Rafa Nadal’s most intimate letter: “The image I send to the world is not always what I feel inside”

Rafael Nadal He retired from professional tennis at the last Davis Cup held in November on Malaga. The Spanish tennis player closed two decades of professional career with a legendary track record. Throughout his career, nadal 22 Grand Slam titles, five Salad Bowls and two Olympic golds, among many other titles. Furthermore, his commitment, talent and character earned him the admiration of the entire tennis world.

Once the emotional impact of those early days was left behind, nadal Wanted to make one last ‘gift’ to all his followers with an intimate letter The Players Tribune. In it, Manacorí explains memories from his childhood as well as anecdotes experienced throughout his career. A deep reflection that goes beyond tennis and shows the most human side of Nadal.

The text begins with “a lesson that still sticks in my mind.” nadal He said that one day, when he was 12, he went fishing instead of practicing and the next day he lost a game. “I remember that, on the way home, I was crying in the car and my uncle, who at that young age had a big influence on me and made me fall in love with tennis, said to me: “It’s okay, it’s just a match of tennis, it’s useless if you want to fish a perfectionist, Also because of that inner call, I felt that day coming home to that house, one day I can be at sea, but today and tomorrow it is necessary I want to practice,” he said.

The tennis player also explained that to 17 year old was injured and was told “I will probably never play professional tennis again. I cried many days at home, but it was a good lesson in humility and I was lucky to have a family that has always been and is very close to me through everything of thing. and about all my father, the real influence I had in my life, which was always very positive.

The tennis player remembers his best moments on the court. A review of some of his great games, such as “the Davis Cup in 2004, Roland Garros in 2005, of course Wimbledon in 2008. Also my first US Open, or when I closed the circle of Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne. “I don’t forget tournaments like Madrid and Barcelona in my country, Indian Wells, Miami or Cincinnati, where I reached number 1 in the ATP Rankings for the first time.”

Finally, he clarified that throughout his career “the image I send to the world is not always what I feel inside” and he also knows how to control his emotions “with one exception. There are times in track when he had problems controlling my breathing and I couldn’t play at my best level I have no problem admitting it now, after all, we are people, not superheroes. nadal He said goodbye by assuring that “for more than 30 years I gave everything I could to this sport. In return, I received joy and happiness. Joy and happiness, love and friendship, and much more …”