“Big Hug”: Rafael Nadal Sorrowfully Delivers the Message During Manuel Santana’s Last Rites

Just a couple of days ago, the tennis fraternity mourned the loss of legendary Spanish player Manuel Santana. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Billie Jean King, and many more expressed their condolences to Manolo’s family. On the occasion of Manuel Santana’s last rite, Rafael Nadal took to Twitter to deliver a sorrowful message.

Currently, Nadal is preparing to compete at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi. Rafa regretted not being able to attend the last rites as he was in Kuwait.

Rafael Nadal sends a heavy-hearted message

The tennis world was in deep shock after hearing about the unfortunate death of Manuel Santana. The four-time Grand Slam winner was a legendary Spanish icon. Recently, Rafael Nadal took to Twitter to send a special message to Santana’s family.

“Message to Manolo Santana and his family, from Kuwait. I wish I could be there with you today. A big hug,” he wrote. The last rituals of Manolo Santana were performed today. Nadal is currently in Kuwait and soon will be participating in the Mubadala World Tennis championship.

In addition, Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, went to pay his respect to Manuel Santana. Not only Manolo was famous in tennis, but he was a well-known personality in the whole of Spain. Santana had learned the sport as a ball-boy and went on to become Spain’s greatest ever players.

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Nadal to make comeback after 4 months

The 20-time Major winner, Rafael Nadal, wasn’t present on the ATP Tour since the Washington Open because of a foot injury. Moreover, this year the Spaniard missed two Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon and US Open owing to his ailment.

Nevertheless, Rafa is set to make return to professional tennis. He will be competing at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi before entering the first Grand Slam of 2022, the Australian Open. Nadal would be hoping to make a significant impact at the Happy Slam, as fans across the world are waiting to see him in action again.

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