octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Photo Shoot
Rafa has a photo shoot at his academy today:
Vamos Rafa!
...
Nadal News 2.0
- Thread starter LazyNinja19
- Start date
- Status
Rafa has a photo shoot at his academy today:
Vamos Rafa!
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor
Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in Manacor
The academy is part of the sports centreMaría Pérez, a Spanish successful race walker, visited Rafa’s academy and gifted her signed T-shirt to Rafa’s museum.
M. Pérez holds the world record for the 35 km race walk since May 2023. She completed a golden double at the 2023 World Championship as she won the gold medal in the 20 and 35 kilometers race walk. (Source: Wikipedia)
The first picture: María Pérez with Maribel Nadal, the Commercial & Marketing Director of Rafa’s sports centre /academy:
María Pérez (racewalker) - Wikipedia
Vamos!
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Rattie
Legend
Hoping us non Spanish speakers get to know what he says
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Gym Training in Mallorca
September 15, 2023Rafa probably came from the gym (pictured with a Spanish decorator):
Vamos Rafa!
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa Nadal Academy in Kuwait
There are padel courts not only at Rafa’s sports centre /academy in Mallorca, but also at his academy in Kuwait that celebrated its 3rd anniversary last week.
to Rafa's academy in Kuwait for offering a variety of sports!...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
The video was filmed & photos taken on Thursday or Friday (Today, he is playing golf.) :
Vamos Rafa!
...
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Relaxing Time
Rafa is going to play again in a golf tournament this coming weekend. He is on the entry list for the 5th leg of the XIV Hexagonal Qromia tournament series taking place at the T Club in Palma de Mallorca. This is a team competition, he will play for his academy. The tournament will last two days (16 and 17 September) and have 3 sessions, but 60 teams (consisting of 4 players) will be divided into 3 groups (20 teams per group) and each team will play one session.
Vamos Rafa!
...
On Saturday morning:
Screenshots of the video
The most important thing is that Rafa is capable of playing golf. I hope that his recovery from the injury and return to competitive tennis will go as planned.
Vamos Rafa!
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa & Sponsor – Babolat
To celebrate the start of the academic year at the Rafa Nadal Academy, Babolat is giving away a "Pure Aero Rafa" racquet. The RNA and Babolat announced an Instagram Giveaway (or an Instagram contest), the winner of which will be awarded the racquet.
Good luck to all contestants!
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Relaxing Time
Rafa is going to play again in a golf tournament this coming weekend. He is on the entry list for the 5th leg of the XIV Hexagonal Qromia tournament series taking place at the T Club in Palma de Mallorca. This is a team competition, he will play for his academy. The tournament will last two days (16 and 17 September) and have 3 sessions, but 60 teams (consisting of 4 players) will be divided into 3 groups (20 teams per group) and each team will play one session.
Vamos Rafa!
...
One more picture & video from Saturday:
The guy on the far right is Tomeu Salva, one of Rafa's close friends since childhood and currently a coach at his academy:
Vamos Rafa!
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Gym Training in Mallorca
September 15, 2023The Instagram picture of Rafa (with a Spanish photographer & decorator) was taken in the hallway after training in the gym on Friday. There is some sort of device on his right forearm. To monitor something?
Vamos Rafa!
...
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Michael Phelps compliments Rafa
M.Phelps compliments Rafa swimming in the pool:
Via Michael Phelps' Instagram stories
Rafa is swimming in the pool of his new seafront house in Porto Cristo, a small coastal town within the Manacor municipality (about 13.8 km / 8.6 miles from the centre of Manacor).
His new house is situated across the bay from his parents' seaside house, where he has mainly lived since he was 21 years old. Before that, he lived in the centre of Manacor. (Source: his autobiography.)
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Artwork
A painting titled "Rafael Nadal" by American sports artist Jeff Gomez is displayed at the "Art Without Borders" show at Osceola Arts, a centre for arts and culture in Florida, the USA:
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Relaxing Time
It appears that Rafa played golf today (Sunday), too, but he did at Real Golf de Pedrena located near the city of Santander in northern Spain. I assume that he travelled there to fulfill his contractual obligations towards his sponsor, Banco Sandander (a Spanish multinational bank headquartererd in the city of Santander; it's also Spain's largest bank).
