Rafa

By: Rafael Nadal, John Carlin

Narrated by: Bernardo Cubria, Nicholas Guy Smith

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 listeners 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."

©2011 Rafael Nadal (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Great insights on Nadal's life and on being a #1

I enjoyed and learned tons through out this book.
There are so many ways that show how Nadal is a team player within and individualistic sport. how he thrives to be a good person who also plays tennis.

I strongly recommend this book.

unbelievable narrator

this book took me almost a month to listen to because I had to take breaks just to mind numbing.
it was like listening to a five-year-old trying to learn to speak English. the narration made the book less enjoyable. you can take me so long to finish I would have asked for a refund

Love Rafa!

Rafa is my favorite tennis professional and to learn his backstory makes my appreciation of him even more.
The one thing that reduced my pleasure in listening to this book is that the British fellow reading the book pronounces Nadal as NADELL. This is very irritating. NO one provinces it this way and why the powers that be allowed him to do so is astounding.

5 of 5

This book describes the life and success of nadal in parallel with his own narrative of two of his biggest wins.

The narrative goes around Nadal’s family and how does they influence his performance an life, I really shared and pursue that “family core structure” so I find it a lot of connect points in the history and I really like that.

I think this book its a good piece for anyone that likes to read biographies and has some catholic culture background

Motivational story of a champion

I agree with other reviews that the narration is awful. No emotion or intonation whatsoever so it is difficult to stay engaged when listening to the man who is reading for Rafa.
If you can past that then it’s an interesting and motivating story of how a champion was made. I live tennis so felt the need to keep listening but if I didn’t, it would have been painful to finish.

Now a Rafa Fan

Great book full of fun tennis stories and a look at who Rafa really is.

Amazing Story!

Such an amazing story of one of the worlds greatest players! Love the readers voices! I can totally imagine them reading this book in my mind!