“Named My Cat After Him”: Rising ATP Star Sebastian Korda Reveals His Peerless Admiration for Rafael Nadal

The French Open 2020 is moving ahead at a tremendous pace, and we’re already witnessing several upsets in Paris this year. However, Rafael Nadal is going strong in the quest for winning his 13th RG title. But, his fourth-round opponent seems dangerous as he idolized Nadal while growing up and shaping his career. 

20-year-old Sebastian Korda is making heads turn in the men’s circuit. He is the first qualifier in nine years to reach the R16 at Roland Garros. The young American is the son of former tennis star Petr Korda who won the 1998 Australian Open. So tennis pretty much runs in the genes of the Korda family. 

Seb Korda made his senior grand slam debut at the 2020 US Open. He couldn’t make it past the first round at Flushing Meadows, but here in Paris, the youngster is delivering sensational displays. Moreover, he holds Rafa in the highest regard too! 

Korda won his third-round match against Spain’s Pedro Martinez Portero and thus set up a potential R16 clash with Rafa. Before Nadal’s game, Korda mentioned how much of a dream come true moment it would be if they face each other. 

‘I’m praying that he wins. He’s my biggest idol,” Korda mentioned. “He’s one of the reasons I play tennis. Just watching him play, unbelievable competitor. Just from him I have the never-give-up mentality. Whenever I’m on court, I try to be like him.”

More on Sebastian Korda and his heartwarming love for Rafael Nadal!

Besides sharing his immense love for Nadal, young sensation Seb Korda revealed another detail as well. “He’s an unbelievable player. I named my cat after him, so that explains a lot how much I love him,” Korda said. 

As Rafael Nadal won his third-round game, it was confirmed that he will lock horns with Korda in the subsequent round. This very much elated the youngster who posted on social media about what he’s just achieved!

Korda posted a throwback photo of him with Rafael Nadal and added a dreamy caption: “So this just happened and now I get to play my childhood idol on Chatrier,” the 20-year-old Roland Garros rookie wrote. 

This fixture will undoubtedly be special for Sebastian Korda as he gears up to take on his childhood idol Rafael Nadal. On the other hand, this will be a challenging fixture for Rafa as he’ll know that the youngster won’t go down without a fight.