Playing By His Own Rules
Power and Motoryachts|November 2017

TENNIS SUPERSTAR RAFAEL NADAL LOOKS TO MONTE CARLO YACHTS TO FULFILL HIS CRUISING DREAMS.

Daniel Harding Jr
Playing By His Own Rules

His dominance on clay tennis courts has earned Rafael Nadal the moniker The King of Clay. From his first Grand Slam title in 2005 to his U.S. Open win earlier this year, Nadal is known the world over as one of tennis’ greats. But there’s another side to Nadal that we’re interested in knowing better: Nadal the boater. We caught up with him while he was aboard his MCY 76 in Mallorca.

POWER & MOTORYACHT: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLIEST BOATING MEMORIES?

RAPHAEL NADAL: Oh, honestly, I don’t remember which was the first, but I have a lot of nice memories being with the family, spending days around Mallorca, going to Menorca and coming back the same day. So I really remember … you know, I remember spending time with my sister, with my mum, with my dad, together, and with friends.

We are from here [Spain], so I also remember once, with a friend of mine and his family, we went together with two or three boats to Menorca and spent a day there. That’s something I always loved.

PMY: THOSE SOUND LIKE HAPPY MEMORIES. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF BOATING?

RN: I have always loved the spirit of adventure, because when you have a boat you feel free. You can go to different places, you feel free to move around, it’s an unbelievable feeling. When you are on a boat you have to be ready because weather conditions can always change and it’s a little bit of an adventure.

You know, it’s the feeling that you can finish your work, for example, at midday or just at three in the afternoon, and say, okay, I’m tired, I want to go out, I want to get away from everything, and I want to be just with my girlfriend, my friends, my captain—who is actually one of the best friends that I have—and enjoy the afternoon a little bit and maybe spend a night on a beach and come back the next day.

This story is from the November 2017 edition of Power and Motoryachts.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2017 edition of Power and Motoryachts.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM POWER AND MOTORYACHTSView All
A Good Ear
Power and Motoryachts

A Good Ear

It pays to be acutely aware of noise on your boat, particularly if it’s coming from the engine room.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2018
Strike!
Power and Motoryachts

Strike!

Gulf of Panama, Panama 7°22'N 80°0'W

time-read
1 min  |
June 2018
Made In Taiwan
Power and Motoryachts

Made In Taiwan

As the world’s fourth largest producer of yachts 78 feet and over, Taiwan is a country on the move.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2018
The Hard Way Around
Power and Motoryachts

The Hard Way Around

REFUSING TO PUT LIFE ON HOLD, FOUR INTREPID TWENTYSOMETHINGS SET AN UNCONVENTIONAL COURSE TO SEE THE WORLD ON A NORDHAVN 76.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2018
Permission Granted
Power and Motoryachts

Permission Granted

A BILLIONAIRE FINALLY GETS HIS YACHT.

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2017
Uncompromising Vision
Power and Motoryachts

Uncompromising Vision

ARCADIA CREATES A DESIGN AROUND PEOPLE RATHER THAN HULLS. THE RESULT IS A STUNNING MIX OF COMFORT AND DELIGHT IN A 100-FOOTER THAT MUST BE EXPERIENCED TO BE BELIEVED.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2017
Against The Grain
Power and Motoryachts

Against The Grain

IF YOU LOVE THE LINES OF A SPORTFISHERMAN BUT THINK MASS-PRODUCED BOATS ARE NOTHING SPECIAL, YOU MAY FIND A CUSTOM WOODEN YACHT LIKE THIS MERRITT 46 TO BE YOUR PATH TO FULFILLMENT.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2017
End Of An Era
Power and Motoryachts

End Of An Era

CRUISING THROUGH THE YEARS WITH HEF

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2017
Sea Trial Like A Pro
Power and Motoryachts

Sea Trial Like A Pro

COUNTLESS BOAT TESTS HAVE TAUGHT ME NEVER TO OVERLOOK THE OBVIOUS.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2017
Up Close And Personal
Power and Motoryachts

Up Close And Personal

A four-month test of the Monte Carlo MC5 allows Editor-in-Chief Daniel Harding Jr. to peel back the many layers of this versatile vessel.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2017