Wikipedia: “Pedreña is a village in the municipality of Marina de Cudeyo, Cantabria, northern Spain. Although located 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Santander by road, it lies on a peninsula only about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) across the bay from Santander."
Pedreña - Wikipedia
Added on September 18:
Vamos Rafa!
...
...
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Relaxing Time
Rafa met with the family of late Spanish pro golfer Severiano "Seve" Ballesteros in the village of Pedreña where he played golf on Sunday.
Severiano Ballesteros (1957 – 2011) was a World No. 1 golfer and one of the sport's leading figures from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He was born in the village of Pedreña located in the autonomus community of Cantabria. The airport of Cantabria has been named after him.
S.Ballesteros' children are also nephews of Ana Botin, the president of Banco Santander (Rafa's sponsor).
Rafa was accompanied by Pau Gasol, a Spanish former pro basketballer, who has been Rafa’s friend since Rafa was about 17 years old.
Seve Ballesteros - Wikipedia
Vamos!
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Relaxing Time
Don Rafael Nadal spent his Sunday evening in Madrid, at the newly renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where he watched Real Madrid's match:
Rafa Nadal, espectador de excepción en el Santiago Bernabéu
El tenista mallorquín asiste al encuentro entre el Real Madrid y la Real Sociedad en el palco del flamante feudo madridista. El tenista mallorquín asiste al encuentro entre el Real Madrid y la Real Sociedad en el palco del flamante feudo madridista
www.ultimahora.es
Vamos Don Rafael Nadal!
...
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
More pictures (2 of 4 pictures are not in my previous post):
Don Rafael looks happy
:
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tennis_error
Professional
Nice to see Rafa enjoying, golfing, doing sponsorship obligations... But, when will he start playing little tennis? Only 4 months till AO. He can't play on high level at slam without few months of training and playing some matches. Any news on this?
And no pictures of Ciska, I miss her
And no pictures of Ciska, I miss her
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Post #39,021:Nice to see Rafa enjoying, golfing, doing sponsorship obligations... But, when will he start playing little tennis? Only 4 months till AO. He can't play on high level at slam without few months of training and playing some matches. Any news on this?
And no pictures of Ciska, I miss her
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/nadal-news-2-0.496732/page-781#post-17651013
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Relaxing Time
Rafa played golf again today. He participated in a charity golf tournament to benefit the Pau Gasol Foundation, taking place at the Golf Sandander club in Madrid:
https://www.golfsantander.es/websantander/golf
Rafa and Spanish most famous former pro basketballer Pau Gasol, who played for many NBA teams and also for the Spanish national basketball team from 2001 to 2021 (retired), have been friends since they met for the first time at a Nike event in Barcelona, when Rafa was 16 -17 years old. In 2018, P.Gasol said he had watched 8 of 11 Rafa's FO final matches from the stands.
P.Gasol attended the 2018 graduation ceremony of the Rafa Nadal School (RNS) in Mallorca. The RNS is situated within Rafa's academy and allows young athletes to combine tennis and studies.
In March 2020, Rafa and Paul Gasol launched the #NuestraMejorVictoria (or #CruzRojaResponde) campaign with the aim of raising funds to fight the pandemic in Spain. The goal was to raise 11 million euros, they surpassed that goal by raising over 14 million euros.
Pau Gasol has been Rafa’s business partner at the TATEL restaurant chain for many years.
to Rafa & Pau Gasol!...
tennis_error
Professional
So, recovery time is 5 months, from June. That's November. If he starts playing tennis then, can he get in form in two months? It will be narrow time window.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor
Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in Manacor
The academy is part of the sports centreRafa’s sports centre /academy will host the International Enrique Esteire Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament from 16 to 18 October.
The creators of the tournament write on Instagram (excerpts from 2 posts; translated from Spanish via Google):
1. “We want to extend our most sincere thanks to the Rafa Nadal Academy for opening its doors and becoming our home during the International Enrique Esteire Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament.
Your support has been essential to make this event a success and to promote wheelchair tennis to the place it deserves. We couldn't have chosen a better place to celebrate our passion for this sport. Thank you for being part of these exciting days!”
2. “Our initiative was born from the deep desire to honor the memory of Enrique Esteire, a passionate promoter of tennis and a true visionary. He strongly believed in equal opportunity in sport and worked tirelessly to make wheelchair tennis accessible to all.
