Rafael Nadal has been going incredibly strong this new year. Not only did he win an ATP title already, but he is also through to the Australian Open quarter-final.

The Summer of Tennis essentially flags off the new sporting season from Australia. Consequently, all the world’s biggest athletes are present Down Under.  Thus, it came as no surprise when Australian Olympic Gold Medalist Ariarne Titmus and Rafael Nadal met in Melbourne.

Titmus, a 2-time Gold Medalist, met Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open after his fourth-round victory against Adrian Mannarino.

Ariarne Titmus felt connected to Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal‘s fourth-round tussle with Frenchman Adrian Mannarino was the first time that Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus came to watch tennis. Owing to her own rigorous training and competition schedule, she shared that she never did get the time to do it before.

Titmus sat next to Rafa’s friends, family, and team in his player’s box. She called it “a next-level experience”. “I saw Rafa play today and he killed it,” Titmus said.

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Hence, sharing that space with Nadal’s inner circle made her “feel connected to him”. “It was a really special day for me,” the Olympic swimmer shared.

Moreover, when the two met after the match,  Titmus congratulated him on his victory. “You’re playing very well,” Titmus said to fellow Gold Medalist Rafael Nadal, appreciating his game.

Furthermore, Ariarne revealed how she is “a fan of who he (Rafa) is as a person”. Additionally, she praised “his dedication to his sport and the longevity that he has had in tennis.”

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“That’s why I am a fan of him,” Titmus stated. In fact, the two even shared their apparel with each other. Titmus brought Rafa a purple swimsuit- the color he is wearing this Australian Open. Rafa, too, shared one of his jerseys with Ariarne, as the two clicked selfies and posed for photographs.

Rafa faces Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-final

Through to the Australian Open quarter-final, Rafael Nadal will now face Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

Shapovalov caused a shock upset when he toppled the third-seeded Alexander Zverev, and that too in straight sets. However, in their head-to-head record, Shapovalov has only been able to win over the Spaniard one out of four times.

Nadal is headed into the quarter-finals with all the momentum, and so is his Canadian opponent. The winner of their match will play either Gael Monfils or Matteo Berrettini in the semi-final. Who do you think will prevail?

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