Rafa: My story...(Rafa's new book)

[TheTruth]

Just seen he's announced this on his facebook page that he is releasing his autobiography in August, so obviously too early for people to write reviews yet but just thought I'd see what people thought of this?

I'm personally a big fan of tennis player autobiographies and I'd love to know a bit more about Rafa as he is already one of the all time greats. I can't help but feeling it's just a bit too early for him to release a book right now though as he's only half way through his career (let's not get into a debate about the longevity of his career, this isn't a thread about debating that subject). He has achieved so much though that his only real big goal left would be to maybe track down and surpass Roger's career slam tally, so if he ever does achieve this he won't be able to describe his emotions in this book.

I've mentioned in other threads too about how in different ways, Roger and Rafa, have taken physical conditioning in tennis to levels that noone else seems capable of reaching, Roger has barely suffered an injury in his career and you rarely see either of them tire whilst on court. I was hoping that when the day came that these two would write their autobiographies that maybe they would reveal some of their training secrets (unlike some like Murray who at times has documented every part of his training regimes). But since Rafa still has years to play he is unlikely to reveal any of his secrets in this book.

Another little niggle I have about this book is, after reading a little preview on amazon, it's just hard to get my head around the language being used (English version) because we all know Rafa himself is not capable of using the English language in this way. I know all these tennis player autobiogs are written by a ghost writer, but atleast you can 'hear' the player's voice in your head as if they are saying the words themselves (hehe I'm not going crazy) but the language being used in the outtake on amazon, I cant even imagine Rafa being able to read it. I know I'm just being a bit picky, because at the end of the day if I want to read his autobiography in English then that's just something I'll have to put up with. Otherwise I should learn Spanish myself and read the original version.

I agree with this. It's much too early to be writing an autobiography. I'll wait until years after he retires to get the real story.

Actually, I haven't read any tennis autobiographies, which is strange since I'm a big fan of biographies, I guess just not tennis ones, but I will go and read the excerpt you spoke about on Amazon. That was funny!

 

[TheTruth]

I didn't see any excerpt on Amazon so I'm not sure what you're referring to.

It looks like the ghostwriter is a native english speaker who is also fluent in Spanish which seems like a perfect combination, he can interview Rafa in spanish and then translate the "voice" into english.

Unlike some others, I've been looking forward to this one for a while. To me, the childhood, training and early career of any celeb is usually more interesting than the stuff that happens later, which is mostly public anyway.

I'm looking forward to Rafa's take on his relationship w/ uncle toni; suspect there will be some fun stuff for discussion there.

That's actually pretty interesting. I never thought about it like that before. Nice perspective.

 

[TheTruth]

A short description and excerpt from the book....

Wow! Thanks for that. It does sound like a great book.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Was the OP aware that Nadal is writing the book with John Carlin? Of course his language in the book is not going to be his normal 'unbelievable, no' style of broken English. 'Rafa is not capable of using the language in this way' duh neither is Federer, Agassi or any other tennis player. None of them possess published-level grammar. Very few people in the world do.

 

[TheTruth]

I look forward to reading it. And LOL at those attacking Rafa for releasing it now. There's already a load of information to put in the book already.

That's true, too. I'm glad Christos brought it up. I love wonderful prose that goes beyond the ordinary. I think I'll buy it.

He does have a lot to write about already. Good stuff.

 

[TheTruth]

Lol that is hilarious.

That is! I lol'ed.

 

[Fate Archer]

I agree with this. It's much too early to be writing an autobiography. I'll wait until years after he retires to get the real story.

Actually, I haven't read any tennis autobiographies, which is strange since I'm a big fan of biographies, I guess just not tennis ones, but I will go and read the excerpt you spoke about on Amazon. That was funny!

12 minutes after...

That's true, too. I'm glad Christos brought it up. I love wonderful prose that goes beyond the ordinary. I think I'll buy it.

He does have a lot to write about already. Good stuff.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[TheTruth]

12 minutes after...



:lol: :lol: :lol:

Only a fool doesn't change his mind when given a fresh, new perspective they hadn't thought about. I change all the time if someone comes up with a better perspective. I don't hold onto being "right" like that.

I enjoy learning from others.