We decided to take his legacy one step further and create the International Enrique Esteire Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. We want not only to pay tribute to his memory, but also inspire others to join us in promoting value and equality in sport.
In this tournament, we celebrate the bravery and determination of wheelchair players who overcome challenges with an indomitable spirit. It is a tribute to their courage and a platform to show the world their exceptional abilities.”
to Rafa's sports centre /academy!...
Rafa the King
Hall of Fame
We’ll know more tonight. He’s giving an interview.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
More pictures (still & moving):
Rafa & Pau Gasol in a golf cart:
Nacho Aranda is a journalist:
to Rafa & Pau Gasol!...
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
Genny_SS on Twitter translated the following from an interview with Pau Gasol (I cannot embed the tweet because her tweets are protected):
Pau on Rafa's return:"He's very excited to return & enjoy next season & end his career, whenever it has to happen, in the best possible way and, above all, enjoying on court. I see him very motivated & working to be back on tour fighting & making us happy"
Pau on Rafa's return:"He's very excited to return & enjoy next season & end his career, whenever it has to happen, in the best possible way and, above all, enjoying on court. I see him very motivated & working to be back on tour fighting & making us happy"
Rafa the King
Hall of Fame
Anyone else hoping that Rafa might just extend his final year by one year, in order to play a last RG in 2025?
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa:"Yes, I'm motivated to play again & be competitive. But not for winning RG or AO. People shouldn't make a mistake. I'm very aware at this moment of my life all that is quite far away. I'm not saying it's impossible,as I've always said things in sport can change very quickly"
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa's interview that Movistar Plus+ will broadcast tonight was pre-recorded. Movistar Plus+ has tweeted some clips, preparations among them:
Vamos Rafa !
...
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
Via Genny_SS
From another teaser of tonight's Rafa's interview: " My true hope is, in 2 months [mid Nov] to have a clear idea of where I'm, analyze my position & what's my roadmap. Will next season be my last season? I think chances that it will are very high, but I can't confirm it at 100%"
From another teaser of tonight's Rafa's interview: " My true hope is, in 2 months [mid Nov] to have a clear idea of where I'm, analyze my position & what's my roadmap. Will next season be my last season? I think chances that it will are very high, but I can't confirm it at 100%"
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Nadal sounding like 2017 Undertaker lol
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa is sure someone will translate his interview to English. Let's hope.
Via Rafa IG stories
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
To Spanish speakers:
Rafa's full interview in Spanish:
Vamos Rafa!
...
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
The Spanish newspaper Marca published a long article about Rafa’s interview. I used Google Translate to read it, but I don’t want to post the translation because of possible translation errors.
Rafa said he plays tennis at a low intensity three times a week, 40 minutes per day, and trains a lot in the gym.
Rafa Nadal entreabre una puerta a seguir en el tenis... y al Real Madrid
El ganador de 22 Grand Slam fue entrevistado por Juanma Castaño en Movistar Plus+
www.marca.com
Vamos Rafa!
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sport
Rafa attended the opening Ceremony of the 2023-2024 academic year at the Alfonso X el Sabio University (UAX) today.
UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sport is part of the Alfonso X el Sabio University (UAX). The school was created in 2022 with the aim of preparing students for careers in three areas of the sports industry: sport, health and business. UAX is situated about 30 km / 19 miles from Madrid.
Source: RNA Instagram stories
Click the forward icon on the side to see all pictures:
The ceremony took place at the indoor sports facility of UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sport. The facility was inaugurated in May this year.
The full ceremony (Rafa walks on stage at 1:02:53 to hand over the 2022-2023 Merit Awards to students and gives a speech between 1:11:07 – 1:14:30):
Screenshot of the video
...
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Rafa the King
Hall of Fame
All with all, I think it was a very positive interview. The hunger to be back on the tour and compete for the biggest prizes is certainly there. Also I liked that he was positive about possibly playing longer, if his body allowed it and he was filled with energy. I didn’t like the Novak comment though. I agree with him, Novak’s desire (almost obsession) was to break the slam record, while Rafa’s and Rog’s was to win slams for the sake of winning slams. But nonetheless, he should have thought it through, it sounded salty.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
Yes I think everyone can appreciate that there is still the possibility that he keeps playing on beyond 2024, how amazing would that be.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
More pictures of Rafa attending the Opening Ceremony of the new academic year at UAX and UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sport affiliated with UAX:
The Opening Ceremony of the new academic year at UAX was an important event for Rafa. UAX collaborates with Rafa’s academy in Mallorca. Students at UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sport have done their summer internship at Rafa’s academy.
