I have no idea what he’s saying, but he’s sure looking tan while saying it:
Rafa Nadal, Presidente de Honor de Lo que de verdad importa en Palma de Mallorca, no pudo estar presente en el congreso pero quiso dejarnos a todos unas palabras…
Which mangles to: “Rafa Nadal, Honorary President of What really matters in Palma de Mallorca, could not be present at the conference but would leave us all a few words …”
Articles:
- Another El Mundo Q&A (mangle)
- Report Card: Grading the Pros on January - by Tom Perrotta (tennis.com)
- Nadal has tools, fortitude to beat Djokovic; more Aussie thoughts - by Bruce Jenkins (si.com)
- Rafa Nadal’s performance contributed to one of the grand slam final classics - by Courtney Walsh (The Australian)
- ¡Qué grande es nuestro deporte, EL TENIS! - by Emilio Sanchez Vicario (mangle)
- Coming Soon: Nadal, the Djokovic slayer - by Swati Kothari (ndtv.com)
And @genny_ss would like to share this blog post - Sr. D. Rafael Nadal - and her translation:
MR. RAFAEL NADAL (by Amalio Moratalla)
Of course I will not say anything different from what you have read or heard about our best player and perhaps best athlete of all time. But my body, the justice and the reason ask me to do it. We can all the adjetives we want to Rafa. There is plenty of room for them and many are not enough. His attitude, personality and mood admit all of them, but in the case of Rafael Nadal, there’s more. Much more, I think. He is a full and honest athlete.
This is golden truth. After nearly six hours of play in the final in Melbourne in front of the ‘tennis machine’, Novak Djokovic, I failed to annotate in my book a single detail to reproach to our player. An example of a fight for a crown without disrespecting the crowd, the opponent, tennis and sport! What satisfaction!
Those of us, who spent many hours watching football matches and their circumstances because of duty, obligation or professional devotion, could see the differences. Yesterday, his 180 pulsations as tennis player - playing almost the equivalent of four football games in a row! - did not prevent him from being a gentleman. In addition, being on court by himself and with an overwhelming physical waste.
I know it is not a contact sport, but whatever. The pressure, the continuity, the intensity… of the actions is so brutal, that each ball is a [different] world. For a few centimeters, millimeters - the ‘Hawkeye’ decides - a game is won or lost. Thrilling emotion. Throughout the Australia Open final, not a bad gesture, no spitting, no pushing, no nasty protest at the umpire, no theatrics, not even a defiant look like those we are fed up of getting on the ‘green field’ of football. This and that are a different matter.
Mr. Rafael Nadal is awesome. As a player, no need for more description. He’s the number 1 -I do not care what the ATP ranking says-. But his values as athlete and human being, as an example to kids and not so kids and to a society as tense as the one in which we live today, are indeed a mirror in which to look at.
Please, let’s not do as usual with a man as exceptional as him: when he starts to lose -and he will, like every human being-, let’s respect the symbol, the person, his example and what he has meant for our sport while he was dressing shorts and what he can end up meaning dressing in a suit and a tie. If, when he decides to quit, we all together do not succeed in getting that his values endure in our sport with him as a leader, it will be a failure of all -citizens, fans and press-.
[I] hope he lasts long! Although what I propose is that he lasts forever, that is not necessary to see him dressing shorts winning or losing against Djokovic to admire him for life.
PS: For matches as yesterday’s there should be two champions. The final should be declared ‘world heritage’, [it should be] shown in colleges and universities around the world and stand as an example of sport, athletes and persons. It had any kind of things and all were exceptional to give a master class on dedication, excellence, elegance and good manners. If we want, like everything in life, WE CAN! And if we do it politely, much better.
And we know this thanks to the iB3 and their airport stalking ways:
Check davidjnadal’s twitter for quotes from the interview and feel free to mangle them. I’m late getting back to work from lunch!
From an old photoshoot - here’s the description from the meta-data embedded in the images:
PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN - JULY 19: Tennis player Rafael Nadal is photographed for on July 19, 2011 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. (Photos by Clive Brunskill/Contour by Getty Images)
[gallery link=”file”]
Thanks to twitter tweeps @genny_ss and @diannada for helping with the source and jenlynn820.tumblr.com for uploading them with the meta-data intact.
[caption id=”attachment_31427” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by Scott Barbour/ Getty Images”]
[/caption]
Today’s recommended reading:
Nadal vs. Djokovic: Here We Are Again, My Friend - by Brian Phillips (Grantland.com)
No, this isn’t recommended reading, it’s required reading. If you haven’t read it already - go off. Be gone with you. Read it. We’ll wait until you get back. *whistles*
The cruelest thing about this glutted golden age of men’s tennis is that it keeps producing astonishing matches, matches that actually expand your idea of what sport can be, and someone has to lose all of them.
