Rafael Nadal, Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep wrote heartfelt messages for Manolo Santana who passed away at the age of 83. Manolo is a tennis icon in Spain after he won 4 slams: French Open (1961, 1964) Wimbledon (1966), and US Open (1965).
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal posted the following message:
“I have just received the terrible news of the passing of our great Manolo Santana. As I have said many times in the past: thank you very much for what you did for our country and for marking the path of so many. You were always a reference, a friend and a person close to everyone.
We will miss you Manolo; you will always be unique and special.
Greetings to your family and a lot of strength at this time.
We will never forget you!”
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Garbine Muguruza
Garbine posted:
“DEP Manolo. Thank you for your kindness, closeness and for showing us the way. You were always our reference, for everyone in Spanish tennis, a pioneer. So attentive and so close, in good times and bad. I will miss you.
All my love for your family and loved ones.
DEP Manolo.Gracias por tu bondad, cercanĂa y por enseñarnos el camino. Siempre fuiste nuestro referente, para todos en el tenis español, un pionero. Tan atento y tan cercano, en los buenos y los malos momentos. Te echarĂ© de menos.
Todo mi cariño para su familia y seres queridos. pic.twitter.com/VLUWLmsimf— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) December 11, 2021
Simona Halep
Simona Halep was also quite close to Manolo to say: “We lost a tennis legend and a great, kind man today. Rest In Peace Manolo Santana”
We lost a tennis legend and a great, kind man today. Rest In Peace Manolo Santana 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Gy7vHjfpt8
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) December 11, 2021
Rafael Nadal in 2021
Ranked world no.6, the Spaniard played his last match on the 5th of August when he was defeated by world no.31 Harris Lloyd 6-4 1-6 6-4 in the 3rd round in Washington (draw).
During this season Rafael has managed to achieve an overall 24-5 match record. Rafael conquered 2 titles in 2021 in Barcelona and in Rome.
Garbine Muguruza in 2021
Currently the world no.3, Muguruza played her last match on the 17th of November when she defeated world no.7 Anett Kontaveit 6-3 7-5 in the final in Guadalajara to win her 10th career title.
At the moment, during this season Muguruza has achieved a compiled 42-17 win-loss record. Garbine clinched 3 titles in 2021 in Dubai, in Chicago and in Guadalajara. Muguruza was the runner-up in Melbourne and in Doha.
Simona Halep in 2021
Now ranked no.20, the Romanian played her last match on the 10th of November when she beat world no.53 Jasmine Paolini 4-6 7-5 6-0 in the quarter in Linz (draw).
Currently, during this year Halep has a 24-10 record. Simona Halep’s best performance of this season was reaching the final in Napoca.
