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BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Leonardo Mayer of the Argentina during the round of 32 match on day two of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at Real Club De Tenis Barcelona on April 24, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Leonardo Mayer of the Argentina during the round of 32 match on day two of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at Real Club De Tenis Barcelona on April 24, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Twenty-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal is one of the most humble guys on Tour. Despite achieving tremendous success over the years, the Spaniard maintains a down-to-earth attitude. Even his arch-rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, carry themselves with class on and off the tennis courts.
Recently, Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud stated the similarities in the approach of the Swiss superstar and the Serbian ace with Rafael Nadal. Rudd added the three guys have been warm with him whenever they’ve come across each other. For a youngster to receive such kind of support from the legends of the game is a great deal.
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Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his semi final match against Russia’s Aslan Karatsev REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Casper Ruud knows Rafael Nadal better amongst The Big 3
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Speaking more on this subject, Ruud added, “I think they’re all great guys. I know Rafa the best. But I’ve played against Roger and Novak in the match, they were both nice to me both on the court and off the court. You know when I see them they say hi to me.
“I think that’s really nice because they have hundreds and thousands of people in their life that they can say hi to and for them to come to me at the gym.”
He did state amongst the three guys, he knows Rafa better and the two keep in touch. Casper stated that humble behavior is developed with time and is learned from the seniors of the current generation.
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The World No. 24 recollected an incident when he had met Djokovic in the gym.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a backhand during his Men’s Singles match against Tennys Sandgren of USA on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
The 22-year-old player added, “Last time at the Australian Open Djokovic didn’t have to come to say hi to me at the gym. They’re nice guys and know how to behave well. They have experienced while growing up. Maybe Sampras came to Roger when he was young. I would say I know Rafa better and we say hi all the time. He sends me messages and he’s the closest I am to, but the two other guys are as nice as him.”
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Federer returned to Tour and is currently practicing in Dubai. Djokovic has decided to skip Miami Open and Nadal has followed suit. However, the Spaniard will look forward to competing at the Monte Carlo Masters next month.
Also Read: “Need to Find Balance”: Novak Djokovic Announces Unfortunate News Ahead of Miami Open 2021
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