Rafael Nadal whips off shirt to dive in pool with ball boys and girls to celebrate his record-breaking 10th Barcelona Open title
RAFAEL NADAL made waves with a unique celebration of a record-breaking victory.
The Spanish legend whipped off his shirt and dived in a pool with dozens of ball boys and girls after winning the Barcelona Open.
Rafael Nadal shows off his top swim swerve as he dives in the pool at the Barcelona Open venue to salute his historic 10th title in the same tournamentGetty Images
Nadal became the first man in 49 years of Open era tennis to win the same ATP tour event ten times.
And in the pool he soaked up success with a smile as beamingly brilliant as his form throughout the tournament.
After beating Andy Murray‘s semi-final conqueror Dominic Thiem 6-4 6-1, Nadal said: “I’m very satisfied. It’s been an emotional day for me.
“Playing in front of my crowd and my club and winning a 10th title here is something that’s impossible to even dream of. It’s very special and unique.
Spanish legend Rafael Nadal soaks up victory after outplaying and beating Dominic Thiem in the Barcelona Open finalGetty Images
"I played my best match of the tournament this afternoon against probably the toughest opponent in the tournament, so I'm very happy."
Nadal stripped off his top to sprint into the venue's pool - suddenly making elite-level sport fun again.
Ball boys and boys looked just as delighted to finally relax amid joyful scenes.
Nadal, 30, will now gun for his 10th French Open title after his Barcelona triumph made it 51 titles on clay, 71 in all.
Clay-court maestro Rafael Nadal looks to be having as much fun in the water as the ball boys and girls at the Barcelona OpenAP:Associated PressClay-court king Rafael Nadal laps up his 10th Barcelona Open title since 2005Getty Images
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