Vamos!
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Interview
According to Rafa’s PR and communications manager, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, Rafa gave another interview on Tuesday:
Via BPB IG stories
No further info is yet available.
...
Rattie
Legend
Imagine the crowd support for that!
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
The Spanish sports newspaper AS (or 'as') published the interview with Rafa he gave on Tuesday after attending the opening ceremony of the new academic year at UAX and UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sport affiliated with UAX (located about 30 km / 19 miles from Madrid).Interview
According to Rafa’s PR and communications manager, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, Rafa gave another interview on Tuesday:
Via BPB IG stories
No further info is yet available.
...
Nadal: “Si soy competitivo y disfruto, ¿por qué me voy a poner límites”
Nadal atiende a AS en su primera entrevista con un medio de prensa escrita cuatro meses después de anunciar que dejaba de jugar al tenis.
as.com
On the front page:
Vamos Rafa!
...
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Rattie
Legend
Thanks for posting Octo
A translation which is not perfect of course, but good enough.
Nadal: "If I'm competitive and enjoy, why am I going to set limits"
The day after appearing in a media outlet, Movistar+, months after announcing his temporary and indefinite withdrawal from the tennis courts, Rafa Nadal grants AS his first interview in the written press, taking advantage of his participation in the beginning of the academic year of the Alfonso X University in Sabio, with which the tennis player and also this newspaper collaborates. Smiling, wearing a white T-shirt, jeans and a blue jacket, the winner of 22 Grand Slams greets affectionately. "Everything in order?" he asks the editor, before answering a series of questions about his situation and his future, which involves competing again in 2024 if the recovery from his injury in the left iliac psoas is still on track.
"Did the operation (two on hip) go better than expected?"
I don't know. I like to be cautious. They say that everything has gone well, but well, we have already lived many. The reality is that I like to be prudent and wait to see if and when the deadlines that in theory have to be met are met and that everything is fine, I am like everyone who expects it to be. I am referring to the doctors, my team and myself. At the moment, it seems that everything has gone well, but it has been an important operation and the truth is that you have to have a little more patience. I go with lead feet, very slowly trying to assimilate the things we are doing every day.
He returned to training a few weeks ago. Did you do it with the team (Moya, Maymó...)? And how is that return going?
Yes, I am with the team every day, training little tennis, but working a lot in the gym and rehabilitation, many days doing double sessions morning and afternoon. In the morning, more on the track and in the afternoon, a little more aerobic work. In the end it is a time to make an effort, often without seeing immediate results. I know how that works. But trusting that after two months things will change radically and that I will have the opportunity to be able to prepare as I would like for next year.
He always says that it can be improved. Will there be time to do it now?
If I have the ability to train well in full conditions, for me improving is a daily motivation. It doesn't matter how old you are. Although you know that along the way you lose many other things, which is logical for obvious age issues, others must be added. For me, improving is wanting to know what I need to try to be competitive and try to enhance those things that we think can help me to be competitive. Also apply logic, the right decisions about my game, as long as the physique allows it, to try to evolve.
"He has hinted that, if everything went very well, ideally, he could continue playing not only in 2024, but beyond. What minimums do you have to give for that to happen?
Let's see. I think it's going to be my last year. I am quite convinced. Although, at the same time, at this point, at the end of September, I don't know. What can happen? If suddenly things work very well, that physically I feel good, my head usually works. If I feel competitive and enjoy what I do, why am I going to put a limitation? I can't say it 100%. What do I think will be my last year? I say it, I think it will be my last year. What is it going to be 100%? Nor can I guarantee it because things can always happen and I don't want to say one thing 100% and after they say, you said such a thing, because I'm not 100% sure. Now, if I had to bet something, I would say it's my last year.
Would the possibility of playing and not winning be wrong, as was the case at first with Andy Murray when he returned after his retirement attempt?
