'Greatness recognises greatess': Tiger Woods goes nuts watching Rafael Nadal
Tiger Woods has sent fans into a meltdown at the US Open after sending Rafael Nadal his support with his famous fist pump in the Round of 16.
Nadal was in tight battle with No.22 seed Marin Cilic at one-set a piece when the Spaniard somehow returned two smashes and hit a trademark counter backhand across court to set up three break points.
‘WHAT IS GOING ON’: Disbelief over 'crazy' 51-year first at US Open
The Spaniard pumped the crowd up with a typical fist-pump, which had everyone in Arthur Ashe Arena on their feet.
This included a fired up Woods who jumped up in his chair to applaud.
But as the cameras lingered on the golfing legend he let rip his own trademark fist pump to congratulate Nadal.
The countless reactions of Woods recognising Nadal’s athleticism throughout the match had fans going wild, with the PGA Tour tweeting “greatness recognises greatness.”
🐯 @TigerWoods 💪
😈 @RafaelNadal 💪
Electrifying...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/GqyG8aDD7C— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2019
Tiger Woods is all of us today. #USOpen
— Athul (@athulpkrishnan) September 3, 2019
Rafa's tennis is @TigerWoods approved 👏
🎥: @usopen | @RafaelNadal | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/2htFYKC4yD— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) September 3, 2019
Seeing @TigerWoods jumping around for Nadal is pretty fun.
— Joe Posnanski (@JPosnanski) September 3, 2019
Two legends @RafaelNadal @TigerWoods https://t.co/rLaXLaRd7D
— Shubham Thakur (@tthakur_shubham) September 3, 2019
I’ve never seen a celebrity more invested in a #USOpen match than Tiger Woods is for Nadal tonight
— Rohan Jacob (@Rohan_Jacob267) September 3, 2019
Tiger Woods fist pumping after a Rafael Nadal point is the content I didn’t know I needed. 💪🐅 pic.twitter.com/9FKhRwTTiT
— Greg Kuffner (@CallMeGreg4) September 3, 2019
‘Huge honour’: Nadal applauds Woods
Following the four-set victory, Nadal thanked Woods in his post-match interview for coming along and supporting him.
“I think it is a huge honour, playing in front of this crowd, but also playing in front of Tiger is very special,” he said.
“Its a big pleasure to have him here supporting.
“I want to congratulate him on one of the greatest ever comebacks in sport winning The Masters this year.”
Nadal will face Diego Schwartzman in the US Open Quarter-Final.