Pedro Cachin commented on his unusual request to Nadal after Madrid Open defeat

Sunday, 26 May 2024 at 00:00

Pedro Cachin commented on the controversial request for Nadal's shirt after his defeat at the Madrid Open. The Argentine tennis player has had an irregular season with just two wins in 14 matches, which has dropped him out of the top 100.

However, the 29-year-old was a protagonist at the Madrid Open. He achieved his first two wins of the year against Sebastian Ofner and Frances Tiafoe (20th seed), securing a spot in the Round of 32 against Nadal. The Spaniard won 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 in over three hours of play.

Cachin's unusual request to Nadal

Controversy arose after the match when, at the net handshake, Pedro Cachín asked Nadal if he could give him a shirt or towel as a memento of the match. The 22-time Grand Slam champion agreed, but social media was flooded with criticism towards the Argentine: “I don’t care. I got a t-shirt from my idol, one of my idols.”

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“Many people I saw on Twitter talk about how you can ask for a t-shirt from someone who played against, and won against you,” he said. “I wanted to do it after the match in the locker room but I was scared that when I finished the match I would never see him again.”

Nadal's run at the Madrid Open ended in the next round against Jiri Lehecka. The Czech player was asked after the match about Pedro Cachín's request and if he would do something similar: “When you go on the court and you go there for the win, then it’s tough for me to run after him and to ask him if he can give me something,” said Jiri Lehecka.

Nadal at Madrid Open

“Everyone can have his own opinion on this thing. I totally respect what Pedro did. It’s absolutely fine for me. I have zero problem with it,” he added. “But for me, I would not do such a thing. I would do this maybe after the whole tournament, after, when I see him somewhere, just asking for a photo like I did after our practice.”

Dream come true for Cachin

The South American player commented in his Madrid press conference that Nadal is his idol and that his dream has been to play against him since he saw him win Roland Garros in 2005.

And he did not miss the opportunity. Despite coming off a streak of 15 consecutive losses since October 2023, Cachín achieved consecutive wins over top-50 players: “It was difficult to think about playing Rafa in the third round because I needed to win two matches – but then I won two matches,” Cachín added.

“I watched Rafa against De Minaur, and he won. For me and for my family, for my friends to watch me on that court against Rafa was a dream, not only for me, but also for my family,” he added. “He’s a legend. He’s a legend for our sport, for all of sports.”

“Maybe his last French Open, and I think we need to try to enjoy him as much as we can,” Cachín concluded.

The Argentine will be in the main draw of the French Open and will debut in the first round against the 14th seed Tommy Paul. This will be Cachín's third time in the tournament, having reached the second round in 2022 and 2023.

Divergente

@Divergente127

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Cachin a Nadal: Cumplí un sueño! Deportista admirado por su superación, deportividad, esfuerzo y humildad allí donde vaya menos en su país, donde una ideología podrida como es la izquierda premia todo lo contrario. Vamos Rafa!!