Rafael Nadal plays golf as a right-hander and nothing goes wrong: he finished fourth in a tournament in the Balearic Islands

08/02/2020 - 18:20

• Clarín.com
• sports

Rafael Nadal showed that beyond being a golf fan, he takes it seriously when it comes to playing tournaments. The famous tennis player exchanged the racket for the sticks and finished fourth in the Absolute Championship of the Balearic Islands, in Mallorca. Rafa became the momentary leader of the tournament and finished five strokes behind the winner. The most curious thing is that he is skilled in hitting this smaller ball than the tennis ball. 

It is not the first time that "vice" has emerged. It is customary for Rafa to cheer up golf when he is on the island where he was born and he took advantage of it as there was no tennis competition. The schedule is scheduled to resume on August 20 with the Cincinnati Masters 1000, but in New York.

Rafael Nadal changed sports for a day. The Spanish was playing a little golf de️‍♂️

However, just like in tennis, his tics did not change🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/pm30gNWPk8

One of the images that showed his time at the Balearic Championship were the classic gestures he makes on brick dust or cement, but this time repeated on the tee. 

Throughout the two days of the contest, Nadal showed himself as an avid competitor. He made the pair on the court in the first of them (72 shots), since he committed three bogeys but equated them with three birdies. And already in the second it became a real threat to the rest of the competitors.

The current number 2 in world tennis peaked at the 10th hole, when he made an eagle by completing par 4 with just two hits. Two holes ago he had managed a birdie and throughout the round he had not exceeded the pair, which seemed to lead him to a potential title.

However, unlike what he usually does with the racket, when he responds like a machine at the limit moments, this time he lost his way : he committed five bogeys in the last seven holes and lost every chance of winning the championship. He closed with 146 hits (+2), five behind Jaime Jaume Julve, the champion.

Stare at the ball. Rafael Nadal, in his golfer version. (Photo: EFE)

In 2019, Rafa had started second in this same tournament and in this pandemic framework he took his handicap to the brink of being considered a professional.

Nadal's proximity to golf even led him to sponsor an annual tournament to benefit in the town of Son Servera, also in Mallorca, along with his compatriot José María Olazábal, twice winner of the Augusta Masters: Olazábal & Nadal Invitational. He has also repeatedly crossed paths with Tiger Woods, whom he defines as "an inspiration".

See this post on Instagram

Always an inspiration for me. Thanks for coming today to the tennis, Tiger !!!! #go @usopen 💪🏻 #newyork

A post shared by Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal) on Sep 2, 2019 at 9:37 p.m. PDT

Fine stamp. Rafa Nadal, in the Balearic Islands Photo: EFE

It's not just a hobby for the 12-time Roland Garros champion, but a passion. In fact, it is clear to him that once he hangs up his racket, he will devote himself to both golf and fishing. "I'm good, roughly; I have nothing incredible, but nothing very weak either . I have a pretty good short game and I'm solid with the driver, " he said last year, without false modesty.

And that he never took classes. She just liked it and likes to start her swing in meetings with friends or family.

As for all other activities that require hands, in golf Rafa is right-handed. Just to play tennis he is left-handed. It happened naturally when he had to choose, because until about ten he played hitting with both hands.

HS