Nadal's mother remembers: "He used to hide under a cushion".

Now that Rafael Nadal has officially retired from professional tennis, testimonials and tributes are pouring in to rightly thank the Majorcan for his monumental career, inspiring tens of millions of fans worldwide.

Some statements and confidences are nonetheless interesting in order to better understand who the King of clay-court tennis was and is.

For example, Ana Maria Parera, the Spanish champion's mother, confided in us about the Majorquin's fears. Smiling, she confided: "Rafa is afraid of the dark and prefers to sleep with the light or TV on.

He also dislikes thunder and lightning. When he was little, he used to hide under a cushion every time, and even today, if there's a storm and you have to run an errand. He won't let you out."