How a Mallow man ended up coaching future stars at the Rafa Nadal Academy

After spells teaching in Wesley College in Dublin and Gaelcholáiste Mhuire in Cork, Des Golden took a career break and ended up in Colombia, where he met his wife.

Rafael Nadal: ‘Of the top three or so he probably has the best capacity mentally, and it’s helped him. His surface is clay, and why? Because clay is a slower game, and it’s more of a slog of a fight, and of course that’s going to suit him with his attitude,’ says Des Golden. Picture: Getty Images

Des Golden is talking about what it’s like to share a gym with tennis icon Rafa Nadal when you call a halt.

How did a Mallow native end up teaching in Nadal’s tennis academy in the first place?