Rafael Nadal One of the Worlds Most Influential People

Time Magazine has released their list of the World’s Most Influential People, and its gives me great pleasure to announce our tapa, Rafael Nadal has made the list. Rafa is sitting comfortably at #71 under the ‘Heroes & Icons’ section…joined only by two other athletes: Tiger Woods and Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.

The explanation as to how Rafa cracked Time Mag’s 100, was beautifully written by someone who should also be on the list, Serena Williams.

‘I have never seen such tenacity, such ambition, such fight and such honor go into every shot as when I watch Rafael Nadal. I want to be like him. The attitude he exudes the moment he walks out on the court is the attitude of a true champion. A champion whose desire to win is the same as the desire of a lion to eat. Stalking his prey with force and speed, Nadal, 22, has already become one of the game’s all-time best…What is so unusual about Rafa (which is what he likes to be called) is that unlike many of his fellow Spaniards, he can dominate on all surfaces. He has never lost a match on the French Open’s clay, but he also has a Wimbledon title to his name, as well as one from the Australian Open. This year he’s the only man able to go for a true Grand Slam. What makes him so good? I think it’s that he’s the hardest worker. The last one to leave the court, the first to arrive. The one who falls asleep studying, the first to rise. It’s not easy being a champion; you don’t just wake up and — bam! — you’re No. 1. It takes work, effort, desire, dedication — all qualities that Rafa has. I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am far off.’

Oh Serena, you hit the nail on the head and I am especially grateful for the ‘lion stalking its prey’ visual…next match, I plan on using body paints to transform myself into ‘prey’ before prancing across the court. Serena also points out something I’ve been saying for years- Rafa is the hardest working babe in tennis. He doesn’t just wake up and expect to remain at number one without putting every once of his effort into it…

Rafa is in good company in the top 100 (which includes Obama, Oprah, and Clooney…) Obviously, Tiger Woods is a staple on just about every list around, but not many people know of Manny Pacquiao. The beast is currently rated by the Ring Magazine as the #1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world, is actively involved in politics, is rumored to be the subject of Sylvester Stallone’s latest film venture and is set to take on British boxer Ricky Hatton this weekend. Pacquiao’s profile in Time was written by Lennox Lewis and can be read here.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com