‘Spellbound’ Nadal was so emotional
Monte Carlo – An “emotional” Rafael Nadal yesterday said he was watching spellbound as Tiger Woods rolled back the clock to win a fifth Masters title and cap his amazing comeback from back surgery.
Spain’s world No 2, a keen golfer himself, expressed nothing but admiration for Woods, who has fought through at least as many physical challenges as he has himself.
“It was amazing,” Nadal said as he prepared for tomorrow’s start at the Monte Carlo Masters, his first event in a month since withdrawing with knee issues at Indian Wells before a semifinal against Roger Federer.
“I’m a big fan of his. Like I’ve said hundreds of times, that he’s probably my favourite sportsman in the world since a long time ago.”
Nadal could not help but compare his own years of fitness problems to those of Woods, who has faced multiple back surgeries and other roadblocks when it looked like his career might be close to ending.
“There have been tough years for him,” 17-time Grand Slam winner Nadal said. “I cannot be happier about the victory of yesterday.
“If you imagine all the process and all the hard work that he had to do to be back on a golf course – all the things that he did...
“And, finally, to win a Grand Slam again, especially in Augusta, means everything for him.
“I really know a little bit how hard he worked to be back. I was very emotional yesterday.”
Nadal, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, attended Woods’ Hero World Challenge event in the Bahamas in 2017, while the golfing great has watched Nadal play at the US Open on multiple occasions.
Nadal seemed particularly struck by the fact that Woods celebrated his victory with his family on the 18th green.
“The celebration of yesterday when he was walking with the family, was one of the moments that I won’t forget.”
The 11-time Monte Carlo champion added that his own drive to succeed on court has not diminished despite his history of injuries.
“I never needed an inspiration. I’ve always been able to come back from injury, it’s nothing new for me.”