It is always interesting to see players from other sports talk about their love for tennis. One such sportsman, Argentine soccer star Paulo Dybala, is a huge tennis fan. And there are no prizes for guessing that Roger Federer has a big role to play in Dybala’s tennis fandom.

Of course, the sport Dybala followed the most growing up was football. However, tennis came a close second for the Juventus FC player, and it still does. In a recent interview, Dybala spoke about all things tennis and why Roger Federer made him fall in love with tennis.

“I always had a lot of admiration and respect, I liked Roger Federer’s style. I believe that I and many people have him as a tennis reference,” Dybala expressed. He went on to say that everyone wants to be like Federer.

“We try to watch his matches, he has a style and elegance that makes everyone want to be like him. I always tried to watch him play so I love tennis because of him,” Dybala said about the Swiss Superstar.

Who Dybala admires apart from Roger Federer

While Dybala is a superstar in soccer-loving Argentina, tennis’ very own Diego Schwartzman has also earned superstar status there, especially with his performances off-late. Dybala spoke about his friendship with Schwartzman, also known as ‘El Peque’.

“I am also very happy for the performance of El Peque, he is now inside the top 10…I have a great relationship with Diego. I’ve known him for a few years,” said Dybala, also praising WTA star Nadia Podoroska.

Dybala also said he has a good relationship with Djokovic and Dominic Thiem as well and believes the two of them, along with Schwartzman, can be very good if they tried their hand – or feet- at football.

“No words” for Rafael Nadal

The quality player, who can strike a ball quite elegantly himself, lauded Rafael Nadal for his performance against Novak Djokovic in the French Open 2020 final. Dybala was left speechless by Nadal’s display.

“I think it was more than well-deserved to win his 13th Roland Garros in his career. Something amazing. He matched Roger Federer with 20 Grand Slams. There are no words for this player, no words,” Dybala said of Nadal.

Dybala closely followed Schwartzman and Podoroska’s progress at the French Open as well, and was ecstatic when they reached their respective semi-finals. Dybala’s Juventus teammate and global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was also a regular attendee of the ATP Madrid Masters during his Real Madrid days.

Read more – “Bring Us Great News”: Juventus Footballer Wishes Luck to Diego Schwartzman and Nadia Podoroska at French Open 2020