
via Reuters
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his group stage match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

via Reuters
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his group stage match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal has revealed a side of himself that not many know. Speaking on a live show on Spanish TV, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said there’s a baby inside of him which tears up every time he watches the popular Disney animated feature film ‘The Lion King’.
Rafael Nadal describes himself as an emotional person
The Spaniard, who was recently conferred with Madrid’s highest civilian honor – Grand Cross of the Order of Dos De Mayo – described himself as an emotional person who is often close to tears.
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La saison de Rafael Nadal en chiffres :
💪 N°2 mondial
💪 2 titres
💪 1 Grand Chelem
💪 0 finale perdue
💪 27 victoires, 7 défaites (79% de victoires) pic.twitter.com/b6CwHrZh0D— We Are Tennis France (@WeAreTennisFR) December 5, 2020
Nadal also opened up on James Cameron epic ‘Titanic’ and how it never fails to bring him to tears.
Read More: WATCH: Rafael Nadal’s Top Shots in 2020
He said there are moments in the movie, based on the true story of the sinking of the ‘Titanic’ in 1912, which make him reach out for a tissue or a handkerchief.

via Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during the final against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
When the death of Musafa in ‘The Lion King’ Moved Nadal to tears
“I cried like a baby watching ‘Titanic’. It was very moving when Musafa (Simba’s father) died in the ‘Lion King’. I get tears easily,” Nadal said.
However, the Spaniard added that though an emotional person, he tries his best to mask his feelings on court.
Bonsoir à tous ! Et merci pour le soutien !!!
Happy to be back in the final of @rolandgarros
Thanks for all the messages, the support !!!
Gracias por todo el apoyo. Aquí estamos, feliz por estar en la final una vez más 😉💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/6DXOINUN2S— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 9, 2020
He said he is mostly in control of himself while playing and never takes his anger or frustrations out on his racquet.
“I’m in control, I never throw my racquet, I don’t have a gesture of nervousness. But with the chocolate…,” Nadal said.
A season of hits and misses for Nadal
In terms of titles, the Spaniard did not have the most fulfilling 2020 season.
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However, he did win his 13th straight French Open title this year, tying him with Roger Federer at 20 Grand Slam trophies apiece. He made the semifinals of the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in London but lost out on a chance to end his nine-year trophy drought at the event.
Leading by a set and up a break, Nadal lost his way and eventually went out to Russian Daniil Medvedev.
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The big-Russian, who had an all-win record in the tournament, won his maiden ATP Finals this year.
Nadal was also beaten in straight sets by German Alexander Zverev in the semifinal of the Paris Masters this year.
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