Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery

FREE Returns

FREE delivery Monday, August 14

Select delivery location

Only 1 left in stock - order soon

$$45.94 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Payment

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

Sofos2019

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Details

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

Sofos2019

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Monday, August 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $25

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Booking-it

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$45.64
& FREE Shipping. Details

Sold by: Hess E-Commerce LLC

Added

Not added

$41.66
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: LTtechno

Added

Not added

$45.93
& FREE Shipping. Details

Sold by: Read & Refine

Flip to back Flip to front

See all 3 images

Follow the Authors

John Carlin

Rafael Nadal

Rafa Hardcover – August 23, 2011

by Rafael Nadal (Author), John Carlin (Author)

4.5 3,312 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$10.99

—

Audible Audiobook, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$0.00

Free with your Audible trial

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$45.94

$34.98

$1.92

Paperback, Illustrated

"Please retry"

$13.39

$12.71

$1.44

Audio CD, Audiobook, CD, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$22.75

—

Great on Kindle

Great Experience. Great Value.

Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.

View Kindle Edition

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$45.94","priceAmount":45.94,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"45","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"94","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"BFp1aYckhkm1SySdy6S%2BUsu4Bm7LJr5vGtdUgPCyemKE111PZAzKk2IDVmBRPdXyDzblsnd%2FSQUmKmoMq3tUh8Qow%2FTLQuwv%2Bj78mgOS9Jrv3jESNKcig5QdvjKhD11kKO4myDyWCM2eeIKLVf8D6dv1KsYtRKUuhIohFdsQObmE0G9%2B2KOegN9F6IMF1img","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$9.05","priceAmount":9.05,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"05","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"BFp1aYckhkm1SySdy6S%2BUsu4Bm7LJr5vBq6SAEIWPu0gmgEw5nLu9nsISRUvgqax9N3Uolxo4VaDsvBxklfSmC1%2FTwlm6mnO9N48GaR8GvzyAEdDOXAQnu36nmB8S08%2FV%2BcedXmpFFtBkRD2cP7rqcZh7Cj2va53F0xAGmZdPyX2D3qdkTWT8Q%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

What makes a champion? What does it take to be the best in the world at your sport?

Rafael Nadal has the answers. In his memoir, written with award-winning journalist John Carlin, he reveals the secrets of his game and shares the inspiring personal story behind his success.

It begins in Mallorca, where the tight-knit Nadal family has lived for generations. Coached by his uncle Toni from the age of four and taught humility and respect by his parents, Nadal has managed the uncommon feat of becoming an acclaimed global celebrity while remaining a gracious, hardworking role model for people in all walks of life.

Now he takes us behind the scenes, from winning the Wimbledon 2008 final—described by John McEnroe as “the greatest game of tennis” he had ever seen—to the family problems that brought him low in 2009 and the numerous injuries that have threatened his career.

With candor and intelligence, Nadal brings readers on his dramatic and triumphant journey, never losing sight of the prize he values above all others: the unity and love of his family.

From RAFA:

"During a match, you are in a permanent battle to fight back your everyday vulnerabilities, bottle up your human feelings. The more bottled up they are, the greater your chances of winning, so long as you’ve trained as hard as you play and the gap in talent is not too wide between you and your rival. The gap in talent with Federer existed, but it was not impossibly wide. It was narrow enough, even on his favorite surface in the tournament he played best, for me to know that if I silenced the doubts and fears, and exaggerated hopes, inside my head better than he did, I could beat him. You have to cage yourself in protective armor, turn yourself into a bloodless warrior. It’s a kind of self-hypnosis, a game you play, with deadly seriousness, to disguise your own weaknesses from yourself, as well as from your rival."

Print length

272 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Hyperion
Publication date

August 23, 2011
Dimensions

6.5 x 1 x 9.75 inches
ISBN-10

1401324517
ISBN-13

978-1401324513
See all details

Frequently bought together

$45.64

Get it as soon as Tuesday, Aug 15

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

Sold by Hess E-Commerce LLC and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.

+

$17.42

Get it as soon as Monday, Aug 14

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

One of these items ships sooner than the other.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

Most purchased | Highest ratedin this set of products
Kobe Bryant
27,571
Hardcover
in Basketball Biographies
$16.26
Lowest Pricein this set of products
Maria Sharapova
1,456
Hardcover
$10.46
This item:
Rafael Nadal
3,312
Hardcover
$45.64
Andre Agassi
20,196
Paperback
$15.04
Christopher Clarey
1,193
Hardcover
77 offers from $5.92
Dominic Bliss
177
Hardcover
$17.42
Novak Djokovic
1,538
Paperback
$15.20
Brad Gilbert
1,719
Paperback
$11.69
David Foster Wallace
319
Hardcover
$19.95
Billie Jean King
1,249
Hardcover
$12.63

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rafael Nadal was born in 1986 in Mallorca, Spain. Currently ranked #1 in the world, he has won 9 Grand Slam titles and a career "Golden Slam" all four majors plus a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. He lives in Mallorca, Spain.

