The world would never ever witness a similar kind of tennis action that is presently touching the summit of the sport. The strong era players, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have taken the sport to a whole new level.
During difficult situations in a match, they tackle everything smoothly. However, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal holds an upper-hand, while dealing the play under tough circumstances.
In other words, he’s a better player than his arch-rivals when it comes to playing under pressure.
Recently the 2013 Roland Garros finalist David Ferrer shared about Rafa’s impressive ability to play under tough situations. “He means a lot to tennis,” Ferrer said.
“He has a different mind to any sportsman that I’ve seen in my life. In important moments, he holds the pressure better than other players. He impresses me every year. I watch him on TV or play against him. He is always improving his game – his serve, his volley and the passion he plays with at 33,” Ferrer added.
When Rafael Nadal came back from 1-5 and match point down in the third set
Considering Rafa’s match against Daniil Medvedev at ATP Finals 2019, the Spaniard was 1-5 down and facing match point. At that instant, Nadal did lose his cool. There were no signs of him giving up, rather he was on a mission to pull off a victory, despite being on the verge of his loss.
World Number two Rafael Nadal patiently dealt with the pressure, made an epic comeback and won 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(4) against Medvedev.
“You need to be there and you need to keep fighting, but the example, in my opinion, is not break a racquet when you are 5-1 in the third or not be out of your self-control when the things are not going the right way,” these were Rafa’s words after his win over the Russian in London.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion believes that frustration comes into picture when people don’t accept their mistakes or consider themselves to be an expert.
“Just staying positive, staying on the court, accepting that the opponent is playing a little bit better than you and accepting that you are not that good. That’s the only example, no? Because sometimes the frustration comes when you believe. You consider yourself too good and you don’t accept the mistakes that you are doing,” Nadal added.
Rafael Nadal’s Love for Real Madrid and Football
Rafael Nadal may be one of the greatest tennis players ever, but he has love for another sport as well. Football was, and remains, very close to the Spaniard’s heart. A sport he follows ardently, and plays casually whenever he can.
So as we ask of any football fan, which club does Rafa support? Why Real Madrid of course!
Rafael Nadal loves Real Madrid
As a kid, Nadal was as much into football as he was tennis. He is a pretty good footballer as well if you haven’t seen him play. Nonetheless, I’m glad he chose to pursue tennis as a career. An individual sport suits Rafa best. Also we got to explore him so much more as opposed to being a player on a team.
Jose Mourinho, one of the most successful managers in football, said Nadal would have made a fantastic footballer too.
“I’m happy he didn’t but I think he could also have been a fantastic football player.”
His uncle, Miguel Nadal was a professional footballer.
No, he did nit play for Real Madrid. In fact, he played for their greatest rivals, Football Club Barcelona and also for the Spanish national team.
Nadal absolutely loves Real Madrid. He is a fan who is engrossed in the journey of the football club. You will see him at the Santiago Bernabeu cheering the club, when he isn’t playing tennis.
Real Madrid players even drop by to meet him.
His bond with football is so strong that he celebrated his nation’s 2010 World Cup win with the Spanish national team in the locker room.
Real Madrid have had some inadequate times recently, but their form and belief is picking up again. Last year Nadal was asked about the club and their form. He says something along the lines of not being an expert but just a fan, and then goes on to say this.
You get a delightful glimpse into the psyche of this great competitor. Do read it.
“I think it’s very difficult when we have many months of bad dynamics, to change it radically. Madrid at the beginning had the negative dynamic of the previous year and the players continued with that mistrust that doesn’t let you play with the mental freedom to develop to the best of your abilities.”
“But now Madrid has been at a very high level [and has been] exemplifying what the team is about for two months. I like to watch them play again.”
Not an expert he says. He could practically coach them.
