“In terms of being competitive, I see myself in Rafael Nadal”- Monica Seles hails the Spaniard for his calm temperament
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Rafael Nadal and Monica Seles
Nine-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 Monica Seles revealed the player she sees as a version of her. It was fellow southpaw, Rafael Nadal.
Seles initially said her playing style-as she uses both two-handed backhand and forehand-is usually distinct and unorthodox, so there aren’t many players on tour that play a similar playing style. But later on, Seles revealed in competitiveness, the player she relates the most is Nadal. She added that the Spaniard is able to cut out all the off-court distractions, akin to her in her playing days.
“No. because I truly believe we’re such individuals. In terms of my playing style, it was so unique, with two hands on both sides, a lefty, I mean, just totally unorthodox. But in terms of being competitive and just looking at one ball at a time, I’d probably have to say, Nadal, because we both have that mindset that when we step on the court, we don’t pay attention to what’s happening off the court.“
“When I watch him, I’m like, “Oh, boy, I was like that!” Any version you are, as long as you’re staying true to yourself and you put the absolute maximum effort out there when you step on the court, and you compete hard and fair, if I was coaching somebody, that’s all I could ask‘,” she said in an interview with Richard Osborne at the Indian Wells.
“To watch Rafael Nadal is like a dream come true“: Monica Seles
Seles then spoke about her off-court endeavors. The 48-year-old revealed she has been mentoring budding tennis players and also added she isn’t missing the competitive aspect of it as a player. Seles then expressed her delight in seeing other top players and reminisced about seeing Nadal recently and called it a ‘dream come true.’ Seles then added she has no qualms about her career after retirement and she is relishing it in the same way as her playing career.
“But coming to a tournament like Indian Wells, it’s such a treat being around the players, seeing some of the former players, maybe even getting to hit a few balls, today getting to watch Nadal hit, as a player, this is like a dream come true. I really loved my playing career, and I’m really enjoying my after career,” she added.
Nadal is currently in the running for a 4th consecutive title this year as he takes on Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals of the 2022 Indian Wells. The Spaniard is on a 19 match winning streak and is just two wins away from clinching a 37th Masters 1000 title.
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