NEW DELHI: Tennis legend Rafael Nadal made a special return to the tennis court, but not in a usual setting. The Spanish legend stepped onto a temporary court set up inside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, creating a unique crossover between tennis and football. Nadal teamed up with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for a fun session against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and midfielder Jude Bellingham. Sharing the moment later, Nadal said, “It was very special to enjoy this unique court at the Bernabeu.”Watch:
Football meets tennis at Bernabeu
The exhibition was part of promotions around the Madrid Open, with players allowed to practise at the iconic stadium for a limited time. Several stars, including Iga Swiatek, were also present. The event blended two sports worlds, bringing together top tennis players and Real Madrid footballers in a rare and entertaining setting.
Rising star Jódar’s big moment
Away from the exhibition, young Spanish player Rafael Jódar grabbed attention at the Madrid Open. After winning his debut match in a tough three-set battle, he celebrated by copying Bellingham’s famous goal celebration and even wrote “Hey Jude” on a TV camera. The gesture caught Bellingham’s attention, who later met him and posed for photos.Jódar was thrilled by the interaction, saying, “I talked to him after the match, asked him if he had liked it.” He added, “I didn’t know that he was going to be here, it meant a lot to me. He’s a great person. I’m very grateful that he came. He’s an example for me, he’s my favorite soccer player.”The 19-year-old’s win was historic, making him only the third Spaniard after Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz to win a Madrid Open match before turning 20. Reflecting on his performance, he said, “I was really looking forward to competing here, but I knew I had to play a solid match from start to finish.”
