Rafael Nadal - A real god, not made of clay

Rafael Nadal – From the lows to the highs

Nadal wanted his racket to do all the ‘talking’ though he himself preferred to keep shut and concentrate on his game. There is no doubt about his credentials as a player but his ‘will’ to keep on winning and competing with the best players is worth mentioning. Nadal as a person has always been calm and composed. He has taken criticism in the right way. This Spaniard has never spoken a word against any of his competitors ever in his sporting career.

Nadal always believed in his game and never led himself into any controversy despite being the superstar that he is today. His biggest revelation has been that his personal life has never been highlighted in public forum.The media has never used his love life, and family problems has a tool to publish their articles on Nadal.

Rafael Nadal has been one unique player who has strictly been in news for his game, not anything more than that. This only goes to show how much focused he is towards his profession. A no-nonsense guy that he is,he has always maintained that all he knows to do is play the game, play it better each and everyday and never stop improving.

Sports fans consider the 2008 Wimbledon final as an epic encounter between him and Roger Federer. This game was just another final for Federer, but Nadal had plenty at stake. He had tasted success in tennis by that time but his cabinet was ‘empty’ without any Wimbledon trophy.

All tennis greats must test their skills and mettle as a great player by winning at England Club’s court and so, Nadal was more than prepared for this opportunity to prove his ability and class as a player by winning this title as well. In the previous year’s final, he had been defeated by the same opponent, a defeat which had left him weeping, and he was determined to change his fortunes by winning the most coveted trophy of tennis.

He had a tough task ahead as he was challenging the best player of grass court in his own den. But Nadal was in no mood to throw his ‘second opportunity’ of defeating Federer and winning the final. He finally emerged victorious after a grueling encounter of five sets. This was the ultimate rise of a player. The biggest achievement in his career and his time had begun. This was a test of his character and he didn’t disappoint a bit.

In his book, “Rafa”, Nadal has clearly mentioned that his fighting ability on the court and never-say-never attitude has been something he acquired from his uncle, Toni Nadal. He once said that “if I hadn’t loved the game, I would have never put up with my uncle”. This clearly speaks volume about the love and devotion he has for the game.

His uncle always used to refer him as a “mummy’s boy” and showed no tenderness towards him during their tough training and practice sessions. He was made to learn that a sportsperson should always try effortlessly to improve as much as he/she can,he must solely concentrate on his game and not bother about his opponents and above all, he should always accept defeat and should be happy to accept that his rival is a better player than him.

His honesty can be noticed from the fact that he had himself accepted that Roger Federer is a far better player than him with a serve that outstrips his own. But Nadal’s biggest asset has been his mental strength, a weapon forged by his uncle and mentor, Toni Nadal, from his childhood days.The zeal to perform and keep performing, to prove his quality as a player has always been Nadal’s aim. He has never given up.

The word “Rafael” means “gust of wind; a series of burst of gunfire”. He has lived up to the meaning of this word. He has performed and outplayed others like a “gust of wind”. His racket is capable of “bursting a gunfire” and he has not let his injuries, few dismal performances and critics be an obstacle but rather he has made them his strength.

With the US Open final week round the corner, one can expect this guy to be at his best again and his competitors must be weary of the standards Nadal has set for others and as well as for himself. So all the Tennis Lovers, get ready for the God of Tennis to perform.