World No.11 Daria Kasatkina has named Rafael Nadal as her dream mixed doubles partner and admitted she would probably be «super nervous» if she ever got the chance to play doubles alongside the Spaniard. Kasatkina, 25, grew up watching and idolizing Nadal.
In a video for the Tennis Channel, several players were asked to name a legend they would play mixed doubles with. «Definitely Rafa. He’s my idol, I’d probably be super nervous. I’d be happy to put some balls on the court, but it would be amazing to share the court with him,» Kasatkina told Tennis Channel.
Kasatkina on Nadal’s epic win at the French Open
Both Kasatkina and Nadal enjoyed deep runs at this year’s French Open. Kasatkina’s French Open streak ended with a semi-final loss to Iga Swiatek, while Nadal captured his record 14th French Open title.
In the French Open quarterfinals, Nadal defeated Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4). Nadal was up by a set and a double break in the second set, before Djokovic came back to win the second set and tie the match at one game apiece.
When Kasatkina was asked about Nadal’s win the next day, she revealed that she fell asleep peacefully when she saw Nadal up for a break and a double break. «I went to sleep, but 3-0 in the second set (laughs) like, ‘Okay, everything is fine.
Then I woke up the next morning and I saw the score and I was, on the app, I was checking how the games were going, you know, and I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ So good that I went to sleep, because if I see 3-1, 3-3, I’m like, ‘Oh, I can’t go to sleep.’
So, fine at 3-0, I just put my laptop away and go to sleep. But oh, it’s difficult and I’m so happy for Rafa because I can’t imagine how difficult the circumstances of it all were. I mean, he’s saying that it may be his last match at Roland Garros and I can’t imagine how you can go to the match with this feeling. So another time he shows how strong he is mentally,» Kasatkina said at the time.
