Fernando did an interview with the Metro UK about his participating in the AEGON Championships next month and talked about his chances in Paris, what he’s been doing differently this season and a little bit about football :)

You must be very happy with the way you have started the year.

Yes. It has been a good start for me and now it’s important I build on that, especially over the next few weeks in the French Open.

Reaching the final of the Masters event at Monte Carlo and then winning in Barcelona has really cemented your position in the world’s top ten.

Monte Carlo helped me get in the top ten and I am very pleased to have beaten some good players (Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, Ernst Gulbis and Robin Soderling) this season as it shows I am improving my game. I am very happy with the way I’ve been playing but I cannot sit still.

Have there been any adjustments to your technique which have enabled you to prosper?

I’ve been working hard to improve my clay-court approach. I have been more solid from the baseline while playing a more tactical game. I did it very well at Monte Carlo and built on that.

Next up is the French Open, you must be approaching that in good heart?

It is an exciting challenge and one that I’m really looking forward to after my recent successes on clay.

There is also the problem of getting past Rafael Nadal who has an exemplary record at Roland Garros.

Of course, he is probably the best player ever on clay and is extremely difficult to beat when he gets into full flow. He did not play in Barcelona because he wanted to be 100 per cent for the French Open and did not want to aggravate his knees.

So he is a lock to regain the title this year?

Not necessarily. There are a lot of good clay-court players who will be there and if he is not 100 per cent they will be trying to take advantage. It will be difficult but we will all be trying to beat him.

You are going to be spending a lot of time in London after the French Open as you prepare for Wimbledon.

Yes, I’ll be playing in the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club and that should be ideal because the organisers have assembled a very strong field with most of the top ten there. It should be a great tournament and then it’s off to Wimbledon where I hope to do well, especially as I didn’t play there last year.

Do you like your visits here?

Yes. I will be playing in two really exciting tournaments and the atmosphere will be very exciting, especially at Wimbledon.

The crowds really enjoy their tennis and I really appreciate the whole culture and experience and classic tradition that comes with playing in London.

You’re from Madrid so do you follow Real or Atletico?

I’m a big Real Madrid fan and was hoping they would beat Barcelona to the La Liga title this season.

So who is better then, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

They are two exceptional players with different styles but at the moment I would have to say it is Messi. He is such a fantastic player and makes a big difference for his team but there really is not a lot in it.

And Spain’s hopes of winning the World Cup?

We are European champions and so I think we have a very good chance.
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(via metro uk)