“I will try to take another step forward in Madrid, then in Rome, and, if in a tournament it is worth going out there to give everything and die for it, then it is Paris.”
Rafael Nadal on preparing to play Roland Garros (“The French Open”) after his second round loss at Barcelona
When I read these words, I had that feeling you feel when you read someone who can write well. My head turned to the side, my left eye squinted, and I read it again. Shivers.
Even to someone who doesn’t know anything about tennis, or what this tournament means to this man, by reading these words, you can perhaps understand a little. Think of what you would give up for one last chance at something that has defined your life for many years, something that you have always been successful at and have been above and beyond the competition. You don’t have to be a professional sports player to get this analogy, you could apply any industry or undertaking. Anything in what you have invested your soul and your body which is now breaking down, counts.
I’ve never touched red clay. I’ve never felt it under my feet. I have seen green clay and tried to walk on it with regular sneakers. I almost fell. The surface is terribly slick. There’s a reason why they wear spiked sneakers. Playing tennis on the clay – it’s not simply tennis, it’s ballet and gymnastics, too. It’s a feat of elegant endurance. It’s magical.
Rafa is the King of Clay and will always be the King of Clay. Roland Garros will always be Rafa’s home.
My wish for Rafa is that he is able to walk out onto center court – Philippe Chatrier – to the sounds of cheers from tennis fans, and fight to the end, no matter the result. I can’t say it any better, any more eloquent, precise nor perfect than he.
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“It's Amy,” I said. 
The vivid description of playing tennis on clay adds another layer of appreciation for Nadal’s mastery of the surface and the unique challenges it presents.👍
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😊
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Dear Rafa. May he have a great tournament. I would love to see him go ouy on top. However it ends he is a champion
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Agree. 😊
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Bravo 👏🏼. I know Rafa has a big heart and will fight to the end.
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He does. He’s very open with how big his heart is, and shows it often through happy – as well as sad tears. I could see the scenario playing out as soon as he announced he was coming back. I know the goal is always the French for him. So he will pull out of Rome if he has to, and I know he doesn’t expect to go very far in Paris, but as you said he will fight. 💪
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I had seen a few documentaries/interviews about him and he is definitely a great man. My hope is that he finishes his career strong and without any major injuries.
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He is really great. I hope he doesn’t get injured again at the tail end of his career. Yikes, that would not be good. 😳
Did you know he has Muller-Weiss Syndrome? It’s a degenerative condition that affects the bones in the foot. He’s been playing with severe pain in his foot since 2005. It’s sort of makes what he’s accomplished that much more remarkable.
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Wow, I didn’t know that. You are right, that makes his accomplishments more remarkable.
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Indeed. 😊
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Perfect sentiments and I love me some tennis! We need night games for the people who burn up in sunlight (lol, me)!
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Night matches are a thing. 😊 night matches in New York are the best thing. 😎
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