Rafael Nadal's Post-Match Comments Display The Self-Esteem Of A Teenage Girl

Rafael Nadal may not be quite on Novak Djokovic's unbeatable level, but, uh, he's still number one in the world. You'd think that would manifest itself in his words with reporters after a straight-sets victory over Ivan Ljubicic today.

No. On second thought, here's the Wall Street Journal:

"No, seriously, I am not confident," he said. "I am not playing enough well to win this tournament."

And then there was this: "The thing is you have to be realist, and today I'm not playing enough well to win this tournament."

And this: "I have to hit the ball with a little bit more conviction, in my opinion," he said. "For moments I am playing a few good points, but after I have few bad points."

And this: "I won four times already here, five times already here. I don't have an obligation to win six. I going to try for sure, but…." He trailed off.

If nothing else, he's refreshing, in the same way that Strangeways, Here We Come is refreshing after a few days of nice weather and bubblegum pop. We're gonna need some eyeliner at Roland Garros.

Nadal: Honest to a Fault? [WSJ]