Steve Nash Trains At Rafa Nadal Academy

Shrewd court sense made Steve Nash a two-time NBA MVP.Now the 44-year-old Canadian is applying his exceptional vision to tennis.Watch: Federer vs. SerenaThe former Phoenix Suns star has been training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The eight-time NBA all-star said the world No. 1 is an inspiration to all athletes. Nash said he respects Nadal “as much as any athlete in any sport for his mentality.”“Rafa’s mentality is so impressive,” Nash said. “I really feel like Nadal is right there as the toughest athlete in any sport. He is mentally so strong. He digs so deep. I respect Nadal as much as any athlete in any sport for his mentality.”Growing up in Canada, Nash played hockey, soccer and tennis in addition to basketball.The 6’3″ point guard showed sharp racquet skills, including a lethal one-handed backhand playing at the Rafa Nadal Academy.

“What an inspiring place to learn the game,” Nash said. “Technically, a great academy and great facility, but it’s also the home of Rafa, one of the greatest athletes in the world, so it’s a pleasure for me to be here and to share the facility with everybody.”Nash, who recalls playing tennis matches against his father, John, while growing up, cites another pair of left-handers—Wayne Gretzky and John McEnroe—as his two favorite athletes.The former NBA all-star sees several similarities between basketball and tennis.“It’s not hard to find similarities: there’s physicality in both and though there’s no contact in tennis as in basketball, endurance, strength, flexibility and mobility are all assets in tennis and basketball,” Nash said. “I think creativity and vision and the idea of finding angles are also very similar.“Like in all sports the biggest factor, I think, in tennis is the mentality of the player—their mental toughness. The ability to cope with different situations is so important. It’s completely open and on the line in tennis as in basketball. The difference is in basketball you’re processing 10 or more personalities on court whereas in tennis you’re processing two.”Photo credit: Rafa Nadal Academy Facebook]]>