How Sulzberg's Nadal painting came to life

When artist Bruce Sulzberg set out on painting Rafael Nadal, he was hoping to get five minutes of his agent's time. The story behind "VAMOS!" would turn into a memorable one with Sulzberg dragging thousands of dollars of art around Spain in the hopes of gaining Nadal's approval for the project.

Not only would agent Carlos Costa agree to a meeting in Barcelona, he would  also set up a chance for Sulzberg to pitch to Nadal in Madrid.

"I don’t get nervous by the way—at this point in time I’ve met so may famous people, I’m very fortunate I have," Sulzberg said on the TENNIS.com Podcast. "But I will say I was a nervous wreck right before [Nadal] came in… He couldn't have been more courteous and so nice and lovely in person."

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His art choices are not just a matter of who inspires or pays him. Sulzberg needed Nadal to agree to let him paint his likeness and the 19-time Grand Slam champion even selected the photo, which is from his 2014 Roland Garros victory.

The VAMOS! painting was signed by both Nadal and Sulzberg.

Sulzberg was an art prodigy at a very young age but also grew up playing tennis, and admiring Andre Agassi and Nadal. His art form is unique as he layers glass to create a 3D effect, and it is a painstakingly slow process.

"My technique is I paint with a paintbrush the size of a pinhead, that’s how I get that detail," Sulzberg said. "So it’s a very complicated process. My paintings take a long time. Basically the size of a tennis ball that’s about as much paint as I get done in a day."

Bruce Sulzberg (second from right) with Rafael Nadal and the "VAMOS!" painting.

Sulzberg has been bringing pro athletes to life including Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Prince Fielder and Dirk Nowitzki with Nadal becoming his first big foray into tennis.