If we have learned one thing from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that celebrities are terrible role models. But Rafael Nadal, a 35-year-old tennis player from Spain, is the exception to the rule.
The tennis world has been buzzing throughout the last few weeks after the incredible comeback story of Rafael Nadal, who returned to the tour after leaving with a foot injury, and proceeded to break the Grand Slam record at one of his least successful tournaments and against the current No. 1 tennis player in the world.
For tennis fans everywhere, this was a moment of history. Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic had been in a deadlocked tie with 20 Grand Slams for months, and Nadal had managed to beat his competition and revive the greatest of all time debate.
But for Nadal, this was more than a record-breaking match, this was a return to normalcy after months of uncertainty and disappointment. Back in November, Nadal was seriously considering retirement after suffering several tough losses on the tour in 2021. Instead, however, he devoted himself to training and fought his way to his 21st Grand Slam, marking the first time he has ever held the record for the most Grand Slams.
And yet, after everything he has accomplished, Nadal still has only one recurring comment to make: “I’m just excited to keep playing tennis.” Nadal isn’t in it for the record, for the glory, for the money, or for any of the typical tennis prizes. After coming so close to ending his entire tennis career, Nadal is just grateful that he can still play his favorite sport.
In today’s world, where many schools all over the country limit their education in efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, a traditional education has become more and more of a privilege, especially one like we enjoy at Hillsdale College.
Sometimes, I think we at Hillsdale forget that privilege. We get caught up in complaining about classwork, political developments, and all the different struggles of adult life. We don’t take the time to appreciate the blessings we enjoy at this college after everything we have been through.
Just as Nadal considered whether he’d ever be able to play tennis again, many of us probably wondered if we’d ever be able to receive a normal education again. Like Nadal having to take the risk of returning to the tour to see if he could still play at the highest level, we had to take the risk of applying to Hillsdale, hoping it could still provide an excellent education even in the midst of a pandemic.
So like Nadal, we shouldn’t obsess over the smaller struggles and unfortunate circumstances we face at college. Instead, we should remind ourselves every day that we should just be happy we can attend a good college, experience the full classical education, and receive a normal degree despite the best efforts of the pandemic.
Nadal may be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but deep down, he has the heart of a player who is just happy to compete. Remember that when you find yourself complaining about your college education.
