The trickling of fans to take a picture in front of the statue of Rafael Nadal in Roland Garros it is constant every day, although this Saturday was special. It was June 3, the anniversary of the 14-time Balearic champion, absent from the tournament for the first time since 2005 but present in the memory of any tennis fan. “That’s his best shot,” a father proudly told his son, before the giant sculpture of the Balearic champion, leaping into the air to deliver his spectacular forehand with which he established his dominance in Paris.
Nadal is not here, but at Roland Garros they do not forget him. He has promised to return in 2024 and, to achieve this this Friday, one day before blowing out 37 candles, he underwent hip surgery that will keep him out of sports for the next five months. While a new generation, led by Carlos Alcaraz, aspires to the succession of the 14 times king of Paris.
friends since childhood
The Murcian leads a generation mates listin which are the Danish Holger Runewho after accessing the round of 16 assures that he feels “capable of winning Roland Garros this year” or the Italian Lorenzo Musettirival of the Spanish tennis player and who says he feels strong to take over from the ‘Big Three’.
Friends since they were little for playing tournaments of the same age, they will face each other for the second time in their professional career, in the third round of the Philippe Chatrier (approximately around 3:30 p.m., Eurosport), just after Novak Djokovicthe defender of the Big Three, has played against the Peruvian Juan Carlos Varillas (94 world), who surprised the Pole in the two previous rounds Hubert Hurkacz (3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 4-6 6-2) already Roberto Bautista (1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1).
a good test
musetti it will be a good test. The Italian beat him last year in the final in Hamburg and, although the progression has not been the same, this season he has taken a step forward to believe in his options.
“alcaraz has been the first to win a Grand Slam [US Open 22] after the Big three and us, Holger [Rune] and Jannik [Sinner] let’s try behind him. My victory in Hamburg gives me confidence and I hope to have a good game. I see myself more prepared than ever and I hope to continue enjoying here in Paris”, assured the Italian tennis player (17th in the world).
Rest for Alcaraz
In his three previous matches Musetti didn’t lose a set. The Italian made himself known in Paris, at his debut, in 2021, when forced Djokovic to five setsbefore retiring exhausted in the fifth (4-0).
“It will be a good test. Lorenzo is a very talented. I hope to have fun in the match”, said the tennis player from Murcia who, as usual this year at Roland Garros, did not train on the court and dedicated the day to recovery and physical training, as well as a bit of sightseeing in Paris with his entire team. .
Happiness tears
In the women’s tournament Sarah Smiles It will be, almost unexpectedly, in the big week of Roland Garros. The tennis player from Castellón (132nd in the world) qualified for the round of 16 without having to play due to the withdrawal of Elena Rybakina (world number 4). The Kazakh tennis player, one of her great favorites, explained that she was not in a position to jump onto the court. “He took without sleeping two nights, I have a high fever,” said the Wimbledon champion.
The news surprised Sorribes when he was preparing to play, for the first time, at the age of 26, for Phillippe Chatrier. “The first thing I did when they told me was cry. I didn’t believe it,” said the tennis player. she will be the one first time reaching the round of 16 in 23 appearances a Grand Slam.
His rival this Monday will be the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, that eliminated the Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova (5-7, 6-4, 7-5). The last Spaniard who managed to reach the round of 16 at Roland Garros was Paula Badosain 2021. The Catalan has had to resign this year due to a spinal injury that will also prevent her from being at Wimbledon.
2023-06-03 19:36:23
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