It’s about time that a young player from Rafael Nadal‘s Academy begins to script history! Abdullah Shelbayh, a 19-year-old tennis player who got into the Spaniard’s academy, fulfilled a dream on the tennis courts that he believed in for years. While the Jordanian player won his first challenger title, he caused a stir in his own circle when he revealed his affection for one of the world’s top three tennis players.

Recently, Shelbayh became the first Jordanian player and the youngest player from an Arab country to win a title on the Challenger Tour. Since then, the 19-year-old has been all over the tennis news with his recent revelation regarding how he chose to be a left-handed tennis player.

Abdullah Shelbayh shared his admiration for Rafael Nadal 

Recently, the 281-ranked tennis player won his first ATP Challenger title in Charleston. After the victory, the 19-year-old, in a candid interview, made a huge revelation regarding how he chose to be a left-handed tennis player despite being naturally right-handed. He addressed how he took inspiration from none other than the 37-year-old Spaniard himself.

Along with that, he also talked about how he has been following Roger Federer and Nadal since he was a kid. In addition, he also highlighted how he grew up watching one of the biggest rivalries in the tennis world. However, his admiration for one clearly took precedence over the other in an uncanny way.

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Shelbayh revealed, “I started playing right-handed. I only knew 2 players as a kid Roger & Rafa. I didn’t know Rafa’s name just saw him play on TV. So I said ‘Let me try it out.’ I’d play 1 day w/ left & 1 day w/ right. My dad said I had to choose 1 hand. So I chose the left.”

The Jordanian finally delivered on the promise he had hinted at earlier in the year after reaching the finals of the Manama Challenger and becoming the first player from his country to play a Tour-level match in Doha. His successes were not individual victories. In fact, connections between the Jordanian player and Rafa Nadal Academy were intricately developed.

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Shelbayh on joining the Rafa Nadal Academy

A few months ago, during the Qatar Open, Shelbayh, in a press conference, talked about why he joined the Spaniard’s tennis academy. He said, “I know it was not an easy thing for me, but it was the best decision since tennis, as I said, is not a big sport in Jordan.” Subsequently, he also stated that while it was a difficult decision to leave his home at the age of 14.

Shelbayh ended up in the Movistar-sponsored academy through a link between his royal family representative Princess Lara Faisal and Toni Nadal. In fact, Uncle Toni personally flew to Jordan to recruit him to the island. Even now, despite having graduated, he remains connected to the academy. The ATP Tour reported, “Rafa’s team texted me. His coach Carlos Moya and Uncle Toni were reaching out quite often during those two weeks. They’re always in touch when I’m at tournaments.”

Joining the academy in Mallorca somewhere ended up being the best move to follow his tennis dreams. It took him some time to settle in and mature both on and off the tennis court. But eventually, things started working out for the best. What do you think about Shelbayh’s admiration for Nadal? Post your comments below!

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