Rafael
Nadal spoke about the attention his arms have received throughout his career
and acknowledged that he plays with his left arm despite being right-handed, a
recommendation from his uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal. The 22-times Grand
Slam champion is preparing to make his comeback at the Brisbane Open, almost a
year after his hip injury at the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently
ranked world No. 672, Nadal will be participating in the Oceanian 250-category
tournament for the second time. The event, taking place from December 31, 2023,
to January 7, 2024, will feature the presence of young Scandinavian players,
including the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (14th), Americans Ben Shelton (17th)
and Sebastian Korda (24th), Frenchman Ugo Humbert (20th), Argentine Sebastián
Báez (28th), and Briton Andy Murray (42nd), among others.
"I’m a little bit strange in all of that"
In an
interview upon his arrival in Australia with Men’s Fitness, Nadal addressed
questions about his powerful left arm that has been a standout feature
throughout his career: “The difference probably is that I was playing
sleeveless. Now that I carry shirts with sleeves, it doesn’t look that
different,” he said. “And also my left arm is much more developed than my right
arm. This is because I play lefty, and that’s sort of my gym, the tennis court.
That’s where I have fun,” the former world No. 1 added.
The
37-year-old player also shared his enjoyment of golf, using it as an example of
his ambidextrous abilities: “For me, it’s (the stroke in golf) like a
backhand,” Nadal said.
“I started
playing golf when I was at the age of 17 or 18, and naturally I started playing
with my right hand,” Nadal added. “I’m a little bit strange in all of that. I
eat and play basketball with the right, I play tennis and football with the
left. It’s a bit strange,” 14-times French Open champion concluded.