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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 1: Rafael Nadal (ESP) speaks with press on Media Day ahead of the 2021 Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center on August 1, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
via Getty
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 1: Rafael Nadal (ESP) speaks with press on Media Day ahead of the 2021 Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center on August 1, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
The winner of 21 Grand Slam titles, Rafael Nadal, has conquered this the year 2022, with the number of titles he has won so far. After winning the Australian Open, he surpassed Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in terms of the number of Grand Slam titles. It’s no doubt that Nadal has become a celebrity by himself. But do you know who was his celebrity crush growing up?
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 23, 2022. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his fourth-round match against France’s Adrian Mannarino. REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Rafael Nadal revealed his celebrity crush
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In 2020, during the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal sat down with the Today Show host to have a candid interview about his favorite food, marriage, and plenty of other things. Also, in that interview, he talked about his favorite celebrity crush growing up. Interestingly, he took the name of the famous American singer, Britney Spears.
When the interviewer asked him about his crush, Rafa said, “When I was a small kid, I remember Britney Spears… the first… first disco… I don’t know… I remember yeah, I was in love with Britney Spears.”
"1st celebrity crush – Britney Spears"
Young Rafa imagining tennis balls singing "Hit me baby one more time" to him. 😂 https://t.co/3lfq2eRqVT
— Rafa Forever (@VamosRafa1908) January 15, 2020
Notably, in 2019, Rafa tied the knot with his long-time partner, Maria Francisca Perello.
Rafa is still recovering from the rib injury
After suffering a horrible foot injury in 2021, Rafael Nadal made an incredible recovery, as he started 2022 by winning the Australian Open. After winning the Australian Open, he won the Mexican Open as well, at Acapulco. He looked unstoppable at Indian Wells before his semi-final match against Carlos Alcaraz.
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Although he won that bout, he looked really uncomfortable in the third set. The injury on his chest really bothered him in the final, as he lost against Taylor Fritz. After that, he didn’t play in the Miami Open and went straight to Spain, where he found out about his rib injury.
It was pretty certain that he was going to miss the Monte Carlo Open. However, he recently announced that he will miss the Barcelona Open as well.
Right now, he will be eying a comeback at the Madrid Open to get some preparation on clay before the French Open.
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Will Rafa win his 14th title at the French Open? Let us know in the comments.
Watch This Story: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic absolutely dominating at the Monte Carlo Masters