No, not at all. I have assumed it. That's what it is. I am very aware of it. Right now there is not that in my head, just putting myself in a situation of being able to train and get to a competitive level to be able to play on the circuit. This is my current aim, to go out to a tennis court and feel that I can play competitively. This is the first objective. Then you never know. In the end, I am aware. If I'm just for that, to go out on a track and feel that I'm only going to go out to be minimally competitive, not to make a mess and such, well, I'm not going to play a lot. I will be in the few tournaments that I feel like saying goodbye to. Another thing is that I feel strong and competitive to aspire to things that really excite me, there the approach will be another. But I can't know this right now. I have my different options open and it depends on how I feel, I will apply one or the other. There is also the possibility that I will not recover and will not play again. I hope this is not the case, but you have to be realistic, know about the difficulty you are in today and live it naturally. Always with the thought that there are many years of my career and that many good things have happened to me. Now it's time for this and also without more account frustration.
There are two very important events in his career, the Davis Cup and the Olympic Games. Would you be excited to say goodbye to them playing and, if you are, form a doubles pair with Carlos Alcaraz?
From Davis we are eliminated (Spain fell a few days ago in the group stage of the Finals). It's difficult. If we had qualified, there could have been a minimal option to try to reach the crossings (in November). Once that has happened, that is already ruled out. And about the Games, on a personal level, I would like to play them once again. Everyone knows that I have always been a lover of the Games. I have lived incredible moments of coexistence, of seeing what sport is in essence pure. About the fact of playing doubles with Carlos, I have not had the slightest conversation with him in that sense. But I would also like and it would be a good motivation, one more incentive for me to be able to close my Olympic cycle playing with Carlos, with everything he is achieving, with the young people and with the great future that lies ahead.
You saw the Wimbledon final. What did you think of what Carlos did on grass and against a legend like Djokovic, the most difficult rival in that tournament?
I think Carlos doesn't surprise anything about what he can do. He has been the number one in the world until recently. And although he is very young, right now, practically, the only rival I see him is Djokovic. It is one step above the others. My feeling from outside the circuit is that when he plays, the games usually depend on him 90% of the days. In that sense, I think I am not surprised by what happened at Wimbledon, and that it is not surprising, it means how good Carlos is and in that case everything that the level he has supposes. The reality is that it is fantastic news for sport and for tennis to have someone like him, who is doing what he is doing and, on top of that, with so much time ahead of him.
Speaking of Djokovic, he has escaped a little in terms of Grand Slam titles (24) and it cannot be argued that, in that sense, he is the best, but many people, experts, legends, fans ... still think that you are a better tennis player or better athlete for other things. What do you think?
I think the numbers are the numbers and the statistics are the statistics, and in that sense, I think he has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable. I don't drop any ring nor do I have an ego so big as to try to make up a reality that is not. This is the truth. The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other can transmit to you, that you can like one or the other more. I think that with regard to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and in that there is nothing to discuss. Then, as always, everyone can combine the story at will, say that I have suffered many injuries. Bad luck for me or bad luck that I have had the body in this way. He has had another one and somehow that is also part of the sport. I congratulate you for everything you are achieving and that does not cause me any kind of frustration. I said it when I was the one who won the most Slams, I said it when we were tied and I say it now that I'm going behind. I'm not going to be the one who tries through a personal struggle, wanting to be what I'm not. What is, is and what is not, is not. I say this very satisfied with everything I have done.
A translation which is not perfect of course, but good enough.
Nadal: "If I'm competitive and enjoy, why am I going to set limits"
The day after appearing in a media outlet, Movistar+, months after announcing his temporary and indefinite withdrawal from the tennis courts, Rafa Nadal grants AS his first interview in the written press, taking advantage of his participation in the beginning of the academic year of the Alfonso X University in Sabio, with which the tennis player and also this newspaper collaborates. Smiling, wearing a white T-shirt, jeans and a blue jacket, the winner of 22 Grand Slams greets affectionately. "Everything in order?" he asks the editor, before answering a series of questions about his situation and his future, which involves competing again in 2024 if the recovery from his injury in the left iliac psoas is still on track.
"Did the operation (two on hip) go better than expected?"
I don't know. I like to be cautious. They say that everything has gone well, but well, we have already lived many. The reality is that I like to be prudent and wait to see if and when the deadlines that in theory have to be met are met and that everything is fine, I am like everyone who expects it to be. I am referring to the doctors, my team and myself. At the moment, it seems that everything has gone well, but it has been an important operation and the truth is that you have to have a little more patience. I go with lead feet, very slowly trying to assimilate the things we are doing every day.
He returned to training a few weeks ago. Did you do it with the team (Moya, Maymó...)? And how is that return going?
