01/09/2024 1:56 p.m. Updated on 01/09/2024 5:00 p.m.
Time passes for everyone. As the years go by, students become teachers and teachers, stripped by their disciples, cease to be what they were in their best moments.
The world of tennis is digesting sad news and that is that For the first time in 25 years, the Australian Open will not feature Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.
The first Australian Open without Roger or Rafa (REUTERS)
The last time this had happened was in 1999, when Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov lifted the trophy after beating Swede Thomas Enqvist in the final. From that moment on, at least one of the two tennis players participated in the first Grand Slam of the year.
Although it was already known that the Swiss was not going to play in the tournament, Rafa’s muscle injury that he suffered at the ATP 250 in Brisbane made the racket universe cry.
Nadal is out of Australia due to injury (AFP)
After having been off the field for 347 days Due to a tear in the iliac psoas (muscle responsible for maintaining a certain stability in the spine and hip), the Spaniard returned to play but did not end with a happy ending. In addition to losing against the Australian Jordan Thompson, He suffered a micro muscle tear in the left hip area and will miss the Australian Open.
The first Australian Open without Nadal or Federer in the 21st Century
Roger stepped onto the ground quickly in Melbourne for the first time in January 2000 and give yourself that moment, always said present until 2021. During that time took the title six times (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017 y 2018).
Rafa, for his part, debuted in the first open of the year in the 2004 season, where he was eliminated in the third round. The Australian Open was the most difficult major for him, since the Mallorcan He could only be crowned twice: 2009 and 2022. Notably Nadal could not be in 2006 or 2013 due to different injuries.
Nadal with the title and Roger crying in the background (AP)
In 2009 they lived a nice moment together: they both faced each other in the final, where the Spaniard emerged victorious, and during the medal ceremony, Nadal made Federer cry. Because? The thing is that at that time, Rafa was at his highest level and did not stop winning trophies. “This is killing me”the Swiss confessed through tears post-match.
Four confrontations for history
In addition to that meeting, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer met three more times. In two of them were victories for the Spanishin what were the semifinals of 2012 and 2014, but the Swiss took revenge in 2017when he raised the trophy in his face.
Roger and Rafa, two eternal champions (EFE)
The only one left
Without Federer or Nada, the person in charge of defending the historic Big 3 will be Novak Djokovicwho has been suffering from discomfort in his right wrist since the United Cup.
Djokovic, the defending champion (AP)
The Serbian will seek to repeat its performances made in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, when in all of them he ended up taking the title. It should be noted that Novak did not participate in the 2022 edition because he was deported for not having been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
2024-01-09 16:56:39
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