‘Studies Were Going to Kill My Tennis’ – Rafael Nadal on Joining Boarding School During His Junior Years

Rafael Nadal is an all-rounder in the true sense. During his childhood, he played both tennis and football, tasting success in both sports. However, as the competition grew, he had to choose between the two sports. The Spaniard was a dominant player on the tennis court right from his junior days.

Along with playing in tournaments, Nadal also had to manage his studies. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has given an account of how he managed to do all these activities simultaneously.

Rafael Nadal on managing his studies

In his autobiography, ‘Rafa: My Story’, the former World Number 1 has described how he managed his studies along with playing tennis. He said, “My mother put her energy and encouragement into the areas where I was less strong, such as my school studies. It was on this account that my parents, having shielded me from Barcelona, decided when I turned fifteen that I should do as my father, and Toni, had done and go to a boarding school in Palma.”

READ MORE: ‘The Very Idea Broke My Heart’ – Rafael Nadal Says Choosing Tennis Over Football Was One of the Hardest Decisions to Make

Further, he added, “Called the Balearic Sports School, it was tailored to my needs-regular school lessons but plenty of tennis built in-and it was only an hour’s drive from home. But I was miserable there. My parents-my mother in particular-were concerned that all this tennis was killing my studies. My concern was that the studies were going to kill my tennis. They killed my chances of playing at the Wimbledon Junior Tournament and the one at Roland Garros, too.”

Nadal’s mother’s advice to her son

Nadal complained to his mother about missing the junior tournaments at Wimbledon and Roland Garros. He said, “But these tournaments are so important! I complained to my mother. To which she replied, Yes, I’m certain of it but I assure you that you’ll have another chance to play in those competitions; but if you abandon your studies, you most definitely will not have another chance to pass your exams.”

Talking about joining the sports boarding school, Nadal said, “The sports boarding school seemed to my parents to be the best bet for me to accomplish both goals. I don’t want to say it was a big mistake on their part, because I did pass my exams. But it turned out to be a terrible year. I didn’t need or want anything to change in my life. I was happy with what I had. And suddenly I was terribly homesick, missing my parents, my sister, the family meals with my uncles and grandparents, the football games on TV at night-missing those, that was a killer-and home food.”

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Nadal has begun his preparations for the hard-court season in full swing. He has recovered from his abdominal injury in time. The former World Number 1 will be seen in action at the National Bank Open in Montreal, next week.