Rafael Nadal, the world’s No. 2 ranked tennis player, made an early exit at Wimbledon after Gilles Muller won 6-3 6-4 3-6 4-6 15-13 in a nearly five-hour match.
The disappointment could be seen on Nadal’s face from a mile away. However, that didn’t keep him from displaying good sportsmanship.
First, he waited for Muller to pack up his belongings so the two could walk off the court together. Then Nadal signed autographs for fans.
After that epic match that ended in a defeat, Nadal stays back, signs autographs, before heading out. #Classpic.twitter.com/bSZrxNiuzU
— The Field (@thefield_in) July 10, 2017
This isn’t the first time Nadal has showed he’s a class act on the court. At a tournament in Rome in May, his opponent, Nicolas Almagro, suffered a knee injury.
Nadal quickly came over to check on Almagro and help him back to the sidelines.
Ouch! Nico #Almagro has done in his left knee – #Nadal quickly over to see if he’s OK. pic.twitter.com/O4J39OXJeo
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) May 17, 2017
Take some rest and get well soon @NicoAlmagro. Thanks @RafaelNadal for showing us that #values are the most important thing pic.twitter.com/vNFXPloKVI
— Rafa Nadal Academy (@rnadalacademy) May 17, 2017
Nadal may have been bounced early this week, but he’s a champion human being in our book.
