Wimbledon. “I never felt anything like it”: Francisco Cerúndolo, the ovation in the Cathedral of tennis and the congratulations of Rafael Nadal

Regardless of what the result indicates, there is no painful defeat when the Versaillesque public that attends the central court of Wimbledon judge a performance with a standing ovation and a living legend like Rafael Nadal he greets his loser with applause and a “I congratulate you.” Francisco Cerúndolo (41st in the ATP ranking) He was wrapped in a whirlwind of emotions after losing in four sets (6-4, 6-3. 3-6 and 6-4) against the Spanish for the first round of the third Grand Slam of the year.

At the age of 23, Cerúndolo’s career met in the same day with a series of unforgettable baptisms: debut at Wimbledon, no less than in the main stadium of the Cathedral, and with Nadal, the owner of 22 Grand Slams, two of them in the All England, on the other side of the net. Little more than an hour had passed since the match and the Argentine tennis player continued with high palpitations: “I’m still a bit angry because I was left with a little desire to play a fifth set. I had a lot of chances in the fourth, the truth is that I was playing great tennis. Oh well, I’m still not down, it’s my first Wimbledon, center court, playing against Rafa. I made a great game, I’m going with that. With the expectation that I can play at that level. Hopefully I can keep doing it.”

It was a match that had been occupying his mind and sensations for days: “Since the draw was known and I knew I was going to play with Nadal, I was very anxious. He wanted the day to come. And today yes, already before the match I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what the court was like, how the atmosphere was going to feel. But since I stepped on the court I felt comfortable, my nerves went down. That was very good. I played quite naturally from the first to the last point.”

In the final greeting, Nadal had words that stuck with Cerúndolo: “He congratulated me, he told me that I had made a great game, to continue with my tennis. I also congratulated him for everything he is and I wished him all the luck for his future”. The ending also left him shaken: “When I left the court I felt a tremendous ovation, never anything like it. After a loss, see Rafa applauding me It makes me very happy and excited. It is the best thing that could have happened to me, although it is obvious that I wanted to win. I leave with that I gave everything and the people enjoyed it”.

The highlights of Nadal’s triumph over Cerúndolo

The compliance extended to his performance: “Besides the drive, today I was solid on both sides. I defended very well, I’m serving much better. At this level you have to improve every week, we are working on that with my coach (Kevin Konfederak)”. It’s time to pack your bags and map out the next steps: “I’ll play two or three tournaments on clay and then I’ll go to the USA y Canada to play the Masters 1000 y el US Open”.

Cerúndolo was in favor of the imminent regulatory change, which will allow the coaching (coaches will be able to communicate with their tennis players during matches): “It is something that is already done in some way. In some moments, one communicates with his trainer through looks or gestures. I think it is good that the player has contact with his coach, It is something that happens in all sports. I think it’s good that it’s allowed now.”

In addition to the great work of Cerúndolo, on the second day of Wimbledon the triumph of Diego Schwartzman (12th) over American Stefan Kozlov 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, while Sebastian Baez He beat Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 to earn his first win at the All England.