The church has lost its monopoly on hell. But the decline of religious fervour hasn't dimmed our fascination with it. For the existentialist philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, "hell is other people". Being a lifelong tennis fan, I've always imagined that the closest thing to hell is watching Rafael Nadal performing on clay. In my quest to understand what exactly makes Nadal such a tormentor on court a corporeal hell I've spent countless hours reliving his moments on YouTube, spoken to his ardent fans, and scrolled through obscure forums on the Internet. And what I found is not ground-breaking, but a very vanilla conclusion.
It's hell because Nadal's game is built on the edifice of eternal suffering. The path to salvation, for him, goes through the highway of self-flagellation. And he is always more ready to subject himself to such infernal undertakings than his peers. His pain barrier is unparalleled. His loud but strange groans after every stroke are reminders of what he is subjecting himself to, and his occasional groaning after winning a point feels a lot like the scream of an anguished man, tormented by his own desire. But his suffering is not his alone; there are collaterals, too - his opponents, family, and the viewers, of course.
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Man's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Man's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Royal Enfield Himalayan Glimpses Of A Faster Future
The second-gen ADV excels in most departments, shows promise in a few, and raises a rather interesting question: why doesn't Royal Enfield make faster and sportier motorcycles?
Why Men Won't Talk About Cosmetic Surgery
While more and more men are visiting aestheticians for invasive treatments, most are still hesitant to talk about it
How Skinny Is Too Skinny?
We're only talking about your jeans, gentlemen
STEERING PANERAI'S COURSE ALESSANDRO FICARELLI CHARTS NEW WATERS
As the vaunted brand's Italian heritage puts on a show at Geneva this spring, we take a closer look at one of the minds behind their latest launches and charismatic storytelling chops, at sea and back on dry land
TRACKING TIME WATCHES AND WONDERS 2024 SPECIAL
WHEN IN GENEVA....
20 Young Talents to Watch Out For
Till a few years ago, India's sporting clout was synonymous with cricket and restricted to a handful of names outside of it. That's no longer the case. We're witnessing a sporting revolution brewing, where a country of over a billion is finally showing its unlimited reserve of extraordinary talent, across the playing field. Leading the charge are these remarkable individuals, who are shaping the narrative for future generations and telling you that sports is serious business on home turf
SHOULDERING A BILLION DREAMS
Silver, Bronze, Gold? Will the third time be a charm for the champion shuttler?
Summer Notes
Scents that will make people ask what you are wearing!
My Battle With Anxiety
How It Started; How It Is Going
Newest In Niche Travel A Cool Trip To Attend Your Favourite Gig
A growing number of young Indians are traveling abroad to attend concerts, races, and various other kinds of live events