ARTICLES:
“I’m going to die to be ready again to compete for everything,” he says. “I’m going to work more than ever to try to make that happen and I have big determination to put me in a position to fight again for important things.”
“When I had the problems in my knees when I was younger it was so tough when I used to wake up in the morning and go to practise, and I didn’t enjoy that. When you are not healthy then it’s tough. It’s tough now, but it was also tough when I was 20. But at the moment I am enjoying what I am doing and having fun. For me, it takes a lot of effort to come from last year, when I had a tough year and it was hard work, to get back where I was before the injury this year. So I’m really motivated to come back to where I was before the injury happened because I feel ready for it.”
“I’m really here to honour the great man, Rafa. I think it’s wonderful that he’s taken this journey on to give the kids something back,” Federer said. “I’ve been around the game 17 years. I’ve seen a lot of hard workers and inspiring players, but you’ve been the one in my opinion who has been the most inspiring and most influential and made me the player I am today. Because you’re left-handed, because of your spin, because of the intensity you bring to the court, I had to re-invent and re-work my game entirely. And that’s because of the person you are and how much you’ve trained.”
- How Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Built Tennis’ Friendliest Rivalry | bleacherreport.com
Their tennis styles differ, but their work ethics and values are one and the same. They understand that life is much greater than being perhaps the greatest players to play their sport.
Their camaraderie grows as they slip into the twilight of their careers, but they have left indelible footprints in the sands of yesteryear.
Fedal is a special rivalry. It’s a warm day in the midst of a nuclear winter, a refreshing example of sportsmanship and friendship, first and last.
- Mats Wilander backs Rafael Nadal to win another Grand Slam as injury comeback continues | ibtimes.co.uk
“I think Rafa wants to get to 10 French Opens, that’s obvious. I think Roger Federer’s 17 majors are still within reach. He’s only 30 years old,” Wilander said on the sidelines of the tennis academy opening.
“People are worried about his health. Yes, he’s going to get injured because he’s a crazy man. He takes himself into the ditch. He drives himself into the ground and comes back. Realistically he’s going to win at least another grand slam...”
“The last two months before the injury I had been playing at the highest level, competing against everybody with good chances, and winning events,” he said.
“That’s what I need — be healthy and keep practicing with the same motivation and the rest of the things are going to come back. I believe that I can fight for important things.”
VIDEOS:
- Rafa Nadal Tour by Mapfre 2016 en Teledeporte
- Rafael Nadal Sports Centre Launch Uncovered 2016 | ATP
- Dekton & Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar | CosentinoTV
- Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar 360º
Has anyone seen Rafa’s latest haircut post US Open?
@RNF can you please advise how this rating thing works. I have read all the comments and find that those wishing Rafa gets enough rest, wishing him well, etc., have received negative ratings.
A very insulting comment about Rafa actually received a positive rating. Obviously there must be some fake Rafa fans here. Is there any way of you exposing them so that Rafa fan comments are not unjustly given negative ratings? Thanks
Margo you are just as disgusting as I thought you were. Incredible.
I truly apologize that my with tongue in cheek comment has disgruntled you so.
There is no way @RNF would literally “expose” anyone for unfairly giving a member’s positive comment a negative rating or vice versa.
I find it sad that some members feel it necessary to preclude a comment with, “I am a true Rafa fan but…,” when he/she is about to offer a difference of opinion. I am not including nasty and mean-spirited comments.
RAFA WILL ROCK ABU DHABI
Margo: typical politically correct. asking for censorship and oppressing of anyone dare to oppose them and have different point of view. what a sense of entitlement. you seriously think 14 millions of Rafa’s fan (faccebook fans) have the same opinion. Are you kidding me?
@Sosa LaFarte
Please reread my comment and look up the meaning of censorship, which I never advocated for.
What I did do was to question the FACT that comments wishing Rafa well; wishing him the best, wishing he gets rest, and wishing him goodwill, received thumbs down ratings while a mean spirited comment received thumbs up.
I also stated that fans should not feel compelled to attest to their status or loyalty as a fan by precluding a statement with, “I am a true fan,” etc., before voicing an opinion that others may disagree with.
Ad hominem attacks serve no one. My own status as a fan was questioned when I admitted I didn’t realize Rafa had never won the WTF. I thought Rafa had won EVERYTHING, but that’s just me being a fan.
RAFA ROCKS
Realistically, Rafa should be resting but he stated he would “take a few days off then start practice and exercise.” He didn’t give his wrist a chance to heal, he won’t rest, he wants to practice and exercise thinking those are the keys to winning. He is overlooking his deficits. I will wish him the best and see what fruit his methods bring forth.
He plans to start playing at the end of Dec. I think he is rushing but I am not himself and his doctor. I hope he is careful about his injury this time. I think he should not play any tournaments before AO…
I was saddened on not seeing Rafa included in the lineup for London. I am sure Andy’s mum is very proud to see him in the number one spot.
Good luck to all at this ATP year-end tournament.
Big talk by Rafa about being ready to compete for slams again. Not very credible from a man who quit his entire season because of long term performance anxiety. He was too nervous to play in Halle and Paris, but – now that the new season is still far away – he sits on a high, optimistic horse. The talk does not work anymore. You ‘fighted’ hard for 3 years now. But you failed to deliver.
Basel and Paris.