Nadal clears doubts with cannon fire. The few, because there was no big deal, that he had generated against Berankis and Cerundolo in his start at the All England Club disappeared in the third round. His obstinacy and perseverance surpass generations. Also reggaeton players like Lorenzo Sonego (27 years old), his rival yesterday. Accustomed to having fun on the dance floor, the Italian, who has music as a second profession, suffered in his flesh what it is like to dance with Rafa Nadal when he has an inspired afternoon. They had never met before, but the Spaniard gave him no chance to express even the slightest bit of joy. In three sets he dispatched him with inordinate authority, sending a message similar to Novak Djokovic’s just a day earlier. The final desired by many is getting closer.
Sonego happens to be one of the exponents of the thriving transalpine tennis along with Berrettini, his best friend on the circuit. During the pandemic and shortly after becoming number 21 in the world, today he is 54, he decided to bet on music and recorded a song with a reggaeton rhythm with an artist from his country known as AlterEdo. ‘Un solo secondo’ was the title of his debut film, very popular in his country, the Italian, who has since dropped 22 positions in the ATP ranking.
The Mallorcan takes life differently. For him, tennis does not deserve too many distractions. If anything, a golf tournament to release tension and some football. At this point in his career, Nadal knows that the history of tennis contemplates him in every match, in every tournament. And when it comes to Wimbledon, he always comes out on the court with the enthusiasm of a kid and with the determination of the best of all time.
The Italian was never able to get into the match. The Balearic did everything. On serve and return it was a storm and in 27 minutes and seven games he closed the first set (6-1). In the second round the Italian tried to sketch a half smile, but the Mallorcan erased it immediately. He only conceded two games this time (6-2). This time he needed something more, 38 minutes. In just over an hour of play, Sonego already knew he had been defeated.
In the last assaulted the recipe was different. The Italian tried not to despair and despite giving up the serve again in the first game, he rowed as much as he could before the light forced the impressive retractable roof of the center court to close with 4-2 on the scoreboard. Ten minutes later Sonego was another. The Italian managed to equalize the match. And to his delight he yelled before the point was won. Nadal reproached him before resolving the duel on the fast track.
“My best match in the championship. I knew that the rival’s level was going to demand it of me. Very happy. He wished Lorenzo the best,” Nadal said after the match. “I feel lucky to continue playing at my age. Ten years ago I didn’t even think about it. I have to give thanks to life,” he concluded.
Solid on serve, he only gave up break balls in one game in the entire match; safe with the right, his best weapon so far in the tournament; intense and effective to the rest, he broke the serve up to six times. And better, not the slightest shadow of pain in his foot. Nadal raised his level to the maximum and the central court understood what it was about. There comes a time in these tournaments when the great tennis players take a step forward to motivate themselves and to intimidate their rivals. Nadal made that leap yesterday, just before the round of 16, where he will face Dutchman Van de Zandschulp.
