Rafa

I am enjoying the Rafa memoir. Initially, I wondered how a memoir could be written so early in this young man's life, and not be "fluff" for over 270 pages. I quickly learned that not only is there no fluff, it sucked me in as a reader. The format is almost like "Forrest Gump" in print. It starts with Rafa prepping for his 2008 Wimbledon match against Roger Federer, the slam he's always wanted to win. Rafa writes somewhat of a diary/journal entry of his thought as he gets ready for the match. And as he goes through these motions, he has "flashbacks" of times earlier in life that has gotten him to where he's at: lessons he's learned, the family's who's been a solid foundation of support, and the human side of of who Rafa's become of these things. The flashbacks come back to the present match and integrates itself whole. Once a short entry of that match is read, John Carlin interjects with words and mini vignettes/interviews from family and friends who fill the "gaps" of the thought processes of how Rafa thinks and what he's become. The story then heads back to that Wimbledon match and Rafa writes more. The cycle continues. I bought this book right as I was about to go to sleep and ended up reading nearly 20% of the book and took it to work to read during my lunch. I could not put it down, but had to because the eyes were drooping. At this rate, the book will not make it to the weekend. Rafa draws me in and paints a story of an every day man who happens to do something extraordinary professionally. Nadal speaks with desires of a simple life and yet, with a profound sense of thought of in how to approach it. Tennis is the backddrop of this story, but many life lessons are learned as well as we watch someone grow into their own. UPDATE 9/9/11: I finished the book and it was quite satisfying. The memoir covers the first 25 years of Rafa's life, but there was much that's happened within that time: mentally, physically, and emotionally. Rafa and Carlin explain the moments in time and their impact upon who Rafa is today and will become. Is the book premature in its writing? Yes and no. I thought that the book should have been done after his career was over so we get the "full scope." However, by writing the book now while still actively competing, Rafa lets the readers understand who and what he is now. I have been following Rafa throughout this 2011 U.S. Open and the memoir has shed a different perspective on how I view Rafa's mentality on court, for the press, and how he carries himself. In short, it's an even more intriguing 'front row ticket' into someone's life.

"Rafa" gives a powerful insight into the world of men's professional tennis and in particular to one of its superstars - Rafael Nadal of Spain. The opening paragraph describes the feeling of playing on Wimbledon's Centre Court - the profound silence. You hear the sound of your own racket hitting the ball - a cathedral hush he calls it. The silence is broken when there is a good shot - and this audience knows the difference. Those first few chapters set the atmosphere and are well worth reading! And I loved all the insights into the locker room - he and Federer locked into the same little room at Wimbledon during some of the most intense periods of their professional lives. The book starts with the marvelous 2008 Wimbledon final between Rafa and Federer and in between fills in details of his life and gradually works its way through to the year 2010 when Rafa won the U.S. Open (not much silence in that stadium!). Rafa is definitely an unusual person - his family ties are the core of his life and affect everything he does. By American standards, where we expect young people to move away from the family and gain their independence, he seems held back. But this family-based lifestyle is more typical of the Spanish, particularly on his island of Mallorca and his beloved villa of Manacor. When the family is not stable, his tennis suffers. The insights into his training and conflict with Uncle Toni are intriguing. As a Rafa fan, one thing I particularly enjoyed was hearing Rafa's true voice - not the limited English we normally hear from him. Because it was co-written by John Carlin (who speaks both Spanish and English) we get to hear Rafa translated into full English and I found that very helpful. If you have any interest in tennis or in superstar athletes, I highly recommend this book.

I am neither a tennis player nor a tennis fan, I am a fan of The Rafa, as a human being. The book deals with the early life of Rafa, the MAKING of Rafa, i would love to call him The Man of Steel ! You will understand this when you read the book. The book explains in depth, what you need to be a true, warrior like sportsman, always enduring yourself even if there is slightest margin of your winning. You play a sport only when you give 100% of your sporting nature. It also tells us that no matter how Physically strong you are, you need to be Mentally strong, to strive in this world!!! or in this case Tennis! You might not come across such a down to earth person such as Rafa!!! The book also focuses on the family ties, their inter-personal relationship that helped Rafa to Flourish and attain this podium, no one ever dreamed of, not even his own uncle Toni!! Self beleif, a lot of motivation, supportive team members and bonding between them, is what is needed to be a Champ !

Fantástico, motivador y mucho que aprender de la mentalidad de Rafa, quien es para mi el mejor del mundo por lo que expresa en su libro.

Me ha encantado. Muy bien escrito - mezcla muy bien personalidad y vida personal con descripción de competiciones, partidos y entrenamiento mental. Muy ameno. Admiro a Rafa Nadal, pero tenia mía dudas sobre si me gustaría un libro de tenis, pero, la verdad me ha sorprendido - se habla mucho de tenis, pero muy interesante.

Non ancora finito, ma per ora molto interessante.

Le livre est arrivé sans la protection en plastique. Vue que le couverture est blanche et souple cela n'est pas terrible, surtout pour faire un cadeau. Mais le livre en soi est sympa.