A
Although tennismightbehisfirst love
, clearly it’s
theunmistakable lureof thesea thatcaptures the
heartofSpanish tennisstarRafaelNadal.From the
goldenbeachesofMajorca to thecoral reefsofMexico,
abeachholidayprovidesawelcomerespite from the
intenseglareof thecamera, constant travel, and the
preparationandstressof tournamentplay. “Iampas-
sionateaboutnatureand love thesea,” the interna-
tionalchampionnotes. “WhenIamonholiday travel,
Ialwaysspendmyvacationonwater.”
Andwhilehis travels takehimeverywhere from
Wimbledon’sCentreCourt toMelbourne’sAustralian
Open,Majorca is theplacewherehe ishappiest.Likea
proudpatriot, thehandsome26-year-oldstarbeams
whenyouaskabouthishomeland, exclaiming inhis
accentedEnglish, “Majorca ismy favoriteplace in the
world; I loveMajorca!”Travelingeightmonthsoutof
theyear, “Rafa”returns tohishomenearManacor,
thesecond largestMediterranean towno thecoast
ofSpain, famous for itscoves, streetmarkets, large
manorhouses, and thebirthplaceofoneof thegreat-
est tennisplayers in theworld.
Growingup inthesmallvillagewherehis longtime
friendsand familystillresidegivesNadalanormalcy
CELEB
SUMMER2013
celebratedliving.com
28
YoungManandtheSea
When tennis icon
Rafael Nadal
’s
feet arenot on the court, his
heart is inhis homelandof Spain.
Theworldwide star talks to
Celebrated Livingabout his love
of the sea, his family, andof
course, thegameof tennis.
BYCATHYWHITLOCK
©CLIVEBRUNSSKILL/GETTY IMAGES,ON LOCATION AT SECRETSAURACOZUMEL; SWIMSUIT: TOMMYHILFIGER; T-SHIRT:ZADIG&VOLTAIRE;WATCH:RICHARDMILLE
