A Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal y Roger Federerthe three best tennis players in history, would have liked to have been at the tribute paid today to Manolo Santana at the Puente Romano Tennis Club in Marbella.
Djokovic, who has a house in the town of Marbella, rests in Belgrade after his participation in the Dubai tournament. Federer is still recovering from the knee and Nadal is training in Indian Wells.
the Serbian, who had representation in the stands in the figure of his brother Markowas the most emotional at the time to define Santana: “He was an icon, a legend, an incredible champion, I love you Manolo“.
Nadal, for his part, recalled that Madrid “He has been a pioneer of Spanish sport and marked the way for all of us who came after him“. Federer does not forget all the times that Santana went to pick him up at the airport in the Spanish capital on the occasion of his participation in the Mutua Madrid Open. “I loved meeting him all over the world and especially in Madrid“.
Rod Laver, a generation mate of the great Manolo, emphasized “our battles on clay.” With the voice of Rodrigo Orrego, a representation of national and international tennis legends, including Bjrn Borg, Nicola Pietrangeli or Jan Kodes, went down to the arena together with the tennis player’s widow, Claudia Rodríguez, and one of her daughters, the actress Brbara Santana.
lex Strap served as master of ceremonies: “I thought of Manolo and felt happy. And although he is very sad speaking on behalf of Spanish tennis, I would like us to remember him as we all knew him, likeable, joking, close, affectionate, respectful, someone special who marked a time in our career, because thanks to him, many of us are here. He always taught us, gave us and gave us a lot of love. I thank him for everything he gave us”.
Among the authorities, the presence of the president of the Junta de Andaluca, Juanma Morenothe mayoress of Marbella, ngeles Muoz and the president of the Spanish Tennis Federation, Miguel Daz.
