Interview: Holding Court with Justin Gimelstob
The recent interview that Rafa did with Gimelstob has been posted to YouTube.
Posted by StarGamesTV.
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I love that he sorta knew when he was 8 years old he was special. He knew he was special enough to be competitive in any of the tournaments he entered. He knew he had a “chance” to win. Not cocky about it … just feeling like he was lucky enough to be given this gift, and having the support around him, then taking that and putting his whole heart and soul into creating this incredible tennis career.
The interviewer got him to answer the question finally there :).
Miri thank you for posting this interview.
Oh i just want to hug him.
He looks so awkward in this interview, he doesn’t know what to do with his legs.
I love the way he tries to find the right words to explain himself in English.
Sometimes I don’t think he knows how great and special he is because he lives in the moment. I see no ego.
It’s sad when he says he was watching the tournaments go by and he could not participate. For me, he is an extraordinary human being, tennis player and a great ambassador for tennis and sport in general.
I love the way he answered the question about his rituals.
I feel like he was not given all that talent to have such a short career and he will be on top in the near future.
I’ve seen comments on other sites asking why he doesn’t pack it up and walk away because his body has had it, I understand exactly why he doesn’t want to walk away cause he loves this sport, this career, this lifestyle and he has the talent to play this sport at the highest level.
There was a retired tennis player on CNN who was speaking to the Bryan brothers (if i remember correctly) and he basically said don’t retire too early cause it will affect you in the worse possible ways.
He is so fidgety. Just can’t sit still – just like a little kid – and that makes him even more adorable than he already is! Oh, how I wish I could just hug and kiss him. Snuggle him like a teddy bear.
He’s not nearly so fidgety when he’s speaking in Spanish/Catalan or when he’s very comfortable with the interviewer. Interesting that, three weeks ago when he was interviewed, he was caressing that knee. Reminded me of his interview during the last French Open. Hope he’s not doing that as much now.
He’s so funny :).I love him, he’s still so young
This is marked ‘uncut’ – so don’t know how much will be in the TV program tonight. Very, super impressed, as if I wasn’t already. He is so real, grounded, knows what is important in life. I could listen to him for hours.
Clearly there is more; to be posted I hope.
What a precious human he is! I can’t help still thinking of him as a little pumpkin even though he’s really a grown man now. He still seems so innocent to me. I like the fact that Justin asked him about his mother because I don’t think she gets enough credit for her part in making him the man he has become (“Clean your room, Rafa!”). She is the one (along with his sister, I think) who really has a major hand on his foundation. I love that he so often used to take her along as his “date” to events, before he and Xicsa were a more serious couple (or maybe he was protecting her from the limelight when she was so young because she does not want that role). Anyway, I truly hope that he is able to play at IW this year as I think it will help his confidence going into the European clay swing to have the match toughness under his belt. Whether or not he plays in Miami is no biggie, although it seems Roger is skipping it, so maybe Rafa will too. It’s so hard to think that he’s got to carefully monitor his playing schedule at only 26, but that is the nature of such a grueling sport. I’ve had favorite players in the past, but never have I felt such a sinking in my heart when anticipating the decline and retirement of my favorite (not even when Patrick Rafter retired!). Rafa has transcended tennis in many ways, with his sweetness and humor as well as the simple joy he gets from going to musicals on Broadway, the aquatic park in Melbourne, walking to Wimbledon from his rented house, enjoying the history of Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and Monte Carlo, and playing golf in the “colm” of Indian Wells. He makes us smile for so many reasons and I hope that in some (or many) way/s he will be involved in tennis for decades after he does retire!!!
omg, he said ‘infrastructure’! so very very precious! love him even more.
Lol I noticed that. His English is getting better and I love listening to him.
He worked hard on his recovery to come back and play the game he loves. He didn’t have to, he has achieved everything but he still has the passion and motivation for tennis. No one will ever achieve the records he has made on the clay.
Amen, Sharon.
I love how he says “watch-ed” and how he expresses himself so honestly. I don’t see how anyone could doubt this extraordinary man’s sincerity and humility. What a rare inspiration he is…
Our Rafa just isn’t a man that rests on laurels. Not made that way.
Thanks for posting that lovely interview with Rafa. I have added it to my favourites! who wouldn’t?.I love how he can’t sit still, he is so fidgety with his legs, awwwww. This is why I love Rafa, he has those cute sweet boyish mannerisms that makes him so adorable. I just want to hug him tight and wrap him up and keep him safe from harm!.
Our Rafa is so humble. His answer and the Rafa brow when Gimelstob said when did you realise you were special?. He then went on to read out Rafa’s amazing career stats and Rafa started to touch his face and looked embarassed. Awwww, Rafa you have so much to be proud of, yet he is so humble!. His family did a good job with Rafa to keep him grounded. Rafa is also so honest saying that he has doubts all the time. It always amazes me how down to earth he is. I mean he is Rafael Nadal and he is one of the best tennis players ever! who also happens to be so beautiful, yet Rafa is stil so real. Rafa’s family are so lucky to have Rafa in their lives, to have a guy like him around is a blessing. He is such a wonderful young man. This interview is the reason why we love Rafa so much!!!. He is so unique and special and has so much passion for the game. Let’s embrace him to the hilt because there will never be another Rafael Nadal! He is a one off and we are lucky to be his fans!
Lovely to see Rafa this way. Of course he was fidgety and couldn’t stretch his legs, but otherwise seemed very much to be with colm by the water. I like how he spoke about he and Moya’s ascent to number one hailing from Mallorca, and whether or not he is “special”. I don’t think it’s lost on him the accomplishments he’s attained. He uses a perfect example of winning the 12 and Under Championships. At the same time, winning that or even his first FO didn’t guarantee him anything else in terms of tennis achievements. He’s got more competing to do and I’m sure it will add to his legacy. What a great champion and ambassador of life! Vamos Rafa, Siempre!
I agree about your comment about his legs being cramped, sitting so close to JG. He couldn’t get enough room to be comfortable; but could still be some inner nervousness.
Just watched this on TV. Rafa is squirmy-shy-adorable – but I would have been too if I had creepy Gimmelstob making his “I’m intently listening to you like a proper interviewer” face at me the whole time.
Truly. After hearing Gimel’s notorious radio interview, it’s even harder to listen to/watch him…
Creepy is the mot juste, but give the creep his due. He did a good job speaking clearly, simply and slowly so Rafa could understand him easily.
Another trait of Rafa’s is so apparent here. When he accomplishes something great he looks around for someone, something, to credit for the win. His family, his team, the Olympic Village… The only thing he ever takes credit for is putting in the hard work.
Oh, now I’m watching these vids (didn’t get a chance to earlier) and they include footage not shown on TV.
Rafa is the humblest and the most respectful guy in the ATP Tour, ever!!!
Lovely interview! Thanks so much for posting it for us! I loved how he said he had a bit of “lucky”!
I must have been away or something – what happened in the notorious radio interview with Gimelstob?!
I want to know that too. What happened in that radio interview???.
Yes, what interview?
I notice that he’s been straightened out on the pronunciation of “doubt.” Too bad. I kinda liked “doobt”
Agree with the comments, lovely interview, thanks Miri.