A fine person and a remarkable player. Some semi-random thoughts.
--he was modest. Never took himself too seriously. Or the game for that matter. He appreciated everything that he accomplished.
--his modesty translated into pushing himself to get better. Hone what he did and to learn new things. He improved his serve. And his volley. And his entire sense of strategy which made him a much more three-dimensional player. He was learning all the time, which arrogance and self-satisfaction prevents. His record on non-clay and in the Slams shows his learning curve.
--off the charts mental and physical toughness. Playing through pain and fatigue all the time. He once said something to the effect that he didn't think he was as naturally tennis talented as Federer. But the combination of his toughness and his talent and his smarts closed that gap obviously.
--Competitiveness. You had to beat him. He rarely lost. After he quasi choked in the fourth set of Wimbledon 2008 he told his uncle: "Roger will have to beat me. I will not lose this match. If he beats me so be it but I will not lose this..."
My only caveat about his accomplishments is contextual. Of the big three I have the hardest time visualizing him as a wooden racket guy. He's the ultimate prototype of the supercharged racket and stringing of the contemporary era, which enabled his crazy racket speed and spin. I don't know what his game would look like against Borg in 1975 at the French Open. That's not a knock but it's a question in my mind.
Chris, I know you've put a lot of work into your upcoming bio of Nadal, and I hate to take any wind out of your sails, but I have to confess: I've never considered Rafa a tennis player. Acrobat, gymnast, trapeze artist, wrestler, track star—all that—definitely yes. But tennis player, never. What I grew up thinking was tennis is something I never saw him play. Not that he needed to in order to beat guys who were playing tennis. He just drove a coach and horses through what everyone else was playing and beat them at it, almost all the time. His strength and energy were a freak of nature, and as you, I and many others perceived early on, those assets were going to wreck his body, and they did. But it took a long time. He didn't quite reach the feats of two great longevity standouts: Ken Rosewall was only a few months shy of his 40th birthday when he reached the Wimbledon and U.S. finals, and Arthur Wentworth Gore won Wimbledon when he was 42 and was runner-up there when he was 44. But 38 isn't bad, and Rafa came close, dragging along with him a lot of clinical baggage those two men never had. One other thing about Rafa: A greater gentleman never lived. Simon Barnes, the "footie" writer of the London Times, once wrote an article hilariously contrasting the difference between the savage that Rafa was on the court and the caballero he was in the interview room. Rafa has the graces of a courtier—not since Don Quixote has there been such a perfect, gentle knight. Malaga is definitely the place for him to go out in style, representing España in Davis Cup.
Like you, and many others as you say, I never expected Rafa's career to be a long one given how he played. It always reminded me of Connors – surely the most intense, 60-minutes-out-of-every-hour competitor prior to Nadal – of whom the same was said when he burst onto the scene, and look how wrong we all were then! Surely it will be hard to root for anyone against Nadal come Davis Cup.
For someone who played the game with such optimism, emotion, passion and dedication, it is completely understandable that the decision to retire did not come easily. Through his transparent process, that some found selfish, in reality he gave his fans the chance to gradually edge towards this eventuality with him, easing the blow when the day came. We followed Rafa’s career with optimism, emotion, passion and dedication, and are so proud of his achievements and even more for the person he is. How we will miss the anticipation on Rafa’s game days, the familiar routines, his loving, loyal box (always respectful while hanging on with each breath as he performed his on-court magic), his celebrations and his selfless congratulations to his opponents. And oh, his game! There are other greats, but only one Rafael Nadal. It has been a joy to witness his career unfold. Vamos, Rafa! In Malaga with your teammates and in life forever after.
The tennis world will miss Nadal, particularly his always positive and upbeat approach to tennis and life. He always seem to give 110% as well. Although it would have been wonderful to see him do better at the Olympics or to win another French Open, I do feel it is fitting to end his career in Spain. I also pre-ordered your Nadal book and look forward to reading it! Thanks for all of your tremendous writing on tennis!
It was a bit surreal waking up this morning to the Rafa news. I clearly remember early one morning with Breakfast at Wimbledon at the end of the 70s, and seeing this brash American kid named John MacEnroe get to the semifinals. I remember when Johnny Mac retired, but not before I remember these two crazy kids come on the scene named Andre and Pete. Then I remember Pete winning his insurmountable 14th Major at the US Open at maybe his lowest ranking, and a month or two later announcing his retirement, eventually to be followed much later by Agassi... But not before this new wonder kid Roger Federer coming on the scene and beginning a world domination. And then at the height of Federer's ascension, who is this guy named Rafael Nadal from Spain. Oh wow, I love his style, just not those shorts... And then a few years into the great 2-person rivalry, a third appears from war recovering Serbia, with Novak. Oh, I love this new kid's clothing kits much better... And then 20 years later Federer has retired and today Rafa says it's time, but not before a couple more promising figures have emerged in Jannik and Carlos. I'm sure in the next year or two, Novak will miss having anything to chase and begin his off court life. It's a day for me to think back over the last 4 decades and to take stock that first of all... I'm getting old... but then second, to be so grateful to a sport that has not only giving me such joy and entertainment with playing and watching, but I can track all the milestones of my life by who was in the headlines. Tennis truly is a sport for a lifetime. Cant wait to read The Warrior and unconsciously take a trip back through what was happening in my own life and times during the Nadal 20 years!
I think Nadal himself has said that the sport is bigger than any one person. Great players arrive, thrill us, and then go. New great players arrive. The sport moves on. And one day we think about all the great players we've seen over the years and realize we're getting old.
I need to and will order multiple copies of The Warrior so all my young friends who play tennis can learn about the great Rafa- from a wonderful sportswriter and storyteller.
I’m fortunate to have been able to follow Rafa’s entire career - I’ve learned so much from him over the years. How his ferocity and passion coexists with his humility and sportsmanship blows my mind!
It’s exciting that you can include the finish of at least his tennis in your book. I’m really looking forward to reading it! Somehow that makes this ending seem less sad.
I hope you had a PS ready for the last chapter! The many tributes from players are coming in - some published in lofty dailies and some in downmarket tabloids. Here's one you're unlikely to read from a nine-time opponent: 'Damn, I've had nightmares that have woke me up about Rafa. I'm gonna miss them. This was someone that I used to prepare for, he was a motivation - I guess an inspiration. F...- it's true - people do bring the best out of you. You were one of those people. thanks, damn... "7000 likes. (NK) Best match I ever saw live; fourth round AO 2020 centre court Rafa vs NK crowd going wild over every single point no matter who won it. All wearing Kobe Bryant shirts. So close. Amazing warrior atmosphere. That was tennis.
Rafa went on to win that year in the month before Covid. I was at the final. Five sets came back from two down. NK in the first week and Rafa in the second made that AO. Aussies love them both. Nick is rough speaking but you can't have everything
I followed your articles at the NYT for years! Loved when you covered rafa. His win at RG 2017 was satisfying and you were the only writer to accurately capture just how long his road back was. Would love to see a career retrospect piece (definitely pre ordered your book!)
Thanks Raghav. It's been a journey for all of us who have followed him closely as well. Very focused on my book right now, which is good timing! I hope to do his game and life justice
A fine person and a remarkable player. Some semi-random thoughts.
--he was modest. Never took himself too seriously. Or the game for that matter. He appreciated everything that he accomplished.
--his modesty translated into pushing himself to get better. Hone what he did and to learn new things. He improved his serve. And his volley. And his entire sense of strategy which made him a much more three-dimensional player. He was learning all the time, which arrogance and self-satisfaction prevents. His record on non-clay and in the Slams shows his learning curve.
--off the charts mental and physical toughness. Playing through pain and fatigue all the time. He once said something to the effect that he didn't think he was as naturally tennis talented as Federer. But the combination of his toughness and his talent and his smarts closed that gap obviously.
--Competitiveness. You had to beat him. He rarely lost. After he quasi choked in the fourth set of Wimbledon 2008 he told his uncle: "Roger will have to beat me. I will not lose this match. If he beats me so be it but I will not lose this..."
My only caveat about his accomplishments is contextual. Of the big three I have the hardest time visualizing him as a wooden racket guy. He's the ultimate prototype of the supercharged racket and stringing of the contemporary era, which enabled his crazy racket speed and spin. I don't know what his game would look like against Borg in 1975 at the French Open. That's not a knock but it's a question in my mind.
Chris, I know you've put a lot of work into your upcoming bio of Nadal, and I hate to take any wind out of your sails, but I have to confess: I've never considered Rafa a tennis player. Acrobat, gymnast, trapeze artist, wrestler, track star—all that—definitely yes. But tennis player, never. What I grew up thinking was tennis is something I never saw him play. Not that he needed to in order to beat guys who were playing tennis. He just drove a coach and horses through what everyone else was playing and beat them at it, almost all the time. His strength and energy were a freak of nature, and as you, I and many others perceived early on, those assets were going to wreck his body, and they did. But it took a long time. He didn't quite reach the feats of two great longevity standouts: Ken Rosewall was only a few months shy of his 40th birthday when he reached the Wimbledon and U.S. finals, and Arthur Wentworth Gore won Wimbledon when he was 42 and was runner-up there when he was 44. But 38 isn't bad, and Rafa came close, dragging along with him a lot of clinical baggage those two men never had. One other thing about Rafa: A greater gentleman never lived. Simon Barnes, the "footie" writer of the London Times, once wrote an article hilariously contrasting the difference between the savage that Rafa was on the court and the caballero he was in the interview room. Rafa has the graces of a courtier—not since Don Quixote has there been such a perfect, gentle knight. Malaga is definitely the place for him to go out in style, representing España in Davis Cup.
Like you, and many others as you say, I never expected Rafa's career to be a long one given how he played. It always reminded me of Connors – surely the most intense, 60-minutes-out-of-every-hour competitor prior to Nadal – of whom the same was said when he burst onto the scene, and look how wrong we all were then! Surely it will be hard to root for anyone against Nadal come Davis Cup.