Yes, I am with the team every day, training little tennis, but working a lot in the gym and rehabilitation, many days doing double sessions morning and afternoon. In the morning, more on the track and in the afternoon, a little more aerobic work. In the end it is a time to make an effort, often without seeing immediate results. I know how that works. But trusting that after two months things will change radically and that I will have the opportunity to be able to prepare as I would like for next year.
He always says that it can be improved. Will there be time to do it now?
If I have the ability to train well in full conditions, for me improving is a daily motivation. It doesn't matter how old you are. Although you know that along the way you lose many other things, which is logical for obvious age issues, others must be added. For me, improving is wanting to know what I need to try to be competitive and try to enhance those things that we think can help me to be competitive. Also apply logic, the right decisions about my game, as long as the physique allows it, to try to evolve.
"He has hinted that, if everything went very well, ideally, he could continue playing not only in 2024, but beyond. What minimums do you have to give for that to happen?
Let's see. I think it's going to be my last year. I am quite convinced. Although, at the same time, at this point, at the end of September, I don't know. What can happen? If suddenly things work very well, that physically I feel good, my head usually works. If I feel competitive and enjoy what I do, why am I going to put a limitation? I can't say it 100%. What do I think will be my last year? I say it, I think it will be my last year. What is it going to be 100%? Nor can I guarantee it because things can always happen and I don't want to say one thing 100% and after they say, you said such a thing, because I'm not 100% sure. Now, if I had to bet something, I would say it's my last year.
Would the possibility of playing and not winning be wrong, as was the case at first with Andy Murray when he returned after his retirement attempt?
No, not at all. I have assumed it. That's what it is. I am very aware of it. Right now there is not that in my head, just putting myself in a situation of being able to train and get to a competitive level to be able to play on the circuit. This is my current aim, to go out to a tennis court and feel that I can play competitively. This is the first objective. Then you never know. In the end, I am aware. If I'm just for that, to go out on a track and feel that I'm only going to go out to be minimally competitive, not to make a mess and such, well, I'm not going to play a lot. I will be in the few tournaments that I feel like saying goodbye to. Another thing is that I feel strong and competitive to aspire to things that really excite me, there the approach will be another. But I can't know this right now. I have my different options open and it depends on how I feel, I will apply one or the other. There is also the possibility that I will not recover and will not play again. I hope this is not the case, but you have to be realistic, know about the difficulty you are in today and live it naturally. Always with the thought that there are many years of my career and that many good things have happened to me. Now it's time for this and also without more account frustration.
There are two very important events in his career, the Davis Cup and the Olympic Games. Would you be excited to say goodbye to them playing and, if you are, form a doubles pair with Carlos Alcaraz?
From Davis we are eliminated (Spain fell a few days ago in the group stage of the Finals). It's difficult. If we had qualified, there could have been a minimal option to try to reach the crossings (in November). Once that has happened, that is already ruled out. And about the Games, on a personal level, I would like to play them once again. Everyone knows that I have always been a lover of the Games. I have lived incredible moments of coexistence, of seeing what sport is in essence pure. About the fact of playing doubles with Carlos, I have not had the slightest conversation with him in that sense. But I would also like and it would be a good motivation, one more incentive for me to be able to close my Olympic cycle playing with Carlos, with everything he is achieving, with the young people and with the great future that lies ahead.
You saw the Wimbledon final. What did you think of what Carlos did on grass and against a legend like Djokovic, the most difficult rival in that tournament?
I think Carlos doesn't surprise anything about what he can do. He has been the number one in the world until recently. And although he is very young, right now, practically, the only rival I see him is Djokovic. It is one step above the others. My feeling from outside the circuit is that when he plays, the games usually depend on him 90% of the days. In that sense, I think I am not surprised by what happened at Wimbledon, and that it is not surprising, it means how good Carlos is and in that case everything that the level he has supposes. The reality is that it is fantastic news for sport and for tennis to have someone like him, who is doing what he is doing and, on top of that, with so much time ahead of him.
Speaking of Djokovic, he has escaped a little in terms of Grand Slam titles (24) and it cannot be argued that, in that sense, he is the best, but many people, experts, legends, fans ... still think that you are a better tennis player or better athlete for other things. What do you think?
