Beyond Tennis: Rafael Nadal - From a "Boy" to a "Man"

It is not merely watching a sporting event when it comes to being a part of Rafa’s Tennis world. It is more like reading a great tale of fiction that unfolds slowly.  The work of art of an exceptional mind, a person with numerous talents once was underestimated, or unappreciated. 

It is a journey of how he works his way through in silence, in boldness, in nobility, in certainty.  A thrilling way that makes whoever enters this Ferris wheel chooses not to exit. We keep moving with him two hundred and fifty feet above with a high note of excitement.  Once a single non-stop revolution becomes an eternity.

What has a tennis player to do with inspirations? And why does his presence offer a vital inferno which is lacking from other players? Evidence as far not much by words, mainly through his passionate approach towards his goal, life and the people involved.

Instead of letting his early achievements blind his vision, or focused on chasing a one-and-for-all big dream, Rafa is humbled rather than inflated by the privilege of fame and success. He acknowledges his fans and the public through subtle or explicit ways to better a society that has given him so much. He understands the legitimacy of “lack of progression is in fact regression.” He demonstrates great success arriving not only by natural aptitude but a reckoning of hard work.  He learnt to accept a certain degree of failure of today is the footing of a better tomorrow. He is self-confident yet not self-absorbed, fearless yet not ferocious, dignified yet not vain, upright yet un-stubborn, innocent yet not narrow-minded.     

We have seen Rafa fight through different kinds of battles. Oh, so many stages of good or bad.  Bright, dark, fiery, chilly.  Never a single moment where I am not left speechless because of his devotion or determination in competing at his best. Quite often, I feel that the string of victories or losses is no longer his personal matter. In fact, he acts as the knight in shinning armor who enters the war on our behalf. Sometimes, his eagerness to quench his or our thirst went far beyond one’s limitation and that is the moment I feel my arrogant impulse to wish him let go of the opportunity of his life. Fortunately, this novice viewpoint means to be kind has no true effort on Rafa’s path that is less about surrender than it is about conquest. 

Why not choose the easy way out when things become unbearable? That’s most of the people do. Excuses are a mean to conceal one’s defeat or weaknesses. But Rafa refuses to go down that road.

For a lot of players, losing a 4^th set tie break with such big lead against Federer in that dramatic Wimbledon would result in a 6-1 or 6-0 fall in the fifth set.  After all, where is the shame to lose to Federer on grass in five? But if you watch that set again, you’ll see that was not the case.  Rather than crumbling, Rafa went to work like an entirely new match had begun. 

This was best displayed on the game point at 40-30 for Rafa to hold for 7-7 in the 5^th set.   With each player creating spectacular saves to remain in the point, Rafa finally put it away with a demolition forehand cross-court after doubling back to save an amazing lob.  The point was so dramatic it had even Rafa’s normally stoic father on his feet punching the sky in applause. 

This message was clear, “I am not going anywhere!”

He just didn’t take order from the circumstances. He created his own. 

Difficulties are more like a leavening agent, which produces extra carbon dioxide to help him rise under extreme heat. Rising higher and higher with each occasion until he cannot be touched. Until he reaches the sky, to unlock the door of the castle in the air, the place where he longs to be. 

I am wondering are there a set of eyes not teary, nor a heart unfilled when that trophy is hoisting aloft by those hands? The hands full of strength, dexterity, and carving. With cuts and scars because of the countless hours of intensive training. The same pair of hands that gives life to each single shot, giving the crowd a wave, a thank you clap, a brush of hair when there is nowhere to find the right foreign words , to sweep away the sweat and tears when joy and pain are soaked in calmness.  And more than ever at this moment do I admire those pair of magnetic hands.

When I look back on 2005, the first time I saw Rafa play his grand slam final in Roland Garros, I thought this BOY is brilliant. What I didn't expect was I have to invent a new word "Trilliant" to describe him three years later. And I know, not far from now, a long list of "Forilliant", ""Fifilliant" will become my only expression towards this BIG MAN in the future.