An absolute legend.
For someone who played the game with such optimism, emotion, passion and dedication, it is completely understandable that the decision to retire did not come easily. Through his transparent process, that some found selfish, in reality he gave his fans the chance to gradually edge towards this eventuality with him, easing the blow when the day came. We followed Rafa’s career with optimism, emotion, passion and dedication, and are so proud of his achievements and even more for the person he is. How we will miss the anticipation on Rafa’s game days, the familiar routines, his loving, loyal box (always respectful while hanging on with each breath as he performed his on-court magic), his celebrations and his selfless congratulations to his opponents. And oh, his game! There are other greats, but only one Rafael Nadal. It has been a joy to witness his career unfold. Vamos, Rafa! In Malaga with your teammates and in life forever after.
The tennis world will miss Nadal, particularly his always positive and upbeat approach to tennis and life. He always seem to give 110% as well. Although it would have been wonderful to see him do better at the Olympics or to win another French Open, I do feel it is fitting to end his career in Spain. I also pre-ordered your Nadal book and look forward to reading it! Thanks for all of your tremendous writing on tennis!
It was a bit surreal waking up this morning to the Rafa news. I clearly remember early one morning with Breakfast at Wimbledon at the end of the 70s, and seeing this brash American kid named John MacEnroe get to the semifinals. I remember when Johnny Mac retired, but not before I remember these two crazy kids come on the scene named Andre and Pete. Then I remember Pete winning his insurmountable 14th Major at the US Open at maybe his lowest ranking, and a month or two later announcing his retirement, eventually to be followed much later by Agassi... But not before this new wonder kid Roger Federer coming on the scene and beginning a world domination. And then at the height of Federer's ascension, who is this guy named Rafael Nadal from Spain. Oh wow, I love his style, just not those shorts... And then a few years into the great 2-person rivalry, a third appears from war recovering Serbia, with Novak. Oh, I love this new kid's clothing kits much better... And then 20 years later Federer has retired and today Rafa says it's time, but not before a couple more promising figures have emerged in Jannik and Carlos. I'm sure in the next year or two, Novak will miss having anything to chase and begin his off court life. It's a day for me to think back over the last 4 decades and to take stock that first of all... I'm getting old... but then second, to be so grateful to a sport that has not only giving me such joy and entertainment with playing and watching, but I can track all the milestones of my life by who was in the headlines. Tennis truly is a sport for a lifetime. Cant wait to read The Warrior and unconsciously take a trip back through what was happening in my own life and times during the Nadal 20 years!
I think Nadal himself has said that the sport is bigger than any one person. Great players arrive, thrill us, and then go. New great players arrive. The sport moves on. And one day we think about all the great players we've seen over the years and realize we're getting old.
Christopher of course I would like to pre-order your book but only in Kindle form. Is that possible?
Thanks Natasha
I need to and will order multiple copies of The Warrior so all my young friends who play tennis can learn about the great Rafa- from a wonderful sportswriter and storyteller.
I’m fortunate to have been able to follow Rafa’s entire career - I’ve learned so much from him over the years. How his ferocity and passion coexists with his humility and sportsmanship blows my mind!
It’s exciting that you can include the finish of at least his tennis in your book. I’m really looking forward to reading it! Somehow that makes this ending seem less sad.
I hope you had a PS ready for the last chapter! The many tributes from players are coming in - some published in lofty dailies and some in downmarket tabloids. Here's one you're unlikely to read from a nine-time opponent: 'Damn, I've had nightmares that have woke me up about Rafa. I'm gonna miss them. This was someone that I used to prepare for, he was a motivation - I guess an inspiration. F...- it's true - people do bring the best out of you. You were one of those people. thanks, damn... "7000 likes. (NK) Best match I ever saw live; fourth round AO 2020 centre court Rafa vs NK crowd going wild over every single point no matter who won it. All wearing Kobe Bryant shirts. So close. Amazing warrior atmosphere. That was tennis.
This is a great tribute, Sue. Thanks for sharing it.
Rafa went on to win that year in the month before Covid. I was at the final. Five sets came back from two down. NK in the first week and Rafa in the second made that AO. Aussies love them both. Nick is rough speaking but you can't have everything
Great writing as always, epic story of Nadal’s achievement!
I look forward to your book! I ordered it!
Tak Ulla! Glad to hear it.
CC
I followed your articles at the NYT for years! Loved when you covered rafa. His win at RG 2017 was satisfying and you were the only writer to accurately capture just how long his road back was. Would love to see a career retrospect piece (definitely pre ordered your book!)
Thanks Raghav. It's been a journey for all of us who have followed him closely as well. Very focused on my book right now, which is good timing! I hope to do his game and life justice
CC
Although this was well documented and anticipated it still feel really sad. The end of an era.
Rafa was such an inspiration and will sorely missed.
I must be one of Rafa's biggest fans !
One of the great champions of our time
Thanks Natasha
CC