John Carlin, originally from the UK, is currently a Senior International writer for El Pais, the world's leading Spanish-language newspaper. He wrote the book that became the feature film Invictus.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hyperion; First Edition (August 23, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1401324517
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1401324513
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1 x 9.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #374,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #122 in Tennis (Books)
- #1,663 in Sports Biographies (Books)
- #10,665 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 3,312 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

Important information

To report an issue with this product, click here.

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

John Carlin
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
See more on the author's page
Rafael Nadal
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
See more on the author's page

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

3,312 global ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all customer images

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Joyce Smeltzer

I Thought I Knew Why Rafael Nadal Is A Champion But I Had Not Read This Book

Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2023

Verified Purchase

When Jimmy Connors stopped playing tennis, I quit watching. When Rafa beat Federer in Miami at age 18, I started watching again. Many commentators say Rafa plays with the same fighting spirit as Jimmy. I’ve always wondered where the fight comes from, how he keeps on winning and what motivates him. There are obvious answers given in articles and by broadcasters during a match or interview. Reading this book. . .(finally!) I understand a lot more.
It’s a fun read, learning little details about what he was thinking during specific matches I’ve watched more than once. Mostly, it is as inspiring and motivating as Rafa himself when he’s playing every ball as if it were championship point. It’s the kind of book that makes plain what is required of a Champion besides talent. It is well written and makes me want to go do something. At 80. After this read, I believe it’s possible to still achieve something with a natural God-given talent I’ve been told about and recognized in myself most of my life. Will I do it? If I do, Rafa Nadal will be mentioned in the credits.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Vikram Pyati

The workings of a tennis machine

Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2011

Verified Purchase

RAFA is a remarkable book which gives amazing insights into the mind of a tennis legend. The way he prepares before a game, his mental state during a game, his methods of handling the disappointments and the successes of the tennis court - all of this makes RAFA a fascinating read.

The book has a unique format in which the first person account by Nadal is interspersed with chapters by John Carlin. The chapters by Nadal mainly talk about some of the important matches of his fledging tennis career, starting with THE MATCH - the Wimbledon 2008 final; his surprisingly strong family ties and its impact on his game; his domineering uncle and coach for 20 years - Toni and of course, his never say die spirit which is visible in most of his matches, among other things.

As the chapters go on, the book slowly uncovers the duality of Rafael Nadal - the one on the tennis court and the other off it. The one on the court is a gladiator who fights till the end, never gives up, doesn't know what fear is and ruthlessly decimates his opposition. The one off the tennis court is a soft, insecure lad , a boy next door, who is scared of dog, who is uncomfortable driving a bicycle or a motorbike and one who is scared of flying in a helicopter ! The contrast cannot be more starker.

The importance he gives to his family and friends and in turn their impact on his game is mentioned throughout the book. After a remarkable year of 2008 when he won both French Open and Wimbledon and became No.1 for the first time, 2009 was a big let down, when he was dogged by injuries, when he lost in French Open for the first time and eventually lost the No.1 ranking. As he writes, this dip in his career was as much due to the separation of his parents as due to external factors like injuries and loss of form. In fact, according to him, the mental trauma he experienced due to his parent's separation was actually the root cause for most of his injuries during that time.

In the final part of the book he also mentions his rather strange relationship with his uncle and coach - Toni. Though he gives a lot of credit to Toni for installing in him the fighting spirit of a gladiator and making him the tennis player he is now, he also mentions couple of incidents where he thinks Toni crossed the line. There are nuggets spread throughout book about their relationship and if you connect the dots you feel as if Nadal is only 'tolerating' Toni because of his gratitude towards Toni for making him what he is now. But again, that is only my interpretation.

Overall, RAFA is an inspirational read. Through a living example the book tells that to succeed you have to make sacrifices, to succeed you need to have discipline and dedication, to succeed you have to fight till the last point. Nothing comes easy in this world, but if you put an honest effort, nothing is too difficult to achieve !

20 people found this helpful

Helpful

Gloria

Profoundly Simple

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2011

Verified Purchase

I am enjoying the Rafa memoir. Initially, I wondered how a memoir could be written so early in this young man's life, and not be "fluff" for over 270 pages. I quickly learned that not only is there no fluff, it sucked me in as a reader.