I think the numbers are the numbers and the statistics are the statistics, and in that sense, I think he has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable. I don't drop any ring nor do I have an ego so big as to try to make up a reality that is not. This is the truth. The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other can transmit to you, that you can like one or the other more. I think that with regard to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and in that there is nothing to discuss. Then, as always, everyone can combine the story at will, say that I have suffered many injuries. Bad luck for me or bad luck that I have had the body in this way. He has had another one and somehow that is also part of the sport. I congratulate you for everything you are achieving and that does not cause me any kind of frustration. I said it when I was the one who won the most Slams, I said it when we were tied and I say it now that I'm going behind. I'm not going to be the one who tries through a personal struggle, wanting to be what I'm not. What is, is and what is not, is not. I say this very satisfied with everything I have done.
Rattie
Legend
Wouldn't it be crazy to see you one day as a coach or have a position related to tennis?
They ask me things about the future that I can't answer, or say one thing or another. Because the future is often uncertain and I don't lose sight of the fact that I have an academy where players come and I like sport in general. I like tennis, so I can't say that I'm not going to drink from that water, that I'm not going to be a coach. I don't see myself making a complete calendar on the circuit, it's practically impossible. Now, a few weeks, being able to help someone or being able to spend some time with a player, so why not tomorrow. Not today, but tomorrow who knows.
"Would it be more like Toni (Nadal) or like Charly (Moyá)?
It would be me and, as always, I would try to take the good things from one, the good things from another and try to copy what I like from people who I think do things well. And all my life I have tried to do a little the same thing. Of all the people I observe, who I have the opportunity to meet or work with them, try to copy the things I like the most.
And how do you think about golf, as a recreational pastime or even with the intention of competing?
Golf has a good thing, which allows you to compete for many years throughout your life. For me, competition is something that I carry innately, that I love and is necessary for my life. However, I am going to take golf as I have always taken it, as a hobby and an escape route.
He says he doesn't meet the conditions to be president of Real Madrid, but he's going to do something at the club, right? Maybe he has already talked about that with Florentino Pérez...
This is something they ask me and I answer it conceptually. Sometimes things are taken out of context by the fact of creating headlines. In the end, all I say is would I like to be president of Madrid? Well, yes, of course I would like to. Without further ado, that does not mean that it will be and it may be that it never tries. First of all, there are people more prepared than me and ahead in that future opportunity when it ends one day, the mandate of the one who has been one of the best presidents we have had in the history of Real Madrid, which is Florentino. In that sense, I think there is no urgency for there to be a new president. From there, when that happens, I conceptually like the sport, I love it. I am a great soccer fan too, a great passionate about Real Madrid as well. If they ask me conceptually, would you like it? Well, yes. That doesn't even mean that I have real options of ever becoming one.
"It's been almost a year since his son Rafael was born. What is the best thing about being a father?
Coming home and seeing the joy of a child when you arrive is something difficult to explain, but it is a unique feeling.
And to finish, in all this time, although he has not been on the courts playing, has the affection of the people continue to come to him?
I have travelled and where I have been, the affection has been great, privately, but very good. I've been to Greece and I didn't know it was so well known there. The reality is that where I have gone has been beautiful and then at the Academy of Manacor, in the end I have many visitors, children every week, and the affection and support is total. Yes, in that sense, I feel totally loved and very grateful to all people for the respect for my situation and also for the support they give me.
They ask me things about the future that I can't answer, or say one thing or another. Because the future is often uncertain and I don't lose sight of the fact that I have an academy where players come and I like sport in general. I like tennis, so I can't say that I'm not going to drink from that water, that I'm not going to be a coach. I don't see myself making a complete calendar on the circuit, it's practically impossible. Now, a few weeks, being able to help someone or being able to spend some time with a player, so why not tomorrow. Not today, but tomorrow who knows.
"Would it be more like Toni (Nadal) or like Charly (Moyá)?
It would be me and, as always, I would try to take the good things from one, the good things from another and try to copy what I like from people who I think do things well. And all my life I have tried to do a little the same thing. Of all the people I observe, who I have the opportunity to meet or work with them, try to copy the things I like the most.
And how do you think about golf, as a recreational pastime or even with the intention of competing?
Golf has a good thing, which allows you to compete for many years throughout your life. For me, competition is something that I carry innately, that I love and is necessary for my life. However, I am going to take golf as I have always taken it, as a hobby and an escape route.
