Rafael Nadal He returned this Thursday in style to the Caja Mágica, in front of his audience, in one of the most emotional afternoons of his career. One of the last on the capital’s clay court that has seen him lift the Mutua Madrid Open trophy to the sky on five occasions and that he was able to enjoy his star once again, the penultimate one.
It was not a day of tennis, since little play was seen on the center court since the match prior to Rafa’s. A constant rumor bounced off the walls of the center court Manolo Santana during Coco Gauff – Arantxa Rus, a kind of tension shared by all the souls that progressively populated the stands.
Before the warm-up the track reached its full capacity, although many waited to sit in their seats to get the best shot of Rafa Nadal. His departure caused collective hysteria, exalted by the roar of the mythical melody of Pirates of the Caribbean. It seemed like a championship point celebration, but no, it was more than thatwas the celebration of the 12,500 people blessed with the fortune of being able to see the champion of 22 Grand Slams again live, before their eyes.
The sporting moment of both players turned the date into one of the most important days of their lives. Darwin Blanch, barely 16 years old, debuted in a Masters 1,000 against the local idol. Opposite, Rafa appeared before a stand immersed in a dream, in a sea of memories. She also did it in front of his entire family, among them his little one, Rafa Jr.
The desire to celebrate once again with Rafa, contained in each and every one of those present, was released early in the first point. The absolute and shocking silence prior to his first serve was broken by a detonation of joy. The judge did not intone the usual ‘game, set and match’Of course, the party had only just begun.
The scoreboard began to roll quickly in favor of the Balearic Islands and calm settled among all those sure of being able to see Rafa once again on Saturday. However, despite the low competitive tension, no one wanted to miss a single exchange of the duel between the young apprentice and the king of the clay.
“Rafa, thank you very much for being in Madrid!”was heard from the stands in a sincere intonation applauded by the rest of those present in a gesture of gratitude for the Balearic Islands’ effort. “If it wasn’t Madrid, I wouldn’t play”he even said just 24 hours before giving his people one more hour of tennis.
The game only matters on an emotional level
Blanch also had his recognition on the specific occasions in which he gave free rein to his audacity to settle points with direct serves and with dry blows. “Bravo”Rafa even said several times towards his rival in a gesture of appreciation.
It was barely an hour of tennis for Rafa against a rival “with a lot of potential”, but “little experience”, yes, just over sixty minutes of play that expanded everyone’s enthusiasm. 48 more hours until next Saturday afternoon.
Álex de Minaur awaits him, his executioner last week the last time Rafa Nadal jumped onto the Court of the Conde de Godó Trophy, and although he assured that “it would be surprising to win” the Australian, wanted to downplay all importance of the result to show his people the excitement of competing again. “The only thing that matters to me about the game is on an emotional level.“If I win, I play one more day here,” said a man who will once again see the Manolo Santana Court full of banners, flags and fans willing to raise their fists with him at each of his points.
