Del Potro, Nadal, Murray … The world of tennis also salutes the memory of Maradona

“It’s one of those days we wouldn’t want to see happen. The whole world is sad. Today (Wednesday), you find Heaven, a place to which you belong. For me you will never die, friend. You will always be in my heart. I kiss yours. Rest in peace.” The words are simple and sincere. These are those of Juan Martin del Potro in tribute to his compatriot Diego Maradona, who died at the age of 60 on Wednesday. The “Tour de Tandil” is one of the many personalities in the tennis world to have expressed their emotion on social networks in the hours following the announcement of the news.

Argentinian like the legendary number 10, Del Potro had forged special links with Maradona. Four years ago, the latter made the trip to Zagreb to attend the coronation of his country against Croatia in the final of the Davis Cup. A historic moment in Argentine sport, one more, in which he had indirectly taken part, shouting with his characteristic enthusiasm in the stands. But on the court, it was Del Potro who had been the major player, winning his two singles. At the end of his triumph, he had also offered his racket to the “Pibe de Oro”, an indelible memory.

The grief was also particularly intense for Diego Schwartzman. The 9th player in the world, who took part in his first Masters a few days ago, admitted with a certain humor on this occasion that his first name had been chosen by his parents to “98 %” in reference to Maradona. “I love you forever, God“, he tweeted, mixing the famous” 10 “with the word” Dios “in Spanish. Still among the compatriots of the genius, Guillermo Vilas also showed his affection, just like Gabriela Sabatini who published a photo of ‘she in the company of Maradona accompanied by the following message: “There are no words to describe this moment, absolute sadness. For me you will be eternal.”

And expressions of affection have of course crossed borders. The two best players in the world Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic went there with theirs. Very sober for the Serbian who greeted “the legend“, a little more supported for the Spaniard who considered that Maradona left” a void “and that he was”one of the greatest sportsmen in history“Andy Murray stood out, as often, by his humor, telling on Instagram his only meeting with the 1986 world champion.

“I had the chance to meet him once at the O2 Arena in London (during the Masters 2010, Editor’s note). He had just come to see tennis, and he spoke to me in Spanish for two minutes with incredible energy, passion and expressiveness … Unfortunately, I hardly understood anything but it didn’t seem to have any effect. importance. He was very small in size, but had an unusual personality with a lot of charisma.“, wrote the Scotsman.

Before highlighting the generosity and humanity of Maradona. “The next day, I was given an Argentinian jersey that he had dedicated to me and which you can see in the second photo. It read: ‘To my friend Andy, with all my love and hope that you will soon become world number 1.’ ‘Number 1’ were the only words I had caught in our conversation. ” A wonderful wink for Murray who will never forget it. This is the strength of a legend: its universality.