“Thank you, Rafael Nadal. How beautiful !” This is what Pedro Cachin wrote on his Instagram account on Monday, to accompany a photo of the purple jersey worn by the Mallorcan earlier during their clash in the round of 16 of the Masters 1000 in Madrid. A duel won by Nadal (6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3). The Argentinian, 91st player in the world, asked him during their handshake at the net: “It’s a dream come true for me, thank you. I don’t know what the protocol is, but can I ask you for a t-shirt?”
To his delight, “Rafa” immediately brought him one. Proof that the man with 22 Grand Slam titles enjoys considerable aura within the circuit itself. In preparation for his favorite tournament, Roland-Garros (May 26-June 9), after long months of physical problems, the Spaniard has just won three consecutive matches for the first time since the US Open 2022. However, he did not know not yet Tuesday morning if he would be able to play his scheduled round of 16 against the Czech Jiri Lehecka, seeded number 30.