On the occasion of its 70th anniversary, the Number of Godó Trophy has brought together several Spanish champions of this year’s tournament to pay tribute to them on center court Rafael Nadalholds the stratospheric record of 12 titles in Barcelona.
The Spaniard, absent this time due to injury, once surpassed the record of three trophies they shared Manolo Orantes(1969, 1971, 1976), Roy Emerson (1961, 1963, 1964) and Mats Wilander (1982, 1983, 1984). Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion, is the last link in an amazing string of victories in Spanish tennis. This is how the champions of the past understood it, who also blessed the heir by joining their voices in the general praise of tennis.
“With what Rafa Nadal is and what he is, it’s lucky that Carlos Alcaraz came out of nowhere with this transition. Almost nobody knew him and he became a star and No. 1 in a few months. Very quickly everyone. He is a good player even though he is young. I find his career so fast impressive, how he rose, how good, how complete he is and still the room for improvement that he has in many things, as said of his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero“, said Fernando Verdasco2010 Godó champion.
“Alcaraz is a phenomenon, it’s like he’s the new Rafa Nadal. It seems that one is starting to not be as sharp as before and Carlos is winning everything. If it really is, it’s the perfect relief, but let’s hope that Rafa has already left because if the two come together it will be wonderful”, he points out. Tommy Robredothe last champion (2004) before the former world number 1 began his full reign of the tournament in 2005.
“Carlos is a very complete player, with amazing physical and technical qualities. He has great talent, he has no limits. We will see how far he can go, his ambition, his head, but obviously his level is amazing and I’m sure he will win many tournaments, many Godó titles and many more. grand slam too”, he thought Albert Costawinner of the 1997 Godó.
“Yes, Alcaraz is a great champion, despite being young he already has great technique, experience and a very strong head. If he doesn’t have an injury, which is the most serious thing when you start to play well, I hope he will have an impressive career”, he assures Manolo Orantesremembering what his successes at Godó meant to him.
“For me it’s the main thing because it’s the tournament I’ve followed since I was little, that’s where I saw great players. For me it feels like a winner Wimbledon”, Orantes admitted.
“I am very excited to win the Godó and it means something very big to me, a dream come true. As a professional, this is the first goal I have, to win the Godó at my club is incredible. I have amazing memories. Then it was an honor to work for 11 years for a fantastic tournament, a global benchmark”, said Albert Costa, also former director of Godó.
“Winning at home is something amazing, very few people can do it. For me it’s something amazing, especially at the beginning of my career. It’s something you never forget and that makes you happy especially when you’re part of the club. It’s very emotional”, Robredo recalled. “I have some incredible memories. Through the teams Davis cup maybe it’s something bigger, but Godó has been the biggest individual title of my career”, Verdasco ditch.
Source: La Verdad
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