From the day he was born to his family Rafael Nadal becoming a future star of men's tennis was the least thing in their thoughts all they wanted to do was make sure he grew up to be a humble and considerate human being. Both of course could happen as was evident as Rafa grew up to excel in both tennis and football no big surprise as he had uncles in both sports. His uncle Miguel Angel was a top footballer for both Spain and Barcelona, he also played for Real Mallorca in his early years as a top player, his brother Toni, Rafa's coach to this day was a top 30 tennis player who taught Rafa to play tennis from the age of 5 although he first introduced Rafa to the sport as a toddler at the age of 3. by the age of 8 Rafa was playing in tournaments across Mallorcaand practising well into the late hours of the day sometimes after dark. Rafa also played football for his local boys team scoring 100 goals with a dream of playing for his heroes Real Madrid. At the age of 12 Rafa was told by his father that playing both tennis and football could affect his school work and so he would have to choose between playing football or playing tennis and whichever one he chose he would have to give up the other. After some careful thinking Rafa decided that he would give up football and try and pursue a career in tennis, and a few weeks after he turned 13 Rafa was going to tennis club every day.
A year later at the age of 14 just a few weeks before turning pro Rafa beat Pat Cash in an exobion match, a match that will no doubt be remembered by Rafa to this day.
8 years later at the age of 22 years 2 months and 15 days Rafa became no.1 after 3 years as no.2 . An injury plagued 2009 seen Rafa plunge down the rankings to no,3 the lowest he has been in 4 years, but if Rafa wins at the US Open this fortnight he will regain his no.1 ranking as well as complete he Slam and become the only Spaniard to do so.
3 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete