Rafael Nadal He managed to become the most recognized and successful Spanish tennis player in the world. With 21 Grand Slams, 5 Davis Cup and an Olympic Medal, the King of the Clay Court became number one in the ATP ranking and left an incredible mark in the history of sport. Due to his experience and career, anyone would have thought that his idol and role model in sports would be related to the racket. However, surprisingly, it is very far from that.
Rafael Nadal He is lucky to have contact with his sports idol, something that every person dreams of. In 2017, after winning the US Open, the Spanish tennis player admitted that his favorite athlete came to the North American competition to see him and revealed the main characteristic that he admires about him. This is the golfer Tiger Woods, who enters the ranking of distinguished athletes like the Spanish tennis player. The American was the winner of 15 golf majors between 1997 and 2008, and is considered one of the best of all time.
“I have had contact with him for years, I met him in Shanghai, when I went to see him play. Personally, I never had idols, but the closest to that is him,” he remarked. Rafael Nadal sobre Woods. Along the same lines, he assured that in addition to admiring “his attitude in competition,” he highlighted the inspiration generated by “his way of facing complicated moments on a golf course.”. Finally, he summarized Woods as a unique athlete who knew how to overcome very difficult moments.
Tiger Woods’ message to Rafael Nadal
Less than a year before Rafa’s retirement announcement, Woods was full of praise for the Spanish tennis player. The golfer assured that he is an extraordinary, competitive and solid athlete, and everyone should enjoy watching him play. However, he could not help but refer to the end of his professional career, but stressed that like everyone, athletes age.
Source: (AS Newspaper)
“I think what Rafa has done is extraordinary. The guy is beyond tough and beyond competitive. Unfortunately, like all sports, you can get old. And I don’t want him to leave. We should all enjoy watching him compete and watching him play and see what he means to tennis. What he means to all of us, just to see the passion of how he plays and why he plays,” he highlighted.
