Article sur Rafa (anglais)

Rafael Nadal, man or myth?

By Anna Nicholas

Nadal fever has swept across the UK faster than a forest fire and shows no sign of abating. Following the young Majorcan’s triumph at Wimbledon, the British press just can’t get enough of him. Call it love at first sight, but not since Princess Diana, has there been such an outpouring of the pen. Unquestionably Rafael Nadal is king of the racket but he is also being hailed as the “champion of the people”, a genuine, unaffected good guy who despite his enormous wealth and fame, is just a simple man at heart.

Astonishing though it may seem, it’s all true but there’s more to it than that. Rafael Nadal is a true Majorcan and has Majorcan values. When I talk to locals about the charisma of “Rafa”, they shrug and smile and wonder what all the fuss is about. Of course he’s courteous, well mannered and sincere, they say. It is what they would expect of one of their countrymen and of a boy brought up in a hard working, honest Majorcan family. All the islanders are fiercely proud of their hero but in an understated and modest way. They have shared his victories and last year, his pain, but rather like the man himself they don’t like to crow.

Is "Rafa" Nadal a hero for our times?

Several of my Majorcan friends know Rafael Nadal and say that he and his family, based in the working town of Manacor, are close-knit and share simple pleasures. When off the court and back on the island his passions are golf, computer games, swimming and spending time with his girlfriend Xisca whom he’s known since childhood. His favourite pastime is fishing with his grandfather and he enjoys traditional Majorcan food. Occasionally he comes up to my neck of the woods and goes fishing with a local restaurateur near Soller Port. As a child he was so talented at sport that the family wasn’t sure where his real sporting prowess would lie. He could have been a champion footballer –his childhood dream-like his famous uncle Angel, a legendary footballer, but finally he settled on tennis. With the constant support of another uncle, Toni, who was also a professional tennis player, and the entire family, Rafael Nadal worked diligently, honing his considerable talent to become the world’s number one tennis player.

A young Majorcan friend sent to Paris on a conference, found to his amazement that Rafael Nadal and his uncle Toni were staying at the same hotel. He politely greeted them in the foyer and delighted to meet a fellow Majorcan, they instantly invited him to breakfast. On learning that he couldn’t afford a ticket for the French Open, they insisted that he and his friends join them in their private box throughout the tournament. My friend returned fromm Paris with photos and autographs and we hung on his every word, smitten and starry-eyed, lapping up yet another story of our hero’s largesse.

When other sports stars abuse their status and money, throw tantrums, sulk and complain about the spectators, Rafael Nadal’s humility and good sportsmanship are once again thrown into sharp relief. He is a true gentleman on and off the court but above all he is a happy, uncomplicated and dedicated Majorcan, grateful for the opportunities that his immense talent have brought him and appreciative of those of us who lend him our unwavering support.

With Rafa Nadal, what you see, really is what you get.

Source: http://my.telegraph.co.uk/expat/annanicholas/202/rafael-nadal-man-or-myth/