feature-image
feature-image

Amidst the all stress related to his foot injury, Rafael Nadal received a wonderful news. The 22 times Grand Slam champion will soon welcome his first child. After winning his 14th French Open title, the legend announced that he and his wife Maria Perello are expecting.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

Watch What’s Trending Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

Further, when the news arrived last week, tennis fans and entities flooded the social media platforms. And some close friends of Nadal decided to congratulate him in person, such as the Bulgarian tennis ace Grigor Dimitrov.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dimitrov is happy for Rafael Nadal

The former world No.3 and the current World No.4 share a bond beyond the tennis courts. Therefore, how could Dimitrov miss out on sending well wishes to his dear friend? He connected with Nadal over a video call and said, “I am very very happy for you. Excited?”

ADVERTISEMENT

To which Nadal replied, “Yeah, of course, I always felt I am gonna be a father by the end of my tennis career. But it’s longer than what I thought.”

Dimitrov- “No, we don’t see the end of your career. So let’s focus for now on all the positive things ahead.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Nadal- “Exactly, what time do you go to sleep normally?”

Dimitrov- “I usually go to sleep around 10 o’clock. I am an early bird. I like to go in, night in, settle in.” Following that, they said goodbye to each other and fans and ended the call.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more: “Need to Play My Best”: Rafael Nadal Opens Up on Facing His Good Friend Grigor Dimitrov at Monte-Carlo Masters 2021

In addition, both the tennis aces have arrived in London and were spotted practicing on the grass courts for the Wimbledon Championship this week. The Bulgarian earlier played in the Queen’s Club Championship, a grass-based tournament. While Nadal will play the Grand Slam as his first event of grass swing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nadal against Dimitrov

Rafael Nadal has locked horns with the 31-year-old, 15 times, up till now and has a lead of 14 wins in the head-to-head records. The only time Dimitrov succeeded in trashing him was in the quarterfinals of 2016 Beijing Open. He got the better of the Spaniard in straight sets of 6-2, 6-4.

ADVERTISEMENT

article-image

Reuters

Further, their last encounter was in the clay courts of 2021 Monte Carlo Masters. They tussled for a seat in the quarterfinals of the ATP 1000 event and Nadal took an easy win of 6-1, 6-1. Though just after claiming victory over Dimitrov, the king of clay fell prey to the Russian tennis ace Andrey Rublev’s run.

Watch this story: Top five best Serena Williams outfits of all time

ADVERTISEMENT

However, if they meet in the upcoming Wimbledon Championship, it will be their first clash on the grass. And as both of them have had splendid runs on the surface, the match will for sure be thrilling. Sending well wishes to an old friend.

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Mahima Verma

1,034 Articles

Mahima Verma is a Tennis writer for EssentiallySports. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Hotel Management from IHM Mumbai. A sports enthusiast, particularly Tennis since her childhood, Mahima believes that she is fortunate enough to witness the legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams play. Mahima is also an artistic person who enjoys painting in her free time. When not engrossed in sports, one can also find her involved in gardening, a hobby she picked up from her father early in life.

Know more

ADVERTISEMENT