VIDEO: Nadal and his wife make appearance at Mallorca Championships as Feliciano Lopez heads towards career concluding
ATP
Rafael
Nadal and his wife made an appearance at the Mallorca Open to watch Feliciano
Lopez's match.
The 22-time
Grand Slam champion has been away from the tennis courts since suffering an
injury at the 2023 Australian Open in January, where he was defeated by
Mackenzie McDonald in the second round.
Although
his return was expected during the clay court season, Nadal had to withdraw
from scheduled tournaments week after week. After announcing that he would not
participate in the French Open, he revealed that he will not return to the ATP
tour this year and plans to retire at his favorite tournaments in 2024.
This week,
it was surprising to see Nadal and his wife as spectators at the Mallorca Open,
particularly during Feliciano Lopez's match against Max Purcell. The
41-year-old Spaniard, who is participating in what could be his final
tournament, managed to secure a significant victory of 6-3, 7-5, advancing to
the second round.
his fellow
Spaniards Carlos Moya and Marc Lopez were also in attendance to watch the
match. It seems that the presence of these Spanish tennis figures added to the
excitement of the event for the spectators.
“It’s a
really special win for me, probably one of the most special wins of my career
so far, to be honest,” Lopez said after the match.
“This is
over my expectations, to be winning a match at this stage of my career in
Mallorca, this beautiful place, surrounded by the ones that I love, my friends,”
headed.
“Most of
them came for my hypothetical last match. Luckily, it wasn’t the last match of
my life. I have another opportunity tomorrow, and this is very overwhelming, I
have to say.”
Lopez will
play his second-round match against Australian Jordan Thompson, aiming to
secure another victory before his final retirement from the tennis courts. This
match holds significance for Lopez as he looks to end his career on a positive
note.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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