The University of Salamanka continued to Rafael still the title of doctor honoris causa. “It was the most controversial decision in the history of this university regarding the awarding of a prestigious title” – informs the daily El Pais. Why? Well, a significant part of the voters was against.
Up to 34 percent Professors decided that the tennis legend did not deserve distinction. The candidacy passed by the votes of 177: 91. Candidates usually get an overwhelming majority of votes or are supported unanimously. Together with the tennis player, the French microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier (263 votes “for”) also received the title.
The justification indicated that Rafael is still an example of such values as discipline and humility, but some professors and professors did not agree with it. – It is mostly older scholars who are focused on scientific research, they are not up to date with sport. They do not believe that the athlete can also be a role model in education or education – comments for Sport.pl Nico Moreno Ghersi, a well -known Spanish trainer and tennis expert.
Confusion around Rafael Nadal
Candidation critics still pointed out that the former leader of the ATP ranking has no connection with Salamanka (was born in Majorca) or scientific achievements. Ten years ago he still got the title of doctor honorary of the European University of Madrid.
The nomination for a tennis player came from the university council itself, which reported his name at the end of last year. In November, the tennis player ended his career during the final tournament of the Davis Cup played in Malaga.
Read also: Comments after Halep's decision
Additional controversy around Nadal was associated with the fact that his candidacy was strongly supported by the rector of the university Jose Manuel Corchado, criticized by the scientific community for quoting his own research in subsequent publications. Spanish media say Corchado wanted to use the Nadal figure to warm up his image.
The confusion did not adversely affect Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard recently appeared at the “Mundo Deportivo” daily. Asked by journalists how he manages without tennis, he admitted: “I'm happy. I am trying to adapt to the new side of my life. At the moment I do not miss tennis.”
In the first months after his career, he still tries to live the best life. At the end of November he was seen at the Anfield Road stadium when Liverpool played with Real Madrid. Then he visited Saudi Arabia, where he promotes sport.
– For now, he intends to focus more on family and rest. In his free time he plays golf, sails, catches fish. He is also involved in the development of his own academy. Rafa does not exclude that he will become a coach, although he has not yet made a final decision, because not much time has passed since he farewell to tennis – explains Moreno Ghersi.
The person concerned, when asked about his job as a trainer, said in “The National”: “Never talk 'Never'. At the moment it is too early to think about such things. I have to organize my life. At the moment No such project, but I don't know what my life will look like in a year, two or three years. “
Will he be a coach?
Speculation increased when Novak Djoković announced that his new coach would be Andy Murray before the season. The Scot also recently ended his career – in August, after the Paris Games. However, he still does not intend to hurry with a similar decision.
– Rafa expressed the desire to remain involved in Spanish tennis through his academy. In addition, I think that it can play an important role when organizing tournaments in Barcelona and Madrid – believes Nico Moreno Ghersi. The director of the event in the Spanish capital is today another former tennis player, Feliciano Lopez. The same who managed the finals of the Davis Cup in Malaga.
There is no doubt that Rafael Nadal will still be loud. On February 11, he will be honored at the headquarters of the Spanish Olympic Committee, where his friends and other athletes will be present.
In March, a document about the last season in Nadal's career is to appear on the Netflix platform. The Spaniard performed, among others in Roland Garros and at the Paris Games. However, he did not succeed. In addition, his farewell to tennis went in poor conditions, What Spanish experts told us about.
Rafael is still one of the biggest stars not only of tennis, but also of the whole modern sport. He won 22 Grand Slam titles, including Roland Garros 14 times. He won two gold medals of the Games, won 92 professional tournaments in total. He won his first victory in August 2004 in Sopot, where he won the Orange Prokom Open event played at that time.