Nadal's brilliant gesture for vanquished opponent
The man Rafa Nadal beat in the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals has taken to social media to reveal an incredible gift he received from the 10-time champion.
Nadal claimed a record 10th Monte Carlo title as he geared up for his beloved French Open with a 6-1 6-3 victory against fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos on Sunday.
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Nadal reached the final having beaten Kyle Edmund, Alexander Zverev, Diego Schwartzman and David Goffin, before defeating Ramos.
World No.34 Schwartzman was probably Nadal's biggest challenger throughout the tournament, falling 6-4 6-4 in their quarter-final clash.
After the match, the Argentine posted this on Twitter:
No me lleve el partido. Pero este trofeo es hermoso también. GRACIAS @RafaelNadal !!! Un placer enfrentarte devuelta pic.twitter.com/EH0N4XOOA8
— diego schwartzman (@dieschwartzman) April 21, 2017
"I did not win the game but this trophy is beautiful too," Schwartzman wrote in Spanish.
"THANK YOU @RafaelNadal!!! A pleasure to play you."
Schwartzman also posted a picture of Nadal's playing shirt, which he gifted to his opponent.
Nadal and Schwartzman. Image: Getty
The brilliant gesture is common in soccer, but rarely seen in the sport of tennis.
Nadal's staggering 10th Monte Carlo title. Image: Getty
It clearly left Schwartzman in awe of the Spanish champion.
"It has been an amazing week on one of the most important events on the tour," Nadal said on Sunday.
"I played well here, which helps me a lot to start the claycourt season with confidence."