Rafael Nadal Faces 16 Year Old Darwin Blanch In Madrid Opener

Lawn Tennis, Tennis Magazine, Lawn Tennis Magazine, ATP London Finals, Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal Faces 16 Year Old Darwin Blanch In Madrid Opener
By Ken Miller, Lawn Tennis Analyst, Posted: Thursday, April 25, 2024 8:09am PST USA

Madrid--Today the 14 time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal of Spain takes on the 16 year old wildcard Darwin Blanch of the USA who will be playing in only his second tour level match.

The 1,028th ranked Blanch lost in the first round last month in Miami, Florida in his only other tour level match but has reached the semifinals in several lower level professional tennis tournaments earlier this year.

Nadal has been sidelined much of this year due to injuries and is playing in what is believed to be his final year of professional tennis.

The two players have never faced each other before and the younger Blanch could be

Rafael Nadal of Spain and Darwin Blanch of the USA

Known as the King of Clay, Nadal first won Roland Garros in 2005; two years before Blanch was born.

starstruck facing the 37 year old Nadal who at his best is perhaps unbeatable on clay.

Known as the King of Clay, Nadal first won Roland Garros in 2005; two years before Blanch was born.

Nadal last won Roland Garros in 2022 before missing last year's tournament due to injury.

Nadal is known for his powerful baseline game as well as for his mental toughness.

Both players are left-handers with Blanch already at his younger age two inches taller than Nadal at 6 feet three inches tall.

Blanch uses his height to strike powerful serves and reached the semifinals at last year's junior Wimbledon.

The former world number one Nadal, currently ranked 512 due to injuries, enters today's match as an overwhelming favorite to win.

Today's match is scheduled for Manolo Santana Stadium at not before 8:00am PST USA.