Isner talks about one of his training sessions with Nadal: "I didn't enjoy it at all and it allowed him to read my game."
Throughout his career, Rafael Nadal has impressed many with his style of play and resilience. He has also left his mark on players who have been around him on the circuit, such as John Isner.
In the latest episode of the Nothing Major podcast, the American recounted one of his sessions shared with Nadal during the Beijing tournament in 2017. A training session organized for a very specific reason, as Isner explains:
"My coach told me, 'Rafa wants to practice with you.' And I'm like, 'Okay... Rafa asking to practice with me? That's weird.'
When I saw the tournament draw, I understood: 'Is he anticipating a quarter-final against me? Totally.'
He wanted to see my game, my serve, and how I hit the ball on the practice court. It reflects his greatness.
If I hadn't been in the same part of the draw as him, he wouldn't have asked me for that training session. I hit the ball with him and then played him in the quarter-final four or five days later, where he beat me.
It was a horrible practice because he hit the ball so hard. He would finish the rally with a winner in three shots. I didn't enjoy it at all and it allowed him to read my game."
