Did Rafael Nadal Date Shakira? Colombian Goddess’s Flirty Comment Landed Tennis Legend in Hot Waters
- Rafael Nadal starred in Shakira’s 'Gypsy' music video back in 2009.
- Shakira wanted someone adventurous, choosing Nadal for their shared spirit.
- Nadal brushed off romantic video scenes, claiming it’s just “part of the job.”
Back in 2009, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal got a call that would make any man’s heart race: Colombian pop queen Shakira wanted him to star in her music video for Gypsy (or Gitana in its Spanish version). Like, can you imagine?
The Spanish heartthrob and the Hips Don’t Lie goddess sharing some screen time? Cue the heart emojis! During the shoot, things got a little steamy. Shakira, with her sultry moves, knew how to keep it spicy.
However, Nadal, being the chill person he is, brushed off the drama. Seriously, when asked about the romantic mood in the video, he played it cool, saying it’s just ‘part of the job.’ No biggie, right? But here’s the catch: Shakira wanted someone who matched her adventurous spirit.
And who better than Nadal? A globetrotting tennis champ who’s all about chasing dreams. So, as they danced and acted their hearts out, the world couldn’t help but wonder—was there something more going on?
Shakira and Rafael Nadal’s Steamy Chemistry in Gypsy
Shakira described Gypsy as a metaphor for living life like a nomad. You know, always on the move, experiencing new cultures and adventures. It’s kind of her life story, and who better to join her on this journey than our boy Rafael Nadal?
When the singer was choosing her co-star, she wanted someone relatable, as she said in the behind-the-scenes video of Gypsy (Making of) on YouTube:
When I thought of including someone in this video, I wanted this person to be someone I felt identified with, someone who had traveled the world and had to fight many battles and give the best in himself to achieve something. So I thought of Rafael Nadal because he is also a person who started his career very, very young and pursued his own goals. Also, he’s very good looking.
Seriously, can you imagine the tennis legend with 22 Grand Slam wins and Shakira dancing around, having a blast? The chemistry was off the charts!
And while they were busy serving up some serious moves, fans were left wondering: Were they just acting, or was there a little flirtation in the air?
Rafael Nadal Called Working with Shakira ‘Something Different’
As the video wrapped up, the questions just kept coming. Even Rafael Nadal shared how working with Shakira was a fun and unique experience for him, which made everyone start wondering if there’s more going on behind the scenes. According to Tennis World USA, he stated:
This shoot is very different from all the others I’ve done in the past. I’ve done a lot of commercials, but doing something like this was completely different, and I really enjoyed it. Shakira was, as always, spectacular. It was a new experience, and of course, working with a woman as charming as Shakira, it makes it much easier to tell the truth. It was great, very easy, she’s really sweet and that always makes the hours go by faster.
Back then, Nadal was engaged to his now-wife, Maria Francisca Perello. This why interviewers couldn’t help but ask Nadal about his girlfriend’s thoughts on all those romantic scenes. His response? Classic Nadal. “No problem, that’s part of the job,” he said in an interview with Extra.
But let’s be honest. Who wouldn’t get a little jealous seeing their partner cozy up to Shakira? Nadal was all about the professionalism, though. He even mentioned how easy it was to work with her because she’s just so sweet. Aww, right?
As we fast forward to now, Nadal’s making headlines again. He’s officially retiring at the age of 22 from professional tennis after a legendary career. In a heartfelt video on X, he revealed that the last few years have been rough because of injuries.
He reflected on his amazing journey, saying everything good has to end. As the 38-year-old gets ready to retire in November, fans are celebrating his epic impact on tennis and all the unforgettable moments he gave us.
