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Not only was Nadal rooting for Spain to win the World Cup, but he was also able to be there in person for the final in Johannesburg, South Africa, against the Netherlands.
When looking back on Spain’s run to the title after they beat Netherlands 1-0 in the final, Nadal spoke in 2020 about how emotional he felt after Andres Iniesta scored the winning goal.
“I lived it in different phases,” said Nadal, as reported by Tennis World USA in 2020. “The Wimbledon was the first one; and at home I saw the semifinal against Germany with the goal of [Carlos] Puyol. And in Johannesburg the World Cup final one.
“The sport of football is the most important in Europe and also in Spain. As a football fan, having been able to see Spain winning the World Cup and two consecutive European Cups is something historic and probably unrepeatable.
“I lived it with the maximum enthusiasm and intensity. I remember the nerves when Iniesta scored, and without realizing it the tears were there.”
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Although they have been unable to win the tournament since, Nadal’s compatriot Carlos Alcaraz seems confident about Spain’s World Cup chances in 2026.
How many Grand Slams did Rafael Nadal win in 2010?
Football was not the only sport where Spain had success in 2010, with Nadal also enjoying the best Grand Slam season of his career in 2010.
After retiring in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open against Andy Murray, Nadal would go on to win three Grand Slam titles in one year for the first and only time.
This would include his first ever victory at the US Open, with Nadal also winning three Masters 1000 titles in 2010.
After winning Wimbledon, it would not be long until Nadal headed to South Africa to watch his nation win the football World Cup.
Since the turn of the Open Era, Nadal is one of only six men’s singles players to win three majors in one calendar year.