Sean Reid

Director @SchoolofPlay_uk | Sport Sociology PhD Student @UoChester - Examining the lives of elite youth athletes | UEFA B Coach

[Roger Federer @rogerfederer]

Vamos, @RafaelNadal!

As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.

Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.

I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear... All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.

And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more. 

OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.

We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud.

I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.

I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.

And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.

Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.

Rafa that!

Best always, your fan, 

Roger

[City Tactics - Gone to Bluesky @city_tactics]

We’re slowly being moved on and replaced by people who couldn’t give a fuck.

Modern football. Shite

[Caroline @carolinekwan]

Michael Phelps is literally referred to as a freak of nature because of his disproportionate wingspan, double jointed ankles, lung capacity twice that of an average human, body that produces half the lactic acid of a typical athlete, and he is rightly celebrated for being the greatest male swimmer in history. Meanwhile, female athletes with genetic differences are legally discriminated against and harassed to no end. This is not about “protecting women in sports” - this is about protecting a very specific idea of what a woman is.

[RussellEarnshaw @russellearnshaw]

I hate those car journeys with my kids, always interrogating me about how well I coached… 😩 @playtheirway @RockitRugby @_UKCoaching @RugbyCreative @nonperfectdad @twowheelprof ❤️

[BBC Breakfast @BBCBreakfast]

'By the time that you watch this I will no longer be here'

A poignant final message from the Leeds Rhinos legend and MND campaigner recorded before his death for a special BBC documentary 'There's Only One Rob Burrow'

@BBCOne @BBCiPlayer

[Dr Lee Conroy @lee_conroy55]

They don't listen when you shout instruction, they play worse, and they hate it.. so let's still shout because it shows we care, we know stuff and are passionate... adults are dicks.

[School of Play @schoolofplay_uk]

📚 Confident swimmers equal stronger minds!

Regular swimming sessions from a young age can offer robust physical and mental health benefits. Discover more benefits of swimming for children.

https://t.co/Dt25DdliUJ

#SwimHealthy #SwimFit

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

I am currently recruiting participants for my PhD research. If you would like more information or would be interested in participating please do get in touch! #TalentPathways #EliteSport #TalentDevelopment

[University of Chester Postgraduate Research Events @uocpgrevents]

Thank you to Panel 4, Sports & Performance, who highlighted the intense and exciting research @uochester!

Lisa Butler,
Thomas Aldersley,
Bradley Spurdens,
Sean Reid.

Chaired by @jacobgriffiths_

#research #phd

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

@TheCoachesZone @StretfordVics

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

@Manchester_FA @StretfordVics

[Manchester Football Association @Manchester_FA]

XMAS GIVEAWAY | 🎁 DAY 1

Make sure you are following us to enter⚠️

Hit retweet and comment with your club name for your chance to win 30 training Balls!

10 x size 3
10 x size 4
10 x size 5

Good Luck 🤞

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

@CarlWild75 @SundayShare10 Thank you!

[FIFA @FIFAcom]

“I came over with just a backpack and had nothing organised so I wandered around. I started volunteering in this orphanage, joined in a few games and found the ⚽️ culture unbelievable."

Football... 🇹🇿 ❤️

Piece by @ed_aarons.
https://t.co/gexmFBNnSR

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

I’ve spent the last two weeks coaching with Michael in Mivumoni, he’s doing some incredible work! If anyone is able to help out he’s @routeonesoccer on Instagram!

[Guardian sport @guardian_sport]

‘I stumbled across it’: the push to help Tanzania’s untapped football talent.

By @ed_aarons https://t.co/aRjMSq5MDJ

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

I’m currently in the process of piloting some time use diaries and was wondering if anyone knew of online time use programs, that would help with distribution or analysis? #timeuse #timeusediaries #timeuseresearch

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

UEFA B place confirmed 🙌🏻 let’s get to it!

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

@GrahamHiggy You too Higgy, cheers for the warm welcome!

[Sean Reid @Sean_C_Reid]

Incredible experience up at @SedberghCourses today, great to watch top coaches in action! Thanks @philllewellyn for the invite and all the other coaches for accommodating me! 😁