Abdullah Shelbayh: Rafael Nadal's influence, from Jordan to the ATP Tour

In this episode, Sam Jacot sits down with Jordanian tennis player Abdullah Shelbayh, one of the most exciting young players on the ATP Challenger Tour, who has trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy since the age of 14.Shelbayh reflects on his journey from Jordan to Spain, explaining how Rafael Nadal and Toni Nadal helped shape his development, the advice he has received from Nadal over the years and what it has been like training alongside Carlos Alcaraz. He also discusses his experiences competing at ATP Tour events, winning Challenger titles and playing at the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals.The conversation also explores Shelbayh's path through college tennis, life at the Rafa Nadal Academy and the realities of building a career on the professional Tour. 🎙️ Our background episode & our special in-focus 20th episode are in this feed if you’d like to learn more about who we are and why we created Tales from Tennis.Episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe now. 📲Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesfromtennis/X: https://x.com/TalesFromTennisThe podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endorsed by the ATP.