Rafa Nadal: “I have made sacrifices for many years. I have lived with pain, it is not pleasant, but it has compensated me”

Rafa Nadal He returns to the track this Saturday in a two-team competition that will be held at his academy, in Manacor, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his birth. At 40 years old, it will be his first exhibition since his retirement at the conclusion of the 2024 season. His agenda continues to be full, commitments keep happening.

Among its satellite initiatives for years has been the UAX Rafa Nadal University School, in the surroundings of the Alfonso X el Sabio University, in Madrid.

The champion of 22 Grand Slam titles inaugurated the academic year of the university school to which he gives his name with a masterclass with ‘Legacy’ as the main reason.

Nadal He expressed what it means to him to leave a legacy after his long and prolific sports career. “For me, the professional legacy has to be accompanied by a human legacy, how you have influenced the people around you and that what you have left to others to inspire them, has helped them create something positive,” he told the students.

He is clear that “words are important, but examples mark you for life.” He grew up sportingly with the values ​​that his uncle and coach cared for, Tony Nadal. He never crashed a racket against the ground, the idea was not only to play tennis well, but also to set an example with his behavior.

His career was also full of heroic games. He lived with injuries, the sweat from the first to the last ball. Every point competed. “I have made sacrifices for many years. I have lived with pain, it is not pleasant, but it has compensated me,” it means.

In his daily objective, to improve compared to the previous day, to dedicate himself in each training session and game with the vocation to improve, of not having to reproach himself for anything in the aspect of attitude. “I believe that personal satisfaction lies in the effort. You can have the attitude and be talented; but the effort is what makes the difference.”

Effort as a vehicle towards more important heights. “In this life it is about giving yourself opportunities, there is not just one opportunity. When you make an effort every day they appear, and you have to be prepared and trained to take them. I had prepared myself throughout my life by training so that when the time came to make the leap into the professional world, be ready and give myself the opportunity,” he considers.

From a very young age Rafa Nadal He entered tennis training, he immediately stood out for his special talent, not only based on his handling of the racket, generating hits with effects that only he has managed to generate, but above all with mental capacity as a strong point to always give the best of himself at every moment, exploiting the maximum available at every moment. Without complaints, facing the reality of the day.