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Rafael Nadal reacts during the Individual Professional Baleares Championship at Golf Maioris on October 26, 2020 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
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Rafael Nadal reacts during the Individual Professional Baleares Championship at Golf Maioris on October 26, 2020 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Despite being the toughest competitor in tennis, Rafael Nadal is fun and jovial off the court. So when his eye caught a reporter snoozing in a press conference, Rafa decided to lighten up the atmosphere in the room.
This happened at the Australian Open 2019, in the post-match conference after his first-round win against James Duckworth. Rafa won that match without breaking any sweat, 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.
However, when Nadal first saw the reporter, Ubaldo Scanagatta, sleeping, he directed everyone’s attention to him. The crowd broke out into a quiet laugh. “It’s not interesting today,” Rafa laughed with them.
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Later on, as Ubaldo snapped awake from his nap, the 34-year-old Nadal wished him good morning in the Italian. And while the reporter apologized, Nadal asked him to not worry as they were simply joking.
Read More: Rafael Nadal to Play at ATP Rotterdam After 12 Years
Rafael Nadal has a ball in the post-match conference
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2018 French Open Tennis Tournament – Rafael Nadal of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia while playing a tie break doubles exhibition match against Simone Halep of Romania and Alexander Zverev of Germany on Court Philippe Chatrier during a packed Children’s Day at Roland Garros before the start of the 2018 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on May 26th 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
The 20-time Grand Slam champion has one of the most balanced personalities in the world of sports. While he is the ultimate warrior on the court, Nadal is calm and collected outside of tennis.
In this napping incident at the 2019 Australian Open, the ‘King of Clay’ even tried to pull the reporter’s leg. He said, “I know you was focus on closing your eyes to be more focus on what I am saying.”
Such things allow players to take a mini-break amid the pressure of a Grand Slam. That year, Nadal reached the final of the Australian Open for the fifth time in his career.
Of the five finals, the Mallorcan has won only one in 2009, defeating the Swiss maestro Roger Federer. Moreover, it is World No. 1 Novak Djokovic who is the biggest threat in Melbourne Park. He has won the Australian Open a record 8-times out of his 17 Grand Slams.
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Nadal’s chances at the Australian Open 2021
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain congratulates Roger Federer of Switzerland on winning their Men’s Final as Roger Federer holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup match on day 14 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Even though Federer will be absent at the Happy Slam, Nadal is a long way from winning the title. Considering his records on hard courts, the challenge becomes even more difficult for the Spaniard.
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But he will inevitably fight every point, every game, every set, and every match of the tournament. That is what makes Nadal one of the finest athletes present on the face of the earth.
Rafa, who is quarantining right now, will play an exhibition match in Adelaide. Afterward, he will move to Melbourne Park to lead Team Spain in the ATP Cup 2021.
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But fans are waiting to see him roar and battle for the Australian Open 2021 title. He will begin the campaign starting February 8 this year. Can Nadal win the Australian Open this year?
WATCH: When Rafael Nadal Blasted Chair Umpire in Shock Olympics Defeat
