Nadal swept past the German player Yannick Hanfmann in the second round of the Australian Open 2022. Played at the popular Rod Laver arena, the match ended with the scores 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. with the Spanish player conquering the game in straight sets.
Jim Courier, the retired American tennis pro was the interviewer at the arena on Day- three of the Grand slam. And Courier interviewed Nadal after his match, who kept the audience entertaining throughout.
Courier began the talk by asking the World No. 5’s view on Yannick Hanfmann and his game. After playing nearly three hours against the German, Rafael Nadal said that he knew Hanfmann before, when he played against him at the French Open a couple of years ago. He added- “I know he is dangerous and the result against Thanasi in the first round here, says he was great. And coming from the qualifiers, he was used to the court.” Nadal further admitted that he was a player with a big shot, good serve and Yannick’s level of tennis today was ‘much higher than his ranking‘, wishing him the best.
Jim Courier complimented Nadal as one of the greatest and fittest athletes. He went on to ask the Spanish tennis pro about his off- court training and the secret to his fitness. He referred to Rafael’s Nadal straight away answered that- “I play some golf,” which forced the spectators to laugh out loud. Nadal confesses that he was never a ‘gym guy,‘ which Courier felt was a lie.
“I’m not a big fan of the gym. I’m a fan of playing different sports. Unfortunately, since couple of years ago with the knees and with the foot I wasn’t able to play different sports. I used to do it in the first.” He probably works an hour or a half hour everyday at the gym and shares that he never did a lot of weights.
Additionally, when asked that would he change his workout duration as time passes, as he gets older, Nadal comically replied- “I do what I can.” He continued to say that he has to be flexible and adapt for what’s coming and he’s able to have good practices on court too. At last he ends by stating that either way he maintains a positive spirit.
“I have never been a gym guy.”
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Rafael Nadal wishes to look like Jim Courier after his retirement
The interview went on as Jim Courier posed a question about Nadal ‘s retirement and what his workout regime would be then, in ten years when he retires. “I’m not a guy who likes to be just at home, watching TV. I like to do things. I have an academy to care about, a foundation to take care.”
Answering the latter part of the question, Nadal said- “You look great. So, I would love to look like you.” This response floored the audience and Jim Courier thanked the Spanish champ before letting him go off the court.
Rafael Nadal gears up to meet the Russian Karen Khachanov for the third round of the Australian Open 2022 on the 21st of January.
