“I think Abdullah is a player with a very special innate talent, capable of doing things that most can’t” – Nadal

It’s not often for a budding athlete to end up training at an academy owned by a player they grew up idolizing. But that’s exactly the situation that Abdullah Shelbayh finds himself in.

The Jordanian grew up idolizing 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and now trains at the Spaniard’s Academy in Mallorca. He has also had the opportunity to train with the 14-time Roland-Garros champion and has left a lasting impression on the former world No 1.

“To describe Abdullah, you have to analyse his talent,” Nadal told the ATP Tour website. “I think he’s a player with a very special innate talent, capable of doing things that most can’t. With his style of play, it makes opponents feel very uncomfortable. I know because I’ve trained with him a number of times. And he’s added something very important to that: In the last year and a half he has taken a step forward in the way he experiences tennis.”

Really, he has realised that what he wants is to be a professional tennis player and he is working very hard toward that.

Rafael Nadal on Shelbayh

Shelbayh is now ranked inside the world’s top 200 and is competing this week at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah where he lost to Luca Van Assche in his first round-robin group match on Tuesday.

“Really, he has realised that what he wants is to be a professional tennis player and he is working very hard toward that. I can only congratulate him for his dedication and for his hard work and encourage him to continue on that road. He’s had a very positive season, picking up good results, and has climbed up the rankings. Now an amazing moment is coming up for him, playing in the Next Gen ATP Finals. I’d like to wish him all the luck in the world. I’m sure it’ll be a very special tournament for him,” the Spaniard said prior to the start of the tournament which features the highest-ranked 21-and-under players on the men’s tour.

Nadal’s words have had an impact on Shelbayh as well as the Jordanian told the ATP website. “He (Nadal) told me it (winning my first ATP Challenger title) was a big step in my career, and that I had to enjoy myself and not be content. He told me that I couldn’t be content with just one result because everyone is trying to improve at the same time, so you have to keep going with what you’ve been building. That doesn’t mean that you’re going to win all the big tournaments, but you have to keep up the good work and not let the important moments that will help you achieve your goal pass you by. It was very special to hear those words from someone like him, who has been my idol since I started to play tennis.”

Shelbayh is back on the court in Jeddah on Wednesday as he takes on American Alex Michelsen in his second round-robin group match with a win being important for his semi-final hopes.

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