Rafael Nadal: How ‘Rafa’ Is Unique Insight into a Tennis Superstar

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: August 10, 2012

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Rafael Nadal fans have been itching for any news of their hero to make his return to the ATP tour, and ultimately to make a run at the 2012 US Open title.

In the meantime, summer is a great time to read tennis biographies, and Rafa, written with John Carlin is the definitive book about Nadal.  It’s a presentation for the reader to hear his voice and gain insight about his upbringing and thoughts as a tennis champion.

 

Thoughts while Playing Roger Federer

Rafa is a simple, straightforward read. It has only 250 pages and is divided into nine chapters. Each chapter has two sections. The first section is narrated by Nadal with first-person accounts, primarily focused on the thoughts and feelings he can offer. The second section is Carlin’s third-person, more objective reporting to give the book greater balance and external perspectives.

The book begins the eve of Nadal’s 2008 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. It offers some of the curious details to his preparation and mindset, and instantly strips the armor away from the intimidating presence Nadal displays at his matches.



In particular, Nadal narrates how he responds to adversity on several game-changing points.

There are stream-of-consciousness comments Nadal utters in playing against Federer. He shows how his game plan, confidence and belief must be mentally stronger than Federer to defeat him.

For example, the following excerpt from pages 73-74 explains his belief after trailing 4-1 in the second set of that Wimbledon match:

“He cannot sustain this level either in this set or the next three or four sets…

This was a setback for him. He took it badly, lost his concentration, left that zone of brilliance he had entered, and I broke him again.”

Nadal is also willing to reveal his own failures or missed opportunities. He walk...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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