Rafa in Reader’s Digest UK
Atch2 let me know that she spotted Rafa on the cover of Reader’s Digest UK in a bookshop today. She says the article is pretty short and didn’t really have anything new to say, but thought she’d pass it along. And now I’m doing the same. (And I agree, Atch2, that’s totally a “posed plastic smile” on the cover. Oh well.)
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So posed and plastic it’s another guy altogether. :) The link lead me to some dude who is decidedly NOT Rafa. Will dig around see if I can find him.
Decidedly not! Guess they changed it overnight (well, overnight for me). Oops!
I think they’ve injected something into Rafa’s face as well as his knees! :~)
can someone put a direct link
I have this copy of Readers digest and it has a little bit more on the state of british tennis and chats about why we cannot produce an Andy Murray or a Rafael Nadal, the latter being far more successful so far.. but I did like the bit about when Uncle Toni says that he was lucky to find Rafa in the family and that he was a kid that you didn’t have to tell him something twice…. how many kids are like that? Honestly it does kind of confirm one of the things that I have always thought about Rafa, and that is, although Uncle Toni taught him how to behave and disciplined him well, alot of what has been spectacular about Rafa is within himself, as they say nature not nurture. Somethings you cannot train or discipline, there are some champions,(Rafa for example), that have that something that cannot be taught, they were just destined for success, you either have it or you don’t. Not to say that Rafa doesn’t have to put the work in, he isn’t all natural talent, but his mind, well thats a god given talent!
Fay, can you type out everything it says about Rafa? I can’t get more than the sampler online and I can’t order the free copy of the magazine either as I’m not in the UK. I’d love to hear what they have to say about Rafa and Uncle Toni.
Have u tried Fay’s link below?
There’s a page arrow at the top and Rafa is on P.8-9. Link works for me and I’m not in the UK.
http://content.yudu.com/A1o5eh/ReadersDigestJul10/resources/2.htm?skipFlashCheck=true
This is the link dina.
Thanks!
I think his parents probably had a lot to do with that too.
Yes! We tend to think that he was raised by Toni because he’s the one person we see all the time, who does the talking. But I’m sure his parents are due most of the credit.
Yes of course both mama and papa Nadal are behind what a great person Rafa is, he has an amazing family network surrounding him.
thanks very much
Just scroll back to page one for the front cover and forward to the is your child the next Andy Murray or Rafael Nadal section page 4 I think.
Thanks Fay I didn’t realise the article was in there. Toni said it’s better for him to be the uncle and not the father for him to train Rafa. I can understand that =)
I’d have to agree that there is no “cookie cutter” way to identify a future champion. Rafa is certainly an enigma in many respects. He does have that “eye of the tiger” and intensity of spirit that gives him a winning edge over many a timider player. It is interesting, though, that he often speaks of feeling badly for beating his opponents. I remember when he played Verdasco at the Oz open in the semis and was ahead 0-40 in the final set on Nando’s serve and he actually began to tear up because he felt so badly for his pal. The fight resumed pretty quickly, however, when he lost the next two points. He wants to win, for sure, but not at all costs. What a wonderful character he has.
The tears were from the tension, not because he felt bad for Nando.
And it’s not like he and Nando are best buds. More like co-workers who get along okay. He’s better friends with Ferrer and Feli than Nando.
Thanks for straightening that out, miri. Well put.
“the tears were from tension not because he felt badly for Nando”
I couldn’t agree more, Rafa might feel bad say when he finally shakes hands at the net as he then has to come face to face with his opponent/friend/colleague, but on the court inbetween points? nah, no way, he is totally in his demolition, gonna take you down mode! the ultimate competitor, as Andy Roddick said once, “its like he wants to kill you on the court”. THATS what makes Rafa the warrior he is on court, off court? he is everyones teddy bear when he wants to be, a real Gemini!
Hi folks. I seem to remember rafa talking about tearing up towards the end of that match. He said he started to cry from exhaustion and tension. What an amazing match that was. One of the all time greats.