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Exclusive Interview with Rafael Nadal
By Serafin Gómez
Published March 23, 2011
Fox News Latino

MIAMI- Spanish champion Rafael Nadal is one of the best tennis players to ever play the game. Only 24, the No. 1 ranked player in the world has broken many professional records including an accomplishment that typified his already storied career.


In 2010, Nadal became only the second player in history to reach a Career Golden Slam, by achieving wins in four career Grand Slams and the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008. Nadal's appeal has transcended from being the new face of tennis to an elite realm of global athlete, like the NBA's Lebron James, whose fan base stretches throughout the world, including the United States, and Latin America.


On Tuesday, at a high-profile event in Miami, international spirits-maker Bacardi Limited announced that the 9-time Grand Slam Singles champion is their newest ambassador for their initiative to promote responsible drinking, especially among younger consumers, who make up the majority of Nadal's millions of followers on social media sites like Facebook.

"It is a very important social campaign for young people. It is an honor for me to promote this message around the world. Young people must know how to get back home safely after they go out if alcohol is part of the plan. You have to drink more quality over quantity," Nadal said about Bacardi's "Champions Drink Responsibly" campaign, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Latino. "I love to go out with friends and family and enjoy the evening and the night. Alcohol is part of this, no? But the important thing, I think, is drink responsibly. "
"And you can have both things in life. Your work, be very professional and you can go out and enjoy the party, and drink alcohol, but responsibly – always,"

Bacardi initially launched their program with Formula Race Car champion Michael Schumacher, who while huge internationally is not as recognized within the United States, and in Latin America. With Nadal, Bacardi is looking to not only implement a wide global imprint but to make an impression with American and Latin American consumers.

"Rafa is universally liked. He is highly respected, and he is a role model for people of all ages in a sport that has reached across many countries,” said Seamus McBride, chief executive officer of Bacardi Limited. "We are creating a campaign that has universal appeal with Rafa leading it for us."
"He has a huge profile here in the U.S., a profile that we think will continue to grow. So we will overlay Rafa's campaign in the U.S. as well as 35 to 40 other countries around the world, " McBride said.

As the Sony Ericsson ATP Tournament gets underway in Key Biscayne, Fla., we also asked Nadal what he thought about his prospects for the 2011 season.