Special

The king of clay finally hung up his racket. Fans wondered why his retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup, the tournament he picked to pack up, was low-key. The answer is plain and simple. That’s how Rafa wanted it to be.

A celebrity athlete of his status does not need attention, his body of work speaks for itself. Exactly what happens when an accomplished icon knows where history places him – one of the greats, but definitely the greatest on clay. Conversely, the struggling wannabe creates a scene and steals thunder only to be struck by lightning.

Excellence does not seek, but attracts attention. Exactly why netizens who flaunt who they are and what they have in social media unwittingly affirms their mediocrity. Nothing wrong with being loud, if it is for the right reasons. Otherwise known as public interest. Unfortunately, the only Christian country in Asia, with at least 80% Roman Catholic, could no longer tell what is right from wrong, much less right a wrong.

Just as in court, the most brilliant minds do not raise their voice, they merely strengthen their position with substance and wisdom. The louder the voice, the weaker the argument. Just as the filthy rich walk around quiet and unassuming. The guilty rich too, but only because they are forced to avoid lifestyle check. Otherwise known as public men and women. The nouveau riche are the loudest, but lack in good taste.

What made Rafa’s retirement special is how the king of grass paid tribute to his stellar career. Roger Federer penned a heartfelt message to the one man who beat him to an emphatic 26-16 head to head. Federer conceded Rafa owned clay. Rightfully so, the Swiss Maestro won the French Open only after the Spanish bull was shockingly eliminated early on.

Their fierce rivalry, punctuated by the greatest tennis match in history at the 2008 Wimbledon final, deepened into a friendship bordering on bromance of two certified straight men. This despite Roger crying a river after Rafa beat him in the 2009 Australian Open. Roger crying and Rafa comforting him certified them as human beings.

They became so close they find humor when they banter each other. Roger made fun at how Rafa assembles his water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, how he fixes his hair and adjusts his underwear. Making fun is inappropriate though, awed by some of his unusual behavior other people consider strange is the better phrase. And awesome is the best word to describe a rival. The highest accolade comes from peers, exactly why the Academy is most prestigious, except that it is marred by nuanced campaign. Again, an excellent work stands out even if it stands alone.

More honorable is a compliment that comes from a co-equal of a rival. Yes Roger and Rafa are, in many ways than one. Although Roger at his finest is probably the greatest. Novak Djokovic is in limbo in the company of these two fine gentlemen. Although the Serbian owns the most slams, Rafa and Roger own the most fans.