22-Time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal Reveals One Change in His Life: ‘I Am Not Able to See Tiger Woods Playing as Often’

Tiger Woods is widely considered the greatest golfer of all time. Thus, when he decided to play only in selected tournaments due to health issues caused by a car accident, all his fans felt disappointed. And the 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal was one of them.

Recently, the Spaniard revealed that he contemplated retirement ahead of Wimbledon due to his knee injuries during a press meet. However, thankfully, he decided against it. 

“It’s normal that people talk about retirement of great athletes because they, even more in more popular sports, become part of the life of so many people,” Nadal added. “It happens to me the same with some football players, with golf players.”

“A person that I love to see Tiger Woods playing,” Nadal explained how the retirement or absence of one’s favorite entity would make them feel. “And now I am not able to see Tiger Woods playing that often. So… in some way, that’s changing my life too.” 

Furthermore, he added that his fans, Federer, Djokovic, or some other entity would feel the same way if they ever choose to retire. “They become part of the daily life of the people,” he stated. “Because they are an inspiration.”

Does Rafael Nadal consider Tiger Woods as his role model? 

Other than tennis, Nadal enjoys playing golf and he plays it well. He has a +0.3 handicap, which is at the level of a professional. 

Read More: What Is the ’Tiger Slam’ and When Did Tiger Woods Achieve It?

Both he and Tiger Woods have developed a friendship through their main sponsorship brand, Nike. However, for Nadal, Woods will always be his favorite golfer first. “I’ve always said I don’t have a role model,” Nadal once said. “But if I had one, I would have to say it’s him (TW).” 

According to the 22-time Grand Slam winner, the 15-time major champion is an inspiration. Notably, Nadal was one of the first to express his happiness when Woods’ team revealed the golfer was out of danger after the accident in 2021. 

Woods and Nadal support each other!

Both Woods and Nadal are two of the best players in their respective sports, and they respect each other a lot. And they are not shy to show off their admiration for each other on national tv. 

Nadal had once streamed Woods’ tournament in between his match at the 2018 ATP. Similarly, the golfer went to watch the Spaniard play in the 2020 Australian Open with his girlfriend and two children. Interestingly, the match hyped the 15-time major champion so much that he was fist pumping and screaming throughout the match. 

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