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Beyond the Game: Tennis as an artistic experience » Al Poniente

“As most Latins appear in my mind: Let art be made so that the world does not die. And in Nadal, art and sport came together to remind us that the world can be reinvented again and again.”


Since I was a child I grew up listening to stories about heroes who save the world in real situations, moments that hang on nothing, that save us from the horror of some evil or disaster that threatening to take away from us even what we do not have. Since then, he already recognized a reality where the world, after being “saved”, continued to spin under the weight of the daily misfortunes that attack it: inequality , poverty, hunger and war, a misfortune that is still undeveloped against everyone. , heroes or not. I noticed, since I was a child, that the death of the spirit is the inevitable result of a system that is almost impossible to fight; system where found Yes wearing the trace due to. And this, since I was a child, scared me.

Growing up, I understood firsthand that bomb terror, robbery violence, threat paranoia, and persecution for being who you are are things that no hero is going to save you from. With such a dark outlook, not many things get out of this spirit-depressing bottle. In this gap, between what we are promised as salvation and what we face on a daily basis, that is where the art stands as a refuge. As the world continues to spin, immune to heroic narratives, art provides an opportunity for struggle, knowledge, movement and change. It is not about running away from reality, but about facing it with a transformative perspective, capable of providing meaning and beauty even in the midst of chaos and destruction.

In this way, understanding the art as knowledge this is the conclusion I have drawn from endless discussions and readings about their purpose and meaning. Kant, Heidegger, Kafka, Wallace Zuleta, all of them – from different perspectives – have tried to express the inconsistency, that excitement caused by listening to Verdi’s requiem live, a theater scene or seals blow in a. a professional tennis match.

Much was discussed about the methods, the method, the materials; about art as an expression of the universal spirit, with its classical antiquities of ancient Greece or the European Renaissance. But, after so much, the conclusion that appears to me is: art is a vital knowledge, it is humanity that expresses itself in the world and on earth. It is a way of life, listening, communicating; Yes against the death of the spirit.

Tennis as an art form in motion

Between art and tennis court there are many meeting points: technique, beauty and scenery, which the viewer meets themselves through their references. But the greatest point in common between the musician, the artist, the poet and the athlete is to maintain the controversy over every point, brushstroke, chord or verse with his ‘ assembly and the highest power. Unlike other sports where the other middle or lower players don’t even enter the competitive top, in tennis there can always be the biggest surprise, where the player at level 30 – on a good day – the defeat of a major player. In every game, regardless of the opponent, there is a need for constant intensity and concentration in the game, perhaps at the level of a stellar ballet dancer playing Odette and Odile, her antithesis, in work Tchaikovsky, with the difference that is not in tennis. times when you are not in sight.

The best exponent of this struggle, power, passion and intensity has a name – Rafael Nadal Parera. The Spaniard, even in his last games and with the pain of hundreds of injuries accumulated over the years, disputes every point with the intensity of a running bull in Pamplona, ​​facing everything and everyone with the greatest enthusiasm who represents one of the most beautiful. careers in the world of sports. Tennis, along with famous commentators Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, transcends techniques and becomes an act of human expression.

Since the ancient Greeks, art has been understood as the result of invention and has appeared in forms as diverse as painting, sculpture, architecture, poetry, theater and music. All these expressions have basic categories, such as beauty, form, creativity, narrative and aesthetic feeling. From this perspective, we can include sports, and especially field tennis, as an art form; not only because of its technical ease, but because of its power as a symbolic, sensitive and dynamic method. This sport has a unique ability to connect the subject – whether athlete or spectator – with deep and universal experiences full of meaning.

Tennis combines aesthetic and narrative qualities that bring it closer to the art as knowledge of movementforehand, backhand, smash, volley and dropshot can be so elegant and fluid that they evoke dancing, especially in players like Roger Federer, who is admired not only for his skill, but for the beauty and smoothness of his movements. The precision of a backhand, the grace in a volley or the balance in a serve is like a carefully executed dance. Furthermore, sports require creativity and improvisation in every game; Players make instant decisions and respond with unique solutions to their opponents’ actions, just like a musician at Jazz Jam. In addition to this is technical mastery and the pursuit of perfection, in which years of training and dedication produce the highest level of precision and skill, qualities that correspond to the discipline and effort to also signifies art.

A game of tennis also tells a story of overcoming and determination, a narrative of emotional intensity that captures and engages the viewer, in a similar way to a play or film. Moments of tension, the drama of each point and the changes in the pace of the game speak to us about deep and diverse human emotions. Each tennis player also expresses his own style and personality, turning the game into a way of individual expression. Just as the writer David Foster Wallace saw tennis as a religious experience, we can also understand it as an artistic experience in which commitment, effort, creativity and passion come together to achieve the same values ​​of perseverance and beauty that We consider in the big series to show. works of art. What is the difference between Joshua Bell and Rafael Nadal? Why can’t dedication with the ball and the racket have the same category as dedication with the paintbrush and the violin?