Depends on your definition of lose, I guess. I know someone walked off with a title, bigger trophy and more money, but I don’t think either player was a loser on Sunday.
Nadal, though? He plays like he’s fighting giants. It’s not just the sneer, or the muscles, or the hair, or that forehand — you know, the one where he swoops the racket all the way around his head like he’s whipping the team pulling his chariot. It’s also that frantic tenacity that used to drive me so nuts. Federer seems devastated when he loses but he also seems to sense losses coming and accept them before they arrive. When Nadal falls behind, he turns the match into life and death. He gets mad. He hesitates less. He hits the ball harder. He doesn’t look sad or scared. He looks defiant, and he plays like he’s possessed.
There was more than one time during that final where Rafa had the look of a madman in his eye. I remember seeing him turning to get a ball from a ball kid to serve (he wasn’t rude or anything) and his eyes were wide and full of crazy. It frightened me and thrilled me at the same time.
Of course, the terrible thing about tennis, as opposed to mere epic warfare, is that you have to do it again next week. Ultimately, I think what’s clued me in to Nadal’s greatness is that, ever since Djokovic’s rise, he plays this way and still loses.
Or he plays this way, loses and still comes back for more.
You spend years in the shadow of your rival. You never stop working or believing. Finally it all comes together: you surpass him. For a year, maybe two, you win everything. You turn the game upside down, and your bottomless reserve of will makes you seem unstoppable. All the records are going to fall.7 Then, more or less suddenly, a guy you used to beat comfortably surpasses you. Long before your reign was supposed to end, you find yourself overshadowed again. You lose five straight, six straight, seven straight to the new champion, all in finals, three of them in majors. You’re 25, in what should be the peak of your prime as an athlete, and you’re right back where you started. It turns out that your relentlessness isn’t an unstoppable force. But — precisely because you have it — you keep going as if it is.
It’s madness. Bless him.
Articles:
- A new Q&A for El Mundo (mangle). He was young and short when he gave his first autograph? Heh.
- Punto de inflexión by Carlos Moya (mangle)
- Seems like it’s time to pass out report cards: Tignor’s marks; C-Note’s grades.
- 50 thoughts from wild Aussie Open - by Jon Wertheim (si.com)
- Tennis’s Golden Age? - by Reeves Wiedeman (The New Yorker)
- The great debate (psssst: Wimbledon 2008 final)
- Why Tennis Rules the Earth - from the Wall Street Journal
- Nadal busca un ‘sparring’ sacador (mangle) - what Rafa will be up to in February
- Audio of a Spanish interview with Rafa post-final.
- Radio interview with Toni
Audio:
Tweets about Rafa:
- Atch did my job for me: Rafa, a Champion in Victory and Defeat.
[caption id=”attachment_31423” align=”alignright” width=”150” caption=”Photo by PAUL CROCK/ AFP/ Getty Images”]
[/caption]
Some new questions up in The Age (and some Reva pointed out I’d missed):
Question from Zara: I was just wondering what was your favourite kit that you’ve ever worn? I especially liked your US Open 2010 & 2011 kits as well as the polos you wore in 2009.
Rafa says: I don’t have a favorite one but I can tell you I keep one of each gear and special ones. I have yesterday’s shoes and will keep them.
Is there any tread left on those shoes?
Question from Nora: What is your routine to prepare for a game & which Spanish player are you the friendliest with?
Rafa says: My routine is the normal one to get ready. Taping my ankles, my fingers, getting the rackets ready, a cold shower before going out, etc. I am friends with Feliciano, David Ferrer, Ferrero, Granollers, Verdasco, all of them.
And Marc!!! How cold he leave out Marc!(who is on the Davis Cup team! Go, Marc!)?
Question from Jimmy Stefanovski: Given the huge attention that tennis and for that matter sportspeople seem to get, how do you try to keep grounded?
Rafa says: I suppose it is a consequence of the education I have received by my parents and the way of understanding life. Not because I play tennis I should think I am any special.
Maybe you aren’t special because you play tennis, but you might be special because of how you play tennis. And I’m not necessarily talking about skill here.
Question from Cedrine: I read in one of your interviews you said you were losing your passion for tennis. That made me sad. Do you still feel that way at this moment or was it just a bad moment for you when you said that?
Rafa says: That is not totally correct. I said that at the end of last year I played a couple of matches without that passion, but never said I lost it.
Man, people are really hung up on passion, aren’t they?
Question from Simiti Singa (India): You came to India last year with your mother perhaps to start an academy in Hyderabad. What is the progress on that initiative? Do you have any other plans to help tennis in India?
Rafa says: I believe it’s been finished. It was together with the Vicente Ferrer foundation that have some things going on in India.
You believe?
