When one of the best players in tennis history hit an unbelievable shot five years ago, a very famous golfer couldn’t contain his excitement.
Rafael Nadal enters another French Open hoping for late-career magicCredit: AFP
Leading two sets to one while trying to finish off Marin Cilic in the fifth, Nadal served and was forced to sprint across the court following a smooth approach by his opponent.
What happened next was the stuff of legends.
The Spaniard with 1,075 career wins dug deep and refused to quit.
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As the ball threatened to bounce a second time, giving a point to Cilic, an aging Nadal kept running and stretched his racket outward.
He barely connected with the falling ball but it was just enough.
Using his internal power, Nadal pushed the ball back across the court and around the net.
The crowd was stunned and a huge ovation followed.
Nadal was forced to fully stretch out just to make this shot at the 2019 US OpenCredit: youtube@US Open Tennis Championships
The ball was fired from out of bounds and flew past the netCredit: youtube@US Open Tennis Championships
Nadal couldn’t believe his success as he approached a win in New YorkCredit: youtube@US Open Tennis Championships
Tiger Woods was just as pumped up and loved supporting his friendCredit: youtube@US Open Tennis Championships
One of his biggest supporters was golf legend Tiger Woods, who quickly stood up and unleashed a proud fist pump.
Old footage shows Tiger Woods producing his iconic ‘Putt and Point’ celebration at Valhalla in his 2000 PGA Championship win
“Come on!” a second announcer followed.
Like Woods, fans were blown away by the precision and intensity that Nadal displayed.
“Is not the shot,” one fan posted. “Is the fact that he played 2 hours and 48 minutes and still can do this shot. What a beast.”
“Can’t decide which was better, shot or the celebration,” a second fan wrote.
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Nadal loved knowing his friend Woods was watching in the stands.
“To play in front of Tiger is a very special thing,” Nadal said. “I’ve always said that I don’t have idols, but if I did, I would have to say that one idol is him.
Woods and his son Charlie had Nadal’s back in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor
“It means a lot to me to have him supporting. He’s an amazing inspiration, all the things that he accomplish on the sport, the way that he managed to keep fighting that hard.
“Have him supporting and be able to be in touch with him very often for me is something that I am super happy — and I hope one day we can play golf and tennis together.”
After his magical shot at the 2019 US Open, Nadal beat Cilic in four sets to advance to the quarterfinals.
And he eventually won the tournament by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final.
Nadal, 37, is approaching retirement as the 2024 French Open begins.
The unranked Nadal faced No. 4 Alexander Zverev in the first round on Monday.
While the crowd wanted Nadal to find a way to win, he was knocked out of the tournament in just three sets.
“It’s a big, big chance that it’s going to be my last Roland Garros,” Nadal said.
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“But if I have to tell you it’s 100 percent my last Roland Garros? Sorry, but I will not. Because I cannot predict what’s going on.”
Nadal, who once engaged in an annual rivalry with Roger Federer, has 14 French Open titles.