VamosRafael.com Article -- Days of Glory

Days of Glory

Vogue, Espaï¿½a
August 2005
Read the original article (in Spanish)

They call him "The Wonder Boy" and the whole world loves him. Rafael Nadal, the nineteen-year-old tennis player, speaks exclusively to Vogue after winning Roland Garros.

"I'm very tired but I'll give it all I've got." With these words Rafael Nadal greeted us at 17.00 on a sweltering afternoon on the rooftop terrace of Madrid's Hotel Imperatriz, both a wonderful vantage point from which to view the city and high enough to emulate the dizzy heights that this new young tennis giant has scaled. Thinking of just what he has achieved so far produces as much vertigo as looking down at the ant-like figures of the pedestrians far below on Madrid's Gran Via. Nadal has just turned 19 and he already has an enviable clutch of titles. Serious and powerful looking, he arrived with his team of closest advisors with whom he kept exchanging conspiratorial glances. His is the fashionable face of the moment and behind that timid smile of his lies tremendous physical power that makes him capable of seemingly impossible sprints and unthinkable effort.

Nobody can deny that Rafael Nadal has dominated tennis so far this season. His talent has exploded in an amazingly successful run of victories. He has been crowned champion in Acapulco, Costa du Sauipe, Montecarlo, Barcelona, Rome and Roland Garros. His opponents have been conquered by his game and the public by his youthfulness. A new reference figure has emerged - he is the player chosen to end Federer's reign. His image says it all - his shirts are sleeveless because he does not need to hide any aces.

- In most of your childhood photos you have a racket in your hand. It's difficult to imagine you doing anything else.

If I hadn't taken up tennis, I would almost definitely have been a football player. I played a lot when I was small, but the moment came when I had to make a decision... and the racket won.

- Since you were small everything has been planned so that you could become one of the world's best tennis players. Have you had moments of doubt?

I've never had any doubts. I was absolutely certain that I wanted to play tennis for a living. But it's true that I've had good moments and some not so good, like everone else. I'm a very normal person.

- How have you managed to combine your studies with a career like yours?

It's very complicated because you don't always have time to study and you can't really concentrate on the books. I did what I could because I really wanted to complete my secondary education (4ï¿½ESO).

- Do you still enjoy yourself as much on court as you did in the beginning?

Yes, definitely. Now of course there's much more pressure around me, but that's only to be expected if you're having good results. I love the pressure.

- Gladiator, Geronimo, Hercules, Wonder Boy, Toro.... Which of these names do you identify with most?

That's the press for you.... In Barcelona during the Conde de Godï¿½ tournament, they called me Killer. I'll have to put up with a lot of nicknames in the future. (laughs)

- You're the winner of Roland Garros, the youngest player to win the Davis Cup and the only threat to Federer's reign. Are your dreams coming true?

This year has turned out to be very good, better than expected. My intention was to finish up in the top 20, but all of the work and illusion we have put into it has been rewarded right from the beginning.But, I've still got a lot of goals to achieve.

- Several of the players that have become famous very young have had to rethink their career to maintain themselves at that level and others have had to abandon the circuit because of injuries. Do you feel ready to be at the front?

I hope so. What I've got quite clear is that by working hard and preparing myself physically and mentally, I'll be able to chalk up the stages to obtain the objectives that we have set.

- A lot of people hope that your matches against Federer will be repeats of those that McEnroe and Borg used to have.

I've seen lots of videos of those matches.... but what worries me most is working hard to improve my level.

- Are you obsessed with records?

No. I only think about doing things well and getting good results. At the Halle tournament I was one match away from equalling Federer's record of 25 consecutive wins, but, obviously, you don't think about these things when you step out on court.

- What would you choose to eat on a day when you don't have to keep to your usual strict diet?

Without any doubt, Coca-Cola and shellfish. It's a treat to have them now and then.

- When you were a junior you weren't able to go and play at Roland Garros because it coincided with your school examinations. Did that upset you especially?

