London, Feb 25 - Shakira says she decided to cast Rafael Nadal opposite her in a new music video because she "identifies" with the Spanish tennis star.

The 33-year-old Colombian singer sparked romance rumours with Nadal when both of them were snapped meeting shortly before they filmed a racy promo for Shakira's new track Gypsy.

Nadal's rep rubbished the rumours earlier this month and now Shakira has opened up about her relationship with him.

"I thought that maybe I needed someone (in the video) I could in some way identify with. And Rafael Nadal is a person who has been totally committed to his career since he was very young, since he was 17, I believe," the Daily Star quoted Shakira, as saying.

She added: "(The song represents my) way of living and seeing life. I've been on the road since I was very young, so that's where the gypsy metaphor comes from." (ANI)