Rafael Nadal is just a ‘simple’ man – here’s why!


Rafael Nadal is just a ‘simple’ man – here’s why!
Rafael Nadal

Being one of the most decorated players in tennis history, one might expect Rafael Nadal to have a colorful, eclectic personality. However, his achievements are barely an indicator of his persona as he is inherently a simple man with a crystal-clear take on life as a professional athlete.

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Speaking to el Periodico, a Spanish daily newspaper, the excerpts from his interview are an intriguing insight into the 20-time Grand Slam winner’s views. Please note that the original interview was in Spanish, so the quotes have been run through Google Translate.

“Sport cannot be separated from life”

Rafael’s uncle Toni(Left) was there with him for the majority of his playing career, leaving the coaching team in 2017.

This one snippet could be used to summarise Rafael Nadal’s entire approach to his trade. He has forever kept his family close by, whether in success or in defeat. Moreover, his uncle Toni Nadal coached him for a majority of his career, together winning over 16 Grand Slam titles – a record that stood until 2020.

On the question of his family life being closely knit with his professional life, he said, “When you live a normal, ordinary, stable life, it is easier for, on an emotional level, that stability to help you on the track. Sport cannot be separated from life. If I had gone to live on the other side of the world, separated from my family, friends, and loved ones, I would have suffered and dragged that emotional wear on the track. The fact of not having separated me from my usual environment, since I was a child, has helped me to have a longer career. I have done everything my friends have done, beach, parties, sports, but fewer times, of course. That emotional stability, that normal, simple daily life, has also helped me keep my feet on the ground and not go crazy when I won or see everything negative after a defeat.”

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Rafael Nadal: “I would like to be remembered as a good person”

Rafael Nadal

Rafa is also one of the more humble players on tour, forming parallels with Roger Federer, his companion on the 20 Grand Slams list. He also likes spending time with people, to the extent that he did not like the pandemic lockdown at all!

Personal life is more important than professional. I always say that I would like to be remembered as a good person, much more than a champion or anything else,” Rafa said.

Rafa also keeps good terms with mostly everyone on the ATP Tour. He said, “Well yes, why deny it, I try to get along with everyone. Why? Because I don’t like to argue, I am not one of fighting, polemics. I don’t like confrontation! My partner (Xisca Perello, his wife) and I never fight. I like to exchange opinions, but I do not share the idea that problems have to be faced head-on, face-to-face.  Life already provides you with real, authentic problems, to turn the little problems into big problems. Faced with these little problems, the best thing to do is a little pause, let a few days go by and everything returns to its normal course.”

Rafael Nadal will next be seen at the Paris Masters for which he has been preparing in his academy in Mallorca. He will then end his season at a marquee event, the Nitto ATP Finals.

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Also Read: Encyclopedia of small and great feats: Rafael Nadal on a book about the ‘land of champions’