Celebrating Spanish Tennis
A Salute to Spanish Tennis! Tomas Carbonell, Albert Costa, Rafael Nadal, Manuel Santana, Francisco Clavet, Alberto Berasategui, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Carlos Costa, Manuel Orantes, Todd Martin, Ana Alonso and Jose Alonso (niece and nephew of Hall of Famer Manuel Alonso), Ion Tiriac, Charlie Pasarell, and Alex Corretja at the Mutua Madrid Open.
A passionate sports nation where patriotism runs high, Spanish fans have much to be proud of in the tennis world.
Several world No. 1 players hail from Spain, including Rafael Nadal, Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, Manuel Santana, Carlos Moyá, and Juan Carlos Ferrero. The nation has won five championships each in both Davis Cup and Fed Cup competition, and also can attribute numerous Olympic medals to its great players. Over the years, five Spanish tennis greats have been recognized with the sport’s highest honor – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame – with more to follow, most certainly.
The nation is enjoying great success in the sport today through champions like Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, and Garbiñe Muguruza.
Earlier this week at the Mutua Madrid Open, the International Tennis Hall of Fame paid tribute to Spain’s rich tennis history in a series of special events, including a “Salute to Spanish Tennis” on center court and a weeklong museum exhibit that highlighted the nation’s rich tennis history.
ITHF CEO Todd Martin and Hall of Famer Charlie Pasarell – who also serves as Vice President of the ITHF International Committee - presented special recognitions to the Hall of Famers. Spanish Hall of Famers Manuel Santana, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, and Manuel Orantes participated in the ceremony and spoke to the enthusiastic Spanish fans, and Hall of Famers Manuel Alonso and Andres Gimeno were also celebrated.
Also during the ceremony, Madrid Tournament Director Ion Tiriac, who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013 in recognition of his great contributions to the sport, was presented with his official Hall of Fame ring.
