Rafael Nadal usually has neither the time nor the inclination to hero-worship but he bends his own rules when it comes to Rory McIlroy.

Defending Wimbledon champion Nadal has been gripped by the young Northern Irishman's scintillating golf at this year's Masters and US Open.

There are undoubted parallels between the pair: their emergence as teenage prodigies, their unshakeable effervescence and modesty under the glare of worldwide attention, and their capacity to shape the future of their respective sports.

Nadal is 25, McIlroy just turned 22, and while one has 10 grand slams and the other is setting out on a path likely to lead to greatness, there is enormous mutual respect.

When they met at Flushing Meadows during last year's tennis US Open, McIlroy described Nadal as "a great role model for me", and the pair made a tentative date to play St Andrews.

Nadal has watched on in awe as McIlroy broke records at the US Open, and said: "What he's been doing is really something unbelievable.

"I met him in New York last year. I love golf. I follow the tour almost every week. Seriously, I love watching Rory.

"He's probably got one of the nicest swings in the world, if not the nicest. It's been fantastic to watch what he's been doing in this tournament."

Nadal has no doubt McIlroy "deserves" a major in his bag.

The Spaniard said: "In my opinion, right now he's playing at a different level to the rest. So for sure he is an inspiration. I admire him a lot."

If Nadal gets his wish, and if he is still in the tournament, he is expected to ask McIlroy to watch a match of his at Wimbledon later in the tournament.

But while Andy Murray has taken inspiration from a conversation with Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid's former Chelsea manager, Nadal is less likely to be overly impressed by fellow sportsmen.

"I never had idols," he said. "I love sport in general. For me sport in general is the inspiration.

"Watching sport on TV or live is something special for me. I love to do it.

"When you see some emotional moments on the TV in different events around the world, tough situations, that's inspiration, no? And to just have the chance to experience one of these moments in my sport, in tennis, that's something really, really exciting for me.

"My inspiration comes every day. I love to play big matches. I love to play in big stadiums like here, historic stadiums like Wimbledon. Tomorrow I start by playing the first match of the tournament on Centre Court; for me it's a dream.

"Seriously, that's my inspiration, trying to live these moments."

Awaiting Nadal in the Centre Court opener tomorrow is Michael Russell, a 33-year-old who has never taken on the world number one before. In all probability it will be a chastening experience for the 5ft 8ins American, given Nadal has not lost at Wimbledon since the 2007 final.

Nadal triumphed in 2008, famously, against Roger Federer; in 2009 he missed the tournament through injury; and last year he returned to reclaim his crown with victory in the final over Tomas Berdych.

Nadal looked refreshed today, having taken a short break at home in Majorca following his quarter-final defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Queen's Club. In that time, he reported, he played "two fantastic rounds of golf" and allowed himself a day to party with the friends he rarely gets to see.

"I hadn't spent a weekend at home since the Davis Cup match against Belgium in February, so I needed it," Nadal said.

"I enjoyed it a lot. On Monday I started to practise. Tuesday, too. By Wednesday I was here practising in the afternoon."

Federer, Murray and Novak Djokovic all remarked on Saturday on the strength of the top four in the men's seedings, comprising themselves and number one Nadal.

Nadal sees great strengths in the other three, describing Djokovic's season as "fantastic", Federer's as "very good", and saying of Murray: "He had a very good start in Australia; after that he had one month which was probably a little bit tough for him, because after losing the final of Australia there were tough moments for him maybe.

"But he had a fantastic clay court season, and he arrived at Queen's and he won the tournament."

But the destiny of the men's title is again in Nadal's hands. Providing he performs to the limit of his ability, he should triumph for a third time.

"It's always going to be a big challenge," Nadal said. "But I love to play on grass. I love to play in this fabulous place. I am excited to be back here."