Here's a nice story about our sweet Rafa.
Rafael Nadal has once again shown why he’s one of the most respected athletes in sport.
Rafael Nadal took time to congratulate young Georgian duo Aleksandre Bakshi and Zura Tkemaladze after they earned their first point for their country against Japan. Japan had taken an unassailable lead in the tie with Georgia after winning both of the singles rubbers.
That meant there was nothing to play for in the doubles match.
But Bakshi and Tkemaladze produced an impressive display to beat Toshihide Matsui and Ben McLachlan 6-2 6-4 in 67 minutes.
Bakshi is ranked 867 in the world while Tkemaladze is yet to achieve a ranking.
In comparison, Matsui has been a professional since 2001 and McLachlan has been ranked as high as 18 in the world for doubles.
And before Nadal was due to play for Spain against Uruguay in the evening in Perth, he took some time out to pay respect to Bakshi and Tkemaladze.
Amazon Prime broadcaster Sam Smith revealed: “Two young Georgian guys without any ranking, won the doubles against Japan, totally unexpected.
“Rafa went over to them and said well done in the doubles, he did some selfies with them, he did a video for their families, spent some time talking to them and they were wide-eyed.
“He spent 15-20 minutes of his day with the young guys from Georgia.”
“They couldn’t believe it. [But] that’s Rafa. And that is not an isolated incident.”
Alongside Smith was tennis coach Roger Rasheed and he hailed Nadal’s ability to stay positive and the support team around him.
He said: “Rafa is one of the best at parking whatever is currently happened, moving on and getting on to the next stage.
“That’s what I love about him. There is always a positive and a silver lining to what’s actually just taken place.
“Rafael Maymo (physio) is a sounding board all the time when Rafa’s going through the highs and lows.
“Players in any sport do go through lonely moments. They have their time where there is self-doubt in what they are doing because their expectations are so high. So to have long term confidant’s I think is what makes them great as well.
“It is a big part of the pie that actually sits together and he’s got a remarkable relationship with everyone in his team.
“And it really starts with family because when you look at Rafa’s family, the tight-knit community that they have on that small island and when he’s playing, you see they are all passionately living the same journey.”
Rafael Nadal has once again shown why he’s one of the most respected athletes in sport.
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