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
Thank you sir @wankhedeprafull for such a great book. मराठीत आर्थिक साक्षरतेबाबत अशा साहित्याची गरज होती. ही फक्त पैशापाण्याची च नाही तर माणुसकी आणि शहाणपणा ची must read गोष्ट आहे.🙏🏽
Retirement comes to all at some stage, but it seems the greater the player, the harder the moment. That was hard, @rogerfederer. We laughed, and cried, and celebrated with you, and we will continue to do so for a long time. Thank you for being a friend. 🚀
@rogerfederer Farewell champ❤️❤️❤️ you are the reason I started watching tennis. I am literally crying as iam typing this. I prayed that this day should never come. You are the biggest inspiration and role model to me. You have given so many wonderful memories, countless emotions
कौटुंबिक, खाजगी जिव्हाळा फार महत्वाचा असतो. समाजमाध्यमांवर काय टाकायचं अन काय नाही हे कळायला हवं.
आनंद, दुःख, क्रोध, असूया, तुलना हेच हवं की अजून काही हे ठरवायला जमायला हवं!
खर तर समाजमाध्यमं जबाबदारीने वापरायला शिकणं ही काळाची गरज बनलीये.
@Punam_Ahr @DC_Padmakar @niranjan_blog@theajaykokate@KasodeAbhishek सिली मिस्टेक्स हा मोठ्या प्रमाणात हक्काचे मार्क्स खाणारा, तितकाच दुर्लक्षीत प्रकार आहे. प्रश्न वाचताना घाई न करता शांत डोक्याने attempt केले, OMRवर मार्क करताना त्याच प्रश्नाला मार्क करतोय याची खात्री केली तर चूका किमान होतील. शांत मनासाठी ध्यानाची सवय उत्तम
When I was working as panchayat development officer, once local MLA told me that I was ‘mild’ (soft & humble) with people and I should be strong & aggressive.But I believe it’s that ‘mildness’ which has helped me so far. Some people think being humble is being weak. But it’s not.
Good times come to those who have patience as well as resilience to sail through tough times. Also when our intentions are good and we cause no pain to others, no force in this world can stop us from enjoying our lives the way we want it to be.
The problems you are facing today will turn out to be your most beautiful memories in coming years. Stay strong, face these problems with courage and confidence.These problems will end and new problems will start. You will learn to live with them. You will learn to outsmart them.
Thank you, Mr. President. International endeavors like @NASAWebb benefit humanity as we get closer to understanding our origin story. We look forward to seeing how Webb will #UnfoldTheUniverse.
करणार आहे .माझी निवड झालेल्या MPSC च्या सर्व उमेदवारांना आवाहन आहे की वर्षानुवर्षे संघर्ष करून तुम्ही हे यशोशिखर गाठले आहे. यश मिळाल्यानंतर देखील नियुक्ती साठी तुम्हाला संघर्ष करावा लागत असला तरी आम्ही तुमच्या सोबत आहोत, कुणीही खचून न जाता धीराने हा प्रश्न मार्गी लावूया. (5/n)