"I became obsessed with Rafael Nadal when I was younger" - 2024 Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ariarne Titmus

2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus recently expressed her admiration for Rafael Nadal. The Australian swimmer has always been an ardent supporter of the Spaniard, having watched him compete at the Australian Open over the years.

Titmus, 24, secured the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. She recently spoke to Tennis Australia, where her love for the racquet sport came up.

The reigning Olympic women's 400 freestyle champion disclosed that she had grown "obsessed" with Rafael Nadal during her adolescence. She also said that the 22-time Major winner's "fight" and "determination" were his defining traits as a tennis player, before going as far as to assert that he was her idol.

"My family is very sport-orientated and I grew up watching the Australian Open on TV. I became obsessed with Rafa when I was younger. His fight and determination is something that I aspire to have," Ariarne Titmus told Tennis Australia. "Even though he’s not a swimmer, he’s definitely my sporting idol. Having someone like him to follow, it makes you more in tune with the sport," she said.

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"My favourite tennis memory is meeting Rafael Nadal at Australian Open 2022" - Ariarne Titmus

Rafael Nadal poses with the Australian Open trophy in 2022

Ariarne Titmus then reminisced about sitting in Rafael Nadal's player's box in Melbourne two years ago. Moreover, she also claimed that his support circle and her own family were similar in their "down-to-earth" nature.

"I’d say my favourite tennis memory is meeting Rafa at the Australian Open in 2022. I got to sit in his player’s box with his family and his team. That was just an unreal experience," Titmus said. "Do you know what the best part about it was? I realised he and his family are just like me. They’re very down-to-earth people who have worked hard to get where they are. Him and I share common goals in our careers too, so that was very humbling to see," Ariarne said.

This is not the first time Titmus has been effusive in praise of the former World No. 1. Last August, she claimed that the 22-time Major winner was her favorite sportsperson in a Q&A on her Instagram handle.

"@rafaelnadal all the way," she wrote on her Instagram story in August 2023.

The Spaniard, meanwhile, is currently in the midst of a difficult season on the ATP Tour. He has just won 12 of his 19 competitive matches thus far and also withdrew from next week's Laver Cup at the last moment.