Rafa Nadal, born in Manacor 34 years ago but loved, admired and respected around the world, received this Thursday the highest distinction awarded by the Community of Madrid “to people or institutions with exemplary behaviors that have stood out for their service to citizens in different areas”, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dos de Mayo.
The regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, was in charge of imposing the award on the Balearic tennis player in a year in which he has shone so much on the court, with the achievement of his 13th Grand Slam title, the 20th Grand Slam with which he equaled Roger Federer's male record, as well as outside of it, with the #NuestraMejorVictoria campaign, which he launched together with Pau Gasol to support the Red Cross Responde project. Between March and May, both involved the world of sports and dragged the world of culture to raise more than 14 million of the 70 that this initiative has already accumulated, which has reached almost three million people in vulnerable situations in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
After reading the concession decree, Díaz Ayuso imposed the decoration on an excited Nadal, who posed with the cross and the red band that already belong to him. The first thing he did was dedicate a few words to the people who suffer these days: “I want to remember first of all the victims of this terrible pandemic that we are experiencing and all their families. I think that everyone, in one way or another, affects us, but especially those who have lost a loved one. Thanks to all the health personnel, especially in Madrid, a community that was badly hit in the first wave. And thanks also to the State security forces and bodies. I am convinced that Spain will do what it always knew how to do, to get ahead in the harshest and most difficult circumstances. This time it will not be an exception. “Then he continued with his speech: “Thank you for this recognition, it is an honor. I want to thank and share this distinction with the citizens of the Madrid Community, a place where I feel very close and where I receive a special affection and have enjoyed unforgettable moments both professionally and personally, and that supports always to all sport, in a golden age. We all owe a lot to this Community. We all owe him a lot, because he has always been with us. I hope that what we are experiencing now will pass into memory and we can soon return to share and enjoy the things that make us happy in the way we were used to. Let this end as soon as possible. You have made this day unforgettable for me. “
Díaz Ayuso closed an act in which Ignacio Aguado, vice president of the Community of Madrid, participated (“It is a true honor and a privilege for all Madrilenians to be able to deliver this Grand Cross to a Madrilenian from Manacor, to a Spaniard of whom we are proud” , expressed), Paralympic athlete Sara Andrés (“We all admire Nadal for his sporting achievements, but more as a person. The effort against pain and suffering is admirable”) and the young tennis player Paula Martínez (“Thank you for being in our lives, you are an example to follow as a person and as an athlete “). Among the small group of attendees were the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, Alejandro Blanco, and those of the Spanish tennis federations, Miguel Díaz, and Madrid, Tati Rascón, as well as Elena Moreu, manager of the Madrid for Sports Foundation. “Nadal is a daily inspiration. Talent alone is a flash. It is necessary for him to ignite and that is achieved with attitude, everything is in the mental strength. He won Roland Garros in 2005 with 19 years just turned, and if he has won 20 Grand Slams has been for his attitude and discipline, he has never been complacent. We grant him the highest distinction in recognition of his enormous sporting record, but also for his extraordinary merits as a person. He is the best Spanish athlete of all time, but also a man full of values: overcoming, perseverance, effort, discipline, sacrifice, respect for the rival and humility. He has never lost humanity. You are able to unite all Spaniards around your figure, millions of them vibrate and have cried with you in front of the flag of SpainThank you for linking us all with pride and talent, thanks to you we know that we are a great nation capable of giving extraordinary men and women. Thank you Rafa, in Madrid and in the rest of Spain, we love you, “said Ayuso.
As a culmination of the event and after listening to the national anthem, Nadal chatted with the affection with which he usually treats them, with a group of young athletes from Madrid who expressed their gratitude and took a photo with them.