A video has emerged on social media of a young Rafael Nadal going through his classic trademark service routine.
The video shows Nadal at eight years old practising in Spain, with a clip of his now globally famous ritual of body ticks and checks during his service preparation.
The 36-year-old is currently on an exhibition tour of Latin America with World No. 3 Casper Ruud. The duo have played a series of exhibition matches in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Belo Horizonte (Brazil), and Quito (Ecuador) in the last six days.
Nadal's serve has evolved over the years to become more potent and accurate, although still remains one of his weaker weapons. But the build-up service ritual has always remained exactly the same in what is now likely one of the most recognisable routines in the sport's history.
The Spaniard had a superb 2022 season, although it was a season of two halves. The first six months of the year saw the 22-time Grand Slam champion win the Australian Open in January, before capturing his 14th French Open title in June. He also put together a 20-match winning streak, taking an ATP 250 and the title in Acapulco (ATP 500) in the process.
However, post-Wimbledon - when he was forced to pull out of the tournament before the last four with an abdominal injury - his form has been poor. He lost in the first round of the Paris Masters, before crashing out of the ATP Finals with two opening losses, and failing to make it past the fourth round of the US Open.
Given the first half of the season that he enjoyed, this may be an easier pill to swallow, especially as he was contending with fitness and becoming a father for the first time.
Nadal has spoken of his desire to keep competing for the time being, and there is no reason at all not to be excited about the indomitable Spaniard's 2023 season.
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