World number one Rafael Nadal proved his talent doesn’t begin and end at tennis, coming out on top 20 points to 18 against opponents from around the world, in charity event hosted by PokerStars. The Spaniard, who is used to a fast and furious pace on the tennis court, showed some real talent for fast-fold poker on his way to victory in a tournament that resulted in PokerStars donating $5,000 to Care International.
Seated alongside commentator and six-time bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu, Nadal came out on top at six-man Zoom Poker tables, all while taking questions from an online audience of fans and some fellow players. The 13-time Grand Slam winner answered a number of questions during the hour, even more impressive was the fact he continued to produce some high level poker as he moved from one play-money table to the next at the same time as remaining his engaging self.
Since Nadal had to face five players at each Zoom Poker table he appeared at, the Spaniard was awarded two points for each hand he clinched victory from. The five opponents Nadal faced at each table were able to win one point from each hand won against the tennis star, with PokerStars donating $100 dollars to charity for each hand the Spanish star one. The event was aired via live webcast on PokerStars’ Facebook app, their YouTube channel, and on PokerStars.tv, available with the poker download.
Nadal’s talent for the game was highlighted when he received hole cards of pocket Queens and managed to claim the pot after getting all his play-money chips in the middle. And Negreanu admitted the tennis ace had a genuine ability when it comes to poker, as well as being an all-round good guy.
A lot of times you will have someone who is number one in the world, and they develop an ego. He is just very humble despite his success.” Negreanu wasn’t surprised the Spaniard has been so successful in poker because “guys like him that are so driven, they don’t like to lose. He takes it pretty seriously.”
After winning two of the four Grand Slams last year, Nadal continued his impressive run of form by reaching the final of the Australian Open before suffering a shock loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in Melbourne. The King of Clay bounced back soon after to win the Rio Open in Brazil and continue his dominance on his favoured surface, and Nadal will head into the second Grand Slam of the year as an overwhelming favourite. With eight French Open titles to his name, there won’t be many betting against Nadal when he arrives in Paris next month.
While the likes of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray are all looking in promising shape heading into the second Grand Slam of the season, there aren’t many brave souls who will be betting against Nadal when it comes to the French Open. With a staggering win ratio of 98.33 at Roland Garros, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist with a passion for brain surgery to work out who will be the man to beat in Paris this summer.