What's the story?
The Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell will be bestowing a huge honour on its most successful winner, Rafael Nadal by renaming the centre court of the Real Club Tenis Barcelona (RCTB) as Pista Rafa Nadal, the tournament organisers announced on Friday. The 14-time Major winner, who will be chasing a record 10th title at this prestigious ATP 500 tournament next week, joined the club at the tender age of 11.
The RCTB president Albert Agusti has called it a matter of pride to have someone of Nadal’s stature so closely associated with the club which is why the authorities want to dedicate the club’s main track to the Spanish legend.
“For us it is a pride to have a player like Nadal, one of the best in history and who has joined the club since the age of 11,” said Agustí, adding that by putting “the name of Rafa to the central track we are located to the height of great tournaments that dedicate their tracks to their legends.”
In case you didn't know...
The ATP Barcelona field is a highly competitive one this time around with the World No. 1 Andy Murray and the 20th ranked Alexander Zverev accepting last-minute wildcards. The two join Nadal, World No. 5 and two-time champion Kei Nishikori, World No. 9 Dominic Thiem and World No. 13 David Goffin who will be vying for the title among others.
The heart of the matter
The baptism of the court will take place next week only when the southpaw arrives in the Catalan capital. The former World No. 1 is currently playing at the Monte Carlo Masters this week where he has reached the semi-finals.
In addition to paying an homage to Rafa, the authorities have also unanimously decided to appoint the Olympic men’s doubles champion Marc Lopez as a member of honour. Lopez had teamed up with Nadal for the Rio gold last summer.
What's next?
Main draw action at the Barcelona Open kicks off on Monday, April 24. Nadal begins his title defence on Wednesday against the winner of the first round clash between Renzo Olivo and Rogerio Dutra Silva.
Author's take
Having established himself as the best ever men’s claycourt player and probably the greatest Spanish sportsman of all time, Nadal is richly deserving of this tribute.
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