Justifying his moniker, ‘King of Clay,’ Rafael Nadal has dominated the clay courts of different tournaments during his competitive journey. Even on the red clay courts of the Madrid Open, the 22-time singles Grand Slam champion has put on a stellar display of his prowess that has impressed many in the tennis community, including his Australian colleague, Nick Kyrgios. Reminiscing about the Spaniard’s ‘top 5’ performances on his home turf, the ‘bad boy of tennis’ recently made an honest confession.

The official Instagram page of the Madrid Open recently shared a compilation video of Rafael Nadal’s top 5 shots on the red clay courts of the tournament. While sharing the video on his Instagram story, Nick Kyrgios hailed the ‘prime’ era of the former number 1 player. The Aussie said, “Prime Rafa was ridiculous.” The controversial tennis star is all praises for Rafa during his farewell season on the men’s tour.

While delivering some stellar performances in Madrid, the Spanish tennis star has clinched a record five titles on his home turf. With his recent straight-set win against the American teenager, Darwin Blanch, Nadal has now marked 57 victories at the tournament. Not just Kyrgios but the Spaniard’s clay court prowess has won the heart of another prominent figure in the tennis community.

The legendary American coach also hailed the ‘King of Clay,’ Rafael Nadal

The Spanish player’s five-set thriller clash against Ivan Ljubičić is regarded as one of the greatest showdowns at the Madrid Open. In the championship game, Nadal defeated Ivan Ljubičić with a score of 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(7–3) to lift his first trophy at his home tournament. The match happened in 2005 but it has still managed to amaze many including legendary tennis coach, Rick Macci.

Reminiscing about Nadal’s clay court triumph in 2005, the American coach was recently singing the praises of the Spaniard’s ‘wicked topspin forehand’ and also his ‘work ethic.’ Macci said, “April 25th 2005 19 years ago a lefty with a beyond brutal heavy wicked topspin forehand and a work ethic like no other broke into the top TEN and RED CLAY BECAME HIS BEST FRIEND. @RafaelNadal.” 

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It has come as no huge surprise that the tennis veteran is among many others who couldn’t hold themselves back from lauding Nadal’s remarkable clay-court supremacy.

What do you think of the likes of Nick Kyrgios and Rick Macci hailing the Spanish tennis star for his phenomenal performances at the Madrid Open? Let us know in the comments section.