Intro:

Prior to his participation in the Monte Carlo Masters, Tennis star Rafael Nadal took some time to play a one-on-one poker game against Vanessa Selbst on Friday

The challenge followed on from Nadal's victory in a charity poker tournament last year, in which he beat legendary Brazilian footballer Ronaldo and one of the word's most renowned poker players in Canada's Daniel Negreanu.

Nadal described the opportunity to play a game against Selbst as a great honour, but was modest about his own poker skills.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) : Rafael Nadal, tennis player (on playing poker compared to tennis):

"Well, for me, at the end, it's a different story. Here I was playing a little bit for fun at the end, I was playing with one of the best players in the world and it was a big honour for me to play here with you (Selbst) and I had some fun. I know that I am not yet used to it enough to play heads-up, you know, I need to keep working on the heads-up, but I am trying to be better and better and to know when to be a bit more aware when I have to go or not."

Rafael Nadal, tennis player (on whether he's more aggressive on the tennis court or at the poker table):

"When I don't get scared, I try to be on the tennis court."

Rafael Nadal, tennis player (on what he needs to improve on after this game):

"Almost everything."

Rafael Nadal, tennis player (on whether he thinks there's a connection between tennis and poker):

"Always there's a connection, both sports you need to be under self control all the time you need to control your emotions. So all these things, if you are not able to be in a good mentality or positive mentality you will not be able to win, no way."