On the occasion of the final phase of the 2024 Davis Cup, which marks the end of Rafael Nadal's career, 20 Minutes is publishing a series of articles on the Tennis legend with 22 Grand Slam titles. Today, a look back at the image of the perfect gentleman that the Spaniard has built throughout his career.
22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 Roland-Garros, the latter figure being for many the greatest achievement in the sport to date. Rafael Nadal, however, has an even crazier statistic to his credit: in his 23-year career, the former world number 1 has never broken a racket. A pretty crazy accomplishment to which his equipment supplier Babolat wanted to pay tribute by making him a special bag before his Davis Cup match against Boitic Van de Zandschulp on Tuesday. Far from the 62 destroyed by Novak Djokovic according to a census from the Howdy Tennis Instagram page and light years from the legendary 1,055 by Marat Safin (official figure). Carlos Alcaraz may claim to be among Rafa's heirs, but he already crushed his instrument as recently as this summer against Gaël Monfils.
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Nadal has certainly already hit his racket gently with the palm of his hand or his knee, but there is in his unwavering restraint the image of holiness, forged from an early age by a merciless Toni Nadal. The story is known, the uncle-trainer strictly forbids his foal, barely six years old, from damaging the equipment under penalty of slamming the door. “At first, I didn’t accept it for economic reasons,” he said one day. Then, because it means giving in to adversity, and I never allowed that. »
“Nadal has angelic patience”
Everyone agrees that the nephew's righteousness reflects the uncle's personality. As Toni taught by example, it was easier for Rafa to assimilate his precepts such as responding kindly to journalists who are doing their job and saying hello to everyone wherever you go even if you have to pass by. the day.
« “A few years ago, he received the Jean-Borotra fair play trophy,” remembers Nelson Monfort, privileged interlocutor. It was at the Sorbonne, an endless ceremony, with endless speeches, it lasted three hours. And Rafael Nadal was angelically patient. It was the day before the Roland-Garros tournament. I can tell you that there are plenty of athletes who would have dismissed all that quickly. Not him. He's just a good boy. » »
For anyone who is tempted to think that it is easy to do well in conquered lands, where everything smiles upon him, history always has an anecdote to tell about the politeness of the man. Arthur Bongrand, responsible for the ball boys at Roland-Garros, delivers one among others.
“What struck me and which had made the rounds here is that the few defeats or disappointments that he may have had because of abandonments at Roland-Garros, he always took the time to tell the review each person, particularly those in the locker rooms, accreditations, etc. This is notable because usually when players lose, they move on. They take the car, go to the airport. Rafa always took the time to say thank you and goodbye to all the people who helped him prepare for his tournament and his matches as best as possible. »
Rafa shares his birthday cake with the ball boys
Rafa shakes hands, signs autographs, flashes smiles for a photo with a fan, never says no when you approach him at a restaurant, in short, everything a campaigning politician must do to win hearts. The logical continuation of things, the Spaniard's name systematically came up as being the most likeable player in the eyes of the ball boys, with whom he happened to share his birthday cake, Porte d'Auteuil. “We are doing a survey among the ball boys, because they are closest to the action,” explains Nelson Monfort. And the one who systematically comes out on top is Rafa. Because there's a way to hold out your towel, and not throw it away carelessly, and there's no mistaking that sort of thing. » Double finalist
at Roland, Alex Corretja can attest to this. “Even in the middle of a match, in the middle of a tournament, Rafa always has a “please” to ask for the towel, a thank you when someone hands him a ball. » “He always showed sympathy with the collectors, with the people who revolve around tennis,” adds Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. It shouldn't be, but it's very respectable in these times. »
It remains to be seen whether the greatest player on clay was doing all this for the cameras. Fabrice Santoro sweeps away with the back of his hand. “I had the chance to see other behind-the-scenes moments outside of the cameras, without anyone. And he's nice to everyone. He is truly incredible. » For that too, Rafa will be missed.
