Rafa

by Rafael Nadal, John Carlin

What makes a champion? What does it take to be the best in the world at your sport? Rafael Nadal has the answers. In his memoir, written with award-winning journalist John Carlin, he reveals the secrets of his game and shares the inspiring personal story behind his success. It begins in Mallorca, where the tight-knit Nadal family has lived for generations.

Coached by his uncle Toni from the age of four and taught humility and respect by his parents, Nadal has managed the uncommon feat of becoming an acclaimed global celebrity while remaining a gracious, hardworking role model for people in all walks of life. Now he takes us behind the scenes, from winning the Wimbledon 2008 final-described by John McEnroe as "the greatest game of tennis" he had ever seen-to the family problems that brought him low in 2009 and the numerous injuries that have threatened his career. With candor and intelligence, Nadal brings readers on his dramatic and triumphant journey, never losing sight of the prize he values above all others: the unity and love of his family.

From RAFA: "During a match, you are in a permanent battle to fight back your everyday vulnerabilities, bottle up your human feelings. The more bottled up they are, the greater your chances of winning, so long as you've trained as hard as you play and the gap in talent is not too wide between you and your rival. The gap in talent with Federer existed, but it was not impossibly wide. It was narrow enough, even on his favorite surface in the tournament he played best, for me to know that if I silenced the doubts and fears, and exaggerated hopes, inside my head better than he did, I could beat him. You have to cage yourself in protective armor, turn yourself into a bloodless warrior. It's a kind of self-hypnosis, a game you play, with deadly seriousness, to disguise your own weaknesses from yourself, as well as from your rival."

Genres: Biography, Sports, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Rafael Nadal Parera is a Spanish professional tennis player.

He has been ranked No. 1 for 209 weeks, and has finished as the year-end No. 1 five times.

Nadal has won 21 Grand Slam men's singles titles, the most in history. He has won 90 ATP singles titles, with 62 on clay, including a record 13 French Open titles and 26 of his 36 Masters titles.
His 81 consecutive wins on clay is the longest single-surface win streak in the Open Era.

Reviews

[Surshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is priceless. Open, straight and deliciously honest, this gives a first hand account of both - Rafa the tennis champion and Rafa the human being. It also depicts how these two people are so different from each other - Rafa the human is beset with doubts and insecurities, is indecisive, is scared of thunder, lightning and the dark and is wary and scared of any small incursion that can upset his tightly knit family life. Rafa the tennis player, in stark contrast is a decisive, ruthless, super-competitive champion and is the epitome of endurance - something that has been etched into his conscience by his uncle, coach and friend - Toni. The book offers a deep dive into every aspect that makes Rafa who he is today - the fiercely protective and closer-than-close family that gives Rafa the emotional stability he needs and thrives on, the dogmatic Toni who brings Rafa to train at 9 AM despite any late night sojourns or a match the previous day and who keeps him grounded by constantly reminding him that he is nothing special and that to endure when all seems lost is what will set him apart, his team - Titin, Tuts and the rest who always manage to keep him game ready and the mental make-up of Rafa himself.

Written in a unique manner - the Wimbledon 2008 finals interspersed with Rafa's words on his childhood and growing up years and those of someone else who have seen and worked with him lends a beautiful lucidity to the book. The bits about the Wimbledon 2008 finals in particular are gripping and give us a glimpse of what usually transpires in a player's mind during one of the biggest matches of his career. It not only confirmed my belief that tennis is a game of mind over matter, but also demonstrated in more occasions than one, how Rafa's single-minded concentration, his ability to endure, his desire for victory and his never-say-die attitude overcame all - injury, history, rankings and expectations. Rafa, unlike Federer, always gave the impression that he was human and prone to error and injury - something which Rafa admits to on more occasions than one. The manner in which he admits to all his flaws and opens up his private emotions and thoughts at the most definitive moments of his life is endearing to say the least. In addition to all this, the book offers valuable life lessons in endurance, hard work, grabbing opportunities, never giving up, discipline and humility more than any others that I have read in recent times. Vamos Rafa! You have converted me.

[Rachel C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less of an autobiography and more of a detailed breakdown of two particular matches (Wimbledon 2008 v. Federer and US Open 2010 v. Djokovic) with some personal history mixed in.

This book definitely doesn't have the broader appeal of Agassi's "Open." I liked it because I'm a big Rafa fan, and you get a lot more info here than you do from his generally stilted and uninformative interviews. Turns out he's quite a Jekyll and Hyde personality: very timid and sensitive off court despite being an absolute beast on court. (Would you believe he's terrified of dogs and thunderstorms, and doesn't like to sleep in the dark?)

