Rafael Nadal has humorously labelled Andy Murray an "a**hole" following the British tennis star's playful mockery when Arsenal defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals last season.
The Spanish tennis legend made the light-hearted comment whilst discussing text messages exchanged with Murray, who supports Arsenal and seized the chance to needle his longtime rival immediately after the match concluded.
"He's an a**hole," Nadal said with a laugh when recounting the exchange with the two-time Olympic gold medallist.
The friendly banter between the two retired tennis champions highlights their enduring friendship beyond their professional rivalry on court.
Rafael Nadal joked that Andy Murray is an 'a**hole' after a cheeky jibe over Real Madrid
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Murray's mischievous message arrived within seconds of Arsenal's victory over the Spanish giants.
"The day that Arsenal beat Real Madrid, when the match just finished, after one second, he text me a message. 'Hey, Rafa, haven't spoken to you in a while. Just checking in to make sure you are okay'," Nadal revealed during a press conference.
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The seemingly innocent inquiry was clearly designed to wind up the devoted Real Madrid supporter, demonstrating the playful dynamic between the former competitors.
Nadal disclosed this anecdote whilst being honoured at Roland Garros earlier this year, where Murray joined Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in celebrating the Spaniard's remarkable career achievements.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion's devotion to Real Madrid has been unwavering throughout his tennis career, often arranging his schedule around their matches.
During tournaments across different time zones, Nadal would seek out sports bars to follow his team's progress, demonstrating remarkable commitment to the club.
His dedication reached extraordinary heights when he attended the 2022 Champions League final whilst competing at the French Open, managing to claim the Roland Garros title just days later.
The 39-year-old continues to support Real Madrid fervently, expressing optimism about their chances of winning the league this season with a simple "Why not?" when asked about their prospects.
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Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were all huge rivals on the court but friends off it
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Speculation has emerged about Nadal potentially succeeding Florentino Perez as Real Madrid president in the future.
His uncle and former coach Toni has previously indicated that his nephew would be suitable for the position.
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When questioned about this possibility, Nadal offered a measured response to The Athletic: "I don't think so, but maybe – you never know in the future, you never know, and we need to wait for that."