Tennis is an exhilarating individual quest. Although the top tennis players will have a solid team around them, preparing them for their most significant moments, ultimately, their performance alone is the difference between glory and failure. Failure might be a strong word when the margins are so delicate at the elite level of the sport.
Professional sportspeople often like to unwind in casinos. Many have been pictured at the tables of some of the most prominent establishments worldwide in Monaco and Las Vegas. Plenty of these high rollers also enjoy online table games, as you can often find just as many blackjack and roulette tables.
Many gamblers prefer to play online as you can usually take advantage of more promotional bonuses and welcome codes, with the same level of table games to choose from compared to a land-based casino. Today we will look at the tennis stars who spend more time in the casino and the risk-takers who like to add a bit of adrenaline and excitement as a side project to their thrill-seeking antics out on the tennis court.
While this can boil over into problem gambling as it did for Jimmy Connors, which is something always to be aware of to ensure you gamble responsibly, ensuring you set time and deposit limits will ensure you keep your experience as fun as possible.
Rafael Nadal
As a man who needs no introduction to tennis fans or sports fans, the legendary Spaniard is undoubtedly the greatest clay court player ever. You could argue that he is the greatest player in the game's history, alongside his iconic adversaries Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Nadal is heading toward the twilight of his career, and his invincibility aura is slipping, but there's no disputing what he has achieved throughout his glittering career.
Many of you might not know that he is an avid poker player – and he has been spotted several times frequenting high-roller games. He seems to be a man of many talents. In 2012, he won a poker tournament and donated his 6-figure winning sum to charity, a mark of the man. Is there anything he can't do?
With his ferocious approach to tennis and his exciting style, it might not come as that much of a shock that he enjoys testing himself against some of the world's best players. However, many of the world's top athletes get to the zenith of their sport because of their incredible drive to will – which Rafael Nadal has exhibited on the tennis court and while playing poker.
Boris Becker
Another tennis legend and still the youngest Wimbledon men's singles champion, Boris Becker, has had a turbulent time during his retirement. However, one of his favorite hobbies is to take to the poker tables and try his hand against players worldwide. He has been known to participate in poker games both online and in physical casinos.
The charismatic German has opened a new chapter in his life following his release from prison, but given his love for poker, he will likely continue playing in his retirement. Who knows, maybe one day he could face off against Nadal in a Legends game.
Other Players Who Enjoy Playing in The Casino
Tennis stars are some of the biggest sportspeople on the planet, many have net worths that stray into the tens of millions of dollars, and they like to ensure that their private life is kept out of the baying eye of the press and eager fans. Many players who have appeared in the top 10 have been spotted in casinos over the years, and much like any other profession or walk of life, there's a percentage who enjoy casino games like poker.
Some players like to keep their gambling antics closer to their chest, as some view it as a negative image. However, as Nadal has proved, you can partake in these games without going overboard and enjoying them at face value without spending too much time or money while playing.
Conclusion
There seems to be a correlation between exciting and thunderous players on the court and those with a dynamic approach to their activities outside of tennis. It may be symptomatic of their overall persona. For some players, taking risks and injecting some excitement into their personality on and off the court keeps them feeling alive.
Sometimes the most significant risk-takers and the biggest dreamers seek to defy logic and reach further than the average person can imagine. This can work as a big bonus at top-level, elite sports. However, there needs to be a more cautious approach when taking risks at the poker table. Players can come unstuck when they realize they might not have the same natural ability to escape a sticky situation while playing poker or another casino game as they do on the tennis court.