The language is sort of awkward, and often sounds like it's poorly translated from Nadal's native Spanish. On the other hand, the awkward syntax is more consistent with his public "voice" than a smoother translation would be. I'm sure it was a difficult balance for his "co-author" to strike.

I'd like to see Nadal expand on this book in about 15 years, when his career is concluded and he has some more perspective.

[Dean Ryan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author's Writing Style: 5 stars.

Done re-reading RAFA. This is by far my favorite nonfiction book due to three reasons. Reason 1: It is about Rafael Nadal. He is my idol. Reason 2: It is the first book that I patiently annotate using sticky notes. Reason 3: This book was a Christmas gift from my sister and brother-in-law, which Rafa himself signed his initials when he visited the Philippines for the first time in 2015.

Rafa's autobiography is written differently. It is divided into nine chapters, eight pages of which are filled with colored pictures of him, his family and his team. Each chapter has two parts. The first part is written in first-person perspective. Rafa begins to share his experiences in 2008 Wimbledon Finals against Roger Federer. This is a set by set narration of his thoughts and feeling while playing the match.

Half way through the chapter, Rafa's narration jumps to his personal life.

I salute his spiritual brotherhood with his physical therapist since September 2006. He calls him Titin. "Rafael Maymo is Nadal's shadow, his most intimate companion on the grindingly long global tennis circuit, (page 20). "

The second part of a chapter is narrated in third-person perspective written by John Carlin. It retells what Rafa has shared, adding more details to the story. This is the pattern of the story for six chapters.

The last three chapters of the book are about Rafa's journey to winning his first US Open in 2010 against Novak Djokovic. It was also the moment that Rafa completed his Career Golden Slam.

[Akanksha Chattopadhyay · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I sit to review Rafael Nadal’s autobiography, fresh from having watched del Potro triumph over Wawrinka in a hard fought Wimbledon second round (an unfortunate fixture for this stage of the tournament with both men capable of winning Grand Slam finals on their days), memories come flooding my mind. Nearly six years from where the book leaves off and Nadal being far from the top of the ATP rankings, “Rafa-my story” doesn’t fall short of putting into perspective all it says, all Rafa Nadal comes to signify, and perhaps some of the key values that everyone must embody. Mildly Puritanical as the overtones may suggest, and starkly in contrast with my present Postmodernist bearings, Nadal’s book is a wholesome experience. However, I don’t regret not having read it immediately after publication, for though the sixteen year old me might have clutched it harder in fanatic enthusiasm, the raw information the book provides is scarcely novel to an ardent fan. The achievement of the book lies in revealing the sensitive and clear-headed Rafael behind Rafa Nadal, the tennis champion.
One fine morning more than eleven years back, while watching a match, probably in Rome Masters, in the run-up to his debut French Open, I chanced to get a glimpse of the player who was to become the biggest hero of my growing years during which tennis remained my singular obsession. Keeping this in mind, an objective judgement of this memoir of my superman is fairly impossible, and when I go over the top in adulation, which I frequently do, I do so unapologetically.
“Rafa: my story”, though compared with Andre Agassi’s “Open” for its popularity, never for once becomes controversial or explosive, and the only attacks that ever ensue are wrapped in affection and aimed at his “uncle, coach and friend”, Toni. It narrates along smooth anticipation a tale of struggle and love for struggle, and human endurance raising itself to the superhuman. Nadal is neither a swan-like Federer nor a dazzling-blasting Djokovic. He runs runs and at the baseline hitting incessantly and knows exactly when to send that charged curling forehand past his opponent, leaving the whole world gaping. It’s the story of the boy, who though uncomfortable with the dark and dogs, had had to learn to go out and play a Wimbledon final, aged twenty.
The narrative technique doesn’t fail to intrigue either as it alternates between fist person monologues and third person reports. Though I had initially found Carlin’s interruptions slightly annoying but comprehend in retrospection, their utility and symbolic value. Nadal’s part is chronologically non-linear. Through two of the biggest matches of his career—Wimbledon final 2008 and US Open final 2010—he revisits the whole of his life: the loving family and happy childhood, his love for football, the beginnings of tennis and subsequent conquest of the world, his many injuries, but most of all, the shaping of his trademark morale. To be “good people” was ingrained in him right from his childhood by his parents and the fierce uncle Toni. And that resulted not just in his good-natured persona off the court, but also his on-court humility which he describes to have taught him to respect the good balls and consequently know which ones to kill.
The two matches, especially the Wimbledon final of 2008, have been described with meticulous details, facilitating an insight into the brain of a tennis player in action at the highest level, which might at times seem to drag for non-tennis readers, but lovers of the games must find them a treat. Carlin comes in at every nerve wrecking juncture, mostly to take him home to the island of Mallorca, when the gladiatorial stance becomes too dominant. Though personally, I would have loved an uninterrupted monologue just as well. The prose deserves a mention of its own, especially Nadal’s parts—carefully crafted, it retains an echo of his voice, which makes the text all the more effective.
The book deserves to be read, read widely. Or so I believe. And as for myself, I’m definitely going to reread it and love it everytime. “Rafa: my story” stands out as does Rafa Nadal himself—not for literary genius and beyond sporting genius—with its unique human appeal.
Vamos!

