“I thought that maybe I needed someone I could in some way identify with. And Rafael Nadal is a person who has been totally committed to his career since he was very young. Since he was 17, I believe."
–Shakira, when asked why she picked Rafa for her music video
Rafa’s on-court style is well-known throughout the tennis world. He gained in popularity ever since he played his first professional match in 2001. What is Rafa like off the court? Is he the same aggressive, outlandishly spoken person that he appears to be while facing players like Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic? There is no simple answer to that question. He both “is” and “isn’t.”
Rafa’s endorsement deals are as varied as anything you could imagine, from being the face for Armani’s underwear advertisements to being the spokesperson for Quely, a chocolate-coated treat manufacturer that he has been eating products from since he was a young boy. By noticing exactly what he endorses with his face, you can see that he only endorses or takes part in products and companies that he uses himself. Thus, he is an athlete who has not sold out to corporate sponsors. He keeps himself grounded and knows who he is. He will not change himself for mere money.
He not only conducts business for the sake of endorsements, either. He has been featured in Shakira’s music video, “Gypsy,” and even has his name in the stars—quite literally, the stars. There is a main belt asteroid discovered in 2003 at the Observatorio Astronomico de Mallorca, Spain It was named 128036 Rafaelnadal, after Rafael Nadal! This proves that his tennis talents have outreached the earth and into the far reaches of space.
Not steering too far from his love of another sport, Rafa has reportedly purchased a 10% stake in the soccer team Real Madrid. His move to buy a share in the team has helped the club with their debt crisis and allows him his childhood dream of following his team wherever they play. The club even offered him the role of Vice President, which he turned down. He is also a strong supporter of the Spanish National Team and is only one of six people not affiliated with the team to be allowed into the locker room after Spain’s victory during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.
Rafa’s interests go beyond sports. He has planted trees in Thailand for the Million Trees for the King project and has even started the Fundación Rafa Nadal, which focuses on social work and developmental aid to children in Mallorca, Spain.
His foundation is focusing on Spain as of right now, but has hopes to help across the world in the poorest of places. He traveled to India in 2010 to transform one of the poorest and most needy areas in the land, and has an academy in the state of Andhra Pradesh to help educate its people.
Although he stays grounded to his hometown, he does enjoy the fruits of all his hard labor and training. He owns an Aston Martin DBS, which he can be seen driving around the streets of Manacor, Mallorca, where he still lives in a five-story apartment building with his mother, father and younger sister. In June 2009, it was reported that his mother and father, Ana Maria and Sebastian, had separated. Fans speculated throughout internet message boards that this was the reason for Rafa’s setback from 2009-2011.
When he was younger, Nadal would rush home from school to watch his favorite Dragon Ball cartoon character, Goku, on the television. He has been compared to the legendary cartoon character, since Goku is from another world. It has been said that Rafa is the “Goku of the tennis courts” due to his otherworldly playing style and unbelievable returns.
He has been dating his girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perello, since 2005 and he enjoys playing golf and soccer when not on the tennis court. Truly a well-rounded individual, Rafa will have a place in tennis history and lore. He is a special player, and one we should watch for many more years.