The crowd, the applause, the crossings, the warmth, the sensations. The morning finale on courses 9 and 10 of the Caja Magica was decidedly special.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
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At 12pm Carlos Alcaraz appeared on court 9, half an hour later Rafa Nadal appeared on court 10, who at 1.30pm gave way to Jannik Sinner. Seats sold out an hour before and long queues to see the great protagonists of this Mutua Madrid Open.
OVERALL SATISFACTION
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The Spaniards were looking for answers from their aching bodies, the Italian sensations for a combination, higher ground, which so far has given him little joy. Spoiler: everyone left very satisfied. And people even more so. Let’s go in order of appearance, and start from Alcaraz.
STRONG ANSWERS
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Carlos showed up with a flashy white leg warmer on his right arm, and started playing with Daniil Medvedev: evidently he wanted to try his hardest, to respond to violent stress and see the reaction of his injured forearm. He remained on the pitch for an hour and a half without sparing himself, with the audience on their feet for some spectacular points and the satisfaction of Juan Carlos Ferrero, his guardian angel, always close to his pupil. Every now and then Carlitos glanced at the next court, where Rafa was playing. If he wanted to know how he is waiting for Saturday’s debut, the Murcian must have calmed down a lot. At the end, balls thrown into the stands and the meeting with Sinner, a very cordial greeting between the 3 and 2 in the world.
VERY DETERMINED
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Rafa, who is expected on the court today at 5pm on the central court with Darwin Blanch, 21 years his junior, has chosen to dribble with Marc Lopez, a former doubles player who is part of his staff. Alongside Rafa Carlos Moyá, as well as the agent and several staff people. Nadal mistreated López, playing all out, sparing himself and ending up exalting the crowd. Only ‘Vamos Rafa’ was missing. The camp will give us a definitive answer later, but Rafa seemed in good shape, and very motivated, very determined, 2007 Darwin has been warned. For Rafa, a long autograph session, filled with crowds and enthusiasm.
GREAT PARTICIPATION
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Then here’s Sinner. Expected to spar with Dimitrov, the Australian Thompson instead appeared on number 10. After greetings with Carlitos Jannik, in a black suit, he began a long and tough exchange session. With him Simone Vagnozzi and the trainer Giacomo Naldi, and once again great participation from the public. An Italian child asked Jannik for a signature, and our number one smiled, but in the end no autographs.
THE MATCH
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On the other hand, a lot of intensity and excellent sensations. A small scare from a treacherous bounce with the ball hitting him in the face, and the respite offered by the clouds that partially covered the sun that was stronger than Nadal in the good old days. At court 9, Rune arrived and left, and Jannik and Thompson continued to battle at great pace, playing a decidedly lively game, each looking for their answers, to their opponent and to themselves. Then for Jannik balls shot to the public, the greeting with Shevchenko to whom he gave up court 10 and the transition to court 9 for the physical part of the training: short sprints and stretches, to continue the adaptation to ground and altitude. The number 1 seed continues its preparation.
