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Reuters

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Reuters

Rafael Nadal has stepped up his game when it has mattered the most this season. Earlier this year, he came from two sets down to overpower Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Australian Open. It was one of the best matches in the tournament’s history, and resulted in Nadal lifting his 21st Grand Slam title. Further, in the recently concluded French Open, the Spaniard won his 14th title at the tournament, defeating Casper Ruud in the finals.

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The former World Number 1 has all reasons to smile on the personal front too. News broke out that Nadal will become a father for the first time. Recently, a hilarious video surfaced involving the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

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Rafael Nadal tries flying a helicopter

In the video, Nadal can be seen turning a pilot of a helicopter who tries to give a ride to a couple. Further, as the radio control tower gives its go-ahead, the Spaniard tries to switch on the engine. However, when the engine didn’t start, Nadal said, “You have to let the helicopter warm up a bit.”

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Further, Nadal asks the couple to pass on the manual for safety instructions. However, soon after an alarm rings, causing panic among the couple. Sometime later, the engine finally starts. However, smoke engulfs the helicopter, resulting in the couple unlocking their seatbelts and leaving the helicopter.

Like on the tennis court, Nadal remained calm under pressure, which has been a trait of his personality as seen over the years in his illustrious tennis career.

Toni Nadal talks about Rafa’s chances at Wimbledon

During his title-winning run at the French Open, Nadal played with a foot injury during the latter stages of the tournament. Subsequently, he underwent treatment in Barcelona and was seen arriving on crutches at the Barcelona Airport.

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However, his uncle sounded optimistic about Nadal’s chances at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. In an interview, Toni Nadal said, “Rafael will have no physical consequences. The injury can be treated with an operation, but this operation will prevent him from continuing to compete. If he can play, Rafa is still a candidate to win Wimbledon. He made them five finals in a row.”

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Despite his latest injury setback, Nadal is eager to participate in Wimbledon. He has begun his preparations for the tournament, practicing on the grass courts in Mallorca.

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Vatsal Shah

3,705 Articles

Vatsal Shah is a tennis journalist at EssentiallySports, covering ATP and WTA storylines from the ES Trends Desk since 2023. He delivers breaking insights on major tournaments and player arcs, decoding tactical shifts and viral moments into accessible takeaways for fans worldwide. His coverage of Taylor Townsend’s Dubai title win stood out for capturing both the emotional significance of her victory and the context of her comeback. Drawing on his background as a recreational player, Vatsal adds a courtside perspective to his reporting, bringing depth and authenticity to Grand Slam coverage for the ES News Center. By combining sharp observation with a clear, engaging writing style, he ensures that key tennis moments are not only reported but truly understood. Fluent in English, French, and German, as well as three Indian languages, Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi, Vatsal connects with a diverse global readership. With his mix of linguistic reach, analytical insight, and passion for the sport, he is carving a niche as a fresh, incisive voice in tennis journalism.

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Deepakshi Chaudhary

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