PGA golfer Jon Rahm recently won the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta, and tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s congratulatory voice message appeared to have lifted his spirits even further. In addition to becoming the World No. 1, Rahm became the fourth Spanish player to be honored with the iconic green jacket. The gestures between the two athletes show a mutual admiration and support, with Rahm having sent texts and congratulations to Nadal for his achievements on the ATP tour in the past.
Nadal’s Love for Golf
It is no secret that Rafael Nadal is an avid fan of golf. He has frequently spoken highly of legendary golfer Tiger Woods and even attended Woods’ matches in the past. Nadal has participated in professional golf tournaments and once beat Jon Rahm at Larry Ellison’s private club in Palm Springs.
Rahm Discusses Nadal’s Support
During a press conference at South Carolina’s RBC Heritage, Jon Rahm was asked if he was surprised by any congratulatory messages after his Augusta victory. Rahm mentioned that he was thrilled to receive a voice note from Nadal, adding that he himself had sent the tennis icon several texts in the past whenever Nadal achieved something significant on the ATP tour.
Lessons from Rafael Nadal
In 2008, Rafael Nadal defeated five-time defending champion Roger Federer in one of the greatest tennis matches ever at the Wimbledon Championships. Jon Rahm, after winning the 2023 Golf Masters, revealed that he didn’t think about victory until the very end, a lesson he learned from his compatriot. He recalled a passage from Nadal’s book detailing the 2008 Wimbledon final, where Nadal’s belief in victory resulted in a lost set, reinforcing the need to focus on the present rather than future achievements.
