Rafael Nadal confesses the periods of self-doubts he faced in his career

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic maintained an iron grip on their emotions during intense matches, yet one member of the Big 3 has made it clear that the facade we saw was not always the truth. 

In reflection following his retirement last month after representing Spain for the final time in the Davis Cup, Nadal candidly shared in an interview with The Players Tribune how his mind raced beneath the calm exterior he often displayed.

Nadal's confesses about self-doubts 

Rafael Nadal shared some valuable insights into his mental approach to tennis. He reflected on a challenging period he experienced a few years ago, emphasizing the importance of mental health. While he has always been accustomed to physical pain, he faced moments on the court where his breathing became difficult, impacting his performance. 

“For 30 years, the image that I was transmitting to the world was not always what I was feeling inside,” said Nadal. “Honestly, I have been nervous before every match I have ever played it never leaves you. Every night before a match, I went to bed feeling that I could lose (and also when I woke up in the morning!) In tennis, the difference between players is very thin, and between rivals even more. When you go out there on the court, anything can happen, so all your senses must be awake, alive." he added.

Nadal acknowledged that he has come to terms with his struggles, reminding us all that it's important to recognize our humanity and vulnerability rather than aiming for an unrealistic superhero standard. His openness serves as a reminder that taking breaks to reconnect with oneself can be beneficial for both mental and physical well-being.

“I went through a very difficult moment, mentally, a few years ago. Physical pain I was very used to, but there were times on the court when I had trouble controlling my breathing, and I couldn’t play at the highest level. I don’t have trouble saying it now. After all, we are human beings, not superheroes." he said. “The person you see at centre court with a trophy is a person. Exhausted, relieved, happy, thankful — but just a person." Nadal added.