Rafael Nadal has been at the center of attention since confirming his retirement date last week as one tennis fan account dug up a photo of a nine-year-old Naomi Osaka watching the Spaniard practice nearly two decades ago.
Last Thursday, the 38-year-old announced that next month’s Davis Cup Finals – scheduled to take place between November 12-17 – would be the final tournament of his career. Since then, tributes have been pouring from all sides, with many applauding the Spaniard for how long he was able to keep at the highest level and remain very successful.
For many players from the current generation, Nadal was an idol and someone they looked up to. And four-time Grand Slam champion was among those.
Before the 26-year-old Japanese tennis star became a Major winner at the 2018 US Open and also landed her second title at Flushing Meadows two years later, she had a chance to watch the Spanish tennis icon practice at Flushing Meadows in 2006.
9-year old Naomi Osaka at the US Open in 2006 watching Rafa Nadal practice.
He’s really been around forever. pic.twitter.com/FEeckTjKmM
— Swish 🍒 Tennis (@Zwxsh) October 15, 2024
Osaka made an honest Nadal admission two years ago
During the 2022 clay season, the Japanese former world No. 1 shared that she had been trying to hit some shots with her left hand – which is not her natural hand. Then, she proceeded to reveal that she used to do that a lot as a kid because she was trying to be like Nadal.
“[Can you] Imagine? I’ve actually been warming up kind of left-handed but I don’t think that’s a skill that’s going to show itself anytime soon. It’s just like for technical reasons. If I hit left-handed forehands, it’s easier to hit a backhand if that makes sense. I know that every kid growing up playing tennis in the world has pretended to be Nadal at least once,” Osaka said at the 2022 Madrid Open.
Meanwhile, Nadal noted in his retirement announcement video that the last couple of years were extremely tough and that he was at peace knowing that he didn’t go out without previously trying his best.