 

[TheTruth]

12 minutes after...



:lol: :lol: :lol:

Not nitpicking, but you also left out the two posts in between that showed the progression that brought about the change.

Lol, indeed. funny stuff!

 

[Fate Archer]

Only a fool doesn't change his mind when given a fresh, new perspective they hadn't thought about. I change all the time if someone comes up with a better perspective. I don't hold onto being "right" like that.

I enjoy learning from others.

Yeah yeah. Like you said, just funny stuff. Chill out.

 

[Sentinel]

he probably wants to keep some drama for the next episode... it's all about marketing strategy !

Epick.

Last 2 lines were fantastic.

 

[abmk]

he probably wants to keep some drama for the next episode... it's all about marketing strategy !

LOL, now that is truly hilarious

 

[Ardith]

Honestly, who writes an autobiography at 25 especially as the most interesting part is about to happen now as he gets older and starts to decline.

 

[Nadalfan89]

*******s mad again. Someone call the waaaambulance.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Honestly, who writes an autobiography at 25 especially as the most interesting part is about to happen now as he gets older and starts to decline.

Because by writing 2 autobiographies you make twice the amount of money, and more importantly you can write with more depth by focusing on one decade at a time.

 

[rommil]

*******s mad again. Someone call the waaaambulance.

More like Rafa's book is being delayed because he asked for an MTO while trying to finish the 3rd chapter, " I am physical beast , no?".

 

[Ardith]

Because by writing 2 autobiographies you make twice the amount of money, and more importantly you can write with more depth by focusing on one decade at a time.

Rafa needs more money? I still say write it after you've retired and if you need two volumes to cover all then fair enough, just not while you are still playing.

 

[Murrayfan31]

Rafa will retire soon. So no need to hold back on the book.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

he probably wants to keep some drama for the next episode... it's all about marketing strategy !

LOL!!!! Awesome! I'd buy that book!

 

[Tammo]

Rafa will retire soon. So no need to hold back on the book.

Lol, good one.

 

[AM95]

Well, didn't Federer had some kind of co-biography named Quest for Perfection released by 2007-2008 as well???

Fed still had many years left on him but that didn't stop them making what some people consider just a regurgitation of match results with next to nothing throwed in.

At least that's what they say on some reviews.

If i recall correctly he had nothing to do with that and it was just written by an independent swiss journalist.

 

[mandy01]

he probably wants to keep some drama for the next episode... it's all about marketing strategy !

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! Priceless

 

[nereis]

Unless he talks about his private life in detail the book will be effectively a non-event. There is nothing he can write about his feelings or tournament preparation that hasn't been gone over in other tennis biographies. If however, he reveals that his father is a violent drunk and that he vowed never to lose his temper on the court as a result then that would make for a good read.

 

[CCNM]

Already???? Shouldn't he have waited until his retirement to write a book? Would be much more interesting then....

 

[Rippy]

Far too soon for an autobiography.

Did he actually take the time to write this himself?!

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Far too soon for an autobiography.

Did he actually take the time to write this himself?!

The pen is mightier than the racquet, no?

 

[rommil]

Far too soon for an autobiography.

Did he actually take the time to write this himself?!

He uses the time in between serves.

 

[Sentinel]

He uses the time in between serves.

You mean every time he takes a swipe at his famous derriere, he's actually penning a line ?

 

[rommil]

You mean every time he takes a swipe at his famous derriere, he's actually penning a line ?

Yes sire, he is buggywhipping his way into a book full of fecal prose.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Already???? Shouldn't he have waited until his retirement to write a book? Would be much more interesting then....

You can't cover a dramatic career like his with ONE book, and if you release 2 books it looks silly writing 2 books about yourself after you are retired, so release one at the mid-point of your career, and one after retirement.

Book one: Nadal's childhood and rise to 2011.

Book two: Nadal's record-breaking final decade - a player reaches most of his records in the final half of his career, so more drama, and also more dramatic losses as his form drops and retirement.

 

[Caesar]

It's not really about needing two books. These days it makes sense to release an autobiography at the peak of a player's career, even if it's rubbish - capitalise on his profile to shift the maximum number of units.

