Rafael Nadal Smokes Opponent Then Does That Tennis With Ball Boy Afterwards

Something pure and non-controversial from the world of sports? Get the fuck outta here. But here it is, the coolest moment of the week (month?).

After making easy work of Richard Gasquet on his seemingly inevitable way to the French Open final, tennis icon Rafael Nadal did the standard post-match interview. Not sure if asking one of the best ever to have the tennis equivalent of a catch with a ball boy in that spot is standard Big J practice at Rolland-Garros. But Rafa happily obliged and in doing so, gave us something even I can’t be cynical about.

Just awesome stuff. This would be like getting plucked from working the penalty box door to take shots on Marc-André Fleury after he wraps up his second round series. Or having Steph Curry play the scorer in “21” after after moving on in a big game. And the kid looked pretty decent, too, especially considering he was suddenly up against his idol in front of thousands. What a thrill for him.

This is the same clip but as the Tweet notes, peep the ball boy’s buddy in the background at the :40 match. Fantastic.

“It was a good feeling. It’s so nice when you have a chance to play with kids that normally only watch you on TV,” Nadal said on Tennis Channel. “I have been on the other part of the situation, being a kid and playing with professional tennis players when I was 12 or 11 and having an amazing feeling. Probably for him, today was a great day, especially here on this amazing court.”

Great shit from a pretty humble superstar. And here’s another kid Rafa left in awe.

Oh and look who else is halfway to another Grand Slam title after a 16-month layoff due to giving birth and then having serious complications afterwards. Had a kid nine months ago then surgery and is dominating again right now. The GOAT doing GOAT things. Unseeded or not, 9/1 odds to win were ridiculous.