Nadal è sconfitto a terra, Errani firma l’impresa più bella. Madrid dimostra forza e velocità come Sinner. Anno di prime volte, ritornano Sara e Lucia. L’ossessione del giovane Sinner continua.

Nadal’s downfall (Filippo Maria Ricci, La Gazzetta dello Sport)

On Sunday night, Rafa Nadal was at the Bernabeu to watch his Madrid team play against Barcelona. It was a great Clasico for him, with Ancelotti’s team winning 3-2 and clinching the Liga title. That night saw the largest age gap in the history of Madrid-Barça matches: 21 years and 307 days between the 38-year-old Luka Modric and the 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. Today, at the Manolo Santana clay court at the Caja Magica in Madrid, we will witness a similar mismatch: almost 38-year-old Rafa Nadal facing 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch. Like Yamal in 2007, they have an age gap of 21 years and 117 days. Blanch will have to face the full force of the Manolo Santana court without mercy. The legendary Nadal is crumbling under the weight of his career, exposed too long to the elements and now full of cracks. “If we were at Roland Garros, I wouldn’t take to the court,” the Mallorcan said with great honesty in a emotional press conference. “I have decided to play here just for sentimental reasons, as the people here have treated me so well. This will be my last time. I know that people have seen me come back from injuries so many times that they almost don’t believe it anymore, or hope for another comeback. But it won’t happen this time.” He admits it with a lump in his throat. This is a tournament he has won five times, a place that has helped him grow. “I don’t expect any tributes, I am the one who should thank these people who have supported me so many times to overcome obstacles,” he said affectionately, gratefully, and emotionally. And hurt: “The last week of training has shown me some positive things, and others not. The serve has improved, other aspects of the game have not. Let’s be honest: I am not able to compete at 100%. And you know me, I don’t want to deceive anyone: if I can’t give my all on the court, I feel bad.” […] The competitive drive that has pushed Rafa beyond pain on many occasions is still alive: “I said I felt bad, just like I did in the second set in Barcelona against De Minaur, when I saw myself giving up without being able to resist. I wasn’t happy at all.” This was last week and his return to the court at his Godó tournament, which he has won 12 times, after over 100 days of absence. The victory against Cobolli with a half-served first serve and the loss the next day to the Australian in Spain. Rafa has played 3 matches in 2023 and 5 in 2024. His body cries, despairs, limits him. Yesterday he held back his tears and today on the center court he will have to continue holding them back: first physically and then emotionally. “I don’t want to jeopardize the work I am doing to get to Paris.” […] It won’t be easy for him. Just like for his loyal fans. In Barcelona, we saw in real time the evolution of the battle cry that has accompanied him in his endless career: the traditional “Vamos Rafa!” at the Pedralbes club was purely defensive support, urging him not to give up rather than to attack the opponent as before. What we have seen these days is a Rafa struggling between melancholy and anger: the passing time and the battered body that doesn’t respond. “Let’s see what happens in the next three weeks: the goal is to get to Roland Garros. If I can, great. And if not, well, that’s ok too. I will only play if I feel I can compete at my best, otherwise it’s pointless. Besides, the world doesn’t end there: then there are the Olympics and other competitions of different formats that are interesting.” He is referring to the Laver Cup. But one cannot look too far into the future. And Rafa is the first to know this. Yes, life goes on, but for the warrior of Manacor, this is a time of great suffering. But since he is not used to hiding, today Rata will offer his battered body as a tribute to the public. Ready to be pierced by the arrows of a healthy fish like a boy who could be his son. “Con todos ustedes…” the Madridi…