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Restless Rafa: The ticks, superstitions and quirks of Nadal

A compilation of the champion's numerous on-court habits.

ByNina Pantic

Published Dec 14, 2016

Rafael Nadal hasn't competed since he cut his season short in October, and the world is as restless as he is to see him return. It will be soon; he's scheduled for a three-day exhibition starting on December 29 in Abu Dhabi. His fans have missed his fighting spirit, fierce forehand and, of course, his many quirks.

Over the years, the King of Clay has shed his pirate pants and sleeveless tanks, but his on-court habits have remained firmly intact:

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Never change, Rafa. And he never will.

Earlier this year, GQ actually asked the 14-time Grand Slam champion about his most unusual on court habit (the one in which he picks at his shorts before every point). His answer: "I cannot change."