i was in the middle of tweaking numbers but my mind was actually not on it. i was preoccupied with the US open men's singles final between rafael nadal and novak djokovic. the match was scheduled yesterday, around 8 am manila time, but was postponed until today due to inclement weather. when i got to the office, i didn't open any tennis sites, but tweeted instead. 3rd from the wall was gototennis's tweet that nole has just won the second set. i took it as a sign to work and not bother looking at any of the sites to see the scores. after almost an hour, i couldn't take it any longer and i opened yahoo tennis site... rafa has just won! waaaaaaa! i wanted to jump and shout! the anticipation of seeing rafa win his career slam had been building up ever since he trounced verdasco in the quarters and on saturday, he beat youzhny in the semis in straight sets. i knew then on that he'll take this one, whether it'll be federer or djokovic on the other side of the net.
rafa won his 9th slam; 42nd title; 3rd slam in a row; became just the 7th man to complete a career slam, winning all four slams at least once; and he's only 24. what an achievement for the modest king from mallorca. but what's more inspiring, admirable and remarkable is how he handles fame, tennis greatness and all these achievements:
Though Nadal has demonstrated himself to be ruthless on court, lording over his subjects and summarily banishing them en route to nine major championships and 42 titles, off court he's anything but imperious. His conqueror persona seems like a character he plays in competition.
With his violently torqued topspin forehand, Nadal's game is thoroughly modern. His demeanor, though, is decidedly Old World.
Away from the rigid geometrical confines of a tennis court, Nadal is a gracious and modest young man, with impeccable manners and respect not only for his rivals but pretty much everyone he comes into contact with: journalists, ballboys, tournament directors, drivers.
If you think this is a kid who was raised right, you're correct. He may have been taught to be a great tennis player, but he wasn't necessarily groomed to conquer the tennis world.
as the gracious runner-up nole puts it, "Nadal … is just proving each day, each year, that he’s getting better. That’s what’s so frustrating, a little bit. He’s getting better each time you play him. He’s so mentally strong and dedicated to this sport. He has all the capabilities, everything he needs, in order to be the biggest ever.”
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