Rafael Nadal shakes hands and congratulates Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo after the duel at Wimbledon. Photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP.
It will be a day that will not be forgotten. June 28, 2022 will be marked by fire for Francisco Cerúndolo, who he stepped on the grass for the first time of the legendary Wimbledon, neither more nor less than on the central court and against the legend Rafael Nadal, against whom he played a great match that earned him a standing ovation from the Spaniard and the public.
“Playing at Wimbledon Center Court with Nadal was incredible. I think I had a great match and I’m taking it with me.”assured Cerúndolo, on the outskirts of the All England main box in the English capital and in statements to ESPN.
Francisco Cerúndolo leaves the central court of the All England Club, in London, to the applause of Nadal and the whole audience. Photo: REUTERS / Toby Melville.
The image of the day was his farewell, with his bag hanging on his back, and with Nadal himself standing to applaud, generating an ovation from all those present in the stadium which, in this edition, celebrates one hundred years of life.
“It was terrible. I had never experienced anything like this on the pitch, except after a defeat. Hearing the whole crowd applaud and seeing Rafa applaud me filled me with emotion. You spend your life dreaming of playing games like that. Of course I do. I wanted to win, but I know I gave everything and I take it with me, I’m very happy with the game I played “he has declared.
And what did Nadal tell him on the net? “He congratulated me and told me that I had played a great game, that I had played very well and that I would continue like this with my tennis. I also congratulated him on everything he has achieved in his career and I have wish you good luck in the future “he remembered.
Having determined the main draw of Wimbledon, the days of Cerúndolo had a common denominator, which he could transfer to the playing field, because he bothered himself during several passes and played on a par with the winner of 22 “big”.
“The days before the debut I was very anxious, not nervous. I wanted the day to come to be able to play. Before the game, some nerves appeared, mostly because I didn’t know the pitch, because I didn’t know I don’t know how it would be. atmosphere, but during the match I went out to play from the first to the last point and I didn’t feel nervous at all. “Be honest.
Francisco Cerúndolo returns a ball during the match against Rafael Nadal, his Wimbledon debut. Photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP.
It is completed: “In the game, apart from the right, which worked very well, I think I was very solid on both sides. I also defended myself very well. And I feel I serve much better, which we have worked on a lot with my team. , playing at these levels every week forces me to improve, because if you don’t improve there’s no way, I’m working a lot with my coach to keep growing “..
Source: Clarin
