My Life as a Rafan

Four years ago I sat at home on a Sunday afternoon with my family and watched the Wimbledon final. That day was where it all began. I saw my first glimpse of the passion I've launched myself into today. I never knew what was going to come out of it. The only thing I knew about the Spaniard on my screen was that he was named Rafael Nadal. I knew nothing about tennis. 

Since then, I've learnt a lot about that man I first saw on my screen four years ago. For the last two years, I've been lucky enough to call myself a Rafa fan. From not knowing anything about Rafael Nadal, I've become an expert. I didn't know what line was in or out at just age 10, but now I can watch a match and give as detailed an explanation as the commentator. That takes time. It was a process that just kind of happened. If you told my 11 year old self that in a few years time I would have spent my time admiring a professional athlete and doing everything in my power to catch a glimpse of him, I'd have never have believed you. 

Being a super fan is a very strange thing. You dedicate huge amounts of time and effort to support somebody who doesn't even know you exist. Playing a match is like a team effort, Rafa has millions of people all across the world supporting him and encouraging him. It's really special. He is a kind hearted and inspiring person that I think everybody can learn from. His incredible talent and warm, humble personality are a perfect combination, a combination that I'm proud of every single day. Every time he wins a match, the happiness he feels radiates out to me. It's an incredible feeling and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Being such an emotionally invested fan is a challenge. There are many positives to the 'job' but also quite a few negatives. It's emotionally draining. When Rafa goes through a rough time, I do too. It's an all consuming thing, which makes it so special when something good happens but also so emotionally debilitating when things don't go our way. Setting alarms for 3am are something you have to do if you want to experience all of the special moments in a tournament. It's actually not as bad as it seems! The lack of sleep isn't ideal, but there's something tranquil about waking up in the middle of night when everything is quiet and experiencing pure passion from him.

Am I here for the trophies? Absolutely not. Winning tournaments is what you expect, but there's a lot more to tennis than that. Every fist pump and point won is a tiny victory in my eyes. Just watching Rafael play tennis is good enough for me. Of course, titles are the aim for Rafa, and my aim is to encourage and support him so he can achieve that. Winning titles is like a victory for all of team Rafa. As cheesy as it sounds, we're a big family and we stick together. There's nothing better than winning a title. It's the most amazing feeling knowing the hard times have paid off.

It's not the usual thing for a teenage girl to obsess over, but you know what? I'm proud to support a role model instead of a band member. There's no going back now. I love this part of my life. Sometimes I feel like I'm living two lives. I'm so obsessed over somebody else's life it takes over sometimes! It might seem strange and not what I should be focusing on at my age, but it makes me happy, and that is the most important thing. Do what makes YOU happy.

Rafael Nadal is my passion. I can't put into words how incredible it is to be his fan. It's also lead to many more opportunities, and I hope it continues to. Tennis journalism is now a passion of mine, and that'd never have happened without Rafa.

Sometimes I wish that I'd have been there from the start. I've missed so many important symbolic points in his career, but what matters is I'm here now. It's tough being a fan, but also so rewarding. He makes me feel like I'm the grand slam champion, which is indescribably special. Rafans are a team, and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Vamos.

Expectations of a Rafan

When you're a tennis fan, you dedicate a huge part of your life to the player you admire. There may only be a select few people in the whole scheme of things that feel the same, but if even a few fans can relate to this, then I'll be happy.

Before a new season, it's a mixture of emotions. It's mostly doubts, but also that deep down excitement that we're always a little too scared to admit. Expectations are in everybody, but they're often seen as a bad thing. In the past, I've got negative comments towards my desire to achieve more on Rafa's behalf. I of course stand by Rafa at all times, but I'm competitive and ruthless inside. Sometimes that can be a good thing. For example, when I'm hungry to win, if it happens it's an even better feeling than going with the flow.

I don't know if this is making sense, but what I'm getting at is it's OK to have expectations. It's seen as over confidence, but really, it's just that raw belief in your player.

My expectations for this year are complicated. I want a grand slam win, a few masters titles and the ATP finals trophy. It's ambitious, but it's no fun without aspirations, right?

Dealing with these expectations is difficult. There's a fine balance between looking over confident or lacking in faith in your player. That's a battle I have to deal with very regularly. The criticism many of us get for either of these is unkind.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, having expectations is a good thing. It shouldn't be looked down on when you want to win. During Rafa's comeback, many Rafans had the opinion of 'I'm just happy to see him on court.' Well, yes, that's great, but why are you even a fan if you don't want to celebrate? Winning is the best part, and to talk about it like it's not why you've sticked around is incorrect. I'm a fan because I love watching Rafa play, but I could have left long ago. The heartbreak and misery I have been through is overwhelming, but I'm not going anywhere. My expectations for more victories keep me motivated to be the best fan I can be.

Vamos.

Becoming A Rafan

This post I wanted to talk, so grab a cuppa and read on.

The other day I was thinking about being a Rafa fan, and thought- I never knew this would happen. It all started with one Wimbledon final I was watching with my family (2011) and thinking Rafa was attractive. A Google search and a drooling over a Shakira video later: I'm here.

I used to not know anything about tennis. I thought Wimbledon was the only tournament there was (unfortunately, many British people still do). After watching Rafa in Wimbledon 2012, I became a 'proper fan'. I learnt as much as I could about the sport and learnt a bit about tournaments and players. I was still only young, so when it got to 2013 I watched most tournaments and really started to become emotionally invested.

It's been a crazy, difficult and bittersweet journey. I was just a young teenager who fell for a tennis playing Spaniard, and now I'm a 'professional Rafan', if there is such thing.

I never expected to become so emotionally invested in this man's life, but that was part of the magic. Not knowing what I was in for, and learning the ways of tennis as I grew into the fan I am today.

Even though most of the time I get no sleep, I worry constantly about future tournaments and matches and my stress levels are often abnormally high, I wouldn't change a thing.

Being a tennis fan is no easy job. Forget about your schoolwork, for those tournaments your mind is focused 100%! It's a stressful thing and the different emotions you go through in a 2 hour match blow your mind.

Becoming a Rafan was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I'd love to hear your becoming a Rafan stories. Drop me a comment. 

Grace x