Daria Kasatkina Reveals Why She Only Watched Rafael Nadal Even Though ‘Many People Hated the Way He Played’

Daria Kasatkina, who failed to reach a final this year, last won a title at the 2024 Ningbo Open.

Daria Kasatkina Reveals Why She Only Watched Rafael Nadal Even Though ‘Many People Hated the Way He Played’

Rafael Nadal, Daria Kasatkina (Image via X/ESPN, TennisONE App)

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Daria Kasatkina idolizes Rafael Nadal, and during a recent interview, she revealed why she liked Nadal’s playing style even though some people used to hate it. Kasatkina, the winner of 11 singles titles, failed to win a title this year.

For the majority of the season, the 28-year-old succumbed to early-round exits, reaching just one quarterfinal- at the Adelaide International, where she lost to Madison Keys. The next big event is the 2026 Australian Open, where Kasatkina will be the home favorite.

She switched her nationality from Russian to Australian earlier this year, and the first tournament that she played as an Australian was the Roland Garros, where Mirra Andreeva knocked her out in the fourth round. Kasatkina, during the Australian Open’s The Sit-Down podcast, talked about her idol Nadal and the qualities that make the King of Clay a role model for the kids.

He was the only one I was watching. I mean, you know, I think he, well, still, but when he was playing, he was a really good role model for kids. Tennis was the meaning of his life at that point: hardworking, fair play, the attitude on court, everything was there. Plus, the style of his game I really liked.

Daria Kasatkina said

The 22-time Grand Slam champion called time on her career at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals after Spain’s 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands. The last time he reached a final was at the 2024 Swedish Open, losing the match to Nuno Borges, while the last time he won a title was at the 2022 French Open, winning his record-extending 14th title in the tournament.

I know many people hated the way he played, but personally, I loved it, plus the energy he brought to the court. For me, that was something like adding some spice. And, you know, his competition with Roger at that moment hadn’t appeared yet, so they had their competition just between each other.

Daria Kasatkina added

Kasatkina last won a title at the 2024 Ningbo Open. She reached five more finals, winning only at the Eastbourne International. In Grand Slam events, the Australian has never progressed beyond the semifinals, reaching the stage at the 2022 French Open. This year at the Majors, Kasatkina reached the fourth rounds of the Australian Open and the French Open, and the third rounds of Wimbledon and the US Open.

Daria Kasatkina thinks women’s Grand Slam has become more interesting than men’s

Daria Kasatkina, during that aforementioned The Sit-Down podcast, said women’s Grand Slam events have become more interesting than men’s. By citing the Jannik Sinner versus Carlos Alcaraz French Open final, Kasatkina said people only remember men’s Grand Slam final matches.

Daria Kasatkina
Daria Kasatkina (Image via X/The Tennis Channel)

The level is so high, honestly. I will get a lot of criticism for this, probably, but I don’t care. I think in the last few Grand Slams, the women’s matches were more interesting than the men’s. But, because men play best of five in the finals, only because of the last match [people] remember it. For example, Sinner versus Alcaraz in the final of Roland Garros was unbelievable. It was a great match.

Daria Kasatkina said

Alcaraz overcame a two-set deficit against Sinner in the French Open final. Not only that, but he also saved three championship points in the fourth set, and eventually eked out a five-set match win, defending his title. It was their first-ever Grand Slam final clash.

Sinner and Alcaraz also met in the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open. The former denied the six-time Major champion a three-peat at SW19, while the World No.1 stopped Sinner from defending his crown at Flushing Meadows.

Also read: Casper Ruud Explains Why Aryna Sabalenka-Nick Kyrgios Battle of the Sexes is ‘Not Serious’