"He is capable of moving people by playing tennis" - Paula Badosa on what separates Rafael Nadal from others
Indian Wells 2021 winner Paula Badosa recently lavished praise on Rafael Nadal. She revealed one of his greatest traits which, according to her, separates him from the rest of the players on tour. According to Badosa, Nadal can motivate and bring a big change in people by just playing the sport, which is quite a "unique" characteristic.
Speaking on the Spanish radio show El Larguero, Badosa said:
"Rafa has one thing that, for me, makes him unique: he is capable of moving people by playing tennis."
It is not the first time Badosa has lauded Rafael Nadal. She considers the Spaniard her greatest idol in the sport and has praised him many times in the past as well.
On the same show, Badosa highlighted how Nadal's hard work, dedication, and devotion to the sport serves as an inspiration to many.
Many youngsters idolize Nadal and seek inspiration from him. Emerging stars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Sebastian Korda among others, who have made a significant name for themselves on the ATP tour, look up to the great Mallorcan.
đ @PaulaBadosa, sobre @RafaelNadal y la anĂ©cdota con Ă©l cuando tenĂa 13 Ăł 14 años
đ€Ł "Dije que no me iba a lavar la mano"
đ "Rafa tiene una cosa que, para mĂ, le hace Ășnico: es capaz de emocionar a la gente jugando a tenis" https://t.co/slZkfbA724
Badosa, who has had a great 2021 season, won the Indian Wells and the Serbian Open 2021 title. These helped her qualify for the WTA Finals for the first time in her professional career. Because of her performances in 2021, she ended the year as the World No. 8.
That winning moment
#BNPPO21 | @paulabadosa https://t.co/GmDYBzbRU4
When Paula Badosa confessed that Rafael Nadal made her nervous
During an interview with MARCA earlier this year, Badosa confessed that she was intimidated by Rafael Nadal. She stated that there were times when she would go to the bathroom whenever she saw him coming towards her as the former World No. 1 used to make her really nervous.
"I remember in the first tournaments, that I saw Rafa Nadal and I was very intimidated by everything he has achieved. I remember in some tournament of him coming to say hello and I half hid or when I saw that I was coming I would go to the bathroom so that he wouldn't see me because he didn't even show up because I got very nervous," mentioned Badosa in that interview.
Rafael Nadal will soon feature at the 2021 Mubadala Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi.
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