"I don't like the way Donald Trump speaks... As I am not arrogant, it's not my style": When Rafael Nadal spoke about his disdain for then-US President

Rafael Nadal once expressed his disdain for Donald Trump, who was the President of the United States at the time. The Spaniard revealed why Trump's manner of speaking clashed with his own sensibilities.

Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, won the 2016 US presidential election, claiming victory in 30 states and securing the electoral college with 304 electoral votes compared to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s 227. This made Trump the 45th president of the United States.

Rafael Nadal, like many others around the world, followed the election from afar. In an interview with El Espanol ahead of the 2017 Australian Open, the Spaniard opened up about being in America during Donald Trump's campaign, disclosing that he disliked the way the then-president spoke. He asserted that, as someone who wasn't arrogant, he found Trump’s manner of speaking to be off-putting and not in line with his own values.

"Yes, I have followed as far as I could from a distance. It is a subject that is far from me and I don't know it very well either. I have been in the United States when Trump was campaigning. It is true that I don't like the way he speaks because it is not the style that I appreciate, his way of expressing himself... As I am not an arrogant person, it is not my style," he said.

However, the Spaniard conceded that Trump's rhetoric had become more moderate since becoming president. He also admitted that he wasn't particularly fond of the other candidate, Hillary Clinton, either.

"Since he was elected, his speech has been much more moderate and perhaps more correct, but during the campaign it has not been like that. But I am also honest with you: I didn't like the other option either," he added.

Nadal delivered a strong campaign at the 2017 Australian Open, beating the likes of Alexander Zverev, Gael Monfils, Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov to reach the final. Roger Federer dashed the Spaniard's hopes of clinching his second title at the Melbourne Slam, claiming a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory to secure his 18th Major title.

"Do you know who is my favourite sportsman? Rafael Nadal" - Donald Trump

The Spaniard poses with the 2022 French Open trophy (Source: Getty)

Donald Trump may have been in the dark about Rafael Nadal's criticism, as he spoke very highly of the Spaniard while hosting Spain's then-Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at the White House in September 2017, referring to the tennis legend as a "big treasure" of his country.

Trump also revealed that Nadal was his favorite athlete, lavishing praise on the Spaniard for his fighting spirit and relentless pursuit of victory.

"He is the big treasure of Spain. Do you know who is my favourite sportsman? Rafael Nadal. I like Rafa. He is a guy who always, always wants to win. He is a winner," Trump said.

Donald Trump even extended an invitation to Nadal to join Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia during their visit to the White House in April 2020. However, it seems that the former World No. 1 didn't take Trump up on his offer.