What Makes A Champion

I wasn't planning on writing this post, but during lunch, I was skimming the latest Time magazine issue, the "World's Most Influential People" issue. Serena Williams, writing about Rafa Nadal pointed out 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'm far off.

Serena gives Rafa the greatest endorsement a champion can give another champion:

I want to be like him.

Her writing those words speaks as loudly for Rafa as it does for Serena heself. She's world class off the court too, apparently.