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Rafa Nadal defeats Will Smith in electric race boat championship© Getty Images

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Rafa Nadal defeats Will Smith in electric race boat championship

Smith shared a video conceding the victory and praising Nadal


Maria Loreto
Senior Writer
MARCH 18, 2025 6:38 PM EDT

Rafael Nadal's e1 series raceboat team has won its first UIM E1 World Championship. The team, made up of Spaniard Cris Lazarraga and Frenchman Tom Chiappe, defeated a roster of racers representing personalities like Will Smith, Steve Aoki, Marc Anthony, Tom Brady, and more. 

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Smith, who's the face of the team Westbrook Racing, was featured in a video where he's seen praising Nadal and being happy for his win. 

"Good one," said Smith. "I'm cool with Rafa," he said. 

"I wouldn't have been able to handle it if Brady won," he continued, referencing his longtime sports rival.

Smith has long had a joking relationship with Brady, who played for the New England Patriots. "I FaceTimed with Tom Brady just before the race and told him my entire childhood was spent with him beating my team, and I was like, it's not going to happen out here today," said Smith last year, when he defeated Brady's team at the UIM E1 World Championship. 

This marks Nadal's first win in the raceboat championship, a tournament that kicked off fairly recently© Getty Images
This marks Nadal's first win in the raceboat championship, a tournament that kicked off fairly recently

That year, Smith shared a celebratory post on his Instagram, with Brady congratulating him on his win. "Until the next time," he wrote. "I'm happy for you! Enjoy it while it lasts because we are coming for ur a$$." 

Smith is from Philadelphia and has been one of the biggest fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that has lost some Super Bowls and important matches to the Patriots. 

Will Smith's team won the championship last year© Getty Images
Will Smith's team won the championship last year

More details about Nadal's racing team

This marked Nadal's first win at the UIM E1 World Championship, an exciting moment for everyone involved. The title propels Nadal's team to the top of the championship standings.

Nadal shared Smith's video on his Instagram story, adding some crying laughing emojis and writing, "Good luck in the next E1 Series race!" 

He also shared a post congratulating his team for the win. "Last August we celebrated together the second position of e1teamrafa at Lago di Como," he wrote on Instagram. 

"We set ourselves the goal of winning an e1series event soon... And you did it today in Doha! Congratulations to the whole team for a great success! The first of many! What a great weekend." 

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