Rafael Nadal is no stranger to admiration from fans, and NFL star Tom Brady was the latest onlooker to lavish praise on the 21-time Grand Slam winner.
Looking to notch his 14th career Roland Garros title, Nadal won his first-round match at the clay-court Grand Slam in a dominant style. The Spanish veteran made short work of his opening-match opponent, Jordan Thompson and Nadal cruised to a straight sets victory, winning 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.
Nadal last won the Roland Garros in 2020 when he beat Novak Djokovic in the final. It was the Spanish player's 13th title at the French Open, and such success at the iconic clay court competition has earned the 35-year-old the esteemed nickname of the 'King of Clay.'
Such accolades, among many others, have led to the 21-time Grand Slam champion being named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2022. The list of 100 includes leading sports personalities, politicians, actors, and business people who have made a significant impact in their field.
Sometimes, greatness recognizes greatness, and another sports star in TIME's 'Icons' category is NFL quarterback Brady. When speaking about Nadal for TIME, Brady outlined several areas of high-level praise for Nadal, from his mental toughness to his well-known focus on the tiny details in preparation, which can often have a huge impact on the court.
"From the moment he stepped onto the court as a young player, Rafael Nadal had an unrivaled charisma. He has the mental and physical toughness to do what all great athletes do: play their best in the biggest moments."
"He elevates his emotional state to a place where he can be insanely focused on the smallest thing to create an edge over his opponent, willing himself to victory. It has paid off. When he won the 2022 Australian Open, Rafa earned his 21st Grand Slam singles title—the most of any male tennis player in history."
"I admire athletes who push themselves to the limit, and I’m absolutely inspired every time Rafa takes the court. There’s something to be learned from watching his determination, his strategy, everything that it takes for him to never take any moment for granted. He’s forever going to be remembered as one of the very best athletes in all of sports."
Nadal will be back in action at the 2022 Roland Garros when he takes on French player Corentin Moutet in the second round. Brady also continues to play NFL at the highest level as he represents the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.