A file image of Zinedine Zidane
World No.1 tennis ace and an avid Real Madrid fan, Rafael Nadal was left gobsmacked after learning on legendary Zinedine Zidane's exit as the Los Blancos head coach. The Frenchman on Thursday announced his shocking departure from the club after leading the Madristas to their third UEFA Champions League trophy a week ago against Liverpool.
READ: MANAGERS WHO CAN TAKE ZIDANE'S PLACE AT MADRID
Speaking following his second-round win over Argentina's Guido Pella in the ongoing French Open, Nadal reflected his views on Zidane's exit, saying that the Frenchman's decision do come as a surprise to him, like everyone else.
Nadal said that though it is quite difficult to see such top manager leaving the club, he deserves to choose what is correct for him.
"Of course it was a surprise for everybody, no. But at the same time, Zidane is a top person. He's a person that it is tough to accept that he's leaving. He has always been positive and believing in the players and on the club. He deserves to choose what's better for him," Sport24 quoted Nadal, as saying.
READ: ZIDANE STEPS DOWN AS REAL MADRID COACH
Nadal, who registered a comfortable 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 win over Pella in the second round, will now take on French player Richard Gasquet for a place in pre-quarterfinals at Roland Garros.
On a related note, Zidane's resignation came just five days after Real Madrid clinched a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the high-octane Champions League final clash at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex.
The victory in the final saw Zidane equal Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti's record of being the only coaches to have lifted the European Cup thrice.
Besides bagging three European titles, Zidane had also guided the Spanish club to one La Liga glory since taking over as the Real manager only in January 2016.
(With ANI Inputs)
