Everything you pointed out about Nadal's life, career, and style were spot on. So well framed; thank you. But perhaps I'm alone in this, but I could never watch him play without cringing and yelling in frustration at the TV at his time wasting OCD rituals. The length of time that he took to go through his rituals in order to serve made him unwatchable. Which is so sad because he was such a thrilling person to watch actually play. It just took him so damn long to actually play.
Nadal’s ability to put in the effort to get that one more ball back is something just so, so rare. It’s not like other players are not trying. Every top player gets to a lot of balls. But he was on a completely different level. And the mental strength it takes to do that. Well, 14 FOs absolutely deserved. I thought in 2008 his body would force him out by like 2012. Nope.
Yes, very touching, so thank you. I hope your book is set in the tennis world with all sorts of rascals, skullduggery, cheating- also heroes and people, like Rafa, with very big hearts.
Having read and heard many, wonderful, tributes to Rafa I love yours and the fact that you point out the consequences of having such an undeterrable never give up attitude. Everything has consequences in life and being too stubborn to know when it's not wise to continue is a great lesson to take in, if something hard to do if you're of that stubborn disposition. But, then again, how else would the big 3 gotten to where they where if not for that unyielding drive?
A lot has been said of Rafa's many idiosincracies on court, but as someone who is anxious, I get what he's trying to do and hope it's not something he carries with day in and day out, or that if he does that he has better ways of dealing with it. I don't think Rafa Jr would appreciate only having his bottle set only in one position in his crib :)
Now if you excuse me I'll go shed some more manly tears next to that shirt with Rafa's logo on it.
Reminds me of this passage from Infinite Jest, Don Gately brooding about addiction
“Abiding. No one single instant of it was unendurable.
Here was a second right here: he endured it. What was undealable-with was the thought of all the instants all lined up and stretching ahead, glittering.
And the projected future fear of the A.D.A., whoever was out there in a hat eating Third World fast food; the fear of getting convicted of Nuckslaugh-ter, of V.I.P.-suffocation; of a lifetime on the edge of his bunk in M.C.I.
Walpole, remembering. It's too much to think about. To Abide there. But none of it's as of now real. What's real is the tube and Noxzema and pain.
And this could be done just like the Old Cold Bird. He could just hunker down in the space between each heartbeat and make each heartbeat a wall and live in there. Not let his head look over. What's unendurable is what his own head could make of it all.”
I've been a mess since the retirement. It's a vicious cycle right....it was Agassi first (I remember crying when he was saying goodbye). Unfortunately there will be another one, but that is what also makes this inspiring. To continue the love for the sport, finding the next Agassi, the next Roger, Andy and RAFA!
Btw, looking forward to more articles and a memoir🙏🤞
Amazing article. I am definitely one of those people so ready to hate him deeply - as a hardcore RF fan - but just couldn't and found myself loving him despite all those defeats of Roger.
Please make your novel available in English immediately after it comes otu 🤞🏻🫶🏻
Nice job Andrea.
Poignant tribute to an extraordinary tennis player and human being.
Best thing I’ve read on Rafa all week 👏
Everything you pointed out about Nadal's life, career, and style were spot on. So well framed; thank you. But perhaps I'm alone in this, but I could never watch him play without cringing and yelling in frustration at the TV at his time wasting OCD rituals. The length of time that he took to go through his rituals in order to serve made him unwatchable. Which is so sad because he was such a thrilling person to watch actually play. It just took him so damn long to actually play.
write the novel, I am interested,
The only article that should be written about Rafa's retirement! 👏
Wonderful.
Trying to promote your amazing writing over on Bluesky, please join:
https://bsky.app/profile/paulsaxmd.bsky.social/post/3lbounhwlgs2u
I'm sorry about the rain but lord, we really really REALLY needed it around these parts...
Also, the sky was crying for Rafa. Did you read that insanely heartfelt letter by Fed? I bet it was raining in Switzerland, too.
Nadal’s ability to put in the effort to get that one more ball back is something just so, so rare. It’s not like other players are not trying. Every top player gets to a lot of balls. But he was on a completely different level. And the mental strength it takes to do that. Well, 14 FOs absolutely deserved. I thought in 2008 his body would force him out by like 2012. Nope.
I hope you enjoy the Maldives. Jiri and his girlfriend await you and fellow and former players!😜😜
Yes, very touching, so thank you. I hope your book is set in the tennis world with all sorts of rascals, skullduggery, cheating- also heroes and people, like Rafa, with very big hearts.
Having read and heard many, wonderful, tributes to Rafa I love yours and the fact that you point out the consequences of having such an undeterrable never give up attitude. Everything has consequences in life and being too stubborn to know when it's not wise to continue is a great lesson to take in, if something hard to do if you're of that stubborn disposition. But, then again, how else would the big 3 gotten to where they where if not for that unyielding drive?
A lot has been said of Rafa's many idiosincracies on court, but as someone who is anxious, I get what he's trying to do and hope it's not something he carries with day in and day out, or that if he does that he has better ways of dealing with it. I don't think Rafa Jr would appreciate only having his bottle set only in one position in his crib :)
Now if you excuse me I'll go shed some more manly tears next to that shirt with Rafa's logo on it.
Reminds me of this passage from Infinite Jest, Don Gately brooding about addiction
“Abiding. No one single instant of it was unendurable.
Here was a second right here: he endured it. What was undealable-with was the thought of all the instants all lined up and stretching ahead, glittering.
And the projected future fear of the A.D.A., whoever was out there in a hat eating Third World fast food; the fear of getting convicted of Nuckslaugh-ter, of V.I.P.-suffocation; of a lifetime on the edge of his bunk in M.C.I.
Walpole, remembering. It's too much to think about. To Abide there. But none of it's as of now real. What's real is the tube and Noxzema and pain.
And this could be done just like the Old Cold Bird. He could just hunker down in the space between each heartbeat and make each heartbeat a wall and live in there. Not let his head look over. What's unendurable is what his own head could make of it all.”
I've been a mess since the retirement. It's a vicious cycle right....it was Agassi first (I remember crying when he was saying goodbye). Unfortunately there will be another one, but that is what also makes this inspiring. To continue the love for the sport, finding the next Agassi, the next Roger, Andy and RAFA!
Btw, looking forward to more articles and a memoir🙏🤞
Amazing article. I am definitely one of those people so ready to hate him deeply - as a hardcore RF fan - but just couldn't and found myself loving him despite all those defeats of Roger.
Please make your novel available in English immediately after it comes otu 🤞🏻🫶🏻
Thank you for your wonderful posts! Sending all the best to you for a relaxing break and happy holiday season.