Instagram Live sessions have been the new norm for the tennis world during the coronavirus pandemic. Stan Wawrinka, Benoit Paire, Alexander Zverev, Venus Williams, and David Goffin have been especially active.
But one Instagram Live session that cannot be topped took place on Monday. It featured, of course, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Hilarity ensued even before Federer arrived, as Nadal struggled mightily to get things working.
“As you can see, I’m a disaster in everything,” the Spaniard joked. “But I’m trying hard.”
Andy Murray promptly popped up in the comments section in typical Murray fashion: “This is brilliant,” Murray wrote. “He can win 52 French Opens, but not work Instagram.”
Once it “finally” began, the two all-time greats covered a wide variety of topics. Nadal revealed that he has not picked up a racket since leaving Indian Wells when the tournament was cancelled. “Perfect,” Federer replied. “You won’t be able to play tennis anymore when you get back!”
See the full Nadal-Federer discussion:
Murray was next on Nadal’s live session. One of their topics was the upcoming virtual Mutua Madrid Open, in which both players are participating. The Scot revealed that he has been practicing by playing matches with none other than Nadal.
“After a set, you were unbelievably tired,” Murray joked. “The energy bar on the side of the screen was almost empty. I’ve never seen you get tired after one set!”
See the full Nadal-Murray discussion:
good stuff
Rafa’s struggles with Instagram was one of the best parts – just watching his facial expressions. Fed asked Rafa why he played tennis left-handed. Rafa said that he can’t play tennis right-handed. Which is certainly true by now, he shanks every righty forehand. He always explains that he played 2 handed both sides as a little kid until Toni told him to pick a side. OK, but why has no one ever asked him which arm he served with back then? Oh well, Carlos Moya is a natural lefty that plays righty and had a pretty good serve so I guess it’s not that weird. It just annoys Federer no end. 🙂
Rafa is mixed handed. He plays billiards/snooker left handed and golf right handed (but his golf swing is similar to his two handed tennis backhand).
Here he plays billiards with Chinese swimmer Ning Zetao (in Beijing, Oct. 2016):
https://youtu.be/xpcIijVeFp0
we all need a daily dose of Rafa and Roger…..the world just loves those two guys!!!
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