VIDEO | Rafael Nadal fulfills ball boy’s dream to play tennis with a legend

Nicknamed ‘King of Clay’, Spanish tennis player - Rafael Nadal is undoubtedly one of the finest players to have graced the sport of tennis in recent years after Swiss rival Roger Federer. Nadal did one over Federer, as he climbed over the veteran to usurp the number one spot in the ATP rankings recently.

At the 2018 French Open this year, Nadal remained the favourite to win the title despite former world number one, Novak Djokovic’s return from injury. After comfortably beating Argentinian Guido Pella in the second round of the tournament, Nadal beat local boy Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to seal a berth in the fourth round against German opponent Maximilian Marterer.

However, the Spaniard won the hearts of the audience after he agreed to fulfil one of the ball boy’s lifelong dream to play tennis with the legend. The Spanish ace walked over and picked out two tennis rackets from his bag while he handed one to the starstruck ball boy before whispering something to him as the crowd cheered on in support.

The ten-time French Open champion Nadal then went on to take his position on one side of the net on the court as he proceeded to rally with the ball boy. The awestruck teenager sent the first ball into the net, but went on to show off his backhand and forehand shots as the fans at Philippe Chatrier echoed their cheers. Nadal will next face Marterer in the round of 18 encounter as he aimed for an eleventh French Open title.