It could have been the last game of his career, but Feliciano López, 41, won on his Mallorca debut. The man from Toledo, who will close his career after the Balearic tournament, beat Australian Max Purcell (6-3, 7-5). “It’s one of my most special victories, in front of my friends,” said López, who this Wednesday will face Jordan Thompson in the round of 16.
The possibility that it was ‘Feli’s’ last individual match increased the expectation of the match, as evidenced by the fact that, among others, his good friend Rafa Nadal was in the stands, accompanied by his wife, Toni Nadal and the Greek Stéfanos himself. Tsitsipás, main favorite of the tournament and partner this time in doubles, falling yesterday.
But Feliciano once again showed that he wants to prolong his presence on the slopes as long as possible. At 41 years old, n.634 ATP, in the presence of one of his sons and despite the strong heat, he brought out a good dose of the quality that his tennis treasured and, with a serve and volley, he beat a Purcell who is the 62 in the world and with which he had not faced until now.
His 784 victory, between the ATP circuit and the Davis Cup, the second in 2023, a year dedicated to saying goodbye to tournaments, and achieved, after giving up his serve in the opening game, with two breaks in the first set (second and fourth games ); and a single in the second (eleventh game).
He also sentenced him with his serve. He raised his arms and, minutes later, received a hug from Nadal. With his son in his arms, he did not hesitate to say that it was “a very special victory”, “one of the most important of the race”. At the moment, he prolongs his ‘professional life’ and now the Australian Jordan Thompson (n.71) is also spitting on him in the round of 16. Surely ‘Feli’ will want to stay alive. For now, he continues.
