champion. She won this tournament so many times.

When she handed me the trophy, it was, you know, very thrilling moment, as well. She said, Well done. You really deserve it. It meant a lot to me.

Q. Dinara today when she was on the center court, she looked in a way the way you were there in front of Justine last year with the lack of experience or lack of Grand Slam final. Did you think about that, and did you feel much more confident saying, Now it's me in Justine's place and she's a newcomer? Did it give you a belief right in the beginning? And the second thing, do you really feel you're the happiest woman today on the earth?

ANA IVANOVIC: That's for sure. I think so. Obviously when I was in the court I realized, you know, she was nervous. I try also to look back at the way I felt last year, and it made me more calm because I had those experience and I went through that.

It was great learning experience, so, you know, I tried to think about those things, too. Because obviously there is so many emotions within yourself, that you're thinking of, and it's very easy to forget what other person feels.

And most of the time they're nervous, too, so this is what I had to work hard on and to realize that she had probably feels more nervous than I do.

That's something that gave me a lot of confidence, you know, and strength to step up in some important points.

Q. It's a great achievement to win. You're incredibly happy. Sometimes people look forward and they say, Well, what comes next? Are you at all concerned or afraid of what the future looks like for someone who's gotten so big so quickly?

ANA IVANOVIC: You know, future comes soon enough, so why worry about that? Yeah, it's just a great moment for me.

Like I said, I felt I came a long way since first two tournaments on clay. I learned a lot from that, and it was some tough times. But when you go through these things, it makes you stronger.

So I learned a lot from it, and I feel like I found the tools that helped me to be in the moment when I'm on the court.

Like I said, you know, some days it's much harder to do than others. Still, you know, I feel this will help me in the future. Obviously, you know, being No. 1 now holds more pressure. But you're also a professional athlete, and if you want to achieve your goals you have to learn how to handle the pressure and realize that pressure is also kind reward, because you put yourself to in a position to doing something memorable.

Q. While in the press room, we are discussing if you are the best looking woman who has ever won the tournament. I want you to know that you have already beaten the stats of Justine Henin, because last year she say 14 times, Allez. You say 17 times today, Adje. Even in the middle of the night sometimes you wake up and you turn and you say, Adje?

ANA IVANOVIC: I'm sure tonight I will, if I sleep at all.

Q. When you did you start to say Adje? Since you were five years old?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yes. Yeah, I think it dates long time back. But, yeah, it just comes natural actually. Lately I say quite few, Come ons, as well, because I'm working with coaches that I speak English with, and people back home I don't think they like that that much. No, it's something I think of a little bit.

 

An interview with Roger Federer.

Q. That couldn't have been what you envisioned when you walked onto the court.

ROGER FEDERER: No, not really. I was hoping for a better outcome, no doubt, you know. But Rafa played well today, made it hard for me, and, yeah, was better. It was a tough loss, but I tried and I hoped, and it wasn't enough.

Q. Has he improved since this day one year ago, and have you gone off?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, I think he's played a terrific tournament, you know. He's dominated everybody he played these last two weeks, you know. I mean, I definitely think he's improved.

I always had that feeling, you know, he's playing, you know, quite differently to the first time we played here in Paris in the semifinals. He's much better on defense, much better on offense, you know.

When you, you know, really cannot play your game and he can, you know, play exactly what he wants from the baseline, well, you end up with scores like this sometimes. It's tough for the opponent, obviously.

Q. Commiserations, Roger. It's 3‑All in the second set. You have that break point to go ahead 4‑3, and Nadal hits that dropshot. You chase it down. You look to just flick a backhand winner, but unfortunately you net. You don't win another game thereafter. I mean, that was a pivotal game, wasn't it?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, looking back, it was. I didn't think it was going to happen when I missed that backhand, you know, into the net. But what can you do? You know, I mean, I guess that was my best chance. But if that would have completely turned the match, I don't know.

Didn't come real close today so it's disappointing, because I really thought I was playing well the last few weeks and months. And where I've come from, you know, the last, you know, last half year or so, I think, you know, I'm still very we're very pleased, you know, with the efforts I've put in, you know.

So to lose the way I did today, it's obviously hard and it's a rough loss, but it's it's okay. I'll move on from here, and I'll try again next year.

Q. There was almost some 50 unforced errors, approximately, that you did. Do you think that's because of some overconcentration that worked against you, or is it just that what we call unforced errors, the way Nadal's balls bounce, you disliked them? Like, what made these unforced errors that were so numerous?

