"I've always admired how disciplined Rafael Nadal is and that special focus he has" - Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was all praise for Rafael Nadal in a recent conversation with Steve Weissman on the Tennis Channel. Staley believes some of Nadal's attributes, including his discipline and focus, are exemplary.

The Chargers play in the USA's National Football League. They finished third in the AFC West in the 2021 season and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

On Saturday, their head coach, Staley, visited the Tennis Channel studio after watching Nadal beat Sebastian Korda at the Indian Wells Masters. When asked by Weismann if certain tennis skills were transferable to football, Staley highlighted the importance of preparation.

The Chargers head coach explained how he's always been a fan of Nadal's routines and paid tribute to the Mallorcan's discipline and focus.

"I think the preparation, I think so much of just watching Rafa at his routine, I've just always admired how disciplined he is and that special focus that he has," Brandon Staley said.

The 39-year-old revealed how he brought along a couple of his players from the Chargers squad to watch and learn from the "great champion."

"I think that translates to our guys," Staley added. "I brought Justin Herbert and Derwin James here the other day and I wanted them to see that because this is the great champion in tennis history - one of them certainly."

Staley was asked to name the football position he believes Nadal would excel at. The LA Chargers head coach pondered over the Mallorcan's physical attributes and asserted that he would do well as a Defensive Back (DB).

"He's like 6'1, 185-190, so he'd be a really good DB," Staley said. "I could see him playing safely back there with Derwin, getting some things accomplished."

"I've followed him since he was a 17-year-old kid" - Brandon Staley on Rafael Nadal

During his conversation on the Tennis Channel, Brandon Staley said that he has been following Nadal's progress since the Spaniard was 17 years of age. He explained that the 21-time Major champion displays attributes that would be enormously beneficial for his wards at the Los Angeles Chargers.

"Well, I've known this guy since he was 17, and I've always respected competitors in other sports that I feel like I would want my players to be like, and I've followed him since he was a 17-year-old kid, all the way to now," Brandon Staley said. "Today was a good display of why I like him so much."

Sebastian Korda gave the Mallorcan a tough fight in their second-round contest at Indian Wells, leading 5-2 in the deciding set. Korda served for the match twice but failed to get past the finish line as Nadal secured his 16th straight win of the season.

When asked about his thoughts regarding the 35-year-old's comeback, Brandon Staley explained how the Spaniard remained calm in the face of adversity and gradually clawed his way back into the match.

"I saw he was calm, that's the one thing, when he was down 5-2, calm is contagious, we say that to the guys a lot. He just hung tough, he took it one point at a time and then he put the pressure back on that guy [Korda] and then he was able to close it out, just sticking to his game. You kind of saw that championship experience express itself. I can't wait to go back and tell the guys about it."

---

Also Check Out: Indian Wells Masters 2022 Schedule