The teenage ballgirl struck in the head when an errant Rafael Nadal shot hit her spent some of her afternoon with her idol. MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal got through another young opponent and showed signs he was getting closer to his best form on clay as he defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6 … 2,854 Likes, 23 Comments - Rafael Nadal (@rafanadallove) on Instagram: “Rafa having a hit with @felixaliassime in Indian Wells • Have you ever been to this tournament?…” Rafael Nadal is melting hearts around the tennis world again after a photo emerged of his incredible behind the scenes catch-up with the ball girl accidentally struck by a stray ball on Thursday night. Thank you’ the world number 1 captioned his post. Photograph: Rodrigo Jimenez/EPA. Her overnight fame was brought on by the Spanish star’s reaction when his service return struck her in the side of the head. "He's very friendly and nice, he's very kind and shows really great sportsmanship," the Herald Sun quoted Anita as saying, adding that she spent about 20 minutes with the tennis ace. ATP Masters Madrid: Alexander Zverev after success over Rafael Nadal - "Definitely one of the greatest victories of my career" Alexander Zverev is in the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid after a two-set victory over Rafael Nadal. Nadal posted a photo on Instagram of him and the ball girl, whose name was later revealed to be 13-year-old Victorian Anita Birchall. Rafael Nadal brushed off the challenge of his fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at the Madrid Open as the world No 2 cruised to a straight-sets win over the teenager. Rafael Nadal immediately rushed to Anita’s aid and gave her a kiss on the cheek ... ‘Imagine getting hit in the face bu Rafael Nadal and then him coming to comfort you and kiss you on the cheek,’ someone else commented. The pair married in 2019 and have kept their private lives out of the public eye. Madrid: Rafael Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Germany's Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Friday, casting doubts over the Spaniard's form ahead of this month's French Open. There was an audible gasp from the crowd. After the game, the German number one was extremely satisfied with their performance. Nadal grimaced. Novak Djokovic has hit back at Rafael Nadal's claim that the he is 'obsessed' with personal records, and claimed there's nothing wrong with vocalising your goals. Jan 24, 2020 - Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Anita Birchall spent around 20 minutes with Rafael Nadal the day after being hit. Alexander Zverev recorded the biggest win on clay of his career as he stunned Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open. By the time he’s done, look out Thirty Years’ War. The 13-year-old Anita Birchall was hit on her face by the Spaniard’s shot during his second-round tie against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis during the first Grand Slam of the year on Thursday. www.rafaelnadal.com www.fundacionrafanadal.org 10.7m Followers, 114 Following, 979 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal) His run has spanned more than 15 years and counting: 5,600 days. Rafael Nadal's heart of gold: the Spaniard met Anita, the young ball girl he hit in face with a ball during the match against Federico Delbonis at the Australian Open 2020. 134,400 hours. I also had the chance to meet her, her brother Mark and parents. Rafael Nadal has overcome plenty of opponents in his legendary ATP Tour career, but he faced perhaps his toughest one on Monday: technology.. 403,076 talking about this. All is well after an errant Rafael Nadal shot hit a ballgirl in the head at the Australian Open. Australian Open ball girl Anita Birchall poses with Rafael Nadal, in an image that was posted to the tennis superstar's Instagram. 2,887 Followers, 988 Following, 36 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from ANITA NADAL (@_aanitanadal) Watch the video above. Australian Open ball girl Anita Birchall has hailed Rafael Nadal’s generosity after the world No 1 took time to speak with her and her family. Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera (Catalan: [rəf(ə)ˈɛl nəˈðal pəˈɾeɾə], Spanish: [rafaˈel naˈðal paˈɾeɾa]; born 3 June 1986) is a Spanish professional tennis player. Rafael Nadal was hit by IT gremlins during an Instagram Live session. 1 five times. Over the years, Nadal has fashioned one of … Picture: Instagram/@rafaelnadal Picture: Instagram/@rafaelnadal Nadal also gave the 13-year-old a cap, according to local media, and signed it, "To my friend, Anita." That’s how long Rafael Nadal has been living inside the Top 10 of the FedEx ATP Rankings. PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rafael Nadal meets Anita the ballgirl that he hit with a ball during a match at Australian Open . The Mallorcan’s streak has already lasted longer than the Napoleonic Wars or World War I, World War II, and the American Civil War combined. Rafael Nadal meets Australian Open ballgirl's family after 'scariest moment' of his career Rafael Nadal went the extra mile to meet the family of a ballgirl he hit with a wild shot. Federer and Rafael Nadal have held the upper hand having burst onto the scene before Djokovic's rise to stardom. Rafael Nadal shared a photo with the ball girl whom he had accidentally hit, ensuring everyone that she is doing well as the Spaniard met with her family. Rafael Nadal has met the ball girl he accidentally hit with a shot at the Australian Open. Federer was already a 12-time Grand Slam champion by … The next day the world melted all over again when Nadal uploaded a photo to his Instagram account alongside the young ball girl, Anita, with the caption saying he also met her family. On Monday morning, it was Rafael Nadal’s turn. Nadal was so in … The tennis star took to social media to share a photo he took with Anita, the young girl who he accidentally struck in the head with a tennis ball. 2 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), has been ranked No. Anita Birchall, 13, says she went to bed last night and woke up with everyone knowing who she was. Rafael Nadal trains ahead of his first match at the 2021 Mutua Madrid Open. 2,749 Likes, 43 Comments - Rafael Nadal (@rafaelnadalfans_) on Instagram: “Rafa is so kind he met with the ball girl that he hit with a ball during his recent match at the…” ‘Very happy to see that Anita is doing well. 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