ROGER FEDERER: Um, look, doesn't matter now what happened, you know. I mean, the match is over; clay court season is over. I'm just here to answer some questions, not to analyze the match. I wish it was a different outcome.

I wish it could have, you know, gotten off to a better start, like maybe the last few years, but today Rafa was supreme, so it was hard.

Q. If there is a key reason in your mind for what happened, and could you name it?

ROGER FEDERER: I didn't get the beginning.

Q. If there is some key reason in your mind for what happened...

ROGER FEDERER: What kind of reason?

Q. Key reason.

ROGER FEDERER: Key reason. Excuse me, okay.

Q. For what happened, could you name it? This thing that happened today, what is it going to mean for you in the next future?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, key for me is the way Rafa played. I mean, no doubt he played excellent. He hardly made unforced errors, and when he's on the attack, he's lethal.

On the defense, he had some, I mean, unbelievable shots, you know. I can only praise him for the level of play he's had for the last two weeks and today again under pressure.

It's not like it's easy for him either. He handles it very well. To come up with a performance like this under pressure shows what a great champion he is.

For me, I mean, it's been a good tournament. I still go out of this tournament, you know, with a positive mindset. You know, not with a mindset, Oh, my God, you know, I had no chance today. I mean, I had a little chance in the second set. Okay.

But, you know, it doesn't matter now. I mean, I'm going to look forward to grass. I think the second half of the season, hopefully, is going to be better than the first.

Q. Does the magnitude of something like this shake your belief that you can win this title?

ROGER FEDERER: Sure. I mean, after a loss like this you don't want to play Rafa again tomorrow, that's for sure, you know. You hope to be here again next year, and you probably assume that Rafa is going to be here, also.

It doesn't make it easier, you know. But I still believe that with the right mindset, with the hard work I'm going to be able to put in hopefully, you know, without hiccups, like what I had in December and February where I unfortunately missed out on, you know, key practice, you know.

I hope that that's going to maybe help me again for next year to be even better than this year. But, I mean, I still feel like I'm improving, you know. Same counts for him. So let's see what happens again next year this time.

Q. When you do play again in possibly four weeks today, will you have still have the psychological edge, do you think? Or do you think maybe that's changed after today?

ROGER FEDERER: Um, look, I mean, I've beaten Rafa 6‑Love in a set. I've beaten him in finals before. I've beaten him also quite comfortably on previous reasons. Didn't really give me the edge on clay against him, you know.

I haven't lost on grass for, what is it, five years now, six years? I still definitely feel very strong about my chances and being the big favorite, you know, going into grass. You know, it's so far away, grass and clay, that losing in four or five or, you know, no chance like today, I don't think it has a big effect on me mentally.

Q. Will you play in Halle?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yeah, I'm scheduled to play.

Q. Roger, you're by miles the second best clay court on earth. At the end of this long clay court season and this incessant talk about Rafa, are you a little bit relieved the clay court season is over?

ROGER FEDERER: No. I mean, the tough part about the clay is, let's say the first three or four weeks, you know. Not that enjoyable, you know, because everybody is just talking about Paris, everything is just, you know, this big hype. I mean, it's nice to be part of it. It means you're playing well. It is a little bit much at times.

But when sort of the French Open comes around everything sort of calms down. You focus on your section. You know, you're only sort of doing press every second day which sort of helps, as well.

Now I'm much more relaxed than maybe, you know, one month back where I don't think it's that enjoyable for us players sometimes.

Q. Beyond that, your peers look at you as an extraordinary player. Do you look at Rafa as an extraordinary player on clay?

ROGER FEDERER: Sure. I mean, it's not first time I'm saying that. I'm giving him plenty of compliments. Yeah, I don't know what to tell you.

Q. At this stage in your career, do you still have sort of the capacity for moral victories? Or do you pretty much just go into a tournament, and if you're not winning the trophy it's not fully satisfying?

ROGER FEDERER: No. I mean, like I mean, the tournament has been good for me. I mean, I go out of this tournament thinking, you know, I tried everything I could. You know, I put myself in the position. But Rafa was better today, you know.

So I do find ways to stay positive even though I don't win the tournament, you know. You know, especially when you end up losing sometimes, victory is so much better, you know. On clay, you know, it's been tough on all of us, you know.

