PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rafael Nadal MEDIA DAY at Mutua Madrid Open 2018

“I think that I go through a process of adaptation,” said Nadal. “I have played a couple of tournaments before where I have played really well. In Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, you have the feeling that you are in control of the situation. Here, it's different. It takes you time to adapt to how the ball bounces and flies".

“Day by day I keep improving. I have better feelings. I'm happy to be back here. It's always special to play at home. It's a very, very special moment, a very special occasion for me to be able to play here.”

“I don't think that I am superior to the other players [on clay],” said Nadal. “Maybe some tournaments have been better than others, but that doesn't guarantee that in the future I'm going to be better than my opponents.

“I'm very happy for all the things that have happened… I'm not worried about being the favourite player or not. I try to do things the best possible way, to be in shape. When I'm able to do this, well, it's all fine. The day I'm not going to be worried about my shape or about my tennis, that will be the day when I won't be successful any more.

“I just have to be ready in every single moment [and] be patient. That's what I've done. I've always been very respectful of my opponents because each day it's completely different when you go out there and play on a tennis court. You have to bear in mind that you can either win or lose.”

“The crowd is always great. Every year that I’ve played here, I play with the full court with the crowd supporting. The crowd here is special… We had a great event in indoor, [conditions] too, before. But, at the same time, this event is even bigger than what used to be in indoor. The tournament is a great event and hopefully will stay here for a long time.”

Source: ATP

Photos: EPA; Madrid Open; AS; ATP; Anadolu Agency; Gtres