"Yes, it could happen": Rafael Nadal remains optimistic of beating 'Big Four' rivals again, but not in tennis

Former world number one Rafael Nadal believes that he could beat his former ‘Big Four’ rivals in golf. The 38-year-old was part of the original ‘Big Four’, which consisted of former world number ones Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Britain’s Andy Murray, who dominated men's tennis in the singles category for a good part of the last two decades. Three of them ended up winning more than 20 Grand Slam titles as well.

Nadal, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 22 Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career, retired from the sport last year after playing in the Davis Cup.

Ever since retiring from the sport, Nadal, who is also known as the ‘King of Clay’ after winning the French Open 14 times in his career, which is also a record in the competition’s history, has been playing golf consistently. He has also featured in some tournaments and performed quite well there.

On the other hand, at least one of those three, Murray, has also been very active on the golf course ever since retiring from the sport last year. He played his final at the Paris Olympics. Nadal has been quoted in a report where he stated that he could actually beat all of his ‘Big Four’ opponents while playing golf. However, the legendary Spaniard admitted he has a slight advantage over his previous rivals, largely because he has been playing golf consistently.

“Yes, it could happen [that I could beat any of the Big Four opponent],” said Nadal while talking to The Telegraph. “But they have to get training – I have a bit of an advantage in that. On the tennis court, there wasn’t that much difference between us, but in this I’m much better than them.”