'Just checking in' - Tennis icon Rafael Nadal reveals old foe Andy Murray messaged him 'one second' after Real Madrid's heartbreaking Champions League loss to Arsenal in April

Just as Madrid fan Nadal was left reeling after his side's Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal in April, the 'King of Clay' received a message from his old tennis rival Murray - who supports the Gunners. The Spaniard felt the Scot's message about "checking in" on him was a sign of compassion, but really, it was the two-time Wimbledon champion just poking fun at him.

He told reporters: "My good friend Andy, we were not in touch for a while. The day that Arsenal beat Real Madrid, when the match just finished, after one second, he texted me a message. He told me... no I am going to read it: 'Hey Rafa, haven't spoken to you in a while. Just checking in to make sure you are OK.' Honestly, it took me five seconds to realise what I was reading because at the beginning, I said OK, he's such a nice guy, he's asking me how I'm doing, and my family. But after five seconds... always British, British sense of humour. By the way, I didn't text him back when Inter [Milan] beat Arsenal."

Nadal and Murray were fierce rivals during their glittering tennis careers but it is clear they are now on good terms now that they have hung up their racquets. The former won 22 grand slams and the latter won three of his own, but on this occasion, Murray had the upper hand.

If Arsenal and Madrid face off against one another next season in the Champions League, perhaps texts will be exchanged between Murray and Nadal again.