Nadal and Ruud enliven Parque Roca with a display full of color and tennis fever

In the midst of fever for the World Cup in Qatar, the Arena Parque Roca breathes only tennis. Nobody talks about what is happening these days in that distant Middle Eastern country, where Lionel Messi and his company are fighting to win the most coveted trophy in football. Here, the only thing that matters is the yellow ball. And it is no less: the multipurpose stadium of Villa Soldati, renovated for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, receives one of the best rackets of all time this Wednesday, Rafael Nadal. The Majorcan, the greatest Grand Slam winner in history, is the star of an unforgettable day, which started very early and will culminate in the duel with the Norwegian Casper Ruudnumber three in the world, and the mixed doubles that they will then play with the enormous Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela Dulko.

Before 15:00 people had already started arriving at the stadium. The first groups were mostly kids from tennis schools or clubs who brought their racket bags and a great hope of participating in the clinic that was scheduled hours before the match. The Mallorcan was seen with a pure smile and really enjoyed the moment of relaxation with the little ones.

Organized by the Mallorcan Academy and the Argentine Tennis Association – Franco Squillari and the team from the Development Department were present, as well as teachers and AAT Under 16 and Under 14 players – the children had the pleasure of rallying in small groups for a while with Rafa and Casper.

Meanwhile, the surroundings of the stadium began to fill up with people, who took the opportunity to take some photos with the giant poster with the faces of the Spanish and Norwegian, who recited “La Revancha” and welcomed the public, a few meters from the entrance.

After 16:30, when a pair of young Argentine hopefuls played their previous match at the stadium, there was already a long line of people braving the strong afternoon sun and waiting to enter the stadium. Others, less anxious and less fond of the heat, took advantage of the shade of some umbrellas placed on the tables of the food stands to have a cool drink or something to eat.

Finally admission was released and a wave of people started entering the stadium and occupying the different colored seats, waiting for the action to begin.

The first ovations were with the entry onto the field of both tennis players – obviously greater for the Spaniard – who kicked off the performance which began with a good pace of play.