“Rafael Nadal is the best athlete in the history of sports who was always anxious, always afraid” - Andrea Petkovic

Former German tennis player Andrea Petkovic expressed that Rafael Nadal, according to her, is the best athlete in the history of sports who was always "anxious" and "afraid." The Spaniard recently bid farewell to the sport after representing Spain in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.

Nadal is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, winning numerous accolades throughout his career and retired from the sport with 22 Grand Slam singles titles to his name . He has held the World No. 1 position in the ATP rankings and has also won two Olympic gold medals, among other titles.

Recently, while speaking on the 'Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast,' Andrea Petkovic mentioned that Rafael Nadal is the best athlete in the history of sports who was always terrified ahead of a match.

“What I argued was that Rafa is the best athlete in the history of sports who was always anxious. Some tried to mince it into, ‘He’s the best athlete in the history of sports.’ That’s not what I said but he is the best athlete in the history of sports who was always anxious, he was always afraid,” Petkovic said [53:25].

Petkovic recounted an incident from the 2022 French Open where she observed Rafael Nadal's anxiety and fear. She mentioned how surprised she was to see the Spaniard be nervous about facing an unseeded opponent in the first round of a tournament he won a record 14 times.

“I saw him in the 14th year of him winning Roland Garros. He had lost there once or twice right? Two matches in 100 years and he played a lucky loser in the first round like he was playing for his life. I ran into him. I was going out of the gym to warm up and he was warming up right in front of Philippe Chatrier, you know that little hallway, and he looked like he was being brought out to be beheaded by the King of Spain, Felipe or whatever his name is,” she added [53:45].

Andrea Petkovic said the 22-time Grand Slam champion was so scared of losing that when he won the match, he had a bigger emotional reward and satisfaction.

“I swear to God, I was like this guy is panicked, he’s terrified that he will lose to the lucky loser and then he won 6-1, 6-2, 6-1. I think why the addiction would made him addicted is he’s anxious to lose and when he wins and that’s almost a bigger emotional reward than the triumph, it gave him relief. And that’s why I think he was more addicted than others,” Andre Petkovic said [54:15].

Rafael Nadal won his final Grand Slam title at the 2022 French Open

Rafael Nadal at with the 2022 French Open trophy [Image Source: Getty Images]

Rafael Nadal won his last Grand Slam title of his career at the 2022 French Open. He was seeded fifth in the tournament and began his campaign by overpowering Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round and then outplayed wildcard Corentin Moutet with a score of 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in the second round.

The former World No.1 continued his winning streak by defeating 26th seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 and ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.

In the quarterfinals, Nadal registered a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) win over top seed Novak Djokovic and he then secured his spot in the final after his semifinal opponent, Alexander Zverev, retired from their match during the second set due to an injury.

In the championship match, Rafael Nadal defeated Casper Rudd 6–3, 6–3, 6–0 to win the 2022 French Open title, his 14th title at Roland Garros and his 22nd and final Grand Slam title of his career.