“I was not inspired by a person to play, but sports”

This Friday the renewal of the agreement between Kia and Rafael Nadal for another five years was made official. This will lead this great relationship to over 20 years, something difficult to imagine when Nadal and Kia started their journey together. To celebrate it, this Friday a Facebook LIVE was held in which it was possible to attend the signing ceremony, to Nadal's answer to questions that the spectators ask him, and a very special training with various challenges.

“I am delighted to be able to return to normality, now is the time to be responsible and do things the best possible. Hard work to try to have my body ready and be competitive “, commented the Balearic.

Fans took the opportunity to ask his idol about the moments of his career, his rivals or the quarantine. “Federer, Ferrer, Djokovic, Murray … they have all been great opponents and they have been challenges for me. I don't have a favorite opponent, I enjoy competing against each and every one of them, “he said of his opponents throughout his career.

More than having a person as inspiration, Nadal had in love of tennis the main source of motivation. “I had my uncle who was my coach and probably gave me this passion for the sport, for tennis and its history. I have a passion for tennis in general, it is the sport I have been playing since I was 3 years old. I can't say a particular inspiration, it was not a person but the sport “, Rafa commented.

Another spectator asked the Balearic about his three best memories of his career. As is logical, Nadal did not have anything easy to decide. “If I can only say three, it would be Roland Garros 2005, Wimbledon 2008 and US Open 2013. If you let me add two more I would say Australia 2009 and the 2004 Davis Cup, I have great memories, “Nadal said of his great triumphs.

The next question was about his eating habits before and after games. “The routine is very similar, you don't want to take risks with food. Pasta, white rice, fish before a game. I also drink energy drinks to stay hydrated and in the proper form for battle. For after games, the same. Some drinks and the food is a little more relaxed and like what I like “, underlined number two in the world.

Two questions to Rafa were about how he had lived the quarantine. “I have found routines in my house, from the academy they sent me gym machines and I have been in contact with my team, who sent me the training sessions and I have followed him, accepting the situation we have experienced and adapting to the conditions “, Nadal commented. “He cooked almost every day. He also read, watched documentaries, learned things …” he said about how he spent his days outside of training.

In addition to tennis, Rafa told what is the other sport that he assiduously practices. “I really like soccer, but I am bad and I am in danger of injury. I play a lot of golf, it is a good sport to spend time with family and friends. The handicap helps you compete against people of all levels, “he confessed about golf.” Playing soccer I am very bad. When I was little I used to play and it wasn't bad, but now honestly I don't know if I'm bad or very bad “, he said with a laugh.

Nadal also had time to talk about his Foundation and the work carried out. “The Foundation was opened ten years ago and we have always been growing and improving. The goal is to continue more and more, and help children at risk of social exclusion. We also attend to different problems as children with illnesses and disabilities. Finally, we want to help academic talent to continue their careers in college, it is very important to produce those opportunities to avoid disadvantages “, Rafa dictated.