Rafael Nadal admitted to feeling touched by seeing his "favourite sportsman" Tiger Woods return to glory on the grandest stage on Sunday.

Woods claimed a 15th major title with a sensational victory at the Masters, his one-shot success at Augusta affording him the opportunity to don the green jacket for a fifth time.

That triumph ended Woods' 11-year wait for a major championship – a hiatus that at one stage looked impossible for him to end due to a series of troublesome back injuries.

Nadal – himself a 17-time grand slam champion – knows a thing or two about returning from injury to prosper on the world stage, and the Spaniard paid tribute to Woods as he prepares to begin his campaign for a 12th Monte Carlo Masters crown.

"It is amazing. He is probably my favourite sportsman in the world since a long time ago," Nadal said.

"I know a little bit [about] how hard he has worked to be back. I was very emotional yesterday."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G So happy for #Tiger You deserve it. #believe #discipline #passionforsport #inspiration

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