Spanish legend Rafael Nadal was honoured in a ceremony at Roland Garros on Sunday that will long be remembered by those who attended in person or watched via the various media platforms.
The ceremony was simple yet powerful.
A description that aptly sums up Nadal’s modus operandi during his highly successful career on court.
There was a montage of memories of his 14 French Open title wins. There was a surprise visit by the other three members of tennis’ ‘Big 4’ – Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer greeted Rafael Nadal during the ceremony. Image: Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
The final surprise package that the French Tennis Federation had lined up for Nadal, was an imprint of his footprint on a tile with his name on the famed clay of Court Philippe Chatrier in line with the net.
Many times during the ceremony Rafael Nadal (and most of the packed stadium) were moved to tears.
In Nadal’s press conference after the ceremony, he revealed some authentic and vulnerable insights into his character and what makes him tick.
“It has been unforgettable, plenty of emotions for a guy like me that, you know, I don’t love these kinds of things because I’m still a little bit shy for all this stuff.
“You know, I don’t like a lot to be the centre of attention for these things. It was enough when I was playing tennis. But I enjoyed it, honestly. I suffered a little bit with the emotions, but I enjoyed a lot.”
‘Extremely nervous’
Rafael Nadal was asked whether he was able to think about how his life would be 20 years on after winning his first French Open crown in 2005 at the tender age of 19.
“And 20 years ago, I was thinking about the next practice, you know. I was thinking about my next tournament, and I never thought about becoming one of the best players of all time or winning Grand Slams or all this stuff.”
Nadal admitted that during his first French Open win in 2005 he was extremely nervous as well as contemplating the possibility that he could achieve something special.
“Well, it was the first tournament I approached with the feeling that something special can happen. Was the first slam that I was one of the candidates.
“So, I was nervous 100%. But at the same time, when you are 18 years old, you have plenty of energy, and in some way, you are less worried about everything, you know.
“You have this fresh mentality about not thinking much about the negative things that can happen, just thinking about the motivation of play your best, try your best, and winning.
“That’s what I remember: a guy with plenty of energy, with an amazing passion and motivation for what I was doing.”
‘Successful career’
He described the philosophy of his approach to his beloved sport of tennis.
“I just worried about trying to improve every single day. I felt that way during all my career, you know. Probably step by step, that’s why I was able to build, to build my career, this successful career.
“I always went on court on every single practice session with the goal to improve, you know. I never went on a tennis court just for practice. You know, I always went on a tennis court with the goal to improve something.
“That’s one of the keys of my longevity and my success, I think, because I had to face a lot of injuries, so without that spirit of improvement to compensate all the things that I was losing on the road, it would be impossible.”
Rafael Nadal shared that he was a player who saw himself as not being very special and a person who could lose every match he played.
“I always had doubts, and I never considered myself that good. And that’s the truth. Even today I feel that of course my numbers are amazing, but I never considered myself somebody special.
“Not trying to be humble. In a real way. Of course, my results were there, but every time when I went on court, I had the feeling that I could lose. And I never lost that feeling during all those years.”
‘Unforgettable moments’
Nadal was asked to reflect on his 14 French Open wins to select some unforgettable moments.
“But 2006 was so special for me after coming back from my very tough foot injury. That was very, very emotional.
“So, for my mentality, I remember more the tournaments that I suffered, the tournaments that I needed to fight a lot.
“Of course, 2010, after losing 2009, have been so important for me. And 2012 too, because I almost achieved the Grand Slam of finals, you know. I lost in Wimbledon. I lost in the US Open. I lost in Australia after six hours. Then I was able to break that momentum here, so that was so important for me (smiling).”
“Yeah, then of course 2020 was unexpected. 2022 was the most, probably the toughest in all ways for all the things (Covid-19) that happened before and during the tournament.”
Nadal was asked to reflect on a few of the qualities that gave him the most satisfaction over the course of his career.
“Well, in a few words, probably determination. Very important. And that brings to the next things, you know. Passion about every single day that you are going on a practice court. And that spirit of improvement.”
Playing golf
Nadal expressed that he temporarily lost some of his competitive juices when he retired from playing tennis.
“I don’t need to compete in a high stage, you know. I tell you something funny. When I retired, for the next few months I lost all my competitive spirit, you know. That’s the truth.
“I don’t know why. But I was playing golf or anything else, and I didn’t care if I lose, if I win, if I play well, if I play bad. Was a strange feeling for me, and not funny (smiling). I didn’t like to experience that, being honest, you know, because I understand the sport in other way.”
Rafael Nadal sounded relieved to report that his competitive edge had returned.
“But that’s past. I am competitive again. Just to let you know, I am enjoying my daily competitions when I play golf and when I do things, but I think in a much nicer way.”
Nadal explained that setting goals was important to him during his tennis career and that it continues to be a source of focus for him post tennis.
“But for me, it’s so important to have goals in this life, because a life without objectives is more difficult from my point of view. So, I am discovering what really excites me and motivates me to keep going.”
Life after tennis
Life after tennis seems to be treating Nadal favourably.
“And that’s all. I am having fun. I don’t miss much tennis because I feel that I gave all what I had. I arrive at the day of today with the peace that I can’t be on court.
“You know, my body don’t allow me to be on court. So, that’s all. I am in peace. I did all what I could to have the best career possible, and now I am enjoying this new phase of my life, that I am sure going to be less exciting than the tennis career, because the adrenalin that sport gives you.
“I think it’s impossible to find in other things in life. But that’s don’t mean I gonna be less happy. I can be happier with less adrenaline and taking care of different things.”
Rafael Nadal ended by revealing a funny story involving his close friend and rival, Andy Murray. Murray is a passionate Arsenal fan and Nadal fervently supports Real Madrid.
“You know, my good friend Andy that we were not in touch for a while, the day that Arsenal beat Real Madrid, when the match just finished, after one second, he texted me a message, telling me…
“I’m gonna to read it because it’s quite good (laughter). I feel that it’s quite interesting.
“’Hey, Rafa, haven’t spoken to you in a while. Just checking in to make sure you are okay.’ So honestly, take me like five seconds to realise what I was reading, because at the beginning, I said, ‘okay, he’s such a nice guy’.
“He’s asking about how I’m doing, family. After five seconds, I said, This always British sense of humour (laughter). By the way, I didn’t text him back when PSG beat Arsenal.”
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