Rafael Nadal Fans

Rafa Roundup: Here’s why Rafa can’t understand people who don’t want to go to Olympics

Photo by Corinne Dubreuil / FFT
Photo by Corinne Dubreuil / FFT

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“My first Grand Slam was at Wimbledon in 2003. It had always been a dream for me,” said Nadal. “But the most important thing is a victory in the second round and not the 200 victories. It’s only another number.”

“I won two matches with comfortable results. I played the way that I had to play to be in the third round,” said Nadal. “After a difficult first three games today, I played a solid match with not many mistakes and having control of the situation most of the time. I need to keep playing better if I want to have chances in the next rounds.”

Only 13 tennis players have carried their nation’s flag at the Opening Ceremony of an Olympic Games, and Rafael Nadal will join them in Rio.

“It’s a true honour,” beams Nadal, who won singles gold in Beijing in 2008 and played doubles as a 17-year-old in 2004. “I’m very excited. For me it was an amazing feeling when I was told I would carry the flag in 2012. It was terrible news when I had to pull out.” Instead he had to watch at home as basketball’s Pau Gasol proudly bore the standard instead.

Nadal continued on his stance: “Everybody is free to do what’s better for [themselves], but I know how tough was for me when I had to lose the 2012 Olympics in London. For sure, I cannot understand people who don’t want to go to Olympics. No, is something that is not every year. Is an event that you can compete only once, twice, or three in your career maybe, if you are lucky.”

The former No. 1 and French Open champion penned a short but heartfelt letter to Nadal — anyone can do so via a Nike store in Paris — in which he called the soon-to-be 30-year-old “inspiring.” Agassi then posted it on Twitter.

“It took me most (of) my career to accomplish the herculean task of winning the French Open one time,” Agassi wrote. “Watching you attempt to win it for the tenth time is not only remarkable … it is inspiring. You make me believe in life that anything is achievable and nothing is impossible!”

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66 comments

  2. Rafa, Mother Nature is still lamenting your absence in Paris. She is still shedding tears on Roland Garros where her torrent has forced cancellation of an entire day’s games. In 2016, this makes it 16 years since the FO had to cancel a day of play.
    How she and I miss you!

    RAFA ROCKS

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  4. Rafa most likely has heard all the suggestions regarding his training but he would probably crack up in hysteric at the thought of needing an “orthodontic trainer.”

    ROCK ON RAFA

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    • Nadal was diagnosed with a rare congenital foot condition at the end of 2005. A bone in his foot, called the tarsal scaphoid, is deformed, causing intense pain. A doctor told him he might never play again. He is required to wear innersole(s) to prevent the foot from moving within the shoe. Note that the first thing he does when leaving the court is to loosen the shoe laces. His trainers are 1/2 size too small to stop his feet moving around. It was mentioned a long time ago, perhaps even before Nadal won his first slam. It’s the true culprit of his injuries and not his revolutionary game. Made public in his autobiography.

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      • Hi Teresa, I read Rafa’s auto-bio a few years ago. I couldn’t figure out why you sent me that post so I ignored it.
        I just realized you meant to send it to me because I posted Rafa would crack up about needing an “orthodontic coach.” If Rafa were ever to read that he would probably smile or laugh figuring it was a typo just like I did. It apparently was not a typo so no disrespect meant. Orthodontics has to do with teeth, orthopedics has to do with bones so I am sure you can appreciate that the thought of needing an “orthodontic trainer” would be funny.

        RAFA ROCKS

  5. Maritza Llenas I became in love with Rafa when he was19 and saw him play! A very famous reporter sittig next to me said; “if he continues play like that only he will soon be plagued with injuries.! a prophecy today I watched the entire era of Sampras, Agassi, Becket (jojo headcoach) and never saw them with injuries. tennis is not just serve and hit, you need clever tips and trcks too Wk too. With due respect to Uncle Toni, he only knows backyard tennis. Talk to Sampras, Agassi, Mcelroe. etsc. skip W he ha toskip wimbledon and olimpycs !! heal your mind and body first so not t play with fear,,My heartr hurts so much much fo him..and don’t expect him backsoon,,take ur time to focus on where ur going..prayung that u willmake some drastic changes in the future heal soon! my heart goes to u Rafa!

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  6. it was very sad news….i was shocked when i heard that nadal has pulled out due to injury…i was waiting for semifinal against novak… but now RG is over for me…
    GET WELL SOON Rafa…

    Reply

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