The debuts of Rafael Nadal They are no longer an almost anecdotal issue. As his racket wears out and his physique, an almost endemic problem, stops responding, each start of competition carries with it a warning signal. The first round match of the Madrid Masters against Darwin Blancha promising American junior, was also prefaced by a press conference in which the winner of 22 Grand Slam titles reiterated that he is not improving as he would like and that sooner rather than later he can say goodbye.
Fortunately for him, Blanch, 16 years old, the last semi-finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in his category, hardly posed any difficulties: 6-1 and 6-0, in just over an hour, the former world number 1 won. The Mallorcan, welcomed as usual on the track Manolo Santana almost full in its 12,500 seats, it was enough for it to make an ex officio effort and wait for its opponent’s mistakes, which were constant.
It was the match between a child and a giant who still defends his immense heritage, among which are five titles in this tournament, between a kid who has yet to achieve, both physically and tennis-wise, and a man who is playing in the tournament for the twentieth time, the last one, as he said, and he will soon turn 38.
Serve and drive
Only on rare occasions was Blanch, who was forged at the Equelite Academy Juan Carlos Ferrero, where he trains with Carlos Alcaraz When the Murcian’s frenetic schedule allows it, connect his first service and then apply the drivethe only formula with which he managed to score points.
Waiting for the second match in just over a week against Alex Miñaur, who beat him 7-5 and 6-1 in the second round of the Conde de Godó, Nadal had little more than a training session. Blanch, also a left-hander, enjoyed the most beautiful afternoon in his second match in an ATP tournament, after losing in Miami against Tomas Machac. He took a photo with one of his idols, had him on the other side of the net in a Masters 1000 and even agreed to connect a couple of aces, both in their first turn of serve. The young man from Florida received his appointment too early in the competitive order. A luxury, however, in the learning process from him.