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafa, again reading this book, maybe ten years after I bought it, so it seems like a history book, but very well wrote with the help of ghost writer who shadowed Rafa on the tour for nearly two years.

But what you have is an honest, open, truthful, powerful autobiography. I always believed in a boxing career, and in a tennis career, both were individual challenges, physical but even more a mental challenge, in this book going through his matches deeply, Rafa explains the depth of thoughts that go through your mind during a major final. Explains honestly his battles with injuries to his feet, knees and the mental stress and pressure involved in winning and to keep winning and keep fit.

No tennis player since Andre Agassi has captivated the world like Rafael Nadal. He's a rarity in today's sporting arena - a true sportsman who chooses to let his raw talent, dedication and humility define him. With a remarkable 16 grand slam victories under his belt, and with friend and rival Roger Federer's record haul of 20 in his sights, Nadal is an extraordinary competitor whose ferocity on court is made even more remarkable by his grace off it. At the time of the book, now on 22 Grand Slams, and many more titles, but also so many injuries, and long spells out of the game.

This book takes us to the heart of Nadal's childhood, his growth as a player, and his incredible career. It includes memorable highs and lows, from victory in the 2008 Wimbledon final - a match that John McEnroe called the 'greatest game of tennis ever played' - to the injury problems that have frequently threatened his dominance of the sport, to becoming the youngest player of the open era to complete a career Grand Slam in 2010.

It transports us from Nadal's lifelong home on the island of Majorca to the locker room of Centre Court as he describes in detail the pressures of competing in the greatest tournament in the world. It offers a glimpse behind the racquet to learn what really makes this intensely private person - who has never before talked about his home life - tick. And it provides us with a story that is personal, revealing and every bit as exciting as Nadal himself.

A polite, good natured, honest, good sportsperson, with a down to earth attitude., close to his family and an incredible loyalty to his team.

Great book, four stars

[Luciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provavelmente é difícil encontrar alguém que goste de tennis e não goste de Rafa, ou ao menos de seu estilo de jogo. Com um estilo de jogo agressivo, com um forehand pesado com bastante topspin, com um jogo completo no geral, Rafa é sem dúvida um dos maiores tenistas, junto a Agassi, Sampras, Federer, Djokovic, Borg, Laver e outros mais.



Contando ele mesmo sua história em dois atos especiais, isto é, a final de Wimbledon de 2008 contra Federer e a final do Us Open 2010 contra Djokovic, o tenista narra não somente ambos os jogos sob sua perspectiva e controle, como também conta ao leitor a sua formação no tennis, desde o início quando criança apaixonado por futebol e pelo Real Madrid até o momento que viria a se consagrar ao seleto grupo que completaria o Career Grand Slam, e claro, ter se tornado o rei do saibro, embora após a data do lançamento do livro, ele tenha conquistado mais 12 Grand Slam na carreira, 8 deles em Roland Garros.



Mais do que isso, mais do que as lesões e as dificuldades que encontrou, é narrada em duas vozes, tanto a de Rafa como a de Carlin acerca da mentalidade de Rafa, da importância da família em sua formação, dos conflitos com o tio e treinador Toni, até suas relações com a mídia e com Maiorca, e o seu modo de tratar os outros, de modo a refletir tanto ele como tenista, como um homem comum. Para quem gosta de tennis, ou de Nadal, a leitura desse livro é fundamental, por mais que já saibamos muito dele dentro ou fora de quadra. Eu tive uma ótima leitura.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite disappointed by this book. It's really not much of an autobiography at all. Instead, it is practically a point by point breakdown of the 2008 Wimbledon final and, to a lesser extent, the 2010 U.S. Open final. The reader learns very little of Nadal's life, and what tidbits can be found are repeated frequently. (There is a lot about the closeness of the Nadal family, for instance. A LOT.) I did enjoy learning the meaning of his last name (which is the same meaning as mine, in a different language!) and that he likes Nutella and olives, and the insight into his game and life philosophy was interesting too. However, if I was looking for such a book, I would have expected a subtitle more along the lines of "A Look into My Game."

Also, it was quite a sucker punch when he said that the sportsman he most respected was Tiger Woods BECAUSE OF HIS GOOD ATTITUDE. Woods has one of the worst attitudes of any sportsman I've seen, always blaming something else for his mistakes and getting in a mood whenever he loses. So that was shocking.

Anyway, this book was interesting and informative, just not what I was hoping for at all. Probably the whole thing could be condensed to 50 pages. Still, it's going to be a must-read for any Nadal (or tennis) fan.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I'll say, I'm a big fan of Rafa and there's not much in here that I didn't already know. When I saw this guy beat Roger Federer in 2005 at the French Open, I was very pleased as a tennis fan that Federer finally had his kryptonite. The book was an easy read, but not as captivating as Open (Agassi's bio). Plenty of information in here about Rafa's relationship with his uncle Toni (it's not all peaches and cream). In fact Toni's tough (borderline cruel) training of Rafa was meant to teach him "mental endurance". And that trait alone is Rafa's biggest strength.... especially important in a game like tennis with razor thin marginal differences between top player's talents. Also, Nadal speaks a ton about his Wimbledon win in 2008, his parent's separation in 2009, and there's special sections about Nadal's inner circle as well as the women in his life. Tennis fans will love this

[Maria Bikaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ανέκαθεν ήμουν team Roger Federer. Σαν απλός θεατής του αθλήματος και χωρίς να έχω ιδιαίτερη γνώση από τεχνικά ζητήματα και παρόλο που σε άλλα αθλήματα με κερδίζει το ισπανικό ταπεραμέντο, πάντα ξεχώριζα την φινέτσα και την αγωνιστική παιδεία αυτού του ανθρώπου. Ίσως ακριβώς από αυτή την πραγματικά φανατική αγάπη μου και προσήλωση στις προσπάθειες του συγκεκριμένου αθλητή, Ο Ράφα Ναδάλ ήταν πάντα για μένα μια αξιοσέβαστη μεν αθλητική προσωπικότητα που προσωπικά μου ήταν υπέρ του δέοντως αντιπαθής. Έτσι χωρίς πραγματικό λόγο πέρα των φορών που είχε υποχρεώσει τον Φέντερερ σε ήττα σε κάποιο grand slam. Θέλω να σου πω ότι αν με ρωτούσες πριν λίγο καιρό αν θα διάβαζα ποτέ την αυτοβιογραφία του Ναδάλ το λιγότερο που θα έκανα θα ήταν να γελάσω. Εγώ, αυτόν; Ποτέ. Αυτό που με έκανε ν’ αλλάξω κάθετα γνώμη γι’ αυτό όσο και για την εικόνα που είχα σχηματίσει λανθασμένα για το Ναδάλ είναι οι πραγματικά συγκλονιστικές εικόνες που έκαναν το γύρο του κόσμου τη μέρα της οριστικής απόσυρσης του Φέντερερ από τα court. Η εικόνα του Φέντερερ τη στιγμή του αποχωρισμού όπου συνειδητοποιεί ότι μέχρι εδώ ήταν και ψάχνει ασυναίσθητα το χέρι του πιο «μισητού» του αντιπάλου για να πάρει δύναμη καθώς και η εικόνα του Ναδάλ να ξεσπάει σε λυγμούς, ειλικρινά με συγκλόνισε. Ήταν και εξακολουθεί να παραμένει στη μνήμη μου ως μια από τις πιο δυνατές στιγμές στην παγκόσμια ιστορία του αθλητισμού. Δύο ζωντανοί θρύλου του αθλητισμού, αιώνιοι αντίπαλοι στους αγώνες έδειχναν το πιο τρυφερό τους πρόσωπο χαρίζοντας στο κοινό που τους παρακολουθούσε μια τελευταία παράσταση για το ποιο θα έπρεπε να είναι το πραγματικό νόημα του αθλητισμού. Ένας μεγάλος αθλητής έβαζε τέλος στη λαμπρή του καριέρα και ένας άλλος μεγάλος αθλητής του απέτινε το φόρο τιμής που του αξίζει αποδεικνύοντας ότι η «έχθρα» δυο αθλητών παραμένει μόνο στη διάρκεια του αγώνα και ότι για να είσαι μεγάλος αθλητής πρέπει πρώτα να μάθεις να σέβεσαι και ν’ αναγνωρίζεις τις ικανότητες των αντιπάλων σου.
Κάπως έτσι ήρθε στα χέρια μου τούτο εδώ το βιβλίο και παρόλο που καλύπτει ουσιαστικά την αθλητική πορεία του Ναδάλ μέχρι το Αμερικάνικο Us open του 2010, κάνοντας φόκους στην προσπάθεια του να κατακτήσει το πρώτο του Wimbledon το 2008, μπορώ να πω ότι ήταν ένα ενδιαφέρον ανάγνωσμα παρόλο που δε μου φάνηκε ακριβώς αυτοβιογραφία με τη στενή έννοια του όρου. Στο βιβλίο λοιπόν αυτό στο αθλητικό κομμάτι πρωταγωνιστεί η αιώνια μάχη με το άλτερ έγκο του Ρότζερ Φέντερερ. Μάχες επι μαχών, σκληροί αγώνες, απογοητεύσεις, μεγάλες νίκες που διαμόρφωσαν την ιστορία του αθλήματος. Αυτό που σου κάνει εντύπωση είναι ο σεβασμός που μιλάει για τον συναθλητή του και τις ικανότητες του και σε καμία περίπτωση δεν αφιερώνει τις σελίδες του βιβλίου για ν’ αναλύσει και να κοκορευτεί για τα δικά του προσόντα και αρετές. Επίσης θα γνωρίσει κανείς τον άνθρωπο Ναδάλ. Βλέποντας ένα γίγαντα, ένα τέρας που είναι έτοιμο να καταπιεί τον αντίπαλο σε κάθε αγώνα, θα μάθεις για την πραγματικότητα του εκτός γηπέδων. Εκτός γηπέδων είναι ένας άνθρωπος σαν όλους τους άλλους. Του αρέσει η οικογενειακή ζωή, είναι πολύ ντροπαλός και έχει εκατομμύρια προσωπικές ανασφάλειες σαν οποιοσδήποτε κοινός θνητός.
Καθαρά λογοτεχνικά θεωρώ ότι έλειψαν αρκετά από το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο από το να γίνει αξιομνημόνευτο. Δεν ξέρω αν φταίει η απόδοση καθώς ο Ναδάλ μιλούσε στη μητρική του γλώσσα και ο συγγραφέας τα μετέφρασε και έφτιαξε το βιβλίο στα αγγλικά. Ένας τίμιος βαθμός θα ήταν το 3. Θα το βαθμολογήσω όμως με 4 για εκείνο το αγόρι που σε αντίθεση με το Φεντερερ μπορεί να μη γεννήθηκε με το θεϊκό χάρισμα, πάλεψε όμως σκληρά και κατέκτησε τον ουρανό. 4 για εκείνο το αγόρι που μεγάλωσε, έγινε άντρας και κυρίως ένα σπουδαίος άνθρωπος που διστάσε ν’ αφήσει τα δάκρυα του να κυλήσουν στη θέα της πιο μεγάλης στιγμής του αιώνιου του αντιπάλου.

[Soumya Prasad (bluntpages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this man, there is no denying that. He's my age and the fact that he's achieved so much is reason enough for me to look up to him. This books takes you through his journey from childhood, his passion for football, discovering love for tennis and the family man that he is. The book goes on to show that if you are a nice person and have a nice family behind you to support you, nothing is impossible.

The book talks about his major achievements and the road that led to his. His first French Open win, an Australian Open win, a Wimbledon win and finally the US Open to complete his career slam. The tense moments in the locker room, what goes through his mind, how his team help him and the journey of his health and fitness is awe-inspiring.

I would have liked a few footnotes from his competitors though. A word from Federer, Djoko or Murray about him would have lifted this book a notch higher.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite genre of literature is tennis memoir.

[Amalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like the book, i did. But something lacked. Nadal seems very humble, and very down-to-earth - and you can only applaud him for that. But the book becomes too mondane. I was not a huge Nadal before I read the book, and I haven't become one since I finished with it. I wasn't told anything new about the sport or about how an athlete behaves. He works hard, has his routines and his uncle/trainer wasn't always very nice. The truth is that is pretty much every tennis-player life.
But it was interesting reading - but having read Agassi's biography before Nadal's, i guess I'm bound to be a bit disappointed!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Над 15 години следя тенис и нямаше как да пропусна биографичната книга на един от Голямата четворка, а именно - Рафаел Надал. За съжаление, тези които не са запознати с този спорт, няма да научат много. Освен невероятната си работна етика, Рафа остава един от най-скромните спортисти. На корта се бори за всяка точка и дори изглежда агресивен, но всъщност гори за играта. В живота си той е срамежлив и има много фобии и изпитва постоянна несигурност. Рафаел Надал е преди всичко много добър човек и уважава противниците си. Защото има много известни спортисти, които са брилянтни професионалисти, но в душата си са истински гадняри. Рафа НЕ Е от тях. Той е пример за дисциплина, талант, усет и спортменство.

*С тази книга изпълнявам книжно предизвикателство от „365 дни в света на книгите”-

✅ Биография на спортист - доза мотивация в началото на годината.

[Vinayak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The success of Rafa has always appealed to me more than Federer's.Federer, has always appeared like a God who was born with a tennis racquet in his hand, to wield and establish his supremacy on this world. In Rafa's case it hasn't ever appeared so. He always seemed like someone who toils hard for all his successes, for whom things don't come as naturally as his other compatriots, but fuelled by his massive hunger and desire for winning he keeps on pushing, through sweat, through pain.

The book presents two of Rafa's most important wins, the final at Wimbledon 2008 and the final at US Open 2010 from Rafa's own point of view. This is interlaced with stories from his past to showcase his development sometimes in his own voice, sometimes in others. It is well written and if you are a fan you should read it.

The one gripe I have with the book is that I would have liked to know more about his life, as he developed but maybe Rafa the private person could only allow this much to be known for the sake of Rafa the tennis player.

[Vasilis Manias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Για όλους εμάς που ο Ρότζερ Φέντερερ είναι θρήσκευμα που θα έπρεπε να αναγράφεται υποχρεωτικά στις ταυτότητές μας, ο Ραφαέλ Ναδάλ είναι ο θανάσιμος εχθρός, το προαιώνιο κακό, το γιν στο γιαν μας, η Μοχθηρή Μάγισσα στο παραμύθι της Χιονάτης, ο λεκές μουστάρδας από σάντουιτς σε βρώμικο στη Μαβίλη στο λευκό μας πουκάμισο. Χωρίς την παρουσία του Χωμάτινου Τιτάνα από τη Μαγιόρκα, ο Ελβετός Μαέστρος θα είχε ΣΙΓΟΥΡΑ 5-6 Grand Slam παραπάνω, θα χαμε δεί αρκετές παραπάνω συντριπτικές παραστάσεις του ινδάλματός μας, παρόλα αυτά τί είναι ένας Ήρωας χωρίς το Αδάμαστο Ατίθασο Αντίπαλο Δέος. Ποιό βιβλίο θα γραφτεί για κάποιον που στη ζωή του κέρδιζε συνέχεια κ κανένας δεν βρέθηκε ποτέ στο δρόμο του στεκόμενος σθεναρά απέναντί του. Τον ήρωα άραγε δεν τον διαμορφώνει το τέρας που σκοτώνει για να δώσει happy end στον μύθο του;
Και ο Ναδάλ το γράφει αυτό σε κάθε σελίδα του βιβλίου του. Αναγνωρίζει το Μεγαλείο του ατόφιου ταλέντου του Ελβετικού Πολυεργαλείου που του έκανε τόσο μα τόσο δυσκολότερη τη ζωή, ο ίδιος όμως δεν έπαψε ποτέ να πιστεύει, δε σταμάτησε λεπτό να ψάχνει να βρει τον τρόπο να τον συντρίψει. Στόχος είναι η νίκη, η νίκη ΠΑΝΤΑ, στόχος είναι να παραμένεις πιστός στο πλάνο σου, να μην παρεκλίνεις του σχεδίου σου και να εκπαιδεύσεις το μυαλό σου ώστε να μάθει να μην τσαλακώνεται πρώτη τζούφια μπάλα. Οι γραμμές χάνονται, οι μπάλες νομοτελειακά βγαίνουν λίγο ή πολύ άουτ, το μυαλό όμως είναι πάντα κλειδωμένο στον επόμενο πόντο, στο επόμενο game, στο κάθε επόμενο σετ. Μέχρι τη Νίκη.
Τρομερά ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο, παίρνει ως βάση τον μυθικό αγώνα στο Wimbedon απέναντι στον Φέντερερ το 2008 και πάνω του ξεδιπλώνει με μαεστρικό τρόπο μία πολύ όμορφη ιστορία για ένα παιδάκι που γεννήθηκε στη Μαγιόρκα και ήθελε να γίνει ποδοσφαιριστής στη Ρεάλ και που παρόλο που είναι δεξιόχειρας, του βγαινε να χτυπάει τις μπάλες με το αριστερό και να γίνει σε φάσμα χρόνου ο σημαντικότερος Ισπανός Αθλητής του 20ού αιώνα!
Πολύ ωραία αφήγηση, KAI NAI διαβάζεται χωρίς το παραμικρό εμπόδιο και από ανθρώπους που ΔΕΝ γνωρίζουν από τέννις.

[Emily Gean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always liked Rafa, but never loved him. After reading this book, I don’t know how anyone could ever cheer against him. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year.
I started reading this after the Australian Open semis. During this, McEnroe claimed Nadal is the “classiest and most humble champion of any sport.” This book gives you a big glimpse as to why.
This book shows how important family and his home of Mallorca are to Nadal. Each of these things have shaped his life, his tennis career, and how he carries himself. I found it interesting how different the Nadal on the tennis court is va the every day Nadal. Such an interesting book, especially if you love tennis.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy following Rafa's career not only because of his sheer brilliance as a player but his demonstrated class and humility in the world of sports where ego and arrogance often dominate. Whenever I attend the US Open, I am always most struck by Rafa's speeches after a game that make clear his respect for both his opponents and the fans.

This book drives home that Rafa has worked hard to be one of the world's best tennis players without success going to his head and making him exude less effort for the next win.

Rafa, compared with Agassi's experience detailed in Open, has passion and respect for the game of tennis and for his rivals. And it comes across in Rafa's retelling of trainings, games and the ups/downs of wins/losses.

I, of course, was most thrilled with the recounting of his US Open win in 2010. I was there and saw what victory meant to Rafa. After reading his account of that winning match, however, the victory meant even more than what fans saw on the outside. And I couldn't be happier for him. Vamos Rafa!

[firstuserhere · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very rare that a book makes me cry. This was one of them. Rafa is my sports idol, and I always try to be a good person off the court and have a good face on the court. Amazing story, recommend this book to everyone regardless of you having any tennis knowledge or not.

[Елис Емин · Rating 4 out of 5]

Необичайна читателска година се оказа 2016-та. "Моята история" на Рафаел Надал е третата спортна биография, която прочетох. Досега си мислех, че нехудожествената литература и особено спортът няма как да окажат притегателна сила върху мен. След Алекс Фъргюсън, сега и Рафа ме опровергава. Книгата проследява 2 от най-великите двубоя на тенисиста: този с Федерер на Уимбълдън през 2008 и с Джокович на Откритото първенство на САЩ през 2010. По време на описанието на тези паметни игри проследяваме пътя, който е извървяло момчето от Майорка. Отново препоръчвам дори и да не сте спортен фен. А може би, именно ако не сте, си струва да дадете шанс на спорта с тази книга.

[Karim Mattar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a huge fan of Rafa since I was a kid
He made me love Tennis and enjoy his matches.
What an amazing Career from an amazing man
Although the injuries, he made the impossible and won many trophies especially Roland Garros. ( 14 times)
The one and the only Rafael Nadal
Vamoooos Rafa.

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafa my story - Rafael nadal with John Carlin

ಈ ಸೆಲೆಬ್ರಿಟಿಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ಆತ್ಮಕಥೆ ಬರೆಯಲು ಸಹಲೇಖಕರ ನೆರವು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ‌. ಬಹುತೇಕ ಸಂದರ್ಭಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಹಲೇಖಕರೇ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಬರೆದು ಮುಗಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಮಾರಾಟವಾಗಲು ಹೆಸರಷ್ಟೇ ಇವರದು.
ರಾಫಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಥ್ರಿಲ್ಲರ್ ಕಾದಂಬರಿ ತರಹ ಓದಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುತ್ತದೆ.
2008ರ ವಿಂಬಲ್ಡನ್ ಫೈನಲ್‌ನ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಘಟನೆಯಾಗಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ಅದರ ತಯಾರಿ ,ಪಂದ್ಯ ನಡೆಯುವಾಗಿನ ನಡಾಲ್‌ನ ಮನಸ್ಥಿತಿ ,ಆ ವಿಂಬಲ್ಡನ್ ಇತಿಹಾಸದ ಅತೀ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪಂದ್ಯದ ಕ್ಷಣ ಕ್ಷಣದ ವಿವರ ,ಇದೆಲ್ಲ ರೋಚಕತೆಯ ಉತ್ತುಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಕೊಂಡೊಯ್ದರೆ ನಡು ನಡುವೆ ನಡಾಲ್‌ನ ಬದುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಟೆನ್ನಿಸ್ ಕಲಿಕೆ ಶುರುವಾದ ಬಗೆ, ಅವನ ಅಂಕಲ್ ಅವನ ಕೋಚ್ ಆದದ್ದು ಅವನ ಕುಟುಂಬ ಎದುರಿಸಿದ ಸವಾಲುಗಳು, ಅವನ‌ ಭಯ ಗಳು ಇವೆಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ.
ಆವೆ ಅಂಗಳದ ರಾಜ ಹೇಗೆ ಇತರ ಅಂಗಳಕ್ಕೂ ತನ್ನ ಗೆಲುವಿನ ಓಟ ವಿಸ್ತರಿಸಿದ.. ಹೇಗೆ ಫೆಡರರ್‌ನ ಐದು ಸತತ ಗೆಲುವಿನ ಸರಪಳಿ ಮುರಿದ.. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಅವನು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ ತಯಾರಿ ಅವನಿಗಾದ ಗಾಯಗಳು ಇವೆಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಓದುಗನಿಗೆ ರಸವತ್ತಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ.

ರಾಫಾ ಓದಲೂ, ಸ್ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಪಡೆಯಲೂ ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಪುಸ್ತಕ.
ಅದಲ್ಲದೆ ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ಕುಟುಂಬದ ಸದಸ್ಯನಾಗಿ ಬರೆಯುವಾಗ ನಮಗೆ ಭಾರತದವರಿಗೆ ಅದು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಕನೆಕ್ಟ್ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ.

