Olympic Skater Fernandez Is Inspired By Tennis Player Nadal

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 14th February 2014

Olympic Skater Fernandez Is Inspired By Tennis Player Nadal

epa04077173 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal speaks during a press conference of the Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 14 February 2014. The Rio Open tennis tournament takes place from 17 February through 23 February 2014 EPA/ANTONIO LACERDA |

Spanish Olympic figure skater Javier Fernandez admits that he is inspired by the tennis feats of Rafael Nadal as he competes for Games glory on the ice in Sochi. Fernandez finished third in the short program as the games entered the middle weekend of competition.

Fernandez is enthusiastic in his hero-worship of Nadal. “How hard that man fights, how he is personally… Very few people can get to be like he is,” Fernandez told dpa in Sochi. “Being as strong as he is mentally, controlling everything, your head, your hold on things, the physical thing.”

The 22-year-old Fernandez came to the Games as a double European champion and took a bronze medal at the World Championships. He said that his dream is to one day meet world No. 1 Nadal, an honor he has not yet had.

Spain is looking to make history at the Winter Games, having claimed just a single medal in alpine ski in 1972. “I hope I am able to do that. I can do it, that’s for sure, but I still have to go out onto the ice and skate well,” Fernandez said.

Topics: 10sballs, figure skater, Javier Fernandez, Olympics, Rafael Nadal, Sochi, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News