Sometimes we wonder if we’re truly tennis fans or just die-hard Rafael Nadal fans. When our champ isn’t playing, we barely watch any tennis—something always feels missing, and the joy just isn’t the same. With the US Open approaching, it’s bittersweet knowing Rafa won’t be competing, as he’s gearing up to play in Berlin later at the Laver Cup.
In the meantime, while escaping the summer heat with Netflix, we couldn’t help but spot a familiar face—or rather, a familiar statue. In the first episode of Emily in Paris (4th season), we caught a glimpse of Rafa’s statue at Roland-Garros! Even though it’s just for a second, it made our Thursday infinitely better.
The statue, sculpted by Spaniard Jordi Díez Fernandez, stands near the new general public entrance gate and the Jardin des Mousquetaires. Made entirely of steel, it’s 3 meters tall, 4.89 meters wide, and 2 meters deep, capturing Rafa mid-swing—an iconic tribute to the Mallorcan legend, who has dominated the Paris clay since his unforgettable debut in 2005, leading to 14 Roland-Garros titles.
Once Rafa is completely healed physically perhaps he’ll compete again, like a second wind in his career. He does not talk of retirement at all. Is there something I am missing here
Or is it wishful thinking? Am I the one who can’t let go?
I never got to watch him ‘live’!
Guys I cannot see the Rafa in that Emily in Paris clip….can someone tell me the exact time in the video…Please
Whether tennis brought you to Rafa, or Rafa made you a tennis fanatic, it is still good.
Rafa’s charisma and style of play make you realize the enormity of effort required to
achieve his status. There are few athletes that have me up at ungodly hours to follow
their fates-without him in the mix, it is not the same drama. The mental acuity is mind
blowing. As long as you are playing, we are there. No one compares to you 🥰👏🙏
So true… How many nights I stayed up all night battling along with Rafa. Against Roger and Djokovic, it was never a walk in the park for Rafa… Most of the time they were Five setters! I wanted Rafa to win… It could put me in a lousy mood if he lost and an exuberant mood if he won. I guess you would call me a fanatic Rafa fan! I would rearrange my work schedule if he were playing at a time when I was working. Although we all endured Rafa’s injuries… in a way it prepared us for the inevitable… I just could not fathom tennis without him. Now that he has baby Rafa and he’s almost surely going to retire, I have come to terms with it. I will never forget how passionate I was and how I understood everyone on this site… We all felt the same way! It was a great 16 years and if I could, I would do it all over again! I do not watch much tennis anymore, but check in on it just to see if Rafa may be playing! He is, of course, the GOAT for me… Along with his impeccable, sportsmanship and staggering résumé Rafa has a bright aura that just attracts you to him! To see Maria and baby Rafa in the stands watching him play.. warms my heart! I will always be so grateful to Rafa for all the years he entertain me! 🩷🩷Rafa
Will miss Rafa so much glad I had an opportunity to watch him play in Cape Town just so special as they he has been 1 of 1
I have decided to unfollow tennis until Rafa plays again! There is a sense that when Rafa wins, the world wins! 🫶🏼
I love most sports and the athletes who play them. I say most as I find it difficult to appreciate swimming and boxing. The first, because I do not see much of them in the water. The second, well – I consider it violent.
But tennis – I love tennis, period. My first tennis love was Stefan Edberg. Then Pete Sampras, later – Roger Federer. Until Rafa beat Roger in the Oz Open while consoling the teary Roger. I saw Rafa, the human being.
Rafa will always occupy that special place in my heart for as long as I live.
I swear the first sentence was written for me and about me! So true, we miss him…
❤️
I thought i was the only one Lol….questioning Do I love Tennis…Or is it Just RAFA lol. The answer is obvious. There is no Competition. Rafa wins..when he’s not playing I don’t watch. There’s something SPECIAL missing…that RAFA MAGIC that ONLY RAFA GIVES!!! From day 1 He has been 1 of 1.