A LARGS tennis champ has recalled the special occasion when she met superstar Rafael Nadal on his home island of Mallorca.
Sue Wilkie, who has won various doubles titles at Largs Tennis Club, told the News that she was thrilled to meet Nadal at a golfing tournament in 2010, who she described as "an inspiration".
The tennis ace, who has won an impressive total of 22 grand slams, has announced he is calling it a day next month at the Davis Cup finals after an impressive 20-year career at the top of the game.
And Sue, who is a huge fan of the Spanish ace, says it is "the end of an era" and was delighted to get the opportunity to meet him during a golf outing.
She said: "He was playing in a pro am golf event with his uncle Toni and Sergio Garcia in Mallorca, and my husband John managed to arrange that I got the opportunity to meet him.
"I even got the opportunity to follow him on his round of golf, and he is a lovely golfer too."
Reacting to the news that her idol has retired, Sue said: "I knew that Rafa could not go on forever, and it was only a matter of time until he bowed out, so it is fitting that he is doing it in the Davis Cup final for his beloved country Spain.
"I loved his aggressive tennis style and I felt he brought something new to the game with a combination of power, skill and never-say-die attitude, so it was an absolute pleasure to share some time with him and follow him around the golf course.
"He has an amazing fighting spirit and I shall miss him.
"I have been lucky enough to see him twice in action at Roland Garros in the French Open in 2006 and 2007, and on both occasions he was playing another grand slam champ in Lleyton Hewitt, and in both games, Lleyton brought the best out of Rafa who won on both occasions.
"I have never heard anything like it than the noise of the racquet when Rafa hit the ball with full force at the French Open. It was a joy to behold and I still have the picture of Rafa and me up in a picture frame in my house."
Sue is a member of Largs Tennis Club going back over two decades, and has won many doubles titles over the years as well as being a first team regular in the ladies team in Ayrshire doubles and seniors sides.
Daughter Claire Donaldson has proudly followed in her footsteps, having won the Ladies Doubles title last year, and recently received a coaching certificate.
Sue's husband John worked as a professional golf caddy for many years for world stars of the circuit including Largs' very own Sam Torrance, and helped set up the visit to the pro-am event.
Nadal has won 22 grand slam titles, placing him second on the men’s all-time list of winners, behind Novak Djokovic with 24.
An incredible 14 of these titles came at Roland Garros, in a feat which is unlikely ever to be equalled, compiling an incredible 112-4 French Open record.
Nadal has won all four major titles more than once, and spent 209 weeks at number one.
“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make,” Nadal said in a video announcing his retirement, posted earlier today.
"But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”
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