Manacor mayor requests meeting with Rafael Nadal to get Spaniard's approval on statue to be built in his honor

Rafael Nadal is undoubtedly one of Spain's most celebrated athletes of all time. The player, hailing from the town of Manacor in Mallorca, has created staggering records throughout his tennis career.

In 2022, he became the first man to ever win 22 Grand Slam titles after his 14th French Open title win. To mark the glorious occasion, the Manacor City Council announced their intention to build a statue of the Spaniard in 2022.

"Manacor City Council will install a sculpture in homage to the greatest Manacor tennis player of all time: Rafael Nadal. This has been decided by the spokespersons of all the municipal groups and the mayor Miquel Oliver, after the tennis player's last historic victory," their announcement post from 2022 read.

The mayor of Manacor, Miquel Oliver, has now requested a meeting with the tennis legend to discuss further details of the much anticipated artwork.

As per the Majorca Daily Bulletin, a sketch of the bronze statue has already been drafted. It shows the Mallorcan sitting down and looking straight ahead, and beside him is the younger version of himself.

The statue is expected to be installed on the low wall that surrounds the olive tree at the Placa del Palau (Palace Square). It will be positioned in a way such that it looks towards The Spaniard’s house. The idea will only go ahead after the athlete’s approval at the meeting requested by the mayor.

This won’t be the first time that the 22-time Grand Slam champion will be honored with a statue celebrating his Grand Slam wins. In May 2021, Roland Garros unveiled a stunning steel sculpture to pay tribute to their most successful title holder.

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Rafael Nadal withdraws from upcoming Las Vegas exhibition involving compatriot Carlos Alcaraz

The 2022 champion suffered a hip injury at 2023 Australian Open

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Las Vegas exhibition event, which is scheduled to be held on March 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. This isn’t his first withdrawal in 2023. The 36-year-old additionally withdrew from the Dubai Tennis Championship and Qatar Open, owing to a hip injury he suffered during his short stint at the Australian Open.

"I am very sad for not being able to come to Vegas and play in this amazing event with Carlos at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Unfortunately, the timing of my recovery doesn't make it possible to be there ready to play," the Mallorcan said, announcing his withdrawal from the exhibition event in Las Vegas.

Originally set to feature the Spanish duo of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz and titled 'The Slam: Nadal vs Alcaraz', the event will now include USA’s two highest ranked tennis players – World No. 7 Taylor Fritz and World No. 15 Frances Tiafoe. The Americans will lock horns for a place in the final, where the winner will then face off against reigning US Open champion and former World No. 1 Alcaraz.