![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mcilroy-nadal-laureus-2026.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Off Court News
\n McIlroy reveals Nadal\u2019s Masters support, weighs in on Alcaraz vs. Sinner rivalry<\/p>\n
From voice notes at Augusta to tennis\u2019 future, McIlroy connects two sporting worlds<\/p>\n
May 01, 2026<\/p>\n
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Andrew Redington \/ Angel Martinez \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy reflects on the support he received from Rafael Nadal during the Masters.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy\u2019s successful Masters title defence last month came with some unexpected encouragement, with the Northern Irishman revealing he had the backing of 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal<\/a>.<\/p>\n The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Nadal was at Augusta National during the tournament, showing his support in person. Speaking last week at the Laureus Awards, McIlroy shared how much Nadal\u2019s presence \u2014 and his thoughtful gestures \u2014 meant throughout the week.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw Rafa a lot out on the course at Augusta,\u201d McIlroy said<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019d leave me little voice notes at the end of every day. It\u2019s really cool when you have one of the absolute legends of sport cheering you on like that. Him knowing what it\u2019s like to be in that position is pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s so many similarities between golf and tennis. In individual sports, you\u2019re really out there on your own and you have to figure it out by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Away from golf, McIlroy has long been an avid tennis fan, regularly attending major events, including the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami in March. His rise in golf coincided with Nadal\u2019s dominance on the ATP Tour, and when the Spaniard retired in 2024, McIlroy, like many fans, wondered who would take over at the top of the sport.<\/p>\n In recent years, he\u2019s found that answer in the emerging rivalry between Jannik Sinner<\/a> and Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>, which has quickly become one of sport\u2019s most compelling matchups, with Alcaraz currently leading their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 10-7.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were all wondering \u2018Who is next?\u2019, and then you have these two guys in Carlos and Jannik,\u201d McIlroy said. \u201cWhat makes this rivalry so special is the different styles. Carlos plays with his heart on his sleeve and Jannik is just an absolute robot \u2014 he doesn\u2019t make a mistake.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a tennis fan, it makes me very excited for the next few years, to be able to watch them battle it out.\u201d<\/p>\n McIlroy also had a chance to meet Alcaraz last year at the US Open<\/a>, where the Spaniard acknowledged his presence in memorable fashion by mimicking a golf swing<\/a> after his first-round win. Although Alcaraz is an enthusiastic golfer, the two have yet to share a round together.<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet,\u201d McIlroy said. \u201cI got to meet him at the US Open<\/a> last year, and he\u2019s really loving his golf,\u201d McIlroy said. \u201cHe plays on any day he has off, but hopefully one day we\u2019ll get a round in.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\u201cATP](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/atp-fantasy-article-banner.jpg\")
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