WATCH: Rafael Nadal becomes a footballer for hometown club RCD Mallorca
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Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal who was in Washington DC for the ongoing ATP Washington Open 2021 displayed his skills at football in a new challenge called #Rafakickupchallenge. The Spaniard has been a lifelong fan of the Spanish football club RCD Mallorca which is based in his hometown where he grew up.
Nadal played both tennis and football till the age of 12 and was very good for his age group. However, when it came to choosing one sport so that his studies are not affected, Rafa picked tennis and soon enough turned Pro at the age of 15 under the coaching of his uncle Toni Nadal who spotted the talent in Rafa first and pushed him towards the sport.
Nadal is back in the USA for the first time since his 2019 US Open triumph and is preparing for the upcoming 2021 US Open. His preparations however didn’t begin well as he lost in his 2nd match itself to South Africa’s Lloyd Harris who defeated him in 3-sets in the Round of 16 stage of the tournament.
Nevertheless, Nadal was seen doing the keepy-ups of football wearing the jersey of the RCD Mallorca and went on to keep the tennis ball in the air for 53 touches before the ball got out of control of the Spaniard.
Rafael Nadal to be the only member of Big-3 to play at the upcoming 2021 Toronto Masters
Nadal cleared his plans for the next tournament after doubts emerged over his participation as he talked about feeling something in his toe, the primary reason for him to skip the 2021 Wimbledon and the re-scheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics as Nadal and his team felt that the Spaniard needed rest to recover after a gruelling season on Clay this season.
Nadal will however be the only player among the Big-3 to participate in the 2021 Toronto Masters as Roger Federer confirmed his withdrawal from both the Toronto Masters and later the 2021 Cincinnati Masters as he continues to recover from the knee injury he picked up at the 2021 Wimbledon where he was defeated in the quarter-finals.
Novak Djokovic on the other hand is taking some time off as he played in the Wimbledon and then again in the Tokyo Olympics and had a deep run in Japan as he reached the Bronze Medal match of both the Singles and Mixed Doubles Event. While he lost in a tight 3-setter Singles match for the Bronze, he had to withdraw from the Mixed Doubles Bronze game due to a shoulder injury.
The 2021 Toronto Masters will begin from the 9th of August with the finals scheduled on 15th August 2021.
Also Read: Novak Djokovic climbs on top for “this Open Era record” overtakes Rafael Nadal
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Sarthak Shitole
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