Masters champ Jon Rahm reveals a message from Rafael Nadal nearly floored him

Jon Rahm’s inbox was flooded with messages of congratulations after his Masters triumph but one stood out among them all.

Masters champ Jon Rahm was flooded with messages of congratulations after his triumph at Augusta last weekend but one stood out above them all.

There was a strong Spanish link to Rahm’s victory, which came on the 40th anniversary of countryman Seve Ballesteros’ second win, and what would have been his birthday.

That link continued with tennis legend Rafael Nadal reaching out to his fellow Spaniard, leaving a message which left Rahm beaming.

“The one I was thrilled to hear from, Rafael Nadal left me a very nice voice message,” Rahm said ahead to teeing up again at the RSM Classic this week in South Carolina.

“I’ve seen him do unbelievable things, and I’ve texted him every time. He left me a very nice message.”

Enhorabuena campeón, enhorabuena MAESTRO! Una vez más has demostrado lo GRANDE que eres!!!! @JonRahmpgapic.twitter.com/rg5yCXQVq7

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 9, 2023

Rahm said he battled to sleep after his final day victory in which he took the lead from Brooks Koepka early on Sunday and never gave it up.

After an incredibly tiring week, which included rain delays and a painfully slow last round, Rahm said he considered not playing again straight away, but felt an obligation to go again.

“It (not playing) did cross my mind. It did cross my mind, but I made a commitment earlier in the year, and I want to honour that commitment,” he said.

“I put myself in the shoes of not only the spectators, but the kids as well. If I was one of the kids, I would want to see the recent Masters champion play good or bad, just want to be there.

“I still intend to hopefully do the jacket double and taking this one home. Obviously I think it would have crossed anybody’s because I was so tired.

“I slept terrible. Night after wins, I don‘t know if it’s the adrenaline or whatever it is, I’ve never been able to sleep good at all. The next night, Monday night, I slept great and still woke up tired.

“It‘s getting better every day. It was a very demanding week, a lot going on with the weather and a lot of fighting and a lot of work mentally obviously. So it’s going to take a little bit to get to a good spot, but I’m feeling good.”

Masters champ Jon Rahm is back to work in South Carolina. Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP

Rahm said he’d already given plenty of thought to his title defence, but mainly around the champions dinner, for which he’ll get to set the menu.

“I think this is the part of the week that I’ve given the most amount of thought already,” he said.

“I don‘t know exactly. Chef Jose Andres is a really good friend of mine, so I’ll be working with him. I also want to talk to Ollie, because we’re from the same part of Spain, to see what he did in his dinner, see if I can go a different route.

“I think I have one of the appetizers down, which would be jambon, Spanish ham, the dessert, which I won‘t be disclosing, and the wine. Everything in between is still up in the air.

“But those three things, I think I have down for now.”