'I collapsed flat on my back on the Wimbledon grass, arms outstretched, fists clenched, roaring with triumph. The silence of Centre Court gave way to apndemonium and I succumbed to the crowd's euphoria, liberating myself from the mental prison I had inhabited from start to finish of the match, all day, the night before, the full two weeks of the greatest tennis tounament on earth.
The fear of losing, the fear of winning, the dread of ending up weeping once again on the floor of the locker room shower: all gone now. It wasn't relief I felt; it was beyond that. It was a rush of power and elation, an uncorking of emotion I had kept bottled up for the tensest four hours and forty-eight minutes of my life, an invasion of the purest joy.'
No tennis player since Andre Agassi has captivated the world like Rafael Nadal. He's a rarity in today's sporting arena - a true sportsman who chooses to let his raw talent, dedication and humility define him. Rapidly closing in on his friend and rival Roger Federer's record haul of 16 grand slam victories, Nadal is an extraordinary competitor whose ferocity on court is made even more remarkable by his grace off it. This book takes us to the heart of Nadal's childhood, his growth as a player and his incredible career. It includes many memorable highlights, from his victory in the 2008 Wimbledon final - a match that John McEnroe called, 'the greatest game of tennis ever played' - to becoming the youngest player of the open era to complete a career Grand Slam in 2010. It transports us from Nadal's lifelong home on the island of Majorca to the locker room of Centre Court as he describes in detail the pressures of competing in the greatest tournament in the world. It offers a glimpse behind the racquet to learn what really makes this intensely private person - who has never previously talked about his home life - tick. And it provides us with a story that is personal, revealing and every bit as exciting as Nadal himself.
Rafael Nadal is a twenty-five-year-old professional tennis player. He has won a total of ten grand slam titles to date and is the youngest player of the open era to win all four majors. He was born in Majorca, Spain, where he still lives.
John Carlin is currently a senior international writer for El Pais, the world's leading Spanish-language newspaper. He has also written for the BBC, the Independent, the Observer and the Sunday Times, and wrote the book that became the feature film Invictus.
