'Bromance': Rafael Nadal melts fans hearts after 'classy' Andy Murray gesture
Rafael Nadal swept pass Aussie John Millman in the First Round of the US Open and in a touch of class had fans gushing after revealing a touching gesture to friend Andy Murray.
Nadal defeated the fighting Aussie 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 - despite a controversial umpire call - in little more than two hours on Tuesday night but one of the highlights came during his endearing post-match interview.
The Spaniard was asked what ATP challenger event his friend and long-time opponent Murray was playing in at his home town in Mallorca.
Nadal sheepishly replied the ‘Rafael Nadal Open’, which had the fans laughing.
But it was his answer to the next question had fans going wild.
When asked if he had spoken to Murray since he had started, Nadal replied they had been texting and he even offered him his boat during his time off in sunny Mallorca.
The 18-time Grand Slam winner then praised Murray for returning to singles competition.
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“It’s great news that Andy is back on a tennis court playing singles, after a lot of problems after suffering over the last couple of years,” he added.
“So just happy for him especially.”
Fans couldn’t get enough of the ‘bromance’.
@RafaelNadal lending out his boat to bro @andy_murray #bromance #USOpen pic.twitter.com/8NCRltPatG
— Fern Thompson (@fernykins) August 28, 2019
Class act from @RafaelNadal very kind words towards @andy_murray and nice to see he's offered him his boat 😂 #USOpen
— Chanice Hird (@Chanice_H12) August 28, 2019
Rafa told Andy Murray he could use the boat. By boat he was talking about his $3M yacht lol #USOpen @RafaelNadal
— Puhluhlie (@caleb_palalay) August 28, 2019
Easypeasy baby. And can we just stop a second about the words he said for Andy Murray at the end plz??! How cute. Omg so proud to stan the matador since the very beginnin🙏❤ #vamos
— Agatheblues (@agathioubabe) August 28, 2019
It never gets old watching Nadal win so decisively. And such a sweet reaction about the Rafael Nadal Challenger and the boat. 😀
— Erin Allen (@Erin_Allen) August 28, 2019
Murray is returning to singles competition at an ATP Challenger event in Mallorca - named after the Spaniard - after battling a severe hip injury that nearly ended his career.
Nadal’s funny run-in with security
Even the greats aren’t immune to the strict security measures at the US Open.
And Rafael Nadal found that out first-hand on Tuesday.
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Arriving for his first-round clash with John Millman, Nadal was made to join the cues and go through security like everyone else entering the Flushing Meadows grounds.
Even the greats aren't immune. Source: US Open
In a funny video posted by the official US Open account, Nadal looks slightly annoyed as he waits while a security guard checks his bag.
“Even the biggest stars have to go through security,” they wrote on Twitter.