Adios Rafa.
Rafael Nadal is considered one of the best players to ever play tennis. There isn’t quite a tennis player like Rafa. With his 20 Grand Slam titles and legendary plays on clay, Nadal will be remembered forever.
I’m glad to have Ben Rothenberg, one of the most esteemed writers in the tennis industry, collaborate with me on this piece. We’re going to be talking about Nadal’s play, legacy, and the Davis Cup. Be sure to subscribe to Sports Square and Bounces and like this post!
Adios Rafa:
Smayan:
Ben. I know one thing for sure. I don’t follow tennis as much as you do, but I do know that you don’t see much talent like Rafael Nadal.
I fell in love with the game very early in life, but never really followed the pros and the game (I regret not doing so).
The one guy I did follow was Rafael Nadal, and this was solely because of a family member. This person taught me everything I know about tennis, and it was remarkable the devotion this person had for the sport. Rafa became a guy I looked up to.
I ponder about tennis quite a bit, and Nadal’s always at the center of whatever I think. I remember when he lost to Djokovic in the Olympics this year. All I could wonder was what if Nadal beat him?
There will never be an athlete like Nadal. Back in his prime, he just never got tired, and it was almost like he was The Hulk—The speed in his game, the agility, and the explosiveness. I mean WOW (we’ll dig a bit deeper into his play soon).
Your memories, Ben?
Ben:
Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam title the same weekend I graduated from high school, and I’m about to have my 20-year reunion this year, which says a lot about his longevity in the sport. He’s been a major character in tennis for my whole adult life, and I never would have expected him to have been so important for so long in the sport.
The most memorable tournament of Nadal’s that I ever covered was his win at the 2022 Australian Open. Nadal had set expectations incredibly low for himself—as he often did—but this time it seemed entirely accurate, playing what had been his weakest major with very little preparation. But once he got rolling—and once Novak Djokovic got deported—Nadal seized the opportunity and kicked off an improbable months-long resurgence.
Smayan:
I think my favorite part of Rafa’s game is his forehand, and it has to be his greatest asset, especially with all the spin he puts on the stroke. His best-ever RPM measurement was 5000, while most guys are at or around 3000. If we compare Djokovic and Nadal, you have a 210 RPM difference. In fact, check this comparison between some great male tennis players.
Ben, you watched him when you covered the tour. What did you see about him?
Ben:
Beyond his physical gifts, Nadal brought a certain level of excitement and electricity that I don’t think any other player matched during my coverage career. With Federer there was reverence, but with Nadal there was a real sort of rock-star energy that was created at tournaments when he took the court. His brash game was offset with his constant professions of humility, and it was a combination that so many people just fell in love with for so long.
Smayan:
So, to the Davis Cup in general.
Spain captain David Ferrer isn’t sure if Nadal will play singles or doubles on Tuesday. Nadal also doesn’t want to make the whole Davis Cup about him, which it is… According to reports, there is a slight chance that Federer might come to watch the Davis Cup.
Any news aside from Rafa, Ben?
Ben:
I think the decision will be up to Rafa, but if he’s feeling at all capable physically, I think he will want to play singles one last time. But if his last singles match turns out to have been against Djokovic at the Olympics, that’s a pretty majestic final act.
You’re right, the whole Davis Cup is very much about Rafa; aside from him, it will be interesting to see how Sinner can finish off his season, which has been nearly flawless on hard courts. He’s 50-3 on the surface this year, so this is the last chance to make that record even more overwhelming.
Smayan:
In the end, Rafael Nadal will retire from tennis with $560 million in earnings. If he doesn’t go on to win the Davis Cup, he’ll end up with 92 titles. Once again, depending on his progress in the Davis Cup, he’ll finish with a 1080-227 record.
Thank you so much for coming on to talk some Nadal with me, Ben. This was such a cool experience.
Make sure you watch the Davis Cup, which is happening in Malaga, Spain. It starts at 11:00 AM EST on Tuesday, November 19th, and will go up until Sunday, November 24.
On my way out, here’s a look at Rafa’s training regime!
(Sports Summit #2.)
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