After his win over Yoshihito Nishioka, Rafael Nadal was presented with the 2019 Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award in Perth.
Our champ has received this honour for a second straight year and third time overall (2010) for his fair play, professionalism and integrity on and off the court.
“It means a lot, of course winning matches and winning titles is important, but as I’ve said all my career, when the press sometimes ask me how I’d like to be remembered, I’d like to be remembered as a good person, more than a good tennis player,” said Rafa.
“I’ve worked hard all my tennis career to be under good self-control, with the right attitude every single point and fighting to the end, and also respect every single opponent. Thank you for all my colleagues on the tour.”
Congratulations one more time, Rafa!
Congratulations Rafa, you are one of the kindest and sincere tennis players out there. Your parents must be very proud of you. Loved your book and just love watching you play, you make the game really come to life.
Well deserved👏👏❤️
Congratulations Rafa…it was a hard enough match in 1st set for you . He chased everything just as you do yourself. Great work by Team Spain. Many Congratulations on your more than deserved Stefan Edberg award..a wonderful start to the new season and long may this continue. God Bless you and keep you Healthy my Champion of Champions
Congratulations, Rafa! I agree with all the comments above.
You are an inspiration to your fans around the world. Outstanding sportsman, and outstanding human being.
The ATP Cup final eight draw is up:
Spain—Belgium
Serbia—Canada
Great Vritain—Australia
Argentina—Russia
Reports are out that the air quality in Sydney is pretty bad due to all the bush fires in progress.
Rafa is already a good person! We are lucky to be Rafans. He did not play great under difficult conditions, but he did not give up. I was surprised that Rafa then played doubles to get some experience during a match. I think Rafa will be winning the Edberg award yet again before he retires.
Well done, Rafa. Much respect!
Yes, high five Rafa! While we’re on the subject of sportsmanship, it was also good to see Kyrgios behaving himself on court in the match against Tsitsipas. He said he has to behave because he’s on probation but, given the predicament his country is in with the bush fires, he’s realised that its the respectful thing to do.
Maybe one day he’ll be in contention for the Edberg Sportmanship Award, but somehow i don’t think so.
Congratulations Rafa on receiving this award. Rafa demonstrates all that is best sportsmanship, respect, good behaviour, kindness and grace. He is an inspirational person. The best
Rafa demonstrates all that is good in terms of sportsmanship, grace, kindness and respect towards all. Happy to see him being recognised with this award once again. Congratulations Rafa
A well-deserved award, for our beloved Rafa. Many congratulations to you and every single person who have made you the person that you are.
You deserve this Rafa congratulations.👍🇺🇸🎾❤️😘👍🇺🇸🎾❤️😘
Congrats-you deserve every accolade👍👏💪🤛🎾👑❤️
Congrats-you deserve every accolade. All the best👍👏💪🤛🎾👑❤️
Your love for the fans/spectators is no less than your love for the tennis game and what is more important is with right attitude. Vamps, RAFA. Have been following you since 2005 and my respect for you has been only growing each year
VAMOS SWEETHEART AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GORGEOUS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT IS BEAUTIFUL….KUDOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS AND GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
VAMOS SWEETHEART AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GORGEOUS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS AND GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) BEAUTIFUL DOUBLES TB AND BEAUTIFUL SINGLE VICTORY SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE SO SPECIAL WITH YOUR INSPIRATION AND BRILLIANT TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GREAT THREE MATCHES AND VAMOS TEAM SPAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU DELIVER SWEETHEART WHEN IT COUNTS MOST AND THAT IS SO SPECIAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING AND HAVE A BEAUTIFUL TIME CELEBRATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU AND VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
congrats, Rafa, u deserve it >< best of luck