Tennis: Rafael Nadal mercilessly for a teenager at the Masters 1000 in Madrid

For his last participation in the Madrid tournament, Rafael Nadal did not tremble this Thursday against Darwin Blanch. The Manacor bull won in two straight sets (6-1/6-0) in what will remain a historic match: such an age gap has never before opposed two players in Masters 1000. The experience of the 37-year-old Spaniard took over the enthusiasm of the 16-year-old American.

Facing the 1028th player in the world (holder of a wild card), Rafael Nadal did not have to exert his talent. Despite only 62% first serve, he did not concede a single break point. Unlike in Barcelona where he made an incalculable number of mistakes, the Spaniard only made 9 mistakes today. After his winning start, Rafael Nadal considered that his performance “was correct. It gives me one more opportunity to play here in Madrid and that means a lot to me.”

“It’s Madrid, there are a lot of things that mix on an emotional level, which lead me to make the decision to play, for personal reasons. If it was Roland-Garros, I wouldn’t play,” he nevertheless considered. “I am not going to play in Paris in the state I am in today. I will play in Paris if I feel I am ready enough. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense,” said the Majorcan, whose broken-down body has in fact prevented him from playing as he wants since the summer of 2022.

In the second round, Rafael Nadal will meet Alex De Minaur, 11th player in the world. The two opponents had already faced each other in Barcelona last week where the Australian won in two sets (7-5, 6-1). “Certainly it's going to be very difficult but it's almost a gift to have a chance to play again” in Madrid, appreciated the Spanish champion.