By Susan Seemiller
October 29, 2024
Bob Larson's Tennis Celebs

Six months ago, sixteen-year-old Mallorcan RAFAEL NADAL was one of many players trying to transition from the juniors to the big league. The media took note when he reached the third rounds of the Monte Carlo and Hamburg Masters Series events, defeating former Roland Garros champions Albert Costa and Carlos Moya in the process. He finished last year at 200 in the ATP Entry System. He now has a couple Challenger titles, an ATP doubles title and is in the Top 50.

Now 17, Rafa, as he is known to his friends, is also becoming a fan favorite. He has a fan website, at vamosrafael.com, and on October 16, he chatted on-line with fans at terra.es. The chat was in Spanish, as he is still learning English.

Nadal trains four hours a day, and said the most important thing about playing tennis is to have fun. His leisure time is limited, and to the relief of several young female fans, Nadal said he does not have a "novia" (girlfriend).

He dislikes being called the future of Spanish tennis, saying "I will try to continue to improve with many wins, but I don't want to think that I have that responsibility." His dream is to win Wimbledon, an unusual goal for a Spanish player, but noted, "If I have to choose between being number one or winning a grand slam, I prefer being number one."

One of his uncles, Miguel Angel Nadal, is a famous soccer star known as the "Beast of Barcelona." Nadal acknowledged that having a famous uncle has gotten him "a little publicity," but it does not affect his ranking. "On court, I have to win it," he said.

Nadal recalled getting autographs from soccer players when he was little, and does not mind signing autographs for his fans. In Madrid, his racquet sponsor, Babolat, organized an autograph session, instructing Nadal several times to sign just one Babolat postcard per person. To the sponsor's chagrin, Nadal continued to sign everything placed in front of him. He may have disappointed his sponsor, but certainly not his fans.


**This article may not be reproduced without permission of Bob Larson Tennis.**

Return to VamosRafael.com.

Return to VamosRafael.com Articles.