The format is almost like "Forrest Gump" in print. It starts with Rafa prepping for his 2008 Wimbledon match against Roger Federer, the slam he's always wanted to win. Rafa writes somewhat of a diary/journal entry of his thought as he gets ready for the match. And as he goes through these motions, he has "flashbacks" of times earlier in life that has gotten him to where he's at: lessons he's learned, the family's who's been a solid foundation of support, and the human side of of who Rafa's become of these things. The flashbacks come back to the present match and integrates itself whole.

Once a short entry of that match is read, John Carlin interjects with words and mini vignettes/interviews from family and friends who fill the "gaps" of the thought processes of how Rafa thinks and what he's become.

The story then heads back to that Wimbledon match and Rafa writes more. The cycle continues.

I bought this book right as I was about to go to sleep and ended up reading nearly 20% of the book and took it to work to read during my lunch. I could not put it down, but had to because the eyes were drooping. At this rate, the book will not make it to the weekend. Rafa draws me in and paints a story of an every day man who happens to do something extraordinary professionally. Nadal speaks with desires of a simple life and yet, with a profound sense of thought of in how to approach it. Tennis is the backddrop of this story, but many life lessons are learned as well as we watch someone grow into their own.

UPDATE 9/9/11:
I finished the book and it was quite satisfying. The memoir covers the first 25 years of Rafa's life, but there was much that's happened within that time: mentally, physically, and emotionally. Rafa and Carlin explain the moments in time and their impact upon who Rafa is today and will become.

Is the book premature in its writing? Yes and no. I thought that the book should have been done after his career was over so we get the "full scope." However, by writing the book now while still actively competing, Rafa lets the readers understand who and what he is now. I have been following Rafa throughout this 2011 U.S. Open and the memoir has shed a different perspective on how I view Rafa's mentality on court, for the press, and how he carries himself. In short, it's an even more intriguing 'front row ticket' into someone's life.

43 people found this helpful

Helpful

MontBlanc

My Evaluation

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2022

Verified Purchase

Really liked learning about Rafa—the man—, a product of his family & his team. Seemed a little slow in the early part, with heavy focus on Wimbledon 2009 as pivotal—revenge vs Roger.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Eduardo Fausto Zipf Leonetti

Baita Livro!

Reviewed in Brazil on March 14, 2023

Verified Purchase

Não terminei ainda, mas estou adorando, realmente muito legal conhecer tão a fundo o Rafael Nadal! É um fenômeno e um exemplo de profissional!

Translate review to English

Juan D.

Un genio y un loco.

Reviewed in Mexico on February 16, 2022

Verified Purchase

Fantástico, motivador y mucho que aprender de la mentalidad de Rafa, quien es para mi el mejor del mundo por lo que expresa en su libro.

Translate review to English

ET

Excellent!

Reviewed in Singapore on March 27, 2023

Verified Purchase

Son enjoys it thoroughly. 👍

Krush

Great book

Reviewed in Australia on November 22, 2021

Verified Purchase

Very factual

masaike

ナダルの人柄が良く解ります

Reviewed in Japan on February 11, 2015

Verified Purchase

とても興味深く読みました、ナダルの人柄がよく伝わり、一層好きになりました。テニスファンにはお薦めの一冊です。

Translate review to English

See more reviews

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	6pm Score deals on fashion brands	AbeBooks Books, art & collectibles	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Sell on Amazon Start a Selling Account

Amazon Business Everything For Your Business	Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Right To Your Door	AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally	Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee	Amazon Ignite Sell your original Digital Educational Resources	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide	Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data	ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics	DPReview Digital Photography	Fabric Sewing, Quilting & Knitting

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	IMDbPro Get Info Entertainment Professionals Need	Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Prime Video Direct Video Distribution Made Easy

Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Great Deals on Quality Used Products	Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store	Woot! Deals and Shenanigans	Zappos Shoes & Clothing	Ring Smart Home Security Systems

eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room	Blink Smart Security for Every Home	Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts	Amazon Subscription Boxes Top subscription boxes – right to your door	PillPack Pharmacy Simplified	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust

Amazon Prime includes:

Buy new: $45.94$45.94 FREE delivery: Monday, Aug 14 Payment Secure transaction Ships from Amazon Sold by Sofos2019 Returns Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Buy used: $9.05

Other Sellers on Amazon

Follow the Authors

Rafa Hardcover – August 23, 2011

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

What do customers buy after viewing this item?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Product details

Videos

Important information

About the authors

John Carlin

Rafael Nadal

Customer reviews

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Buy new:

$45.94

FREE delivery: Monday, Aug 14

Payment

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

Sofos2019

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Buy used:

$9.05