LONDON: Rafael Nadal plans to cope with his shock Queen’s Club exit by cheering his friends in Real Madrid team as they try to win the Spanish League.
Nadal, 21, is a passionate football fan and has become friendly with Real stars Raul and Iker Casillas, as well as admitting to being a big fan of David Beckham.
The French Open champion will be back in Spain in time to watch the climax to La Liga’s thrilling championship race as Beckham and company look for a win against Mallorca to pip Barcelona to the crown.
Nadal believes Beckham will be a big loss to Real when he joins LA Galaxy at the end of the season. “For me he is a very good professional,” Nadal said.
“I have a lot of admiration for him. It is unbelievable how much he has going on outside the sport, always doing commercials, he has people following him wherever he goes. When he goes on the pitch he runs for every ball and is always fighting. He will be a big loss for Madrid. But the important thing is he always has a smile when people go to him. That is very nice, and difficult.”
Nadal has been playing relentlessly for months as he slogged through the clay court season, so the chance to put his feet up and forget about tennis for a few days before starting his Wimbledon preparations is much appreciated.
“I have only had a couple of days at home in the last two months, so I will go home now,” said Nadal who was a surprise Wimbledon finalist last year.
“I will play some golf, watch the end of the football season in Spain and have some fun with friends. For a few days I will put the racket very far away and forget tennis.
“I have some good relations with some of the Madrid players like Raul and Casillas. “It is nice for me when I am playing in Madrid and they come to watch my matches. I am a fan of Mallorca and Real Madrid.
Real are playing for La Liga and Mallorca have had a good season so I am very happy. But on Sunday it is a very important match for Madrid and not so important for Mallorca.”
