The second half of this troubled 2020 will serve Rafael Nadal on the hunt for his 20th Slam, which would allow him to equal the all-time record of the eternal rival Roger Federer (away from the courts until the beginning of next season).
The professional tour was suspended in March due to the Coronavirus emergency, which brought the whole world to its knees, also forcing Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics to raise the white flag. The intentions of the 19-time Grand Slam champion, who could give up defending the US Open title to focus only on Roland Garros, are not yet known.
By the end of this month, USTA’s decision on the development of the American Slam is expected, expected in just over a month immediately after the Master 1000 in Cincinnati. In the meantime, the former number 1 in the world appeared on Facebook live to interact with his fans, who asked him a long series of questions.
After Federer claimed he was inspired by players like Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras in his early years, Rafa was also asked the same question. The hard work and the ability to not give up have allowed Nadal to become one of the most successful athletes ever, in addition to being considered an example for thousands of young people who aim to pursue a sports career.
Nadal: “Since I was a child I have had my uncle as a coach”
“I think it was a personal thing. Ever since I was a child I have had my uncle who was my coach, so he gave me this passion for sport. It has a lot to do with the history of tennis and I feel passionate about sports in general.
But tennis is the sport that I’ve been practicing since I was three. I can’t say I have anyone in particular who inspires me, I think sport alone inspires me to continue, “said Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard trained with one of his Academy players, Dani Rincon, on Monday (July 20 ) at the number two tennis campus in the world on the Spanish island of Majorca.
Nadal is preparing for the tennis season which will resume next month after a five-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rincon, 17, joined the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2019 and became the sixth Spanish player to win the Orange Bowl in the under 16 boys category and also won the doubles tournament with fellow academician player Rafa Nadal, Abedallah Shelbayh from Jordan.