Rafael Nadal: Art as essential knowledge

Art shows us that the world is not unique; There are as many worlds as there are people, and every day these worlds are built and destroyed. Among the many forms of art that feed the spirit, field tennis, represented in the figure of Rafael Nadal, has been a very transformative artistic experience for me. Knowing that he is retiring, the opportunity opens up to reflect on his legacy as a symbol of art as vital knowledge, art in motion.

Rafael Nadal is not only an athlete; He is an example of total commitment, a symbol of resistance and resilience that transcended sports. From the age of nine, when I saw him compete in the most important tournaments against legendary rivals such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin Del Potro, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Fernando González etc. His strong and passionate playing style left a great impression on me. Seeing him turn close games around not only influenced me, but motivated me to be better, not only in my sports practices, but in everything I did me

The philosophy of life that Nadal embodies, that “total commitment to the cause” that Estanislao Zuleta describes so well, has become a beacon for my own life. It was not an example that inspired an individual career, but a metaphor for the fight for a fairer and more supportive world. His stories of glory and his lessons of perseverance, discipline and ability to recover after every fall or injury made him a reference of values ​​and principles.

Iconic moments like the Wimbledon final in 2008, where Nadal defeated Federer in an epic battle, showed that his tennis went beyond the technical or strategic: It was the art of movement.. David Foster Wallace described Federer’s game as a religious experience, but for me, Nadal represented an artistic experience that transformed the court to a level and each point into a passionate statement.

Sport and art share the ability to inspire values ​​that allow us to resist and carry on. Universal principles were reflected in each of Nadal’s matches: fight, commitment and desire to improve. As a Latin maxim springs to mind: Let art be made so that the world does not die. And in Nadal, art and sport came together to remind us that the world can be recreated again and again. Rafael Nadal not only marked an era in tennis, but left a mark as a symbol of transformation. His legacy transcends statistics and awards; That is an artist who, with every impulse, every victory and every return, reminds us of the importance of struggle, creativity and total commitment in building our lives and our world.

2024-11-24 15:15:00
#Game #Tennis #artistic #experience #Poniente

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* How does the author’s focus on​ the “spirit-depressing bottle”‍ of reality influence their perspective on ⁣the importance of art and sport? Do you find this framing‌ effective, and why ⁣or why⁢ not?

Here are some‍ open-ended questions focusing on​ the key topics covered in ​the article, designed to​ encourage discussion and diverse viewpoints:

**Section 1: Art & Reality**

* The author argues that art acts ‌as a refuge from the ‍”spirit-depressing bottle” of a harsh reality.‌ How do you personally⁣ experience this connection between art ‍and finding meaning in ‌difficult times? Do you agree⁢ that art can be a form of resistance?

* Philosophers⁢ and ⁣artists often ‌grapple with the question: Can art truly⁤ effect change in‍ the world, or ⁣is it primarily a tool‍ for reflection and ⁤individual expression? Where do you stand on⁤ this spectrum?

**Section 2: Tennis as Art**

* The article compares tennis players like Nadal to artists, citing their technical mastery, creativity,​ and the emotional narratives⁣ they weave on the court.⁤ Do you⁤ think this comparison is valid? What are the strengths and limitations of viewing sports through an ​artistic lens?

* ‌David Foster Wallace ⁢famously‌ described watching Roger Federer as a ⁤”religious experience.” ‌What particular aspects of tennis, or of ‌Nadal’s style in particular,⁣ do you find aesthetically compelling or deeply moving?

**Section⁤ 3: Nadal’s Legacy**

*⁢ The author ⁣deeply connects Nadal’s playing style and philosophy with⁢ principles of resilience and ‌determination. How has Nadal’s ​impact extended beyond the world of tennis? What ⁤lessons ​can be drawn from his career about ​perseverance and overcoming ⁤obstacles?

* ⁢Beyond his athletic achievements, Nadal has been praised for his sportsmanship and ⁣humility. How important are ⁤these qualities in shaping a holistic view of successful individuals, particularly in the world of⁢ professional sports?

**Section 4: The Future ​of Art & Sport**

* The​ article concludes with the Latin ‌maxim: “Let art be made so that the world does not die.” ‍What role do you see art and sports ⁤playing‍ in⁤ shaping a more hopeful and just future?

* In an increasingly digital ‍and virtual world, how do you envision the ⁤future of live performance and physical experiences like watching ‌a ‌tennis⁤ match? Will​ the raw energy and connection that the experience provides remain valuable in the years to‌ come?

**General Discussion Prompts:**

* The author mentions a ​range of thinkers – Kant,​ Heidegger, Kafka, Wallace ‍Zuleta – who have wrestled with the question⁢ of art’s⁤ meaning. Which of these perspectives resonates most ⁢with your own understanding ⁢of art?

* Do ⁢you agree with the ⁣author’s final statement⁣ that Nadal’s legacy transcends tennis? What⁤ other figures from sports or ⁣other fields have inspired you in a similar way?

These‍ questions are designed to spark conversation and encourage participants to reconsider their own ⁣perspectives ‌on ‌art, sport, and the⁤ nature of ⁢inspiration.

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