Question from Gayle: People talk a lot about the importance of physical condition and determination. To me it also seems like a question of balance. A tennis champion has to be energized and pumped up but not too much or you’ll lose control. At the same time you have to stay calm but not too relaxed, or you will lose focus and your level will drop. You have to be constantly thinking and making decisions, but not think too much or you’ll become indecisive. Keeping all these things in balance at the same time sounds so difficult. How do you do it?
Rafa says: Yes, you are right. I was too pumped at the US Open final and I payed the consequences on the first set. But I agree with you with that mental part of the game that is as important as the physical one.
Now I want to go back and watch that first set.
Question from Anthea: My question is, you often take many rackets onto the court for a match, how many different string-weight variations do you use in a match? And do you reuse the rackets for the next matches or do you get new rackets for each match? Love, Anthea Yeung (London, UK)
Rafa says: Thanks. I always take the same string weight on all of them. I normally carry 6 rackets and I change them at every set. The rackets are all of them used and I change them at certain times of the year or if one breaks like the one that broke practicing before the OZ Open started.
Oh yeah, like that one. I love how he refers to it like it’s common knowledge.
Question from Karie: Hola Guapo, I was just wondering what you do with all the trophies that you get to keep? Are they on display anywhere or do you keep them at home? Thankyou. xx
Rafa says: I keep them at home. The most important ones are in my room.
Do you cuddle them when you have trouble sleeping? Maybe just give them each a little rub before bedtime?
Question from Sujith: Hello Rafa, thank you for the great memories and wish you the very best. Can you please explain why you don’t move closer to the baseline during rallies and when facing a second serve to avoid your shots falling too short on the other side of the court especially against Djokovic who then gets the time and space to smack a winner? Thank you.
Rafa says: Would love to but believe me the balls coming push you back!
In my head, I heard a *sigh* before that answer.
Question from Sam: Hi Rafa. Congratulations on your progress so far, hope you continue to win your matches! February is a quiet month for your fans as you often don’t play, but in February 2010 we had the Shakira Gypsy video and in February 2011 the first Armani photos came out. Have you got any treats lined up for us in February 2012?! Buena suerte!
Rafa says: Yes I do. I have some days of work with my sponsors during this month.
I hope those days don’t involve waxing/shaving body parts.
Question from Usaid: Which tennis player would you like to take out on a date?
Rafa says: I have my girlfriend
Heh.
Question from Adela: Hola! Rafa! ! I’m a big big fan of you. And u are so cute off court!! If Aladdin’s Lamp gives you just one wish,
1.M&M chocolate for your whole life
2.A PS win against Moya or Pico
3. Real Madrid wins the UEFA or LFP champion 2012
Which one will you choose ??? :) Best wishes for u in AO and 2012.Rafa says: 1. Not my thing. 2 I have already done it. 3 for this year maybe that would be my choice but why not a GS title for me? ;-)
No M&Ms? There’s a type of chocolate he’d say no to?
Question from Edel: Hi Rafa, I’m a massive fan!! I have followed your career for years and admire you so much! I have read your book a few times and love it so much! :) Just wondering, if you could only win one more grand slam; which would it be? I know you’ll win more as you’ll keep improving as I believe you are the best player in the world! Djokovic is having a good run but I think you have to talent and the drive to gain back your No.1 spot! All the best for the season, I know you’ll dominate!!
Rafa says: Believe me that any would work for me!
Any old slam.
Question from Sasha: My question is, when will you come to Serbia and play a tournament here in Belgrade or an exhibition match????? You have so many fans here and you are a big sportstar name here, we’d love to see you!
Rafa says: Thanks, I heard many things about your country. I am sure one day. Thanks ;-)
Gee. Wonder from whom he’s heard those things?
Question from Anita: Hey Rafa, you have so many media duties to perform and new interviews you do seem to pop up every day. Do you prefer the more serious questions, such as those asked in the post-match press room, or do you prefer lighter/funner ones like those you answered in the Open Drive? Hoping you’re happy and healthy
Rafa says: It depends on the context and on the moment. Sometimes it is good serious ones, to talk about the sport, the matches, and sometimes other more relaxed.
It’s all about context, people.
Question from Ellie: Hi Rafa! This year, you have played the first four matches during the day. If you progress to the Semi-Final and (hopefully!!) the Final, the matches will be at night. Is it difficult to adjust from day to night? Will you do some practice at night now to get used to the different conditions? All the best for success in this tournament and for the rest of the season!
Rafa says: I haven’t played at night yet and it is different i know but I would love to be in that semis day or night ! :-)
Night didn’t seem to bother him at all.
Question from Joseph: Congratulations on your great career so far. I am a Roger fan, but over the years I have come to respect and admire your game. My question is what do you do with all your old gear? You must have so many old shirts, shoes, racquets etc. There must be museums who would love to have this stuff. Or maybe you could auction them off for your fans, with the money going to charity.
Rafa says: We give a lot away to people that use them for charity. At every tournament.
And that’s a good thing.
