Thibaud Hue, edited by Laura Laplaud
On Sunday, Rafael Nadal entered history once again. The tennis star has won the Australian Open after more than 5 hours of fighting against Russian Daniil Medvedev. With this new trophy, he makes the whole town of Manacor proud, on the island of Majorca, where he was born. Europe 1 is on site.
By beating Daniil Medvedev, he becomes the only player in history to win a 21st Grand Slam and is now ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who have 20 crowns. In Manacor, on the island of Majorca, where Rafael Nadal was born, the atmosphere was festive on Sunday evening.
Residents jubilant
A few tapas, well-filled beer mugs and laughter, in this small downtown bar the customers exult. Sergio still has stars in his eyes, he came here to celebrate his idol’s victory. “It’s amazing! We all thought he could lose, there was a very complicated moment after the second set and he made an epic comeback,” he recalls.
For these inhabitants of Manacor, the victory of Rafael Nadal necessarily has a special taste. Zohra met him when she was very young. “It’s a source of pride for us especially because here we all know Rafa… He and his cousins studied with me at school, he is a very normal person, very noble. All that he the merit”, she says moved.
One of the champion’s last tournaments?
Alberto also watched the game on the small screen hanging at the back of the bar. Very impressed, he felt that this historic victory could well be one of the last of the Spanish star. “It’s a great legend,” he says. “I think this year he’s going to retire. With everything he’s achieved, I don’t think he’s missing anything else…”
But while waiting for him to hang up the racket, these Manacor locals are all eagerly waiting for Rafa to return home to lift the trophy.