They’re about to compete in the US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the calendar year.
But Rafa Nadal, 31, and Venus Williams, 37, swapped tennis for badminton on Thursday night – and found that their skills on the smaller court left a lot to be desired despite being two of the best tennis players in the world.
Inappropriately dressed for the friendly match at The Lotte New York Palace Invitational in New York City ahead of the start of the US Open on Monday, the athletic stars both flopped to the ground as they took part in poor rallies and failed to impress the bemused crowd.
Williams flopped to the ground in exasperation after fudging a return in a rally against Rafa Nadal in a friendly badminton match at The Lotte New York Palace Invitational in New York City on Thursday night
Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams were not appropriately dressed for the match but had a go anyway to the delight of the crowd
The pair were not dressed for the occasion.
Williams showed off her long legs in a black romper, with a pattern of pink and yellow flowers.
She accessorised with brown leather sandals, gold hoop earrings, a thin gold headband and a simple silver necklace.
Nadal meanwhile looked smart in a crisp white shirt and navy blue jeans, which he teamed with dark suede loafers.
Nadal fell to the ground as he attempted a dramatic diving return – which didn’t work out too well
The pair were seen laughing and joking together at the event, despite competing against each other that evening
The crowd cheered as they watched the two stars of the tennis world do battle
Williams laughed and joked throughout the friendly match against Nadal, which neither took very seriously
They were certainly not dressed in their usual tennis gear, which would have been slightly more fitting for a game of badminton.
But the crowd laughed and cheered on the two stars, who competed enthusiastically against each other.
Williams flopped to the ground in exasperation at one stage as she messed up a rally, leaving Nadal to pick up points.
Williams lay on the ground in frustration after messing up a rally against Nadal on the badminton court
The pair cut a dashing figure as they posed for photos at The Lotte New York Palace Invitational 2017
Venus demonstrated that she is better suited to the world of tennis than badminton on the court. Neither Nadal or Williams took themselves too seriously though
Venus dazzled in her playful black and floral romper, which she teamed with brown leather sandals and gold accessories
Venus looked as if she was thoroughly enjoying herself as she played a match of badminton against Rafa Nadal
But Rafa, who goes into the US Open as the world number one seed, hardly fared better too and was also seen lying on the floor after fudging a dramatic diving return.
The pair were seen laughing and joking together after the match with the stars not letting their competitive streaks get in the way of their friendship.
It comes as the stars of the tennis world prepare for the US Open on Monday.
Nadal will be looking to sail to victory in the US Open when play begins on Monday, as several of his rivals – including Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka – have withdrawn due to injury, while Roger Federer and Andy Murray are both nursing injuries.
Maria Sharapova poses for pictures in a revealing sky blue dress with a dramatic plunging neckline
Maria Sharapova laughed as she posed for promotional pictures ahead of her entry in the US Open on Monday
Sharapova joined US tennis star and number 16 seed Madison Keys (left) at a gala on a rooftop days before the US Open
World number 11 seed Venus will also be looking to capitulate after her loss to Garbiñe Muguruza in the Wimbledon women’s final.
The US Open also marks the first Grand Slam tournament for Russian former world number one Maria Sharapova, 30, following her suspension for doping offences.
She was originally suspended for two years after testing positive for heart and blood-boosting drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, but it was reduced on appeal.
She enters the US Open as a wild card.
Sharapova says she has ‘missed’ tennis and says her passion for the game has only ‘grown stronger,’ she wrote on the Players’ Tribune website.