Rafael Nadal: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Rafael Nadal is Retrospective

What he said:

“The Rafa of 2010 had something more special than Rafa of 2011.”

Rafael Nadal introspects on his performance this year comparing it to his impeccable 2010.

Nadal said:

“Win or lose depends on small things. These small things I did better in 2010 than 2011.”

On Djokovic:

When I talk about improving or being a better player, it doesn’t mean making big changes in my game, it’s always just the small things, you just do them better, try to do them better.

This year Djokovic won three Grand Slams, he didn’t lose many matches. I don’t believe that he changed his game unbelievably. He did some small things better than a few years ago.

What he really meant:

“The Djokovic of 2011 is something special too.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“With Djokovic taking up permanent residence in my head, you’d expect me to return serve like him—circa 2010.”