Rafael Nadal is a unique tennis player who follows a strange couple of routines before and during his matches with consistency. The regular routine has been observed by fans around the world who are questioning whether Nadal has OCD.
His game routine of touching his shorts, nose, and hair before each service, and the alignment of the water bottle after each change in the position has been viewed with keen eyes by the spectators.
In this article, we take a look at the strange routine of World number 4 Rafael Nadal and analyze whether he has OCD or not.
Wimbledon: Does Rafael Nadal Have OCD? Illness And Health Problems
It is still not clear whether Rafael Nadal has OCD or not. He follows certain steps without fail in every game that he plays.
Rafael Nadal’s pre-game routine has kept fans suspecting that the current number 4 has OCD. Also, his in-game routine has kept people wondering whether he is doing something ritualistic.
The Spanish player has been seen placing his energy drink slightly in front of his water bottle with both labels facing the court. He changes the alignment of the two bottles at every change in ends, making sure that they are perfectly aligned.
Moreover, the King of Clay also has another strange routine. He slightly pulls his shorts, places his hair behind his ears, and touches his nose and cheeks before each and every serve. The consistency of the routine is mind-blowing. He never fails to perform the steps before serving the ball. Also, he rubs his hands and face with his towel.
Nadal himself has commented on the issue denying that he has OCD. HE wrote in his 2011 autobiography that “It’s a way of placing myself in a match, ordering my surroundings to match the order I seek in my head.”
Sports Psychologist Dr. Adam Naylor commented on the issue that the routine between points allows the player to forget about the previous point, relax and get focused on the point that lies ahead. He does not classify Nadal’s actions as OCD, however, warned that it may be a dangerous habit.
Not only Nadal but certain fixed routines are performed in tennis by other players also. Roger Federer and Serena Williams are also known to follow strict routines during their games.
Rafael Nadal Wife
Rafael Nadal is married to his longtime girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello Pascual aka Mery. He had been in a romantic relationship with Mery since 2005.
The 36-year-old got engaged to his girlfriend in January 2019, 14 years after the start of their relationship. The two exchanged their vows and got married in October 2019.
Maria was born on July 7, 1988, in Manacor, Spain. She is the daughter of Bernat Perelló and María Pascual. The 33-year-old graduated from the University of the Balearic Islands.
The wife of the King of Clay is often seen accompanying her husband in various events and competitions that Nadal takes part in. The couple has remained consistently devoted and dedicated to each other for more than 16 years now.
Rafael Nadal Net Worth
The net worth of the Spaniard Rafael Nadal is estimated to be around $220 million. Most of his earnings are from his prize money and the endorsement deals he signed.
The 2022 French Open champion has earned a total amount of $130,681,472 via his performances in the games he played. The amount is second in all-time leading prize money won by a player, only behind the Serbian player Novak Djokovic.
Moreover, world number 4 has also signed endorsement deals with many multinational companies. He has penned contracts with brands such as Nike, KIA, Babolat, Cantabria Labs, Telefónica, Heineken N.V., Richard Mille, Santander, and many others.
Nadal is on Instagram as @rafaelnadal and is followed by 15.5 million people.