Nadal sensation

WHEN Manacor tennis ace Rafa Nadal won the prestigious Principe de Asturias prize last week I was slightly surprised. Let us not forget that the Spanish football team won the European Championships but it was Rafa´s year, which when you take into account that he won the French Open, Wimbledon and a Gold Medal at the Beijing Games was no real surprise. His award got me thinking that perhaps Rafa Nadal has over-taken Spain´s national squad as the sport to see. My thoughts were slightly confirmed on Saturday night with many Majorcans opting to watch Rafa play against Andrew Murray than Spain´s match against Bosnia. The Rafa Nadal sensation continues to take Majorca by storm and his defeat against Murray was rather summed-up by one headline yesterday which said “Rafa is human afterall.” The young Manacor player is a great ambassador for his sport and a great credit to Spain as well. And his army of expatriate fans continues to grow as well. Despite Murray (allegedly) being British most expats were supporting Nadal. One British tennis fan told me yesterday that she couldn´t stand the sight of Murray and what a great shame that he had won. But it must be said though, the young Scotsman certainly played the game of his life.