Rafael Nadal pays tribute to all the people who have lost someone important

After the announcement of his success at the Stefan Edberg Sportmanship Awards, Rafael Nadal has suffered some attacks on social media from those who did not agree with the award of this recognition to the Spanish champion, considered undeserving due to some of his attitudes in field. In fact, some believe that the Spaniard does not meet certain criteria that should make a tennis player the perfect example during a match. The main complaint concerns the time taken to perform the service, considered by some people to be long and exhausting and therefore unsportsmanlike. An accusation that throws fuel on a champion light years away from being unsportsmanlike, but who, on the contrary, never misses an opportunity to prove himself a perfect example of respect for the opponent and self-denial in every situation. Rafael Nadal was conferred the honor by El Desmarque, for his outstanding achievements both on and off the field. The Mallorcan dedicated the award to all those affected by COVID-19.

Nadal was conferred the honor by El Desmarque

In his speech, the Mallorcan also stressed the importance of setting a good example for the youth. "I want to thank El Desmarque that you have thought of me," Rafael Nadal said. "I have been trying my whole life to transmit values that are positive, they have tried to educate me so that it is so and I hope they are values that help some young people to grow in the appropriate way." Rafael Nadal chose to dedicate his DEX Legend Award to everyone affected by COVID-19, the deadly disease that has been wreaking havoc all around the globe for nearly a year. "I want to dedicate the award to all the people who have directly suffered the impact of the virus, who have lost someone important and also to all these people who are suffering it every day both at the health and economic level,” Rafael Nadal said. The 13-time French Open champion also expressed his gratitude to Rami Aboukahir and Pau Gasol, the latter of whom was awarded a DEX Award in the Excellence category. “Rami, thank you very much for your words and also thanks to Santander for the unconditional support that you give me," Nadal said. "Also to Pau, thank you very much for your speech, it has made me very excited and you already know that for me you are a great reference, and to share this award with you because it makes me very excited.”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/38ySiX1