Of course, because he's still active it'll be pretty bog standard PR stuff. The important things about his doping, personal life, relationships with other players, his uncle, etc. won't come out until the one he releases after retirement.

I always make it a personal rule never to buy a book written by an athlete who is still active.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

It's not really about needing two books. These days it makes sense to release an autobiography at the peak of a player's career, even if it's rubbish - capitalise on his profile to shift the maximum number of units.

I don't know of any famous active athletes releasing autobiographies these days apart from Nadal. The recent big ones in tennis were Agassi and Sampras, both long retired. I'm sure Nadal will release a 2nd autobiography to cover his final decade. As I said, more happens in your final years, because you break more records later. And you experience more struggles later in your career too.

 

[Caesar]

I don't know of any famous active athletes releasing autobiographies these days apart from Nadal.

Look harder. Quite common amongst footballers, cricketers etc. Wayne Rooney released his first autobiography at the age of 21. David Beckham has released three so far, and he's still not retired.

It's all about the money. If Nelson Mandela only needed one book to cover his memoirs, then there's no reason a tennis player whose career ends at 30 needs more than that.

 

[mandy01]

I'd be really interested to read about his formative years. Some of the things these guys do in terms of attitude especially, the way the approach matches early on and how their perspective changes towards matches and training through different phases, the adjustments they make and everything is pretty interesting.

 

[billnepill]

Good way to make a fast buck off his deluded ****s.

Hopefully, he will finally admit some stuff, just like Agassi.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Good way to make a fast buck off his deluded ****s.

Hopefully, he will finally admit some stuff, just like Agassi.

What did Agassi admit? Recreational drugs, a hairpiece and some bad thoughts about other players. Not many players would have more than one of those 3 revelations. The life of a tennis player isn't a very risky lifestyle. More about routines. Agassi was a rarity compared with today's generation.

 

[Sentinel]

Yes sire, he is buggywhipping his way into a book full of fecal prose.

Every time I think you've hit the absolute limits of awesome, you outdo your awesomeness with consummate ease.

 

[Crisstti]

Rafa is releasing an autobiography?. I've got to see his Facebook page more often. That's awesome .

I agree it's probably early to do that, but who cares. He can actualize it later on .

Was the OP aware that Nadal is writing the book with John Carlin? Of course his language in the book is not going to be his normal 'unbelievable, no' style of broken English. 'Rafa is not capable of using the language in this way' duh neither is Federer, Agassi or any other tennis player. None of them possess published-level grammar. Very few people in the world do.

Do some people actually think he would have written the book in English?. Just why would he do that? . He obviously would have written it in Spanish (though it seems he didn't actually write it, he was probably just interviewd for it). And he sounds very different in interviews in Spanish... if these people making fun of his English actually spoke another language themselves, they'd know that.

Once again you are missing my point. I am not saying "dirt" is the point of an autobiography. I am saying while a player is active on tour there would not be any incredible revelations. You are the one who said Nadal will set the record straight in this book. What will he set the record straight about? How many times he arranges his bottles at the beginning of a match? It will be a straight forward account of Nadal's early life training to become a pro tennis player. Is this a stretch for you? I don't need to be Kreskin to figure out the general outline of the book.

I agree the book will most likely be about his early life and early career.
Seems interesting to me.

Nadal setting the record straight is about HIM, not anybody else. Nadal has been accused of more negative behavior (intimidation, doping, coaching, fake injuries, faking a straight lifestyle) than any world number one since Rios. The public has had their free shots at him, now its his turn.

He could answer those accusations, but I don't think he will bother to. Most of those accusations are just made in places like these, I doubt he has ever given them much of a thought.

Unless he talks about his private life in detail the book will be effectively a non-event. There is nothing he can write about his feelings or tournament preparation that hasn't been gone over in other tennis biographies. If however, he reveals that his father is a violent drunk and that he vowed never to lose his temper on the court as a result then that would make for a good read.

Lol, I'm afraid there won't be anything like that there.

I'd be really interested to read about his formative years. Some of the things these guys do in terms of attitude especially, the way the approach matches early on and how their perspective changes towards matches and training through different phases, the adjustments they make and everything is pretty interesting.

Yep, this.

 

[wy2sl0]

He uses the time in between serves.

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:
Winner right here.

