Paul Annacone made an attention-grabbing remark about Rafael Nadal’s profession as Roger Federer’s former coach thinks the 38-year-old’s humility was his “draw back” however on the identical time his “largest asset.”
Proper from the beginning of his profession, the Spaniard began reaching main success, with probably the most spectacular accomplishment being successful the French Open in every of his first 4 appearances. After struggling on grass early in his profession, he additionally figured that out in 2008 after beating Federer in an epic closing to forestall the Swiss from successful his sixth consecutive title at The Championships.
However though Nadal was successful Grand Slams for 17 years being and labeled because the King of Clay very early in his profession, he was by no means the one to brag or be conceited. As an alternative, he all the time stored a humble angle and made positive to be as respectful as doable to any opponent.
And on Tuesday, the Spanish tennis icon’s profession got here to an finish with 22 Majors in his assortment, two Olympic gold medals, 4 Davis Cup titles, and 209 weeks spent on the world No. 1 spot. Additionally, there may be that well-known report of 14 French Open titles.
Now, Annacone – who labored with Federer for 3 years between 2010 and 2013 – admits he was shocked that the 38-year-old by no means had an ego. If he had, the coach believes the Spaniard would have been crushing the ball more durable and extra dominantly successful a few of his matches.
“Rafa’s solely draw back was additionally his largest asset. His solely draw back was his humility and that’s additionally his largest asset. There are occasions the place I might have a look at him and surprise how he didn’t even have an even bigger ego. He was all the time so gracious and so humble about what he’s doing that typically that hindered his capacity to step on a courtroom and simply crush the ball,” Annacone stated on Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast.
“And when Rafa was weak, he didn’t crush the ball and we noticed that yesterday as a result of he hasn’t performed and it’s on his worst floor, his ball will get very spinny and it sits up. However due to that humility, he didn’t simply stroll on that courtroom and star ripping balls in every single place.
“He felt like each match he needed to be on the prime of his recreation, he was weak and due to that he typically performed slightly bit tentatively till he acquired the match reps in after which when he did that, he performed extra aggressive. However once more the largest legal responsibility, if he even had one, his humility and for those who swap that for the way gracious that’s and what an asset that’s, I’ll take that stability.”
Nadal delivered two humble messages on his closing day
On Tuesday – the day of the Spain and Netherlands tie – it was formally confirmed that the 22-time Grand Slam champion would play singles. However as a substitute of it being an enormous day, it was powerful to look at at instances as the previous world No. 1 was removed from his finest and Botic van de Zandschulp took benefit of it to finish a 6-4 6-4 win.
Following the loss, Nadal was the primary to confess that he did not play effectively and stated he would inform captain David Ferrer to not choose him for singles if Spain made it previous Netherlands.
Since Spain ended up shedding through the deciding doubles rubber, Ferrer did not need to make that call since Nadal’s profession ended.
And when giving his retirement speech, the report 14-time French Open winner did not wish to brag or something like that about his achievements. As an alternative, he needed followers to know that he was “a child from a small village” who was dreaming of turning into a tennis professional at some point.
“The title, the numbers are there, so the folks in all probability know that. I want to be remembered as a superb particular person from a small village in Majorca. I had the luck. My uncle was a tennis coach in my village once I was a small child, and I had an incredible household that supported me in each single second. Only a child who adopted their dream and labored as arduous as doable to be what I’m in the present day,” a teary Nadal stated.
“On the finish of the day, lots of people work arduous and take a look at their finest each single day, however I’m one of many very fortunate ones that life gave me a chance to reside an unforgettable expertise on account of tennis. So, I simply wish to be remembered as a superb particular person, a child who adopted their goals and achieved greater than they dreamed.”
