You were here last year for the tournament. What did you think of the city?
I loved it. We went to a Rihanna concert at Emirates Palace last year, which was amazing. I also walked along the beautiful Corniche and ate in many great restaurants all over the city. Last year they were in the process of building Ferrari World, so hopefully I’ll get a chance to see it all finished this year and go on a few rides.
So do you approach exhibition tournaments like this one in a different way to Grand Slams?
I always approach any tournament with a 100 per cent focus on winning. Of course, this one’s a bit different from other tournaments because it’s the first one of the season and everyone wants to have a great start to the year. I think you’re going to see some great tennis in Abu Dhabi.
What are the challenges of playing here in Abu Dhabi?
It’s a really tough tournament, since almost all top players in the world will be here. But it’s also a great start to the season, and a great opportunity to get a good look at how my opponents are playing.
So you’re currently the world-ranked number five player. Do you think you’ll ever become number one?
My dream and my goal is definitely to become world number one. It’s very difficult and perhaps almost impossible because of the quality of my opponents, but I think if I continue to work hard at my game and keep trying my best then there’s a chance.
What do you need to change about your game to win a Grand Slam title?
I’m not trying to change anything in my game, instead I’m trying to add and improve some things, like my movement on court and my volley. As long as I work hard and stay injury-free, I hope to win a Grand Slam one day.
Have you had any injury setbacks?
In 2007 I injured a tendon in my left wrist. It happened at a critical time in my career when I felt that I was improving. I was out for six months, and I didn’t know if I was ever coming back to the tour again.
You’ve had a few on-court bust-ups with Rafael Nadal. Is he your biggest rival?
No, not really. I don’t really have one specific rival as I’m competing against every player. There are so many good players out there so every match is very tough.
But is there one match that stands out as being the toughest to win?
One really hard game was when I made it to the final at the Roland Garros tournament in Paris for the first time. Especially the semi-final against Fernando Gonzalez since both of us were playing really well, and I had to dig really deep to make a great comeback in the fifth set.
Do you ever find yourself seriously nerve-wracked before a game?
This year’s final at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris was really tough for me. I didn’t sleep much the night before the match, and on court I felt very nervous – my legs were shaking at the end when I held match point.
How daunting is it having other Swedish players such as Björn Borg and Stefan Edberg to live up to?
I don’t think of it in that way, as all the good players from Sweden have really inspired me. I remember watching them on TV as a kid and wanting to be like them, and hopefully I’ll have the same impact on Swedish kids. Björn Borg is my idol. I’d love to have played a game against him as he is a legend and one of the best players in the history of tennis.
If you could change one rule in tennis what would you change?
The rule I’d get rid of would be the let call on serves. It slows the game down too much, so I don’t think it’s necessary.
Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City. The single elimination series of matches will begin on December 30, with semi-final matches taking place on the second day. Finals and consolation (3rd & 4th place) matches will be held on January 1. Tickets are on sale at www.timeouttickets.com
