Rafael Nadal received this tuesday Royal Road Award in the auditorium of University of Alcala de Henares. It is an award granted by the Franklin Institute of this university and lives in 2022 its fifth edition. It was given to him in the hands of King Philip VI in recognition of his efforts and excellence, understanding that Nadal, beyond his image in Spain and South America, represents sacrifice, humility in the face of success and greatness.
King Felipe VI thanked Nadal on Tuesday for being “one of the best ambassadors” of Spain. “This is the recognition of a stellar athlete who remains humble and simple, but has the motivation to keep working to improve and do it while enjoying himself”, he pointed out. “We know that he soon learned to handle physical suffering and not lose his temper and concentration because of it,” the king continued.
The monarch wants to emphasize that these values have always been inherent in Manacorí. “He is an athlete and a very good person who has always represented and continues to do so with great pride for Spain. His spirit of success and overcoming stood out even in moments when all seemed lost“, he said. “He is an obligatory reference for young people because of his honesty, ability to excel and his personal participation in various social actions”, he pointed out in clear reference to the Rafa Nadal Foundation.
The Balearic tennis player was present to receive the award and is grateful to be recognized with this recognition. Nadal also took his 2022, which he described as “complicated”. “This year has been different, complicated. Beyond injuries, due to personal and family developments. It is a year of joy and also of difficult moments,” he highlighted in a sporting key, with two Grand Slams in his bag.
In addition, Nadal made a point about his future and clarified it. “That’s why, receiving recognition like today is a joy. The goal is to continue bringing the name of Spain to the world and continue to compete“, he laughs. Because it’s clear. “I hope this award doesn’t indicate that my tennis career is over; It was not my intention,” he said.
In their work, Nadal and previous winners of this award transmit the “most genuine and positive” values, Don Felipe added after highlighting Nadal’s “impeccable and impeccable attitude”, “not only in the sports field”, as the king pointed out.
The king explained that the name of the award granted by the Benjamin Franklin Institute of UAH recalls the Camino Real de California, almost 1,000 kilometers long, which connects more than 20 Spanish missions of Alta California. For this reason, the award recognizes the work “of men and women who continue to proudly carry the name of Spain throughout the territory of North America.”
The Camino Real Award It was established in 2012, in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Institute (1987), to recognize the professional work of Spaniards who, in an outstanding and exemplary way, project and increase the positive image of Spain in the United States.
The president of Caixabank and president of the advisory council of the Franklin Institute, Jose Ignacio Goirigolzarri He explained that it was unanimously agreed to award the award to Nadal because he “represents the highest qualities of athletes: sacrifice, effort, fair play, humility in victory and greatness in the face of adversity”.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
