Jon Rahm credits Rafael Nadal’s Wimbledon 2008 win over Roger Federer for inspiring him to Masters victory

Jon Rahm attributes his Masters win to Rafael Nadal's historic Wimbledon 2008 triumph

Jon Rahm credits Rafael Nadal’s Wimbledon 2008 win over Roger Federer for inspiring him to Masters victory

Jon Rahm and Rafael Nadal (Credits: Twitter)

Jon Rahm has attributed his victory at Augusta, where he clinched his first Master’s title, to Rafael Nadal‘s 2008 Wimbledon win. The Spanish golfer shot 69 in the final round and won by four strokes over Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson. Rahm is now the fourth player from Spain to win the green jacket. This marks his fourth victory of the season and his second Major Championship win since his 2021 US Open victory.

Jon Rahm, the 28-year-old golfer, attributed his success in the final stages of the tournament to Rafael Nadal’s book, where the former World No.1 discussed his mindset during the Wimbledon final against Roger Federer in 2008. Rahm credited the book for helping him stay focused during his journey to win the Masters title.

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“I didn’t want to believe it until it was something fixed. I remember Rafael Nadal’s book, when he talks about the 2008 Wimbledon final with Federer when he hits a big shot and for the first time he let himself think about victory. I think it was the fourth set and then they went to the fifth set. He explains that allowing himself to think about winning made him lose the set. That’s why you have to stick to what’s important at the moment.” Jon Rahm said, quoted by COPE.

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Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam Champion, is currently recovering from a hip injury he sustained during the Australian Open this year. Despite his fans’ hopes of seeing him return to the Monte-Carlo Masters, Nadal has not yet deemed himself fit enough to compete at such a high level. There are currently no updates on when the 36-year-old will return to the court, but tennis enthusiasts worldwide anticipate his return at one of the upcoming clay court events.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic calls Rafael Nadal’s injury the ‘perfect opportunity’ to clinch his third title at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal’s four impressive wins over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the same tournament

Rafael Nadal Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic (Credits: Twitter)

The three legendary male tennis players, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer, are considered to be among the best of all time, and the discussion about who is the GOAT will likely continue indefinitely. These players, collectively known as the Big-3, have amazed other players, fans, and onlookers with their outstanding dominance and unwavering performance over the years.

Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer have competed against each other several times in various tournaments including Grand Slams, ATP Finals, and Masters 1000. Djokovic has been exceptional on hardcourts, whereas Federer’s skills on grass make him a strong contender for the best-ever player on the surface.

The Big-3 in tennis, namely Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer, have frequently competed against each other in numerous tournaments, including Grand Slams, ATP Finals, and Masters 1000 tournaments. Nadal, known for his claycourt expertise, has often proved to be a tough opponent for Federer and Djokovic on this surface. He has even managed to outshine both players in the same tournament, such as the French Open in 2006, 2007, and 2008, as well as the 2008 Hamburg Masters.

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