Marbella Town Announces Two Days of Mourning After Spanish Tennis Legend Manolo Santana’s Demise

Manuel Santana Martinez is a name that is synonymous with Spanish tennis. The 4-time Grand Slam winner was better known as Manolo Santana and had a decorated professional career.

Manolo’s career saw him winning a whopping 69 titles. Furthermore, he is the only Spaniard except for Rafael Nadal, to win at Wimbledon. With his passing at age 83, the entire tennis world is in mourning. Especially, the country of Spain is in mourning, where he will always remain a national hero.

Marbella considered Manolo Santana their adoptive son

With his victory over American in the 1965 Davis Cup, Manuel Santana sparked national interest in the sport. He was originally a clay court player who never liked playing on grass.

In fact, one of his most famous sayings was “grass was for cows,” which he stated, expressing his distaste toward the grass court. However, once he began to realize that he was exceptional at the green surface as well, he shifted focus.

It shows how much of a beloved hero Santana was, seeing how the city of Marbella is mourning him. The government officials of the city have declared that the region would hold two days of mourning for Manolo Santana.

Marbella was also home to Santana towards his later life, and he had also won the town’s highest honor. For being “a model of responsibility, prudence, humility, professionalism, education, integrity, and generosity,” Manolo Santana was awarded honorary citizenship of Marbella.

The tennis world mourns Manolo Santana

Many tennis stars are mourning the demise of Manuel Santana. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic penned down an emotional message for the late Spaniard.

Additionally, the great Billie Jean King, too, tweeted to pay her respects to Santana. She had won the Wimbledon singles title along with him in 1966.

His burning chapel, where the legend rests now before his funeral, is open to the public to pay their respects. The legend now rests at the Hospital Real de la Misericordia, as per the official Marbella website.

ALSO READ: All You Need to Know About Tennis Trailblazer Manuel Santana Who Died at the Age of 83