Rafael Nadal news: Spaniard reveals he is not a gym bro, admitting ‘I am more a fan of playing sport’

Tennis News
Delight for Rafael Nadal

He has massive biceps, but Rafael Nadal doesn’t spend too much time in the gym with the 20-time Grand Slam winner saying he has “never have been a gym guy”.

The Spaniard continued his impressive form at the 2022 Australian Open on Wednesday as he eased past Yannick Hanfmann, defeating the qualifier 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 42 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The sixth seed broke twice in the opening set and once in the second and third sets to move into the third round.

During his on-court interview he was asked about his fitness routine and his answer did surprise many.

“I play some golf,” he said and after his reply drew some laughs from the crowd he added: “Well, honestly, and that’s the truth. I never have been a gym guy, you know. I am not a big fan of the gym. I am more a fan of playing sports, different sports.

“Since a couple of years ago with the knees, then with the foot, I was not able to play different sports as I used to do it in the past, and then, of course, today I have to be a little bit more focused on things that probably in the past I was not…

“I probably work around one hour, one hour 30 minutes every day on the gym, but honestly, you know, I never did a lot of weights, no.

“But if you see my family, a lot of people is big and … I do what I can, honestly.”

The 2009 Australian Open champion, who will face either 28th seed Karen Khachanov from Russia or Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi for a place in the fourth round, also paid tribute to world No 126 Hanfmann.

“Having played him before at Roland Garros I knew that he is dangerous,” Nadal said. “His result against Thanasi [Kokkinakis] in the first round says that he is playing great and coming from the qualies he was used to the courts.

“He has big shots, a good serve and has a lot of potential. Today his level was much higher than his ranking says.”

Rafael Nadal

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