Alex de Minaur makes Aussie tennis history with ‘once in a lifetime’ victory over Rafael Nadal
- Aussie won in style at the Barcelona Open
- Nadal in just his second tournament in 15 months
- It could be the Spaniard’s last match on the pitch named after him
Alex de Minaur is enjoying a ‘once in a lifetime’ triumph after beating king of clay Rafael Nadal in what may be the great man’s final appearance on his home court at the Barcelona Open.
Nadal was not at his sharpest on his cautious return to action from injury in just his second tournament in 15 months, but nothing should detract from the manner in which De Minaur defeated 12-time champion Rafa Nadal on the Pista at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on Wednesday.
De Minaur was fast, ruthless and ruthless in his 7-5 6-1 victory and while this was obviously not the all-conquering Nadal of old, the 37-year-old is still a formidable force on the court. the red clay and Australia’s number 1 played a great match, with the Spanish colossus being put to death by a drop shot.
De Minaur went where no Australian had gone before him by becoming the first in 13 attempts ever to beat Nadal on clay and acknowledged what a special day it had been.
The Aussie (pictured shaking hands with Nadal) came up with a great game plan to take advantage of the Spanish legend’s lack of match fitness as he returns from injury
“When the draw was announced, I probably didn’t really want to play against Rafa, but I changed my attitude and saw it as a huge opportunity, a once in a lifetime opportunity,” De Minaur said.
‘I am extremely happy that I was able to achieve the victory.
‘I’m very lucky that I didn’t play against Rafa on the clay court a few years earlier. It would have been a very, very different outcome. A great experience and we move on. It was a great year.’
For Nadal, however, it could be the last match he ever plays on the court named after him in what will be the final season of his glorious career.
De Minaur showed the utmost respect by clapping and not celebrating too much, before Nadal received a standing ovation as he left the arena.
The victory marked the first time an Australian defeated Nadal on clay
De Minaur (pictured in action against Nadal) admitted he was lucky not to have had to play the 22-time Grand Slam winner ‘on clay a few years earlier’
But on the very first point of the match, when De Minaur hit an unanswerable drop shot, it was clear there was no room for sentiment here.
In the first three games alone, he successfully repeated the shot five times to send his venerable and vulnerable opponent to flight, breaking Nadal’s throw in the first game and four times afterward.
“I think the only thing I can have about Rafa on clay is physicality at this stage of his career,” de Minaur said. ‘I decided to try to make the rallies quite physical and long and use my speed to my advantage. It’s never easy against him.’
Nadal’s old majesty saw him fight back into contention in the first set, but too many unforced errors came from his rusty racket – 42 in total – to threaten.
Rafa received a standing ovation as he left the court named after him
At one point in the first set, a flashing full-length forehand winner from a Nadal howitzer had the Spaniard tapping his racket in appreciation as he recognized how this new version of the Minaur, who had beaten him the hard way in the United Cup defeated in court last year, is now a threat on every surface.
The key play came at 5-5 when De Minaur went on the attack and fell in love, before serving out the set after a run of 11 unanswered winning points.
At the start of the second set, Nadal looked exhausted and beaten by the Australian, who will play rising 16th seed Arthur Fils or German Daniel Altmaier in the last 16.
On a good day for the Sydneysiders, Jordan Thompson also reached the round of 16, beating Spanish clay-court specialist Jaume Munar 6-4 2-6 6-4. Next up for him is Casper Ruud, Norway’s third seed.
