The extensionist and advisor of Royal Tennis Club of Barcelona (RCTB) Tommy Robredo He said this Thursday, in an interview with EFE, that Rafael Nadal there will be “the highest tribute it deserves” to Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Conde de Godó Trophy when he wants.
“The center court is named after him, it includes everything. I assure you, on behalf of the club, that the day he (Nadal) wants, a tribute will be paid to him for his retirement and he will have it in style, because this is what a player who has won this tournament 12 times deserves,” he assured.
These statements came hours after Nadal, 38, announced that he would permanently retire from tennis after the Davis Cup final, which will be held in Malaga from November 19 to 24.
The Mallorcan, with 92 titles under his belt, is the most successful tennis player in the history of Godó, with twelve trophies. In fact, the Barcelona ATP 500 is the second tournament he has lifted in his career, behind only Roland Garros (14).
From the facilities of the Real Barcelona Tennis Club, where Nadal competed for the first time when he was 11 years old and where he has been a part since he was 14, Robredo pointed out that for Godó it was “lucky” to have of the ambassador like Manacorense.
“As a tournament, having someone like Rafa, who comes year after year and guarantees a victory to the public, watch, and almost always lifts the trophy, is something special. When the dirt tour came, you know that Rafa is going to bite because I want another Roland Garros. It’s very difficult to beat him,” he recalled.
Robredo, who teamed up with Nadal in the Davis Cup and won two titles with him as a doubles partner – the Monte Carlo Masters1000 in 2008 and the ATP250 in Chennai in 2004 – described the Mallorcan as a “very methodical, professional and gave everything until the last ball.”
“As a teammate, he is perfect. You know that you have someone who will give one hundred percent and you choose to win the tournament. I have the privilege to play with him in several tournaments and share the court. in many ‘Ensaladeras’,” he admitted. .
Also, the former Catalan tennis player said that Nadal has a “mental plus” compared to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. “Whenever there is a long match, you know that Rafa is going to win. On clay, you know that Rafa is going to win because that’s the type of body he has and the head that ultimately gave him the victory,” he noted.
Regarding Nadal’s legacy for Spanish tennis, Robredo emphasized that the Spaniard “made tennis more famous”, something that had the effect of “more sponsors and fans”, and also caused “a rise in the level of tennis in Spain.”
Finally, Robredo emphasized that Nadal “not only wins on the court, but also has the recognition of everyone outside it” and emphasized the “values” he sends to the younger generation.
“It’s great news to know that we can count on him for the Davis Cup and we can enjoy him again. Also at home. It can be a dream farewell and hopefully it includes the title,” he concluded.
Source: La Verdad
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