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Kid Rafa
by MAC (with thanks to PAT for the idea and to malimeda for finding all the videos)


In a quiet moment malimeda has been trawling through youtube to find videos from Rafa's childhood years. Here is a selection.

Toddler Rafa with his uncle Miguel Angel after a football match.


I notice he started the tongue in the corner of the mouth thing pretty early in his life.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Playing tennis and football in Mallorca.


Whipping the racket round his ear also started early.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Although, in those days, football as a career wasn't entirely ruled out.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Rafa aged 12 in Barcelona.


Less movement of the eyebrow in after match interviews but still evident.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Not hugely impressed with the runner up trophy.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Rafa aged 13 losing the match to Richard Gasquet at Les Petit As at Tarbes, France in 1999. (Note that in the ten times they've played each other since joining the main ATP tour, Rafa has never lost to Gasquet.)


Even back then he was shaking hands with the crowd.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Training with Uncle Toni.


Were Nike already sponsoring him?

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Rafa at 16, winning the final against Pastorino at the ITF Futures Tournament in Vigo, Spain in August 2002.



The interview technique was already good...(Q: And the tournament you'd like to win the most? A: Wimbledon, but it's difficult and I need to work a lot.)

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

...but the fist pump needed work.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Rafa's first participation in Monte Carlo back in 2003 - winning match point against Albert Costa in round two followed by his post match interview.


Pleased with the win.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Loving the haircut.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Rafa at 17, winning match point against Lee Childs at his first Wimbledon in 2003.


A celebration.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Letting the hair grow.

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC

Rafa at 16, being asked to list all of his biggest junior results so far. He goes on and on (champion of Spain, champion of Europe, junior DC champion playing both singles & doubles, semifinalist at Wimbledon...), to end up with "And I can't remember any more."


The interviewer quips, "Perhaps because there are no more tournaments left!"

Rafa Nadal
Screencap by MAC