It’s been a week since Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open on a wounded knee, but the victory is still reverberating around the sports world. As Wimbledon gets underway today, Rafael Nadal is telling the world that he’s in awe of Woods and wants that type of intensity and focus as he tries to unseat Roger Federer as champion of the London grass court. Well, of course he wants that kind of drive—he’s not going to get it from buddy Pau Gasol, right? He wants winning inspiration.

“I like a lot his mentality. I like a lot his eyes when he’s going to have the important shot. He always plays with unbelievable determination in important moments,” Nadal told a news conference at Wimbledon on Saturday before the championships start on Monday.

Nadal, who had four days relaxing, fishing and playing golf after his Queen’s victory, said he knew how difficult it was playing through pain as Woods had done before winning in a playoff.

“It’s unbelievable winning the U.S. Open like this,” the 22-year-old Spaniard said. “Only Tiger can do this.”

You know who else he should check and see if they can win a major on one knee? Roger Federer. We’re not saying he should go a pull a Tonya Harding, but…

Nadal inspired by Tiger Woods [Reuters]
Image [Reuters]