Rafael Nadal’s retirement leaves a huge gap on the court, but at least a few things he stood for will forever remain.
Think about the people you don’t personally know but admire. Entrepreneurs. Athletes. Entertainers. Philanthropists. Who makes your list probably says more about you than it does them.
Take tennis. If you’re relatively strong and powerful, you probably admire Serena Williams. If you’re relatively small and scrappy, you more likely identify with Jasmine Paolini. If you fancy yourself graceful, Roger Federer or Steffi Graf.
Whomever you choose, in tennis or more broadly, it tends to be because you see something of yourself in them: What they do – and how they do it – reflects what you imagine you might do, if given the chance. Career reflections
That’s why, even though I haven’t played tennis in decades, I admire Rafael Nadal. Over the course of a 23-year career, he won 22 Grand Slams, including a record 14 French Opens, and 92 total singles titles.
Nadal’s excellence is beyond me. I’m not particularly smart, or talented, or educated or adept or athletic. I probably can’t outthink, or outsmart, or outskill you. My only advantage? I’m willing to outwork you.
Outworking competitors was the hallmark of Nadal’s game. (Well, that and his on-court rituals.) He played every point as if it were the last. He tried to chase down every shot. No matter how far he fell behind, he refused to accept defeat. I can’t relate to his achievements, but I can - at least I try to - relate to that.
Then there’s this. How does Nadal want to be remembered? Here’s what he said after his last match on Wednesday:
The titles, the numbers, are there … but the way I would like to be remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca.
Nadal was widely known for being polite, courteous, and kind. He went out of his way to speak to volunteers at tournaments. At his last press conference, he made a point of thanking the stenographer.
A relatable legacy
Simply put, Nadal seems like a good guy. Another good guy, Federer, clearly thought so. As Federer wrote in a letter to Nadal:
… and then there was London - the Laver Cup in 2022, my final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side - not as my rival, but as my doubles partner.
Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.
I’m not that good of a guy, but I would like to be.
As Nadal said as he was about to walk off the court for the last time:
I just want to be remembered as a good person (my italics). A kid that followed their dreams, and achieved more than what I ever dreamed.
A good person. Someone who followed their dreams, and in the process achieved even more than what they imagined possible.
That’s something we can all relate to, or at least someday hope to relate to. And admire.