Rafael Nadal‘s aura is completely unmatchable. From being the most humble guy on the professional tour to inspiring millions, the legacy he leaves behind is something else. So much so that even the likes of Emma Raducanu couldn’t hide her fandom for the Spanish legend. Currently playing in the Billie Jean King Cup, she crossed paths with the Spaniard. Left mesmerized by his presence, she opened up on her experience of practicing with the legend.

Emma Raducanu shared her excitement about Rafael Nadal as she practiced next to the legendary Spaniard in Malaga, Spain. Nadal was undergoing preparations for the Davis Cup Finals. Raducanu, who is currently representing Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup, couldn’t contain her admiration for Nadal. “I actually practiced next to him yesterday, which was really cool. I was on the court next to him. He’s really cool,” Raducanu said.

Raducanu admired how humble and approachable Nadal remained, despite the flock of people surrounding him. “There is a lot of people around him, for sure, but even still, he said hi. He was really nice and polite,” she added. Seeing Nadal’s forehand inaction left an impression on her. “I can’t wait to watch him play,” Raducanu said, showing her excitement about the Spaniard’s farewell tournament.

However, this is not the first time Raducanu has expressed admiration for Nadal. In 2023, she took to her X account and shared a photo of him practicing and called herself a fan of the tennis icon. “thinking” is what she wrote while observing the legend as she prepared herself for her tennis comeback.

Raducanu’s performance in the Billie Jean King Cup has been remarkable. She led Great Britain to the semi-finals with a commanding 6-0, 7-5 victory over Rebecca Marino. With the win, they eliminated team Canada, who were the defending champions of the event. However, Raducanu is not the only one who was left mesmerized by the Spaniard’s presence. Leylah Fernandez also opened up on her stardom for the Spaniard.

Leylah Fernandez fangirls over Rafael Nadal’s presence

The Davis Cup finals are all set to start on the 19th of November, a day after the Billie Jean King finals will end in Malaga. However, the teams have started to accumulate and the players gear themselves up for mouth-watering action. Adding the cherry on top is the Spaniard’s presence.

Rafael Nadal’s presence at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga has captivated not just his fans but also fellow players like Leylah Fernandez. The 2021 US Open runner-up admitted that she couldn’t contain her excitement upon seeing the Spanish legend during her recovery session. “I was in the gym finishing up my recovery, and then Rafa was coming in. I was telling everybody, the team, that Rafa is here. I was just fangirling the whole night,” Fernandez revealed.

The 22-year-old’s reaction highlights the admiration and respect Nadal commands, even among his peers. Both Fernandez and Raducanu have made no secret of their admiration for Nadal, showing how his influence extends beyond the court. While Fernandez couldn’t stop fangirling, Raducanu expressed her awe at watching Nadal rip his iconic forehands during practice. Thus, Nadal’s farewell tour has not only become a celebration for his fans but also a source of inspiration for young players who continue to look up to him as a legend of the sport.