“Best athletes are the quickest thinkers,” Andy Murray heaps praise on Rafael Nadal as he showcases extreme athleticism to save a point after falling over the court

Nadal impressed Murray with some quick thinking in his first round match at the Italian Open.

“Best athletes are the quickest thinkers,” Andy Murray heaps praise on Rafael Nadal as he showcases extreme athleticism to save a point after falling over the court

Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)

Rafael Nadal was put to the test in his first-round match of the Italian Open against Zizou Bergs. The Belgian had won the first set with a timely break to put the pressure on the Spaniard. However, Nadal fought right back, taking the second set and forcing the match to a final set. 

The match crossed the 2-hour mark, but Nadal responded with a shift in gears, unleashing a few mind-blowing shots. One particularly stunning moment came when the Spaniard fell after a return. In a display of quick thinking, he used the momentum of his fall to propel himself up and deliver a perfectly timed shot.

YouTube video

While everyone was shocked at Rafael Nadal’s action, Sir Andy Murray pointed out that Nadal had quickly wiped his right hand to be ready to hit a backhand. He heaped praise on his rival for thinking smartly at the moment. 

FS Video
I think the best athletes/players are the quickest thinkers and this is a perfect illustration of this. Notice how Rafa gets up from the fall…Sees that the incoming ball is slow enough that he will reach it so takes a split second to wipe his right hand on his thigh in case he needs it to hit a backhand later in the point.
Andy Murray wrote on X

It was next-level tennis in action by Nadal to come back against the Belgian 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. With this, he booked a spot in the next round against Polish ace Hubert Hurkacz. 

Andy Murray set to make comeback earlier than expected

While Nadal is heaping happiness in his probable last tour, Andy Murray fans are also in some treat. After having suffered an ankle injury in two places at the Miami Open, Murray was expected to be out long enough to miss the French Open and the Wimbledon. 

Andy Murray
Andy Murray (Via Imago)

The Brit did not take up surgery to reduce recovery time and get ready before the French Open. Rightly so, he is up and moving, ready for the upcoming Geneva Open, one of the last few tournaments before the French Open. 

Murray has had a quiet 2024, with little to no wins. However, the Brit wants to play out his last season on tour and is trying to make it to all the Grand Slam events. With the wildcard entry, Murray might try to earn some momentum ahead of Roland Garros. 

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