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“There’s Always a Silver Lining” – Roger Federer Addresses The Graduating Class at Rafa Nadal Academy

Published 06/09/2020, 6:00 PM EDT

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It’s an unfortunate time for the graduating class of 2020 as the students cannot throw their graduation caps in the air along with their mates in their vicinity. However, with their blessing of technology, a ceremony has been arranged in various schools. For the graduating class of 2020 at Rafa Nadal Academy, Rafa’s friend and foe Roger Federer was invited as the chief guest to address the graduates. 

 “Hello everybody at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Many congratulations on everybody who graduates today. I wish you all the very best for the future,” Federer addressed.

“For those who go on and play professional tennis, you know what it takes, a lot of hard work and never forget to have fun, that’s the most important part.”

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The Swiss maestro continued to speak about his and Rafael Nadal’s never-ending passion for tennis. Hard work and enjoying the process of fulfilling one’s dreams, makes all the difference.

The students are graduating in the midst of the pandemic vibes, but surely, the present limitations would motivate them to bring changes in the current imbalance of the world.

“Rafa and I have never lost the passion for what we are doing; there will be some rainy and tough days but, there’s always a silver lining. The sun will come around eventually. Just make sure to keep on working hard,” he continued.

“Rafael Nadal is such a champion in so many ways” – Roger Federer

Federer’s talks are certainly incomplete if he doesn’t praise the Mallorcan muscle-man Rafa. Just like always the maestro commended his age-old nemesis and referred to him as the epitome of humbleness. 

“For those that the tennis dream never worked out, I’m sure you had a great learning experience at the Academy in school. I hope you have learned a lot from Rafa, he is such a champion in so many ways,” Roger said.

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“He is very humble and you should always be kind to others. You are only as strong as your team. I hope you go on and have an enjoyable and successful career in whatever you are doing. You will look back at these days at the Academy as some of the best days of your life.” World Number four Roger Federer concluded his speech by wishing them luck and sent greetings to Rafa and his family.

Later, the Spaniard warrior Rafa expressed his gratitude to his friend Roger for sparing his for his academy’s graduation ceremony.

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Last year, Roger revealed his retirement plans, and interestingly, he wanted to be a tennis coach at Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy. He revealed his plans to train the upcoming stars of the ATP circuit in the Mallorcan school of tennis.

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Mahalakshmi Murali

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Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department.
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