Nadal Loves Fishing, But the Timing Conflicts With Tennis Practice

Written by: Staff on 12th June 2012

Nadal Loves Fishing, But the Timing Conflicts With Tennis Practice

epa03085205 Rafael Nadal of Spain returns to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men's single final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 29 January 2012. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

Rafael Nadal may be the king of clay, but the French Open hero says he’s just an amateur when it comes to his hobby of deep-sea fishing. The Mediterranean islander from Mallorca uses the recreational sport as a way to relax outside of tennis. But Nadal says he’s anything but a pro with a deep-sea rod and reel in his hand.

“I’m not that good,” the Spaniard said after reaching another semi-final at Roland Garros. “I’m an amateur at fishing. When I go, I go with friends who really know what to do. When I am able to have time and holiday and go, I go.”

Nadal admitted there is one big problem with fishing: “You have to go early in the morning. It’s not that I don’t like to go early in the morning. I love to wake up early and go fishing – but I practice in the morning. That’s the thing.”

Nadal added that his uncle and coach Toni would not allow a huge variation in a long-successful schedule. “My uncle would not be very happy if I tell him that today I going to practice in the afternoon because I go for fishing. That’s the problem.”

Topics: Nadal does for fun, Rafael Nadal, Spanish tennis news, tenis super star, tennis and fishing