I had to study. First I had to complete my schooling and as Roland Garros always coincided with the final exams, I had to stay home with my books. I took it calmly... there were other tournaments to play in.

- Your physical condition really impresses your opponents. There has been a lot of talk about the training techniques that you use. What's your secret?

There's no secret. I've got an ordinary normal body and do the same training as the others. What they say about my training techniques is more invention than anything else. Maybe the difference lies in the way I've developed naturally, in the genes, in what's hereditary, or whatever you want to call it.

- Tennis legends have praised your game and see you as producing the shake up that tennis really needs these days. How do you feel about this expectation that you raise?

It's flattering that great players like them see you as a new reference in modern tennis. I hope I don't disappoint them, but all I really think about is working hard.

- What has changed in your life?

I didn't expect to get such good results, at least not all one after another. But I don't think too much about it, I live for the moment and don't look any further than what is happening this year. I take each day as it comes and I'm aware that there will be periods when things may go wrong.

- Your family is close knit around you in support and your Uncle Toni has always been at your side to lend a helping hand on the circuit. What porcentage of your success do you owe to them?

A very high percentage. Of course, I've made a lot of effort but, if it had not been for my family and above all for my Uncle Toni, I would not have been a tennis player and I would not have got to where I am now.

- The best piece of advice that you have ever been given?

My family has instilled many values in me and they have commented that playing tennis is not the most important in life, that there are other things.

- Nike uses your image, your trousers and sleeveless shirts are the latest fashion in tennis gear. Are you aware of "the Nadal effect" around you?

I'm better known than I was before but not so much as to notice "the Nadal effect". In any case, you'd be better asking the public if they notice that effect.

- What do you like most and what do you like least of what has been said about you?

To tell you the truth I read practically nothing of what is published about me, so I cannot give my opinion of it. I prefer to keep concentrating on my work and to let others give their opinions.

- What helps you to relax?

I've always got a CD with music with me, at the moment I'm reading 'La Tapadora' (John Grisham's The Partner). But, above all, the main thing is to enjoy myself whatever I'm doing, forget about everything else.

- A place to get away from it all?

Mallorca. It's my refuge.

- What ritual do you have before going out on to the court to play a match?

I always jump up and down, giving myself encouragement while warming up. Then I have a shower and go out on to the court to give my all.

- What do you most like doing in your spare time?

I love football, playing golf and going fishing. I also like going to the cinema whenever I can.

- Your sleeveless shirt and pirata pants have broken sales records. Is the image your own thing or has it been imposed on you by Nike?

No, they give me the gear and if I feel comfortable in it, as is the case with these, fine with me. If you don't like it, you can change, choose other models.

- Are you aware that from now you'll be expected to win all of your tournaments?

Everyone is aware that you can win or lose. I try to give my maximum in all of the matches and to keep improving to maintain my level.

- In an advertisement for a car make you are seen hitting tennis balls that are raining down from the sky. When are you going to get a driving license?

I need to get down to it. I'll do it as soon as I have time. I need a couple of weeks to devote to it... it's about time!

- What do your childhood friends say about what you are achieving?

They don't see me any differently, just a normal boy who's a friend to his friends. Our relationship hasn't changed.

- You're one of the video game generation. Do you really know you have made it big when you can choose to be yourself in the latest generation tennis video game?

I'm not very addicted to video games, but, in any case, I wouldn't choose to be myself.

by Carlos Ita

Photograph titles:

pp.98/99 FUERZA INTERIOR - 'INNER FORCE'

pp.100/101 CENTRADO - 'FOCUSED' 19 year old Nadal is tremendously mature both on and off the court.

p.103 LA CIUDAD A SUS PIES - 'THE CITY AT HIS FEET'

pp.104/105 BAï¿½O DE EXITO - 'BATHED IN SUCCESS' Nadal combats the heat

of the photographic session by pouring a bottle of water over his head

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