Madrid Open: Rafael Nadal makes debut against 16-year-old

After participating in the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona (elimination in 2R against Alex de Mignaur) Rafael Nadal You’ll have to start over with a clean slate for the new task that lies ahead: Madrid Open. This Masters 1000 tournament, the second this season on clay, has already drawn the main draw and the Spaniard will be one of the main artists of the event.

Former ATP World No. 1 will face a teenager: Darwin Blanch. The American, who is only 16 years old, has only one match at the ATP level, and that was with a defeat (to Tomas Machak) at the Masters 1000 in Miami 2024, where he received wild card challenge it.

Born on September 28, 2007, this boy is one of the North American country’s greatest gems. At junior level, he was a Grand Slam semi-finalist at Wimbledon and Roland Garros last season. He also knew how to compete (even until 2024) on the ITF circuit, but failed to reach the finals. As for the contenders, he only participated in two tournaments, dropping out early.

A fact that reflects the passage of time is that when he was born Darwin Blanch, Rafael Nadal It has only had three Grand Slam titles (Roland Garros 2005, 2006 and 2007), while Manacori now has 22 tournaments. majors.

The winner of this match will face the Australian. Alex de Minaur. In this context, the former world number one could face the man who was his tormentor at the ATP 500 in Barcelona in 2024.