Remembrance Of Things Past

And more yet to come.

A tribute article from his very own site.

Born To Make History

It’s hard to believe it’s already been 8 years since a talented young kid from Mallorca first burst into the tennis scene.

It was the 24th of September of 2001 the first time the name of Rafael Nadal first appeared in the ATP entry rankings list, opening as the world No. 1002 tennis player in the world and finishing the same year as world No. 811.

When you look back then and examine his ‘rookie’ years it wouldn’t be so hard to believe that Rafa was capable of going far - VERY far. However, no-body, NO one in the world expected what was to come from the then 15 year old tennis ‘prodigy’.

He’s broken records like no other, and at only 22 years old, the world number one has done more than most legends of the sport did at his same age.

RAFA, THE TENNIS PLAYER

Those of you who have followed Rafa from the beginning know it all started in April of 2003 when he played the Master Series of Monte Carlo for the first time in his career. Being the biggest stage he played since becoming a tennis player, it was absurd to think he would make it past the second round of the tournament (given his opponent), however, it was there and then that the world first learned about Rafa’s immense talent after he beat the world No.7 tennis player in the world, Roland Garros champion, and clay-court master, Albert Costa in straight sets.

Then, on the same year, one month later, Rafa was at it again at the Master Series of Hamburg. It was the second round of the tournament and due to play the then world No. 4 in the world, Carlos Moya (his best friend on the circuit and another clay court specialist) when he surprised everybody with an easy 7-5 6-4 win.

But that was just the beginning for Rafa…

In June 2003, he participated for the first time at Wimbledon. As a kid, he never played any junior Grand Slams simply because he was too young and his mother didn’t want him to miss any school, so this was ‘IT’ for Rafael, and boy did he make his debut one to remember.

His reputation as a clay-courter was perhaps one of his best allies during the tournament. He had no pressure, no high expectations from anybody, all he had were simply a bunch of opponents who probably underestimated him for his lack of experience and now wished they hadn’t.

Ranked 76th in the world, Rafa easily disposed of Mario Ancic (68) in four sets, then Lee Childs in straight sets before going down to Thailand’s superstar Srichaphan, Paradorn (11) in the third round. With this results Rafa became the youngest man to reach the third round since Boris Becker in 1984.

Not bad for a first timer who had never played on a grass tournament in his life, right?

Then we fast forward to today, after playing the teenage-hero role in the 2004 final against the U.S. that made him front-page news across Spain and the world, and winning the title again last year.

After earning 32 singles titles, (6 of them Grand Slams that are double the amount that Roger had at the same age), a Gold Medal (on his first try) at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, and countless of international awards for his amazing sportsmanship and human values.

He even became the first player since Andre Agassi (who is one of five men to capture all four Grand Slam trophies) to win majors on all three surfaces: clay, grass and hard court.

He is the deserving world No.1, a role model, an icon to millions of kids around the world who one day dream of being just like him.

As for Rafa? He’s just a “very happy person with my life. Everyday I wake up and say to myself that I'm very fortunate”

Credits: Youtube video made by Juliette2007!

It's a great video, you guys. Great article too.

*vintage Rafa pics via Vamos Brigade