The Man From Mallorca: Why We Need More Athletes Like Raphael Nadal

Rafael Nadal proved once again why he is considered the “King of Clay,” by capturing his 14th French Open title at Roland-Garros. For perspective, Pete Sampras, who ranks 4th all-time in Grand Slam victories, has 14 overall – Nadal now has just as many at one tournament. 

This victory gives Rafa 22 major titles in his storied career, two ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who are tied at 20 apiece. Many consider Roger Federer to be the most well liked of the “Big 3,” and Novak can make a strong case that he’s the greatest multi-surface player of them all, but, I contend that Rafael Nadal is the most important athlete – not just tennis player – of his generation. 

In an era when so many professional athletes bring an individualistic mindset to team sports, Nadal does the opposite, by bolstering a team mentality within an individual game. In fact, players cannot even receive coaching instruction during matches. 

Rafa constantly deflects adulation away from himself, and instead shines the spotlight towards his coaches, trainers, fans, tournament organizers, the citizens of hosting cities, and, most importantly, his family. 

Rarely does Nadal compete at a major tournament without the presence of his wife, mother, father, sister, and even his Uncle, Toni, the man who taught Rafa the game, and coached him for over 27 years. So instrumental was Uncle Toni, he even made his nephew play tennis left-handed, despite being a natural righty, so he would gain a slight advantage in a sport with few left-handed players.

Often mocked for his OCD-like habits, Nadal takes careful consideration with every action; all parts operating as one whole, not just physically, but morally. We have a word for this type of conduct – integrity. I cannot think of a better term to sum up “The Man from Mallorca.”

The Spaniard demonstrates a self-deprecating nature, and family-first convictions He has been nicknamed the “Raging Bull”, and acts in accordance with a code from a long-forgotten time when masculinity wasn’t seen as toxic, when honor was valued above winning, and when hustling with every fiber of your being was the status quo, rather than the exception.

Rafa manifests a near mythical mantra, conjuring images of the matador standing bravely, muleta in hand, while the bull, battling with spirit, kicks red clay across the Plaza de Toros. Nadal balances a warrior’s heart with a values-driven mentality; he competes with passion, respect, and pride, but also deference.

I have only followed the second half of Rafa’s career, but, over this past decade, I have never seen him break a single racket. I have, however, observed his perseverance over time, and his refusal to surrender to a single point, even when it would make sense to do so strategically. He is the personification of persistence, passion, and principle.

Despite missing more than a half dozen majors throughout his career due to injury, and enduring nearly that number of surgeries, Nadal continues to defy the odds. His latest French Open victory, at the age of 36, makes him the oldest man to ever win the event, and he did so in spite of the need for injections into his left foot.

Wimbledon, the oldest tournament in tennis, is just weeks away, and Rafa has not triumphed there since 2010. Worthy of note is Novak Djokovic, who has won the tournament six times in that span. While Nadal’s feat of 22 Grand Slam victories is historic, a valid argument can be made that Djokovic, who was the clear favorite to defend his title at this year’s Australian Open, would have beaten the Spaniard in Melbourne had he not been deported due to his refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

While I don’t consider myself a die-hard Djokovic fan, I do support Novak for sticking to his principles regarding the vaccine, and I’m disappointed he was not allowed to defend the tournament he won twelve months prior. A victory there would have moved Novak to a Grand Slam victory ahead of his rivals. 

Regardless, it is clear we are witnessing the three greatest men’s tennis players of all time competing simultaneously. It is doubtful we will see anything like this for years to come, and we shouldn’t take it for granted, even those who may not consider themselves avid tennis fans. So, while Federer brings in the most sponsor money, and Djokovic sits atop the all-time prize earnings list, it is Nadal who stands as the most important athlete of his generation, due to the combination of his success and character.

Not all of us can crush running forehands with vicious topspin, or sling lethal cross-court backhands with implausible precision, but we can emulate the integrity demonstrated by this heroic figure through focusing on our families, and centering our lives around an ethos of good.

David Cone is a co-host of Crain & Company,

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