But I stayed very strong and, you know, in my mind, you know, trying to put myself over and over again in the same position and playing Rafa. I could lose every time in the semifinals and tell myself I don't want to face him in the finals, but I've been strong and I've been tough, and I made my way there. That gives me great, great feeling, you know, a good satisfaction.

Then, of course, I hope I can play better when I play Rafa or, you know, that he maybe doesn't play so well. But, you know, like today, it's hard to play against him. It was hard for everybody who faced him these last two weeks. But for me, you know, I go out and I'm positive. It doesn't always need to be a victory to go out in a positive mindset.

Q. Are you going to continue working with José Higueras?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. I mean, we spoke about it briefly at the beginning of Paris, you know. He's going to come to Halle with me, and he's also going to be in Wimbledon. It's something we're going to speak about the next few weeks, you know.

But I've given the request that he should consider what weeks he wants to join me for the rest of the year, so we'll see how it goes.

Q. Rafa's offensive skills are obviously improving, but do you believe that still on this surface great defense beats great offense?

ROGER FEDERER: Look, I mean, he's I mean, I don't know if it's got that much to do with great offense or great defense, it's just his movement on clay. It's just better than the rest.

I mean, I've always said it three years ago already: He plays like two forehands from the baseline, you know, because he has an open stance on both sides. I can't do that, so I lose a meter or two here and there from the baseline. So he's got a huge advantage in this aspect, you know.

I don't know how he grew up doing that, you know, but it's definitely I think that's very difficult, and maybe he's got the great advantage as well that in his normal life he's right handed by nature and not a lefty.

But his forehand is great, you know, and he's very tough mentally. He hardly misses, and when he goes on the offensive, he plays it close to the line. So he's got a very good clay court game.

Q. What do you think that today Rafa did better than usual? And what do you think that you did worse than usual? I mean, to explain what happened, because the score, of course, is particularly strange, no?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yeah. I mean, of course it's a tough result, you know. But I guess, you know, when somebody of us plays very well, it's hard to stop the other opponent. Sometimes you get, I guess, results like this. Unfortunately, for the fans, you know, I wish I could have put in a better match, you know.

But I mean he he was good today. That's all I can say. No more I need to add.

THE MODERATOR: French questions, please.

Q. Do you still think you can win Roland Garros?

ROGER FEDERER: Yes.

Q. Are you sure?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, if you want me to answer no if that makes you happy, then no. Choose the answer. I said yes. (laughter.)

Q. The fans were very much on your side today. How did you feel about it?

ROGER FEDERER: On the points I won, yes, but there were not that many. This is why I really hoped I could do better today, because I thought the fans could be an asset for me if the match was getting close.

But I never managed to be close enough to Rafa in the match to give the fans an opportunity to join in, so it's my mistake.

Q. When did you become aware, when did you realize, that you had to play an excellent Nadal?

ROGER FEDERER: I think he started off very well. I don't think I served bad today. My serve was okay. But he made huge progress returning my serve, and I had many difficulties taking the lead with my serve, even more than usual.

I think this is what cost me the match, because when I can win my serve, then I always have an opportunity on his serve. But when he keeps on breaking you like this, it's very difficult when I was two sets down, 4‑Love. I mean, I realized there was nothing I could do.

Q. Is it more difficult to lose on such a score, or do you just accept you have a guy who can do just anything on the court?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, right now I'd say it's easier to lose this way as today, because all along the match you realize that there is nothing you can do. You're not going to win.

I think it was the same thing for him, and this is probably why his reaction was not as intense as it usually is. That's because of the result. It's always more difficult when you lose when you really could have won. Today I lost, and I lost, clearly.

Q. He is always much better than you on clay. Is he getting closer to you on grass?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, we just played each other once on grass in Wimbledon. We played each other quite a few times on clay. I don't think we've had many matches on hard surfaces this year, but he is improving as a player.

I improved, as well, this year. But I think I had to work harder to come back to my usual level after I had this disease. It was a bit difficult for me at the beginning of this year. This is probably why I lacked practice. It's a lot like for him two, three years ago when he had been injured, and you know, I was coming back.

So you need to put more effort to reach this level, and this is what I had to do. So it's a great satisfaction for me too, that I reached a final.

Of course, defeat is difficult today. I also feel how much Rafa has progressed on clay, but we'll see in the future if he is stronger on grass or on hard surfaces ...

 from Roland Garros official site

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