US Open: Nadal on Serena: “Probably the best player I’ve ever seen”

Rafael Nadal enjoyed watching Steffi Graf’s matches on TV as a child. But the “probably best player I have ever seen on a tennis court” is a different one for the industry leader: Serena Williams.

Rafael Nadal is a polite and extremely pleasant contemporary. Down-to-earth, well brought up, sometimes even a little shy. Just one who enjoyed a good nursery on the sunny island of Mallorca. You can see this on the court – but it is especially evident off the court. For example, in dealing with his numerous fans all over the world – or the journalists.

The Spaniard is one of the most honest professionals on the scene. He admits his own weaknesses and even fears. Not somewhere in a small circle, but in front of the microphone, in front of the world’s press. Not a matter of course in the rough professional world. On the contrary. But “Rafa” also gets wise from harm.

A few years ago, the passionate amateur kicker openly answered the highly explosive question of who would be the better footballer: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus Turin) or Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)? Nadal preferred “CR7”.

Probably also because the French Open record winner is a confirmed Real Madrid fan – and Ronaldo scored his goals on the assembly line for the “Royal” for years. It didn’t matter to Nadal that his uncle Miguel Angel was once under contract with FC Barcelona.

The Catalans did not like the vote of the tennis superstar pro Cristiano Ronaldo. And for some time now, Nadal has also been very diplomatic when it comes to this topic. But also by no means as informative as in the past. According to the motto: Ronaldo or Messi? Both good !

In New York, however, the 32-year-old took a clear stance on women’s tennis and made Serena Williams his personal number one. “Serena is probably the best player I have ever seen on the tennis court,” said Nadal, who also had a lot of praise for Steffi Graf.

The left-hander, who will meet Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-final of the US Open on Friday, is particularly impressed by the love of the 37-year-old Serena Williams for tennis.

“It’s good to still have someone like her around – at her age and now as a mother. This is simply great because she also has this great passion for this sport,” emphasized Nadal, who played against Williams Badminton at a promotional event in Manhattan shortly before the tournament started.