This first-person article is the experience of Vaidehee Lanke, a medical student living in Saskatoon. For more information on CBC’s first-person stories, see frequently asked questions.
The note struck me valid. Rafael Nadal, one of the best tennis players of all time and my personal favorite, announced his retirement last week.
I felt a rush of emotions. Stunned by his outstanding 23-year career. Deep sadness at never seeing him bet again. A powerful recognition for what he has given to the sport and to me.
Growing up, I was never part of the sports world. In fact, it was just the opposite: sports class was an endless dance of discomfort. That all changed when I came across tennis. In the middle of college finals in the spring of 2021, in an attempt to find another way to procrastinate, I came across old videos of the US Open.
Suddenly, I was watching highlights of match after match. With each game and post-game interview, I fell in love with the pure athleticism of the game, the constantly moving statistics, the psychology behind every move, and the history of the players. I spent that summer learning the rules of tennis, and terms like baseline, court, ace, rally, and smash became part of my vocabulary. When the 2021 US Open came around, I was a totally dedicated tennis fan.
And although I learned about all the greats, the Spanish Nadal became my favorite. It wasn’t just his title of king of the land or his powerful right-wing cardinal that won my devotion, but more importantly his humility and never-give-up spirit.
Dig deep and swing
While my love for tennis has not yet materialized into the ability to play it, Nadal’s gifts have been an inspiration to me in my personal life.
I still remember my first semester as a graduate student in epidemiology. I had just moved alone from Saskatoon to Montreal. Between trying to find a community, adapting to a new course load, and dealing with the enormous research load ahead, the challenges seemed insurmountable.
While it might seem like there is little similarity between Grand Slam tennis courts and the classical world, Nadal’s unbreakable spirit was never far from my mind as I charted my path through this new world. challenge.
It can be tedious in the daily routine of school or work to forget the joy that prompted you to embark on your path. But Nadal’s career has been an example of being alert, determined and cultivating that same joy. Even in recent years, when injuries made it difficult to play, Nadal continued to return with that unmistakable smile of his, a clear demonstration that he loves what he does.
During my long days of research and writing, I reminded myself to pause and celebrate the fact that I can study vigor. It is a topic very close to my heart and something I have dreamed about since I was a boy. Babbling with my fellow students brought me joy because it reminded me that the work we did in school mattered in the contemporary world.
One of my favorite tennis moments of all time was watching Nadal overcome a thrilling final at the 2009 Australian Open men’s singles. After winning the Australian Open title for the first time, The first thing Nadal did after collecting the trophy was to pat a heartbroken Roger Federer and console his friend.
I still get teary-eyed watching that video, and many others, in which Nadal reminded me that, even in the most pressurized situations, it is important to approach others with empathy and kindness.
Sometimes graduate school made me stand out alone, but Nadal’s approach to tennis reminded me to reach out to my fellow students, whether to rant about our research or laugh at the problems of the day. Together, through the highest moments and the lowest, we celebrated and comforted each other, reminding each other that we were on a collective team.
I will greatly miss Nadal’s powerful performances, his quirky interviews and his goofy personality. But he gave his millions of fans many lessons about how life should be, with joy, perseverance and humility.
Now that Nadal retires and embarks on a new adventure, I am still embarking on my own new adventure. I am back in Saskatoon and have begun the journey to become a doctor. In the coming years, I imagine there will be many times when the odds seem to be against me, when the challenges seem too great, or when there is the risk of losing everything.
In those times, I will bring Nadal’s example to my mind and perspective.
Smile. Go deep and swing. Do not keep null and desire.
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