Rafael Nadal once made a hilarious admission after being asked about trading advice with Tiger Woods, hailing the American golf legend as one of the greatest athletes in history. The Spaniard made the glowing remarks after Woods attended one of his matches at the 2019 US Open.
That year, Nadal entered the New York Major as the second seed, on the hunt for his fourth title at the prestigious event. The Spaniard produced a commanding run, triumphing over John Millman, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Chung Hyeon without dropping a set to book his place in the fourth round.
With a spot in the quarterfinals at stake, the second seed claimed a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Marin Cilic to keep his hopes of winning his 19th Grand Slam title alive. The blockbuster encounter attracted the Spaniard’s close friend Tiger Woods to Arthur Ashe Stadium, along with his then-girlfriend, Erica Herman, and his children, Sam and Charlie.
Rafael Nadal was honored to have the opportunity to play in front of the golf legend, calling the American his idol. Speaking in his on-court interview, the Spaniard also hilariously admitted that Woods didn’t need any advice from him about maintaining longevity and staying competitive as he ages.
Nadal, an avid golfer himself, also hailed the American as “one of the greatest” sportsmen in history, congratulating him on his “amazing” comeback.
When asked about playing golf together, the Spaniard joked that it would be better if Woods was spared from witnessing his swing.
Rafael Nadal also expressed his gratitude for Tiger Woods’ support in his post-match press conference after his fourth-round win at the 2019 US Open. He hailed the golf legend as an “amazing inspiration” for his indomitable fighting spirit.
Furthermore, the Spaniard shared his delight about enjoying a close relationship with Woods, conveying his eagerness for the day they would be able to play both golf and tennis together.
Rafael Nadal won his fourth US Open title that year, fending off a valiant comeback effort from Daniil Medvedevin the final to claim a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 victory.