ATP Barcellona: Tributo all’arbitro Carlos Bernardes per la sua ultima stagione

If in the field the show offered is up to the prestigious ATP in Barcelona, this year’s edition of the tournament also offered many emotional moments. This year’s Open Sabadell was marked by “me despido”, a farewell that in the life of a sportsman is impossible to postpone beyond a certain limit. Not only Rafael Nadal, who, after twelve victories and the central court named after him, had the opportunity to bid farewell to the public of Catalonia amidst general emotion. The other farewell in question comes from someone who has not always had an idyllic relationship with the Mallorcan: the chair umpire Carlos Bernardes. The Brazilian referee – who has not officiated Rafa’s matches for almost a year after a quarrel dating back to 2015 – had announced in February that the current season would be his last.

For Rafa Nadal it was with Alex de Minaur, the last dance for Carlos Bernardes in Barcelona was the match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Facundo Diaz Acosta. After the Greek’s victory clinched a spot in the semifinals, it was time for thunderous applause, those reserved by the Catalan spectators for the referee, with the visibly emotional Brazilian. With a celebratory ceremony, the tournament organization paid tribute to a professional who, after 35 years of an honorable career, will call it quits and bid farewell to the circuit.