‘Rafael Nadal was already a champion at 16,’ recalls ATP Cup teammate Roberto Bautista Agut

Roberto Bautista Agut says that Rafael Nadal already carried the hallmarks of a champion at just 16-years-old.
Bautista Agut recently teamed with Nadal as Spain won the Davis Cup, and they will once again be teammates when the inaugural ATP Cup gets underway in Australia next month.
World number nine Bautista Agut is the highest ranked number two player in the tournament and, paired with world number one Nadal, it is clear to see why Spain are favourites to lift the title.
“Yes, we were playing in the Under-18s, a Spanish Championship,” Bautista Agut told atptour.com when asked it he remembered the first time he met Nadal.
“He was 16 and I was 14. I already heard very good things about him. I remember he left the tournament going to play Wimbledon juniors.
“I don’t remember if he won it or he played the final, but he was already showing the champion he is right now.”
In fact, it was neither. Nadal only played on junior event at Wimbledon, back in 2002, where he lost in the semi-finals to Lamine Ouahab – a player who has had a far less distinguished career and never broke into the top hundred in the world.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Exclusive – Laura Robson leaps to the defence of Emma Raducanu
Former British No 1 Laura Robson is baffled by the inflated expectations Emma Raducanu.
-
ATP Tour
Exclusive – Tim Henman backs Andy Murray to defy his doubters once again
Former British No 1 Henman suggests Murray wins against top players over the last year will encourage him to fight on.
-
WTA Tour
Simona Halep wins ding-dong battle to claim third Canadian Open title
Halep extended her impressive wins record at WTA 1000 events moving out to 185 matches won in the flagship events.
-
Tennis Features
What Novak Djokovic eats in a typical day
Novak Djokovic has revealed exactly what it is that he eats in a typical day.
-
WTA Tour
Simona Halep to return to top ten after reaching Toronto final
Simona Halep and Beatriz Haddad Maia will battle it out for the Toronto Masters title.
-
ATP Tour
Dan Evans battles bravely but Pablo Carreno Busta sets Hubert Hurkacz showdown
The British number two was eventually outlasted 7-5 6-7 6-2 across two hours and 58 minutes.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray gets Cinccinati boost, but handed tricky opener against old foe with Cameron Norrie also lurking
Andy Murray handed tough assignment in Cincinnati.
-
ATP Tour
Dan Evans vs Pablo Carreno Busta: How to watch Montreal semis as Evans looks to sneak into ATP top 20
A quick lowdown on the Canadian Masters semi-final and possible ATP Ranking changes.
-
ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal ‘happy to be in Cincy’ as he finds out his path to possible glory at ATP Masters 1000 event
Rafael Nadal good to go in Cincinnati.