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great way to get a glimpse into the minds of professional sportspeople!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Rafa’s journey, because I’m a longtime fan (yes, I saw his first Roland Garros title - that old), but the fact that he’s quite a guarded person outside of the tennis court was always a mystery to me. Now I understand better. He’s just Mallorcan ❤️

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up bc I walked past it at the library and I’m glad I did. I know next to nothing about tennis but turns out we love Rafael! I am now going to start watching him play and would like to visit Mallorca as well lol

[Fernando Amezcua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me impresionó la fortaleza y la sensibilidad humana, de manera especial destaco el capítulo 8, "el paraíso perdido" en el que, sin lugar a dudas, demuestra la importancia de la solidez familiar y de esas redes de apoyo indispensables para el ser humano sin importar la edad, la condición sociocultural o el estado físico.

[Neale Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful look through the perspective of such a prominent champion. A very interesting look at the competitive lives these great sportsmen live.
A wonderful tribute was delivered to his great rival which played such an important part of this story. In my opinion, not only will we struggle to identify such true champions in tennis like we have seen in Rafa and Federer, but I think we'll struggle to identify such a marvelous all-round dynamic in any sport for a very long time.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. I had tremendous respect for Rafael Nadal before reading his book, which has now increased even more so after turning the last page.
Thank you for sharing this story with the world.

[Sameeksha Rao · Rating 4 out of 5]

A smooth read just like the namesake's shots

[John Boettcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing for several reasons. Let me explain. Most times when I am reading a book, I am sitting down, lying in bed, or at most riding a bike at the gym. Rafa's book makes you motivated to be more than what you currently are in some of the most personal and honest ways I have ever come across.

Yes, he has accomplished some of the greatest feats in tennis history, and for tennis fans, we take that for granted and do alot of armchair commentary as he is playing some of the top level players in the world. However, the real Nadal, the person who goes through his life day in and day out, is an extremely unique individual, one that wants to be competitive in everything he does, but yet is one of the nicest people you would ever meet.

The honesty in which the book is written reminds me alot of Agassi's book, "OPEN" but with main differences. Alot of Agassi's book had to do with how much he hated growing up the way he did, his family, and especially, Tennis. This is exactly the opposite of what Nadal is all about.

There are tons of autobiographies out there, and most of them just say the same old things over and over and over and you get tired of listening to them drone on about themselves and how great they are. Read this book, and you will read about how great Nadal is, through the lens of humility and grace.

I really wish I could just post all of my favorite quotes I had to underline throughout the book, because they should be plastered all over in gyms and tennis facilities, or sports complexes all over the world. In some ways, we all should strive to be a bit more like Rafa.

[Deepika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fan of biographies and autobiographies but, this book got me hooked because it was Rafa. As I was watching Rafa play in the ongoing Australian open, I suddenly wanted to know more about him and his life off court. This book is an honest account of Rafa, his younger training years, his family, his love for tennis and football, his goals and ambitions, his life in Mallorca. For anyone who is a tennis fan, this book will keep you entertained. I am in awe with Rafa's family - the way they have supported him, his uncle Toni, his friends, the Mallorcans and his wife, especially who doesn't use Rafa's celebrity status unlike most of the celebrity spouses! I love the way Rafa follows his family values. There's a lot you can learn from this tennis legend!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge Rafa fan this was interesting to read, mainly for the indepth match analysis he gives for the 2008 Wimbledon final. I am sure many people watch these big matches and wonder what is going through the players minds during a massive occasion like that and here we have one of the biggest players ever giving us a blow by blow account.
There are definitely no big revelations, I knew all the stories he referred to in here, from the eating too many chocolate croissants, having special shoes designed to uncle Toni telling him he could make it rain, so if you're a long time Rafa fan who follows him closely you're not going to learn anything new from this at all.
The only thing that did surprise me was the level at which he discussed Toni's strictness, again I have known about the water bottle thing for a while but it was different reading it from Rafa's perspective and it comes across that Rafa is in no doubt that Toni's behaviour helped to mould him into the player he is today, along with his very supportive parents.
Overall a good read with some interesting point of view information but not the warts and all kind of book that Agassi gave us, which is actually not what a Rafa fan should expect anyway. :)

[Vikas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafa is one of my favorite tennis players after all his game and his professional rivalry has provided us many hours of entertainment and most of all the best class of Tennis. In this autobiography of his Nadal not only recounts his childhood and information about his career and family. The most important is given to two of his most important matches - The first the Wimbledon win in 2008 and then the 2010 US open win which made him the youngest player to win all 4 grand slams. These matches span across chapters while Rafa remembers the situation regarding the matches. This was a lovely read.

People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.