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Rafael Nadal's mother Ana Maria, wife Maria Francisca Perello, and sister Maribel spurred him to success against Alex de Minaur in the second round of the 2024 Madrid Open on Friday, April 27.
The Spaniard locked horns with familiar foe De Minaur for a spot in the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid at the Manolo Santana stadium. Nadal drew first blood by breaking De Minaur in the second game of the match but the Aussie broke back in the very next game.
De Minaur induced a lead by converting a break point on love in the seventh game but his advantage was short-lived as the Spaniard returned the favor in the next game. The two then remained on serve taking the first set into a tiebreaker.
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The tiebreaker witnessed more drama as the competitors went back and forth until the 22-time Grand Slam champion edged De Minaur out to secure the set 7-6(6).
The following set began with Nadal breaking De Minaur in the opening game. He broke the Aussie again in the ninth game to take the set 6-3 and book his place in the next round a few minutes over two hours after the match began.
The 37-year-old received rousing support from the Madrid crowd as the home-favorite and a former five-time champion. The spectators notably included his mother Ana, wife Maria, and sister Maribel, who left no stone unturned in showing their support for the Spaniard.
At one instance in the match, Ana, Maria, and Maribel stood up to applaud his shotmaking, as seen (at 00:42) below.
Rafael Nadal: "Happy to have a great team and family and friends around me almost all my life"
Rafael Nadal overcame Darwin Blanch in the opening round of the 2024 Madrid Open on Thursday, April 25. He notably had his son Rafa Jr., mother Ana Maria, wife Maria Francisca, and Maribel rooting for him from the stands during that match as well.
After securing the win, he sat down in the press room and cherished the support of his family members.
"Happy to have a great team and family and friends around me almost all my life. It helped me in every single way of being happy," he told the media.
Nadal's next challenge in Madrid is Argentina's Pedro Cachin. The duo will lock horns on Monday (April 29).
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
