“I Don’t Scream in the Locker Room”: Rafael Nadal Dismisses Accusation of Intimidating His Opponents

The tennis great Rafael Nadal is known for his brutal force and his consistent performances. Currently seated at World No. 2, the Spaniard is working towards his first title in Paris. Looking back at his career, the 34 years old explains certain aspects of his life on the tennis court.

Champion at Roland-Garros for 13 times, Nadal is considered the best player of all time on a clay court. But behind his 20 Grand Slams and 86 career titles, he is humble and an ideal sportsperson. When asked whether his locker room attire and his ‘Vamos!’ chanting were meant to scare opponents, Nadal said no.

“Never allowed myself to intimidate an opponent”: Rafael Nadal

Alongside his competitive nature, Nadal also wears a welcoming persona. He continues to inspire many with his commitment to the game and challenges his foes and friends equally. Maintaining a steady balance on and off the court, the Spaniard’s biggest reason for success is his mental strength.

Illustrating his after-match exercise, he said, “I don’t scream in the locker room! I take an ice-cold shower, listen to music on my headphones, and, yes, I tie the bandana. But I’ve never allowed myself to intimidate an opponent.”

Rafael holds the record of most outdoor titles in the Open Era. During the course of a match, he remains in the character and doesn’t appreciate his opponents.

Read More: Rafael Nadal Yet Again Proves to Be ‘The Best Warrior of ATP’

“We are not there to applaud,” says Nadal on appreciating opponents shots

Amidst the lockdown in France, the top-seeded Rafael Nadal is playing Paris Masters behind closed doors. Due to the absence of many strong contenders, Rafael Nadal is also the favorite for this tournament. If he manages to pull this off, the 34 years old will register his first triumph in Paris Bercy.

After his extravagant win at the French Open versus Novak Djokovic, Nadal will try to repeat the same. For his opponents, it does not look very good. Asked to comment on why he doesn’t appreciate his opponents’ shots, he revealed, “Sometimes I do. Seldom. But we’re not there to applaud. That’s up to the public.”

Rafael Nadal will face his compatriot Feliciano Lopez in the Round of 32 of the 2020 Rolex Paris Masters.

Also Read: “I Cried in Pain”: Rafael Nadal Recalls Toughest Defeats of His Tennis Career