Following the death of Queen Elizabeth, 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal sent his condolences to the Royal Family and the British people. Rafael Nadal posted the message on Twitter. “My most respectful, sincere and deepest condolences to the Royal Family of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to the British people for the pass of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II,” Nadal wrote on Twitter.
Nadal once declined a rare invitation from the Queen
In 2010, Nadal admits to passing up a chance to see the Queen in order to focus on his Wimbledon second-round match. As reported by The Daily Express, Nadal “had been invited to spend time with Her Majesty during her rare visit to the All England Club”.
Yet, for Nadal, the preparation of his match against Robin Haase took priority, so he missed the royal opportunity. “It was disappointing for me but the Wimbledon club knows I have my routines before the match. I knew it was going to be a very difficult match.
I had to practice around then, so it was impossible for me [to meet the Queen]. I have my routines. Before the match, it is very difficult when you don’t know when you’re going to play. You have the third match but if some injury happens there, you are on court before.
I had to practice at that time, so it was impossible for me to meet her at that moment,” said Nadal at the time. Nadal, however, hoped that the Queen would stay and watch him play. “Seriously, I thought the Queen was going to be at my match and I would love to have the chance to meet her after the match.
But it wasn’t possible because I think the Queen left before. For me it was disappointing. I was excited to meet her but it was a very important match for me too,” said Nadal as quoted by the Express. Rafael Nadal won that year’s Wimbledon by defeating Tomas Berdych in the final.
