Rafa Nadal and the problem of being Spanish
The least of it will be that Rafa Nadal has won Roland Garros 13 times. That he has played 102 matches and has won 100. That Djokovic bit the dust with long sleeves and with short sleeves. Nor will it matter much that he equals Roger Federer in Grand Slams. Nor that his new title has been in the middle of a pandemic, with France shooting contagion and a thousand spectators in the stands that gave hope to those who were at home. As Spain recedes, Nadal will be one of them. And that is a problem.
Years ago, it was analysed that Nadal was gradually bowing to the Philippe Chatrier crowd at every match. That he had gone from holding his hand to his ear to mock their insults to being respectful of them every time he lifted the Three Musketeers trophy. For years the French have been unable to win their prestigious Tour and their emblematic Roland Garros. They are not happy that it is the Spanish who are conquering their clay. That's why, from time to time, a worn-out syringe would come out trying to discredit Nadal. And, from time to time, some sports minister would slip that the Spaniard who won his trophies was doping. A minister who now has 10,000 euros less in the bank thanks to the French justice system.
The fact is that Rafa Nadal has suffered from the pandemic like most of the inhabitants of the planet. He spent his confinement in his house in Palma de Mallorca telling about his adventures in the kitchen and the desire to return to the courts. Encouraging the staff and giving his opinion on the management of the health crisis. "If you ask me how it has been managed, I prefer to keep my opinion to myself and I have it very clear. It's a bit sad, because anyone can say anything on the social networks, but because of who I am it seems I have less of a say", he revealed in a conversation with Pau Gasol and Fernando Alonso in June 2020. And he continued his speech by saying that "there have been mistakes and it is humane to acknowledge mistakes... Everyone understands that politicians make mistakes, it is human, I make mistakes every day. What I like least is when mistakes are not recognised, because you no longer have any credibility".
The two Spains always have their idols and their villains. You have to choose carefully which side you are on. Because being consistent and having good judgment is frowned upon. The actors on the right were called "grateful stomachs" by someone on the left and were put on the other side of the trenches. Now it's Nadal they've joined. And what he has left.
A guy who the Royal House congratulates on Twitter with every victory, who they consult when things go wrong, who the King Emeritus visits at his wedding. A Spaniard who plays the Spanish anthem wherever he wins (and wins a lot), who is the image of capitalism because he has a contract with the Banco Santander, who wins millions because the sport he does is worth a lot of money in prizes, because he wraps himself in the Spanish flag... and because he has an opinion on politics at a very specific time when those who govern put the annoying ones on target. Let them tell Vicente Vallés.
Pedro Sánchez said he was not like De Gea in the Spanish team when the player was involved in a sex video scandal from which he was later acquitted. He said it without knowing what he was talking about, but knowing that at that precise moment his comment was going in the wind. Years later, he had to meet in secret with the goalkeeper who was going to defend Spain's shirt in the World Cup in Russia to apologise and have his photo taken as president of the government.
The same will happen with Nadal if the politicians continue to put their hands on his triumphs. One Spain has put him on the altars and another already calls him "facha" without blush. One Spain encourages him and forgets a few hours of his personal dramas and the other is happy that he doesn't win so that he doesn't show the flag so much and earn so much money. And in the midst of it all, the vultures of politics raffle off the sportsman for their ranks. The inefficiency of María José Rienda at the head of the CSD or the shame of seeing Pepu Hernández as Madrid's new political puppet does not help.
Nadal no longer even serves to unite the Spanish. Political radicalisation has led many to sell their souls to the new left and right. Whatever the cost. To come down from the pedestal to their saints because religion is the new taboo or to not watch certain films because of an inappropriate comment from a supporting actor. Nadal will continue to speak out and raise the Spanish flag. He will continue to annoy the uncompromising. Encouraging Nadal is not in fashion.
