Nadal was born in Majorca in 1986. Despite being a talented football player, the Spaniard elected to pursue a career in tennis. Since then he has never looked back. Nadal has risen quickly through the world rankings and has struck up a great rivalry with fellow tennis great Roger Federer. This rivalry culminated in the 2008 Wimbledon Final which many laud as the greatest ever match and which saw Nadal overcome Federer to take the title and since then overtake the Swiss player to become World No.1. Nadal has also won the French Open an incredible four times. Most recently Nadal won the prestigious Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing. With the Spaniard having achieved so much success by just 22 years of age, there could be no stopping Rafael Nadal in the future.
Interview:
TF90M: Did you play football when you were younger? Did you ever consider becoming a footballer? Is it right you’re uncle was a professional football player?
Rafa: Yes, I was always playing football and tennis. At some point I had to choose and decided (well) for tennis. I still love football but I never considered playing professional. My uncle played for FC Barcelona and Mallorca and played 3 World Cups with Spain.
TF90M: How did you get into tennis?
Rafa: I was always playing tennis and football. My uncle Toni played tennis and he is the one who got me into it. He was my teacher and later my coach.
TF90M: You made it a double for Spain by winning Wimbledon and the national team winning Euro 08, how did it feel to win Wimbledon?
Rafa: You can imagine. It felt great. A dream come true just like Spain winning Euro 08.
TF90M: Were you pleased when Spain won Euro 08?
Rafa: More than that. I was so happy. We celebrated at the Wimbledon house I had rented and watched all the matches.
TF90M: Who do you think is the best footballer of all time?
Rafa: Difficult question but I think that Maradona is up there.
TF90M: Do you ever get to meet with the footballers?
Rafa: Yes, many times. Thanks to what I do I have the chance and I enjoy very much talking and exchanging things with them. I am close to some of today's players.
TF90M: Differing sources report you support Real Madrid and Real Mallorca, which team do you actually support and why? What do you think of the current Madrid squad?
Rafa: I support both. Mallorca is my home team and I want them to win. Real Madrid is also my team, different league almost fighting both for different things. You can have 2 teams. Why not? If they both play I want the one that needs it more to win. The current Madrid squad is good and has a lot of heart.
TF90M: What are your current aims in tennis?
Rafa: To improve, win titles, be better.
By James Bailey, TF90M thanks Rafa for his time and wishes him all the best for the future.
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