RAFAEL NADAL — THE ULTIMATE BEACON OF PASSION AND RESILIENCE
The impending retirement of the “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal will not only bring down the curtains on a glorious career but also hastens the process of the end of an era in Tennis wherein the big three — Federer, Nadal and Djokovic ruled the world of tennis for close to two decades. (of course chased somewhat intermittently by Andy Murray — completing the Fab-Four) in a manner perhaps unheard of in the history of any sport. Rack your brains and perhaps the closest one comes across is of Usain Bolt, the legendary Jamaican athlete who won Gold Medals in both the 100 and 200 meters sprints at three consecutive Olympics or the pincer like grip that Michael Schumacher had over F-1 racing over an extended period.
Leaving that apart, the unprecedented manner in which these three ruled the world of Tennis for the better of the last two decades accumulating more than sixty(and still counting) Grand Slams between them and records which would require supranatural effort and perhaps a couple of generations to just emulate, forget about breaking, coupled with lessons in on-court demenanour, court craft, grace and a display of sportsmanship beyond compare — a masterclass in human conduct and behaviour, All in all, role models and icons for dyed in the wool professionals across diverse areas of human endeavour who exhibit a tendency to fly of the handle at the earliest opportunity for flimsy reasons and indulge in predatory and unhealthy competition.
The three have cultivated legions of fans across continents but I forever have remained an unabashed Nadal fan (of course I will not pick a fight with any Federer or Djokovic fan for this is an entirely personal choice) — not the least because Nadal is a southpaw like me. Born with a rare congenital degenerative foot condition called Mueller Weiss Syndrome, a condition that affects bones in the feet and causes chronic pain (which has plagued his career in no small measure), it is his passion for the game and the intensity which he brings on Court that stands out for me. Displaying an athleticism beyond compare, with the astounding ability to dart across the courts and reach for the balls at the most rakish angles, covering the court with the agility of a panther and the lighting speed of a Cheetah, his style of play makes it all the more prone to injuries. Be that as it may, the kind of relentless pursuit of success and a constant ability and, of course, obsessive desire to improve coupled with unmatched resilience and capability to bounce back from injuries (which as history shows have been his constant companions) are characteristics that make him my personal favourite.
The tag of “King of Clay” which he wears, albeit lightly, on his head with an unprecedented 14 titles with a career 112–4 record at the clay courts(arguably the most difficult surface to play on) of Roland Garros is undoubtedly a testimony to his resilience, talent, tenacity and of course temperament. Nadal has won an awesome 63 titles on clay including 12 at the Barcelona Open, 11 Monte-Carlo Masters, 10 Rome Masters and 5 at the Madrid Open among others — not only an all-time record but seemingly insurmountable in the near future.
Of course, apart from his game, his court demeanour is also characterized by a series of routines and activities — which might sound idiosyncratic to some but to an unabashed admirer like me seem charming, if not delicate. The deliberate and measured shuffling of feet on the baseline, the invariable tapping of each shoe with his racquet (in an apparent attempt to shove off the dust), the exchange of balls with linemen — a defined tendency to run foul of the serve clock and of course, the manner in which bottles are immaculately lined up on his corner — set against his feverish activity and craft on court — a Spanish matador casked in elegant grace, power and speed the entire package exhibited with feline elegance does reflect his innate boy next door charm. Add to that, his impeccable behaviour with a demeanour devoid of any negativities — swear words being passe, respect and appreciation for opponents a necessary ingredient and compliance with the rules and respect of the game absolutely non-negotiable.
For me the stand-out moments have been his first victory at Wimbledon over Federer in 2008, widely regarded as one of the greatest matches ever played a five set thriller lasting close to 5 hours. And, of course, his five set defeat of Medvedev in an epic final of the Australian Open in 2022 wherein in a match lasting 5 ½ hours, he made a classic comeback after being two sets down to won his 21st Grand Slam. Having lost the first two sets, in a remarkable and spirited turnaround Nadal came back to win the next three for his 21st (then a record breaking) Grand Slam thereby becoming only the fourth player in history to complete a Double Career Grand Slam. Tired after the ordeal, he in a remarkable display of grace, careful enough not to breach protocol, with an innate respect for his rival, he gracefully sought permission from Medvedev and the organizers to sit through the presentation — just an indication of the superhuman effort it had involved to overcome a fearsome yet most respected rival across the court who he held in utmost respect.
The sight of a determined Nadal, sweating profusely clad in a sleeveless tee with his awe-inspiring biceps on full display darting across the court with furtive athleticism is something which is indelibly etched in the most recallable recesses of memory. An astounding 22 Grand Slams, a career Golden Slam, two Olympic Gold medals, assisting/leading Spain to five Davis Cup titles to boot and an infinite number of others titles (a seemingly unbeatable record) just reflect on the phenomena that is Rafael Nadal. Add to that his on and off court demeanour respect for his opponents, caring gestures towards fans and spectators and rivals and innate, in fact obsessive desire to stay away from any controversy — some of the other, attributes which make him a darling of the crowd and of course my favorite tennis star.
Talking about healthy relationship with rivals, the manner in which the big three have conducted themselves on and of the court with scarcely a word which could result in animosity spoken, behaviour at all times, a reflection of intense respect and deep affection and the manner in which they have conducted themselves should be a lesson for all in human behaviour and inter-personal relations. Despite indulging in intense competition on court these three in their behaviour whether in private as well as public appearances have exhibited the highest levels of maturity devoid of the Everestian Sabre -rattling which often accompanies competitive sport specially at the highest level. From competitors on the courts to developing some kind of a camaraderie away from it (remember the sight of Nadal almost in tears at Federer’s farewell) the big three have set the highest standards of behaviour and impeccable demeanour. The perceived frostiness between Nadal and Djokovic seems to be buried for good as evident from their recent bonding and the encomiums showered by Djokovic subsequent to Nadal’s retirement.
Some of the amazing sights that one will surely miss is the exciting yet muted celebration on winning, the gracious smile the perceptible bow to the crowds acknowledgement of your team and of course, the most evident and forthcoming handshake with the opponent who you must have defeated on that day combined with deep respect for the opponents whom you never forget to acknowledge in the post-match presentations( all coming in an elegant package) — something I may repeat of a masterclass in human conduct and sportsmanship — to top it all one will miss the sight of Nadal biting on a portion of the trophy and posing with the trophy sporting, what can only be called an impish innocent smile masking an intensely competitive interior — which has been something of a fanboy moment for me.
On a personal note, one of my biggest disappointments will remain not having seen my favourite player playing. He has come to India on a couple of occasions to take part in the Indian Premier Tennis League and to play in a Davis Cup tie but on both occasions I missed out (although I got a chance to see both Federer and Djokovic) — an opportunity which might never come again. Nadal also has a strong bond with India as reflected in the Rafael Nadal Foundation setting up an academy in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh in 2010 which provides children from marginalized backgrounds opportunities for education while taking tennis lessons.
Nadal represents the latest in a series of Spanish Tennis player with amazing records — Manuel Santana, Carlos Moya, Manuel Orantes, Conchita Martinez, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario — to name a few with the baton now passing on to Carlos Alcaraz. If not on court hope to see you off court sometime soon — Gracias Rafa for being an inspiration and role model displaying exponential levels of what your rivals called tenacity even in the face of debilitating and career threatening injuries and of course a guiding light encouraging people to follow their passion.
