The Road Less Traveled - An Impossible Journey : The New #1 Rafael Nadal

Katie walked into the teacher's room without anyone noticing.  She left an envelope on Ms Strict's desk and slipped around to the back door.  Inside the envelope were a monitor badge and a note that wrote:

"Dear Ms Strict,
Sorry I don't want to be the monitor anymore. I want recess. No more watching kids good or bad.  I want gold stars if my test marks high.  I want the same like other kids. Bad kids got lollipop when they stop talking. But you sigh when I don't bring my paint brush. Only one time but you are not happy..."
Love Katie

I am sitting here and looking at Rafa's career titles record. Suddenly, a funny idea popped into my mind. Are some of the critics Ms Strict and Rafa like little Katie?  Are they taking for granted those that do well to always do well?  And consider any of Rafa's success no more a surprise, rather an expected result? And Rafa doesn't need compliments because doing well is an expectation instead of an accomplishment?

When Rafa was eighteen, not even close to being in the world's top ten, he took the first two sets off the world champion Federer in Miami. Even though the final went sour for Rafa, "What a scare!" was the definite expression written all over Roger's face.

In 2006 he beat hard court icon Agassi and went on taking the trophy home. Same year he won Master Series Madrid played indoors.  Making great strides in 2006, he left his footprint in Dubai after he brought Roger down in the final. He went on to win Indian Wells in 2007, and make yet again the finals of Miami in 2008.  In between, he reached two Winbledon final in two consecutive years. But all these victories are as crumbly as a piece of blackboard chalk that people continue to refer to him as a clay court specialist who doesn't have the game to play on other surfaces, especially hard courts. In response to this, he simply said, "I don't think those people watch me play except on clay" But you can read his uneasiness and confusion, not to mention my own.

A lot of players don't do well on all surfaces. Apparently, different prospects or standards are applied when judging their performances. So often, a player known as a hard court player receives higher praise than the one who is defined as a clay court player. Even though the work of those unrecognizable players have wider and more complete skills in general.  Sampras and Federer's continual failure has proven conquering the dirt is the most arduous task. Nonetheless, not one of these factors helps or convinces the public that each success should be applauded equally.

Again, I am puzzled. Have some of the players like Rafa been given too little opportunity to indulge in the lollipops that they deserve? It also makes me wonder, if the way to classify a player is to count by most wins on a surface, there can be little question that Roddick is a hard court player while Henman is a grass court player.  Interestingly, nobody uses my terminology to label either Andy or Tim.  Going back to my assumption, are those critics too hard on this "good kid" that no matter how good he is, they still believe he is not good enough and still have reasons to pick on him? 

Some were said, "Proof. We need more proof!"

Katie quit because she was tired of being neglected or under-praised. How about Rafa?

"Quitting? You can't be serious!"

Moving his eyes from his beloved land of crimson with his fourth trophy, he stepped foot on the lawn for the first time since last June. The scent of acrid sensation flashed a heartbreaking memory into his mind. Oh...A tremendous effort had been washed out. But Rafa recovered, to no ones surprise.

Bucket of balls kissed tight corners and lines, Nadal improved each aspect of his games. No more a guest, he hosted a victory party at Queen's.  Transition?  Where's the need? Home sweet home. Rest is a luxury.  His mind had already flown to miles away, another challenge.  Chances come by chance.  A valuable lesson stuck at his heart. "This time I will clutch it with the grip of a vice. "

Pressure and expectations are harder to handle than tough opponents or the unpredictability of mother-nature.   Not to worry though, for he has sealed himself off in a private zone in which he can invoke extra concentration and belief. The simplicity of his motto: Taking bite-sized morsels rather than swallowing it all whole.

Like salmon, Rafa prepared physiologically for his life long spawning  trip. One match at a time. One point at a time. Keep swimming. Climate changed, water flow increased, wind shifted, he adapted. A sole hiccup, only one set on the way to confront the lord of the land. 4 hours and 48minutes classic duel, swords clashing, saber's rattling, chests heaving, muscles burning. May the best player win; being second best is no shame.

Applause, whistle, another round of applause. Before he rose to the surface of reality, Rafa heard his name called. In a mixture of pride for the achievement and relief that the drama was over, he became the twinkle of delight in the galaxy. A second time, sheet of tears rolled down from his face. But this time he used the champion chalice to catch it instead of his empty hands.

The hard court season has been a problematic time of year for Rafa, he admitted.  But not because of his ability, rather due to the hazard the surface places to the players. Nonetheless, Toronto trip was another blast.  Rafa out-classing a plucky American, powerful Russian, flashy French, gritty Britain on the road to his showdown with a wily veteran German in the finals.   The whole experience of winning centre stage on three very different surfaces left doubters bloated spoon-feeding themselves with their own words.

"Time to take a break, Rafa!"
"Not yet!"

The hottest month in Cincinnatishows no mercy to anybody. Warmth and humidity made a slightly fuss on Rafa's body and mind. "Not at my best." He claimed. However his pinpoint diverse serves and uncanny passing shots told another story. Traveling in quest of his dream for a few years, every winning point bringing him closer to this historic milestone.  Run, stroke, run.  Chase, hit, chase.  His superior mental fortitude and versatility in adjusting his game against Haas and Lapenti showed the world he is not blessed by luck to have those physical attributes.  He is in fact, an exceptional player, with a unique ambidextrous talent of playing left handed when he is a natural righty who really puts in a colossal effort into his craft.

After two hours, soaking in sweat, a deep breath taken, feeling Uncle Toni's reassurance nod, last glanced at his opponent and his destiny, he spun in a wide knuckle ball serve that Lapenti hit long. Rafa let out a long withheld cry of ultimate victory. 

In the end, justice was finally served.