 

[Mustard]

Do some people actually think he would have written the book in English?. Just why would he do that? . He obviously would have written it in Spanish (though it seems he didn't actually write it, he was probably just interviewd for it). And he sounds very different in interviews in Spanish... if these people making fun of his English actually spoke another language themselves, they'd know that.

I believe Rafa understands written English a lot more than he can speak English.

 

[Crisstti]

I believe Rafa understands written English a lot more than he can speak English.

I'm sure he does, but that doesn't mean he would write a book in a language other than his own.

 

[flyinghippos101]

Can't really say this sounds very interesting given he's still active on tour. It's not like Nadal's tale is done, he's still in the process of carving out his piece of tennis history after all.

Not to mention the book is going to be in English, he could've at least wrote it in Spanish and have it translated to English. At the very least, if he chose to write it himself, his style of writing and reflections would've definitely dictated some kind of meaningful intimacy. Otherwise, having someone else write it for him in English while he's in the middle of his career makes this sound nothing more than a quick cash grab.

 

[Crisstti]

Can't really say this sounds very interesting given he's still active on tour. It's not like Nadal's tale is done, he's still in the process of carving out his piece of tennis history after all.

Not to mention the book is going to be in English, he could've at least wrote it in Spanish and have it translated to English. At the very least, if he chose to write it himself, his style of writing and reflections would've definitely dictated some kind of meaningful intimacy. Otherwise, having someone else write it for him in English while he's in the middle of his career makes this sound nothing more than a quick cash grab.

Are you sure the book is in English?. Well, if he just gave interviews for the book, guess that makes sense.

 

[TMF]

Older Fed hasn't come out with his bio and Rafa is getting too ahead of himself. He's only 25 and reading his auto bio right is like you only get to read a half of a book, and miss the rest, which is the most important part. What's the point !

I would never read a book(or watch a movie) that only has half way complete. It's rediculous. EVery story must have a conclusion, and rafa right now is FAR away from comleting a full story. Wrong move.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

^ Huh?
This book isn't supposed to cover his career, its only from childhood to 2011. The book after he retires will cover the final decade. This is the smart way to do it, rather than just one book. Federer and Nadal are opposites, so don't expect Federer to do this like Nadal either.

 

[TMF]

^ Huh?
This book isn't supposed to cover his career, its only from childhood to 2011. The book after he retires will cover the final decade. This is the smart way to do it, rather than just one book. Federer and Nadal are opposites, so don't expect Federer to do this like Nadal either.

This isn't about famous people when they are young. Even Shirley Temple or Gary Coleman at 25 wouldn't be right for an auto bio despite they were famous when they were kids. There's a lot more going on with their lives at 25, and Nadal still have more tennis ahead of him. Funny how Nadal can be so patient by wasting time between points on his and apponent's serve, but can't wait until his career is long over before write a book.

Fed is the opposite b/c he's smart and doesn't make that mistake !

 

[Murrayfan31]

What was Rafa thinking? Is he really that arrogant?

 

[ruerooo]

Like which?

Like "He can't even speak the language", which, for example, we've already seen in this very thread.

(This usually from people who only speak English, and none of the three languages Rafa speaks -- and whose English is also frequently barely passable :roll: -- but I digress.)

So actually, that's more precisely "xenophobic" instead of strictly "racist" (though if I hear one more comparison of Rafa to a monkey, especially since that's the animal to which Rethuglicans frequently compare President Obama, and the racist implications there are unmistakable ....) -- does the shading of meaning there make it all more illustrative for you?

 

[RAFA2005RG]

This isn't about famous people when they are young. Even Shirley Temple or Gary Coleman at 25 wouldn't be right for an auto bio despite they were famous when they were kids. There's a lot more going on with their lives at 25, and Nadal still have more tennis ahead of him. Funny how Nadal can be so patient by wasting time between points on his and apponent's serve, but can't wait until his career is long over before write a book.

Fed is the opposite b/c he's smart and doesn't make that mistake !

Federer has never been a smart tactician when playing Nadal. Something is not right upstairs.

 

[cc0509]

Federer has never been a smart tactician when playing Nadal. Something is not right upstairs.

That is a good one coming from you of all people! :twisted: