More than trophies, Nadal aims to pass on human values in his museum

Jakarta (ANTARA) - World tennis legend Rafael Nadal has said that the most important legacy he wishes to leave is not a string of trophies or championship records, but the humanity inherent in his journey as an athlete and as a person. He made the remarks at the unveiling of the new look of the Inside the Legend museum at the Rafa Nadal Academy complex in Manacor, Spain, which chronicles his life story on and off the court. “I want to be remembered not for my trophies, but for being a good person from Manacor,” Nadal was quoted as saying by the ATP on Thursday. According to him, achievements in the form of numbers and statistics no longer need to be emphasised because all the records of his career have been clearly documented. What is more important, according to Nadal, are the values that are not recorded in numbers. “Ultimately, numbers are just numbers. What matters are the unseen things, namely who we are as human beings and how we treat the people around us,” Nadal said. The Inside the Legend museum presents Nadal’s life journey comprehensively, from his childhood in Manacor, the development of his professional career, to the collection of Grand Slam trophies, historic rackets, and various memorabilia that record important moments in his career. Visitors are invited to enter an immersive experience that charts Nadal’s emotional journey from a young age, including the process of character formation and the mental resilience that has carried him to become one of the most successful tennis players of all time. The museum also features a dedicated area that examines the rivalries of the ‘Big Three’ era with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, considered one of the most influential periods in modern tennis history. In addition, there is a space called “Sporting Legends” showcasing collections and stories of world athletes who inspired Nadal, including Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, and Usain Bolt. Nadal revealed that he has never tried to build a public persona that differs from his private life. He said the consistency between his public figure and private life has been a principle he has always held throughout his career. “You cannot keep pretending to be someone else for years,” Nadal said. The 22-time Grand Slam winner also said he has never placed himself as a perfect figure. He simply tries to live according to the values and education he received since childhood. “I never thought I had to be perfect or a role model. I just try to conduct everything with the ethics and education I have,” he said. “I have never left this place and I have never lived elsewhere. The most important thing for me is happiness with the people closest to me,” Nadal said. He added that one of the things he is most grateful for is the ability to maintain the same social connections since childhood amid a long professional career. “What makes me very happy is still having the same friends since childhood and being able to live a very normal life,” the 39-year-old said. The Rafa Nadal Museum first opened in 2016 and has become one of the Balearic Islands’ popular sports destinations in Spain, with an average of more than 100,000 visitors per year. With the refreshed Inside the Legend concept, the museum is now not only a space documenting sporting achievements but also a means to understand life values, simplicity, and the humanity of one of the greatest tennis icons in the world. Translator: Arindra Meodia