SCPL Teens discussion

Rafa: my story by John Carlin(with Rafa Nadal)
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book, an autobiography on the so far life on Rafa Nadal(going through 2011) tells all regular Joes the story, the torture and the suffering this man had to endure in order to become the champion he is today. Countless hours of training, brutal reminders of the intensity required to win, and countless setbacks, such as a foot injury in 2004 that threatened to end Rafa’s career. Yet through it all, this champion has risen above in order to become the force he is. The structure and comforts Rafa has at home in Mallorca is shown a great deal and a great correlation to Rafa’s success.

The book is told through two perspectives, the overall biography, and another perspective, Rafa’s own mind through the legendary 2008 Wimbledon battle with Federer. We are shown the twists and turns of arguably the greatest tennis match in history while also being shown the struggles of Rafa, such as his OCD that dictates an unusual and unconventional life in practically everything outside a tennis court. Rafa’s fears humanizes him to an extent that even as a Federer fan, I respected him. Ultimately the value of hard work is also emphasized, along with constant reminders over the thrill of competition.

I’m not going to lie, my family are pretty big Fed fans and cheer against Nadal and Djokovic whenever we can. I think Rafa merely uses intimidatory and time wasting tactics done in order to psych out his opponents and I still do after reading this book. Yet regardless, I will always have a begrudging respect for Rafa deep in the trenches of my heart. 5 out of 5.