triforce defender
Semi-Pro
For the most part, our judgement of players' characters are based on very limited data. We mostly base it off a player's on-court actions or their comments during interviews.
But sometimes a specific action is so noteworthy that it really speaks to the core of a person's character. I am sure that Nadal is a good person because of what happened at the 2009 AO trophy ceremony. Federer was crying during his speech and couldn't finish it. He was obviously upset about losing a tough 5-setter, and perhaps wondering if his time at the top was permanently ending. But then Nadal goes over to Federer and gives him a hug. He tells Federer during his winner's speech that Roger is still the best. And then on top of it all he gives Federer another chance to finish his runner-up speech following Rafa's own winner's speech.
It really shows what a considerate and respectable human being Rafa is. Put ourselves in Rafa's shoes. You've just won your first hard court slam over your archrival in an emotional 5 sets. You must be feeling exhilaration of the first degree. But the player you just defeated is crying at his speech. It's an awkward situation for everyone - the trophy presenters, the fans, and Nadal. And yet despite his own joy at winning, Rafa finds the sympathy to comfort Federer in his time of sorrow. Rafa could've waited for an official to do something or perhaps just pat Federer on the back. But Rafa hugs Federer like someone comforting a friend in times of trouble. He reminds Federer that he is still the best during his winner's speech. And giving Federer another chance to finish his speech ensured that Roger didn't have to end his time on the podium in tears but give a normal runner-up speech. It was classiness to the highest degree. I was already a Nadal fan for years by that point, but what he did during that trophy ceremony convinced me of Nadal's greatness as a human being.
I like to think of that incident when Nadal and Federer fans are being ugly to each other on this board because it reminds me that Rafa and Roger are above the pettiness of their worst fans and ultimately that's what matters.
But sometimes a specific action is so noteworthy that it really speaks to the core of a person's character. I am sure that Nadal is a good person because of what happened at the 2009 AO trophy ceremony. Federer was crying during his speech and couldn't finish it. He was obviously upset about losing a tough 5-setter, and perhaps wondering if his time at the top was permanently ending. But then Nadal goes over to Federer and gives him a hug. He tells Federer during his winner's speech that Roger is still the best. And then on top of it all he gives Federer another chance to finish his runner-up speech following Rafa's own winner's speech.
It really shows what a considerate and respectable human being Rafa is. Put ourselves in Rafa's shoes. You've just won your first hard court slam over your archrival in an emotional 5 sets. You must be feeling exhilaration of the first degree. But the player you just defeated is crying at his speech. It's an awkward situation for everyone - the trophy presenters, the fans, and Nadal. And yet despite his own joy at winning, Rafa finds the sympathy to comfort Federer in his time of sorrow. Rafa could've waited for an official to do something or perhaps just pat Federer on the back. But Rafa hugs Federer like someone comforting a friend in times of trouble. He reminds Federer that he is still the best during his winner's speech. And giving Federer another chance to finish his speech ensured that Roger didn't have to end his time on the podium in tears but give a normal runner-up speech. It was classiness to the highest degree. I was already a Nadal fan for years by that point, but what he did during that trophy ceremony convinced me of Nadal's greatness as a human being.
I like to think of that incident when Nadal and Federer fans are being ugly to each other on this board because it reminds me that Rafa and Roger are above the pettiness of their worst fans and ultimately that's what matters.
