Darwin Blanch, a rising star in tennis, is preparing to face legendary Rafael Nadal in his second ever match at the ATP Tour level. The 16-year-old Blanch, who has a promising junior record, will take on Nadal at the Madrid Open on Wednesday morning.
Blanch, born to a Spanish mother in 2007, spent his early years in Florida honing his skills. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Ulisses, a former top 250 player, Blanch Jr. is carving his own path in the sport. He reached the semi-finals in the junior categories of Wimbledon and the French Open last year, showcasing his talent and potential.
At just 14 years and five months, Blanch became the second-youngest male player in history to earn an ATP ranking point. His only previous senior match at the ATP Tour level came last month at the Miami Open, where he faced Tomas Machac and fell in straight sets.
Now standing at 6ft 3in, Blanch will hope to put up a strong performance against Nadal, who has only played two matches since returning from injury. The 37-year-old Nadal, preparing for the French Open, his potential farewell season, is unlikely to go easy on Blanch.
Blanch’s reaction to drawing Nadal in the Madrid Open was a mixture of excitement and disbelief, as he posted a photo of himself with a shocked expression on social media. Training at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy in Alicante, Blanch is familiar with Nadal’s popularity, especially in Spain. Two-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz, who occasionally trains with Blanch, advised him to enjoy the moment and soak in the experience, as it could be pivotal in his career.
