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Hungry Nadal signals his intent
Beijing, 12 September 2005 - Spanish superkid Rafael Nadal today served notice of his China Open ambitions, declaring it a tournament he would love to add to the nine titles he has already won this year.
As the men’s event got under way at the Beijing Tennis Centre, the 19-year-old world No.2 and top seed revealed that he has heard all about the tournament from close friend and rival Carlos Moya, who was here in 2004 and is back again this year.
“It’s my first time here, but I already know from Carlos that it is a great tournament,” said Nadal, as part of an exclusive interview arranged by TOM Group Limited. “The people have been unbelievable, the tournament organisation is very good and it has a very nice atmosphere. And of course, I have come here to win.”
Before that ambition can be realised however, there are a few hurdles Nadal must face, not least his first-round clash with Wang Yeu Tzuoo of Taiwan.
“Wang is playing very well at the moment,” Nadal said. “He reached the final in Istanbul recently and I have watched him play a few times so I know a bit about his game. He’s a young player and a good player. I will try to play my best but the first match in any tournament is never easy.”
If Nadal progresses through the draw as planned, a clash with fifth seed Dominik Hrbaty could await him in the quarter-finals. Hrbaty has won three of the four times the pair have met, including in Auckland at the start of this year when Nadal retired with breathing difficulties.
“I don’t want to look too far ahead, but if I do play Hrbaty, I think it will be a good match. We have played four times before and it has always been interesting.”
China Open tournament director Ekkehard Rathgeber believes Nadal will be hugely popular with the Chinese fans. “He hits the ball very hard, he makes spectacular winners and he plays an all-action game,” said Rathgeber, who is also chief operating officer of tournament co-organiser TOM Group Limited, an associate of Hutchison Whampoa Limited.
“The fact that he has won so many tournaments this year speaks volumes about his drive and commitment. Normally you talk about 19-year-olds as having great potential, but he’s a great player right now – and he can only get better. Having a player of Nadal’s stature taking part in the China Open is wonderful for the tournament.”
Nadal comes to Beijing near the end of a spectacular year, but he says the No.1 spot held by Roger Federer remains out of reach. For now.
“I’m very happy with my season. I have won a lot of tournaments and have played very, very well. But to be No.1, I don’t know,” Nadal said. “At the start of this year I never thought I would be here [No.2]. Federer is the best and he has lost only three matches all year. I can’t be No.1 this year, but I am still young and my game is improving, so maybe next year.”
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Released on behalf of TOM Group and the China Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.