Tiger Woods was in Rafa Nadal‘s box at the US Open as Nadal won his third US Open championship. Coincidentally, that’s how many US Opens Woods has won. Woods looked fit and attentive as he watched the exuberantly fit and attentive Nadal demolish South African Kevin Anderson to take the title. It wasn’t Woods first visit to Nadal’s booth either — he was there for the semifinal. Tiger fans could be forgiven for hoping the very determined Woods was there to do more than just make nice with another Nike branded superstar. Woods is looking to do something similar to what Nadal just did. Woods wants to win again.
At the end of 2015, many thought Nadal might be finished. His great physical strength and endurance — the hallmark of his success — were on the wane, as injuries waylaid the Spanish champ. Nadal’s world ranking sunk to #10. Then Nadal sprung to new life in 2017, winning two of the year’s four Grand Slams and looking as fit as ever — a perfect role model for Woods, offering both a roadmap and inspiration for a Woods comeback, if the golfer’s body will let him travel that path. No doubt Woods took inspiration from Nadal’s journey, and wanted to feel the energy around it. Woods is also pals with the winner of the year’s other two tennis Slams, fellow Nike man Roger Federer, whose re-emergence has been equally inspiring. Nadal now has 16 majors to Woods’ 14 majors. Federer leads both with 19.
Best golfier ever @TigerWoods staying sat beside Nadal’s team. That’s simple.#VamosRafa#USOpen pic.twitter.com/wFLuXAonMS
— JP (@Pichi_Peyo) September 10, 2017
??@RafaelNadal = 16X Slam Champ
??@TigerWoods = 14X Major Champ
The two celebrated #Rafa‘s 3rd @USOpen Title.
Watch below. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Bb3WOAQHpN— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 11, 2017
