Felix Auger Aliassime disclosed what tennis icon Rafael Nadal is like off the court.
On court the Spaniard is known for his fierce competitive nature and swashbuckling style, which overwhelmed many of his opponents.
But off court Rafael Nadal has been described by many as a humble and gracious person who never forgot where he came from.
There were many who expressed this view of Nadal ahead of his retirement from tennis and Auger-Aliassime is one of them.
Felix Auger-Aliassime shares what Rafael Nadal is like behind the scenes
Not everybody has the opportunity to spend time with sporting legends outside of the arenas in which they showcase their elite-level talents.
Felix Auger-Aliassime was granted that opportunity when he visited the Rafael Nadal Academy to train on several occasions. During an appearance on The Slice Tennis podcast, the Canadian opened up on his interactions with Nadal.
“I went to his academy a few times to train. We didn’t have extended conversations, I think ever, but he was always so humble. I know I am repeating what people say but it’s true,” Auger-Aliassime said.
“For the superstar he is – I feel like we are used to in American sports that these guys are massive celebrities and they almost feel like you can’t talk to them. They don’t feel obtainable in the way.
“But Rafa when you speak to him he talks to you like a normal guy. He is super, super humble and I respect that a lot.
“To have that level of success in your sport and be a legend of your sport and to say so down to Earth is not for everybody. I respect that and admire that a lot.”
Felix Auger-Aliassime reflects on his first match against Rafael Nadal
Auger-Aliassime played just three matches against Nadal throughout his career. The first of these encounters came at the Madrid Open in 2019 when Nadal was searching for his first title of that season.
That day Nadal claimed a 6-3 6-3 win over Auger-Aliassime in a match the 24-year-old was very nervous to play in.
“The first match we played in Madrid, 2019. Actually I played Denis in the first round and the winner of the match was going to play Rafa,” the World number 29 recalled.
“We were like ‘that is a crazy draw’ – you play your good friend and the winner of your match gets to play Rafa in Madrid. I was just 18 and it was my first year playing all those matches.
“It was intimidating. I was like I just don’t want to get embarrassed. We were playing on clay. In my whole life I have never been scared of a loss.
“I can say I have had some bad losses in my whole life, as a junior or whatever, but this one I was like let me just put on something which is up to what I know I can do. The match was okay, it was three and four. But that was a good memory, the first time we played.”
Nadal and Auger-Aliassime did not play one another again until 2022 French Open, when the Spaniard was taken to five sets before emerging victorious. But Auger-Aliassime claimed their last meeting in the round robin stages of the 2022 ATP Finals.
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