"I think I'm more Rafael Nadal than I am Federer" – When Rory McIlroy shared candid take on soon-to-retire Spanish tennis icon

Rory McIlroy once revealed in an interview how he draws inspiration from tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The Northern Irishman is one of the most successful golfers in the world. He has won four major titles in his career so far. The current World No. 3 golfer has also claimed 26 PGA Tour victories.

McIlroy reflected on how he draws inspiration from the tennis stars. In a 2022 interview with CBS Sports, he opened up about his admiration for both Nadal and Federer.

"In my mind, I think I'm more Nadal than I am Federer. But I'm not. I just don't have his grit and will. I don't think anyone [does]. Roger, he just loves playing tennis. I think as I've gotten into the meat of my career -- my 15th or 16th year on tour -- I've really worked hard on making sure I still love the game of golf, and I don't just see it as a job or a means to end.

"That's probably the biggest thing I've tried to take out of what Roger has done. He's had this unbelievably successful and long career, but at the end of the day, he still loves playing tennis. I think that's really really important, and that's one of the big things I've tried to take from him," Rory McIlroy added.

Notably, Rafael Nadal recently announced his retirement from tennis. The 22-time Grand Slam winner will conclude his successful tennis journey at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. Meanwhile, Roger Federer retired from the game in 2022.

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Rory McIlroy's love for tennis: From watching to playing the sport

Rory McIlroy is an avid tennis lover. Not only does he enjoy watching the sport, but he also loves to play. Earlier this year, after shooting a first-round 68 at the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, he was spotted playing tennis with Doug Barron's son, Wiley Barron.

The Northern Irish golfer visited a nearby tennis court and enjoyed the contest. However, McIlroy struggled with his game at the FedEx Cup Playoffs event, shooting rounds of 73, 74, and 74 over the next three days. he finished in a tie for 68th place.

Soon after the conclusion of the 2024 Tour Championship, the final FedEx Cup Playoffs event, Rory McIlroy was spotted attending a tennis match. He watched the semifinal of the 2024 US Open between Francis Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz.

Following that, he traveled to Europe to compete in the DP World Tour. He played at the Irish Open, finishing second, and then competed in the 2024 BMW PGA Championship, again settling for second place. McIlroy's last tournament was the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where he tied for 25th place.