Tim Henman reveals what happened when he met ‘phenomenal talent’ Rafael Nadal for the first time in 2004
Former World No. 4 Tim Henman met Rafael Nadal for the first time during a practice session at the 2004 Miami Open.
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Tim Henman, Rafael Nadal (Images via Mirror, X)
Rafael Nadal has retired from tennis after ruling on courts for decades. Former player Tim Henman, during a recent show, talked about what in Nadal’s game made him think that the Spaniard would become a great of the game when they met for the first time.
Nadal last played at the Davis Cup against Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp. The 38-year-old turned pro back in 2001 and met Henman for a practice session in Miami. Henman recalled that meeting vividly.
The first time I ever met Rafa, was when I practiced with him in Miami. We were playing in the Masters event, and I’d never ever seen someone hit the ball that hard. We then warmed up to play a set, and he beat me 6-1, in 20 minutes. It was just phenomenal, the intensity, the power. I think it was pretty evident there that there was a phenomenal talent.
Tim Henman said on Sky Sports’ ‘Rafael Nadal: End of an Era’
He added that he would never forget that time as a young Nadal was playing with great ‘passion’, ‘intensity’, and ‘fire’. Henman has met Nadal twice on the ATP Tour.
They clashed for the first time in 2006, in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Open which Nadal won in straight sets. Their next encounter was in the fourth round of the Madrid Open the same year. Nadal again won it and took a 2-0 lead over the Brit.
Tennis journalist recalls the first-ever Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer match
Tennis pundit Jonathan Overend recalled the first time Rafael Nadal faced Roger Federer and termed it a ‘spine-tingling’ moment. Nadal met Federer for the first time in the Round of 32 of the 2004 Miami Open and Overend said Nadal ‘really crashed into everyone’s consciousness’ after his win over the Swiss maestro.
Federer, different gravy, he’s at the peak of his career at that stage, 2004 was an unbelievable year for Federer. Nadal rises to the occasion, draws on support coming down from the high seats and he beats Federer in straight sets. It was a remarkable night, a remarkable victory, for me it was just a spine-tingling moment.
Jonathan Overend said on Sky Sports’ ‘Rafael Nadal: End of an Era’
The clash in 2004 was one of their 40 encounters, with their last being the 2019 Wimbledon semifinal which Federer won. Nadal led Federer 24-16 in their head-to-head contest. The King of Clay became the second member of the Big 3 to retire after Federer who hung up his racket in the 2022 Laver Cup.
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Gouri Das
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