'A very special athlete' - Ferrari star Carlos Sainz hails Rafael Nadal as his inspiration

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz also congratulated Carlos Sainz after he won the 2024 F1 Australian GP.

F1 star Carlos Sainz has lavished praise on 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal as his idol outside the racing industry.

Sainz has always been a huge admirer of the Spanish tennis star. Last year, after Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the French Open, he took to social media and uploaded a story to support the 14-time Roland Garros champion.

Meanwhile, he was recently asked about an athlete who inspired him outside motorsports. The Ferreri driver outright took the name of Rafael Nadal and stated that the 37-year-old’s attitude and sportsmanship make him a “very special athlete.”

Carlos Sainz said, “Definitely Rafael Nadal. I think he’s one of the best athletes and sportspersons in the world. His attitude towards injury and also his attitude on court, never give up attitude but then, be a super nice humble guy out of it after being a super competitive guy inside makes him, I think, a very special athlete.”

According to Spanish publication AS, Rafael Nadal will be participating at the 2024 French Open. Roland Garros has witnessed the Spaniard’s success over the years. With 14 titles and an unparalleled win-loss record of 112-3, Rafael Nadal has rightfully earned the title of the “King of Clay.”

However, due to several fitness concerns and growing age, the 37-year-old has lost his touch on clay. In April, he returned to clay after more than 600 days at the Barcelona Open. Since returning, Nadal has played eight matches on the red soil, winning five and losing three. The 2024 campaign is expected to be Nadal’s last on tour. As a result, every match has been a emotional journey for every tennis enthusiast.

Also Read: Italian Open quarterfinals to not feature Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic after two decades

Spanish racing driver, Carlos Sainz, is one of the most well-known names on the Formula One scene currently. The Ferreri driver is fifth in the F1 standings with one win and three podium finishes, accumulating a total of 83 points.

His Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc is in third spot with 98 points. Moreover, the Polish driver also finished third at the Miami Grand Prix, behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris.

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