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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hopes that Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal will come to watch Arsenal play. He added that Nadal would hopefully not opt to watch Arsenal's rivals Tottenham Hotspur when asked about who his idol is and who he would like to welcome to attend the club's matches.
Fellow Premier League club Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola recently named Hollywood actress Julia Roberts as one of his idols. However, Roberts chose to visit City's rivals Manchester United last year at Old Trafford.
Arteta, after initially hesitating, named the Spanish tennis legend as an idol and how he appreciates his mentality.
"I don't know I cannot think but I'm sure there are a lot on the top of my head but someone that I admire a lot for a long long time is Rafa Nadal, because of his mentality wise, the way he has done it, how many times he has bounced back so he would be for me on top of the list for sure." Arteta replied
Following his response, the interviewer asked Arteta if he hoped that the 22-time Grand Slam champion would choose Arsenal over Tottenham, to which Arteta agreed.
"I would hope so" The Spanish Manager replied
Rafael Nadal first to be registered for the Monte Carlo Masters this year
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal is planning to make a comeback at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Nadal, who endured a hip injury at the Australian Open, has not been able to compete in any tournament since and withdrew from the Middle Eastern belt tournaments as well as the BNP Paribas Open being played in USA.
David Massey, the tournament director for Monte Carlo Masters, stated that Nadal was the first person to be registered and that he is giving himself every chance to play.
The Monte Carlo Masters is slated to begin on April 8. The Spaniard has won a total of 71 matches out of the 76 he has played in the tournament and has won the ATP Masters 1000 tournament a record 11 times.
The Spanish star won the title consecutively for eight years from 2005 to 2012, an Open Era record. He again won the title consecutively in 2016-2018. His win in 2017 marked the Spaniard winning 50 clay court titles, another record of its own.
The 36-year-old has won 36 ATP 1000 Masters titles and will be gunning for his 37th in April.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