He says he doesn't meet the conditions to be president of Real Madrid, but he's going to do something at the club, right? Maybe he has already talked about that with Florentino Pérez...
This is something they ask me and I answer it conceptually. Sometimes things are taken out of context by the fact of creating headlines. In the end, all I say is would I like to be president of Madrid? Well, yes, of course I would like to. Without further ado, that does not mean that it will be and it may be that it never tries. First of all, there are people more prepared than me and ahead in that future opportunity when it ends one day, the mandate of the one who has been one of the best presidents we have had in the history of Real Madrid, which is Florentino. In that sense, I think there is no urgency for there to be a new president. From there, when that happens, I conceptually like the sport, I love it. I am a great soccer fan too, a great passionate about Real Madrid as well. If they ask me conceptually, would you like it? Well, yes. That doesn't even mean that I have real options of ever becoming one.
"It's been almost a year since his son Rafael was born. What is the best thing about being a father?
Coming home and seeing the joy of a child when you arrive is something difficult to explain, but it is a unique feeling.
And to finish, in all this time, although he has not been on the courts playing, has the affection of the people continue to come to him?
I have travelled and where I have been, the affection has been great, privately, but very good. I've been to Greece and I didn't know it was so well known there. The reality is that where I have gone has been beautiful and then at the Academy of Manacor, in the end I have many visitors, children every week, and the affection and support is total. Yes, in that sense, I feel totally loved and very grateful to all people for the respect for my situation and also for the support they give me.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa Nadal Foundation
Rafa’s foundation tweeted: “The Rafa Nadal Foundation was represented at the Clinton Global Initiative [2023 meeting] organized by the Clinton Foundation in New York [this week]! José Ruiz, Deputy Director of the RN Foundation, and Fani Ginard, Strategic Partnership Manager of the RN Foundation, attended this global forum that seeks solutions to the planet's problems.“ (Translated from Spanish via Google.)
The representatives of Rafa’s foundation are in the 1st picture:
to Rafa's foundation!...
Rattie
Legend
A proper translation of his Movistar interview:
www.atptour.com
Rafael Nadal: ‘My Hope Is To Play Again And To Be Competitive’ | ATP Tour | Tennis
Rafael Nadal has not competed since January’s Australian Open and underwent an operation on the iliopsoas muscle in his left leg in June. Yet he is hopeful about a return to action.
www.atptour.com
Beulah Jesus
Hall of Fame
Thanks to everyone for updates.
Rafa doesn't mention anything about still feeling pain. He says he hangs out a lot in the gym, does some little tennis practice but is being "prudent" with his comeback/expectations.
Wishing him all the very best.
Rafa doesn't mention anything about still feeling pain. He says he hangs out a lot in the gym, does some little tennis practice but is being "prudent" with his comeback/expectations.
Wishing him all the very best.
JustMy2Cents
Hall of Fame
Rafa & Pau are asking this guy, Jesus who’s known for climbing Everest among other peaks, if he will invite them to an adventure & instead he’s trying to convince Rafa & Pau to go partying
foot issue
seen this argument that he’s hypocritical because he’s so ambitious that he has done all kinds of things to treat his injuries, specially the foot, just to win, so I thought I’d leave this here.
foot issue
seen this argument that he’s hypocritical because he’s so ambitious that he has done all kinds of things to treat his injuries, specially the foot, just to win, so I thought I’d leave this here.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa Nadal Foundation
The Rafa Nadal Tour in Australia
The Rafa Nadal Tour is an annual junior tennis circuit created by Rafa’s foundation in Spain in 2014 and launched in Australia in 2019.
The Rafa Nadal Tour Australia is a part of the Australian Junior Tour. The 2022/2023 season in Australia consisted of nine tournaments held across all states and territories from April 2022 to January 2023. The winners of the tournaments qualified for the tour-ending Masters held in Melbourne in January 2023 (Rafa met with the participants). The Masters champions were offered flights to Spain and two free weeks of training at the Rafa’s academy in Mallorca. Here they are:
Rafa Nadal Tour Australia | Tournaments | Play | Tennis Australia
Tour dates: Nine State Premier events from April 2024 to January 2025, for juniors in the 12/under and 14/under age groups. The Rafa Nadal Tour is a junior tennis…
www.tennis.com.au
Rafa with the participants of the Rafa Nadal Tour Masters in Melbourne in January 2023:
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