I played with both hands because I started very small and had no strength: Rafael Nadal

We are all aware of how good Rafael Nadal is with his left hand but only a few of us are aware of his ambidextrous nature. Nadal didn’t always play with his left hand and in a recent interview, the 20-time Grand Slam Champion revealed how his uncle, Toni, helped him in making his ability to play with both hands his strength.

“I played two hands, two setbacks because I started very small and had no strength,” began Rafael Nadal. “My uncle told me: ‘On television do you see many who play everything two-handed?’ I answered: ‘No.’ And he told me: ‘Well, you have to do it together.’ And it was natural for me to hit the drive with my left.

I have more sensitivity with the right for almost everything. I also play soccer with the left. To golf, with the forehand, but it’s normal because it’s like a tennis backhand,” added the 34-year-old Spaniard.

“The rest is true that they are strange things,” said the World No.2 Nadal.

Nadal’s top-spin forehand was voted the best among all players. He earned 57 points for it with his external rival Roger Federer at the second place with 39 points and Juan Martin del Potro at third with 29 points.

Uncle Toni had immense impact on Nadal’s career. The duo won 16 Grand Slams together, thus making them one of the most successful pairs in the history of tennis.

Nadal was also awarded Roland Garros for the 13th time this year, which helped him in equaling Federer’s record. Not only that, he sealed his 1000th win in the circuit in the Rolex Paris Masters too. However, he couldn’t make it to the final as he was knocked out in the semis by Daniil Medvedev, who went on to be the champion eventually.

The 34-year-old, however, will be one of the favourites in the Australian Open, which is set to commence in Melbourne on February 8 and expected to conclude on February 21. All the players are expected to travel to Australia between January 15 and 17, after which they will undergo two weeks of quarantine.