Rafael Nadal’s journey at the Madrid Masters begins on April 24th, but it’s his first-round opponent, Darwin Blanch, who has garnered significant attention.
Blanch, a 16-year-old American tennis prodigy, will face his idol Nadal in a dream match at the prestigious tournament. Blanch has idolized Nadal all his life and trained at the same academy as rising star Carlos Alcaraz.
Blanch’s former mentor, Rick Macci, expressed his excitement and high hopes for his protégé, emphasizing that anything is possible in tennis. Macci’s mantra, “Anybody can beat Anybody Anytime Anywhere Any place,” serves as motivation for Blanch, who has a chance to create one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.
Nadal has not been in top form since returning from injury, losing to Alex de Minaur in the Barcelona Open. However, Blanch’s reaction to facing Nadal was one of pure joy, capturing the sentiments of many tennis fans.
The match will take place on the clay courts of the Caja Magica in Madrid on April 24th, starting around 4 am Eastern Time and 8 AM GMT. The winner will face Alex de Minaur in the Round of 32.
