ARTICLES:
- Rafael Nadal: Why Spaniard’s absence from French Open is hard to imagine even now it’s happening | BBC
No matter how many times you repeat to yourself ‘Rafael Nadal is missing the French Open’, it still seems almost impossible.
The Spaniard who is synonymous with Roland Garros, the red clay and the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy that he has lifted a record 14 times will not be there when this year’s edition starts on 28 May because he is not fit enough following a hip injury.
Even the fact it is a physical issue that is keeping him out is almost inconceivable when you consider he won the title last year with a completely left numb foot because of multiple pain-killing injections.
- Rafael Nadal and deserved happiness | El Pais
Since 2003, when he began to make his mark among the ATP elite, Nadal has missed 13 Grand Slam tournaments due to physical ailments and has been sidelined for a total of around four years, adding together the duration of all his injuries. Despite this, he was able to surpass the record set by Federer at major tournaments and to keep pace with the other member of the Big Three, Novak Djokovic, who turns 36 next Monday, without ever throwing in the towel. He is still holding off on doing so now, but wisdom and what comes tomorrow have prevailed. For some time, he has spoken with his heart on his sleeve about his physical issues, confessing that the end in sight during the farewell tournament for his Swiss comrade, with both players in tears in a photograph that went around the world.
- Sporting press react to Rafa Nadal’s withdrawal from Roland Garros with iconic front pages | express.co.uk
The French press reacted to the loss of their ‘King of Clay’ with an emotional front cover on L’Equipe, showing Nadal sprawled out on Court Philippe Chatrier. “Une terre sans son roi,” it read, translating to “a land without its King”.
An enlarged photo of Nadal’s face covered Marca, with the caption “Que hadas qui nos tienes para siempre”, translating literally to “What do you do here, you have us forever.” Meanwhile, AS quoted the Spaniard directly from his presser, writing: “I don’t deserve to end like this.”
Newspapers like ABC also led with the news of Nadal’s withdrawal and eventual retirement, writing: “Nadal, goodbye in his own way.” With all of the Spanish newspapers using photos of Nadal from his press conference, El Pais wrote: “Nadal will stop for a few months and prepare his retirement in 2024.”
- Rafael Nadal plans to move into new home with wife, family this summer | sportskeeda.com
Located at the highest part of Porto Cristo, the house is said to have been completed after three years of work. The family of Nadal, as per Diario de Mallorca, is expected to move into the luxury location at the beginning of summer. The move would make a lot of sense as the couple, who welcomed their first child in October, look to settle down.
Architect Tomeu Esteva, who founded the Palma-based firm Esteva i Esteva, had been commissioned to design the house. It is built on a 7,000-square-meter land that includes four volumes, two two-story buildings, and a basement plus a bonus couple of one-story buildings each.
With each floor featuring large windows and terraces, the luxury house built atop the seaside cliffs makes for the perfect setting to bear witness to the open waters. The main buildings at the house are interconnected and have a garden and a pool.
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rafa’s new house in Porto Cristo | Diario de Mallorca
Social media related to Rafa:
Let’s celebrate the wonderful person who Rafa is and the amazing things he’s achieved, despite the adversity.
The Telegraph Tennis Podcast features a lovely edition about Rafa entitled “Rafael Nadal Reflections as the End Nears… It’s really good and highly recommended.
No matter how big or scenic or magical the house is, it won’t heal the injury.
I love your new home I really hope you’re both oh and all three of you are happy there I hope you heal soon and we’ll be able to see you one more time playing tennis.
Oh Rafa, I will be so sorry to see you go. I know how hard tennis is on your body especially as you start to get a little older and you’re still young. So, I think you’re making the right decision I would love to see you go through another season if you’re healthy and then go out on a good note and go down in history as one of the best ever. All the best to you your wife and your little baby. P.s. your new home looks lovely and I hope you enjoy it for many years to come
p.s.
Looks great. Always with Rafa❤️
Rafa
Le deseo mucha felicidad en su nuevo hogar lleno de muchas bendiciones siempre y que Dios los bendiga a todos. Disfruten su neva casa que bella es.
Los quiero
Su fan Carmen
Congrats to you and your family!🤩 Wishing you lots of love and happiness in your new home.🥰
A beautiful location. Heal well and enjoy Home Sweet Home. All the best to the Nadal family-lucky baby Rafa👨👩👦❤️🍀
Dear Rafa Mery and baby Rafa.
Your future home is absolutely beautiful. In fact a palace fit for the King of tennis you are. I wish for you to heal fully so you can play as much of your loved sport over the next 18 months or more.
Porto Cristo is a beautiful part of Mallorca. Long Life and Happiness Evermore in your new home. May the Almighty God Bless each of you, keep you healthy and safe therein.🙏
Wow! Simply breathtaking beauty. Banal worked very hard for the money he earned, sounds like a great settling down with his family.Whether it’s Manacor or Mallorca it’s his turf. Well deserved, main thing:please heal well, I eventually will get used to not be able to see him on the courts.