Rafael Nadal- story continues...

MOOD- Happy


‘I expect to have a lot of years to be here fighting to win this tournament, no? I am going to try all my life’ –Rafael Nadal

May 2009- March 2010

Months Rafael had been struggling, for these months he had been fighting. Everybody had given up on him, they thought he was over; they said that he won’t comeback. When Rafa won all the 3 grand slams and numerous other tournaments and became no.1 in 2008, they thought he was here to rule, he was the new King, Federer cried, he could see it coming, he could feel that he was going down and that there was someone better than him.

But during Roland Garros 2009, Rafa lost his touch, he lost his way, he couldn’t win the Grand Slam which he was born to win. After that loss, he just couldn’t recover, for months he failed to find his way back. Federer was back as King, he was breaking records while Rafa was still lost finding his way. Federer was enjoying all the attention he was getting, for him it was like a dream come true, he had broken all the possible records, he had gotten married and he had two beautiful twin daughters, his life was complete.

Rafa stood there in a corner waiting patiently to finally make his comeback, inside he knew he was ready; he just waited for an opportunity. He got it in Monte Carlo masters, he reached the final, he was feeling confident, he was feeling healthy and he was playing the clay court tour, he couldn’t have felt more at home. The final he played against a fellow Spaniard but he showed no mercy, he battered him, he had nailed it. He had declared that he was back. But it wasn’t enough for them, they still wanted more convincing. Rafa won Rome masters comfortably and proved again that he still had it in him, that he could still win.

The real test came when he reached the Madrid Masters final, he had booked a spot in the final against Federer, people were dying for a Federer-Nadal final and they had not seen them in action for long. This was a test for Rafa, to finally shut the mouths of critics, to finally tell everyone that he was not over. He showed them, he proved them wrong; he defeated Federer and won the tournament. He was going into Roland Garros healthy, three clay court titles under his belt, he was feeling confident. Rafa not only won the French Open, he owned it. The king of clay was back. Tennis world had got its No.1 back.

They had shut up, they were awestruck. Who could have thought he would become the world no. 1 again but he did. Now the eternal question was would Rafa repeat 2008 all over again? Would he win RG and Wimbledon back to back? Would he? Could he? Rafa made it to the finals; he was the clear favourite to win Wimbledon. The last point seemed to last an eternity, everybody was sitting holding their breath, was Rafa about to win Wimbledon too? Was he? And indeed he did. He won Wimbledon 2010. The tears of joy couldn’t stop, he just couldn’t stop smiling. For all those who had lived those terrible months with him, for all those who had supported him throughout, this was a big moment for them. Their king was back and he told people that this time he was here to stay. He made everyone believe, that it’s not over till you believe it is. He made people believe in fate, opportunities, hardwork and hope again. He hit the right spot at the right time and nailed it. He made us believe, he inspired us, he silently killed his critics and he made everyone love him.

WELCOME BACK RAFA TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU BELONG, NO.1 FOREVER!

‘He has this different vibe. He goes from looking downright predatory to all of a sudden having this goofy smile. The energy, the passion is just dripping out of him. When he is playing, it’s hard to watch the other side of the court’ – Times Magazine on Rafa Nadal